For the
fifth time in two weeks I walked into a room of strangers. I’ve been
networking. It’s the hard work of introducing myself to as many people as
possible, spurting the same 30 word/30 second bio and hoping the person’s face
lights up.
The Kasie-Makes-a-Living-Being-Kasie
Networking Tour began two weeks ago with a series of Chamber of Commerce
events.
I also went
to the ITPSC luncheon, a Tech After 5 event, the ASTD Chapter Meeting, and made
a gallant effort to attend the Social Media Club of Columbia’s Thursday night
meeting in the Vista. But, come on, people, the corner of Park and Gervais at 7
p.m. on a Thursday?
I would have needed 90 minutes to find parking. I bailed.
Anyway, this
week I went to an open mic poetry reading at the Red Door Tavern on State
Street. I was invited by my Columbia Writers’ Alliance buddy John Starino.
The
headlining poet was Dayna Smith. It all felt very theatre, very improv-y at
first and I expected some quaintness to the readings. It was anything but
quaint.
Dayna Smith’s
poetry was charged with defiance and anger and frustration. She let her passion
free and I imagined it galloping through the room like the black smoky horses
of Jude Law’s Boogeyman nightmares.
She was
breathtaking.
