A Winding Path

I have a new post on Women of HR today: Leap (of faith). Although I knew what story I wanted to tell, it was a struggle to actually write it. I found it took much longer to do than any of the other posts I've done so far.

Part of the reason it was difficult is that my career path has been different than what is typically expected. I took a detour or two. Taking those detours may have hurt me in the eyes of some people. My resume doesn't show the typical progression an HR director normally has.

Those detours made a difference, though. I learned things I never could have if I had stayed on the straight and narrow career path. I met some wonderful, creative, giving, driven people who are making differences in their spheres of influence. I'm certain my exposure to them shaped me in a positive way that could not have happened if I hadn't varied my course.  I wouldn't be where I am if I hadn't veered off my initial route. In the words of Smash Mouth's ubiquitous song, All Star:

So much to do so much to see
So what's wrong with taking the back streets
You'll never know if you don't go
You'll never shine if you don't glow 

Take some back streets. Explore the side streets. Take the interstate if you have to, but try to remember what you may be passing by.

Designer Cupcakes - The New Drug of Choice?

photo credit: iStockphoto

Unless you've been under a rock somewhere, it would be hard not to notice the ascent of the cupcake to stratospheric status.

Cupcakes of my youth were staples of elementary school room mothers, who faithfully baked endless supplies for class parties. Plainly frosted, sometimes sprinkled with colored sugar, cupcakes were without a doubt kid food. It makes sense; they are small, easy to handle, and can be consumed without silverware.

Now, however, it's difficult to find the simple cupcakes of my childhood. Cupcakes have had a makeover - and a glamor makeover at that. They've gone designer. Entire shops dedicated only to the simple cupcake. Upscale ingredients like "madagascar bourbon vanilla" and "valrhona chocolate" stare at you from the menus. Extensive menus. You want raspberry-filled German chocolate? No problem. Salted caramel? You've got it. Bacon and maple syrup? Sure thing.

Adults now buy custom cupcakes in droves. Cupcakes are replacing traditional cakes at birthday parties, baby showers, graduation parties and more. I plainly admit, I don't get it.

The "cake" part of cupcakes is usually a bit dry. To me, there's nothing better than good, moist, homemade cake. Without frosting.

And here we come to the crux of the situation, I believe. I think people like this new brand of designer cupcakes because it's an easy vehicle for frosting. Lots of it. Piled high. Cupcakes now have more frosting and toppings than cake.

So, my theory is that adults like this cupcake makeover not because they're designer-pretty and look interesting, but because it's an easy way to consume a ton of frosting. Sugar high, anyone?

Wheel of Meat: Chemo Cargo

A few weeks ago, out of the blue, I received notice from the very kind folks at Rockford Temple Rebekah Lodge #789 that they were going to do a fundraiser for Chemo Cargo. 

"Wheel of Meat" Raffle

Friday, May 20, 2011

6:30 pm 

at Murphy's Pub

501 South Perryville Road

Rockford, Illinois

Buy tickets to win your choice of hams, steaks, burgers, ribs and more.

If you live in the area, please consider attending to support Chemo Cargo and our efforts to provide comfort to chemotherapy patients.

Temple Rebekah is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. For more information, click here.

HRevolution 2011 - My First Time; Won't Be the Last

Back from HRevolution 2011. What a great experience. Finally. I've wanted to attend since the very first one back in the fall of 2009 (but I was dealing with the stupid "C" word at the time). I watched it gain momentum and sent my coworker Sallie to HRevolution 2010 when I couldn't go yet again. I jealously followed the twitter stream, wishing I was there.

This time the timing worked. I met so many people I've followed on twitter for what seems like forever. I met people I haven't followed, but am following now. Amazing people who aren't afraid to give their opinions on the profession. Passionate people. People who aren't afraid to swear, and who love bacon. On everything.

 Some of the fabulous twitter folks I was honored to meet:

@DaveTheHRCzar - Dave Ryan - Loved hearing about your cattle calls.
@sonar6 - Mike Carden - The performance debate was great. Thank you.
@TrishMcFarlane - Kudos for helping to organize this event. Great to meet you in person.
@awils - Amy Wilson - Thanks for joining us in the introvert corner at the tweetup!
@williamtincup - You're just as quirky in person as I imagined. Fantastic.
@BenjaminMcCall - Love your passion. Love it.
@ewmonster - Eric Winegardner -Thanks for the prize, and the best comment in the performance debate: "What do you need to do to be exceptional? Join a low-performing team."
@ArezooG - Loved talking with you about toxins in cosmetics. It's rare I find another person who knows what I'm referring to on this subject!
@HRstalker - Ruth Estwick - Fun lunch on the patio. Thanks for joining @smorgensen21 and me.
@bryanwempen - May 5th or 6th for Cinco de Mayo? Great to know. Seriously, loved meeting you.
@loismelbourne - Meeting fellow WoHR contributors was a high point for me. Looking forward to more conversations!
@sbrownehr - Steve Browne - You rock. Thanks for adding me to your email list. I was going to ask, so you saved me a step!
@RobinSchooling - Oh, the tiara was perfect! So good to finally meet you.
@HR_Minion - Shauna Moerke - I finally got a photo with Gir! I can't tell you how excited I was!
@lisarosendahl - Pleasure to meet you in person. Next time, we talk a bit more.
@designtwit - Lyn H - The bacon pimp. Wish I had been able to talk with you more.
@Frannyo - Franny Oxford - Another person I've wanted to meet (seemingly) forever. Glad to finally do so!
@controllergirl - Teresa Morris - Love your perspective. Hope to see you again.
@joningham - Great to meet you at the tweetup. Fun to have UK point of view.
@donnarogershr - Donna Rogers - Thanks for the information on ILSHRM and cattle calls. Hope we can connect again.
@davecarhart - Your optimism about the profession - and life - is great.
@TLColson - Tammy Colson - Glad to finally meet you in person. Love how expressive you are.
@ContentedCows - Bill, love the contented cows books. If I'd realized that you were one of the authors when you were sitting next to me, I would have told you then!
@SBLeaders - Mary Ellen Slayter - Thanks for "picking on" me during HR Slam. Yes, I can take it.
@ChinaGorman - Love your energy - and the skirt. Travelsmith - I remembered.
@TimJGardner - I didn't realize you were the HR Introvert at first. Great to meet you.
@luckypenny - Joni Doolin - What a great sense of humor!
@csarvich - Caryn Sarvich - Such a great perspective, loved talking with you.
@AprilBreeden - Thanks for joining us on the terrace, fellow introvert! Great meeting you.
@MikeHaberman - Practical and progressive thoughts - enjoyed listening.
@Incentintel - Paul Hebert - It felt like I met a legend in person. I was honored.
@HRFishbowl - Charlie Judy - Incomparable. So great to meet you.
@Kimberly_Roden - Your passion rocks. I'm looking forward to interacting with you more.
@RoseHRMaven - You are a true warrior. I admire you.
Jorden Bartlett - I hope you make your way out of HR and keep fighting to change the face of Corporation 3.0.

This list is by no means all-inclusive. So many people made impressions on me with their kindness and willingness to share.

The sessions were great. Informative. I'm still mulling over everything I've learned, letting it settle into my brain. I've returned to work more focused, more resolved than ever to pay attention to what's important - not what's urgent.

However, if you haven't guessed yet, the best part for me was the people. I'm shy and a bit awkward by nature, and events like this push me to my absolute limits. When asked by my coworkers what I found most valuable from the weekend, I was able to say, "Networking. And I loved it." The casual, intimate setting put me as much at ease as I could be. I want to participate again.

Steve Boese, Crystal Peterson, Trish McFarlane and Ben Eubanks: you did an awesome job organizing this event. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

This HRevolution community rocks.