my first unschooling conference. or non-conference.

my top ten moments, in a not-so-carefully selected order of importance:

10. unconsciously kissing TFG in front of a room full of people, to a response of applause and "Awwww!!!" and becoming instantly red-faced.

9. quietly discussing the random need to get the hell away from the Loud! Happy! Loud! Happy! with a dear, new friend. she's in the same camp with me. thanks, Abbi. when i go to another conference, i'm seeking you out and following you to somewhere quiet.

8. finding some quiet time on the beach with Hannah. we've spent quite a bit of time together lately, it seems.

7. the obnoxiously beautiful 70 minute drive on Highway 34 through the national forest. the Highway 20 drive to the coast is beautiful, but it's nothing compared to 34. whoa.

6. Introducing my good friend Jack Lazer to a table full of people from all over the country. my new friends: Craig. Gillian. your children are beautiful. i cannot wait to visit you in your zone. wait until you hear some of the music we're going to make in the new year.

5. explaining the extremely limited fundamentals of Unschooling to Jack, as i understand them: "you know, a kid's only got one chance to really be a kid. why shit all over them with a regiment of school?" -and then seeing the recent college grad nod in instant understanding while he mulled it over.

4. Getting drunk at Squirrel's with Donna while a really interesting, fun band lays down the law.

3. not having any fear when i explained to Mary why i had gone to Portland. Thanks, Phil. you're the man.

2. Explaining the two most important words in French that i know to Kyra, after writing them on her new A.S. tour shirt, and seeing the look in her eyes after i translated them for her.

1. being brought to tears (yes, me. and yes, really) by the subject of the song "Grieve", and in the context in which it was delivered: Holding hands with TFG at the custom-designed, intimacy-overloaded Amy Steinberg show at Sunnyside Up.

none of these people asked questions when i needed to disappear. for that, i thank you.