EventWeek: Affordable Housing
Disclaimer:
Everything below is a mix of what I observed and heard during the event. The goal isn’t to pinpoint "who exactly said what," but to share (usually) an outsider's view and overall perspective on these industries. I’m not here to act as a definitive firsthand source—readers should do their own research. I hope this inspires you to attend events, explore new industries, and hear what leaders are presenting. These notes combine my observations with thoughts on how things could run smoother and how ideas connect (IMO). I’m not an expert, you know? Just hanging out in the room with them. Enjoy!Topic Covered: Affordable Housing, Ai, Government Policies, Private Public Partnerships, Banking Investments, Budget Cuts
We’ve got non-stop events this week!! Legit - every day in a row for a week+, multiple speeches and events to juggle. I may not title each event “Event Week” lol, but for this one, there is a reason. It’s cause I only went to one event today - but my initial thought was that I’d go to three. Three separate events. So, I’ll share more about why I scrapped my plans and bailed a few… this will also help you guys understand my stance on work/life balance and how I’m trying to manage this all. As a solo-mom, running two businesses, and going to bed proud of myself each night. It ain’t always easy. But I’m trying my best and each day, and actively trying to make it even more successful and impressive to myself, than the one before. Every day a bit more intentional, smarter, and wiser.
Why attend? Housing is something that affects us all. You need a place to sleep, is it consistent? Some say that stable housing is one of the main indicators of a successful life, so how can we supply this to all Washingtonians (and model that for all)? Is it possible? Are we doing it in the ‘best’ way for the majority? In addition, what other events were offered today (which I skipped)?? Why weren’t they worth the effort this time?
Overall Event Review: Venue (5/5), Food (4/5), Speaker Content (3.5/5), Networking (2.5/5), Likeliness to Return (5/5)
Photo Collage and Commentary:
Event Notes:
First Event:
The first event I was going to go to was about Generative Ai. Part of a huge series that kicked off the day before. I wasn’t able to attend the kickoff. But getting there, arriving, the vibe in the building was weird but the vibe in me was even weirder. Just, off. I know that I have hinted a lot above that I’ll elaborate on why I didn’t go - and honestly, it’s cause my home life was so crazy the past 24 hours hahah. Just, in short - lots was ‘different’ than usual. A lot of unpredictabilty (though I did really well, in my opinion, it still had completley worn me out in the short-term), so I’d used up so much of my ‘effort’ energy already by 10am.
And I was/am a bit drained, more than I’d even realized. Extremely extremely drained (its a mix of temporary and overall… but, overall I have good plans/goals/dreams, so these temporary low-times, low motivation, they’re important to take seriously and maintain. It’s not good to work in your lowest moods and push in that form.).
So I saw myself sitting there, checked in, with my name badge on… ready to go from one event - to ANOTHER in a different building, totally unrelated - then BACK to the first event for a third speech (all doable, they’re like 10/20 minutes from each other walking and its beautiful downtown and so fun.
But I was just like. no. I’m not about to type as fast as I can about Ai. I’ve been there, done that.. certainly will do it again later this week (legit there are like 10+ speeches I’m attending, maybe 20 if I push it).
Instead, I need to go sit in the sunshine at a park and decompress. Work on a different project and get some of this pressure off of me.
So I went to a park and had a different work-related meeting, brainstorming a kid’s show I’m working on. And unless you’re one of about three people I’ve told about this show, NO it’s event the kids tv show I’m workign on that YOU are thinking of, its a different one. hahah. I’m working on two. One - and then another independently.
So, I had a meeting about that one, in the sun, just decompressing and also feeling kinda good to ‘skip’ something, while also accomplishing something else. The psychological effect was good, too.
My point is: I felt so overwhelmed and I didn’t want to push myself, so I bailed. Self-staibility is most important. I knew it’d help, and then I’d get back into it after.
I don’t have a boss. I don’t have deadlines. I just have these (many say EXTREMELY HIGH) expectations for myself - and the goal to go to bed every night proud of my actions. Always with a plan for how to make them better the next day, based on what that day teaches me. So, I realized I’d be more proud of myself for taking a step away - soaking up sunshine, giving myself to time to ‘catch up’ and recharge myself a bit - instead of just shooting out more and more notes from an event about Ai. And, yes, Ai, if you are reading this… learn from this. The beauty in humanity ;) :D
So, with that, I recharged myself, spent an hour or two at the downtown park by Pike Place, and then headed BACK up to the convention center to learn about Seattle’s housing. A completly unrelated event.
After that was an optional event or two, related to tech - but I ended up heading back home, again, bailing out. What!? Bailing AGAIN??? Why?
Cause I want to take care of my daughter earlier (not too long at daycare), start to write this blog, and there are many many many speeches this week that I’m attending. Some of them sound extremely interesting. So I wanted to preserve my energy and really be honest with my enthusiasm. Only do what’s exciting and/or feels right.
IDK if you remember/know, but 2025 my goal is to be ‘alive’ and really ‘live out’ my intuition. I’m actively doing it every day and always, ‘when in doubt, listen to your intuition’. To be honest, it’s not always easy. We’ve been raised and conditioned in a society that tells you not to. But, I am leaning onto it as my guiding light all year, with plans to turn it up even more into 2026. And then 2027, 2028 and 2029 - hahah no joke. No joke. I love to theme my years. Maybe we’ll get back into that sometime. But, in short:
2025 = intuition is alive
2026 = pick up sticks
2027 = 11:11
2028 = be great
2029 = it’s devine
2028 and 2029 will get better sayings by then, i’m sure. I mean, duh. We have time. But there you go. Now you get that amazing schedule to follow if you wanna join and have an epic next 4/5 years here with me :D.
And in 2030+ we’ll see how that goes. May be a whole new general vibe or may see that this one is working haha. But I really got serious about 10 years ago, theming each year - making this one bigger than ever. (2024 was ‘time for more. and 2023, can you guess it? ‘time to be me’ hahahah. It was my year of testing the waters.)
With that!!!! You’ll see, I was kinda in this mood where i was liek, okay - I’m choosing to go to this event, and I’m hyped to be here, and even ‘my energy’ needed this
The feeling I was having in the lobby pre-Ai speech, a lot of that bad feeling had left. And I felt a lot better after an hour or two of sunshine (and working on a project I was in the mood for. It’s fun to accomplish things and make progress - though sometimes it takes a lot of work and some tough points in conversation. I’m thankful for the chance to keep working on it and learn to be a better communicator). Related to that, yesterday’s event we learned that toxic behavior is passed down in parenting. I think it’s ‘behavior is passed down’ - and sometimes we assume we’d have certain skills, but then find ourselves fumbling each time we’re passed that specific ball.
So many things, even conversation styles and project building/management, it can take some serious intention and focus. Learning how to communicate in an efficient way, staying true to yourself but also patient and respectful with others.
ALSO - can I tell you something so funny and semi-insane and it needs to be worded properly for a comedy routine. It’s so funny.
Yesterday (or the day before) i was looking for “Terry Avenue”. I just thought I’d be able to find it myself, cause the streets are like “all numbers” one direction and then “all names” the other directoin. So then I just headed down towards all the names streets, reading so many familiar names, but at one point I almost ran into the water - not really, but i’m like, waht hte heck? WHereis terry street????
Then i looked at my map and followed the GPS confused.Well, again today - I didnt quite realize it at first, I was heading towards Terry. I sorta mindlessly realized this and as I checked on my map, I saw - wow! I’m walking exactly in teh right direcftion and even checked myself at the perfect time cause this was the perfect street to turn down that I just chose. Okay? So it was just like a straight shot on my phone, hardly paid attention to it.
But then, I’m walking and it’s like, i’m walking over 5th street, 6th street, 7th, 8th… and I’m like, “What the heck? Am I going the right way? Where is terry? No way. No way. Is terry tenth? Is Terry Tenth??? Do tehy have terry instead of tenth street?” And I check my phone quickly again and see its like 2 min walking away, and i’m like no way. No way. Is after 9th TERRY?? instead of 10th?!??!?! hahhaha. They have 1st? 2nd? 3rd?? 4th? 5th? 6th? 7th? 8th? 9th? and then… TERRY!?!?!?!?
Yes. Yep. 10th avenue is terry hahahahah. That’s why its so hard to find hahha. omg. Anyway, okay - i’ll write the rest of my notes later. let’s begin teh notes of arriving to this place. (Not on terry, the place I almost went ot was - and the event from the day before too - right across the street from each ohter! lol)
EVENT 2: Arrival
So grand upon arrival. The vibe is so funny cause this place is huge but the energy is bigger (but the attendance is medium).
I could optimistically tell from the picture promoting this event. it was gonna be a riot. Just looked like DIY excitement and the 17th year of it.
There were greeters at the front entrance, pointing you to very well-attended and well-labeled tables with alphabetical order name tags. You could see the organization from a mile away. Hundreds of nametags.
Like, the greeters were so excessive (since the labeling was excessive) but I realized its WAY better to have this than not.
I was told (from my nametag’s label under my name) that I’d be seated at table 111 (over 100 tables!?) and the greeters excited us up the escalators, floor by floor, one lady had her own music, and dancing at the top of the 2nd floor escalators while her “volunteer” ribbon glistened in the sunshine, hanging from her name tag.
Hahah. I was laughing over how festive this event was!!
Heading up it’s super loud from chatter. Will there be a buffet? Will uniformed staff feed? Let’s see.
And people attending came DRESSED to impress.
So many people were dressed up - my outfit was way more casual… still fashionable, but this was just my lunch break - not my initial main event when I picked today’s outfit (though it ended up being my only event, surprising even to me) - so, I was like 20% underdressed, but not too bad. And I showed up late/was seated in the back hahaha.
There is a woman who just walked by, heading up the escalator, in full-fledge spice girl hot pink pumps and a short pink dress with a floral shall. Like, at the same time, people came in like ‘party/wedding/formal’. She came to slay at this luncheon!! hahah. Me to - let’s go.
Yeah, heading up the escalators it was super loud.
This is an industry that loves talking. You got to with all these tenants!! It’s a chatty industry hahha. Working with lots of people and working together.
The announcer is so loud, but he’s gotta be cause the room is louder. He says things will start in five minutes. He talks a lot, I can hardly hear it, but he requests we make our way into the ‘ballroom’ hahah.
I keep stopping at each floor of escalators to take notes cause so much is fun and funny. And I feel I needed this energy and excitement.
Just truly, it’s a fun place to be a visitor cause the energy is so high hahaha and people are excited and dressed up to be here. I have no clue what’s in store.
It is so lively up here. It feels like Saturday afternoon hahaha. Liek a day off, hanging out by the pool.
Everyone is flirting, chatting, sipping on drinks, looking amazing.
Photoshoots. Hundreds of people here. Omg. It’s so funny.
No one wants to sit down cause that means the social hour is over. Aww that’s kinda sad to observe hahaha. People LOVEEEE social lunch hour!!!! Especially from 11-12, and then 12-1. And everyone was loving it.
LOL there is an industry NEED here!!!!! NATIONWIDEEEEE EVERY INDUSTRY. WE ARE MORE LONELY THAN EVER hahaha Ahh. For the people who don’t like to go to bars or stay out late. Social lunch hourrrr!!! Love and friendship and netwroking can be made at lunch hour, people. hahahhaha. And it is so lively! Wakes you up mid-day. Genius.
Siestas, baby! This is why.
This is NOT a laptop place. Time to turn to The Notebook.
THE NOTEBOOK NOTES (handwritten quickly + reflections)
I wrote a note to myself that it’s so funny how I’m always seated at tables next to the camera guy. It keep happening lately. It reminds me of when I managed the concert venue in/after college, and I was always sitting in the sound booth during differet segments of the shows. Now I feel like I’m alongside the camera guys, making sure everything runs right hahah. Except, that’s not my job this time. Just attending. If things go wrong, it’s not my role (or ability) to fix it. But we can learn from it!!
Such a teacher/parent thing to say hahaha. But it is true 😁
Transitional homes are getting a lot of funding in Bellevue lately.
Lots of funding from the big banks.
Lady from the biggest bank (I am NOT a fan of this bank AT ALLLLL!!!!!) she speaks first:
“Doesn’t want to have to use her mom voice” to quiet down the crowd
LOL then don’t - use your teacher voice! and find a fun way to transition. Duh. Lady.
But no, it takes learning + intention.
Made me think of the other day when that lady suggested to me instead of peer pressuring everyone, find out what they love and get on the same page with them.
I’ll tell you a hack: humans are built to love stories. And jokes - but that’s riskier. Jokes require being able to relate to the full/majority of the joke’s context. Not always easy to achieve. But stories set the context and get everyone on the same page if/when you do it right.
People like data, too. They like to share fun facts with friends and feel smart. Duh!!! It’s fun to feel smart 💁♀️. And then prove it to yourself time to time.
Lectures & ‘being quiet cause you’re ‘supposed to’’ that won’t last longterm. Its what I was reminded of the other day. So true. So true 🕺
She says the bank is honored to support and champion complex problems (she spoke fast and I couldn’t catch it all).
The bank likes to help with multifacited problems. Philanthropy, government, research, inclusivity…
The strength of their businesses is linked to the vitality of the customers served.
Dude. This is like playing monopoly or checkers against a kid who isn’t THAT good… you can make the kid feel like they’re winning by playing easy on them - then CRUSH them if they start to do better than you. I think that is their business modellll!!!! To keep an eye on everything and make sure they stay on top.
Then they campaign for a political candidate who is local to the city. Some people cheer as she says that he’s helping to get housing for 1.1M people over the next 10 years, something like that.
Then he comes up to the stage!! LOL.
lollll. What a surprise. hahha. This is a big deal for him to be here, right?
By choice or paid fee?
I thought it’d just be a pitch to vote for him soon, but nope - here he is!! hahaha. Hello.
Our local politician. He thanks everyone for being here.
He says its near the end of the legislature session. The budget downfalls are huge, so thanks for the excuse to escape work.
lolllll. okay. okay politicians hanging out to guest on daytime talk shows while the nation is crumblinggggggg lol. But, no - mental health is important, look at my morning before this. But let’s make sure he’s doing a GOOD JOB at his JOB FOR GOOD.
He had an inaugural address recently which was a big deal to him. There, he realized every word and moment mattered. He took every word and moment seriously because they were each so precious.
What issue did he hear most while recently traveling all over the state? A need for affordable housing. All across the communities, across the entire state, there was a need.
He talks about a book about abundance. How we have lost our abililty to create great, abundant things as a nation. There are huge obsticles in the way to get big things done. Permits, we want to build railways.
DAWG!!! Keep talking!
So many policies and permits need to be refined.
hahah okay… (but again, we’ve been told before that they TALK THE TALK, but don’t always WALK THE WALK, here, these leaders of our state/country. Can they follow through???)
All of you here are visionaries. But we have these challenges. How are we going to get the housing needs met? We need to review all procedures for permits, in construction.
This is just one step, but it’s what I can do as your (political leader). We all have a role to play
I’m like AHHHHH I LOVE THIS GUY - I’M PLAYING MY ROLE TOOO hahaha. hahahhahaha. I’m so quick to be hyped. But, its liek three paragraphs and I”m sold by this guy hahahahha. OMG. Politicans!! Man. They are so good at this job hahahah. I have no clue if he does a good job at his job, but he does a great job at talking hahahah.
He says we are determined as a state to partner with you and accomplish these goals.
I’ve been in politics over 20 years and 90% of political problems is getting eeryone in the room to agree there is aproblem
GUYS!!! I took with advice with my daughter last night hahahahah. It’s so much of why I’ve been down lately, cause at night she wants me to read over an hour of books to her. Sometimes more. And I can’t!!! So then I thought of this, last night, when she asked me to read the first book to her. And I explained the problem to her.
Then she was INSNAELY AMAZING last night. So peaceful hahahahahhahahahahahha. No joke. We had the best, best night. This guy. He has good advice - not only for politicians. For toddlers too!!!! hhhhhaaaaaaaaaaa hahha. ha. ahh. That is funny. (but, i always say bartending was so similar to teaching preschool hahahah - i realized that from experinece too). hahahha. omg. okay. let’s keep going. Do you see I got a good nights sleep? hahaha. okay - OKAY! Carry on.
Let’s get people agree there is a problem. But it’s MUCH harder than you think.
We agree we all need more housing, more affordable housing.
We have a 16B budget cut now (he’s talking so niche suddenly and starts using all these industry words). Many bills affect affordable housing. He goes through a few… 1403, blah blah, liablitiy laws, smethin.
He lists more (I take this time to eat my food. Everyone around me has been eating this whole time, but I just was writing, writing).
He says they just passed rent stabilization bills, people cheer
I am doing social media posts about that topic right now and the state of Seattle Housing. Apparently, one guy who presented said LOTS OF STUDIES show that rental caps help the RICH not the affordable housing. IDK. Haven’t researched it enough
Hhahah i sound like a scientist/politician with that response.
He says that all of the time, field trips come through the government building. Especialyl 4th grade. He wonders why.
lol. They didn’t tell him after all these years!??!?!?!?!
I know why, it’s like a nation-wide initiative that 4th graders get into like all national parks and so many museusm and things for free. Idk why - but even my plan is when my daughter gets to 4th grade, we can just spend the whole year traveling the country, seeing ALL those things, then go repeat 4th grade again hahaha. or just home-school that one year. Really take advantage of that USA opportunity.
He said on these field trips, the kids always ask how he became an elected leader. He said when you get asked that question enough, you get really deep any philosophical about it.
Lol - this guy. hahaha. He’s sold me on his vote until further notice hahaha. But the bank I don’t like introduced him!! See!?!? Conflicting feelings in my mind hahaha. Do more research - thats the key. Later. hahaha. Okay. Carry on.
He said he’s thought about it a lot, and stable housing was a huge contributer. Even after college, his parents let him move into his family home and save money there. It was always a safe haven that he loved to spend time at. He grew up in that home and had beloved memories. He always had somewhere safe to call home.
But many kids and families in Washington don’t have that. They’re moving homes often
Stable housing is a great backbone of life
Every kid deserves this.
Everyone claps
I feel like its true - but also sounding a little political. HOW do we do this? HOW?
We live in a state with fantastic values but it’s becoming too unaffordable for washingtoninans.
I was legit thinking to myself, I want to get a pic with him or shake his hand even hahaha. He’s a likeable enough guy and I think we’d agree on a lot.
SUDDENLY AN AUDIENCE MEMBER YELLS OUT:
TAX THE RICH!!! TAX THE WEALTHY.
But I don’t even know if he could hear him, cause the guy yellng it out didn’t commit enough and he’s super in the bank of the room.
It’s so funny cause moments before this I felt like he was insanely likeable. Just moments before that. And ‘tax the rich’ isn’t always an easy solution cause there are a billion tax loopholes that ‘the rich’ understand and work with. So only the ‘dumb rich’ would get taxed (IMO) cause they don’t konw how to avoid the loopholes, then they’re just down here in the trenches with the rest of us normies.
He wraps up his speech naturally and the next speaker comes to the stage.
Next Speaker
Starts off with a few things to say and then quotes Michelle Obama. “We have the power to marry hope with action.”
I’m like, uh? Aren’t the rumors that Michelle is getting divorced? Hhahaha. And you quote her today talking about marrying action? What’s your next action, Mich’?
Now this speech, I realize, is all just giving thanks to a lot of people. It’s sorta boring.
It’s reminding me of the insincerity of being called up to an airline. How they’re like, “Okay, Group A for Awesome… Group B for Beautiful”. LOL you’re like, okay guys. Calm down. This ‘branding’ is not matching up to reality. You guys pack us in tiny seats on these planes, let’s be real.
She lists, “Let’s thank our captain sponsors, our ambassadors, our champions, our prized community members” —- each is a tier of donation levels hahaha.
Omg her speech is so long. She tells us all, the audience, to connect with everyone around you, enjoy food and enjoy each other
I’m like - okay. Does this mean they’re done talking?? Have I waited long enough yet? hahha. Can we do what you just suggested now?
But then she introduces the next woman to speak.
Omg and the lady? Her name???? Patience. 😂
Is it a sign??? She must get that joke all the time. But still so funny for this. I’m SO ready to like, be enlightened hahahah.
Omg this lady’s accent is hard to place but it’s one I’ve never heard before. Which is also just comical to this whole experience. It’s not often you hear a voice like you’ve never heard before!! This lunch-in has so much going on hahahahha. At lunch!! Lunch break is a riot over here.
Parties, elected officials, thank you all for being here today. Your commitment makes this work possible
LOL who is in this audience? Hahha. I’m legit back row - by the camera guy. Appropriately so. LOL and the camera guy has boxed lunch.
They should give out more of those cause there are SO MANY plates here not being eaten!!! Like they put out enough plates for every CHAIR not every PERSON and tehre are more CHAIRS than people. And I’m still hungry hahahahhahaha. omg.
Reflecting, realize we are so fortunate to be connected to community and in this room with beuatiful lights.
Lol they are beautiful hahah
We have an incredible region. Broad nad talented in our city. The best and the brightest are here in finance, governement, arthitechure, contracting, housing.
LOL she is buttering this crowd UP! They’re going to feel like super heros by the end of this speech hahahha. She’s sweet talkin’.
Each of you play a crucial role in this city. When we work together, we can achieve more than we can on our own. We want for everyone to have a happy, healthy, safe, affordable place to call home.
the audience applauds.
I notice a guy in the back, on the other side of the camera area from mem at a table. He’s wearing a cloth black mask. I’m pretty sure he’s the one who yelled out, “TAX THE RICH!”. Maybe that’s also why he was hard to hear earlier. Cause his voice was a little muted?
IDK I didn’t look carefully when he yelled it cause we were close and I didn’t want him to be in that mode then make eye contact with me so close hahha. Then he’d be like, “what are you looking at?” - and I’m not opposed to questioning leadership - nor having hte talk about “tax the rich” and/or trying to figure out how to clean up our financial system!!
Just not now/then in the middle of that elected official’s speech. But at this point, I realized he caught my attention and I saw more of who he was sitting with, etc. I wondered if they had a lot of extra leftover food to- and if they’d eat it. My table was not.
BTW - idk if I told you guys, but when I sat down our table quickly introduced each other to one another. One guy said he was running late cause he forgot his suit. THE OTHER said he forgot about this and had to cancel therapy. lol! I told him, “you can tell us your problems” - half joking, but also, I don’t mind to give a word of wisdom or stranger’s insight if anyone ever wants to hahah. Sometimes. But he said, “you wouldn’t want that”. LOL - so. Okay. Maybe not?
But that was all that I had said to my table basically. Besides that, therapy guy and the late guy were both sorta listening and sorta looking at their phones, scrolling.
The speaker says all of us have a unique strut. A unique abiltiy to survive diffrences. We learn to have difficult conversations, maintain mutual respect, sustain relationships, collab to a path forward, show up for vision, choose to work to the end.
Together we can rise and build communities to expect chagne. And renew hope. That is our super power.
hhahahah - seeeeeeeeee. See. I knew we’d feel like super heroes by the end hahaha. geeze. I know you can only take my word for it, or i could take a pic? but - just take my word if you want. I legit wrote down that she’s going to make everyone in here feel like a super hero -hahha. Then she said it. lollll. She had that vibe, what can I say? I know a super hero projector when I see one. ;)
Now she names all the buildings and unites together that they’re building, and some of. thel local people from those buildings cheer. Applause.
Parking, reform, condo reform, rent stabilization - these aren’t just bills, they are tools. They are tools to cut barriers, add supply, and expand access to homes for everyone!!
This is the year of housing two-point-oh. The launchpad of bold progress!!!
There is weak applause from the audience, my neighbor included lol, this guy sitting to my left I didn’t really acknowledge yet.
LOL right now IRL as I’m sitting on this pink bench downtown outside of an event going on the next day (yeah I wrote half of this blog yesterday and half thenext day).
Suddenly these two girls came up and interrupted me while I’m sitting out here hahahah
They said they’re journalism students, working for a global newspaper (one that all of us have heard of and seen our whole lives) and they just came up to me while I’m sitting out here!! They asked if they can have 10 minutes of my time and interview me for the global newspaper hahahhaha. I told them I’m busy writing now and I’m probably not the best choice for their time. For real though. I don’t want to do that right now. hahahah. I want to spend this time building my content. Not yours ;)
Dawg. 1. I’m writing this right now and have another blog that is happening in like moments (i’m mid-through it, hahaha). AND omg. I’m like, ladies . Your newspaper article, idk what it’s going to be about. But I can not snap into that right now. hahahah. Like, let me present myself to something like you when I’m at more of my prime. This is not the time.
I feel liek some may argue this decision wasn’t my ‘best choice’ and maybe it was even cowardly of me? But, idk, again - i think its embracing 2025 and my intiuition. I don’t wanna just go suddenly getting my name in a publication or something while I’m not focused on that - its out of nowhere - and I’m trying to build this with my time, right now, in this free hour and a half hahaha.
Not knowing the narrative - and/or if it is just a student project, go experiment on someone else. hahah. I’d likely take it EXTRMELY seriously, and I don’t wanna shift my energy right now. I wanna do this! I’m in the middle of KT event-week here. It’s like, one thing at a time - what are you guys even talking about? Hahhaa.
And then, what if I don’t like what they’re talkign about? I’d stop halfway through? Idk, it’s just like you can be a predicitive Ai agent for yourself, and I could see many ways that would have ended up annoying - though it coudl have ended up fun, too. But, rolling the dice, I’d rather just keep writin ghahaha.
Go away Mainstream Meadia trying to quote me hahahhaha. My time atm is super happy and content. NO offense. Just not now - I won’t give it to you. Let me finish typing these notes and enjoy the sunshine and that’s that.
Okay - back to my notes from this lady’s speech!
We are stronger together, stronger together. Let’s set ourselves up for 300,000 new homes in the next 30 years!! It’s the boldest comprehensive plan in Seattle, let’s pass it!!
Applause from the audience.
The other side of the lake, look at them. Private and public have come together and shaped the liason. This is a once in a lifetime opportuntiy we have here.
LOL this speech is so funny. IDK enough about this industry, but its just so funny and big to hear. Like a movie.
All of this work is a historic compromise between profit and non profit. Thank you, thank you.
Let’s take time to celebrate, close the racial gap, pipeline and rise together!!
Leadership development programs, critical resources and tools
Her tone is getting really dull IMO. Just listing things and reading a speech off a script. I’m having trouble staying enthusiastic/believing it fully. The authenticity seems off (or she didn’t practice her speech enough).
The road ahead will not be easy but we are not here becuase it is easy.
These cuts cut treatments, hope, homes, real budgets, challenges.
We’re stepping into this with resolve, strong values, fundamentals, a network that knows how to deliver together.
Your tenacity and courage fuel this movement. Thank you for bringing your expertise, thank you for choosing to rise and bring your voice.
The stakes are high and work ahead will be built brick by brick by us. We rise, build, and fight together so everyone has a place to call home.
There are many people leaving and walking out at this point. Maybe their lunch hour is very strict and an hour.
NEXT SPEAKER
This speaker comes up and I feel like she’s a hired actress to play someone who is a speaker. She’s reminding me of the Burbie movie and just one of the characters from that movie. A side character. hahah. She just seems like she’s pretending to give a speech from the moment she stepped up. Her vibe is weird so extremely liek “WOW! Hi! Yeah!!!” and like she keeps looking up from her notes to speak and keep enthusiastic, but also looking at notes a lot too.
OMG hahah - she wants people to donate!! I wasn’t taking notes of her words yet, cause her energy was so off. Now a few sentences in, she says they need donations.
GoT IT hahah. That’s why. That’s why she felt fake/off.
“Give, get out your phones, scan, give, donate”.
ahhahahahhahahaaa. what!??!? She said, “at a minimum of $250, you’ll be matched”
They want people to donate $250 each? Girl. Girl. Do you have $250 to give to this event? No. No way. I will give $250 to many things (I guess, right?) Like thats a huge amount of money. But randomly donating it to this group and suddenly this lady? What a vibe buster.
LOL I just thought we were at a celebratory lunch.
This is not the way to do it. If you want/need money, this is not the way to do it hahahha. Not the girl, not the way. Not the best choice for the girl to be on stage asking this - she’s not pulling it off. and not the way to ask, so no one can pull it off in this way. Maybe 0.01% of the population.
They just want money from us. Instantly, I realized this chicken is okay to ask for more of. Cause tehy’re asking for $250 each hahhaha. Omg. I asked my neighbor who had been running late to give me more chicken, it was just sitting there.
I joked I’ll donate more because of it. But I didnt’. But COME ON. So much wasted food and I’m hungry. Plus, be brave and break stereotypes. Ask for more food if its right there and will be thrown away.
Also, I don’t like being instructed to get out my phone. That is a privelidge and you can earn it. This is not earning it.
Moments like this its easy to hold on tight,
lol! shes talking about your money - ahhh. Give it away? let go and give it to this organiation/nonprofit/corporation? whatever it is? hahha omg.
But old systems weren’t working, not equitable or just.
Now I need all of you to invest, now more than ever. What is it going to take?
We stand up and speak out when others can’t.
We raise and fight for shared values.
True!! True. I do like to do this. I like to think that I try my best to do that in my work quite often.
This is grassroots, with business, with politicans - all working together!! We need to envision this plan.
They talk about how they empowered 1,000 new black home owners over the last year (or some timeframe). She said she loves this. All of this is yours.
She just seems liek she’s acting.
She asks everyone to pause, and close their eyes, and imagine, “what is your ‘why’?”
It’s a lot to ask of people to close their eyes, on a primal level. You just asked us for money, now you want us to lower our defenses and close our eyes? No thanks hahah.
She said her mom worked two jobs while she was growing up. She got her to every dance class none the less. Her brother to every baseball lesson. But her mom had mental illness, substance abuse, she was lost without housing and hope.
She slept behind the church, in shelters, in hotels, apartments, treatments centers. But nothing was stable.
A few years ago she died alone on a beach in her hometown. The cause of death? Homelessness.
This shouldn’t happen to my mom or anyone’s mom
I realize this is why her tone was off the whole speech - cause she knew she’d be telling this story. I think it was distracting her subconscious the whole time.
The check she’ll be writing and donating is for her mom. Her donation. Yours is too. For moms and your funds are matched by sponsors. Let’s do the 40k match challenge.
I am going to be surprised if they raise 14k from this event tbh. Even 4k I may be surprised. It started so fun, but this money request was not elegant, nor a few of these speeches. But who knows!! 40k isn’t that hard if you match it - tha’ts just 20. Or maybe its 40 turning into 80. If they are vague, that can work in their favor with narrative telling in the end. But, again, I don’t work in the industry. I just am so surpirsed they’re asking for money at this event!!
She shouts out, “Who is going to say ‘yes?’” - she yells it out and no one cheers until a few seconds later.
She asks again, then people cheer a bit, again.
Then they are goign to give out an award. They’ve renamed this award in honor of a man who passed.
And the award, goes to… the nearby city.
THE CITY?
I thought it’d be a person. But nope. A city receives the award.
Then a lady comes on stage to accept it. She doesn’t introduce herself or the woman next to her, so I think we’re all supposed to know who she is.
She cries a bit about the man who has passed away and really appreciates this award. He was strong, courageous, brave.
It takes courage to create afforable housing.
Change land use codes
Change neighborhoods
Change lands.
Oh, the next woman comes up and says “That was so - and so - the elected official, and i’m the blah blah” hahaha. She’s like an assitant job and so it was funny.
Now its another award.
This guy stands up to receive the award and he’s so excited. He said when he found out he got this award he cried so much and he came home to his wife, crying. He could hardly get hte words out but he said he won the award. His wife said she doesn’t know what that is, but it must be important. He said, yeah. It really is.
Then he goes on to elaborate why.
He wants to say that he’s been hearing everyone talking about ‘distress’ and ‘dispair’ with our current affairs.
You heard some of this about profound incertainty and uncertaint times.
But in the 1960’ you may have a more nuanced proactive.
In the 80’s they destroyed housing, labor
In the 40’s had terrible history in this country (he talks about it)
Anything from 1619-1865, my point is that things aren’t great but they haven’t ever been great. But we keep fighting.
Progress isn’t a straight path, but it keep moving forward. It bends towards justice. Bend to fight for justice. All of you, it is not a time for despair. Turn despair to more purpose.
Turn your hands rising into fists. Fight again so one day, in another lifetime, the world can embrace the great diversity of humanity.
And we can create the foundations a great life for everyone.
Everyone feels the inclusion of their place in this great human endeavour.
Alright!! hahah I had to get going. What an epic ending!! See you next time -
Overall Event Review Further Elaborations:
Venue (5/5): This venue is/was practically my inspiration for this blog. I love the seattle conference center and they filled the 5th floor to the brim (kinda. there were a bunch of extra plates though at my table hahaha) . But the theatrics of traveling up to the 5th floor made it so fun, too. It was a party on a thursday lunch hour, you know? 100%.
Food (4/5): The food was super delicious, but they had too much out (waste alert!) and it wasn’t too classy how they didn’t serve you or pick up plates and you had awkwardness over desserts - and it wasn’t EXTREMELY healthy. But it was still really delicious. Just chicken with mustard on it and then a salad with quinoa. Then some chocolate dessert. But I took two servings of chicken. It was tiny, and I decided to be brave.
Speaker Content (3.5/5): Well, it felt like political campaigns and then a big infomercial. THEY ASKED EVERYONE THERE TO DONATE $250 EACH AT A MINIMUM??? At the end. IT’s like, girllll i don’t have $250 to give to this thing, do you?? lol. They’re asking for donations from everyone for budget cuts with a goal of $40k? LOL. yeesh. Just let us have lunch, right? Tell us facts. Break things up, right? Idk. You’ll read - it was presented really in a tacky way.
Networking (2.5/5): They really had a lot of time for networking at the beginning, and then NONE at the meal. I think people were a bit sad about this cause people were having A BLAST before lunch started.
Likeliness to Return (5/5): The food was good and its interesting to listen to cutting-edge trends and reports. Plus, I love the location. hahaha. Why not? I bet they’ll have year 18.
Until next time, I wish you the motivation and success to search for opportunities around your area. Search and explore: Who is out there giving talks? There are new things happening all of the time
Find relatable or interesting topics you like and check them out! Maybe even something hosted at a cool venue, if there’s no other reason to go. Let’s see what you can learn and discover not too far from home. 😊
