Meeting Liz Strauss - Successful Blogger, Wonderful Person

Yesterday I gave my presentation about my book 10 Ways to Make It Great! in Chicago at the local HDI chapter, and on my way down, I picked up Successful Blogger Liz Strauss. Liz was even cooler in person than she is on her blog, and even MORE giving in person than she is with her link-loving SOB-ness all over her blog. Liz is definitely a Relationship Geek!

In addition to Liz being kind enough to park my car because I was already running 35 minutes late due to some crazy traffic jam on the way to the event, she also ran up my bag of books and my dress shirt and my camcorder. She wrote about it in a wonderfully kind article about me and what she didn't say is she took the only elevator in the Chase building that didn't go all the way to the 57th floor where my speech was, so she got stuck and yet still didn't give up and came to support me and bring my gear to the room. What an AMAZING individual!

After my speech, Liz and I grabbed a little food at a Greek restaurant, where of course we thought of ways to show off our relationship geek status, so we picked up my phone and called Carpe Factum's own Timothy Johnson.

Tim tried to convince Liz and I that he wasn't a "one link stand" and by the end of our meal, I think Liz was almost convinced. We'll see though :) Tim also talked about our conversation in "Torn Between Two Bloggers" and I think Tim enjoyed our conversation almost as much as we enjoyed teasing him!

Liz and I then spent a bit of time wandering around the city, chatting it up, getting to know each other, and talking a bit about a new business opportunity for both of us. Should be an amazing partnership! I can't believe how much Liz and I had in common. I love making new friends.

Yesterday was a GREAT day because I got to deepen a relationship with a new friend. I can't wait to spend more time with Liz Strauss. I also really look forward to meeting Tim Johnson and the rest of my blogging buddies in Iowa, Mike Sansone, Tom Vander Well, and Mike Wagner. The fact I gave my presentation was really just gravy, and is not close to the most memorable part of the day.

GREAT people make it a GREAT day!
Phil Gerbyshak

Technorati Tags: liz strauss, tim johnson, successful blog, carpe factum, iowa, chicago, hdi

Comments

[ann michael]

Liz is awesome - and even kinder and funnier in person than on her blog. I'm glad you got to meet her!

We should come up with a reason to get a bunch of people together in a central location - kind of like a 1 year reunion at "Virtual High" or something (by high - I mean High School!!!).

Keep making it great, Phil!

[Kirsten Harrell, Psy.D.]

Great story Phil! And way to go staying positive. We can't control what happens to us, but we can always control our attitude - and it sounds like you were proof of that!

[Starbucker]

I can only imagine what a Phil/Liz partnership can produce - watch out world, here they come! Cheers to two good friends and fellow bloggers.

[Phil Gerbyshak]

Starbucker - the idea of a partnership with Liz is very exciting. It's going to be amazing...More to come on that :)

Kirsten - Glad you enjoyed the story. You're absolutely right, the reaction is all we've got to control. It's not always easy, but with focus, anything is possible.

Ann - Starbucker mentioned a Chicagoland barcamp/podcamp in April of 07. More to come on that too.

[Michael Wagner]

Phil - honored to be part of your blog buddy posse in Iowa!

Looking forward to meeting you someday soon.

Keep creating,
Mike