#jacknotatlunch, photo by smalltowngirl

I’m still buzzing with energy from a speaking enegagement by @Jack Dorsey, co-founder/CEO/Creator of Twitter, this morning at Webster University (#jackatwebster) and a great lunchtime tweet-up (#jacknotatlunch) at Llwelyn’s Pub in Webster Groves.

Thanks to @sbolen and @michaeltomko for merging tweet-ups into one huge, successful #jacknotatlunch!

#jacknotatlunch photo 1, by smalltowngirl

#jacknotatlunch photo 2, by smalltowngirl

(this photo shared by @effiek. Thanks!)

#jacknotatlunch photo 4, by smalltowngirl

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As promised, here is a list of #jacknotatlunch tweet-up attendees. If you attended today, this list is in the order it was passed around the tables, so that may help you look up people whose faces you remember but whose twitter names you didn’t catch. I’m omitted real names here, but I do have them on the list. If you remember a first name but have forgotten twitter name, DM me @milligfunk, and I’ll pass it on!

@milligfunk  and @ymcaoftheozarks (This blogis a personal project, and is in no way a reflection of the YMCA.)

@ruthblock

@katzpotter

@gmostl and @umatter2chtrG

@Umatter2Chtr and @toyoufromzero

@Umatter2chtr2 and @chappy01

@Umatter2Charter and @KetzerMusic

@michaeltomko and @firebirdstl and @lot_mstl

@mbogart

@cyberteacher

@maryburke

@effiek

@sbolen

@STLwinegirl

@good4skin

@joshkocurek

@liketheketchup

@scorchagency

@mollydowntown

@JavaSTL

@DixieDynamite

]]> http://smalltowngirlsguide.com/2009/jackisnotatlunch/feed/ 5 http://smalltowngirlsguide.com/2009/more-gentle-and-more-beautiful/ http://smalltowngirlsguide.com/2009/more-gentle-and-more-beautiful/#comments Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:08:29 +0000 MilliGFunk http://smalltowngirlsguide.wordpress.com/?p=693 As a kid, I wasn’t afraid of much, but I was scared of what was beneath the surface of lakes, oceans, seas, gulfs or streams. Any natural water source that was too deep for me to see the bottom of terrified me.

Our hearts are like those lakes, oceans, seas, gulfs and streams sometimes in that there is a darkness within them. There is a black, broken place inside even the kindest of hearts.

When I was 15, I went SCUBA diving in the ocean off the coast of Mexico. I was surprised that the bottom of the ocean at that particular spot wasn’t dark at all. In fact, it was beautiful and colorful and filled with amazing textures and patterns. Tonight I’m reminded of the bottom of the ocean, and suddenly the depths of my own heart aren’t so intimidating.

As much as I loved the compexities of Brooklyn, I’m thankful for the introspection, faith and courage I’ve found in Missouri. The depths of our fears are far more gentle and beautiful than we can imagine.

I challenge you to dive into your own.

I met an old friend for dinner on The Landing, a strip of restaurants and bars just north of the Arch. We made our way down The Landing’s red brick streets to the riverfront, claiming a spot to stand beneath the Arch.

As we stood side by side, the stainless steel of the Arch reflected the vivid colors of the fireworks in the sky above us. The structure’s steel face magnified the cracks and booms of the fireworks, vibrating the walls of my chest with each explosion.

The finale came, and the gunpowder from the fireworks hung tight to the still, damp summertime air. I smiled, happy to be back in my home city, celebrating my freedom with an old friend by my side.

Part of the way into this video, I thought, “Hmmm, his art is kind of neat.”

And by the end of this video, I was inspired.

“I have learning difficulties, you know I can’t read or write. I had to find a way to express myself…the teachers at school made me feel small, so they made me feel like ‘nothing’. I’m trying to prove to the world that ‘nothing’ doesn’t exist.”

What a great reminder that everyone brings something to this world. Check it out:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYi458oI0-8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]