story

When I was in grad school, working toward a Master’s in Sociology, my dad would ask “What are you going to do with that?" -- a very reasonable question. As part of my studies, our research team conducted a project in which we asked the nonprofit organizations in the region what types of assistance they would like from the University.  Technology was consistently one of the major issues for which community and regional groups needed help.

I am increasingly finding value in stories. Both telling and hearing. Stories teach us much about life and, in particular, about the person telling the story.

Whether the story is under 140 characters or a detailed drawn out tale, I love having adventures and the subsequent telling of those adventures. I love telling them via my online networks and telling them in person. Online I can include pictures, videos and links. In person I can be animated, use inflection and display emotion. One method is not better than the other. Just different.

I just returned from a Public Interest Registry Advisory Council meeting in Istanbul. The Advisory Council consists of folks working in the Internet industry from around the world. For me, the trip was not only fabulous because it occurred in a city chock full of history and mixes of cultures but also because of the individuals with whom I experienced this city. I had the unique opportunity to   experience a place where east and west truly intermingle while discussing use of the .org domain, religion, and cultural differences with a well traveled international group of folks. I would not have learned nearly as much about the mosque the Hagia Sophia and its Christian roots if not for my colleague from Iraq. I would not have learned the U.S. State Department had restricted access to LinkedIn by all Syrian residents if not for my colleague from Tunisia.

And, if not for my love of belly dancing would I have ended up on the stage of Galata Tower. Their way of involving the audience was to bring some of the audience up on the stage. While most folks were avoiding eye contact with the dancer who had descended into the audience, I looked directly at her. I was seated to the left of the Sultan. He fed me fruit on a toothpick. I then took my turn dancing with the professional bellydancer. No way I could keep up with her but trying was fabulous. Audience full of people including my colleagues but I didn't care. They were cheering for me and I was having a grand time. Who would have thought I'd end up on stage in Istanbul bellydancing??? Ok, maybe everyone who knows me. But stil, what a superb story!!!