If there is one thing I know for certain, it's that people really like forklifts, and this year marks the 30th anniversary of our first forklift line. There's lots of interest. I've been giving talks about the 30th (in Bologna, and for the special forklift fanclub) and it's been going pretty well. Recently I got an invitation from the John Deere Family Museum to do the 30th presentation there and, well, I was thrilled and nervous to do so.
Then a week or so ago my new uber boss recommended me for membership in the forklift academy. Note that there aren't any archivists or categories for them in ForkAcad. But he thinks I'd be a great addition and wants to try. I got the email from ForkAcad, logged into the application form, and there it was -- the golden forklift, the branding that we all know -- the special font -- even getting the first email felt like an honor. Anyhoo --
I'm in the middle of filling out my application, which is like writing a resume. Writing a resume is the depth of misery, in my opinion. People who have helped me write my first resume and read this blog can attest that it's no fun for anyone involved.
I have imposter syndrome. I'm an introvert. I find summoning the words to describe the work I've done to be a challenge, especially when so much of what we do is collaborative. My therapist thinks that this is a fantastic task for me to have to do right now, and I agree. But it's so haaaaaard! This week I kept asking for feedback on my answers to the questions in the application form, because I don't want to bring the forklift company into disrepute by saying the wrong thing. My regular boss says I need to be less granular about describing the work -- "It's not like anybody told you to do those things you've done. You think them up and do them yourself!" And my uber boss, who has been supportive of me since he arrived at the factory 14 years ago, wants more archives stuff in my answers. He's right. She's right. By the end of the week I felt much more confident about what I was doing and saying. The ForkAcad interface keeps eating my answers when I hit "save", but hopefully by the 5pm deadline tomorrow, my answers will be submitted securely.
Yesterday was my big day at the museum. I rehearsed my presentation the week and day before. I left the house on time. I bought a new dress. I wore slimming garments (not really necessary because my cute new dress is VAST), but whatever. I even used a curling iron. My fabulous hair took a hit from the wind at the gas station, but there's nothing that makes a girl hitting the road feel better than having a full tank of gas, so I decided to take that as a win instead.
My sister from another mister and her husband came to see the presentation and be my moral support. This was essential. They ate lunch with me beforehand, and we all walked down to the theater together. Also she wore my mom's favorite earrings which we gave her after mom died. So sweet.
The talk was a big rousing success. They got me. They got the material. They were all pretty knowledgeable, which I pointed out to them while I was talking, because I could see so many of them nodding their heads when I mentioned certain things that were familiar to them. They laughed! When I put up a photo of some of the forklift designers, all really young, wearing super dorky matching shirts, the audience thought it was hilarious because they knew who those folks were and what they look like now. It made it so much easier for me to relax and be myself. "Goofy but authoritative" is my lane.
There was a Q&A -- "You! Man with long arms in back!" and an autograph signing. I predicted that this would be lightly attended, if at all, based on previous experience, and I was incorrect. There were all kinds of people -- they let me sign their stuff, or book plates. I signed a few books that I'd worked on. A student at my alma mater who studies forklifts especially liked my description of forklift color. A girl in my program at my alma mater said I was famous (which is weird and I doubt because I don't have much of a presence out there). I took it as she meant it and was very grateful. I talked to children. To couples. And a friend who I didn't see in the audience who used to work at John Deere was there! People thanked me for the work we do, and everybody super loved the talk. And my dear friends who came with me really liked it. I was hoping I wouldn't bring shame upon them. They asked me for a tour of the factory, so they *must* have liked it! I love them.
I'm still winding down. And feeling really good about the job I did for my kind hosts. I drove back over the bridge in Tiger Brown with a smile on my face and a full tank. Tomorrow I'll finish that application for ForkAcad and will relax.
After this, I don't have any big dates coming up until Thanksgiving.
Whooooooo!!!!
