Planned FIFA & Surprising Swing Dancing
Topics: Self Care, FIFA, Mental Health, Limited Opportunities, Broken Hearts, Networking, Sponteneuity, Opportunity, Appreciation, Bravery, Serendipity, Set Up Success
This is a HODGE PODGE of how crazy and cool this week has been… these past few days, my goal was to get out of a slump and carry on as if everything was wonderful. Because, so much of life is complicated - and even more than that - it’s MENTAL! Literally. Life is all about perception. And how can things get better from being bummed out on your couch? It’s limited how much situations can improve in that scenario. But going out - living life (giving ‘life’ a chance to surprise you), and learning/discovering all that surrounds you that you’d like to join, pursue, and help —- that is the key.
Why Attend: I attended my second event about FIFA, though this one has a LOT of before - and even more “AFTER”. Cause, “life” really surprised me with this one - FOR REAL. Not only did I get a lot of work done, have some nice meetings… then I randomly found this FIFA event (which was so-so TBH). But upon leaving, I ended up stumbling upon a West Coast Swing Dancing event!!! 😂. On top of that I wanna add, a check-in with Climate Week, which OH YEAH. I’m helping with - and OH YEAH - I’ve hardly written A THING about in here. hahahah. So… I’ll give everyone here an update on that below. This blog is covering a lot… so, if this is your first time ever reading this 😂😂😂. But… can we kick it? Duh! You wanna write a blog - go for it!! You make the rules. And the glossary, ok? :)
Overall Event Ratings: (I’m rating like a mix of everything into one 🧘♀️) —— Venue (3/5), Food (2/5), Speaker Content (2/5 AND 5/5), Networking (2/5 AND 4.5/5), Likeliness to Return (5/5)
Photo Collage and Commentary:
Notes About the Event:
So, I stayed at a hostel downtown to add to the fun/break my mood a bit. It’s affordable, insanely amazing location, and they had both free dinner AND BREAKFAST while I was there. I like how it is near some amazing parks - and my favorite restaurant, Michou. And I have said this before… my life would be cheaper downtown probably. Or same price. Just cause it’s all right there, simple… and I love just enjoying sunshine, street shows, all sorts of things. Not THAT much cheaper, but probably still cheaper. And better. So, that’s kinda my goal. To move downtown eventually. But, for now, it’s a fun place to visit. Right? You kinda think you should keep it that way?? Or… just go full fledge? idk.
But the hostel is really nice to stay at (I worked on my content creation super focused in that environment) - though it was fun and nice to go work outside at the parks and in the pedestrian streets as well.
I eventually made my way to the event, which reminded me of the last event this group hosted. It was also in a low-ceiling, shiny wooden room with lots of columns and many chairs - but not enough, and spread out. It is funny I remember this, and I wonder if they notice this.
The speaker spoke, I’ll put the notes below, but, you’ll see… part of me felt like I was waiting the entire time for the talk to get started. It was a lot of informercials and then an interesting talk. You know, though, this is for a focused group. Women in sports and events. (Which is KINDA me…) but I was surprised by the crowds reactions at some points. Like at the end of the infomercials, cause they were impressed. So… it made me realize, oh yeah - this is not exactly “my crowd”/”my speaker” you know… like, this event wasn’t so much for guests - it was way more for “members” - as like an update/member meeting + open to the public.
So… I attended that, again notes below. AND THEN walking home, I stumbled upon a public dancing event!! I went and sat down and watched it… and then got invited to dance! And it was crazy cause I was wearing really my most perfect dress possible to dance in for sometihng lik ethis. So randomly.
And they’re having many more dancing events all summer. And then I just danced and danced with all of these people for one song eacH!! I kept sitting down and then peopel woudl be like, “Want to dance?” and it was insane cause it was… okay, i’ll tell you a few things (whoever the heck reads this hahaha)
When I was young, I was ALWAYS as a young girl, going to like “DANCES”. for real, no joke. Like formal-ish dances where you’d sit there and wait for someone to ask you to dance. Or all different things. My swim team had formal dances. LOL! right? but clever I guess?? And then I did formal dancing as a tween/teen. And… idk I was just always going to dances. But it never went how I wanted.
Either I’d say “no” to some guys but then no one else would ask me to dance 🙄. And then my family gave me so much crap my whole life for not saying “yes” to those guys and I was forever thinking about it - legit no joke for like 25 years. 😂
And then like other times, idk. Dances were always a part of my life, but never too enjoyable - though I wanted them to be.
So now, this suddenly appeared. AND IM JUST SITTING WATCHING AND THEN THIS DEAR MAN who is like… probably been dancing for 60 or 70 years, asked me to dance. And i was like, “me!? are you sure??”. Then I danced with him. Then anohter guy a bit younger asked me to dance. Then I moved my stuff and another older guy asked me to dance. Then I sat back down but antoher guy was like, wanna dance? THEN i sat back down and another person said wanna dance. THEN the last dance, I watched and then someone was like, wanna dance? hahaha
Right at the end hahahaha - and the last guy - we did the waltz (and before that, a few dances before, someoen else did the waltz with me - but he used to teach the waltz on cruise ships so he was good at teaching) but the last guy was really dancing fast in the circle hahaha. So I had to focus so hard and work on being light and let them lead and like focus on the footsteps. Cause he didn’t crack a smile ONCE - except when the singers started singing “why are tehre so many songs about rainbows and whats on the other side” in character!!!!! hahahhahahaa…..
it was so fun 😂
So… it was very fun and surprising and a new experience for sure. And i just kept sitting there, watching, and then next thing you know, people kept asking if I’d like to dance! So… I really was surprised and freaking out a bit. You know. It’s something I struggle with and I work on (and it’s not really un-taboo to admit, and its a bit of a weakness to expose… but…
I do get anxious, like, what if no one ever asks me to dance??? you know? But then it did!? and then it happened a lot - and it was surprising. and now i’m like - but what if no one is happy to see me next time? hahaha you know?
So that’s really a psychological thing to get over. I think that’s part of growing up. and self confidence and self security. But! It’s where my mind goes.
AND HECK - that event didn’t even EXIST in my world until suddenly.
So, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment- for someone like me, especially, who can get super present into moments and whisked away emotionally for a while haha.
And who cares if no one asks you to dance - its for the better in that moment. And who cares if people ask you to.
I wrote that out before thinking it/saying it - so let’s defend it, before I wrap this up.
It doesn’t matter. Because they’re just having fun. Life is ephemeral. And it’s just an experience.
Idk. For me, it’s very new to me and an experience that always was sorta like “unresolved” from my past 😂. But suddenly - boom haha. I’d say after last night, that resolved all of my past hahaha. Like, point proven.
NOW is the real deal: what do you do with this. Wanna embrace it and realize? Woah? There’s something here?
I mean, I think it’s just good, fun knowledge. And a good option for a fun use of time! Right?
So… if I hadn’t put myself in the place to:
1. break myself out of my norm - go to that event, stay downtown, even dress up nicely!! - I never would have stumbled upon that dancing event perfectly dressed!! And legit, I was so badly hoping for something fun, you know? It was truly a great surprise! Like a gift from the world, in my world.
2. look the part - as I said, somehow I wore my perfect dancing dress to a dancing event I didn’t know about… but I realize that’s a benefit of dressing up. It just makes other things easier/happen. (Versus being a bit insecure/having hte excuse of being sloppy) - so that tiny littel effort can pay off
3. get out of your place - and go see what’s going on downtwon. Find an event, leave when you’re ready, but keep on the lookout. You know? I didn’t overstay at the main event i was there for (FIFA) BUTTTT I did enjoy the time before it - and then the time AFTER was a huge delight and surprise. But none of this would have happened if I hadn’t just gotten started somewhere.
Hope this is motivational to you!! All of the time I don’t want to go to things and I just want to stay home and comfortable… but you can see that “life” really hands you amazing things when you give it a chance and set yourself up for these random learning experiences & beyond :)
Notes From the Event
- one of the charities helps with financial donations to manufacture sports bras for girls who need them. Lots of in person events from ages 8-18 talking about the right fit, how to feel like you belong in the world of physical movement.
I wanna see someone put a GPS tracker on a number of these bras just to see - lol. Did you guys see the guy who put the GPS tracker on a shoe he donated in a donation box in the USA and then it ended up in a used clothing store, for sale overseas for $10? and then he literally flew there and bought them back. With the air tag inside!! lol. Now i’m so suspicious of anyone hahha.
It’s usually confusing when your body is changing but when your bra fits it can change they way they move in the world.
True!!
I am eating a lot at the beginning of this event instead of taking thourough notes, cause its a lot of just like “information” hahaha. And now it’s just people talking and some giveaways.
It’s nice to have some giveaways at the beginning. It gets everyone cheering.
There isn’t enough seating here, that happened at the last time they had an event too.
They also told people to recommend influential women for receiving awards, so I have an idea for someone to engage. and i went over to the table to scan the promised QR code - but they didn’t end up remembering to bring it. But it was easy to find on their website! :)
They’re excited to celebrate that they have 200 members. If you want to join, you can, there are many people to talk to and they’ll give you a gift. A coffee cup with a notebook and a pen.
Another person they want to invite up on the stage has no clue they’re going to be pulled up on stage - but this woman is a legend in the sports industry and many have looked up to for many years. Just happened to be in town, so they invited her.
She embodies all three pillars: encourage, empower, involve
So this woman will talk about it… sports lawyers, other associations. You can join a club or membership. Then you will get a code… then you get a 10% discount to any event ticket. 59.99 activation fee waved. The you’ll get MVP access for $5/month. You can pause it
Lol what do they have, having this legend being a salesperson saying “59.99”
Make your profile right, advance your career, any questions you have we’ll schedule for your chapter
We’d love to have an amabassador. Talk to you once a month. Help you build your social media to talk about jobs and careers.
Marketing courses, ACTUAL live MBA classes: intro to sports management, revenue generating.
It’s $1,500 but it goes to the university and marketing, you’ll get course credit. You’ll get a certificate for their MBA program (but even a lot ofpeopel say, “wow”) and then they say - you’re hearing this before anyone else has ever heard it
She so strongly believes in education and hopes it’s successful in your career and giving you skills you might not have had.
This is the first of its kind. The teamwork will partner with your university. Selling courses across thecountry - maybe the world.
The next event is at the ballpark. It’ll be watching the game, watching the mariners, most likely to beat the white sox. The white sox will be at the bar.
Now there are more prizes and giveaways. I’m not sure waht they’re giving away though cause I’m sorta half-listening till something gets started. OHHH it’s FIFA trivia.
How many cities hosting FIFA?
16
How many countries participating?
48 - the most EVER
And we won’t know who will be here until the DRAW in December.
We were promised the men’s national game on Juneteenths
Why did the mens team pick here? They have a great record here and the best weather here.
Seattle will host 6 matches
Estimated global viewership = 3B people.
Seattle matches will have 2B viewers. We will show off our city to these many people. Probably 750,000 visitors to Seattle.
929M economic impact likely just to Seattle. 106M is local and state taxes.
50% of visitors will be international. It’ll be unique to waht is happening here in Seattle.
SHe’s like, btw I am not with FIFA - I shoudl have started with that, and everyone laughs. They’re a nonprofit and they work closely with FIFA. They have an office here. But they’re not FIFA. Different goals. Their vision is to foster a lasting legacy for our region, guided by the vision of soccer, innovation, and inclusion. We’re gigot to about things a little different than FIFA. Nothing against thiem, just different goals.
Seven times larger than the Super Bowl. 14% bigger than the olympics.
They envision there will be huge parties. And even renaming a section of the Seattle Center’s wing for it and they’ll make a plaque to memorizilize it.
I always think like - we made epic stuff for the worlds fairs back in 19-whatever… and now for this we make a plaque!? hmmm..
The plan is all contengiency on fundraising. But the plan is to have fan celebrations open for 24 days.
Watch parties and fan celebrations in the big cities.
There will be a huge economic impact. And then there will be 6 legacy pillars
Human rights
Accessibility
Children
They want to work on how to identify and stop human trafficking.
everyone applauds.
I’m like… bro… oof. Do you? I hope so! Cause the signs are literally trending all over twitter… so, just go there and you can get the 101 pretty much instantly… with plenty of evidence once you connect it all.
Then just start looking arodn anything mainstream at all - and then the streets, and all over - and you’re like - oh. okay. hm. Well. hm.
Then they’ll have a “pretend to be blind” and try to kick a soccer ball into the goal - the ball will have a bell inside of it.
Then they’ll have a ball with a chip inside of it and you can follow on your tablet and play the game.
Then they’ll donate this legacy stuff to the school for the blind. Then even they’re giving someone else blind soccer for hte first time ever.
Then they want to do blind soccer globally.
They’re going to have a big loop with lots of cultural info, selfie stations, murals. It’s a 4.5 mile loop throughout Seattle and it’ll stay far after we’re all gone. It’ll be a lasting history piece of Seattle.
Are there plans for public transportation to improve during this time?
She says that’s not her place to comment but she loves the bus and hopes so.
An audience member brings up a frustration: Don’t we need to start embracing the word “football” or shoudl we call it soccer. It’s specific to the USA, I’m from Europe, and it doesn’t feel like FIFA. It’s pretty important, it’s your outreach to the rest of hte world. If you want to reach out and be involved with anything, people are going to talk about football and not season.
She replies and says Fifa is protective of their brands. Lumen will not be called LUMEN because they’re not an official sponsor. Lots of little things are hard to get used to. Each brand inside the stadium will be covered.
They don’t want the brand association.
And yeah, it’s like - confusing to call it football or soccer in the USA - do the local normal.
Airbnb is a global sponsor, too. They take that into consideration too. They provide and share that data. They know how many families travel, how much a team will bring. But it all depends on who you draw.
Iran could come and no one could get in. So there are teams you don’t want from a tourism standpoint. Not a political standpoint.
One project is doing art murals with the children hospital and “I’m not supposed to say this” but they’ll be on teh monorail poles. 48 murals, one for each country. The children are helping with those.
so why say this so vaguely. I don’t see the gain here. Don’t say you’re not supposed to say it (it ruins your credibility to say it like this) —- or just don’t say it to a big public group like this? Idk. Or explain more around it.
reminds me of another charity doing something like this at a data/education event where they were like, “we’re not supposed to say this - but hte more you donate, the higher you go up on our emailers” or something like that. While I was standing right there? and others too?? You’re just like - what the heck?
also, thats so funny cause recently i complimented the art under the monorail saying its some of the art I really like in this city - but turns out it was temporary hahaha. ironic.
We have an advisory committee for the pride and Juneteenth matches, and they’re letting us know what they want that to look like.
They’re working on an app that will push peopel throughout the region. Some will be… I dont’ want to give away too much. It may say: “go see mount rainier” - and other stay suggest stores and restaurants and local donors and sponsors. Which we’re still open to having conversations.
Then she jsut says thanks after a few more questions and everyone claps.
They have a few more announcements and then want everyone to socialize more. But for me… I want to go home.
They saw a big jump in registration at the last minute. Happy to see peopel sign up - take a drink home. Thank you!
(and then walking home I stumbled upon the amazing dancing event and danced a lot! hahah)
OVERALL EVENT REVIEWS:
-Venue (3/5), this place was just so huge and a big room.. and then not enough seating and I wasn’t able to see the screen - so… idk. (But then the dancing, outdoors after! that was amazing - and downtown is awesome)
- Food (2/5), the problem was that it was so much variety - but also… all felt like a bit cheap quality ingredients. It was like so much of everything, but none of it was necessarily amazing? But… I mean, it sufficiently could fill people up and be enough food. You know? Just not the best flavors and textures and just a little liek “lunch for dinner”.
- Speaker Content (2/5 AND 5/5), the event had kinda dull conversations. The last FIFA event I went to was kinda epic - going over lots of ideas for small businesses (and/though I traveled there by ferry), so I had higher hopes for this one due to comparing them. But then, the surprise dancing experience was super fun after and the music was amazing, the teaching was awesome, and it was just so fun you never wanted it to end.
- Networking (2/5 AND 4.5/5), At the FIFA event, it was kinda easy to talk to no one. I saw a familiar face or two, but it’s a bit of a cliquey crowd (though totally nice) but, it’s also easy to just exist without much networking there. HOWEVER at the dancing event - no way. I met a million people and was super engaged the whole time. It was way more fun than I’ve had in a long time and really hilarious and great.
- Likeliness to Return (4.5/5) - yes to both. I am not sure if I’ll go to the very next event with this events group, only cause sometimes I’m just not super interested… but time to time I like to keep giving htem a try (and as my business develops, surely soon I’ll have more reasons to network). But, as for the dancing, hahah. Yes. Happy to return, too!!
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. 😊
