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People Who Get It: Unfiltered.

November 18th, 2009 | 43 comments | Unfiltered

::fist pumping the air:: Gaaah, FINALLY!

Last night goes down in history as one of the best since SXSW? Why, you ask? Because I felt… alive.

There are few people who have actually seen me in my most passionate state. I mean, it goes without saying that I’m a bit more passionate and than your average person when it comes to life in general (and I think that may be reflected here…) but I can count the number of people who have seen me in my downright-giddy-about-life-won’t-shut-up-about-this-topic-and-I-can’t-stop-smiling-because-you-get-it-too state on one hand. Three are family members, one is now my boss and the other: one of my mindcrushes (cue fist pumping).

First, allow me to clear the air about the whole mindcrush thing. The post on Monday was about the whole concept, not necessarily for one person. Well, the call to action was for one person that I had in mind, but the post – it was brain food for you all. So you’re welcome. And, ::soapbox::, to everyone who may have mistaken themselves as someone on my mindcrush list – one: this isn’t about me wanting to take you home and two, some of the messages you sent me were downright douchey. ::stepping off soapbox::

In case you’re thick-skulled, let me spell this out for you so you can get in on the excitement. I did something scary. I wrote a post that was vague enough that I could fall back on the vagueness if it all backfired, but I could jump up and down about if anything came of it and I HAD DRINKS WITH THE MINDCRUSH LAST NIGHT. Okay, now that we’re all up to speed, on with it.

So my most passionate state, right. There are few people that actually understand what makes me, me. What makes me light up – what makes me talk for hours, what I’m passionate about. My immediate family does – they’ve seen it evolve. My now boss saw it in Austin when he asked me what I want to do when I grow up and, after hearing me go on about my dreams and aspirations, told me that’s what they do everyday at where he works. And then last night – for the first time since SXSW, I got to that state again.

I’ve come close between now and then, but it’s a rare occasion (hopefully not anymore) that I can be in the presence of someone who is totally okay with me getting that pumped up about it and doesn’t need to run away.

I was completely geeking out, and he didn’t go to the bathroom and never come back, he was right there with me while we basked in our geek-ily awesome glory. I was in the company of someone not only “gets it” when it comes to digital and social and all that stuff, but somehow, some way, gets ME.

So how was it different? It was effortless. Seriously, none required. I forgot what that’s like, or maybe I never knew, but regardless, I’m really into the no effort thing. The conversation started the second we sat down and didn’t cease until he dropped me off at my place.

Bonus points that I didn’t have to spend the first half of the evening defining social media, explaining Twitter, and defending the industry of public relations. Kudos, mindcrush, for having a brain. I pick winners now.

We talked about everything from where we grew up to where we think this world we live in will be in 5, 10, 20 years. It was so… mind-hot. I’ll entertain a conversation about sports or hot babes, or whatever normal guys talk about, but holy cow, to actually have a coherent conversation, um, someone get me a glass of water. For someone share my joy and to appreciate how awesome the “reply all” feature in on Tweetie2 and have that OMG-eyeroll-head-back-YESSSSS moment when seeing it executed – I was in like the dorkiest state of euphoria, EVER.

So what now? Who knows? Who cares? Friends? Awesome – totally okay with that, and probably a wise step. More? Even better – because I’m totally open to that too. All I know is I was me last night, not some edited, filtered version. I was the me that you all see here, not someone who is totally cool with being all over the place online and then has to dumb that down in the presence of people that don’t get it.

Last night was one of those moments, like when I was in Austin, where I learned a little bit more about myself, where I realized a liiiittle bit more that I’m coming into my element and finding the right kinds of people to surround myself with.

Last night was so Unfiltered, so real, so intellectually amazing, and so promising for my growth as a person – I just can’t shake this goofy grin. And I’m super-pumped to see what happens next.

Don’t you just love being around people who get it? Who get you?

  • jilliannroach

    Congrats! :)

  • http://doniree.com doniree

    YES! That is all.

  • http://www.brianbatchelder.com/ Brian Batchelder

    Nice post Sydney. Looking forward to seeing where this goes!

  • http://sydneyowen.com Sydney Owen

    I have a feeling I'm not going to get a lot of thoughts on this one. :) But I second that with a resounding “WOOHOO”. Woohoo for figuring out a little bit more about myself – that whole self-discovery thing is pretty damn awesome.

  • http://doniree.com doniree

    Ha, well I want to ask WHO and all that, but I don't know that I'll get that
    out of you :)

  • http://www.opheliaswebb.com Elisa Doucette

    First off I barely know anything about what this particular situation but I really want to jump and fist pump beside you cause it's contagious to see such excitement!

    You also bring up one of my most favoritest points about relationships (whether platonic or more.) And that is that when I am meeting new people, I long for (nay, CRAVE) the ease and comfort that comes from someone who just “gets you.” I feel like that is what it's supposed to be about…finding people who “get you” without all the hoops/rhetoric/bullsh*t.

  • http://sydneyowen.com Sydney Owen

    Considering that my whole world, both professionally and personally revolves around creating/fostering/maintaining relationships – I have to agree – there is nothing better than finding people who “get you” without all the bullshit. SERIOUSLY.

    I think for me, because I've only had these moments few and far between – when they happen – seriously, I can't breathe. And that would usually be a bad thing, the not breathing thing, given that it's essential for existing but it's those moments where, briefly, you can't breathe, that are so freaking sweet.

    Thanks for being here! We should high five. :)

  • MoneyEnergy

    Love it – Congrats. You're right. Love the way you've described some of this – “so promising for my growth as a person” – thanks for the reminder about what this could feel like!

  • nicoleantoinette

    I'm thinking we should have a mindcrush convention. Like, you invite 10 of your mindcrushes, then they each invite 10 of theirs, and so on. And we have the best mind orgy party ever. Yes?

  • http://diamondkt.blogspot.com David

    Sydney and (bleeping out his name) sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G…

    Ok, I’ll stop. But I figured since I feel like one of the girls at your slumber party overhearing what boys she likes, that it’s only right that I start the song chant as I pass the pink toenail polish to my left.

    Seriously though, I’m very happy for you both. You both seem like cool people and would make a cute little couple – not that I’m trying to rush things, but you know what comes after the kissing in a tree and right before the baby carriage, right? And yeah, I want an invite to the wedding.

    I DO love being around people who get me and people who allow me to just be myself. People who encourage that and are ok with that, even like that! THOSE are the people you want to surround yourself with. It’s the start to a beautiful friendship or perhaps more. Only time will tell. But I would say you’re off to a great start!

    I want to go on record stating that I know who it is and KNEW who it was before! Nobody told me, I just sensed it. I’m good at reading people, especially when it comes to new budding relationships. I’m like Miss Cleo with my crystal ball! Sorry, that sounded creepy. The point is, I wish you well and hope things turn out great! And thank you for letting me in on the slumber party girl talk via your blog posts. Good reads.

    PS (It’s adorable when girls get excited over a boy. I would love it if a girl was jumping up and down all giddy over me. Although, don’t get too excited. Many boys tend to scare easily. I just hope he isn’t one of them. And I hope he is as equally excited about the recent turn of events as you.)

    And now I’ve just written you a mini-novel, but that’s what girls do when they are at slumber parties. So I’m excused. Deal with it. :)

  • http://sydneyowen.com Sydney Owen

    ROFL I die! You are quite possibly one of my favorite people on this planet. And that being said – if this were a sleepover – I'd ::almost:: call you loose lips.

    Way to take my post one step further into creepiness – this is more about growing as a person than it is me squealing like a child about said boy. He's cool. I'm cool. We talk and he gets it. That's where it stands.

    So while I hope you choke on your nail polish – I hope you're right about the not scaring easily – because this definitely wasn't written to scare.

    NOW LETS GO MAKE S'MORES AND GOSSIP ABOUT SOMEONE. Anyone. Not me. :)

  • http://www.opheliaswebb.com Elisa Doucette

    Literally taking your breath away, that IS pretty freaking sweet.

    PS – I was going to write back simply “High Five” but all I can hear is Borat saying it in the back of my head and it loses a little of the giddy glee I had originally intended! :-D

  • http://diamondkt.blogspot.com David

    How about I was just telling someone about an hour ago that I needed a nickname. Loose lips huh? It has kind of a kinky ring to it, or maybe not. Not sure how I feel about it, but I'm going to run with it for now.

    And don't you know there is ALWAYS 1 girl at the slumber party who has to take things one step further (one giant leap forward) and turn it into more than it currently is. So I'm that girl! And I'm happy to have led you down the creepy lane with me. It's a talent of mine – turning things pervy just like that. So you're welcome.

    Now I'm going to go and sniff my nail polish because choking on it is sooo 2008.

  • http://twitter.com/lisarowen Lisa Owen

    Darling, I have to love you to pieces but I would even if I didn't have to. Your enthusiasm for life is just so darn fun, and I am happy that you are letting the world see it. AND THEY GET IT.

  • http://diamondkt.blogspot.com David

    I should have said “I hope he is HALF as excited about the recent turn of events as you.” Afterall, you seem pretty excitable and boys only tend to get THAT happy after their team wins the Super Bowl (cough Steelers cough). Or when they are about to get laid. Yeah, I just took it there. Deal with it.

    Ok, I’m going to stop being a commentwhore now. And I swear I have a job that actually keeps me busy, but I just can’t help myself! It’s like when the lights go out at the slumber party and you have one more thing to say to your BFF so you have to whisper it in the dark and pass the flashlight back and forth…yeah that is me.

    (heavy sigh) I wish some girls would invite me to a REAL slumber party! But one full of bras and panty pillow fights, instead of double stuffed Oreos and Opi nail polish.

  • http://www.dshan.me/blog DShan

    Big smiles. There's this thing flying around the universe, and it's a quest for two things…happy hearts and happy heads.

    I really feel as if the endeavor of living is centered around a balance between what our heads want and what our hearts want. They actually conspire to the same ends; our happiness. They speak different languages though, so we end up translating.

    There's really nothing like those ah-ha moments you described from last night…conversations that you feel like you already have with yourself, out loud and over the backdrop of recorded live shows, indielovers, and $2 beers. Geeking out is not just cool…it's part of growing up. We move from this state of thinking we should be a certain someone into a stage in which we realize that we ARE what makes us jump out of our seats.

    Down the road a lot of what makes everyone online so geeky will be the status quo. It's so, so exciting to watch that happen in real time. It's so, so much fun to witness that with other people who see the same thing.

    ::fist pumps!::

    February…seriously. Go see Jenny:)

  • http://sydneyowen.com Sydney Owen

    LOL and then after whispering that one last thing you erupt in a fit of laughter and laugh so hard that it hurts. That's what just happened, to me, in my office, as I take a break to enjoy our Thanksgiving potluck and read this. Your comments just took this post to a whole new level of awesomeness. You, David, are welcome to be a commentwhore at anytime. Seriously. Now back to those jobs.

  • nicoleantoinette

    Alright Derek, here's the deal. The quality of your comments makes me want to write posts SPECIFICALLY so that you'll comment on them. How the hell do you consistently throw down so much poignancy and awesome?!

    “They speak different languages though, so we end up translating.” Perfection.

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    BAAAAHHHHH!!!! That's the sound of my little heart exploding with joy when I read stuff like this. I just want to run around my office jumping up and down in circles with you. Because you had an awesome night, YES. But more because these posts and conversations make me realize how much freakin' LOVE there is to go around in this world, particularly in this blogging community.

    DShan – you are a FREAKING genius. I cannot believe I didn't read your blog until this week. What a CRIME. My favorite quote of your comment: “Big smiles. There's this thing flying around the universe, and it's a quest for two things…happy hearts and happy heads.” Oh – and I loved the part about telling Sydney to come visit me for a REAL sleepover :) For sure!

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    Couldn't agree more! I just wrote something similar in my comment but wasn't as smart as Nicole to post inline. DOH. I'm with Nicole – your ability to continuously throw AWESOME scones of wisdom down amazes me.

  • http://sydneyowen.com Sydney Owen

    Nicole's right. Though I will say, someday, I'm going to write some awesome post that is totally brilliant and spot on and you'll be like, out of town, or in Vancouver where they don't actually have internet, and you won't be able to comment, and then there will be sadness.

    Being one that loves a good conspiracy – my heart and my head certainly have it out for me. And it's kind of awesome just following along and seeing what they're scheming.

    Where is Jenny? Jenny? Bueller? February? Making it happen? :)

  • http://sydneyowen.com Sydney Owen

    Kidding. Found Jenny.

  • http://sydneyowen.com Sydney Owen

    THERE YOU ARE! I think the jumping up and down in my office would translate to the kind of sleepover David is seeking. Yikes – slash – awesome.

    In other news – your post today was fab and I can't even handle how much blog love there is in our little circle this week. AND ITS ONLY WEDNESDAY! I mean seriously! That's awesome!

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    HIYEEEE!!! I'm here. I was just busy french-braiding my hair so it wouldn't get in the way of all our girly screaming.

    When you come out to visit we'll clearly have the kind of sleepover David referenced. I mean, that's TOTALLY what girls do, right??

  • http://colbywg.com/ Colby Gergen

    Hell yes!

    So excited that you found someone in Chicago to just be straight-up joyful and excited for life with. I don't know how I would manage to get by without those people in my life.

    And if this was Facebook, I would be 'liking' the term “mind-hot”.

  • http://sydneyowen.com Sydney Owen

    I just “liked” your comment. :)

  • bobbatchelor

    Hi Sydney! If I can give the “old guy” perspective here, you're moving through the whole post-college maturity and wisdom phase that will occupy much of your brain long into the future. You're figuring out who you are, which is no easy feat, and figuring out how others fit into that world view. I think it's incredibly interesting that you're willing to take us (your readers) down this path with you.

    From personal experience, I can tell you that filling your life with those who “get you” is a wonderful thing. Hold tight to those “in the circle.” For me, my wife figured me out in about two seconds. One of our first conversations was about the Aaron Burr-Alexander Hamilton duel…talk about two dorky minds melding.

    And, luckily, you've found that at work, too. It's really the essence of why I'm going to Kent State…they “get me” and want me to excel. That creates an energized environment, one I want to be everyday.

    Awesome for you! Can't wait to read more…

  • http://sydneyowen.com Sydney Owen

    LOL thanks for the “old guy perspective” Bob. There's a couple other “old guys” that I'm waiting on to weigh in – glad you could set the pace.

    I'm still fired up from talking to your students last week. This week I got to talk to the interns here about social media. Great questions – young minds – awesomesauce. Then the community that is evolving here gives me a little pep to my step because everyone is so fired up about the things we're discussing. It's really, really, really fun to see the conversations evolve.

    One of my colleagues told me about how he married the biggest mindcrush he'll ever have. Though that whole part of my life seems like lightyears away, that is really exciting to know that people all over, from all parts of my life, be it my family, personal, professional or educational contacts, have experienced this phenomenon that is connecting with people that “get” you.

    Thanks for being here – and I can't wait to see what happens when you move on to develop the program at Kent State – those students are SO LUCKY to have you. :)

  • http://diamondkt.blogspot.com David

    If I'm not invited to this sleepover…or at least allowed to watch, I'm going to be sooo super pissed. Like “I'm so kicking you off my AIM buddy list” geeky kind of pissed.

    Now don't let me overhear any more make-believe lesbian comments today because I'm about to explode. Girls are cruel.

  • http://www.alifeintranslation.com/ Jamie Varon

    I'm so fucking late to this party. And, I just want to go around and open-mouth kiss everyone in this comment section and most importantly, Sydney, because THIS IS ALL SO AWESOME.

    The internet is making me burst with excitement in places I shouldn't be. Hey, David took it there, I'm just keeping it going.

    Sydney – when these people who “get me” come into my life, I like to basically hold them hostage so that they never leave my side again. It's the most mindblowing, amazing thing when it happens and all of a sudden, you can't stop smiling and you don't know whether you should make out with the person or just stay up all night chatting.

    And, when they come into your life, you think, what the fuck have I been doing with all these other people who DON'T make me have mindgasms (YES! MINE! COINED IT!)!? Because, really, I only want to hang out with people who make me crazy excited to be alive.

    You are amazing. I LOVE YOU. And, SXSW 2010 might be the biggest, most amazing mindorgy I've ever experienced. Am I taking this “mind” thing too far? Or am I just right? On a scale of Goldilocks, what the hell chair am I sitting in? How hot is my porridge?

    Ok, wow, I'm done.

  • http://sydneyowen.com Sydney Owen

    OMG.

    No words. Except I love you.

    And thank you for polluting my comments section with f-bombs.

    PEOPLE! Keep it clean – there are grownups and children alike that read this shenanigans.

    But really – I love you. And that last paragraph is totally representative of how my mind is today. Complete and total mush. :)

  • http://www.dshan.me/blog DShan

    I throw awesome like Kanye throws fits. It's what I do.

  • http://twitter.com/OrlandoChris Chris Owen

    You totally stole the topic of my “I'd-sure-like-to-blog-this-but-hardly-anybody-would-understand” post but that's cool.

    (Have you done that? Just sit down, take a timer and give yourself 10 minutes to type whatever it is on your mind. No structure, no form, no spell check, just pure thought. I think I scared the heck out of your mother not long ago letting her read one of those)

    If there is any way you could continue with the unfiltered thing for life and not be bogged down by those who don't get it that would be amazing. So many who respond here get it. Others who probably do, don't respond now but might after this one!

    Enjoy those who get it. Many don't/won't/can't. What's even cooler is if you run across someone who doesn't and you can help them get it. Those efforts are never wasted because even if they don't end up getting it, just you going through the motions of trying to help is good stuff as far as the universe is concerned.

    Yes, I absolutely love being around people who get it.

  • http://sydneyowen.com Sydney Owen

    I have to give you humongous mad props for calling me out when I was getting all passionate-face at the house before I moved to Chicago. Since then, I've identified what it is that gets me all riled up and can easily ID the people that get me there. And I'd still give you props for it even if you weren't my father.

    As far as the 10 minutes thing goes – pretty much every post here goes out the way that it was written. Sometimes I give Jamie a sneak peak on the good ones, but that's just how I write. I get so behind something that I wake up at 3:30 (this morning) and write it, furiously vomiting words until its out. Then it gets put in a logical order that normal humans can follow and published. I don't really mess around with worrying about style or punctuation – I'm Unfiltered – and Unfiltered = imperfect, whatever imperfect may be.

    And as for getting points for helping people and how the universe will repay me… I think that's what I'm experiencing now. And it feels good to get something nice in return – in this case – in the form of human emotion and great company.

    So the comments got a little off – but this whole world is a little off. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

    ::END SCENE::

    AND ITS ALMOST TIME FOR ME TO COME HOME!! SO FREAKING EXCITED!

  • http://www.alifeintranslation.com/ Jamie Varon

    Wait, did you not get the memo? All these ladies are coming over for a sleepover at my hooker apartment in Italy tonight. Except we're not going to sleep. And we're not going to be wearing clothes.

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    Jamie – did you just coin mindgasm AND mindorgy?! BRILLIANT! Sorry Sydney – I know you're trying to keep this clean. So the last thing I'll say is that we have SOOO moved past cupcakes and I'm scared for the Internet, our blogs, and SXSW now.

  • http://diamondkt.blogspot.com David

    Oooh yeaaah.

  • http://diamondkt.blogspot.com David

    Wait, did you just say “cupcake?”

    Sorry, I'll hush now. (Note to self: keep it clean, or at least try David.)

  • http://twitter.com/OrlandoChris Chris Owen

    Join the club kiddo, drive safely!

  • http://www.smallhandsbigideas.blogspot.com Grace Boyle

    I feel like it's SO hard to find. And I feel so completely flipping elated when you find someone who gets IT and you. The combination is powerful and unique. It doesn't just happen. So hold onto that mind-hot mindcrush, taking it as it comes, and enjoy it :) WOOO

  • http://www.BeyondThePedway.com Tim Jahn

    I think it's human nature to gravitate towards others who we think might “get” us. Generally, those that help us feel like ourself and comfortable are those we seek to interact with.

    I'm this way with Beyond The Pedway for the most part. Companies that are smaller, scrappier, and full of fun, creative people (people I'd most likely hit it right off with) are companies that I seek out intentionally. They're not the only types of companies I chat with, but I definitely gravitate toward them because they “get” me.

  • http://www.smallhandsbigideas.blogspot.com Grace Boyle

    I feel like it's SO hard to find. And I feel so completely flipping elated when you find someone who gets IT and you. The combination is powerful and unique. It doesn't just happen. So hold onto that mind-hot mindcrush, taking it as it comes, and enjoy it :) WOOO

  • http://www.BeyondThePedway.com Tim Jahn

    I think it's human nature to gravitate towards others who we think might “get” us. Generally, those that help us feel like ourself and comfortable are those we seek to interact with.

    I'm this way with Beyond The Pedway for the most part. Companies that are smaller, scrappier, and full of fun, creative people (people I'd most likely hit it right off with) are companies that I seek out intentionally. They're not the only types of companies I chat with, but I definitely gravitate toward them because they “get” me.