Motivation Monday: Off With the PJs!

Motivation Monday is a daily prompt at Geneabloggers that asks bloggers to give tips on getting motivated to tackle genealogy-related goals.

Several months ago when every other blog and Tweet was about RootsTech, I sensed I was missing out. So much excitement over new technology to help professional genealogists and hobbyists alike;  so many lively discussions about the laws and ethics impacting what we do; so much enthusiasm over sessions led by the most respected people in the genealogy world.  I felt like the girl all alone at home in her PJs on Friday night. 

But this coming weekend I have a date!  Not to see a movie or go rollerblading or attend a concert.  It’s to attend my first genealogy conference, and it’s a major one:  the National Genealogical Society Conference in Richmond, only 90 minutes away from where I live.

The Serious Stuff:  My plans

Friday

8:00  The Virginia Militia

9:30  Disputes and Unhappy Differences: Surprises in Land Records

11:00 Of Sound Mind and Healthy Body:  Using Probate Records in Your Research

2:30  The Seanachie:  Linking Life and the Law Through Storytelling

4:00  Black Sheep Ancestors and Their Records

Saturday

8:00  Your Computer:  Back It Up or Lose It

9:30  Treasure Trove of Rarely Used Resources

11:00 Organizing Your Research Without Losing Your Mind

2:30  17^th Century Virginia Ancestors

4:00  We All Descend From Immigrants: Discovering Old World Origins With US Records

But what I’m most giddy about: 

1.  POSSIBLY meeting Judy Russell, the Legal Genealogist, and having a picture taken with her.  (I wonder if she’ll remember she answered a question for me on her blog.  Oh, but I hope she’ll forget the time she responded to my silly joke slamming lawyers.)

2.  Meeting Colleen Pasquale of Leaves & Branches and Cheri Hudson Passey of Carolina Girl Genealogy.  We have a few classes together and we’ll probably do lunch and walk around the Exhibit Hall together.  And selfies.  We’ll do selfies!

Am I ready?

1.  I’ve downloaded the APP to my phone giving me easy access to maps and schedules and even the syllabi.

2.  I purchased address labels with my phone number and blog URL to make filling out raffle tickets easy AND to give out to anyone who might want to keep in touch.  (Gosh, I hope I have enough.  Har Har)

3.  I have a hair appointment assuring my “natural color” will be at its best – wink wink.

Looking forward to our date in Richmond!

© 2014, Wendy Mathias.  All rights reserved.