We’re in the final stretch for 360|Flex San Jose 2010. Everything is coming together just nicely as this proves to be another amazing show. If you’re on the fence about coming, it’s a bit late to get cheap flights. However, it’s never too late to plan a road trip.
Thinking back to our very first 360|Flex, I remember the “Man Funk” road trippers. They weren’t soul brothas with skills like James Brown. No, they were the other kinda funk. The one that fills a car after a few days with unshowered men. :) I won’t embarrass them by calling them out by name, alright maybe I will. I’ll call out Rance Patterson because we’re now good friends. He, his brother and another innocent soul braved a road trip from Boise, Idaho all the way down to San Jose. I’m sure glad they did too, because Rance is a hoot and one of the many gems I’ve met during my tenure with 360|Flex.
Road trips are fun. I’ve taken a few in my life and I love them all. Even the ones where kids in the car endlessly loop, “Are we there yet?” There’s nothing like the open road to open up your mind. Steven Spielberg knows this to be true. He has stated that when he’s stuck on a problem or needs to work out a new idea, he goes for a drive. (Which I can verify is true, because he almost ran me over in the cross walk once but that’s a different story.)
Personally, I like to fill the iPod with great music. “Friends of Dean Martinez” makes for great driving music, since there’s no lyrics to distract your mind from thinking. I used to make the trip from the Bay Area of Northern California to the Los Angeles Area of Southern California on a regular basis. My mind was always clear and my soul was at ease after each trip.
Therefore, I suggest a road trip regardless if you’re coming to 360|Flex. BUT if you need a good reason to take a road trip, 360|Flex is the best reason around. You’ll learn so much stuff to ponder on the drive home. Possibilities that will fill your mind and make the miles/hours whiz on by. Therefore, if you live in Portland, Boise, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City or even Phoenix, it’s not too late to decide to come. It’s going to be blast for sure. The only question is, are you going to be there or reading the tweets from home. You’re choice, but for a few hundred folks, the choice is obvious. Register now and join us. See you there and don’t forget to buy a car charger for your iPod! :)
The 'Man Funk' was a small price to pay for being at the first ever 360|Flex. It has led to many great friendships and it is hands down my favorite conference.
I am making the drive again, this time from Salt Lake, so if you need a ride let me know.
I have always used drives as a way to reset. Professional tip: on longer drives there is nothing like an audio book to make the time fly by.
And for the record… the 'innocent soul' was a major contributor to the 'Man Funk'.
I'm road tripping it from Camp Verde, AZ – just North of Phoenix. Driving directions to San Jose, CA 784 mi – about 12 hours 56 mins.