#MAMA25SR: The Good Media Event (Part 2)
Certainly, we can talk about the cars we drove, the experiences we enjoyed, the people we met, and so forth. There was a personal goal in mind.
Last week, we returned from the Midwest Automotive Media Association’s Spring Rally. It was a good event for us, as we accomplished the right amount of work for this outlet and others. It’s that annual ritual of heading to Elkhart Lake, dealing with the weather, taking in Road America, and the surrounding countryside of western Sheboygan County.
Certainly, we can talk about the cars we drove, the experiences we enjoyed, the people we met, and so forth. As I mentioned before, there was a personal goal in mind.
To simply reconnect with my profession.
Without reminding you of the circumstances that prevented me from doing so this winter, the MAMA Spring Rally had to be done. It had to be accomplished for my own sake.
My time there was motivated by two jokes. One, was Richard Pryor’s own epitaph: “I ain’t dead yet.” Morbid? Yes. The other comes from a popular toy from the 1980s: “Weebles wobble, but they don’t fall down.” Self-effacing, sure.
As they come from some dark and strange places, these two jokes/quotes serve as personal motivators showing that I can still do this job. It helps to grind down the “boulder on my shoulder,” quell the “imposter syndrome,” confront the “inner saboteur,” and battle the “inferior complex” I find myself in conflict with.
Maybe I don’t need to “go there?” Just do the job I sent myself to do. Simple as that.
Looking back at last year’s Spring Rally, that did not transpire that way.
As I was in Elkhart Lake a year ago, I was hoping to have things all in good shape at my now former day job. I had to bring my “other” phone in case things went south.
Sadly, it did.
In two instances on that Wednesday, I had my time at that event ruined by that "other" phone. I blame myself for not handling it better. I hated having to see George witness my “last straw” with those situations.
Certainly, the next day made up for some things. Internally, I was hurting. It was then when I decided to consider my options and depart that position last July.
On the positive side, I made new friends in the business. I saw this website and YouTube channel grow and evolve further.
Coming into Elkhart Lake last week, I was nervous. Another round of surgeries has reduced my left foot further. Yet, I am healing – we’re always healing.
One thing that I enjoyed at this year’s MAMA Spring Rally are the reunions with people I haven’t seen in well over a year. People who are doing fantastic things in new roles. I cheer for their success as they provide value to their new endeavors. Others are working through layoffs and company transitions. I also root for them to get into the role that provides them with more staying power than the last one.
This is why this professional event is a great place to catch up with friends, colleagues, and industry contacts. To learn what’s going on. To take in and absorb. To leave that negative crap behind.
This year was different. I felt at ease. Happy.
In the twelve years of attending, it was the best MAMA Spring Rally I ever worked at.
George and I wanted to thank the Midwest Automotive Media Association, the Rally Committee, all of the OEMs, affiliates, and our fellow journalists/content creators for making it so.
It was indeed a good media event.
DISCLAIMER: All travel was by Victory & Reseda and through vehicles supplied by Toyota Motor North America. All logistics were provided by the Midwest Automotive Media Association, the Chicago Automotive Trade Association and their sponsors
All photos by Randy Stern and George Torline