No, not something I was told yesterday during my opening keynote at the Minnesota State SHRM conference, but something that seems to be “midwest” in nature.

Food on a stick.

Chicken on a stick.  Meat on a stick (I think it was beef).  A corn-dog on a stick.  Assorted fruit on a stick.  Even little tiny tomatoes on a stick.

Oh, and of course, the dipping sauces.  Something red.  Something yellow.  Something red with pieces of something yellow in it.  Something orange (Velveeta?).  Something shiny and brown that I believe was “sweet and sour”.

It was a potpourri of protein and sugar.  Perfect for lunch while the snow was lightly falling outside.

Yes - SNOW.

It’s been a whirlwind for me these last two months, lots of cities, lots of speeches, lots of business cards, lots of bags of little tiny pretzels from my friends at Delta.  Amazingly, no missed planes, no lost luggage, and no cold or flu from coughing airline companions.

And yesterday, an opening keynote to 550 human resource professionals - video-taped for your viewing and listening player (coming to an I-Pod near you).

As I was getting set-up for my 8:00 a.m. speech, I made sure I said “hello” to the early arrivers, kibitzing with them about where they were sitting, their incessant need to use their blackberry, even what they were eating for breakfast.

A well-dressed gentleman came in and sat down at “my table”, the table up front with the worst view of the screen.  I call it “my table”, ’cause it’s where I put all my stuff for the speech, the decks of cards and the fabulous prizes worth dozens of pennies.  It was also the table closest to the door.

In my best snarkiness (especially good at 7.15 a.m. CST) I said “I often wonder about people who sit closest to the door, I figure those are the ones that haven’t decided if I will be any good, and want a good exit strategy”.

Mayor Ardell F Brede laughed.

Yea, the Mayor of Rochester, MN.

I am nothing, if not smooth.

The Mayor gave an opening address, received the applause from his voters, and then gave the floor to me.

It was a fun day, one that again reaffirms my desire to do this for a living.   And yes, I’m living my dreams…