West Coast / Left Coast

I just got back from a trip to San Francisco to promote the new product, The Watercone.  It's simply a way to make distilled water from dirty or salt water using only the power of the sun.  The trip was the culmination of many, many weeks of work and emotion caused by family and business.  I am so glad it is over and today is the Sabbath, a true day of rest for me.

While there, my boss (Mirco Richardson of Germany) and I spent many hours showing our product and talking to people at the West Coast Green convention.  The diversity of people was amazing.  I'm certain I met former and current hippies, people who've made millions, lost it and now live very simple lives and high falutin corporate types as well as every type of person in between.   Most have a deep desire to "save the planet" by using or selling green technology.  Some were irritated when I said I was from Utah, which they consider a "dirty" state (using some coal for power) and after that gave me irritated looks or stopped talking to me altogether!  Others spoke so glowing of President Obama that I felt sick.  At some gatherings I introduced myself as being from Utah and said that I had left my sister wives and one husband at home to mind the 24 kids!  I think at first some might have wondered if that was the truth!

My boss LOVED being there but I am very happy to be home to my dirty state with it's gorgeous mountains and clean streams and some of the best, most considerate and loving people on Earth.  The trip reminded me how important it is to never stereotype or lump all people together based on one short experience or the prejudices of others.

This the the Fort Mason Center, a former point of embarkation for American troops originally built in the 1800's.  The tradeshow portion of the conference is the building on the back left.

Fort Mason sits right on the bay, but we didn't get any time to do any siteseeing.

We had no plans to do a tradeshow, but the people at West Coast Green made a special invitation to companies with innovative products to show their items in the Innovation Pipeline portion.  We felt honored to be included.  The Watercone is sitting on the table.

The show went each day from 9 or 10 to at least 6.  Our booth was constantly busy.  My feet still hurt!

My boss and I were constantly standing up, talking, and demonstrating.

There was rarely a moment when someone wasn't staring at the Watercone in amazement at its simple design.  For more info, check out the new webpages I made 

We were invited to participate in a panel discussion titled "Stories from the Trenches."  I deferred to Mirco since he has been involved with the Watercone since the beginning. 

The creator and manufacturer of "Strammit," wallboard made of straw (it's a great idea - no it doesn't catch fire or attract bugs and mice...), Mirco and me with the Watercone, Diane, the curator of the Innovation Pipeline, and the creator of the Green Cycler, a composter for kitchen use (I want one!).

It was a very exciting, difficult, but I believe, ultimately rewarding trip and one that is requiring much follow-up in the next few weeks.  

More than anything, I'm so GLAD TO BE HOME and have a chance to resume real life!