I’ve been working and rewriting and backspacing on this post for two days, trying to come up with something truly eloquent to say about my experience at BlogHer. Having handed out (not as many as I expected) cards and met so many inspiring, hilarious, [insert flattering adjective here] women, I feel this odd pressure to write something that gives the experience justice.
To make this easier, I’ll just revert to my typical way of expressing excitement and joy.
BLOGHER WAS SO AWESOME! I HAD THE GREATEST TIME EVER!!!!!! If you ever get a chance to go, DON’T hesitate! GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I’m DEFINITELY going next year!!!!!!!
Phew! It feels better to get that out there, though not in the prose form I was hoping for. I wish there was a way to capture in text the women, the conversations, the laughs, the listening, and the learning. Being there, I felt like I was in a group to which I truly belonged. (mostly) I felt like the people I met, were my friends, like REAL, LIVE EVERYDAY friends. (mostly) You know those women you read everyday and think are so funny and fantastic? Well they are more funny and fantastic in person. (completely)
(Mostly) everything about the weekend I could say with pink, puffy hearts surrounding my words. But of course, there were a few awkward moments, like when you’d meet someone new, without too much hoopla, but then someone you’d been dying to meet would walk up and there was lots of squeeing and jumping and hugging. I felt bad for not having that reaction with everyone.
There were awkward moments when people I’d meet didn’t know my blog and I didn’t know theirs and the conversation would fizzle quickly.
It was awkward and overwhelming to walk alone into a room filled with people that all seemed to know one another. More than once I had to either, leave the room and find a familiar face, or muster up every bit of courage I possessed and walk up to people and introduce myself.
The point of telling you about the awkward moments isn’t to scare you or to make it seem like BlogHer was somehow not all it’s cracked up to be. I’m telling you those things because I want to make the point that if you’ve been afraid of going to BlogHer for fear of awkwardness or not knowing anyone, (mostly) everyone probably felt the same awkwardness and nervousness at some point during the weekend.
BlogHer really IS all it’s cracked up to be. Cross my heart. So I’ll be seeing you there next year, right?!
***
PS. I broke one of my own cardinal blogging rules by not answering your specific questions about my last post…so I’ll answer here.
1. Yes I had fun at BlogHer. Please read the above post.
2. No, TSA kept the knife.
3. No, I don’t know how it got in there. Neither does my husband. Maybe it was Carson’s knife? (kidding.)
It was a great weekend – loved meeting you!
Don Mills Divas last blog post..The party’s over…
I’M SO GLAD U HAD FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~snort~
I’LL GO IN ALL CAPS & !!!!!!!!!!!!! NEXT YEAR,K?
Alli ~Mrs. Fussypantss last blog post..Name that Inappropriate Photo
I am so there next year. And contemplating whether or not I want to go to Boston for BlogHer Reaches out. It feels like some sort of…gosh I don’t know, but I think I may still want to go. Plus I have never been to Boston.
Heathers last blog post..And the winner is……..
I’d love to go next year but I worry my entire time will be pock-marked by those awkward “umm who are you?” moments.
I’m so outgoing that I know I’d make friends anywhere, but I don’t want people think I am what I fear I am : A BIG DORK.
AndreAnnas last blog post..Stinky Fat Boy
I wondered that about Blogher about how if I went, how I would know people and what their blog was.
Green & Clean Moms last blog post..Green Etiquette 101
Ditto. To (mostly) all of it. But hell, I got to meet YOU, so I’m happy.
Mr Ladys last blog post..13,148.96 Days Later
Glad to hear you had so much fun.
Now if only I could get the money together to get to the US to go to Blogher next year… hmm, not likely me thinks. Oh well, I can dream right?
I’m so glad I finally got to meet you in person, even if we didn’t get to chat for long! I’ll have to come visit in Indy sometime soon.
Christinas last blog post..Wait, I Have A Blog?
You were the most adorable person in the world. I wanted to take you home in my purse!!
You were definitely on the squee list of “YAY! I got to meet HER!!!!”
Mwah!
Loralees last blog post..Planning two vacations back-to-back is not the best idea I have ever had.
There’s always going to be awkward situtations like that no matter what the social setting…I’m usually not so good in them, but is anyone?
And I always let my kidlets play with knives….is that wrong?
Teris last blog post..In Flux
“More than once I had to either, leave the room and find a familiar face, or muster up every bit of courage I possessed and walk up to people and introduce myself. ”
See, that part alone is enough to make me swear off Blogher, FOREVER.
Public situations go one or two ways for me:
1. I am totally comfortable from the get-go because I *connect* with enough people immediately to get rid of any stage fright.
2. I pee my pants and flee.
Having to actually walk into a room with nothing but strangers and walk up to said strangers and INTRODUCE myself would definitely cause situation #2 to happen. While that might give some people with no scruples blog fodder, I am just not willing to put myself in that situation.
I’m still jealous though.
I’m so going to be there next year.
Luckily the drinks should cover the awkward shyness.
I’m close to what Natalie said above..if I feel forced to have to introduce myself, I’ll just slink quietly away.
I so want to go though and really really have hopes for next year! I’d be fine with a few cocktails down my gullet.
I’m so there next year!! I’ve been drooling over everyone’s recap posts for the past few days. I definitely won’t miss it again!
Erins last blog post..Weekend In Crazyland!
Inside… I was jumping and squealing when I saw you. I wish I was more honest with my own feelings. I thought you would have labeled me as a big stalker. Or dork.
You are so stinking cute.
Next year, I will jump up and down and scream in ALL CAPS when I see you. Promise.
ohmommys last blog post..A Giveaway and the Last Mention of BlogHer08
Will you be the one to hold MY hand next year? I want to go, but I too am afraid. I feel like I stalk so many people, but they have no clue who I am.
Loris last blog post..People are Like Onions (or Parfaits)
ALL CAPS WORKS FOR ME. And there is no doubt I love me an exclamation point. And next year…I am so going and I will stalk you so that you are never without a friendly face until you try to ditch me, but I am pretty persistent and it will be hard, but you are crafty and know more people to help you out. Then will come the restraining order…
HRHs last blog post..Next time Holly is going to get a root canal…
IT WAS DEFINITELY AN ALL CAPS WEEKEND!
And those awkward moments didn’t last for long, thankfully.
Headless Moms last blog post..Pimpin For My Peeps
@Headless Mom: They didn’t last long, thank goodness!
So glad we met and hung out!
@Lori: I will hold your hand!
You’ll be surprised how many people know you…or at least can pretend they do!
@ohmommy: I really wish we could have hung out! I saw you at that first mommyblogging thing and maybe one other time…where WERE you?!
@Loralee: Oh there was LOTS of squeeing when we met! I’m glad we actually got to have a real conversation on Friday night!
@Mr Lady: You commented on my blog!!!!!
I think I’m gonna faint.
@Christina: How did we not get a chance to really talk???? I needed to go to more parties, like you!
I am sooo going to be there at BlogHer’09! I can’t wait! I think in extreme cases of fabulosity, caps and exclamations are completely acceptable and warranted.
So envious of all of y’all who were able to go.
I missed so much while in Vegas, must check out archives.
rachels last blog post..700, A Rookie Mistake, Vegas and Dolly
I’m really hoping to go next year! Wonder where it will be… when the heck will we know? I hope when we meet we have one of those hugging and jumping up and down moments. Now that I’ve stated it here, we have to, right?
Jane
Jane – Mom Generationss last blog post..Pool Rules: They’re not just for kids
You are a rock star and absolutely as awesome in person are you are on your blog. No doubt.
And if I’m going to be called horrible nasty things by a homeless again, I hope you’re right there by my side! :0)
And HI, clearly I need to proofread before I hit “submit”.
AMomTwoBoyss last blog post..Sometimes Life Gets In The Way
So chick, you gunna start up the ‘Get this Aussie chick across the ocean to come and party with you’ fund? Cause you help me get the cash and I am so there.
Kelleys last blog post..I am going to hell. Alternative title ‘meet my new boyfriend’
You were just the cutest thing ever, I wanted to put you in my pocket. And I only took like 20 pictures at BlogHer, but three were of you. So, you know, I think that makes me a stalker or something. A stalker who steals drinks. I’m a keeper!
still. jealous.
the planet of janets last blog post..Oh you’ve got to have friends….
glad you had a good time. I will be there next year for sure….will you hold my hand? I might be scared and want to hide between your legs.
I’m seriously so geeked about next year, yet fear that the whole bloggy weekend will be one looooooooong awkward moment. DesignHER who?
DesignHER Mommas last blog post..simply sweet reviews…
I’m going to pull a Ms. Britt…
It was so awesome seeing you!!!!!
(hump hump hump)
Queen of Shake Shakes last blog post..A New Earth? That’s Good Since The Old Earth Is Insane.
I’m glad you thought it was great. Every picture I’ve seen with you in it looks stunning. The hair? Perfect in every shot. And, I seriously did the swoon thing just seeing your pic with my fly swatter.
I will be there next year I hope!!
A pocketknife? Ha! Think how awkward sex toys are.
So glad you had a good time. So glad you’re home. So glad you’re going to be able to get over the CAPS thing.
lceels last blog post..David’s PLR – Part 4
It’s so hard to capture how great the whole thing was. Sure it wasn’t perfect, but nothing is. Overall, I had an amazing time – especially since I got to hang with you and Megan and you’re both just as lovely as I’d hoped.
andis last blog post..The first of many BlogHer posts
I love the bloggers who are admitting that there were just some really awkward moments, because I think that would be my greatest fear. Nobody would know me, I’d blank on their blog, better bloggers would walk by and steal conversations.
Glad it turned out to be ok.
threeundertwos last blog post..Chores, Checklists, Children
I’m so glad that you had fun! I’m inspired and SOOO want to go next year. Do you know where it will be?
Kendrawolfs last blog post..Part 6: Saudi Arabia
@Kendrawolf: I don’t know where it will be. I think they announced this year’s location last October or November?? Maybe?
It kind of sounds like some nightmares I’ve had. I am not very good at walking into a room of strangers and introducing myself. As a matter of fact, I don’t EVER see myself doing that. I’ll only go to BlogHer if I have some very good bloggy friends willing to stand next to me the WHOLE time.
Glad it was such a good (mostly) experience for you!
I’m definitely still jealous. But I’m REALLY REALLY going to try to go next year. Cause I want to SOOOOOOO bad.
I’m sure I’ll be nervous, though.
Domestic Spazs last blog post..Just a bunch of little fish in a big old pond
I am so glad you had a great time. I don’t blame you for going with all caps and !!!!
justmylifes last blog post..What a wonderful day in the neighborhood.
So glad you had a good time! A great one, it sounds like! I super want to go next year, we’ll see if I can make it happen…I’m just really afraid of the awkwardness thing. I’m not great at introducing myself. And would it be wierd, since I’m not a mommy blogger like 99.9% of BlogHers are? That’s my fear. But I do totally want to go, and I’m going to try my best to make it happen next year. Hopefully I’ll get to meet you! (And I won’t squeal too much when I see you and get blinded by your fabulousness).
flickrlovrs last blog post..How Did YOU Find Me?!?
Sometimes there is just NO better way to say it than CAPS and !!! LOL!
The Farmers Wifes last blog post..A No Brainer!
SQUEEE!!! JUMP!!!! I loved that I saw you. I wish there was more time because I could’ve SQUEEEEd all over your teeny tiny ass. (Seriously, you’re like crazy hot, woman!)
i’m sure there was squeeing when we met…since i met both you and andi at the same time. love love love.
i didn’t get enough time with you!!!
alis last blog post..i will never learn…and i suffer from the wonk-eye
@Mrs. Flinger: Your skinny ass and me didn’t get enough time together.
At least there was lots of squeeing when we met.
@ali: I know! We needed more time, I wish we could have chatted more!
It was fabulous meeting you, and you were not NEARLY AT ALL NOT ONE BIT the dorky idiot you keep telling the Internet you were (STOP LYING TO TEH INTERNET!), and besides, what’s Blogher for except to give us all ample opportunity to be dorky idiots in front of each other? You just need to aim low. My goal, for example, was to not pee myself in front of anyone, and I accomplished that. Barely.
Amalahs last blog post..The Princess & the Pantyhose (aka Blogher ’08)