Tying up the last of the BlogHer loose ends
As tired as the topic of BlogHer may be, I feel as if I’ve left the topic on a sour note. I dashed in, announced “hey, I love ya, but I’m sick as a dog,” and then returned full of piss and vinegar. And while I see nothing wrong with a little piss and vinegar (except on a salad – not a good combo), I don’t want that to be the lingering perception of my BlogHer experience.
Because it wasn’t at all. In fact, as much fun as I had last year, I’d say that this year was a hundred times better.
First, it’s so relaxing when you don’t have to introduce yourself to everyone you meet. As well as you may feel you know each other, there’s an inevitable sizing-up that takes place. You may love this woman’s writing, but are you going to love sitting next to her and conversing? It’s a whole new ball game.
That speed-dating exercise we did the first morning at BlogHer ‘07? That’s what BlogHer ‘06 felt like to me most of the time. I felt like I was selling myself with each new introduction, which is exhausting even for the most extroverted of us.
At BlogHer ‘07, I knew enough people – either from meeting them last year or even having interacted more closely online – that not once did I feel as if I were selling myself. I expect that part of that ease comes from being more comfortable in the online space in general, but a lot of it comes from knowing that I could walk into the W Hotel that Thursday afternoon and spot a group of women who know me and would gladly accept me into their conversation.
That’s not to say I couldn’t have walked up to a group of women who didn’t know me and be welcomed into it. Or women whom I recognized but hadn’t yet met.
I don’t want to dissuade BlogHer virgins from deflowering themselves. On the contrary, I was thrilled to meet so many new bloggers this year – women I’d worked with, corresponded with, and admired greatly. I’m elated that they mustered up the courage (and the dollars) to attend. And I hope that even if they were exhausted by the experience, they enjoyed it enough to return again next year.
Because Her Bad Mother is not going to allow herself to fall asleep in our presence again. We need fresh victims want to make new friends.
Most telling of all for me was the fact that this year, I headed to the airport on Sunday afternoon wishing that I could stay another night. Until I got home and was greeted by this:
I’ll be there next year; I hope you will be too.
August 3rd, 2007 at 2:46 pm
i hope i will too!
August 3rd, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Those damn kids. Making sure we didn’t stay there another week.
August 3rd, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Yep, I was greeted with arms and legs flailing down the driveway. I was in heaven when I was grabbed up in their arms.
I’ll be there next year too
I had a blast.
August 3rd, 2007 at 4:50 pm
This is the post I hope to write next year. The first year was hard for me, but well worth it. I do better one on one with people, and working my way into groups proved to be too difficult at times. But that was my issue, not the groups acting exclusionary or anything.
This is also the post that makes me absolutely certain I want to go back next year, even with a 6 month old in tow.
August 3rd, 2007 at 5:11 pm
I hope it will be like that for me next year too. This year was great, but it was exhausting being so on all the time!
August 3rd, 2007 at 6:42 pm
That is a great photo.
August 3rd, 2007 at 7:39 pm
I, too, hope I can feel more like you did this year when I (hopefully) go next year. BlogHer was amazing but so exhausting and overwhelming. I am still trying to process it all. It was great meeting you in person!
August 3rd, 2007 at 8:03 pm
You are so wonderful.
Really. I’m glad i already knew you.
August 4th, 2007 at 11:30 am
It was great to have the time to giggle with you. I heart you.
But damn it, I’m a tad jealous. When I showed up on my MIL’s door to pick up my kids, my darling children looked at me and cried, “Already? Do we HAVE to go home?”
Buggers. Remind me why I chose to breed?
August 4th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Love that picture Julie.
August 4th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Hell yes I’ll be there and EVERYONE else better come too. And if you want to bring Valentina I will totally be your nanny.
August 5th, 2007 at 9:51 am
Beautiful. What love! (And Canape, I will TOTALLY help tote around your 6 month old next year!)
August 5th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
So you’re saying that if I go again next year I won’t be a shivering mass of jello afterward?
August 5th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
great post and great picture.
100% there next year! no question!
August 6th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Beautiful photo! Such pretty girls, all of you!
August 6th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Adorable photo.