"OK, she just updated, I hope she doesn't talk about BlogHer, I hope she doesn't talk about Blogher..."
I can hear ya, you know.
"So sick of everyone talking about BlogHer...inside jokes...a waste of time, and, money...I could never do something like that. Bah, a bunch of women, I'm socially anxious, it's a clique, my blog is too small..."
No, seriously, I can hear you.
Eh, it's OK, I've been where you are. Any large gathering has it's moments (even the guys), so, you really shouldn't think that's what it's all about.
However, that doesn't mean I'm ready to shut up about it, yet.
The past 2 summers, I've read about other bloggers' adventures with a mixture of amusement, and, eye rolling.
I've thought to myself, "It's just a conference, what is up with TEH DRAMA? They're just blogs, ferchrissakes."
Yep, they are just blogs.
What? You thought I was going to say that I was transformed or something?
Maybe, maybe not. Dunno. Still trying to process it all.
Hell, I just wrote "processing", even that sounds dramatic. I'm not usually someone who tells other people they have to "process" something.
It's just that there's so much to it.
When you go to a conference for work, it's about the work topic, and, you may or may not do something with colleagues at the end of the day.
Get your mind out of the gutter, that's totally not the "something" I meant, and, you know it.
BlogHer is kind of a mixture between a learning conference, a networking session, a fraternity party, and, summer camp.
There's just so much to do, and, so many people to see, it can make your head spin.
There's also the aspect of meeting people from more than one facet of your "blog life".
I had old friends I needed to look up, new friends to meet, colleagues from a couple of Internets jobs to locate, and, there are other people I admire and wanted to meet who don't participate in my dishwasher drivel here (I know! I can't imagine why they don't either...).
Then there was the actual conference. There's many things I'm inspired to do now, just looking for my #2 Day Extender.
It all feels kind of surreal now (and not just because of the cocktails consumed there) as I sit here glaring at the corporate tools who are sitting in my seat here at the bagel place.
Was I really kicked out of a hotel room full of McDonald's cheeseburgers by very, very large specimens of human in dark suits?
Did I really attempt to pole dance in a blue lit elevator with pumping techno music?
Who moved my cheese?
I'm not sure, but, I think I had gobs of brand new designer make-up forced upon me by someone I feel like I've known for years.
How many times can 2 people walk the length of Navy Pier in flip flops without becoming permanently crippled?
It was a lot of fun, I learned some things, met new friends, and, stayed up far, far too late.
More later.
Recent Entries on Busymom.net:
- July shouldn't let the door hit it on the way out.
- Non-sequitur Sunday
- Sunday - The jet lag edition
- Sit here while I get out my vacation slides
- Baby bedding Miley Cyrus firewall mortgage calculator Garmin GPS
I've heard such mixed reports about the conference, it's great to have another perspective. What a good sharer you are!
Cheers
There are a a lot of things on my mind, aside from the TP cozy and the fuzzy pillows in the hotel tooms. But it was really great to meet you. For me, I think that was the best part -- getting to meet and hang out with so many great women. Some day, I'll learn how to make small talk so I don't seem so dorky when I meet new people!
I'm just happy you refrained from using the word swag.
At least, you had fun -- and how often can you say that about a conference?
Hilarious retrospective moments.
It sounds very eclectic. I like that part of it. I still would be fearful of how I would deal with the crowds. You would probably find me in some isolated bar, playing darts and drinking a beer.
Out of all the blogs I read about Blogher ( I did not go this year) you make me want to go next year. Myself, I am not looking to further my blogging or anything. I have a full plate of life and my blog is my document of my life. I just know I would enjoy the commrodery side of it all.
My biggest question about blogger is why the hotel room block was not a lower price. If I have at least 100 people attending a function in a large city I can book the room rate at $99 or less at a Hilton. The Gaylord gave us $99 per room and $105 for a suite! I have had room blocks for less ($79 for a suite -East Coast beaches)
And here I thought your big take-away was my awesome fashion advice, which as I recall amounted to "I don't care what the hell you wear."
I rock. And so do you. And so did all those drinks.
I met you! I met you!
So how's come I wasn't invited to the party? Oh, I remember. I'm old. :(
Just kidding. Except I really am old.
What a blast. I loved every split-second of BlogHer.
Seriously. Where IS the cheese?!
That's it! You'll have one more person to meet next year. I can't stand hearing about all the fun and then just sit on my butt and not go. See ya next BlogHer!
It sounds like a rockin' conference. Maybe next year I'll get there.
I am so ready to join the club. And not so much the "I make madd $$ from my blog club," as I have some wicked funny ladies that i can quit "air quoting" as "friends" when I talk about them (because you know, the air quotes are void when you've actually met face to face!)
But, alas...I am a young bloggersnapper which often means I have no funds for travel!
I am so in your undecided boat. There were things I liked, things I loved, and things that were annoying as hell.
I had a great time meeting people (you included!) but I'm walking away with very mixed feeling about the substance of the conference. I haven't figured out how to get my thoughts into a coherent post. Or if I even want to post about it at all. Guess I'm "processing" too.
The CHEESE!!!!!! Acccckkk!!!!!!!!
That story should NOT be an inside joke. It's too funny not to share!
It was a pleasure to meet you, Elizabeth, and as I've said many times all over the blogosphere, I wish we'd had more time to talk.
I haven't been yet. Maybe next year...
Holy crap! I'm so glad you stopped by my blog...I keep referring to you as "that girl in the bed with me in 2603" and I get nothing but blank stares. It was so good to talk to you at BlogHer! I'll be stopping by again soon!