Yup, I MADE IT TO CHICAGO! (yea!)
On a wing and a prayer, I got on that 6 am flight Friday morning. From there, everything just tick-tocked right along. Flying on standby has its benefits. For instance, my bag was the third one out of the plane. I was whizzing through morning rush hour on my way to BlogHer before the first conference eggs were scrambled. I even arrived at Navy Pier with enough time to grab a latte before the first session. Armed with a name badge and my business cards, I was ready to rub elbows with bloggest of the them all. My anticipation was met with a mixed emotions.
True to this year's theme, I very much encountered a "world of difference" along the way-- from insiders to outsiders, crafty gals and technophiles, and lots and lots of mommas. I was looking forward to meeting some of the ladies who I've been "blog idolizing". Although, once I found them, what was I to say?
On a wing and a prayer, I got on that 6 am flight Friday morning. From there, everything just tick-tocked right along. Flying on standby has its benefits. For instance, my bag was the third one out of the plane. I was whizzing through morning rush hour on my way to BlogHer before the first conference eggs were scrambled. I even arrived at Navy Pier with enough time to grab a latte before the first session. Armed with a name badge and my business cards, I was ready to rub elbows with bloggest of the them all. My anticipation was met with a mixed emotions.
True to this year's theme, I very much encountered a "world of difference" along the way-- from insiders to outsiders, crafty gals and technophiles, and lots and lots of mommas. I was looking forward to meeting some of the ladies who I've been "blog idolizing". Although, once I found them, what was I to say?
I mean, how stalkerish would it be to say:
oh, HI!!! I so KNOW you. Gosh-golly, I LOVE your work. It's so funny that your son is teething. Guess what? MY son is teething, too. Man, that kitchen remodel. Wow! That looked just awful to endure, but THANKS for POSTING PHOTOS of it on you blog. Let's grab some cappuccinos and sing KUM-BA-YA together. Let's be BEST BLOGGING BUDDIES. You link to my blog and I'll link to yours...Not that I... ahem! umm, actually said that to anyone this weekend... hmm...
Gaaaahhhh!
For me, one of the MOST exciting parts of the conference was meeting... er, encountering Amy Sedaris. I say "encounter" because I sat front and center to hear her speak on a panel, but didn't actually talk to her. While I may feel privy to her personal life from both her and her brother's work, I don't really know her, and it seems rather ridiculous to act as if I do.
For starters, how should I get her attention?
"Hey Amy" (Too familiar)Rather than clamor for her to notice me, I opted to just sit back and be entertained. In fact, I spent most of my weekend just watching and listening. Like I said, I had much to learn...
"Umm, Miss Sedaris" (Too formal and presumptuous)
"OMG, It's AMY SEDARIS" (Stalker!)
Which is not to say I didn't meet anyone interesting. In fact, I met a lot of someones who are very interesting. I faced questions like "what do I stand for?" and "what is my voice?". I put faces to names (and in some cases names to blogs) and learned a few new tricks. Best of all, I discovered several new blog obsessions I probably never would have if not for BlogHer.
There were some drawbacks to the conference, too... as in I expected a little more "conference" and a lot less cattiness. I came to get some specific tips on improving myself as a blogger, not argue whether or not to monetize one's blog or debate the merits of calling oneself a "writer" versus a "blogger". Although the lab session I attended was excellent, I didn't get as much out of other sessions as I would hoped for the $205 + airfare and hotel stay.
Let's just say that we all came to "represent". Some just came to push an agenda too. Judging from comments flung, they came seeking validation for their "my way or the highway" view on blogging. (Anyone that differed in opinion was obviously an affront to the community.) Listening to THAT for two days was very tiresome.
My head is spinning from all that it has absorbed this weekend. Overall, I'm happy I attended. I just hope next year focuses more on building ourselves up, rather than tearing others down.
5 comments:
Uhm, do we have the same brain??? It's like we wrote the same feedback!
Well said...I was in over my head some of the time. I was glad to meet other Sahm's doing the same thing I am!
That is really interesting. I felt this way last year after BlogHer, but this year I saw a lot less cattiness and cliquiness. (Is cliquiness a word? I that how you would spell it if it were a word?)
Anyway. It was a lot of fun. I'm glad I got to meet you!
I'm just going through my business cards and happened upon yours! And I could not agree more...that was one of the letdowns about BlogHer for me. I'm glad someone voiced it!
I do think I got the most out of that lab session. And as a bonus, that's where I met you! I'll be back here to visit now that I know where you are. I absolutely love your blog name and tagline.
Post a Comment