BlogHer 08: And that’s all I have to say about that

by Marilyn on July 25, 2008

This is the LAST BLOGHER POST! (everyone who was unable to attend cheers) (even those who were able to attend are cheering because DUDE, enough already) I’m just going to clear up some odds and ends.  And then we can be on our way.  (Well, this is a damn, dirty lie because my YNTR post tomorrow will heavily feature post-BlogHer posts, but at least they won’t be MY post-BlogHer posts!)

Okay, I want to talk a little about my session.  This is the first time I’ve done a panel-type session and you know what?  Kinda fun.  Seriously!  I actually kind of enjoyed being a part of it.  It didn’t feel so much like speaking as it did leading a group discussion.  I kind of got into that.  The only bad part was losing half our audience before it was all said and done.  We started out with a pretty packed room which was VERY COOL.  I was excited!  And before the time was up, we’d lost a good half of those people.  I guess we weren’t exciting after all.  Which, you know, is okay.  Elisa herself had encouraged people to not be afraid to leave and find sessions that DO speak to them.  But on the other hand, this is a session led by INTROVERTS.  And I replayed all those people standing up and walking out in my head a good 50 times that weekend.  Was it something I said?  Do I offend?

All I want to say about drama is this: You cannot go to an event like BlogHer with sky-high expectations.  If you read nothing but “a-list” bloggers and you have dreams of going there and becoming their BFFs, well, you’re probably going to walk away disappointed.  Yes, even if they have responded to your comments or whathaveyou.  Because they’re going to be busy (as we all are at BlogHer) and they’re also shy like a lot of us are and I don’t know about you, but giant free-for-alls like this wear me the heck out.  And I’m NOT under a spotlight.  Doesn’t excuse out and out rude behavior but I didn’t hear of TOO many stories like that this year, thankfully.  It’s best to go in with the expectation that you want to meet up with people who you read who also read you and connect with you and with the hopes of meeting new people.  Because BlogHer is FABULOUS for meeting new people.

Also: Some people will look for drama even where there isn’t really any.  That’s just the nature of the beast sometimes.  People like to rubber-neck.  So sometimes we are the community’s own worst enemy.  We need to knock that off, seriously.  It’s not doing anyone any favors.

All in all, I had a great time.  Next year I want to do some things different (don’t I say this every year??):

  • I want to go SANS KIDS.  No children.  Nadda.  NONE.
  • I want to room together with a bunch of buddies so we can stay up late braiding hair.  Or drinking at parties.  Or, heck, both.  Think of the money savings too!
  • I want to stay an extra day or two (or three).  I want to be there the day before for any pre-parties and I want to be there the day AFTER, to decompress and sight-see.  I’m talking four nights in the hotel.  I don’t want to feel rushed.  I want to soak it all in, damnit.
  • I want to make GINORMOUS efforts to meet people that I decide beforehand I want to meet.  Mrs. Flinger and Jennifer?  THAT MEANS YOU.  Among others.
  • I want to take so many pictures that it literally makes my flickr account WEEP.
  • I want to go to several parties.  I want to have alcohol at some of these parties (if not all).  I most especially want to go to a CheeseburgHer party as I have now missed it TWO YEARS IN A ROW.  And those cheeseburgers look yummy.

I think that covers it.  Now, let us never speak of it again.  Until next year, of course.

***

In other news: OMG, my husband has started a blog.  A daddy blog, of sorts.  I think.  Though he has yet to mention our actual CHILDREN, but whatever.  (Who am I to talk?  How often do I talk about the kids, really?)  Anyhow, I think he got a look at all the fun we had at BlogHer this year (and all the guys who were there getting all the attention) and decided he wanted a piece of that pie.  Whatever his reasoning, stop by and say, “Whatup, yo?”

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{ 14 comments }

1

crunchy carpets (16 comments.) 07.25.08 at 1:07 pm

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Yup that is my goal for next time too….spot on!

2

EmilyPie (3 comments.) 07.25.08 at 1:11 pm

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um, I would DIE if my husband started a blog. You are brave woman for allowing this! :D Yes, next time, I too want to room with the chicas at the hotel…. but I’m ok with 3 nights away. :D

And what, were we the only 2 Renoites there? That must change next year …

EmilyPies last blog post..Because I’m a Slacker…

3

carrisa (5 comments.) 07.25.08 at 1:12 pm

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ok well the ONLY reason I left your panel early was to get my free massage. I promise. that’s why I parked by the door. but maybe you made all those introverts feel so good that they lept up from their chairs and decided to go and conquer the world!

and I’m in total agreeance about going sans kids. God love them, but BlogHer is easiest without them. This I could tell.

4

sizzle (8 comments.) 07.25.08 at 1:14 pm

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I have similar goals if I go again. Especially since I have my “first time” under my belt, I think I will be able to go with the flow more.

It wasn’t just your session that people ducked out on and I bet it wasn’t personal at all. There were so many things to see that you almost had to skip out on stuff to get it all in. I wasn’t in your panel because I am a total extrovert but I heard it was fantastic.

sizzles last blog post..They Make Me Want To Sing That Dionne Warwick Song

5

Maria (1 comments.) 07.25.08 at 1:19 pm

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I did all of that. It made the experience awesome so I highly recommend it. :)

And that baby was just tooooooo friggin’ cute!! You have to at least bring lots of pictures of her with you next year!

Marias last blog post..“Would you still love me if…

6

Jenny, Crash Test Mommy (1 comments.) 07.25.08 at 1:22 pm

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Great post! Hope to meet you next year. Like Sizzle, I will be better equipped to “go with the flow” now that I’ve been once.

Jenny, Crash Test Mommys last blog post..Life Overload

7

Nancy (1 comments.) 07.25.08 at 1:23 pm

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It was nice to have met you. Whaaaa? You don’t remember me? LOL I can’t remember half the peeps I met either.

That was my 1st BlogHer, I’ll be back next year, it was a good time.

Nancys last blog post..That took balls …

8

Jennifer, Playgroups are no place for children (5 comments.) 07.25.08 at 1:50 pm

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I couldn’t agree more with your goals. I got their too late on Thursday to go to the Kirtsy/Alltop party…I missed the Newbie party, I was so tired by Saturday night I missed the Macy’s and Cheeseburger party. Next time, I really want to be a little more organized and cognizant of what’s going on and get more involved.

With that said, I had a great time and I think that those who didn’t, well…it’s kinda because they didn’t try or because of extenuating circumstances.

We MUST meet next year. I was sure I must have missed you Saturday night because of my own exhaustion.

Oh and one last thought, I hope it’s not a three hour time difference next year, that kicked my butt!

Jennifer, Playgroups are no place for childrens last blog post..Rachael Ray lied to me. Also, my cilantro rant.

9

Randi (30 comments.) 07.25.08 at 2:45 pm

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Reading all these blogher posts is making me want to go - so I may just have to next year! I’d LOVE to speak, and know exactly the topic(s) I could talk about - how do you go about suggesting something for a panel?

Randis last blog post..Which Bloggers I’d Like to Meet

10

Jezer (15 comments.) 07.25.08 at 2:58 pm

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This was the third year of my active blogging “career” (now that’s laughable) that I missed BlogHer. I’m seriously considering going next year. I really mean it this time.

Jezers last blog post..Weight Watchers Update

11

brit (92 comments.) 07.25.08 at 3:48 pm

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ok as long as your cheeseburger party doesn’t interfere with my celebrate the diet coke party.

brits last blog post..Recipe for…..

12

mojavi (21 comments.) 07.25.08 at 4:50 pm

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I am going next year!!!!! I am just excited to find out where it is going to be next year!

13

catnip (5 comments.) 07.25.08 at 5:50 pm

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Do you know what I’ll do different next year? I’m going to go! No matter what.

How cool your hubby started a daddy blog! I’m off to check it out :)
catnips last blog post..me

14

liz (55 comments.) 07.26.08 at 10:44 am

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my goal is to be all up in the room braiding hair and drinking with you. with NO BAYBEES around.
pleaseandthankyou.

lizs last blog post..what? i have a blawg?

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