I hope you all enjoyed the virtual landslide of photos I had from BlogHer this year (*cough*).  I’m really rather upset with myself that I didn’t take more.  But it was SO hard to do anything when I had Evie with me besides just deal with Evie.  See, looking back, it would have totally rocked to have had a personal handler with me the entire weekend.  Someone to help me deal with Evie, to bounce her when she was fussy and work their voodoo on her, make her calm down.  I could have handed Evie off to said personal handler and maybe even taken my laptop out.  Shoot, forget the laptop, I could have actually gone to sessions!  But if I had had this mythical other pair of hands, I could have also taken out my camera and taken pictures.

Oh, hindsight.  Why are you always so clear?

Anyhow, the point of this post is to highlight everyone that I got a totally awesome business card from.  I have a respectable pile (as you can see), but I wanted MORE.  Next year, I SWEAR.

• We’ve got a beautifully designed card from Christine at watchmenowatchme.com.  I didn’t know her before BlogHer, but after a lunchtime interlude where we got to watch her bitch out her bank on the phone, I feel as if we’re bonded somehow.  She truly was a cool gal and I’m totally stalking her now.
• Then there is Dawn from kaiseralex.com.  Like Christine, I didn’t know her before BlogHer but I know her now and I think she’s pretty spectacular (and not just cuz of the bewbs on her card).
• I have an adorable little card for Carly of andsosheblogs.com.  I knew her beforehand, even met her at last year’s conference but I was so glad to spend some extra time with her this year.  She is truly a wonderful, beautiful gal.
• I also got to meet Mary Ostyn from Owl Haven.  She is one of the people who says she recognizes me (or rather, my blog) and I get all bashful-like.  Shucks.
• I got to briefly meet Minnie from screamything.com and thankyoufornotbeingperky.com.  She was absolutely beautiful.  What is with all the beautiful women at BlogHer?
• I also ran into Fausta at BlogHer and got her card which went into my pocket and got totally wrinkled up but I flattened it as best I could because I like order that way.
• Who can forget the incomparable Loralee of Loralee’s Looney Tunes?  Everyone is talking about her, post-BlogHer.  I’d say she was a hit.  And you know what?  She was even MORE wonderful in person than she is online.  Which is quite a feat, mind you.  LOVE HER.
• I met Christine (aka YoungMommy) from From Dates to Diapers and almost didn’t realize it was her at first.  And she?  IS BEAUTIFUL.  Why I’m surprised at this point, I don’t know.  But also a total sweetheart.
• I have the most adorable card from Sizzle and can I just say she is STUNNING in person?  And I can tell she’s the sort of gal that everyone must love to be around.  She’s got a gorgeous smile and she seemed to be everywhere at this conference.
• Of course, I have an adorable pink card from Rhi in Pink.  She was absolutely awesome to me at the conference and even gave me a pair of pink sneakers (I wear them all the time now).  I’m proud to share Mini Owen with her.
• I even managed to score a card from Megan from Velveteen Mind (who is just such a sweet and lovely woman in person, even moreso than on her blog).  She had a lot of balls in the air this conference and she seemed to handle them with the utmost grace.  I want to be her when I grow up.
• Another absoutely gorgeous woman, Stephanie from metropolitanmama.net.  If I’m remembering correctly, she sat at my table at one point and I had to make a point not to stare because she was seriously GORGEOUS.
• I got the cutest little card from Nicole from Apron Strings Aflutter.  I didn’t know her or her blog before, but I’m definitely checking it out now.  And that is the power of a sweet woman and a cute card at BlogHer.
• I met, thanks to Carly and Rhi, Sallie Boorman of APCO Worldwide at our table (I think it was breakfast?).  She was so sweet and so pretty (are you sensing a theme here?) and so not one of the Evil PR People you always hear about.  She truly was a fabulous person.
• Speaking of PR and Sponsors, I also talked to Shannon at the Sprout booth and she was so sweet.  Sometimes these conversations can feel so manufactured, but I got the feeling this gal and her co-workers were nothing but genuine.  SO SWEET.  AND SO PRETTY.  (and I totally want Sprout now)
• On Day 1, at breakfast, I met Julia from idealist.org, where she’s a community outreach coordinator and blog manager.  She was very apologetic about her corporate card and made sure to jot down her NYC blog on there as well.  I’ll definitely be checkign her out, she was a super nice gal.
• I got an adorable bookmark from a lovely gal known as “Sugar” (how sweet is that!  pun is TOTALLY intended, btw) for her blog Living… In Theory.  She was seriously a darling gal and (do I even have to say it?) totally gorgeous.
• I scored a card from the fabulous Michelle Mitchell of Scribbit.  She is seriously stunning in person, with her blonde hair and tallness and just simply oozing grace and professionalism.  Another gal I wouldn’t mind becoming when I grow up.  I need to take notes from her, seriously.
• I briefly met Annette Tonti who works for a company called mofuse and I’m seriously going to look into it because now that I’m getting an iPhone (details to follow), I’m extra interested in having a mobile version of my blog.
• I got to meet Missy!  Seriously, I was so glad when she hopped down from her makeover chair MID-MAKEOVER to come over and say Hi to me.  That was so awesome.  And her accent?  ADORABLE.  And she?  GORGEOUS.  I think I pretty much adore her.
• Surely by now you’ve all been hearing about Brian at papatv.com.  He was pretty awesome (and hot) and his card made me laugh.  I wish I could have hung with him more like Carly and Rhi got to.  But seriously, there were a LOT of guys there this year and I thought that was awesome.
• Kelli, aka Cagey, handed out the most adorable business cards, which were actually bookmarks, styled after her blog.  This was in order to hand them out with the “Sleep is for the Weak” book in which she is featured (*coughbuyitcough*).  I love Cagey.  I love her and I love her adorable little daughter and intensely wish I lived closer to her so I could go over to her house for playdates.

And then there was my most favorite “card” of all:

This was from Brit at Running Stitch and she MADE THEM HERSELF.  Seriously, she had a whole stack to pass out.  And I thought that was the coolest thing EVER.  She even had the url to her Etsy shop on the back and I thought that was just damned genius.  She is mad talented and has made me so many wonderful things I can hardly keep track.  I love her.  She is a salve on my soul.  And she makes me laugh like no one’s business because she’s funny as hell.  It would NOT have been BlogHer if I hadn’t gotten a chance to hang with her for the short time that I was able.

Then there were all the people that I talked to that I didn’t get cards from (and, one can safely assume, I didn’t give cards to either.  Like an IDIOT.).  But I want to mention them because I did meet them and they do deserve a link.  I’ll just have to see if I can remember them all!

There was the lovely Kerry from Crunchy Carpets who I happened to see walking down the hall while Loralee and I were chatting and I hollered out to her (as if I have confidence or something!).  This was on Saturday, shortly before I had to leave so I am SO glad I got a chance to talk with her.  And her accent?  DARLING.  Scottish AND Canadian.  Too cute.

There was also the amazing Kristen from better now.  I’m sure I never would have had the guts to speak to her had I not been with Loralee at the time.  This woman is drop-dead gorgeous and so sweet and tall and lovely and smart and… well, even her beautiful blog doesn’t do her justice.  And her blog is beautiful.  So go read it.

Let’s not forget Michelle (aka sparksfley) from Sparks and Butterflies.  She watched my baby for me during my panel and didn’t even miss a STEP with it.  She also started the whole “disclaimer” thing pre-BlogHer to prepare people for the real thing and can I just say?  I think she exaggerated.  She is a lovely person, beautiful and sweet and I’m sure I didn’t get to spend as much time with her as I would have liked.

I also (almost literally) ran into Y just before we left on Saturday.  I got a chance to hug her and tell her that she made me cry during the community keynote the day before and can I just say?  Y is simply lovely in person.  I know she’s lovely on her blog (which I enjoy like no one’s business), but in person?  SO MUCH MORE.  She is a true, genuine heart.  Take it to the bank, people.  It’s true.  I adore her.

I spoke with Monty and Mamacita on Friday morning and never got their cards!  Shame on me!  Well, I’m here to tell you that besides being completely lovely women, they are funny and sweet to boot.  I am so glad I got a chance to interact with them while I was there, because now I sorta love both of them.

I also (so briefly) saw Califmom and she was awesome.  I mean, I sorta knew she’d be awesome from all her Twitters pre-conference, but in person?  Awesomer.  It’s totally a word, look it up.  I didn’t get to talk to her long, but trust me.  She was awesome.  I’m sure someone else can back me up on this.

I did meet Backpacking Dad on Friday morning.  He was talking with Loralee and I managed to get to say hi, but neglected to give him my card.  This guy was a total rockstar of the conference.  I think I can count on one finger the number of times I saw him NOT surrounded by adoring women.

I got to say hi to Redneck Mommy too!  OMG.  She’s so pretty.  And so nice too!  I was pretty much entirely intimidated because she is so… well, COOL.  But she really came off as entirely approachable and sweet.

It was very brief and totally in passing, but I also got to say hi to Crystal from Boobs, Injuries and Dr. Pepper.  Another gal who was completely beautiful and so sweet and friendly.  I wished I could have gone to her session, so I could have heard more from her.  I really admire her quite a bit.

Whew.  I think that’s it.  If I missed ANYONE, please let me know.  See, even with all these people I got to see and say “hi” to, there are so many that I didn’t and that is what haunts me.  I am starting to wonder if it is even POSSIBLE to see everyone you want to see at BlogHer.  I’m starting to have my doubts.

But at any rate, this is my list of Awesome People I Saw at BlogHer.  Now go visit their sites!  Because they are Awesome!

Tags: BlogHer, BlogHer 08, blogs, community, links
Filed under BlogHer 08 |

In one week, the fun begins.  We’ll be packing up the van (gulp) and getting the heck out of dodge.  We’ll be enduring the trip over the mountain and down into the central valley, burning precious, precious petroleum as we burn towards San Jose and my parents’ house.  And, in the eyes of my 8 year old son, my parents’ pool.

Thursday will be relatively low pressure.  It’s FRIDAY that I’m worried about.  Friday we’ll have to get up before the crack of dawn sometime and pack up the van AGAIN (minus one 8 year old child who will be staying with the pool my parents).  And this time we’ll have to battle traffic as we trek up the peninsula towards the City on the Bay.  This is probably about the time that my stomach will lose it’s lining and I’ll be developing some awful nervous tick that will drive my husband to want to murder me at the nearest opportunity.

GOOD TIMES.

This is probably also the time I’ll stop and realize that, “Hey!  I’m SPEAKING at this thing! Like, IN AN HOUR (or whatever).  I should probably be ready for that, huh?”

In case you haven’t heard me blather on about it before, I’m speaking on the topic of Introversion.  Specifically, what it has to do with blogging (why are so many bloggers hopeless introverts? which came first, the blogging or the introversion?).  And how to overcome introversion in order to have a rockin’ good time at BlogHer.  I have some good ideas on this subject (otherwise I wouldn’t have suggested the topic in the first place!), but I’d like to also see what you guys think.

So… uh… what do you think?

What are your best tips for putting aside fears and not only surviving BlogHer, but enjoying yourself there?  I promise I won’t steal your ideas without at least trying to give you credit. _{(I’m probably lying, but who can prove it?)}

Tags: BlogHer, BlogHer 08, car trip, introversion, San Francisco, San Jose
Filed under BlogHer 08 |

Everyone else seems to be posting about BlogHer this week, so I figured I should join suit.  I’m such a follower.  It’s amazing that I have a single original thought in my head sometimes, isn’t it?  I really should be ashamed of myself.

Oh, and if you are one of the unfortunate ones who isn’t able to attend this year and posts like this are making your head hurt?  Feel free to skip this one.  I give you a free pass.  I understand.

So.  Where was I?  (I had to take a small break to entertain Evie, who was requesting some face-time.)  Oh yes.  BlogHer.  The conference with which to end all conferences.  The Big Kahuna.  The Drunk Tank, if you will.

Every year, as much fun as I have, I always walk away with some regrets.  This year, I vow, will be different.  I’m sure there might be a regret or two (or three), but I am hoping they are NEW regrets and not the same old tired issues I had the year before.  After all, I want to foster personal growth and expansion here, don’t I?

With that in mind, I vow:

• NOT to duck out on sessions on Day 2 like I always seem to do.  I was better about this last year.  But there were still a few times where I just hung out instead of going to a session and I feel, afterward, like this was time wasted, somehow.  This said, I do not regret missing the “speed dating” dealie and hope to miss it this year as well.  I’m all for putting myself out there this year, but even I have my limits.
• I will introduce myself to more people and get more business cards, etc.  I was better about this last year, again, but there is definitely room for improvement.  This is like one of the major reasons for going to BlogHer in the first place and to let my insecurities prevent me from enjoying the legions?  Is just goofy.  I will spread myself around a lot better this year, I PROMISE.  I hope to return home with NO business cards left this year.   And a huge passel of cards from other people.
• I will NOT be weighed down with tons of crap this year.  Now, I’m a lot less certain about my ability to uphold this one.  The future of our Westin hotel room is in jeopardy, after all, and I’m hoping to be able to dump swag there as needed.  I plan to carry my husband’s laptop (which is itty bitty and I normally detest it but for such an event, I can definitely see it’s merits) in the diaper bag.  Because, yes, I will have Evie with me.  I’m hoping to having her in a carrier, but I’ll still need a diaper bag.  Especially if I’m planning to have her in cloth.  Which I am.  So the less crap to carry around?  The better.  I will try to offload the swag as soon as I can.  Perhaps during the speed dating! (Two birds, one stone!  Sweet!)

Yep, Evie will be with me the entire time.  I will be putting Liam in childcare.  Harry will be staying in San Jose with my parents.  Kile will have Blessed Time To Himself.  I’m sure he’s looking forward to it.  I’m a little bit nervous about having Evie with me the entire time, but I’m sure she’ll be a good girl.  I’m thinking I’d like to find a good nursing cover so I don’t have to wrangle a blanket to cover her every time she wants to eat.  As for my own session (first thing, Friday morning!), I’m hoping that maybe I can foist her off on some good-hearted soul.  Tell me, if you’re going to my Introversion session, would you be willing to Evie-Sit?  Also, for the record, if anyone wants to hold her or something (particularly if they want to hold her so I can eat), PLEASE ASK.  I will, chances are, be more than happy to hand her off.  You know, provided you’re not an axe murderer or something.

Evie stands to be the better dressed of the two of us too.  I’m okay with that, at least for now.  Chances are the morning of Day One I will be fretting that I don’t look nearly cool enough to be seen amidst such an amazing group of women.  I’m thinking, however, that I’ll rock jeans (perhaps capris) and t-shirts.  Maybe a blouse.  I don’t know if I’ll be able to make any cocktail parties, but if I were, I would probably change for them.  As for shoes, comfort is key.  I will probably wear various and sundry flip-flops.  But if i’m wearing jeans, that might look silly.  So we’ll see.

I’m ordering business cards from Zazzle this year.  They have “Moo” shaped cards but you can order in smaller increments.  I’ve always had 100 cards and always come home with about 90 cards left.  Even if I hope to pass out more cards this year, I still doubt I’ll pass out more than 60.  So that’s what I’m going to get.

Wow, this has already taken hours upon hours to compose.  What a geek I am.

I guess my point (do I have one?) is that a) yes, I’m excited about going to BlogHer and b) I’m hoping to not make some of the mistakes I’ve made in years past.  I had other things I was going to say, but Liam woke up from his nap and he’s in a Mood.  The whining is seriously blocking any coherent thought from my brain.  I’ll leave you here and if I have anything else to say, then… I guess I’ll say it.  Later.

Oh!  One last thing:  Can I have breakfast with you on Day 1?  Please?  I’m all by my lonesome at this thing!

Tags: BlogHer, BlogHer 08, community
Filed under BlogHer 08 |

First off, I want to thank you ALL for entering this giveaway.  It was so much fun to give away something that is so cool.  I quickly realized what the problem was: I wanted ALL OF YOU to win.  I really did.  I’m glad I left this one up to random.org because otherwise I would have never been able to decide.  Even letting the random integer generator pick for me is giving me stress because I know that while one of you is going to be SO happy, the rest are just as deserving of going to BlogHer as she is.

Without further ado… I fired up random.org this morning and this is what came out:

Wow.  How often does that happen?  That it picks #1?  I mean… that NEVER happens, right?  It must be destiny, RIGHT?  So who is lucky #1 in this giveaway?  Let’s have a look…

It’s Rhi, of Rhi in Pink!  Congrats, Rhi!  I’ll see you (and Mini Owen) in San Francisco!

Again, thanks to EVERYONE for entering.  I hope all of you that really want to go are able to, because I think everyone who wants to go to BlogHer should be able to go.  Call me crazy (and naive) but there you have it.  And if you aren’t able to go, well… you’ll be missed.  Know that.

Until next time… (and there WILL be a next time… I just love giving things away!) you all hang tough!  I’m leaving for Elko this evening so I imagine I have a busy day ahead of me!

Tags: BlogHer, BlogHer 08, contest, giveaway
Filed under BlogHer 08, Fantabulous-ness |