BlogHer '09 Recap: Hated It

This is my last post about BlogHer '09, but is just has to be said. I told you what I loved. I told you what I liked. Well, there were somethings about BlogHer '09 I actually hated.

Bloggy Husbands and Bloggy Wives. I get it. You guys have a connection and don't physically get to see each other in person rarely, if ever. But, there are people like me who are new to the Bloggy 'Hood (ok, not really new) and would like to hang out without feeling like I might get jumped on the way to my hotel room if I so much as said hello a Bloggy Husband. I have seen first hand (but, never partook in) the "what happens at a conference stays at the conference" or the "in a different zipcode from your spouse" rule ... but, really? We all write on the interwebs people ... show some respect for your In Real Life Husband or In Real Life Wife.

Party Limo. Undomestic Diva started the trip to BlogHer '09 in style by booking a limo for the ride from the airport to the hotel. Well, the company she booked with screwed the pooch by instead of sending two limos sent a limo and a mini van. So, how many bloggers can you fit in a limo? The answer ... 21! Watch out limo company ... we write on the interwebs!

Saying Goodbye. It was an amazing experience meeting some of the most phenomenal writers and photographers. Making some bonds stronger and breaking some. Seeing people three dimensionally instead of on the screen or via IM. I am not a crier in situations where it is simply a "see you soon," but believe me I was crying inside. I can't stop looking at pictures and remembering all of the hilarious things that happened. I can't stop wishing I had 4 more days to hang out talking about everything and nothing.



So, will I be going to BlogHer '10? You bet I will be!

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Wordless Wednesday: The BlogHer '09 #partyplane

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BlogHer '09 Recap: Liked It

There was so much going on at BlogHer '09. It was so overwhelming at times ... the shear number of people and activities. I felt like "the new girl" meeting people, learning the ins & outs, and trying to fit in. It was hard to fully absorb everything which is why I walked away "liking" more than "loving". Here are the top 3 things I really liked about the BlogHer conference:

The discussion panels. I know I was supposed to watch via streaming video in the lobby, but I didn't come all the way to Chicago to watch a TV. So, I sat in the back of the "Room of Your Own 1: Vaginally challenged bloggers - the men of BlogHer" panel. I walked away not only knowing what kind of underwear these blogger wore, but thinking a bit differently about my blog and my purpose on the blogosphere. If I had attended more of these my brain would be spinning with ideas, so maybe it is a good thing I only attended one panel!



The food. My diet this weekend consisted of deep dish pepperoni pizzas, cheeseburgers and vodka cranberries with a lime. I am in need of some serious detoxing and exercise, but it was all delicious!



The parties. Who doesn't like going to the parties? There were so many to choose from it was disappointing to have to miss some. I had a great time meeting people at the Room 704 party, dancing with my girls at the MamaPop Sparklecorn Extravaganza, and wearing a McDonald's paper bag on my head at the CheeseburgHer Party.



Next post ... BlogHer '09 Recap: Hated It ... stay tuned!

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BlogHer '09 Recap: Loved It

I have just returned home from my first time at a BlogHer conference. After missing last year's conference in San Francisco I was determined to go this year. I had no idea of what to expect and was as close to unprepared as I have ever let myself get for a trip. I was unable to get a ticket to the full conference, so I was stuck with tickets to LobbyCon. Even with that slight drawback it was an amazing experience. Here are the 3 things I LOVED about BlogHer '09 ...

The location. I have been to Chicago 3 times before this trip, but all of them were during the winter. It was great to take the Architecture River Cruise ... see all of the buildings and the river walk while enjoying the weather.



The Expo. Who doesn't love SWAG? I know I do and I am not ashamed to admit it. But, what I loved most about the Expo was meeting some of the vendors of products I feel strongly about:

• Picnik - Thank you for the 3 months off the premium service and I can't wait to try out some of the new features!

• Nikon - Thank you for taking the time to look at my camera and show me some tricks on how to control my flash. You were incredibly helpful ... now maybe next year I could be invited to your ultra exclusive party?!?!?!
  

• Disney - I need one of those little laptops for my princess ... that thing is the coolest!

• Playskool - Those mechanical dinosaurs are so adorable and if the dog version is just as fun then I think you have solved (if not slowed down) the princess' yearning for a puppy.

• Suave & Degree - Not only was your cocktail party amazing (hotel, cocktails, food) all of the women working there were incredibly friendly and helpful and the new products are great!
  

• Pearl of Wisdom - You have inspired me to speak out about my experience with the HPV virus and find ways to educate people about it.

The people. I finally got to hang out with some phenomenal women I have become friends with, meeting bloggers I believe are brilliant writers or photographers who I have been too shy to reach out to, and meeting bloggers who read this little old blog. There are so shout outs and so many photos I want to feature ... that will have to be another post!

Next post ... BlogHer '09 Recap: Liked It ... stay tuned!

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BlogHer bound!

It is BlogHer '09 Eve and I am bunking up with Miss since we are flying out of LAX tomorrow morning for Chicago. Sadly I am missing So You Think You Can Dance, but that's what DVRs are for I guess.

Most trips I am always prepared weeks in advanced. Luggage is out with things thrown in as I think of them. To do lists have check boxes already marked. Clothes are purchased or washed.

Nope. Not this trip. I packed today.

The weather is 80*F with 90% humidity, yet we will be in the hotel a good portion of the time. So, what the hell am I supposed to pack. I am meeting people for the first time after years of talking online. Will I look like they imagined me to look like. Most of my shoes ended up in storage in an unmarked box and I really don't have the funds to shop for new stuff (I moved in with my parents to save money).

Bottom line ... people will like me because of what I write, my eye for a good photo and my personality ... not for what I am wearing (right?). So, after digging through my closet here is what I have ended up with (with a few additional items I added post photos):





Oh ... of course can't forget my traveling pharmacy of pills and vitamins (shuuuuush):



I probably packed way too much, but I suppose more is better than less. And, thank goodness for the expandable suitcase. Bring on BlogHer '09 and all of the chaos, fun and the "It is so good to finally meet yous." I am ready for the photo ops, the inside jokes, after conference posts and necessary changes to my blog based on the new things learn. I am ready!

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Let the countdown begin!

In less than week Miss and I will be boarding a plane with a bunch of other bloggers for the annual BlogHer convention. This trip has been a year in the making and I can't believe it is officially upon us!

This is my first time attending a convention specifically for blogging. I feel like I am officially presenting myself to the blogging community even though I have been around since 2005! I have my transportation and hotel room are booked, I purchased a pass to LobbyCon, my calendar is filled with overlapping party invitations (see badges to the right), my camera batteries (yes, I have more than one) are fully charged, and I even have Moo Cards! The one thing I don't have ready is what to pack!

I am a girl who lives in jeans or yoga pans, tank tops, and flip flops. It is not that I feel like I need to have the uber wardrobe for this particular trip. I don't really plan on shopping for anything new. I simply don't know what 1) the weather will be like, 2) how many changes of clothes depending on the events taking place from morning to night and 3) what is clean (guess I will have to see if mom can help me with some laundry) and what might have accidentally gone to storage during the move.

Now that my daughter's birthday is behind me I am going to spend the day doing work, getting a "post birthday celebration" post up and packing. Wish me luck!

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NaBloPoMo 18: BlogHer '09 or Bust

Most of my friends think of a weekend getaway as a spa trip, cocktails on a beach in Mexico or wine tasting in Napa. Me ... I want to have a weekend getaway focusing on my "night job".

I have been a member of BlogHer for a little over a year. I joined around the time the third annual conference was taking place. It sounded like a great opportunity, but I was so new to the BlogHer community I didn't think I should to go. Then last year the fourth annual conference was practically in my back yard. But, finances were tough and I didn't feel comfortable leaving Princess D for that long, so it felt irresponsible for me to go. But, after seeing the pictures and hearing the stories I knew I had to be at "BlogHer '09.

This upcoming year my life will be different. I have control of my budget and am going to set aside some money every paycheck. I won't feel guilty about setting time aside for me. Plus, I have a lot of new blogging friends I really want to meet face to face. This time I am going to be there!

Miss and I hope to catch a flight together. Prices are not too bad, but right now $300 bucks for me might as well be $1M, so if you have any NWA miles you need to get rid of before the airlines gets rid of them for you please let me know.

Then there is the cost of the hotel. Miss and I plan on bunking up with Zoeyjane to cut down on some cost, but finding a 4th roommate would make a difference.

I am trying to find ways to get us full access to the conference for little to no cost, so please suggest us as panelists.

Let's not forget that I will need money for food and drinks. I will need to bring some sort of calling card to hand out like candy on Halloween. And, I will need a second flash card (you all know I will have my D60 in one hand and a cocktail in the other).

So, I am open for donations! Help me get to: