I’m struggling.
I really want to write about my experiences at BlogHer this year, but I’m kind of at a loss for words. My feet are aching, my mind is tired, and quite frankly, I’m finding it difficult to articulate all of the things that are swirling around in my brain.
Things like how amazing it can be to sit in a room surrounded by women who get this whole “writing on the Internet” thing. Like having a moment in which you feel an intense connection with another woman and you feel such gratitude for having met her and for the opportunity to spend time with her, face-to-face, and how you feel like it would be really fantastic if you could learn from her life’s mistakes and the lessons she has to share with you and other readers and friends. Like why it is I feel the need to say, “Well, I’m not a mom,” whenever someone asks me what my blog is about, as though I have to justify blogging when there isn’t a kid in sight. Like having a moment so filled with instant, over-the-top emotion triggered by a childhood memory, that you have to run out of the room and collect yourself before your cover is blown.
I also have thoughts about blogger “popularity”, about the differences between being a reader and being a fan, and other stuff like that. About some of the nastiness that has crept into the blogosphere today. (Do I point it out and talk about how crappy I think it is? How cowardly I think it is to set up a space in which to anonymously slam one another? Or do I leave it alone, refusing to dignify it with a response?)
I had such a wonderful time, though, and sure I experienced a few moments in which I felt my actions were setting off dork alarms everywhere, but I shook ‘em off, and decided I was going to have a good time because I owed it to myself. I went ahead and continued to introduce myself to my companions and was delighted to chat, laugh and drink with them. I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.
I feel/felt the same way. I can’t really say what needs to be said. So I’m following up with “this one time? at blogher?” because I think it will come out one small story at a time.
I loved meeting you on the bed in suite 1105. HA! How’s that for a story starter? Seriously, I wish we had more time than two whole days to chat with so many amazing women. I’d totally sit and chat WAY longer with you.
Mrs. Flinger’s last blog post..BlogHer 2008: A (not so) brief highlight
I keep reading cryptic comments about blogher snark, but no one is mentioning any specific. But I keep reminding those who feel shut out of the elite circle to vote with their clicks.
Mrs. G.’s last blog post..Slow Cook Thursday
i met you, i know i did.
i may have been drunk at the time.
but i met you.
right?
lildb’s last blog post..it sits with you.
SO glad to hear you say you’d go again in a heartbeat, cause i WANT you there!!!! loved meeting you!!!! loved our silly time together on saturday night! thank you for sharing it with me!
ster’s last blog post..you wanna do what tonight? ha!
I know the feeling from last year – it’s overwhelming and wonderful all at the same time.
I got that invite to view that nasty blog over twitter last night and me thinks it’s best to ignore. We’re all adults, right? Besides, who has time for that crap?
See you at BlogHer next year though – or sooner if I ever get up there to party – been so busy dealing with house stuff and my brother’s wedding!
xo
Karen Sugarpants’s last blog post..Dead Bird Ghetto
I had no idea there was that sort of nastiness going on. And then I wonder, who are the people behind it? It can’t be any of the lovely women I spent time with, right?
It really is beautiful, being surrounded by these women who get it and subsequently, they get you. There is a level of nervousness being surrounded by new people, but at the same time there is the underlying level of understanding and common ground. It is such a great experience (which makes me shake my head sadly in regards to the nastiness).
Kyla’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: 2 stitches and six hours later…
i fly my dork flag with pride
How cowardly I think it is to set up a space in which to anonymously slam one another?
Are you fucking kidding me?
mamatulip’s last blog post..My love, my light?
I know how you feel. When you’re with a bunch of people who just don’t get the whole blogging thing – or with people that you feel you can’t even tell about the blogging thing – it starts to feel like a dirty little secret.
Is there really an anonymous slamming site?? Way uncool.
nomotherearth’s last blog post..Can Adults Go Back to Kindergarten?
I think you just did a great post about blogher. I’m sorry that you feel like you have to say that you’re not a mum!!! I am a Mum and I highly enjoy your blog!!!
Helen’s last blog post..Y’all, I just need some time to wallow in loneliness…
I am also not a mom – and sometimes do find it difficult to penetrate the overwhelming number of blogs that are about children. At the same time, I enjoy reading many of them. My primary concern is that they probably find nothing of interest in what I have to say.
The snarkiness: I heard about it – and certainly didn’t know there was any slamming site. It’s hard to imagine why anyone would choose to expend their energy that way – but I suppose the anonymity of the Internet allows for people to exercise their baser characteristics.
Chani’s last blog post..Is Silence Complicity?
Being a mom doesn’t define you as a woman but sometimes, moms define themselves as being moms. It happens! Once you are a mom, your kids define you and I lost myself and I made my life about my kids. Because they always seem to come first after you have them. I don’t know if this makes any sense but that’s how it was for me. I love your blog, I love nice people! You seem really nice and that’s why I like your blog!! There will always be mean people in the world. I’m trying my best not to be one. I am a reader of yours and I am a fan or yours; whether or not you have kids! It makes no difference to me!! Hugs!! P.S. I did not bash any moms in this comment! I was talking about me! Being a mom has been my occupation for 17 years. I’m okay with that!
Traceytreasure’s last blog post..Mama Loves Shoes!
It was so fantastic! to meet you. I’m thinking of making us all t-shirts that say “Lefty O’Douls 4-Eva.” Or something. I’m looking forward to more hanging out (more time! I need more time!) next year.
Kerri Anne’s last blog post..Some Haiku For You, San Francisco
That is a kick ass shirt.
I’ve been perusing your archives for the past few hours and I’m in love. Totally smitten with you. Next year – we’ll have to hang out.
No mommy blog talk. Just young women talk.
Maria’s last blog post..[Edited] BlogHer ‘08: Lost in the Midst of 1,000 Recaps. And a Give Away.
I’m so bummed I missed Grover and the Sesame Street Suite. Did you touch Grover? CAN I TOUCH THE HAND THAT TOUCHED GROVER?
Moose’s last blog post..Power of the Semicolon
Amy, you did a great job writing up BlogHer. I definitely contributed to the dorky factor. I loved every minute of BlogHer. The vibe of all those women together was tremendous. And the hugging!!
I did see a post on another blog post about BlogHer suggesting a track for Proud Singles. It will be interesting to see what impact results from the feedback from this BlogHer on creating additional space for us non-Mommy’s.
I’m glad I had a chance to meet you if only briefly on the last night of Blogher and the infamous cheeseburger party.
I’ve read several references today to the nastiness on the internet as a fallout and I’m glad that I don’t know what sites that is happening on.
I’m glad I’ve found you and your site, so for me, Blogher, despite my inherent introversion, was a great success.
mandy’s last blog post..South of the Border
you were one of the people i met at blogher who’ve stayed with me. and that has nothing to do with whether you do or don’t have a kid.
i really enjoyed meeting you.
slouching mom’s last blog post..he burns so bright.
Interesting post, I had so much I wanted to say in the comment to show support for your writing, and gardening skills, but then I couldn’t take my eyes off that picture…
… You are totally on your way…
… Do I have to finish that thought. lol.
UrbanDaddy’s last blog post..Looking forward to the weekend… really I am.
I love this post. Because regardless of our differences, the fact that women can gather in a community event, like BlogHer, is a powerful thing. I’ve gone to many other conferences, but the feeling I get after BlogHer is one of absolute inspiration.
(And extreme tiredness, but that’s my own fault…)
Thanks for being there. Hopefully next time, we’ll have the chance to meet!
Tara Anderson’s last blog post..Oh what a difference a year makes…