I am going to BlogHer. And part of me is not happy about it.
But most of me is REALLY REALLY REALLY happy. I am looking forward to meeting some of the most amazing ladies I have had the privilege to stalk from afar for the last 3 years. Smart, funny, warm ladies who reach out and touch my heart from worlds away on a daily basis.
I can’t wait.
But I really didn’t think I was going to go. We have tickets for day 2 the Mile High Music Festival which is the same weekend, and seeing as we had to mortgage the house to get them, I just didn’t see how I was going to fit in both events. And then I started feeling the “netcitement.” And the emails started flowing in: “Are you going???” And then my husband told me I wasn’t allowed in the house from Thursday on because I would be such a depressed blob anyway, so why not fly off to San Francisco and catch a flight back early Sunday to make the concert just in time? WHY NOT INDEED.
I am thrilled. Really, really thrilled.
But I have to confess something.
In the past, I sat back and watched Teh BlogHer with an odd mixture of emotions. It’s hard not to watch such a group gathering and not feel a little, well, intimidated. So, at first, I didn’t go because I didn’t feel worthy. And then I didn’t go because I wasn’t sure I could handle all that estrogen in one place. It has felt a bit like I had my nose to the glass of some big, wonderful, amazing shoe store that everyone loves to shop at, but then I remembered I shop at Payless. (Um, I really do shop at Payless).
Then, in March, I attended SXSW Interactive for work and got a taste of what conferences that mix learning and social stuff can be like. And I realized that everyone posting and tweeting and gabbing about what’s going on are doing it partially out of necessity – I mean, did we really go all this way to NOT meet up with people? – and partially because that’s just what bloggers DO. And it’s not really meant as a “Nha Nha, check out where *I* get to go, and who *I* get to see, and YOU DON’T.” (OK, some people people do act that way, but let’s just ignore that for the sake of this post, hmmm k’s?)
So, I have come to peace with it. I bought tickets. I am flying back to Denver early Sunday to take my son to see John Mayer for his first big concert, all the while nursing a massive hangover.
And, while I am in San Francisco, I am hoping that the verbal diarrhea that comes out of my new iPhone (yes, I have decided to bite the bullet on that one, too) shows the fun and camaraderie that goes on between women who have had way just too much to drink and just too little sleep.
And if it doesn’t, I will apologize in advance, ’cause I have been on that side of of the glass shoe shop too.
So. Who is coming to BlogHer this year? Who isn’t? Why or why not?
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I am not going, but hope to next year!!! we couldn’t afford it. But I totally get where you are coming from.
Not going – cause they don’t allow dudes, do they??
I’m not going to SF but I will be at Day 2 of MHMF (for Rodrigo y Gabriela and DMB).
I am going. And, the only reason I do not shop at Payless is because they do not carry my size. So there.
I’ll be there! I’m so excited to finally meet you. Yay!
I am not going because it was just too expensive to justify. Of course now that I am blogging for Savvy I am even more jealous. Oh well next year. 🙂
I’ll be there! I went two years ago and only knew one person. Now I interact with so many bloggers it’s ridiculous, and I’m so excited to see everyone face to face!
Your shoe snob friend here says that you must stop buying shoes at payless. Your feet will be forever thankful.
No BlogHer for me, but I am going to Burning Man. There’s still room in the r.v. if you need another trip.
I can’t attend because I simply cannot afford it. Not even one day. Even though I live in SF and the chances of me going when the conference happens in another city are less than zero. Yeah, I’m depressed. I asked a couple of bloggers if they’d be willing to organize a small meet up for those of us who can’t go and all I heard was [crickets]… soooo, I am very jelaous and at the same time, very happy for you!
Not going. My excuse is I’m pregnant, but truth is I started chickening out as soon as I said I *was* going. I know it’s this great event, but I have this huge fear of being the uncool girl in “school” all over again. And really, I’m not this well known blogger, so I felt a little silly.
I’m going and I’m a BlogHer virgin so I’m sure I’ll be the one looking in being very intimidated! But I’m so looking forward to meeting you there Savvy Sistah!
Yay, I’m glad you’ll be there! I’ll be there (this is my third year) and I think we’ll all have a blast.
You know I’ll be there. Fighting you for Oliver time.
And I swear this is true, I have a pair of Payless shoes that I love and I am bringing them. Check it.
I am going (as you know). It will be my first year too. I have to say that in the last 24 hrs I have heard of two bloggers who decided to attend at the last minute (you being one of them) and I am really very excited now. Plus most of my work as a volunteer wrangler for the conference is over. Ok, some of it. Whatever.
I can’t wait to meet you!
AND I just bought four pairs of shoes from Payless. They are likely coming with me. So there!
1) BOYS ARE TOTALLY ALLOWED! And totally welcomed! We’re even having a BlogHIM meet-up. Dudes, we love you.
2) I just want to keep saying that EVERYONE is worried that they’ll feel like the odd-woman-out. I showed up for my first in ’06 totally clueless (practically drooling). It’s not like there are 15 people going and 14 of them know each other. It’s a big space with ALL kinds of people, bloggers, women, and something for everyone.
3) I am the least coolest person on the planet. Come hang by me — I’ll make you look SUPER chic!
(Hi. I’m serious. Would love to meet you.)
I’m going! And I am crazy excited about it. I can’t wait to meet everyone.
Not going, but looking forward to the verbal barfing.
You will have a ton of fun out there with all the bloggy women! Make us proud! Show the world you are not afraid to show the world things that are afraidable… wait…where was I? Nevermind, forget that part. It will be a blast!
And our house will be ground zero for the comparable man event, The Him-ing Way, where we will write about man stuff. Like cooking and playing kitties. 🙂
I’m not, but like every other year I’ve known about BlogHer (which is two), it’s all financial. I really can’t afford it this years, and I’m totally kicking myself for not going last year when I could have swung it.
Am going..had to cancel at last minute last year..and am SO going this year..but yeah….like many…feel totally freaked about it all…
YES! So glad you are going. This is my first time too and we will be launching Fling it Girl at the same time. I am ready to party!!!!!!!
I am going and I am excited to meet you! xo
i’m coming! it’ll be my first time, and i hope to meet you, even though you don’t really know me. 😛
Not going to the conference because of, you know, that lamely stunted chromosome. But I am planning to party-crash a little. Buy you a drink?
I’m going too!
I’m looking forward to it and scared at the same time. It can be a little overwhelming, but I know I’ll have a good time.
Mostly because there will be booze.
It will be great. Any trepidation you have will go away in about 5 minutes. People will hug the crap out of you, hand you drinks, maybe hug some more. As long as you call anyone a bitch (to their FACE), you are golden. Last year was awesometastic and I expect the same kind of lovin’ and MORE! See you there lovely one!
p.s. i love Kristy Sammis with the fire of a thousand suns and she IS COOL.
The first year I couldn’t go because I was in France. Now I can never go because BlogHer falls during the time I have my children. I’m sure as hell not a mommy blogger, but I am a mom, and my kiddos come first!
Have fun!
I’m not going. Even though I’ve been blogging for a while now, I don’t feel ready to throw myself into something so huge! (It also falls very close to my next vacation). I’m thinking about going to the DC Reach Out Tour.
One of my favorite singers, Ingrid Michaelson, will be at the Mile High Fest that day, too. You should check her out!
I’ll be there. It will be fun. Promise.
I’m going and I’m looking forward to meeting you (Gretchen confirmed my suspicion that you are wonderful).
And? Every pair of shoes I am bringing to BlogHer were purchased at Payless and I don’t give a damn. 🙂
I am not going. I didn’t find out about the whole Blogher until pretty recently and so I couldn’t find cheap tickets and no kid kennels for child care, that kind of thing.
But I definitely want to go next year, esp. if there’s an East Coast leg…
Not going, and this would probably be the first year when I really felt sad about not going – being a part of this community and meeting people IRL this past year w/the SMB site has been so much fun, and amazing and inspiring and well, just awesome. Before this year, I did not have the opportunities that I have now and I wish I could go and meet y’all face to face.
BUT it is the scheduled week vacation (we scheduled it last August) for our family – and you know, there is just no way to reschedule that, so . . . yeah, not going. Won’t even have internet, so I’ll have to catch up on all the posts about it when I get back.
TOTALLY bummed about it.
But you will have a great time, I know you will. And I want to hear all about it. ENJOY! 🙂
Will be there with bells on!
And awesome post, btw.
Even though this is third year? More than mildly freaked out.
Can I just say you all are AWESOME. Awesomey Awesomeness.
I can’t wait to meet those going, and I am sorry to not meet the ones not.
And WTF kind of sentence was that???
Can I just publicly say WOOOOOOOOOO!
It will be fabulous. And we’ll share a cab to the airport Sunday morning – we’ve got an early flight to PDX.
Awesome. Both BlogHer & the music festival. Just the other day I was thinking, man I wish I was going to that and then remembered that I’ll be in SF so it would be dumb to try to procure tickets now.
Funny to me … that I’m going all the way to Cali to put faces to you & mothergoosemouse.
I too do not think I could handle that much estrogen in one place. So I am not going.
me! me! me!
i’m going!
awesome post. still can’t go (or post with my name) due to crippling social anxiety.
I wish I was going but the funds are just not there this year. Maybe next year … sigh!
Have fun for all of us who can’t make it!
I’m not going because my wife won’t let me because of all the dumb flirty comments on my blog. Do you feel the trust dripping off my marriage, Greeblemonkey?
I found your post through slackermama (Marilyn). I am going! It’s my second year to go. I almost didn’t go this year because of the location. But then I realized I’ve never been to SF before and I really wanted to go. So I’m going. I hope you have a great time!
Going to Blogher + Mile High Music Fest…I figure after several days of hardcore interactions w/people it’ll be nice to chill out on Sunday watching JOHN MAYER oh and I should mention you’ll also be seeing JOHN MAYER and everything will be ok because JOHN MAYER say it’s so…
*smile*
So yeah, Blogher is going to rock + then John Mayer is going to rock our socks off…sounds like a pretty friggin’ cool wknd to me!!
=(
YOU ARE KILLING ME!
Middle of the night post before I finally get to bed…
I’ll be there. You know it.
Yeah, I’m having a MILD bit of Social Anxiety attack as well as it’s my first year too.
But you know, there are SO many of us newbies that it is bound to be okay!
🙂
Not going… I have my c-section scheduled for July 15th.
Do you know how hard I was gripping my coffee mug when I was reading this post and thinking “she’s not going to go is she?”. Big sigh of relief because you are one of the folks I’m going to stalk, I mean hopefully meet and not scare away. Because I have that effect on people ya’know.
I am going.
Gulp.
If San Fransisco wasn’t an easy drive, I wouldn’t be going. I mean, I’m a photographer who can’t afford to replace her broken camera, and a blogger who can’t afford to replace her dead laptop (using husband’s right now)…my “extra” money should be spent rectifying those wrongs, no?
Instead this introvert is going to go to BlogHer, cameraless and laptopless, because despite the anxiety inherent in diving into a hugely social situation, I can’t help but want to meet you and others.
Again, gulp.
I am going! Too close not to go…who knows where it will be next year? The lure of no airfare is mighty appealing.
And don’t worry, the ladies don’t bite…I’ve met some of the biggest of the bigs in the last few months b/c of our friend CityMama and there was NO pretense and NO hint that the lowly blogger that I am was any different than the super duper awesomeness that they all are.
I’ll hold your hand. 🙂
You could have just had lunch with me on Friday and had the whole John Mayer thing taken care of. Sort of. The seeing him part at least.
I’m going.
I’m afraid I’m building it up too much in my head.
Here’s to hoping.
And to payless.
not going. not worthy.
and your feet don’t hurt from payless shoes?
I am! I’m going to be helping Zwaggle.com out and I’m hoping to redefine myself as a blogger (my last blog was a little too smarmy to publicly claim it as my own, hee hee)!
Oh, I want to go! I just need a pass. If you hear of anyone selling one, send ’em my way!
I went to BlogHer biz last year and this year, and I was at BlogHer last year. I’m not going this year for several reasons – mostly (although not entirely) logistical. I think I will make it next year.
As for intimidation – I strongly suggest you go to the newbie mixer! There will be tons of folk just like you who don’t know anybody and who will be itching to meet others.
Or just walk up to anybody and start talking. Everybody feels the same way as you do. There are only a very few people at blogher who don’t want to meet anybody new, and you can kind of spot them early on.