Hopefully you’ve already read Part 1–what happened last year.
All the way to San Francisco for nothing. Nothing from Neiman Marcus. Not even a totebag from BlogHer ’08. I did get one thing from the experience—a name. Jane Gassner was moderating a session I couldn’t attend—but at least I understood the words on the program: Blogging in Mid-Life.
This is not the Jane I often mention, who out-Martha’s Martha Stewart. This other Jane I’ve never met—but she tried online to steer me into the blogopshere. One of the first things she told me was to get on Twitter. This was last August—-and I got right on Twitter. I was so confused I got right off. It took me 5 months to try again–now Twitter is a regular part of this brave new world.
I might not be an early adapter but I do learn. When I heard months ago that BlogHer tickets were going on sale, I bought one. If I didn’t go, I knew I could sell it— to someone as clueless as I was.
A year later I still don’t know much about the BlogHer community. I do know that their conference is a big deal; the Super Bowl of the blogosphere. Only I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go. For many reasons—one of them being that this time, it’s not a two-hour drive; it’s in Chicago. And as I procrastinated for months about whether or not to go, I learned some little tidbits.
I’m way older than most bloggers, and though that doesn’t bother me, I see the world in a different light. That night in the hotel when the lobby was empty and I thought all the women were in their rooms blogging….hell,no. From what I hear, BlogHer sounds like one big Par-tay!
People are discussing what they’re wearing—–down to the Spanx to hold in their tummies. They’re wondering about their haircuts, their makeup, whether they can lose the baby weight in time; they’re even posting pictures of what they might wear to the best private parties (the ones I’m not invited to).
Judging by most of the conversation, the most important accessory is not as I thought last year, a laptop. Although I assumed I’d be looking up—at nametags—everyone else will be looking down—at shoes.
Right now it feels more like I’m going to Fashion Week. Seriously. I just heard that Tim Gunn, the guru of Project Runway, will actually BE there. (OMG!!! =oh my god!!. Is it too late to get liposuction? )
Since cancer, I try not to sweat the small stuff. Which is lucky because BlogHer fashion sounds more stressful than a high school reunion, even the one when I was newly pregnant and just looked fat. My own plan is to say I haven’t lost my baby weight yet—from my baby who just turned 21.
Besides fashion, I find out another activity popular among some of the mommies who attend BlogHer—is getting tattoos. At my age, a needle in my vicinity would not have ink—but Botox.
Then there’s something about unicorns—which are somehow associated with BlogHer conferences. It’s like an inside joke, a secret password that apparently I’d have to go to Chicago to find out. If I do go, apparently I’d be handing out hundreds of business cards. So a few weeks ago I made a mental note to order some. At least that means something goes on at BlogHer— besides the swag and the drinking and the bonding.
Most people can’t wait to get there, but some are nervous. Some says it’s cliquey. (High school again). Some are chatty in cyberspace but shy IRL (in real life).
As the date gets closer, I hear on Twitter that people are already making lists and packing suitcases. This gets my attention. If I want to go to BlogHer I should start looking at airfares. Unless I want to send my cardboard cutout again.
The truth is, even if I miss the right parties and wear the wrong shoes and end up hiding from Tim Gunn, Chicago is calling me. BlogHer is an amazing community; there’s so much to learn, so many people I’ve met online (like Jane) that I can meet in person. I buy my plane ticket.
BlogHer ’09: I’m crossing the line. This time they have to let me through the door.
I leave in about a week. By the time I write Part 3, I’ll be able to explain the unicorns. And at least I’ll get a tote bag.
Alright, good, I want to hear everything. I joined BlogHer, but I’ve only been doing this a few months, and I really don’t get it. It does sound like a big party and who doesn’t love a party?
So GO and spread the word!!!
I’m going for the first time, too, and I’m trying to focus more on the conference content than the parties, most of which I probably won’t be attending (or invited to) anyway. I’m one of those “chatty in cyberspace but (somewhat) shy IRL (in real life)” bloggers. And I’m absolutely NOT tattoo-ing for BlogHer!
See you next week in Chicago :-).
Florinda–I’ll be looking for your nametag, not your shoes. And will look forward to meet you next week.
Maureen–maybe we’ll meet next YEAR, at BlogHer “10.
I’m the Other Jane, the one who only wishes she were Martha Stewartesque.
This thing of obsessing about what one will wear to BlogHer and who one will talk to and what one will–okay, I’m getting tired of all these ‘ones’. Let me put it this way: When women get excited about something, they ground themselves by focusing on clothing. You will find fashion icons (where? where?) as well as the great unshaven at the conference. Yes, the par-tay is the thing–the past two years security has had to–ahem!–visit certain rooms–for some, but not for others. Go and have your own good time (or not, that too is possible), willynilly of what the loudest voices are proclaiming. And my best advice is DON’T RELY ON ‘FINDING’ PEOPLE BY LOOKING AT THEIR NAMETAGS. Make specific dates beforehand to meet people.
And our date is when, Darryle?
Once again Jane, you’re a leap ahead of me–and I’ll definitely take your advice. Starting now: Friday lunch?
1. I am you in ’09. Blogher is in my backyard this year, but I didn’t figure out it was something I should do (or wanted to do) until it was too late.
2. I am wearing the ONLY thing in my closet that fits (I guess since I had four babies, who are now between 12 and 17, I have four times the baby weight, right?). My shoes are from Target, but the look just like the much more expensive ones from Nordstrom (but nothing like Jimmy Shoes or whatever).
3. I am not 12 years old and was around during the Nixon administration — not old enough to vote, but around.
4. If I don’t wear a name tag, maybe Tim Gunn won’t recognize me.
5. I’ll skip the tattoos and the botox, and stick with the drinking and bonding.
6. Really looking forward to meeting you at the SV Moms party (I am going to 2 parties on other people’s coattails).
Thank you, Susan– I feel SO much better. Can’t wait to meet you at the party. And with four kids betwen 12 and 17–you really NEED the drinking and bonding.
Catching up on few days’ worth of your posts — I see you DID book this year.
I’d love to meet you too — and look for some bloggers who are helping the American Cancer Society get blogging Friday at lunchtime, if you’re interested. I’ll be there. I have no idea what I’ll be wearing (guess what? I don’t care!), but I have chin length brown hair and glasses. I’ll probably be all over giggly, because for me, this is a victory lap. (I got cancer two weeks before my first BlogHer, ’07, and spent the day in chemo instead.)
Hope to see you there!
Susan
I will definitely find you during lunch Friday. And believe me, I know what important—and it’s not what you are wearing, it’s the fact that you are here!! Look forward to meeting u at BlogHer and celebrating your victory over cancer.