So, last year during BlogHer, a certain other blogger and I had newborns. We sulked and whined about everyone blabbing on and on about the conference. I swore if I got the chance to go that I wouldn’t rub it in any non-attendees faces.
I totally lied.
I apologize to those of you who didn’t get to go (especially those of you who I REALLY wish were there – Heather, Mrs. Chicken, Sarah, Rima, Amanda, Lotus, Amy, and Kelly), but you are bound to see endless BlogHer recap posts. Because it was fucking awesome. That’s why.
Today I’d like to share with you Lessons Learned at BlogHer ‘08:
1) Don’t be a dumbass – check and recheck your luggage lest customs think you’re a terrorist. More details on this one next post. Suffice it to say I’m happy I made it on the plane for my first (yes, I’m that lame) trip to America.
2) San Francisco is amazing. Insanely cold, but amazing.
3) Heather Spohr is the free-drink master (and crazy funny – the two may be related…) Don’t worry, Heather. Your top-secret methods are safe with me. And? Her husband is super cool.
4) Casey gets pouty if you refuse to shake your groove thing with her.
5) Shockingly, I had a fabulous time NOT dancing and it saved everyone from gouging their eyes out. It’s win/win.
6) Loralee is even funnier and sweeter in person than on her blog. Seriously. Awesome.
7) Ali is so tiny and cute I wanted to put her in my pocket and bring her home.
8) I had the best roommates ever. It really was like I knew Jennifer and Megan for years. They are as fabulous as their blogs would have you believe.
9) I’m sure Stefanie Wilder-Taylor is hilarious even while sober. Of course, I have no evidence to back this up. Hanging out with her was one of the highlights of the conference.
10) I didn’t have nearly enough time to hang out with so many of the people I loved meeting – I’m looking at you Slouching Mom, Maggie, Zellmer, Dawn, Nanette, Jenny, Janet and etcetera into infinity.
11) Even though you spend hours accosting random women with babies, you may never find one of your favorite girls. So, so sad. You may however, meet a really sweet blogger and her baby who has the same name as your son.
12) Despite crippling anxiety, your wallet and passport really won’t sprout wings and render you stranded in another country.
13) What happens in San Francisco, stays in San Francisco. My god, for a gossip whore like me, 1000 bloggers together for three days sure makes for some good, but sadly unpostable fodder. I guess you all are going to just have to come next year to witness it for yourself.
14) After days of being “on” and partying and reveling in childless freedom, I surprised myself by really missing my kids. What can I say, they’re my peeps.
15) I have the sweetest husband ever. Even though I’m not as amazed as most people that an adult male can actually clothe and feed children and even take them grocery shopping and to the library and on other outings all by his little self, I was super impressed that he did all that and I came home to a clean house. And when I walked in the door, I found this:
It’s good to be home.
Is there anything you want to know about BlogHer? Or would you rather I shut up about it all together? Let me know and I’ll write more posts about it – including many, many more linkys of all the awesome people I met.
You were freaking AWESOME in person. I loved your tiny, gorgeous self. SO MUCH FREAKING FUN.
I loved meeting you too – AND I stalked you out on Ravelry already!
you rock. that is all.
Sigh. Off to dry hump my new computer again. I swear I’m not going to be able to walk by the time all of the BlogHer posts are done.
True, we did not get to hang out nearly enough. It was great meeting you. You’re so tiny and cute! We’ll make it a point to party together more next year.
xoxo
I SO hope to meet you at BlogHer ‘09!
Your customs/terrorist reference totally reminded me that my handbag got meticulously wiped down by some high tech trace detection system at security on the way down to SF. Curious.
It was great to meet you! You have fantastic taste in eyewear.
As for missing one of your favourite girls, no worries: I stalked Amanda and Fin mightily, on everyone’s behalf.
I want all the ugly details. And some pretty ones, too!
Spill it!
Janet! How did I forget to put you in the above list? I loved meeting you, my Canadian eyeglass twin. Although now I’m a twee bit jealous that you got to see Amanda and Fin. I won’t hold it against you, though.
Those pics the kids made rock. Makes it worthwhile, eh?
And you met other knitters?? Seriously?? In the “cool” crowd??
You! You were great to meet.
love you! smooch!
it was so great to meet you and hang out!!
Of course you need to tell more. Yes, I am insanely jealous, but its okay maybe I can go next year.
It was fun, SO fun! I really look forward to next year and seeing you, my sister, again.
And SF cold? Geez, Andi, your CANADIAN, it wasn’t THAT cold.
I will be there next year, and I will rub my frizzy hair in your face. Which is disgusting, but it is a promise.
Blather on–PLEASE!
So jealous I could cry. I wanted to hang with you!
Yeah, yeah. BlogHer ‘09 will be so much better.
No, even though I wanted to be there, I like to hear the stories. Really. But no gossip? I thought you were our intrepid reporter!
Hope to meet you there next year.
Next year babe – I’ll buy you one (or five)!!
Let’s hear it for a warmer location in 09!
Your husband is as wonderful as mine! Aren’t we lucky?! Come on Andy, you can tell ME some of your San Fran Shenanigans, can’t you? You must know that I could relate…
OMG I spelled your name wrong! Sorry Andi!
There just wasn’t enough time for me to stalk you properly. I just have to say that you were as adorable and smart in person as you are on line.
You sure you don’t want to move to Virginia??
Welcome back and I’m totally not jealous at all over all the fun that was had. No, not at all. I had just as much fun visiting with my MIL.
What a nice welcome home.
Ok I am promising myself that I will not be a bitter and jealous hag when I read these posts. It’s hard though.
So glad you enjoyed yourself and glad to hear it’s all that I hoped it would be. Next year it is my mission to be there. Wherever it may be!
It was so great to meet you!
The lesson I learned at BlogHer? Don’t skip any keynote with Dooce.
Awww, you REALLY wished I was there. That’s enough to make up for rubbing it in.
Really, it is. No, no, my face isn’t green. Really!
Stop looking at me.
Heh. Glad you had fun!
I’m eating smarties right now, so I thought it would be a good time to check in on some of my Canadian loves.
If you tell ANYONE my free drink secret, I will have to come up there and kill you. But, I will give everyone a hint – it involves breaking the law, blatantly stealing, and being drunk enough to not care when the bartender starts to yell at you.
Let’s go back to BlogCamp now, please!
You are freakishly adorable, as is Jennifer, and it was AWESOME to get to meet & hang out with you.
And Heather, Casey & Stefanie are three of my favorite new people, so you’ve got great taste in chicks.
I’m totally going to make up stuff about the trip in my post tomorrow…I might just have to include you!
:0)
Wow! This post has to have been the next best thing to a barstool at BlogHer’s “fun” section.
Can hardly wait to go explore the linkys of the gals you’ve lavished love on, and am happy to have found your beauteous blog along the way.
Will be back fo sho’!
Hey Andi! Great to meet you at the conference. I must say, you do have excellent taste in baby names
And what a great blog! Looking forward to reading more.
In the short time we hung out, I can officially say that I pink puffy heart you.
There should have been a CANADIAN Bloggers Breakout Session!!!
Then I may have found more people I was too stupid to figure out
Love all that lovin’! Perhaps I too will be loved next year.
Those signs are SO cute! But, uh, I think you need to teach your little one to stay within the lines!
oh wow friend!!
sounds like sooo much fun…can’t wait to hear more!!
and the welcome home signs – love em!! too darn cute!!
I’m so glad you had an awesome time!
Oh, how I wish I could have joined you… and if you want to write more about it, I won’t whine. Hearing about it is the next best thing to being there!
You do a pretty good job of convincing me to start saving my pennies for BlogHer ‘09. Now, if they’d just hold it in Cleveland so I wouldn’t have to fly . . .
Heck ya I want to hear more about BlogHer. Specifically, how I can get an invite for next year? I mean, I’m a HER and I have a blog, how does one get the most coveted invitation?
One thing I’m not clear about – did they pay for everything, or did you guys have to cough up too? Not that it matters – I’m paying to attend the Stampin’ Up! Convention next week, so I’d probably come even if I had to pay for the privilege. Time with your girlfriends (new and old) is just that precious to me.
Oh, you! We shall meet yet.
Maybe next year…