I’m going to BlogHer this week. The mother of all blog conferences. Like a lot of BlogHer “Newbies” I’m feeling a wee bit stressed even though I’ve read many blogs filling me in on what I need to know before going to BlogHer. The logistics? The schedule? Will people be nice?
How am I supposed to get from Point A to Point B, and then back to Point A and then on to Point C, still looking fresh as a daisy and not going batty? Do I dress for the “night” in the morning, just in case there isn’t time to change? And what about all the stuff I’m shlepping? What’s a girl to do?!
What I’m shlepping with me.
Did I mention I don’t like crowds? Crowds make me dizzy and want to do bad things. All that pushing and shoving goes against my, uh, genteel nature. (Unless, of course, it’s Halloween. Then all the lady-like stuff goes out the window. You’ve been warned.)
What’s a girl to do?!
I will tell you what I tell myself: Take a deep breath. Everything will be okay. The weekend doesn’t need to be perfect to be great. And don’t expect to do everything. It’s just not humanly possible. No matter how much coffee and Twizzlers you’ve had.
Here’s what I’m looking forward to most:
Making new friends. I’m so excited to meet, IRL, so many I’ve connected with only online. I’m beyond excited to catch up with my tribe, the ladies of Midlife Boulevard, who continually inspire and raise the bar for me. I love you all, already. I can’t wait to meet my new friend and all around awesome Julie DeNeen who has given my blog a rockin’ facelift and has taught me that “No one looks as closely at things as you do” (Thank you, I’m so relieved!). And the adorable, funny and smart, Kim Bongiorno, for whom I would gladly follow her around and carry her tote-bag. There are so many more, too many to mention, who have rocked my world. You know who you are.
What you should know about me before going to BlogHer:
1)I’m a midlife blogger. There’s no getting around it. If you count the rings around my trunk you can plainly see for yourself. However, I have the heart, soul and nail-beds of a 30-year-old.
2)I can be a bit shy. Not the best character trait for a conference, I know. So if you see me, please come up and say “Hello.” Better yet, give me a hug. I’m a hugger. And the warmth it generates will make us both feel better. Seriously.
3)Tell me I look as good as my Facebook profile picture, if not better, and you’ll have a friend for life. Mention there’s “No way you have children that old!” and I’ll come visit you..wherever you live. I give great hostess gifts. Ask anyone.
4)This is my first business trip and only the second time I’ve flown by my lonesome in-oh, this is embarrassing-almost thirty years. I know, I know, it’s not the 1950’s anymore. I’m not the most relaxed flyer, but strangely I’m looking forward to the peace and quiet of a little “me time.” My family will, however, be taking a little detour themselves, all of them, on a plane, without me. The thought makes me catch my breath. But, I’m not going there. No, not going there. Nope, not one bit.
5)I’m slightly nearsighted and have very little working visual memory, so if I don’t recognize you immediately from your tiny Facebook or Twitter icon, please don’t take it personally. I’m flawed that way. (Please refer to #2)
6)I’m a cheap date. One glass of wine or cocktail is all I need. I can have fun wherever I am-I don’t need any encouragement. Besides, I don’t want to be known as “That girl who started the conga line” anymore. (You’re welcome, St. Tropez.)
7)I’m a hothouse flower. I will wilt in heat and humidity. My hair will do something quite amazing before your very eyes. Imagine Shrinky Dinks expanding and you get the picture. Don’t be afraid, I’m still the same person.
Putting all that aside, I need to bring my A Game. If anyone finds it…please let me know. It’s been missing for years.
See you in Chicago!
Oh, Linda, I love you and am happy we’ll get to do this conference together, too! Yes, you do look even better in person than in your FB picture! Love the Toblerone in your bag. Please save me a piece! xo
Can.Not.Wait to hug you xxxx
Can.Not.Wait to hug you xxx
I’m a hothouse flower too – my husband bought me a fan that works off the power from my laptop, even if it’s not plugged in! I’ll share with you if you need it 🙂
I have to admit that it is feeling very real. I am also quite concerned about the going back and forth and changing clothes from day to evening wear. It’s entirely overwhelming.
But you’ll be there, and so many other wonderful ladies I’ve come to know and love. So I know in the end it’s going to be okay.
I too am a hothouse flower. The humidity wasn’t too bad last weekend but if it is this weekend, I will look like I’m sporting a not so stylish afro. I too am a hugger. If we see one another, we must hug and try not to get tangled within our humidity afros:)LOL
I am just as nervous as you. And so is my hair.
You’ll do great! I’m not going because I’m afraid nobody will talk to me:)
I’m a little shy in person, too. We’ll just have to hug, no words required. Though that may be kind of weird without first introducing ourselves. So I promise to say hello… In hopes you’ll say it back.
We’ll be fine. We’ll all be fine… I hope.
Looking forward to it!
I am looking forward to seeing you!
You are asking the same questions we are ALL wondering- so we’ll be in good, if not tipsy- company. I give out Bear Hugs so watch out!
I am so looking forward to meeting you, too! I am blind (note the glasses in my picture to the left there) but hit me and yell CARPOOL GODDESS and I’ll wrap myself around you.
Have a great time, CG! Can I pick your brain when you get back?
Cute cute post! Looking forward to meeting you!
Dang. Now I want to go even more. You is my kinda peeps. Have a great time!
I’m a BlogHer newbie, and excited and nervous too. I’m with you on the getting-from-A-to-B…. I don’t like it when the conference isn’t in the hotel…. packing everything I will need for the day is stressful!
Looking forward to it and excited to meet a bunch of Bloppies! 🙂
I found this post on Twitter, your blog is new to me but I know you’re going to do just fine at BlogHer. Hug and laugh and learn then let all the other stuff take care of itself. BlogHer is on my bucket list, so I can’t wait to read all about it when you get back. Good luck!!
Love,
Rose
I know you, Linda, and you will be fine! I will have extra scrunchies if you should need one. Once the humidity goes up, so does my hair.
This is so funny…and I’m not even attending BlogHer.
I’m still recovering from the fact that you just told me that you’re NOT 30 years old!! wow!!
I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time and make me totally jealous that I’m not going!! 🙂 Best of luck!!!
We are so alike, we should be going together!!! Can’t wait to hear all about your experience there! 🙂
Oh, how I wish I were going this year! I secretly suspect that we may be twins separated at birth. Have fun, can’t WAIT to hear all about it! BlogHer in 2011 was amazing…you will love it!
Love your fun blog! I’m envious of the ones at BlogHer13 but equally happy and enjoying all the news and photos. I excel at living vicariously through others.
You’re really funny. I just reread this post and thought it was delightful. So you! Now you need to tell everyone how you pack. You’re the ninja packer! So envious. Had a wonderful time in Chicago getting to know you. Looking forward to more fun in LA with you.