Sparks and Butterflies

If you wanna see a picture of me – go here.  Schmutzie took it.

I’m safely home, and exhausted.  I have many stories to tell, but want pictures with them.

Which are in the back of my husband’s car, and he’s at work.  “Don’t worry, baby, I’ll get all your stuff out before I go.”

So – gee darn – laundry has to wait, and bills, and driving (my wallet’s in there too.)  But no pictures either.

It’s Friday morning… and it’s currently 6:23, so I’m not entirely coherent.

I’m not going to give a blow by blow of the sessions themselves, but everything else, I want to record my thoughts on.

No pictures, ’cause, well, I haven’t brought out my camera yet.

Last night I went to the newbie mixer. I had a drink, and met two lovely ladies in line, Kelly and Jennifer. Unfortunately it was really loud, and we didn’t exchange cards, so I never caught their blogs to link them. While I saw Mocha Mama… I didn’t have the balls to talk to her. I was supposed to meetup with GeekMommy, and I kind of know what she looks like, but when scanning I couldn’t find her. I quickly grew overwhelmed with the loudness and the people I didn’t know, so I left and headed up to the People’s Party.

When I got there, I got myself some swag, and got myself another drink. I was on a mission to meet Megan. I’m a reader of her blog, but as you know, she’s also the head editor of Blog Nosh (of which I’m an editor.) I really wanted to meet her. And I did! And we even got to chat a couple of times. She was a cohost of the party, so we never got to talk long, as she needed to put out various fires, but she was lovely. Again – no balls to ask for a picture. I also got to meet Angella. One, I’m a reader, and two, I purchased a couple of photos from her for my bedroom. So I wanted to meet her too. She was absolutely lovely. It was wonderful meeting her, truly. She was kind, and so easy to talk to. I saw Oh The Joys, but again – no balls.

By the way… The hotel? So far I have nothing but good things to say about it. Talk about nice. Seriously. I’m feeling very fancy schmancy in my room.

Friday is conference day one. After breakfast and all that, during the first session, I’m babysitting for Marilyn so she can speak. After that, who knows. I haven’t competely decided on which sessions I’m going to. So, hopefully 1) I don’t make an ass out of myself, and 2) I actually get the balls to talk to someone.

I’m sitting at the airport, waiting for boarding.

Next to me is a man with a braid, and real birkenstocks.  I had forgotten about those.

I recently saw a gentleman get off a plane who looked exactly like he came out of an 80′s hair band.  Long hair, black clothes.  He walked with a limp, and had the COOLEST silver tipped cane.

Tired travelers.  Tired kids.  Parents dragging.

I have to say though, this is the best, quickest time I’ve ever had.  I was the only one in check in, baggage check, and security, so went right through.  I love the Burbank Airport, I sincerely do.  I wish I could always fly out of here.

If you are going to BlogHer, and want to meetup at some point – or at least just meet – send me an email at sparksfley at gmail dot com.  We’ll exchange numbers.

And here’s just a roundup of the places you can see my updates while I’m at the conference.  I do, indeed, plan on taking my laptop – but I’ve never taken my laptop outside of the house (Betsy is a virgin) so, we’ll see how this goes:

• Here of course
• Flickr
• Twitter
• email – sparksfley at gmail dot com

I have various other addresses and social addictions – but those above are the ones I’ll probably be using.

So – I wrote a post, my BlogHer Disclaimer, telling you all about my “quirks.”

So far, it’s my most popular post to date.  I have never gotten so many comments on one post before.

I don’t know if you all found me somewhere – not seeing a new link, nor am I seeing my post as featured on BlogHer – let me know?

But, what’s happened is, people are posting their OWN disclaimers – and I just think that’s so cool.  So I thought I’d point you back there, and tell you to read the comments.

OK…  The preparations are underway.  I’ve mentioned a haircut, and mani pedi.  I bought a dress just in case I want to dress up for a party.  I’ve got business cards.  I’ve exchanged numbers with someone I might babysit for so she can actually speak in her panel (YAY Squoosh baby!)

I still have to decide which panels I’ll actually be attending.

And finally…  If you want to meet up, meet me, etc…  Please email me at sparksfley at gmail dot com so we can exchange cells.

So I’m going to BlogHer ’08 (woot and yay!) in two – TWO – weeks.

I have never met a blogger in person before. I’m especially nervous about this. I’m anxious about the social thing. (what if no one likes me waaaaah) So, figured the best way to attack this was to list my flaws so you won’t be shocked or surprised. heh. You probably wouldn’t have been anyway.  But this is my way of attacking my anxiety head on.  Here I am, take me or leave me, with all my flaws.

• If I’m drinking, I talk.  If I’m nervous, I talk.  Drinking and nervous?  Oh dear.  Also – when I’m nervous I start talking louder and louder.  The problem is – I was (literally) dropped on my head too many times as a child and it effected my hearing.  I actually cannot hear myself talk.  So, while I may be talking louder, I still can’t hear a difference in my head.
• If I’m passionate or excited about something, I start repeating myself.
• I’m chubby.
• I smoke.  Please don’t lecture me, unless you too fought an addiction to meth.  I will only smoke in appointed smoking areas, and I won’t blow smoke in your face.
• I’m missing two teeth.  This is very very upsetting to me and makes me very self-conscious.  But here’s the story: I did take care of my teeth.  However, genes suck, and I was born without 8 permanent teeth.  So, that means that the permanent teeth weren’t there to push out the baby teeth.  So, the baby teeth just stuck around, until they just couldn’t hold on any more.  My bottom front teeth have been fixed, and I still have two babies that are hangin’ on for dear life in the bottom on both sides.  But on the top, one on each side, couldn’t hold on anymore.  It will take several thousand dollars to fix, and I don’t have that kind of cash, so, they are missing.  Yes, I brush and floss.  I’ve had one cavity in my life.  Just bad genes.  So – I may not smile big, and if I do, it’s because I forgot about my mouth for a minute.
• I snore.  But you won’t have to worry about that since I’m alone – NO KIDS OR HUSBAND – in my room.  I may hide in my room because of the beautiful beautiful silence, but I digress.
• I talk with my hands.  I’ll try not to smack you.
• I’m a notorious clutz.  I’ll try not to drop my drink on you.

That’s me.  In all my glory.  I can’t wait to meet you there.

First – while I went off the deep end a tad bit, my attitude is improved. Nothing’s changed, mind you, but my attitude has improved.

Second – You still have until Monday night to get a free $50 to start your own SmartyPig account!

Third – I’ve decided to turn my social anxiety in a post just for you. Look for my BlogHer 2008 disclaimer, coming soon, and find out about all my foibles and idiosyncrasies ahead of time.

And finally Fourth – I have a new gig. You’ve probably seen it around the blogs lately, and for good reason. You’re looking at an editor at Blog Nosh Magazine.

Megan Jordan had this crazy idea – and has taken it to great heights.

What is Blog Nosh Magazine? We are an online magazine featuring the best archived content from primarily personal blogs, spotlighting a cross-section of topics and perspectives. New posts daily.

For bloggers, if it has fallen off of your front page and you know it deserves more time and exposure, we are your ideal resource. We are in the business of building your audience. As such, we republish your posts in full. Teasers and headlines alone aren’t always enough to tempt new readers, so we give them the opportunity to nosh on your writing in its original form, not just through crumbs that don’t entice much click-through.

For readers, we are a veritable blog buffet. A little bit of this, a little more of that, and lots of treats you never thought you would even want to try, let alone enjoy. We hope you will take the time to read posts in categories and channels that you might never seek out on your own. Most importantly, we ask you to take a moment to click through to the blogs of the authors we spotlight. This site only works if the authors feel they are gaining a real reader, not a random one-time hit. Give them a chance– we’ve already taste-tested them for you!

Take some time to check out our Editors page, grab a button for your own blog’s sidebar (we thrive by your support!), and if you are interested, check out the Publication Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions page. We are here to serve!

If you’re looking to find me as a co-editor, I’m in the Overcoming Adversity Channel, and Religion & Philosophy.  Check it out.  A lot of work has gone into this by Megan especially, and all the editors.

There are various people and organizations I give to on an ongoing basis, as well as as the need comes up. I feel that I’m in a place now where I can give back financially. I don’t usually share that information either. I don’t know. It seems braggy in some way, which giving never should be.

I’ll tell you the next place, however, I’m giving.

By harnessing the power of women online, our contributions will improve maternal health and save women’s lives. Your donation to one or more of these projects can save women’s lives by supplying health care, birthing kits, education, trained birthing attendants, meals, and much, much more.

Help a woman today.