Sparks and Butterflies

‘m feeling a bit blocked in writing lately.  So, here’s the final roundup of my thoughts and doings and pictures from BlogHer…  And then I think I’m done and moving on.

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On Saturday, I finally got to meet Dooce.  I almost didn’t.  I walked by her, all the way to my tower elevator.  I stopped, turned around, told myself I was an idiot, and went up to her.  I introduced myself.  We chatted about how long we’d been writing, and what it had been like prior to the tools we have today.  And I thanked her.  You see, whether you like her writing or not, the woman has blogged her way through harsh stuff.  She kept writing through it.  And so I thanked her, because sometimes I wanted to stop writing because the simple fact was it was painful.  So painful.  She encouraged me to never stop writing.  As it took all my guts to go up to her, I didn’t take a picture.  But I’m so glad to have met her.

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I was expecting cliquish stuff at the conference.  I’m of the impression that any time you gather THAT many women together, some of whom know each other already, you’re going to have some groups form.  And I was right.  But – I didn’t feel it was cliquish in the high school cheerleaders vs. nerds kind of way.  It was more like I didn’t want to interrupt these groups of women who obviously hadn’t seen each other in a year and were catching up.  Being able to see someone from the other end of the country (or beyond) that you haven’t seen in ages is something special, and I didn’t want to interrupt that.

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I got some varied reactions to me, and to my site.  Some people are scared of my chick on the site.  Some say it’s nothing like me and I need to put up a photo.  Others say that it matches me perfectly.  It was funny to me – the variety of conflicting responses I received.

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I feel like I really hit it off with Schmutzie.  I was actually a little nervous.  I knew I wanted to meet her, as we are twitter pals and such.  However, we are opposed in many things I think…  Theologically, politically, etc.  So I was afraid of the conversations we might have (with her and quite a few other people.)  But, well, no.  We had fun!  I loved hanging out with her!  I’m so glad I finally saw her and introduced myself.  And I hope she loves me back.  Otherwise, hi awkward.

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I went to a bar with a few ladies…  And there was a pink man.  Who?  Here, go look.

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Mrs. Flinger is fun.  Period.

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One night, I called my husband for the nightly check in.  I think this was Saturday night.

Poe:  (in a really sincere sweet voice.)  Oh my God.  I miss you so much.  The house just isn’t the same without you in it.  (change in tone) OH.  Hold on.  Pizza’s here.

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There are lots of other stories, and impressions, and such, but I think I’m done.  I’m moving on.  However – will I go again?  Should the finances come through like this year, yes, absolutely.  And if I’m willing to go again – I think that tells you something about the experience.

My Flicker Set

There are also other photos wandering around the net of me.  I don’t have the energy to see how flickr rules work on copyrights – so rather than get myself in trouble accidentally – you’ll just have to click through.

Here

Here

Here

Here

Here

Here

Here

If I met you, and I didn’t mention you here?  It’s not that I don’t love you.  It’s more that my brain has had issues with processing.  I have been through every.single.card. in my possession, and I think I hit up everyone with a comment.

There.  Done.

As I mentioned in my disclaimer, I smoke. Which means I go outside, yes?  Homeless people have been asking me for money.  And when I say that, I mean every.single.time.  3-4 a time.  I don’t have it to give to them – so I would simply smile, say I’m sorry I don’t have any, and watch them move on.  Some more pissed at me than others.  One even trapped me in a corner, but I didn’t give up my space, so he eventually moved on.

I decided early on I was a magnet.  My BlogHer08 badge screamed tourist, I suppose (not to mention I was hanging out around a hotel.)

Schmutzie came out with me.  I don’t think she believed me, as we were on the other side of the hotel this time, and she hadn’t had any problems with it at all.  Until 3-4 came up to us while she was with me.

Told you – I’m magnet.

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.