josetteplank.com at BlogHer 2009 in Several Conversations

In a word, my experience at BlogHer was overwhelming. But, overwhelming in the best ways possible. I've been thinking about this past weekend, letting the experience marinade a bit, and wondering how to best write about what went on out in Chicago. I mean, besides that fire a few years ago.

The short answer is "a lot went on." The long answer is a bit more involved. So involved, in fact, that I'm not going to be able to cover my BlogHer experience all in one post.

Can you stand it? Can you stand several posts about BlogHer? Like, all in a row with me writing and posting every day?

I've decided that the best way to tell the story is to report the conversations I had before, during, and after the event. No long drawn out narratives describing the hotel lobby decor or the way the dining hall lights played upon the seven-foot tall Ragu bottle made entirely of vegetables. No long strings of adjectives to paint a picture of the 1,400 pairs of shoes, and 1,400 hand-bags, and 1,399 hair-dos. No rambling prose meandering through the fun-house of my mind.

Just straight-on she said/she said.

All, of course, sifted through the multi-facets of my fun-house mind.

So? Y'all ready for this?

You bet you are!

Onward!

Note to Elisa Camahort Page: Next year, how about a session on how to write good metaphors? I think I'm your gal!

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BlogHer 2009: What It Is

Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - Afternoon Before Leaving for Chicago

Child: What are you doing, Mommy?

Mother: I’m making little cards to hand out at the blogging conference. See? With my blog name. So people I meet can read my blog if they want.

Child: What will you be doing? Will you all just be writing on your blogs the whole time?

Mother: Well, no. I’ll be hearing other women speak about the things they blog about, and people will talk about ideas to make blogs better, and I’ll be meeting new women at dinner and lunch and making new friends, and there will be some parties.

Child: Wow! Parties?

Mother: A few. But mostly I’m going there to learn some new things, and meet....

Child: Like, parties with cake and soda?

Mother: Well, yeah, I guess…and music and some dancing….

Child: Are you going to DANCE? In front of OTHER PEOPLE?!

Mother: Hey! I’m actually not that bad a dancer you know. And anyway that’s just a small part of….

Child: You’re going to be too silly. And weird. People will think you’re weird if you dance like in the kitchen.

Mother: No! People will like me! People won’t…people won’t think I’m…weird.

Child: You are going to be too goofy.

Mother: Well...well...all the mommies there are going to be goofy.

Child: I’m afraid.

Mother: WHAT?

Child: I’m afraid you’re going to come back all…all different.

Mother:

Child: Something is going to happen in Chicago. I know it.

Mother: oh my god…don’t say that…I’m afraid of flying…

Child: No, not the plane. You and all the other mommies are going to go there and write a lot and not act like mommies while you’re there. You’re going to come home all different.

Mother:

Child: I’m afraid.

Mother:

Child:

Mother: Can I borrow your black sparkle hat for a party I’m going to.

Child: Yes. But I want it back.

Mother: Ok.

Child: And don’t be so weird.

Mother: I’ll try. I’ll really, really try.

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