Is it totally insane and unreasonable that I am freaking out about an event that is so far away on the calendar that I could almost gestate an entire human being in the amount of time between now and then?
I thought so.
Yet here I am doing that VERY thing, dammit.
I will just have to plead “BlogHer Newbie-itis” and hope you seasoned attendees forgive me.
First things first:
I cannot wait to go to BlogHer ’08. I love San Fransisco and I am so excited for the classes and to meet bloggity people that I read and admire. I have so many things that I am hoping to learn. There could not be a more perfect theme for me. I know JACK about marketing myself or my blog so I am eager to gobble up every bit of knowledge I can get my hands on during my four days in San Fran.
I want to have a blast.
This whole experience is a pretty big deal to me, yet here I am with my application filled out and hesitating at hitting the “Submit” button. Reality is sinking in and part of me is thinking, “What the HELL are you doing, Loralee?”.
I didn’t feel like I was ready to attend last year. It was too big, I was too small and too “DUH”. I felt I needed one more year to prepare and feel adequate.
Thing is? I still don’t know if I feel adequate OR ready.
It may seem silly to some of you, but I feel a bit overwhelmed.
Due to confusion about room pricing I have to find a room, a roomie, and figure out just what the freak I am supposed to be registering for and not. I have NO idea which package would be the best experience for me. I’m not even sure how long to book a room for. When do most people arrive? When do they leave? When do they start breathing into paper bags while trying to figure all of this stuff out?
I have about a month to finalize and register, but all of the options are making my head spin a little bit.
The worst part?
I am just beginning to think of the million and one social ramifications of it all.
Like finding a (Somewhat) sane person that would be willing to sleep in a bed with me and that will (Possibly) see me naked at some point over the weekend. Hopefully, Jess can go. If not? I might a little bit screwed and have to miss the party altogether.
Then there is that whole pesky issue of wondering if I am way out of my league or if I will know anyone there or if three years of conference cliques will be impenetrable to a new person.
Will I make an ass out of myself?
Thank the Lord I don’t drink, but I CAN see myself being hickishly over-friendly! And Bubbly!! And like the clueless dork that runs around at the 10-year reunion telling girls that could give a rat’s ass about her that they should totally have a slumber party and braid each other’s hair!!!
Did I mention the pressure of speech? The LOUD pressure of speech??
Arg.
Is all just too much of a headache to deal with?
You know where all of this is going.
You don’t? REALLY? Oh, come on, I am not that unpredictable, people! It’s going to the inevitable question, “Will anyone like me?”
Dude.
I have SO got to get a new question in my life. Or at least one that FIGHTS THE DAMN CLICHE..I’d settle for that. Maybe.
I could use some advice about the Whole Ball of Shenanigans that is BlogHer.
I have a feeling that in the end this is just going to take a big freaking leap of faith on my part. I need to stop being a big baby and scardy cat.
Sigh…
Fingers crossed, yo.
What’s the worst that could happen? People will decide not to read your blog? I’m sure you’ll have fun, learn lots, and make friends. Just don’t participate in any weird San Fransisco activities.
Oh man, you should have gone this last year. It was so much fun. BlogHer is one of those things where it really doesn’t matter how big or small you are. And you can ALWAYS find people you jive with.
I’m going, hopefully. It’ll be my third. I’m happy because it is in SF and my family lives in the area so that will cut down CONSIDERABLY on travel costs for me though I may have to worry about traveling into town each day. I’m also looking to speak (again), which will also help defray some costs.
And believe me, I know what it is to be excited. You should have seen me before my first BlogHer. I had a baby three weeks before Day 1 and yet I was there, bells on. (Day 1 was actually my due date, believe it or not) Doesn’t hurt to plan ahead. ;)
Here are my biggest suggestions:
1) Cute shoes. Cute shoes are a thing at BlogHer. Bonus points if they’re comfy as well.
2) Consider the heaviness of your laptop bag. You’ll have, on Day 1 at least, a ginormous swag bag to drag around too and if your laptop bag is large and bulky you’ll be hating it big time by the end of the day.
3) Bring a camera. Seriously. And take lots and lots of pictures.
Honestly, people will LOVE you. I’ll be there, and I like you. :) And hopefully you’ll like me so I won’t feel like a complete loser. ;)
You have the gas station story working for you. That would be tough for anyone to beat.
And I don’t know about you, but every time I’ve ever made an ass out of myself it’s turned into a career.
llc:
you will be the hit of the party.
have a good time
I am still debating if I will go this year. If so, I am a VERY good spooner and my only vice is I hog the covers. :-)
Seriously though, last year’s BlogHer left a BAD taste in my mouth. It was well organized and I made some great friends but it was also extremely overwhelming and cliquish. I am soooo done with the snobby high school scene and that is how it felt at times.
I have yet to go to BlogHer, but I’ll be here roooting for ya! GO GO GO! ;)
Seriously, though, large conference group type things make me extremely nervous and I worry way too damn much about what other people think for someone 38 years old. I’d probably need to suck down a glass of wine before heading out to meet people. I’m talkative to begin with and if you add alcohol to the mix, well I am annoyingly goofy, overfriendly, Southern girl. We’d probably get along swimmingly!
I um, haven’t given it as much thought as you have…but I Lurve San Fran and could easily be persuaded to go. I’d totally be up for rooming with you…but I won’t be willing to make a commitment for a while.
You just need to get over it and get out there… probably 90% of everyone there will be feeling the same way as you. Giterdone!!
Dude.
YOU BETTER BE THERE.
I’m a newbie, too, so we’ll survive it TOGETHER!
xoxoxo
I’m afraid I’d feel incredibly out of place there. I don’t think I really read many of the people who go to BlogHer so I’m hesitant to go. I also don’t own a laptop cuz we’re poor. :)
I would TOTALLY let you stay with us here, but we won’t be here anymore by July. We’ll be in Utah by then. It’s the thought that counts, though, right!?
The ladies I went with this year all live back east…so they won’t be going to the SF one…which makes me not even think about going to the SF one. I know, it’s bad of me.
But dude, you’ll have a blast. Just make sure to make good connections with bloggers BEFORE you go. We started up a gmail group the month before and got to know each other that way. By the time Chicago came around we were tight. Best advice I could give you!!
Oh, and relax and have fun!
This year I am still way too scared and new to blogging to even think about attending but I do believe 09 is calling my name. Which is great because by then you can tell me all the little things I need to know so I don’t have to be a big scardy cat.
I SO want to go, but isn’t it rediculous for someone with about 4 readers to spend money to go to a conference? Still I think about signing up all the time. I’m thrilled to know you are doing it! If you need a roomie contact me. It might be the motivation I need.
I should spell check my comments.
I would really like to attend IN THEORY, but have many concerns/fears/neuroses about the whole thing. I fear being alone, shunned, friendless, clueless, and shiftless. Meh. I am solidly on the fence.
That said, I’m sure that you could and be fun and fabulous and just fine. If all else fails, you can show up, wild-eyed and sans bra and makeup, and go postal on the whole she-bang.
i’m lucky if i get to travel outside the county, much less to a totally different state to meet people that aren’t anything like the morons i deal with on a daily basis (i.e. my family who suffers from redneckitis).
be careful, have fun, and don’t hurt yourself.
p.s. remember – whiplash hurts so if you have to do a doubletake, turn your ENTIRE body.
i’m trying to talk al and bridge into going, too…
but i’m not too intimidated by others much. maybe it’s my career?
hey there!
i’m the blogher conference organizer, and, well, i happened to come across this posting…(duh)…
i want to say that i hope that you (and all the other hesitant-but-considering-it bloggers) do come to the event.
having been an attendee before i joined blogher “officially,” i can say with complete confidence and sincerity that:
1. LOTS (if not MOST) people felt the way you do before they went — it’s totally easy to find people to be with, hang with, laugh with
2. it doesn’t matter at all how big or small you are, we’re all in it together :)
3. it is so SO much fun to be surrounded by women who “get” what you do
but if you don’t believe me and/or have any questions about the event at all (including which package to consider, etc.) just drop me a line.
yay!
Craig:
You have a really good point here, Craig. Even if people think I am a total Whack Job, they weren’t reading me before, so there would be nothing to even miss. Thanks for the advice, Pal. (Which is even kinder considering I ruined Christmas by infecting MacKenzie. Grin.)
Marilyn:
You have no idea how I appreciate the advice. I am planning on taking my hubs laptop backpack. I have heard the swag is mountainous.
Shoes? Shit. I suck at shoes and my feet are large, boatish and hideous. We’ll have to see what to do between now and then. :S
jasonthe:
Your comments seriously crack me up. Seriously. After following that whole political drama on your blog I am convinced that you could pretty much make a living being a professional blog commenter.
tjk:
I’ll settle for just living through the experience without vomiting. :S
Amber:
You are so not the first person that has said this. It fills me with anxiety. However, I was a total outcast in High School so I figure that this has got to be better.
My blog is tiny so I really don’t have much expectation of much of anything but learning and meeting people that I adore (Which means you pretty much have to come now. Grin.)
Jamie:
Big conferences have always been hard for me, but then again, I have never been to a big conference that I was dying with excitement to attend. I am dying of excitement to go to BlogHer. Hopefully, this will matter. Thanks for the cheer. I can certainly use it.
applesonastick:I’d love it if you could go, even if we weren’t roomies, it would be a blast and a half.
ThatOneGuy: I know. I just need to jump in with both feet. I am realizing that others have the same freakish anxieties as me. :S People assume that because I am soooo extroverted that all this socializing comes naturally. Nope…It freaks me out as much as more reserved people.
Angella:
I have to say that the fact you are going is a total freaking PLUS.
hairyshoefairy:
I’m just totally excited that you are moving to UTAH! YAY!!!
Isabel:
I am hoping to start checking out more blogs of people who are attending. Of course, I have no idea how to go about that, exactly, but I do know it is pretty freaking important.
MacKenzie:
That is pretty much how I felt last year. This year? I think I can handle it. I just need to go in with a good attitude and have a blast. I think I have enough people I sort of know who have done it that I can ask around.
angela:
My husband is freaking about me spending so much on a hobby, but, EH? I am dying to go, it isn’t THAT far away and I am good at my hobby. I want to be better at it.
It would rock to meet you!
Melanie:
Oh, I have fears up the yin-yang. I just think that I would regret not going. Besides, I am DYING to learn some things and ask questions in a place that it is OK! Where I won’t feel like a pest! Where I may have a chance of getting someone to finally explain freaking WordPress Plugins in a way I can wrap my brain around!!
If THAT doesn’t happen, I just MAY HAVE to go bra-less postal on everyone!
Pink:
I would die if I didn’t leave my county OFTEN. DIE.
jess:
That would be cool if Bridgy came. I do have other rooming options, so either way it will be good.
Jess, I don’t think anything could intimidate you. I, however, am a complete WUSS.
Maybe it’s my LACK of career???
kristy:
I appreciate you taking the time to comment. I will probably take you up on the advice because I am just not sure which things to sign on for. :S
Hi Loralee:
I just wanted to add two cents on three things
1. You can get a room with two beds, so you may still get seen naked, but won’t have to worry about anyone stealing the covers :)
2. You are so not alone in your apprehension. each year people feel like they’re the only ones who don’t know everyone, but each year we have hundreds of first-time attendees…the problem is they all don’t know it. SO, this year in response to that recurring feedback like yours, we’re going to have a pre-conference meet-up on Thursday night just for all the BlogHer newbies. So my recommendation is that you arrive in time for that party, and then just live it up, stay through the Sunday Unconference and go home Monday morning. Seriously, how often do you get away and do something for yourself? If you’re like a lot of women bloggers…not that often. I say go wild :)
3. I have to tell you a story about Kristy. After BlogHer ’06 I get this email from an attendee I didn’t get a chance to meet, telling me that she attended, and she loved it, but she had all these ideas about how it could be so much better. And then she proceeded to list some. And said she’d love to help make some of that happen. Long story short, we met for breakfast and I hired her as our full time event manager. All this to say: she rocks and like the rest of us started out as just a blogger who wanted to meet and learn from other bloggers.
But, you know, no pressure :)
PS-I use too many smily faces and am properly chastened by seeing my comment on the screen. I will try to re-train myself.
I’ve been to BlogHer twice. I know people. I drink a lot and yet I’m still nervous as hell. Don’t worry. You will have a wonderful time. Promise.
I’m trying to get there too! I’m trying to work it into a big family vacation to visit friends and slip in a little blogher while I’m in SF!
I’ll happily be a big dork with you!!!! Love it!
llc
i’ll bet if you would sing for them
they would be in awe.
they would make you the star event
Wow…you’re a way bigger blogger than me. :) I’m small time. :) Although I feel like I spend too much time on it already…
Tell me when this blog-her thingie is. I just may have to attend.
hmmm…
sugar, you have to remember that i live in a small town where leaving my house and going into the actual town itself is like visiting another country.
And here I thought I was the only one fretting about it already. I’m going. And I’m terrified. I would love to meet you.
I’m in Utah too!
You big pansy.
Just go.
Everyone will love you.
I know people.
heh.
Okay, I finally got a chance to come read through all these comments and it sounds like lots of people have the same fears we talked about. I’m glad some of the BlogHer organizers commented on this too. It says a lot about an event if the organizers will try to alleviate concerns on every level.
I still have apprehensions (especially thanks to Amber’s clique stories!), but I am leaning toward mostly excitement for the event now!
I am totally down for rooming with you and anyone else who wants to hang with us!