Tales from the Trip — BlogHer ‘07
July 30, 2007 | Uncategorized
Whew. What better way to end a fabulous weekend than to exit out of the airport and see your husband & toddler waiting for you as a surprise? Jojo dropped his beloved green bus and ran into my arms, covering me with kisses. Seriously, it was like the best thing EVER.
So yeah. BlogHer. Jesus. Where do I begin? No really, big guy… what should I start with?
I mean, I already gave you a sneak peekage in the other post. I met a buttload of awesome women, sat in some interesting sessions, sat in some dull/disorganized sessions, stalked many a hors d’oeuvre-carrying peeps, and horded way too much swag.
Let’s address the buttload of awesome women first. Ohhh my ladyblog friends. I miss them. I miss the laughter and the ease with which we became more than just ‘online friends.’ We kind of jumped the BlogHer gun by creating an email group that we posted to weeks beforehand with questions, fears, and regular get-to-know you chats. I kind of knew we’d be fine, and our dinner on Thursday night confirmed that feeling. You can check out all the hott chicks I met on Flickr (under HollowSquirrel) or see some awesome group pictures that Isabel already posted, because HELLO, I heart riding the coattails…and I’m lazy and her picture turned out better.
Or you can just take a gander at this laugh-a-minute, Lizzy:
I can’t go into my admiration and fondness for the women I met because I don’t have enough adjectives to do them justice. They were open, funny and kind. Wow, Stacy, you really reached far with those three. See? I suck. I’ll try three DIFFERENT words for each of the women:
Carrisa: dry (humor), heeeeeelarious, loyal
Frema: adorable, sweet, enthusiastic
Molly: gorgeous, smiley, peaceful (ok, I think this has something to do with her beautifully peaceful smile)
Lizzy fuckinghysterical, brilliant, distracting (don’t sit next to her if you want to pay attention)
Liza: innocent-looking-yet-naughty, open, smart
Lizarita: friendly, sparkly, spirited
Isabel: psycho, stinky, poopoo head.
Ok, I kid. I heart Isabel. I can’t think of only three nice things. Sorry.
And here are some other amazing bloggers I was fortunate enough to meet (and force picture-taking with me):
Midwestern Mommy. She couldn’t have been more lovely. I’m thinking of moving the family to Missouri so I can be her neighbor. That’s normal, right? Good.
Crystal from Boobs, Injuries & Dr. Pepper, who showed up with her equally as funny/charming husband, Chris! I’m SO thrilled to have met her. She’s a peach. Even if she’s not from Georgia:
Jenny from MamaDrama (isn’t she a cutie patootie?). I didn’t have enough time to chat her up and learn how to be cute from her. I’m bummed.
I also met two pretty famous chicas:
If you don’t know who this is, I have no time for you. Go. Away. It’s CHLOE from Project Runway, people. She’s HOTT and incredibly kind. I mean, if you (and if you didn’t, UGH) watched PR2, then you know, she’s a hardworking sweetie pie. She’s also very tolerant of spazzy fans who tell her about their Project Runway spreadsheets. Ahem.
Amy Effin’ Sedaris, who I probably scared with my “oh you’re so cute I wanna take you home in my pocket.” Was she scared, though? Oh no, Amy’s a professional wacko, who, when asked if I’d scared her, flatly said “Oh no, I love pockets.” Fantastic. I had to crop out my ass. If you can believe it, that wasn’t a good angle to catch my ass. (OH and Poodle & Sweets, I bought you each something from Amy’s craft table, cuz you’ll appreciate her unique craftswomanship.)
The sessions themselves were ok. Some were moderated very well and stayed on course, providing interesting conversation or useful tips to improve my blog. What? HollowSquirrel needs improving? I know, I know, but apparently there are widgets and CSS stuff and RSS feeds and “non sucky content” I can look into. Noted. I wish I’d brought my laptop (duh) on Day 2 for the break-out techie session with Slackermama; that would have been handy when I commandeered the session and forced her to FIX MY BLOG because she’s brilliant & has the cutest blog EVER, but alas, I honestly couldn’t muster the strength to tote that bad boy around all day, when I knew the swag would be dragging me down. She lucked out. Little did she know…
The session about crafting blogs, which was packed because Amy Effin’ Sedaris was on the panel, turned out to be excellent because
So that swag? Seriously. I completely failed the No Swag Left Behind Act and couldn’t pack the weird pleather box with toiletries, the GM/BlogHer saddle bag (no really, what WAS that?), some weird massage toy, a wooden puzzle, the PBS square pad of paper, another two lined journals and several packets of lube. By the end of Saturday, I even turned away 2 free fitted tshirts. I just couldn’t do it. No mas. My shoulders ached. I was weak under the swag. On Sunday morning, I tried to pack it all. I did. You can ask Isabel. I really did. But we left everything out for the cleaning staff to pick through, should they need some stocking stuffers or lube. Actually, Isabel positioned the lube perfectly on the desk blotter hoping the cleaning staff wouldn’t notice it and let the next customers find it. Brilliant.
Just like the weekend.
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July 30th, 2007 at 8:58 pm, Marilyn Says:
You like me! You really, really liked me!
Honestly though, I loved having all you guys listen to me prattle on about blog designs and plugins on Saturday. You all put me at ease, big time. And seriously, if you ever need any help just send me an email. I would be HAPPY to help.
I checked an extra bag and sat on my suitcase in order to leave no swag behind. I was a total swag whore. I don’t think I had to leave anything behind, thank goodness. In fact, I kinda wish I had more swag to lug home. It’s a sickness.
July 30th, 2007 at 9:04 pm, Jackie Says:
I was so nervous about the whole weekend that it wasn’t until late Saturday afternoon that I realized YOU were Mrs. Squirrel. I’m such a dork. Regardless, it was fabulous to meet you!
July 30th, 2007 at 10:13 pm, Lizzy Says:
Oh my stars, I look like that cartoon horse from Mighty Mouse.
Bwahahaha. Hanging head in utter embarrassment.
July 30th, 2007 at 11:16 pm, motherofbun Says:
COME LIVE BY ME! THERE’s even a house for sale in my hood. You all can live with me for awhile. Seth could have the little brother he’s been dreaming of. And? Our bathrooms don’t have shutters so you could poop whenever you need to. You’d have PRIVACY.
I just adored you lady. Seriously, if you are ever in St. Louis, please let me know! PLEASE! Even if its a layover or something.
July 31st, 2007 at 6:23 am, Jenny Says:
Hee! I came over to tell you how much I loved gossiping with you and find a picture of me. Welcome to the club of mutual admiration.
PS. I drunkenly cut off some of my hair in front of Chloe Dao and tried to subtley brush it onto the floor so she wouldn’t notice. I am so sophisticated.
July 31st, 2007 at 6:25 am, Jenny Says:
Okay what I meant was that I came over to tell you that I love you and then I was surprised to find a picture of me…not that I came over just searching for a picture of me.
God, I need an editor. And a babysitter.
July 31st, 2007 at 8:35 am, Operation Pink Herring Says:
I’m glad you ladies had so much fun. But I’m kind of pissed you turned down free fitted t-shirts. That’s just sacrelige. For future reference, you can just toss out dirty underwear and socks to make room in the suitcase for free stuff. I mean, I guess. I’ve never done that to cut down on laundry or anything.
July 31st, 2007 at 10:22 am, Isabel Says:
Dude, I came over here to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY today, but instead I found this awesome picture of Lizzy and talk of lube for the cleaning ladies.
Perfect post.
July 31st, 2007 at 11:00 am, heidikins Says:
Firstly: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Secondly: Freakin awesome post! Love the pics, the stories, the links. Fantastic!
xox
July 31st, 2007 at 11:23 am, Carrisa Says:
Happy Birthday. And now I want to put you in my pocket you dirty delicious whore.
July 31st, 2007 at 11:53 am, Eris Says:
I am so damn jealous of the free swag. I should have sent you a pre-paid postage box so you could mail me the stuff you couldn’t carry. Hindsight is 20/20 I guess
Now then, what is today? I think it might be special but I don’t remember why. OH well.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:19 pm, SJ Says:
Sounds like you had a fantastic time! Glad you did and glad you made it back safely.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:55 pm, Daily Stroll Says:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
SO jealous you met Amy Sedaris. I heart her. Reviewed her book, have it on my kitchen counter.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:22 pm, crystal Says:
Happy Birthday! I loved meeting you…you were awesome. Thank you for being so nice to me
July 31st, 2007 at 1:37 pm, Rachel Says:
Happy Birthday girlie!!!! I really wish I could have been there and met you!
July 31st, 2007 at 3:23 pm, Audrey Says:
Happy birthday! This post is so great in so many ways. And can I just say? The image of Jojo dropping his green bus to cover you in kisses? Priceless.
July 31st, 2007 at 9:03 pm, Liz Says:
It was so nice to meet you at the cocktail party in the Children’s Museum - somehow, that just doesn’t sound right - Happy Birthday!
July 31st, 2007 at 9:59 pm, Liza Says:
Happy Birthday!
That picture of Lizzy was AWESOME! Reading this post improved my mood about 6000%. THANK YOU.
July 31st, 2007 at 11:36 pm, michelle de seattle Says:
Happy Birthday!!!! I’m so glad I met you.
I had to mail 3 boxes home. Hooray for those little $8.95 flat rate boxes.
August 1st, 2007 at 10:15 am, Sweets Says:
YOu got me something from Amy’s table o’ crafts?!? I’m so SUPER excited to see what it is. THANKS for thinking of me. You are da’ bomb-diggity girlfriend. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
August 1st, 2007 at 4:52 pm, Hilary Says:
Brilliant indeed. And Happy (late now) Birthday again!!! I hope you had a fabulous day. I didn’t know Jenny was there. I love her! I used to read her (when I had time at work to read blogs) and miss her.
August 1st, 2007 at 6:12 pm, Kori Says:
Love the blog, love your sense of humor—wish I could have met you longer at BlogHer, but am so glad that I can bookmark you now and get to know you online.
I live in Chicago, so I didn’t have the swag packing problem, but I can see why it had to be left behind. There was some bulk, especially with the pleather box. The next time I drive past the W I’ll check to see if employees are entering with BlogHer conference swag totes.