I’m hangin’ at the San Francisco Airport right now, waiting for my red-eye flight to start boarding. I remember how I felt last year at this time, at the end of BlogHer. It was like post-Christmas letdown. All that buildup to a big moment, then deliriously awesome times, then BAM. Back to regular life. Just like that. Post-BlogHer letdown.
Fortunately, I do have something to look forward to and keep my spirits riding high. Not only will I get to see my sweet girl and hubs when I get home, but also I will have the whole week off from work to spend with them. (Jay is still working, but Cassie and I will play our days away.) I’m so grateful to have a job that offers such generous vacation now. More time with my kid = happy, loyal employee.
Anywho. I think the best way to wrap up my top moments of BlogHer ’08 is with a list. I love lists.
- Recording a video segment with the real Abby Cadabby on a Sesame Street set, especially for my Cassie. (I wish I could post the video on here, but I’m not smart enough to figure it out without hubs’ help. Check back later.) This was simply a once-in-a-lifetime experience that filled me with joy and will be an amazing gift to my daughter. Plus, talking with a Muppet made me laugh like a giddy 3-year-old.
- Having lunch with Rocco DiSpirito and getting to meet him. What can I say? He was hunky and famous, and I got to be all chatty and charming (I hope?) with him. Yet another once-in-a-lifetime moment. What are the odds?
- Rooming with my Nati/NKy friend Shannan, AKA MommyBits. We didn’t know each other very well before BlogHer, but I figured we’d get along famously. Indeed, we did (along with Amy in Ohio, Meghan in Santa Barbara, Kendra the Headless Mom, and many other BlogHers). Shannan was considerate, helpful, laidback, and downright hi-larious. The perfect roomie and drinking companion. Also, I’m not just saying this because she went and got me Starbucks two mornings in a row. But it helped.
- Getting pampered for free. As an attendee of this conference, I was showered with ample swag (some of which I had to ditch — not enough room in my suitcase!). I also got a free chair massage and a Bare Escentuals makeover, making me feel and look fabulous. (The free food and wine were pretty sweet, too. But they may contribute to a lousy weigh-in this week over at Mr. and Mrs. Get Fit.)
- Partying with Interweb supastah Guy Kawasaki. Dude and his house are niiiiice.
- Meeting and/or reconnecting with bloggers I read regularly and adore. Carmen, Jennette, Sarah, Devra/Aviva, Jenny, Liz, Kim, Robyn, Georgia, and many others I am forgetting at this moment because I am so freakin’ tired! (Sad I missed a few in all the hubbub. BusyMom and Absolutely Bananas, for instance.)
- Networking with shiny new (to me) bloggers and a few industry folks I had never met or read before the conference. I absolutely loved our conversations between sessions, during cocktail parties, in hallways, or riding on the elevator. Everywhere I went, I met a new friend and discovered a new blog to check out!
- Spending my last day in San Francisco sightseeing with Christina from A Mommy Story. While I had originally planned to attend the UnConference today, I decided last night that I was blogged out and would rather see a little of this rockin’ city before I flew home. Fortunately, Christina happened to be in the same boat and we paired up to ride the cable cars, lunch on fresh seafood, tour the bay by boat, and pal around. We even discovered we went to the same university at the same time–but never knew each other. Weird, huh?
So there you have it. No deep thoughts. No LOL drunk stories. Just my honest, slightly sentimental lovefest after another killer BlogHer conference. If this post was too much for you, all I can say is, sorry for partyin’.
It was so great to meet you. I had a blast at Scala’s. I was trying to explain laughing hysterically about Mormon sex and Hassidic Jews, but my husband couldn’t understand and I dissolved into laughter. Again.
Jennifer
http://www.thesmartmama.com
It was a blast of a conference, eh? Glad you had a good time. I did muscle through the UnConference, but by the afternoon, I was mailing it in. Then again, I live here, so I didn’t need to try to get any sightseeing time in. Glad you got to visit the city — it’s so beautiful!
OMG it was fun, wasn’t it? I’m in a haze right now.
It was great catching up. The new job sounds great and you look fabulous! Enjoy easing back to RL.
I meant to add that the Sesame Street video does not appear to be compatible with YouTube. I did a little feature with Grove that I’d love to post as well. Let me know if you find any tips on converting and loading the file.
It was so GREAT to see you, again – nice to have the conference right in the hotel – lots of stuff going on this year and it’s going to take me a few days to decompress!
SO fun to meet you!
I am lol at Jennifer’s comment- I had almost forgotten. And no, there is no translation for that conversation-pure location joke.
I know!! I can’t believe I missed you, but I did get to chat with Ms. Bananas for a little while.
Next year?
Well the truth of the matter is that me and busy mom were hiding in a closet hyperventilating in fear and terror.
Ok, just kidding.
Sort of.
But seriously I am really bummed we didn’t connect. Did you have fun? I’m still trying to decide if I had fun. Ha! Kidding.
Sort of.
😉
It was really great meeting you Susan!
I am glad to have met you!
Mary, mom to 10
Wasn’t that restaurant awesome? I want them to ship me those crab cakes fresh daily. Yum.
I still can’t believe we went to Miami at the same time. I’m sure we were probably in a class together – some huge Miami Plan class most likely.
Thanks for hanging out with me on Sunday!