BlogHer Boston Recap
Non-bloggers sometimes think of bloggers as, well…“crazy.” Perhaps that may be an extreme term to use, but the common eye roll and raised brow can certainly be translated to that when blogging is brought up in conversation.
I hear it all the time. “I would never put anything online about me. You never know who will find you.” Be that as it may, I am starting to realize that some people just don’t get it. Much like I have no idea what it is like to explore the worlds of online gaming, painting, or even knitting (I tried, and failed). All of them require some level of time, commitment, and practice. Not to mention sacrifice. Much like blogging.
The reality is we all try to make time for the things we love and enjoy. Even if it means spending hours in front of a computer, following the lives of people online you may never have the opportunity to meet.
So when I entered the conference room full of women at BlogHer Boston last weekend, I found myself breathing a heavy sigh of relief. As someone who has never fit in at any mommy playgroups (online or offline), and is the only blogger among family and friends, I finally felt a sense of belonging. As if Cookie Monster was no longer serenading me with, One of these things is not like the other things.
Sitting down in the convention hall, I looked out upon the sea of women Twittering from laptops, all with at least nine browsers open. It was like running into 100 women at once, all wearing the same outfit as me.
Here are some highlights:
BlogHer co-founder Jory Des Jardins moderating a discussion about Blogging Basics with bloggers Candelaria Silva, Susan Getgood, and Christine Koh.
Christine Koh from BostonMamas and I did some catching up.
I finally met Angela from Mommy Bytes!
Megan Garnhum and I after her session on Blogging Basics: Steps to Personalize, Polish and Promote your blog.
Kendra Bracken and I playing hooky so we could test drive a sweet, Saturn Roadster. She’s a New Yorker, who does not drive often. I have no idea what I was thinking. I kid Kendra. I kid.
Dana of Mombian, Roxanna of Miguelina, and I chatting at the cocktail reception.
Lisa Stone and I also at the cocktail reception.
Overall, BlogHer Boston was an incredibly fun and enriching experience that left me feeling inspired. Not only did I meet bloggers who live just minutes away here in Boston, but I finally met face-to-face with women who I’ve been reading about for months. It certainly left me wanting more- more opportunities to meet other bloggers, and more opportunities to learn.
How about you? Do you plan on attending BlogHer 2009 (destination still unknown)?
Would you jump at an opportunity to meet others bloggers near you?
Depending on the location, I would so be there! Looks like you had a great time!
Christie’s last blog post..Recession Sessions
October 13th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Looks like you had a good day. Yay!
I’m going to BlissDom in Nashville on Saturday. It will be my first bloggy get-together. I’m using it as a bit of a test run, to see if I might be interested in doing something like BlogHer.
That said, I cannot WAIT for Saturday to get here.
Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba)’s last blog post..October 2008 Curves update
October 13th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
in a heartbeat. i’m still kicking myself for skipping ‘08 ….
the planet of janet’s last blog post..Chief cook and bottle washer … oh, and chauffeur, banker and mechanic too
October 13th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Looks like you had a fun time. and we bloggers a little crazy in some aspects.we enjoy talking to each other and maybe never meeting so that’s a little crazy,but what the heck we alr all having fun and that is what counts in my book!
Mike Golch’s last blog post..Two in one day.
October 13th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Saint Louis has a very large blogging community and we have social gatherings about every other month and I am THERE! I am actually having a blogging girls night out at my house in a few weeks with some local gals that I have gotten really close with….wish you could come!
abunslife’s last blog post..It’s all my fault….
October 13th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Looks like you had a WONDERFUL time!
Jen’s last blog post..Autumn At Disney’s Magic Kingdom
October 13th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Wow that looks like fun! And you look gorgeous as always!
Miss’s last blog post..Please! Don’t act like you didn’t know…
October 13th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
it looked like you had so much fun! cheers to all of you! btw, you look so pretty momisodes! about what you said about online gaming, yes it takes a lot of commitment and dedication. but i think it has taken me away from my blog because of that! lol.
PM’s last blog post..PM’s Hitting Back
October 13th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
I’ll be all over a blogger convention with all my blogging friends. I would really love to put a voice and a face with the people I interact with online on a daily basis.
chris’s last blog post..My Back
October 13th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
I love blogger get-togethers, though most of the ones I’ve attended were on the small scale. I’ve never been to BlogHer, but I think I would really enjoy being in a room with women who really understood me.
kirida’s last blog post..my humps, my humps
October 13th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
You mean the people who blog have real faces and can speak? Wow, how unique is that.
I’m glad you had a great time. I’d have to think about going and meeting people; everyone is so much more eloquent etc. than I feel about what my poor little blog is.
I’m glad I have met people though and I have begun to feel comfortable with several that I read regularly.
Thanks, Sandy, for dropping by earlier. Here is a link to see the kind of bears I make. I featured them is a Haiku a few weeks ago.
http://whileyoureup.blogspot.com/2008/09/haiku-friday-shameless.html
Patsy’s last blog post..A Positive Meme
October 13th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
cant attend coz its so far away! haha! but we do hv small blogger gathering in malaysia
wen’s last blog post..Bento Escapade #6
October 13th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Looks like a great time. I don’t blog but I am one of the few who do understand the obsession. One day I will get the courage to start my own blog, but for now, I follow yours and some other blogs. And, I miss you guys when I don’t get to them during the day.
October 13th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
I am counting the minutes to Blogher 09! I can’t wait!
brittany’s last blog post..Corner office, flying shrimp
October 13th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
It looks like you had tons of fun!! I would love to go meet other bloggers. I’m way to obsessed lately with reading blogs – there are sooo many good ones out there. I really need to start limiting myself
But it would be so fun to attend a conference with so many like myself 
completely addicted to all things blog!
Kmommy’s last blog post..Is it Blue or Red?
October 13th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Christie- I hear you. It’s hard to travel far for these events. It’s one of the reasons why I couldn’t make the big BlogHer this year in San Fran.
Rebecca- Aw, I read about the event. It sounds like a blast! The line-up of speakers attending is fabulous
I wish I were closer.
the planet of janet- Ditto.
Mike Golch- So true, Mike.
abunslife- I’ve heard that. Sounds like there’s a chance BlogHer ‘09 may be near you!
Jen- I did. Wish so many of you all were there too.
Miss- It was blast. Thank you
PM- ah ha! I knew someone around here would understand about the online gaming
chris- I know what you mean. It’s an incredible experience putting a voice to a person’s written words.
Kirida- This Blogher reachout event was actually fairly small. I’ve never been to the big, yearly blogher event, but would love to.
Patsy- No way! you have a lovely blog. Plus, many of the attendees range from newbies to seasoned bloggers. Many of the attendees didn’t even start a blog yet.
wen- Aww, I’m guessing there are many blogging events there though.
Joyce-Anne- I miss your comments and messages when you’re not around. I CANNOT wait until you start a blog!
Brittany- Me too.
Kmommy- I’m right there with you. Part of me feels like I need to tighten my virtual belt. My reader overfloweths.
October 13th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Oh fun!
Cassandra Rae’s last blog post..Book Review: Eat, Pray, Love
October 14th, 2008 at 12:13 am
Sounds like a great time! It’s weird how non-bloggers don’t ‘get’ blogging. I don’t ‘get’ non-bloggers! So ha ha!
dysfunctional mom’s last blog post..This post is being typed in a whisper…
October 14th, 2008 at 2:30 am
yes – so glad you could go and enjoy
there are so many that really don’t get blogging
Elle’s last blog post..Too Many Pumpkins
October 14th, 2008 at 2:49 am
If BlogHer 09 is anything like BlogHer 08, then I won’t remember it. At least anything besides the hangover part…
BusyDad’s last blog post..My NYC Trip. Mad Libs Style.
October 14th, 2008 at 2:57 am
Sounds and looks like you had a grand time =)
I’d love to be given the chance to meet other bloggers.
louann’s last blog post..Lessons Learned
October 14th, 2008 at 7:37 am
The resistance and incredulity toward blogging personal topics is understandable given the sensationalism surrounding on-line predation. The culture and community that has arisen around personal-themed blogs could have been predicted–they are a natural intersection of newspaper columnists who deliver social commentary (for example: Erma Bombeck, Andy Rooney, Leonard Pitts) and the social communities promoted by web 2.0.
While this culture is thriving, it’s fascinating to see the uphill climb marketers face in the corporate world. We’re quickly approaching a point where a company without a blog will be at a dramatic competitive disadvantage. Still, management in most companies are trying to discover how important it might be to put up a corporate web site that’s anything more than a brochure.
In the early 1980s PCs were oddities that rogue users brought into their companies while IT and corporate management slept. It looks as though blogs have emerged with a similar life cycle.
Daniel’s last blog post..Fruit Tree Neglect in a Small Kitchen Garden
October 14th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Sounds like absolutely HUGE fun! Wish I could go to one.
Jeanette’s last blog post..My dirty feet
October 14th, 2008 at 8:33 am
I was hoping to go to the thing this coming Saturday, but I was told that men aren’t being invited. Meh. (BTW, just what does MEH mean?) Anyway, you look so lovely in your photos, as always, and I am so glad you enjoyed yourself. I am so glad you found a place to ‘fit’. That’s really important – finding a place where you ‘fit’ – where you feel you ‘belong’.
BTW, how’s that writing class going?
lceel’s last blog post..Tuesday Tale
October 14th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Hey girl, it was great to meet you! Let me know if you come across any more bargains, I’d love to have you guest post or contribute to A Girl Must Shop.
Megan’s last blog post..Go green with your jewelry
October 14th, 2008 at 9:09 am
That seemed like a very fun event, and it’s so nice that you were able to finally see your blog buddies. Although I haven’t been blogging too long, I’ve met a lot of really nice people and I even have someone I call my Cyber BFF who’s in Japan. I would really love to meet the people whose lives I know a lot about from their posts, and I know they know a lot about me, too.
katcarneo’s last blog post..Eraserheads Songs of My Life
October 14th, 2008 at 9:17 am
You said it exactly! Finally, we fit in! It was so great to meet you in person and the event totally exceeded my expectations too.
October 14th, 2008 at 9:37 am
I would SO jump at the opportunity. I finally have an account at blogher and am trying to learn my way around. I’m jealous!! They had one in SF but I did not yet belong, and there were scheduling conflicts. Next year lady…next year.
Grandy’s last blog post..A day in the life – Grandy Style
October 14th, 2008 at 10:37 am
So, so cool. It would be great to meet the bloggers I’ve come to know online. I hope BlogHer 2009 is closer to home! Glad you had a chance to go.
And I totally want your hair!
October 14th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Very cool… I would love to meet other bloggers and to be in the company of women who understand!!
I am lucky that my best friend is into blogging too, but beyond her I know the reaction your taking about
!!
Laura@StorytellinMama’s last blog post..My 100th Post…
October 14th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
It was awesome meeting you at BlogHer!! So yes, clearly I would jump at the opportunity to meet other bloggers
Loving your blog!
Sues
Sues’s last blog post..Goat-Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
October 15th, 2008 at 12:40 am
You look great! I love the pics and am glad you had a good time. I think I would go if it came to Chicago or Milwaukee, but it’s hard for me to travel to far without the kids
October 15th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
hi sandy,
that is so awesome that you got to go. so glad you had a fun time connecting with some you already knew
i don’t talk about blogging with people who don’t blog because i got THAT LOOK … that spacey odd look like you are crazy. LOL. oh well. i like it and i don’t have to convince anyone otherwise. this is my thing that i enjoy as a hobby and a form of me writing a journal (not the private journal but still a journal none the less).
i do this for me and it is fun. you do this for you and i know you enjoy this. you wouldn’t spend any of your time on this if you didn’t get some satisfaction from this hobby.
and so cool how you felt connected, like you fit in.
you do fit in sandy. you are as warm as a cozy comforter. you have a kind soul and i feel welcome by your posts, your comments here, and your comments and emails to me.
you rock.
^^take a bow^^
you are awesome, kathleen
so grateful to be mormon’s last blog post..opening a new chapter (forgiveness)
October 16th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Wow … dunno how I missed this post (other than the fact I’ve been overly busy this week and picked up your posts in the 365 megafeed instead of the usual way). How fun to see you with all this other bloggers … and I’m jealous that you’ve met JOY. Perhaps I’ll make it a point to learn more about BlogHer between now and the next conference … and consider showing up at the next one … maybe. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and photos.
Hugs and blessings,
storyteller’s last blog post..SkyWatch#16 – HF#82 … Colorful Clouds
October 17th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
When people find out I blog, it may as well be “she’s an alien”… so I don’t talk about it much.
So happy that you got to meet such great bloggers! It looks like you had a great time.
I am planning on Blogher ‘09 … I so hope you will be there too!
Karen MEG’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen – What a f?????
October 17th, 2008 at 7:56 pm