(there could have not been a better location for a 5k at 8am)
What is it about BlogHer09 that wiped me clean of energy for three days? I'm not kidding, today is the first day since I've returned that I felt somewhat back to normal sleep and energy-wise.
How was BlogHer09? For me, it was hugely fun, touching, and re-energizing. I left the Roanoke airport Thursday evening and arrived two hours later in Chicago (slightly disheveled, that story is coming...) I met up with Krissie and Fat Bridesmaid in the bar and we had our first drink of the weekend together, luggage in tow. I was already spotting familiar faces, but still feeling too weird to actually approach anyone.
(krissie, me and miranda at the 5k. i was sweating the entire time, that's how i roll)
Friday morning we met up with 50 other women for a 5k along the shore, and spent the rest of the day at BlogHer09. Conferences, introductions, and way too much free stuff. Despite some of the negative feedback from BlogHer I have to say along with the others who enjoyed it, is that you get what you put into it. If you go negative, it will be. That said, for me, it was highly positive.
It was so exciting to be around women who get the same thing out of blogging as I do. Not only the therapy of writing, but the energy and drive I've gotten from reading other blogs. I started reading around my fourth year of college and mostly craft/design blogs. These were women who were not handed titles by their employer or college degree, they were who they made themselves and I found that greatly encouraging in a time when I was ready to leave college.
(Roni, Miranda and Krissie in the expo room)
Blogging has alowed women (and men) to become self-made, you can truly be whoever you want to be through your blog. This isn't to say making up false-truths about yourself, but simply exploring the unexplored and sharing it through your blog. If you love to cook, but never went to school for it? No problem. If you are sharing this experience with other people and learning, then in my book you have created your own space where you are a cook.
(that's me posing with mrs. potato head, we both love hats!)
You can create a place to share recipes, showcase your artwork, sell your graphic design, tell your stories that may otherwise never have been heard. For me, blogging is one of the best ways to "stick it to the man" you are who you make yourself. You have total control over where you are headed, and for me I just don't know where I'd be if it wasn't for writing in and reading blogs on a daily basis. I'd be much more boring, I know that for sure.
(krissie and miranda!)
Blogging has made me more confident in my abilities. Despite my rampant grammar/spelling/typo errors I still get emails from people telling me that they like my writing. But, I'm not a writer. I'm a writer, because I write. Blogging has made me a better cook, a better dresser, a better communicator and has opened the window to friendships I would not have had otherwise. Blogging has made me feel human and real despite feeling insignificant for most of my life due to my weight. I have explored and become more adventurous because "this would be awesome to blog about!" and has given me a way to make a little money when I had none.
This is why BlogHer excites me. What is not to love about a hotel full of women making something of themselves, expressing themselves and creating communities where there weren't any?
I shared a room with Krissie and Fat Bridesmaid, two girls that I've met through this blog. I've only met up with them once or twice before and you'd think we were friends for years. I met Cammie and Merry and AJ. It was so weird putting a face to a blog and the friendliness of meeting people you've never met, but yet knowing their story is surreal and comforting. I met Roni, which for me, was a highlight. I've been following her blog for years and she could not have been anymore as I imagined: energetic, down-to-earth, hilarious and authentic. I briefly met MizFit at the 5k and she was exactly as I imagined: fit, beautiful, and unapologetically herself. I saw Pasta Queen at the cheezburger party and stared at her because she was stunning. Like mind boggling stunning. My staring was creepy, but home girl glows.
And finally I can't leave out my brief encounter with the Pioneer Woman. There she was in the lobby with Marlboro man, Bill and her two sons. A fan was already chatting her up so I just stood there five feet away wondering what I could possibly say to this woman who has legions of followers on the internet? I stared at her, she stared at me, I looked away and she kept chatting with a lady about tractors. I chickened out six times and would not have done it if Krissie and FB weren't there inching me closer over to her.
She is tall and lovely and I loved her laugh. I've read about her tendency to be agoraphobic, so I didn't want to be the reader who pushed her over the edge, making her never want to go out in public again. I can't say that didn't happen as I stammered in her presence and called myself a "stalker", who says that? I wanted to tell her that I love that she loves living in the country even though she lived in LA. How, I love living in the country even though I lived in NYC. Oh and how making every single one of her recipes does not help me in achieving a former token fat girl status. Needless to say, I got a photo with her and BlogHer09 was complete. Eating at Wish Bone was up there too. And laughing at silly commercials and made-up jokes and shopping and well you get the picture.
(PW and Me. Don't tell anyone I considered framing this, k?)
I'll be there next year in New York (hoorah) with an extra tote bag this time.
Wow. This line is brilliant. Shook me to the core.
“Blogging has made me feel human and real despite feeling insignificant for most of my life due to my weight.”
I read it to Nathan. Thought he would share my reaction. Instead he just stuck out his bottom lip in sadness.
And I am so glad that I took the picture of you and Ree. I just love how happy you are!
I can’t wait until next year!
I enjoyed meeting you and I love hearing your thoughts on BlogHer. I think the weekend is what we made it for ourselves and you made it something fun and wonderful. I’m so glad you met Pioneer Woman. I went to the panel session she was in and found out she is soo wonderful (I’ve never heard of her before!).
I’ve read a lot of recaps of BlogHer and hands down, based on all three of your separate recaps, you, Krissie, & Miranda made the most of your time there. You guys had such a good time. I’m hanging with you three next year, whether you like it or not :}
Aside from that I love this post and your explanation of why you blog!
This post made me miss you more than ever. Sappy? Stalkerish? Eff that, it’s true.
I came across your blog some months ago (I think before you stopped for a while) and I was instantly drawn. I can’t put my finger on it. I think it might of been your name… I think we’ve all felt that way at one time or another… Anyway, I have thought, my entire life, that blogging was a buzz thing, nothing interesting… more like a mundane public journal. I never understood why so many went ga ga over it… that is until I came across yours.
like I said, I’m still not quite sure what it is… but you have me hooked.
Thanks for sharing.
I’m so glad you had a good time @ BlogHer! I’ve been away from the blogging world for a few years, but it seems like all of the strong female bloggers that I’ve recently started following ended up in Chicago. I SO wish that I could have been there to meet up with people I enjoy reading (like you!). In a totally non-stalker way.
PS – Pioneer Woman? Fab. And Bill. Oh, Bill.
It sounds like you had an awesome time! I guess one thing I’ve been wondering is, do you need to be a blogging superstar to attend? I’ve been blogging for a while now and would love to go, but wasn’t sure it’d be appropriate.
I’d love to try to go to next year’s in NYC.
You look great in your photos, btw! Thanks for sharing your positive experience.
So glad that Bolgher was such a success for you and your friends. I enjoyed your recap, made me feel like I should have been there.
love the photo of you and mrs. potato head! you two look beautiful!
oxo.
Looks like you had a blast! You look great, by the way.
Love your hair cut. I know you three ladies had a ball because you all make the most of what you have and know how to have fun! Pics are great and I always enjoy reading about your adventures!
I didn’t know you had changed your blog site! and I have missed your blogs! You and PW are my two favs.
Oh my goodness, I can’t believe how pretty you are!! And I would kill for your hair. Some girls have all the luck…
I tripped onto your blog while research “natural weight loss” for my own hopefull start up blog.
I can’t thank you enough for sharing your story about your experience with the stewardess. I have absolutely no idea how you kept from throtling (I have no idea if I spelled this right but you get the point) the woman.
I don’t think any heavy-set person has ever gotten on an air plane and not prayed to the “airplane god” that you will never ever ever again touch chocolate if the darned seatbelt will just, (please, please, please) fasten. The TOTAL mortification of being stared at like that would have caused me to put the blanket over my face for the entire ride (smile).
Good job!! You’re not up on charges for assault or murder (smile).
Linda Armstrong
Hey hey!
I hope you enjoyed BlogHer and the Sheraton. I actually work there and having so many exciting personalities and personal stories has truly inspired me to start writing again. One of my biggest obstacles in life has always been maintaining a comfortable weight… but here I am, trying again and hoping for the type of support all you bloggers showed me can truly exist!
Thank you.
I, too, am working on getting healthy by loosing weight and riding my bike. It’s a struggle and I WQRK hard to keep my calorie count low. Some days are harder than others. If I let up for an instant, I gain a couple of pounds. I’ve never read a blog before and I’m so glad I woke up early to research “blogging” and found you. You are so beautiful!
when I was about 11 when I walked at all my legs became chapped because I was so heavy. My Moms girlfriend said the best exercise for this problem was to lay on my back and cross my legs like a sizzors and go back and forth crossing my legs. This really does work. eileen