Next year can you have more scheduled “nap time”, please?July 31st, 2007 @ 7:01 am
I went to BlogHer with really only two expectations. The first thing I wanted was to meet friends in person. I hoped that it would be amazing. And, of course, it was. Seriously, spending time with wonderful women is always good.
That was only one of things I hoped to walk away with. The other thing is I wanted to learn some more technical stuff and maybe take this little website to the next level. I’m not too sure what the next level is, but you know, I wanted to figure that out and how to get there. I had looked over the class schedule months ago and planned on taking quite a few technical and professional classes.
That all changed with the first class I attended. I had planned on going to something all professional and techy until Zoot informed us that she had heard that the Naked Blogger class would have goody bags that may or may not include a sex toy. Hey, plans change.
Yes, I did get a sex toy (I borrowed this picture). Yes, it’s still in the package waiting to be used as the best White Elephant gift ever. But more importantly, in this class I got to listen to bloggers talk about blogging and why they blog.
What was the best thing I learned in this specific class? Yeah, it was the part where Sarcastic Journalist stood up and told us all to never, ever under any circumstance check your blog at work. She did. And she lost her job and got disowned by her family. And this is the part where I threw up in my mouth a little. Because you know, I’ve checked my blog at work a few hundred times.
Later that day I went with Lizzy to a class on tolerance on the web. I was hoping to learn something about how we treat each other. I was anxious to hear the stories from the panel members. But them something happened, one of the panel members hijacked the class and began (almost) bragging about how she likes to stir things up on the web. To me stirring things up means not being tolerant. Am I right, or am I right?
It seemed to me that the other panel members were uncomfortable. The moderator seemed to have lost control. It was not her fault. She was awesome. The other panel members were awesome. It was just that one lady. Lizzy was so upset about it all that she got up and left the room. She said she saw others in the hall that had done the same thing.
After this class was over I began having fewer expectations about the other classes. I think the planners for the conference totally had the best intentions when they picked the speakers for each class. Totally. I just felt like the the classes were very organic and just took on a life of their own. And not always in a good way.
Oh well, the catered food was t-a-s-t-y. And plentiful.
I learned quite a bit from the technical class taught by Zoot and Slackermama. I was a little nervous about attending since I didn’t have my laptop with me. But that worked out just fine since I took notes like crazy. I can’t wait to get all hooked up with plugins and widgits. Since now I know all about plugins and widgits. (Note to Lizzy, don’t forget to get a self-hosted Wordpress site.)
I originally hadn’t planned on attending the Craft Blogger class that Amy Sedaris was speaking at. After going back and forth I realized I would probably only ever have this one chance to see her. So I stayed. And I’m glad I did. Not only was Amy hilarious but being introduced to some craft blogs to check out is a good thing. I need more crafts to do in my spare time.
Were my two expectations met? I’m not too sure that I actually walked away knowing way more about blogging, or my blog specifically. Am I disappointed about this? Not at all. I did learn some new things and I got excited about learning more. Being in one place with so many other bloggers was awesome.
So was it worth it for me to attend BlogHer? Heck yes it was.
If I wouldn’t have been there I wouldn’t have gotten this awesome (?) picture of myself playing the drums at the Children’s Museum. (Babboo loves the drums, so this was my lame attempt at giving him a little shout-out.) I wouldn’t have been able to eat some deliciously catered food (Saturday morning breakfast, I’m talking to you). I wouldn’t have been able to stand on the rooftop at the Navy Pier and look out over Lake Michigan (it’s Lake Michigan, right?) and be surrounded by women who amaze me.
I also wouldn’t have been able to get this picture of the lovely Mrs. Squirrel passed out, mere seconds after meeting Chloe Dao. (It’s Mrs. Squirrel’s birthday today, so go and send her some interweb love.)
What are my suggestions for BlogHer ‘08? Maybe better training for the moderators. Maybe less discussion from the audience members. Maybe just save that part until the end of the session. Definately, more down-time. Give us some time in the afternoon to maybe go back to our hotel rooms and drop off our swag. For sure, no doubt, more time between the last class and the cocktail party. Dude, all I wanted to do was sneak back to my room and brush my teeth and apply some face powder. But there was only 15 minutes, which was not even close to enough time.
Oh, and while I’m giving suggestions, is there anyway you can work Rhett Miller into the format for next year? And maybe holding BlogHer in Seattle? I hear they have a rocking Convention Center.
BlogHer07
Heather B.
said,
July 31, 2007 at 5:18 pm
And here I thought you came to the naked blogging panel to see me. But no, it was for the free dildo. I feel so special right now.
Thank god, you’re so cute and pretty or else I’d be very upset.
Jeannette
said,
July 31, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Glad you had a great time at BlogHer, it really makes me jalous not to be a blogger
I saw pics on Mrs. Squirrel Flickr and they’re awesome.
Oh and btw I know it’s been changed a while ago, but I love your new head banner (is that the word?)
Laurel
said,
July 31, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Getting fired for checking your blog is freaky. Thank god I work for a primative nonprofit organization where my coworkers sometimes play Halo against each other in the afternoon!
This makes my blogging sins seem relatively tame, right?
Rachel
said,
July 31, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Sounds like all in all it was an informative conference. There are sooooo many things about having a blog that I want to learn. Technical stuff.
Guess I’m gonna have to teach myself for now.
CPA Mom and Soccer Mom Angela
said,
July 31, 2007 at 5:59 pm
dude, you have to tell me which moderator was bragging about being an asshat like that. so i can make sure she’s not the one doing that to me.
good summary of the conference. i’m glad you had a good time.
slackermommy
said,
July 31, 2007 at 6:13 pm
That really sucks about the member on the panel who gets off on stirring things up. So glad I didn’t go to that one. I can’t stand people like that. You must tell us who it was.
It was really great meeting you.
Emily
said,
July 31, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Ok, so after reading your run-down, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’d like to go to meet fellow bloggers and hang out at cool places. The classes? Not so much. So maybe Whitney and I will come next year, pretend like we’re part of the whole deal and just show up for the after parties!
Carrisa
said,
July 31, 2007 at 6:42 pm
You know I feel a bit like you do about it all Isabel. Was it worth the $205 for the conference ticket? Hell yeah. Even if I hadn’t attended any of the sessions it would have been worth it. Because a) the food was good and plentiful b) tons of free swag is awesome even if it does weigh you down and make you miserable c) you will meet incredible women at the most random spot that you might not be able to find later at the cocktail party.
Then there was that whole “easiest $200 I ever made in my life” which basically covered the cost of the conference.
And if it’s held in Seattle next year you are so putting up the ladyblogs at Casa Isabel.
Operation Pink Herring
said,
July 31, 2007 at 7:20 pm
If I went to BlogHer, it would be primarily to meet all my blog friends. Learning things would just be a bonus.
I have to go rinse my mouth out now, since I threw up a LOT after reading that article.
Jackie
said,
July 31, 2007 at 7:55 pm
Most of the sessions I attended were almost completely Q&A from the audience, and while I appreciate being able to learn from others, I really didn’t learn much from the panels (who I assume were chosen for their expertise). It was lazy that the sessions were mostly audience questions (and a good portion of the questions were off topic). But the food was tasty (except day two lunch, but I’m in the minority there), the wine was free (hell yeah), and the opportunity to meet so many wonderful women was priceless. Can’t wait for BlogHer ‘08!
Angela
said,
July 31, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Oh, they should soooo have it in Seattle! Then maybe I could actually make it next year. I don’t consider my blog my job or possible future income, so I’d really just like the meeting people part best, but I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to try to learn a few more techy things!
Christar
said,
July 31, 2007 at 8:06 pm
That is so neat! Again, I wish I was better at blogging. But I’ve already met you and your awesomeness, so I think that’s probably one of the coolest things that my blog has done.
P.S. Can I ask what Swag means? Is that a dumb question?
Amanda Brown
said,
July 31, 2007 at 8:15 pm
I second the motion to hold BlogHer ‘08 in Seattle! I’m just a short drive (7 hours is shortish)from there and would be able to come. I have really enjoyed hearing everyone’s thoughts on the conference, so thanks for sharing.
HollowSquirrel
said,
July 31, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Dude, when did I lay/lie/whatever on the ground? I don’t remember that at all. Was I being all dramatic tired?
Isabel: You were being both dramatic and tired. (Actually you were just taking a picture of Lizzy on the drums.)
Eris
said,
July 31, 2007 at 8:48 pm
You know I want details. REAL details. Especially after everything I heard last year. Feel free to email me about all the drama! So I can stir things up! Because I am a dumb bitch! Or not, because seriously, I am happy to hear that you had a good time. And creeped out by the dildo. I would have gone with vibrators.
Isabel: I don’t lie…the ladies were all super cool & dreamy. No drama from the people I hung out with. And if there was drama some place else at the conference….I was nowhere near it.
Eris
said,
July 31, 2007 at 8:51 pm
…but you could still email me details….
Frema
said,
July 31, 2007 at 9:32 pm
I’m sorry you didn’t get more out of the sessions. I had mixed feelings about some of them, too, for the same reasons you did: many of them ran off course and spent too little time on presenting actual information. The “Technical Tools to Build Traffic” session was awesome, though. You so should’ve gone to that one!
janet
said,
July 31, 2007 at 9:52 pm
good post. It’s nice to hear a little about the non-social side of the conference in the midst of all the loving lovefest going on (which, I love)
gorillabuns
said,
July 31, 2007 at 10:01 pm
i really went to see amy sedaris.
and whoorl.
and metalia.
and to have three days of no one screaming for chocolate milk every hour on the hour.
i’m with you on the LESS noise from the audience and MORE from the panel/experts.
Marilyn
said,
July 31, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Heh. You can totally see the back of my head on the far right in that first picture!
I agree with you on what you’d like to see for BlogHer 08, 110%. I definitely thought some sessions would have been better if we could have heard more exclusively from the panelists.
Lizzy
said,
August 1, 2007 at 12:30 am
well summed up, isabel.
especially the bit about THAT session. and you wouldn’t be spilling the goods if i were to say THAT woman that hijacked the panel HAPPENED to be sitting on the far right of the second photograph…
i mean…
seriously: i think the sessions need a little more structure. my feeling was that a lot of the attendees had a lot to say, and not always in constructive ways. i think a lot of attendees felt they needed to validate themselves with making a comment–i guess i had that feeling myself during one or two of the sessions.
so, for blogher ‘08: more structured, focused sessions with more aggressive moderators (jory was great in the momosphere session, for instance). and yes: more time between sessions, especially between the final session of the day and the cocktail party. i for one would’ve appreciated a shower and a change of clothes. actually, i’m sure many of y’all would’ve appreciated that.
sarcastic journalist
said,
August 1, 2007 at 1:38 am
I liked the picture of the back of my head
I KNEW I should had got a hair cut. Anyway, I’m hoping that others will learn and not be as stupid as I was. And sometimes still am.
Off to google the live blog of the Intolerance Panel.
sarcastic journalist
said,
August 1, 2007 at 1:39 am
Here is a link to the live blog of Intolerance Panel, if anyone is curious.
metalia
said,
August 1, 2007 at 3:10 am
I LOVE YOU. We did not get to hang out nearly enough.
SJ
said,
August 1, 2007 at 3:41 am
It was nice to hear more about the conference, gives me a good idea about what to expect if I just so happen to make it next year.
Well some things I guess
Chas
said,
August 1, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Is Amy Sedaris a crafter?? She is freakin’ hilarious. I would have had to attend that one too.
Amy W
said,
August 1, 2007 at 2:03 pm
I have read alot about the classes not being as expected…
I totally read blogs at work, but do not update mine at work. I do not write anything about my coworkers either.
Nic
said,
August 1, 2007 at 6:00 pm
I’m jealous that you got to meet so many awesome women, but I have to say that I’m thrilled that you were honest about your experience as well. It’s one thing I always count on here in hola, isabel land, you’re going to be honest. You’re not going to be brutal, you’re just going to be nice and honest.
I’ve really wondered about the workshops and sessions because as someone who routinely considers starting a personal blog, I wonder how helpful they’d be, but the social stuff definitely seems worth it.
liz
said,
August 2, 2007 at 7:03 pm
if rhett were there, i would totally go…but i’m not even a “blogger” or anything. i mean, i have a blog, and i occasionally write stuff on it, but not really. anyhow, i am going to see the old 97s tomorrow night….squeeeee.