BlogHer ’08. From what I’ve been reading, people either love it or hate it. Love the networking and camaraderie opportunities. Hate it if they feel left out or if there’s a sense that a conference is more important than the drama of real life.
I get the yin and yang of that. After all, I survived high school! 
But there is a significant energy here, and not just because of the high estrogen content in the conference rooms.
Fresh ideas and possibilities and opportunities abound. A change of scenery and a time out from the obligations of daily motherhood and punditry can be inspiring, and for me that’s what it’s been.
I’ve got some fresh ideas, am energized by the opportunities and a little scared of the amount of work that lies ahead for some of the projects I have percolating in my head. Plus, I’m excited about the meeting one of my favorite celebrities of all time!
Not to mention how much work the MOMocrats have to do between now and the end of August to get ready for the Democratic National Convention.
I realize this is just a bunch of vague ramblings, but that’s all I’ve got at the moment. I do want to tell you about the session with the representatives of the McCain and Obama campaigns, but I want to write something that reflects something more than reiterating their talking points.
After all, that’s what a PunditMom does, right??
July 19th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Adulthood is just a serious of experiences that mirror those high school years for us and no matter how much we grow and change, almost anything can throw us right back to 11th grade.
Blogher is a cool idea. The conference is even more cool. But some people are going to be left on the fringes just like kids are in high school – except they aren’t teens anymore and probably won’t passively accept having their importance defined for them.
There are a lot of great blogs/writers who aren’t wildly popular because they don’t cater to a niche, aren’t into extreme TMI, won’t do ads or review products or just haven’t the time/ability to promote themselves. Not getting a book deal or attracting sponsorship shouldn’t condemn anyone to the outer circles while having these things doesn’t necessarily mean a blogger is someone worthy of being a model to others.
Politics. Ugh. It’s why I never get ahead in the world. I am too good at being the devil’s advocate.
July 19th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
As bummed as I was to have missed BlogHer, was kinda relieved not to have to worry about “fitting in.” The SL Conference was actually really cool when the technology worked. Plus I could create whatever virtual look I wanted — cute figure and clothes!
Totally can’t wait to hear about those sessions with the candidates.
July 19th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Damn.
I wanted so badly to go to BlogHer, but just didn’t have the money.
And it did make me wonder to what extent BlogHer and blogging in general creates it’s own niches, even segregations. Are all the representative voices out there even, well, representative voices?
It would be nice to figure a way to get blogging in the hands of more women who could speak for themselves to an audience that might not normally hear them in their own words.
July 21st, 2008 at 2:26 pm
I wish I could have been there, high school anxiety or not. Maybe next year! Can’t wait to read all about the new ideas and projects you have!
July 21st, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Looking forward to hearing what you have to say and more.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:34 pm
It was so good to spend time with you & the MOMocrats and actually talk ideas! Too often BlogHer is just a rush of cocktail parties and small talk.
See you at the DNC in one month!
July 28th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
i went into blogher with a sense of gratitude for being alive + for every experience, so i enjoyed it much more than high school (that’s the benefit of age + tackling obstacles + meeting wonderful bloggers i admire, like punditmom!)
July 29th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
While a total newbie and certainly a tad on the fringes, I could not be MORE psyched about being there. I walked around, watched, listened, soaked it up. What a community of women and the force, for real, just the sheer impact of these bloggers, was evident. I walked away extremely inspired. Anyway, it was great to meet you. Along with Grover, for me you were kinda another celeb I got to meet!