blogher final post

So let's finish up my recollecting, shall we? Here are the final details of what I did.

The Community Keynote was as promised – the absolute highlight, the shining star, the raison d'etre as far as I am concerned. I sobbed in such a severe way that one table mate had to come give me a hug. For me it was this post that did it. I cried at lots of them (and laughed at lots of them) (and did both at one of them in particular) but that blackhockeyjesus guy managed to rip out my soul a bit. And fine, yes, maybe it WAS because I had left my baby for the first time to be there. Fine. Whatever.

The Saturday morning keynote was excellent – three brilliant women (Ilene Chaiken, Tina Brown and Donna Byrd) talking about new media. It is worth a watch (this page has all blogher video so you have to find the right one). I will say this, though – I can't be the only one in the room who kind of stopped listening and started daydreaming when Tina Brown said something about how she had found writers she would love to publish through blogs and something something about taking business cards or something?

I did play hookey once during the conferrence but only because I had promised myself months ago, as soon as I heard of its new wing's recent opening, that I would see the Chicago Art Institute. I had a lovely walk along Milennium Park and missed Wes like crazy as I saw ever more awesome public art installations, some masquerading as wading pools.

I probably shouldn't have gone to the sponsored v. unsponsored battle panel discussion smackdown because it just bothered me. Though I suppose it helped me solidify my new opinion, which is that I don't actually care what anyone does with their blogs. I don't have to read them if I don't like them. Just don't sneak in paid content and we're cool. Hell, if you want to sneak in paid content, be my fricking guest. I will consider you an unethical asshole but you won't be the reason I can't sleep at night.

There. I actually think I have just summarized all my opinions on review blogging and now do not need a separate post for it.

While Patient Blogging was the most emotional session, Comedy was not only the funniest but also the most inspiring. We talked not only about how to be funny but how to WRITE. Imagine! This has led to lots of wonderful discussion at BlogHer about a possible Writing track for next year, for which I am not above begging.

I already mentioned the lizard and Mrs. Potato Head, right?

That Cocktail party was also notable for the fact that I met Moxie and got all flummoxed and told her she was famous and then felt dumb.

Later I went to the one big party taking place that night, BowlHer. I chatted with a fellow NY'er for a bit and then was pathetic and alone until Marinka and friends asked me to bowl with them. They had entered their friend's name in the bowling system and then she didn't show, so I was known as Fake Tracy or something. I am not sure they ever actually learned my name and I lost really miserably and then I was alone again.

BowlHer being the last thing was really depressing.

Fortunately, brunch with Liza and Polly was the very last thing. And then Liza drove me to the airport and that was also lovely.

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Here are the other reasons I didn't have enough fun at BlogHer:

- I wore heels all day Friday. I promised myself that I would just wear them during my panel and then I would run upstairs and change. But I didn't. Vanity got the better of me and by Friday night I was hurting. Saturday I was limping. When I got off the plane Sunday I was shuffling and stumbling. It was really dumb and plays a huge role in why I had a bad attitude about things.

- I didn't drink nearly enough. I drank a demure 2-3 drinks each night, never lost all my inhibitions (though I will admit that night with Liza and the inappropriate breastfeeding jokes was awesome – I would have done that sober, though), and didn't dance at parties and didn't talk to people at BowlHer. I regret not dancing. But the suckiest part is that I still woke up feeling kind of like ass each day, those few drinks enough to make me feel dehydrated and yucky. What the fricking eff is it with getting older? How do I get my tolerance back? This bites.

- I didn't listen to Mel when she told me that small gatherings were better and therefore missed all my opportunities to go to nice little dinners with people. Lesson learned.