Ok, I am going to give you my BlogHer recap. You have read many, most are likely better than this. First thing first. I have attended every BlogHer, from the first one in 2005 until this one. The first one was an awesome losing your virginity conference. Where it didn’t hurt and you could still talk to the person afterward. You didn’t date but remained friends. Some of those friends have changed but many new friends have been made.
The hugosity of BlogHer makes it impossible to see and hug and talk to everyone you want to and I accepted that this year. Sadly, I knew I wouldn’t see everyone I wanted to, let alone have a conversation of any kind with some fabulous women and hey more dudes than ever!
For me, 2009 was the best conference ever for me. I attended some awesome panels, the keynote was kickass, just like last year and I spent some quality time with some good people. I also saw Amy Turn Sharp’s bare ass. I am going to link to the people I spent time with or people who were awesome and likely I will miss some, but I like because you should know who is great and read them or follow them if you do not already. I also think that the link love is a homage to those who I was able to connect with – briefly or more than that.
I had lunch with Amy and Jess and dragged them shopping almost as soon as I arrived. We had a nice lunch and I bought a new purse! I was able to see Jess more during the weekend and she had the most fabulous outfits and we again connected at a heart level. We are simliar in the important ways. I did not change my reservation from single person to double person to Schmutzie and the Palinode were shipped off to Jess’ room so we didn’t HAVE to have a threeway in the king size bed. Jess has two Queens. Size beds I mean.
I was lucky enough to have Alana from Letter B directly above me to knock three times on the floor if she wanted me. AND, I met her sister, who I am smitten with. Kara, I love you lady.
The first night I was there I needed to eat food, at a table, with forks and knives and I forced myself upon the lovely ladies of kirsty and had the most amazing time. They endured my crazy and it was just so lovely! IT was Gwen Bell’s birthday and I do not have a photo, but she made her freakin’ birthday cake herself. So yummy, so yummy. I promised Gabby from Design Mom not to create a Design Mum website and put up crappy stuff instead of the beautiful, which she dilgently posts for us. Laura Mayes let me touch her ruffles and hey, did you know there is a kirsty book coming? I am also smitted with Laurie Smithwick, almost so that I would like to move to Charlotte and set up a new life there. This sushi fest (and raspberry mojitos) set the tone for the rest of the weekend and I thank these ladies from the bottom of my heart. Thank you again.
Favourite panel was Room of Your Own: Dying is Easy, ROTFLMAO Comedy is Hard. Funny, inspiring and ass numbing in that I had to sit on the floor to crowd in a packed PACKED room. Fantastic women. The Community Keynote is still worth the admission to BlogHer, and if you missed THAT and didn’t have any good take away from the conference than you are cold and dead inside. Brain child of Eden from fussy.org, this is a diamond of the conference. Even though I missed Eden and will forgive her eventually. Alana also did an awesome panel on microblogging, which was great and if you aren’t already following @momku on twitter then DO IT NOW!
I got hugs, but not enough time with Kelly, Polly, The CheezBugHer ladies, Genie Alisa , Grace Davis, amalah, Karen, KarenSugarpants, jen of PooBou.com , Jenny and Jen oh god, ok I cannot continue, but oh so many awesome ladies. And Again, DUDES! Oh and my love Helen Jane, who wasn’t feeling well. I missed you so much.
The Shutter Sister’s Suite was sweet and filled with lovely ladies. It was like being in cool water after a hot day. I was lucky to fly to Chicago and back with the Redneck Mommy! The Sparkle Corn party, is best seen in photos and it was the best BlogHer party I have been too. Kudos to Tracey and Catherine and all those behing that extravaganza of awesome. I also went to the Room704 party where I was able to commune with those awesome ladies, the Flinger, Dawn, Vdog and Sarcastic mom and I had a gut duel where I clearly won. OH, and I got to have some awesome wine and giggling with Laurie, Sarah (who’s boobs looked amazing) and Devra. AND I got some great hugs and smoochies from the LOVELY Sarah Dopp. I was able to let the Wombat bounce on my knees as well as get a good hold on Simon and Leah for more than a few minutes.
I had two bried but fantastic mini conversations with both Jen Lemen and Andrea who wrote this post that I wanted to thank her for.
The swag angst? I got some nice things, other things I did not take, and I called down to the front desk and they said I could leave a note for housekeeping to take anything I couldn’t fit in my suitcase along with my tip, but I had to leave a note or it would go to LOST AND FOUND. Mental note for next year.
The PR, marketing penetration and sponsorship discussion – very well done by Liz of Mom-101. I cannot and will not try and say it better. There have been other posts on the same topic, but Liz links a lot of them and you will probably come across them in other people’s BlogHer posts. Aslo read Elisa Camhort of Blogher’s post on the aftermath of the conference. Great people, those BlogHer organizers.
I fondles SueBob’s red stapler. Again 
I met Carson Kressley
I also got it on with
I have very few other photos that I will upload later.
Bottom line: best ever BlogHer Con.
