BlogHer-doon (BlogHer '11)

Did it really happen? Was I just in San Diego with thousands of lady-bloggers? It all happened so fast, and after months of anticipation, it seemed to become a memory before it even began. Like Brigadoon, it’s a conference that appears but once a year, and all the bloggers look like Cyd Charisse (after I’ve had a few vodkas). And then, and it disappears into the mist. BlogHer-doon.

Before I left, I admitted to my blog wife Vikki that part of me just wanted to curl up in the corner of the hotel room, order French fries from room service and clean out the mini-bar. My dad died only weeks before the conference, and while I wasn’t feeling particularly sad about the man who stopped speaking to me years ago, it did seem a bit odd to be packing party clothes. Vikki assured me we would have a good time. Thanks to her, I did. And it’s not because we cleaned out the mini-bar…because sadly there was no mini-bar! I highly recommend rooming with a hilarious yet sensitive lesbian humor blogger if your dad dies before BlogHer…but you can’t have mine.

I’ll be honest about my third BlogHer conference. I had few expectations. Last year, I had my moment in the spotlight and frankly didn’t think I couldn’t top that experience. I didn’t. But, that’s ok. I wasn’t looking for the spotlight what with the death n stuff. I went to hang out with Vikki and witness her panel-glory as she shared honest and sage advice about peer networking…and sailing. I wanted to reconnect with some of the amazing ladies I met last year and find new energy and motivation to blog. And, I looked forward to time away from motherhood. If I were to glean any words of wisdom at panels or make new friends (obliging me to read more blogs), it would be a bonus. I didn’t even leave room in my suitcase for swag…so I had to ship it home. Hey, that neti pot is bulky, and I preferred not to pack the vibrator in my carry-on luggage.

Was BlogHer ’11 worth the price of the ticket? Yes’m. I got out of it exactly what I wanted.

When I started blogging, I thought I’d write and then people would read what I wrote and that would be that. I was not interested in making friends in a virtual world. I figured online communities were great for those isolated souls who couldn’t find like-minded people in their own towns. But I was set, thank you very much. Eventually, I let my online guard down and came to realize how bionic it is to be able to connect with phenomenal people I wouldn’t have met if not for the blogosphere. And meeting them in the flesh at BlogHer? To quote Lil C talking about the dancers on So You Think You Can Dance this season, BUCK.

Next year, BlogHer ’12 is back in New York. No airfare. No time-difference. No 8-hour delay BOTH FUCKING WAYS during which time I sat in the Admiral’s Club for a $99 monthly fee where I plugged-in, chilled-out and pretended to be fancy. I got my money’s worth.

When the mist dissipates in August, do join me and all the enchanted bloggers of BlogHer-doon for a weekend of merriment and dance and a round of spoons at the BlogHer after-party in our hotel room. Who’s in?