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September 2nd, 2010

This is the last one I swear

I have to write one more post about BlogHer. Yes, I know it has been over 3 weeks but I just have a couple more things to say. And they are important.

When I left for New York that early Wednesday morning I was nervous. Nervous to leave my husband and son behind. Nervous to fly. Nervous about throwing myself blindly into a situation with 2400 other humans that I’ve never met in a BIG city where I’ve never been.

I sort of alienated myself from the get go. I had a king size bed in a room all to myself. No roommate. Nobody to plan the day with. No buddy to gossip with in our pjs at the end of the night. No fallback friend. Just me.

Peace and quiet.
Peeing with the door open.
Sleeping in just a t-shirt and undies.
Not having to get dressed in the hot steamy bathroom after a shower.
Time alone whenever I needed it.

A roommate would have been too much.

This was bliss. I was alone but not lonely.

I can see how BlogHer has all the potential to be ridiculously overwhelming and invoke panic attacks—but I was okay.

BlogHer was great for me. I missed the drama. I didn’t really expect empty elevators or working internet so when I didn’t get those things I didn’t freak out. And when I did? I was just a little bit happier because of it.

I was in control of my weekend. I made it what it was.

I took from it exactly what I needed and left the crap—literally and figuratively—behind.

I came home with so much more than just swag.

The sessions I went to were engaging. The tears I dabbed away—shed without any shame—at the Voices of the Year keynote were somehow freeing. The people I met always made me feel welcome. And understood. I can’t imagine too many situations where I could stand in a ballroom wearing a paper bag on my head, with a drink in one hand and a vibrator in the other and NOT have people think I had gone mad.

That is BlogHer.

I got to experience it first hand.

And I have a little secret. I owe that opportunity to this lady. She gave me her ticket. Why she gave me the ticket is personal and something I want to keep that way for now. But know this, it was an unselfish act of kindness and for that I will be forever grateful.

And if I have any regret from my trip to New York and BlogHer, it would be that I wasn’t there late enough that Sunday to hug her in person and tell her just how monumental her gesture was.

August 30th, 2010

Yellow

One creamy like butter.
One bright like the sun.

Both grown with love in my yard.

Soft. Wet. Smooth. Rough.

Pollen clings to their legs and makes it hard to fly.

Mother Nature is so awesome.

August 25th, 2010

All the Beautiful People

What would BlogHer be without the people?

Nothing I tell you! NOTHING! Because isn’t that what it all really comes down to? The people. The ones you grow close to online. The ones you can’t wait to hug when you meet face-to-face. The ones you are learning of for the very first time.

So many people.

Fortunately, I found myself only surrounded by awesome people while in New York. How lucky am I?

And while I look kind of scary (like psychopath scary) in most of these pictures I have to share them. They are what BlogHer is really about for most of us.

Connecting.

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100_0461 Britt (I actually think this shot is pretty adorable)

100_0469 I really dislike this shot of me but Miss Banshee looks so fabulous!

100_0470 Jay and her condom earrings. (This is Saturday night, see the tired in my eyes?)

100_0474 Angie (we have kind of matchy blue eyes in this shot)

100_0477 Kate (clearly the one with all the superpowers)

100_0481 Kim putting my paper bag hat decor to shame.

August 24th, 2010

BlogHer10 and NYC—The Parties

When I was in my early twenties I LOVED going to the club on the weekend and dancing. I mean really loved it. Like there Thursday, Friday, and Saturday kind of love. And I danced all night long in high-heeled shoes and low-cut shirts. Damn I was a rock star.

That was over a decade ago.

How sad.

With a kid, a career, and responsibilities my partying days are a far cry from what they used to be. I am sure my body is thankful for that fact. Long gone are my days of dancing the night away at the club. And really, I am okay with that even if I do miss the dancing part a little bit.

And throwing a party? While I do LOVE to host a good party, that shit ain’t cheap. Plus, my friends NEVER want to pretend it’s American Bandstand in the living room. And? My Harry Buffalo tub has been long gone since that sleep-walking episode where I thought it was the toilet and only figured out AFTER I tried to flush it that I had just peed in an over-sized laundry tub. Tragic, I know.

Which brings me back to the fact that we just don’t party down too much these days.

So when I was in New York for BlogHer I went to a few parties. Quite a few of them. And there were lots more that I didn’t make it too. It was partypalooza. There was a little something for everyone.

And damn they were a good time.

On Thursday I went to the Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia party at the MSL offices (in one of the studios). There were fake eyelashes, diamond rings made out of pipe cleaners, paper crafts and food but no Martha. I did meet Lucinda Scala Quinn, who I used to watch ALL THE TIME on Everyday Food on PBS. She was lovely.

100_0393 The eyelashes look cute here but get creepy when you pull them out later 3 little lashes at a time.

100_0397 Beautiful view from the studio at MSL.

Me, Lucinda Scala Quinn, and a dude with a serious beard.

I also went to the Schick Intuition K.I.S.S. and Tell party that night. It was held at the Stone Rose in Columbus Circle. It was very shiny inside.

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Since the party was hosted by Schick part of the decor included three models pretending to shave their legs with Intuition razors. All. Night. Long. It was so bizarre that naturally the first thing I do after I get a drink is ask the girls if they would pretend to shave MY legs.

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They were really good sports about it.

The K.I.S.S. and Tell party also had live entertainment provided by this awesome violinist who rocked out with a DJ. I know it sounds ridiculous but trust me, it was kick ass. And then? The charming Gavin DeGraw played a few tunes for us.

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100_0442 I think MFAmama must have been drunk when she took this. Clearly that is why I look so frightening.

100_0444a I saw this as I left the party. How could I NOT share it with you?

Good times.

Friday was BlogHer’s Voices of the Year gala held right at the Hilton. I had another party to go to off site and I did not get to stay too long at this one. So I made it count while I was there.

I had the word “Inspire” painted on me by Melissa from ISLY. So very beautiful. So meaningful. So perfect.

100_0449 I’m not really pissed off. I swear.

Then I wrote on a thought bubble and was photographed old school Polaroid style.

polaroid_scan “YOU are Amazing!” Yes you.

And before I headed to my next event The Bloggess herself wrote me a poem.

bloggess poem “Anyone who knows the term “emulsion transfer” is too cool for me.
Thank you for slumming with me. –J Lawson”

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It’s okay to be jealous.

Next was the Aiming Low EzPz party at Robert Restaurant hosted by these marvelous chicks. HP sponsored this event and along with super yummy things to eat and drink there was a photo booth to end all photo booths. I don’t know what kind of magic was sprinkled in that camera trigger but everybody looked GORGEOUS in their pictures. No seriously. I want to construct one in my home. Immediately. And then take my picture in it every morning and show any person I come into contact with how smokin’ hot I am in black and white.

hp3 See? Even my paper bracelet looks good.

hp1 Me and the foxy Barefoot Foodie.

hp2 Multitasking.

And then Saturday. I almost skipped the party scene completely on Saturday. I had to be up at 4:30 on Sunday for my flight home. I still had to pack all my stuff. I was tired. But it was Sparklecorn. And CheeseburgHer.

Unicorn cakes. Paper bag hats. Dancing.

100_0471 Yes, that is the cake.

100_0463 I love the look on every face in this shot. Especially Britt & Robin.

100_0479 Oh yeah, and glow sticks.

When it came down to it, I really couldn’t NOT go.

Besides, sleep is overrated.

August 13th, 2010

BlogHer and New York—On a Bus

I was invited on a bus tour the Thursday afternoon I was in New York for BlogHer. It was the most touristy thing I did the entire time I was in the city. When I got the invite in my inbox a few weeks before I made the trip I thought the idea of it sounded fun. It also sounded like a great way to get a look at the city without much effort. And maybe take a picture or 100. Either way my DSLR would be in my purse ready to go.

The tour was hosted by Kodak and took place on a double-decker open top bus in the middle of a very sunny afternoon. It was gorgeous out—blue skies and puffy white clouds—and I had the sunburn that evening to prove it. What? Sunscreen is obviously for sissies. Or smart people. Anyway, along with the tour Kodak sent all the participants a really cool little point and shoot camera—the Kodak EasyShare M580 (mine was purple). And there was the catch of it all—on the tour you were asked to shoot with only the M580. So my trusty Canon stayed in my purse the entire afternoon.

You know what I discovered? It’s is a kick ass little camera. Even on a moving bus.

I also discovered that New York City has some AMAZING architecture.

And a lot of traffic.

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August 10th, 2010

BlogHer 10 and New York–Day One in Pictures

We made it to New York just after 1o a.m. on Wednesday morning. And with the exception of almost hurling in the cab—twice—on the way over the trip in was good. Even better was the fact that my non-roommate-having-no-bed-bugs-king-sized-bed-room was READY when we strolled into the Hilton New York at 11 a.m. Four hours before check-in. So my room became the luggage holding area for a couple of awesome ladies and we hit the pavement to check out the city.

After the hour and a half drive to the airport, the flight, and the cab ride all within 4 hours I was so done with transportation that wasn’t on foot. So we walked. The 90°+ weather in 100% humidity really only meant I’d need a second shower that day. No biggie.

We went to the ultra-charming Serendipity for lunch. A venture which would not be complete without Frozen Hot Chocolate.

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And saw love on Madison Avenue.

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Then I napped and showered before a night out with a friend I’ve known online for four years. We met in person for the first time in the lobby of the hotel that evening. I hugged her hard like an old friend. Twice. Bear hug style.

The two of us chatted without any awkward lulls over delicious Cuban food from Guantanamera. Things like chorizo with plantain chips, shrimp with yellow rice and veggies, and sangria were just as delicious as the conversation.

Then we walked down Broadway to Times Square.

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I could not stop singing George Benson. Complete with jazzy hand gestures. I’m not sure Whoopi was that impressed.

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When we had enough of walking amongst the crowd we hopped on the subway and went to the Trailer Park Lounge in Chelsea.

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The Trailer Park Lounge was just as spectacular as it sounds. Margaritas and kitsch. Mannequins. Tater tots. Moon Pies. Elvis.

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And just like that, Wednesday was over. We took the subway back to 57th and I parted ways with my old friend. Then I walked 4 blocks back to the hotel alone with a huge smile on my face. I knew in that moment that the weekend was going to be one I would never forget.

August 3rd, 2010

Blocks

I’m headed here.

For this.

If you are too, please say hello. If not, I’m sorry for the next 5 days of tweets, photos and updates that are sure to border on annoying. Multiple times.

August 3rd, 2010

I can’t be the only one that has discussed BlogHer with their therapist

Tomorrow I leave for a 5 day trip to New York. By myself. Well, that’s not exactly true. I’m traveling with a couple of very hip ladies. When we get to NYC I’m meeting another fabulous lady I’ve know through the internets for nearly five years. And then there is the fact that there will be around 2400+ other women (and a few men) hanging around with a similar agenda. BlogHer.

But I’m not traveling with family. I’m not traveling with my best friend and my little boy. I’m traveling with people I know just a little. Frankly, it is freaking me out a bit.

Add to that the fact that I’ve never been to New York or to a conference centered around blogging and my anxiety levels are off the charts right now.

I kind of want to puke.

I also want to have an amazing time. I want to meet new people. Connect with friends I’ve only known online. Learn. Laugh. Photograph.

I’m not packed yet. I’m trying. Clothes are out. Shoes are too. I even have a surge protector strip tossed in my suitcase. And snacks. So it’s a start.

I’m also really good at procrastinating.

That does nothing for the anxiety.

And let me just say that when you do laundry every couple of days and rarely attend cocktail parties, it is really hard to put together outfits for 5 days that don’t showcase the fact that you will happily wear the same pair of jeans several days in a row. With t-shirts. And very little make-up. Which is why the clothes are out. I had to make sure I actually had enough things to wear for 5 days. I kind of fail at the whole fashion thing.

I’ll pack all the cords, memory cards, and various electronics up as soon as everything gets a nice fresh charge.

I’ll sleep like shit Tuesday night in anticipation of the 5 a.m. alarm Wednesday morning.

I’ll probably cry when I leave my husband and son behind.

Hopefully I won’t puke.

And at some point Wednesday morning I’ll descend upon New York City for the first time in my life.

I’ll have an amazing time. I’ll meet new people. Connect with friends I’ve only known online. Learn. Laugh. Photograph.

I can’t wait.

Be gentle with me New York. I’m just a little worm burrowing my way through the Big Apple this weekend.

August 1st, 2010

Family fun thanks to 1985

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Personally I don’t remember this game at all from my childhood. Peng Win is one of those Milton Bradley gems that JQ played with back in the 80s. Somehow his parents hung on to it for all these years.

Now it has come home to us. And although nobody in this household fits the scant 4 year age range of 4–8, we all had fun kicking penguin ass.

Anybody else remember this game?

July 28th, 2010

This is the last one I swear

Yellow

All the Beautiful People

BlogHer10 and NYC—The Parties

BlogHer and New York—On a Bus

BlogHer 10 and New York–Day One in Pictures

Blocks

I can’t be the only one that has discussed BlogHer with their therapist

Family fun thanks to 1985

Unexplored surfaces and alien life forms

my low-res life

finding order

looking back

support the arts