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.
She is amazing, I love her for doing what she did. hugs to both of you!
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Holly {ArtistMotherTeacher} Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 3:11 pm
I love her for it too. I can’t even begin to express in words the impact she made on my life.
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Yay. I’m glad she gave you the ticket and I got the chance to hang with you. Nic is awesome and so are you.
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Holly {ArtistMotherTeacher} Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Nic is amazing. She didn’t want to send the trolls my way so she never mentioned that she gave her ticket to me. I say fuck the trolls. Nic deserves to be acknowledged for her generosity and all around awesomeness. And I’m so glad she “introduced” us on twitter. Hanging with you was definitely a good time.
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cripes. i’ve been typing and deleting and typing and deleting repeatedly.
our story… this story… is yours to tell, should you choose.
“I was in control of my weekend. I made it what it was.”
holly, you ARE in control and making each day what it is, right now. i savor our precious friendship. the impact you made on my life is tremendous.
we’ll get our hug… i’m certain of it.
love you, lady.
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Holly {ArtistMotherTeacher} Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 4:06 pm
I know you didn’t want me to out you out of fear that those nasty trolls would somehow poop on my parade. I always planned on doing it anyway. NONE of it would have happened had it not been for you. I’m sure of that because I would not have been there otherwise. You have made a true impact on me Nic—in more ways then one.
When we do get that hug, don’t be surprised if I hold on just a little too long.
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nic @mybottlesup Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 4:42 pm
yeah, the troll factor played into it. it’s one thing when they come after me, in my home, on my blog. i didn’t (still don’t) want that for you… especially months ago, when our discussion about this started and life circumstances were a bit more… fragile (?)
i can’t imagine the weekend having gone any differently. your experience in NYC, from the tweets to the post-blogher posts you have written have probably been the MOST enjoyable i have read.
you’re joyous, holly. your inner and outer beauty just radiates joy.
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Holly {ArtistMotherTeacher} Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Sigh…a million hugs to you. Nay, a million and one. And some tissues.
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One more reason to like Nic because you were definitely a bright spot in my weekend. I hope we cross paths again.
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Holly {ArtistMotherTeacher} Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 4:08 pm
I hope so too! I really enjoyed meeting you. And every time I look at that picture of the two of us I can’t help but giggle. It’s just that epic.
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Kate, aka guavalicious Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Me too! Would you mind emailing me it? I didn’t take any pictures that weekend and would love to print that one off.
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Holly {ArtistMotherTeacher} Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Absolutely!
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What an amazing gift Holly. And I loved that you saved it for your last blogher post.
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Holly {ArtistMotherTeacher} Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Thank you. It was important to me that my tale ended this way. Without Nic I would not have gone this year. She played a very important role in my journey.
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Holly, Holly. Holly said: @MyBottlesUp Pssst. If you have a minute or two.
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Next year you’re rooming with me and Allison. And we will all pee with the door open. And you’ll like it!
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Holly {ArtistMotherTeacher} Reply:
September 5th, 2010 at 8:41 am
I am not sharing a bed with you. Just sayin’.
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What an amazing gesture and an amazing friend. I am so happy she was able to give this opportunity where you obviously shined your light on several people and made it your positive experience and adventure.
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Holly {ArtistMotherTeacher} Reply:
September 5th, 2010 at 8:42 am
She is an amazing friend and one I didn’t really know until January. Crazy how the world works sometimes.
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