Lissaville

I know the BlogHer 09 conference ended over a week ago, but I still wanted to get my thoughts written down about my experience.  I attended my first BlogHer 09 conference in Chicago from July 24-25, 2009.  I was excited yet quite apprehensive about attending BlogHer 09 for the simple fact that I did not even have a blog started.  I continually told myself that going would be the much needed kick in the pants I so desperately needed to get my blog up and running.   I also wanted to attend to meet other women who blog, learn why they blog and, most importantly, learn some of the basic ins and outs of starting and maintaining a blog.  As the day quickly approached to head off to Chicago for BlogHer 09, my reservations about attending would not lessen.  I was anxious and feeling quite out of my comfort zone leading up to the day we were to shove off.  But Thursday, July 23 did arrive, and so, according to our plan, we packed the car up, got the kids set up in the back with snacks, video games and DVD’s, dropped the dog at the kennel and less than five hours later arrived in the great city of Chicago, anxieties and all. 

BlogHer 09 was held at the Sheraton but my family and I stayed at the downtown Marriott Residence Inn.  The plan was for me to walk to and from the Sheraton which was about a 15 minute walk each way.  My husband, the frequent business traveler, always stays in a Marriott and accordingly, so do we when we travel together.  (He has already hit the platinum level this year, which is a 100 stays, and their year starts February 1st!).  After we were settled in our room, my husband and I walked over to the Sheraton as he wanted to make sure that I, the directionally challenged member of our family,  knew exactly where I was headed come Friday morning.   

On Friday morning, after a light breakfast at the Marriott, I was off to attend my first BlogHer.  I was terrified at the thought of having to participate in the speed dating exercise which immediately followed the breakfast and welcome.  Surprisingly, though, it settled my nerves because the people I met during this exercise were somewhat impressed that I attended BlogHer before starting my blog – I even got a few, “I should’ve done that.”  After the speed dating, the highlights of Friday included meeting Heidi of Coast 2 Coast Mom,  attending two highly informative sessions at the Geek Lab (Blogging Basics and WordPress for Beginners), lunch with Heidi, checking out the Expo Hall, and attending the Patient blogger breakout session where Jenni Prokopy (Chronic Babe) was a presenter.  I didn’t attend the keynote because (a) I didn’t want to cry and (b) I was so overwhelmed (and tired) that I called it a day around 4:30 pm and headed back to my hotel.   There was a lot of information to digest, people to meet, sessions to attend, suites to find and parties to attend, which to me, especially by the end of the day, was quite overwhelming. 

The highlights of Saturday, Day 2 of BlogHer, included going on a walkabout with Kirsten from Lensbaby, courtesy of the Shutter Sisters , meeting Melissa of IS LY, on the walkabout,  having lunch with Heidi again, meeting Emma of Pleasure Notes, meeting Sian To of yummymummytips, a blogger from the UK, while waiting in line to meet Tim Gunn and then meeting Tim Gunn, scoring a coupon for a free pair of Gap (my favorite!) jeans and a coupon for five Hasbro board games.  My boys were so excited about the board games and the picture that Tim Gunn signed for each of them.  My biggest regret, however, was not attending the Leadership session with the BlogHer 09 International Activist Scholarship Winners as I opted to attend a session about Twittering instead.  After the Closing Keynote on Saturday which ended about 6 pm, I headed back to my hotel, full of inspiration and enthusiasm to start my blog.  I can honestly say I was inspired by the people I met and appreciative of their blogging wisdom and advice which they gladly shared.

My family and I left Chicago early Sunday morning and headed to Louisville, KY, my husband’s home away from home.  The boys and I stayed with my husband for a couple of days. He had to work during the day so the boys and I headed downtown to the Louisville Slugger Museum and then on to the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs.  As expected, I even managed to get myself lost while returning to the hotel after our day of sightseeing – I really do need to get a GPS! 

On Tuesday, the boys and I left for Muskegon, MI, a seven hour drive from Louisville.  We spent the night in Muskegon and early the next morning I dropped my oldest son off at camp for 10 days.  All in all, we had a fun trip, I had a great time at BlogHer 09 and we’re all really looking forward to making the trip to NYC so I can attend BlogHer 10!