Restorative Trucks.

Hank likes to watch a show his parents swear is called "Trucks" but through my ears....it sounds less innocent.

The day after Blogher finished Hank snuggled up with his mom to watch (so called) "Trucks" and drink a bottle. I like to think the entire week after Blogher where I slept a lot was my version of cuddling with my mom in my favorite blanket while watching Trucks and drinking a bottle of milk.

Blogher was really great for me this year. A very close second to the first year that blew my mind.

I'll candidly admit that my second trip to Blogher was a little weird. I don't know what happened exactly, I spent time with my friends and met quite a few new people I still really like that year, but I walked away feeling a little terrified. Also very sleepy.

This time I knew what I wanted from this conference. I wanted to meet a list of about 20 people and a few extras I didn't know I wanted to meet until I met them.

I also wanted to spend time with my favorite people, meet one of my favorite people's husband, meet new people I'm awfully fond of, spend a little time with newly favorite people (but luckily I get to see them again this fall in Chicago), attended the launch party for a new site I'm thrilled to be a part of, acted as professional fluffer at said party, only not in that way. More in the sense that I fluffed about 30 paper floofs we decorated with. I also participated in a panel for the first time and managed to not cry even once.

I don't know what made the difference this year as opposed to the second year.

There was drama both years, but maybe with 1000 attendees to absorb the drama I didn't feel very much of it. I also knew exactly what I wanted from this conference and if that meant walking around by myself and missing a couple meals with my friends, it was worth it for my state of mind.

I would do a big list of everyone I met and talked to and liked a lot but you know how those things go. (Badly.)

Just know that, just like I said (or at least thought....nerves....) on our panel, after 5+ years of doing this website, I still keep growing my community and that is worth more than I ever thought it could be.

Comments

[Middle-Aged-Woman]

So, I'm thinking of attending next year. When that gets close, would you be willing to share tips on making it a successful conference with us newbies? Or, maybe since we are women, it should be noobies?

[Meg]

I second that request from the first poster. I would love to attend Blogher but it seems intimidating.
Also, where can we find floofs? I want to be a fluffer too! I think they're great and would love to use them for an upcoming party.

[Assertagirl]

I sure wish I had introduced myself to you in the hotel lobby bar on Saturday. I was just sitting at the next table drinking a martini the size of my head. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself so much this year! It's a bit tough to let the drama bounce off of you. An acquired skill, if you will...

[anna]

I'd like to attend BlogHer as well . . . but what is going on in Chicago?

[suziMN]

I'd love to attend next year's conference. Melissa, the reason your community keeps going is because your website ROCKS, you introduce us to other great website (MIGHTY GIRL, HAUS, GOODS, etc, etc! And, you inspire others (me!) to start blogging. :)

[MelissaS]

I will be making more floofs for Logan's birthday party. I'll post a tutorial.

Assertagirl: You should have!

My biggest tip for going to Blogher is NEVER EVER GO WITHOUT A WINGMAN!!!! You must have at least one good friend you're hanging out with.

Finally, Chris (notesfromthetrenches) and Susan (fridayplaydate) were invited to something I was not invited to in Chicago. So I'm going to drive over and spend time in the city and with them when they're free. I am also going to sleep in their hotel room and they don't know it yet.

[Michelle]

I'm thinking of attending next year as well. It just sounds so awesome!

[Jen]

I just gotta say, I was a newbie this year to Blogher and went without a wingman! I was so proud of myself, I'm quite a shy person - but i wanted to meet people and experience all the fun everyone kept talking about. Thankfully, I found a BlogHer buddy during the welcome session and went to a few of the events with her - so that totally helped. So even if you might be all alone, totally go! It will be worth it!

[julia]

I need to know where I can find this show called "trucks"! I have a son this same age and this trucks obsession is weird.

(and do I have to feed bad that I don't hold my son's bottle for him anymore -- oh god, another thing I'm doing wrong)

[carosgram]

Is the show's actual name Ice Road?

[Mom Ink]

All done with forbidden photos? Or did Hank not agree to have his photo taken. Perhaps he too was concerned with designers stealing his so-adorable-my-uterus-hurts ensemble and matching bed head. Man he's a cutie. Oh, back to you. Love your site. Count me in the community. Now I just need a wingman.

[Nancy]

My first BlogHer and it was fantastic. But, dang, I didn't get a chance to meet you and after looking at some pics from Guys AllTop party, I think we were there at the same time.

I did meet Heather and she was kind enough to pose for a photo (ala Chuck) with something on her head so that I could win a bet with my boss.

[Matthew]

How cool to see a photo of my cousin Maggie and Hank!

(Isn't Maggie just one of the coolest people you've ever met? She's always been that way, btw.)