Blogher 2010, I’m Talking to You!

Blogher 2009 had the theme of "Blogher09 is People". Every time I heard that phrase all I could think of was a quote from the Muppets Take Manhattan, "is frogs, is pigs, is chickens and stuff... is New York!" Oddly, Blogher 2010 is New York. Now that I am home, sticky with teething biscuit crumbs and out of the bubble that is every Blogher conference (I swear the world could implode on itself and the only way we would know is if it was on Twitter.) I can see beyond "BlogHer is going to hell in a swag bag..." and the bad and the ugly that happened. I see the mistakes that were made and all I want to do now is to fix them. I want to help in any way that I can. I want to make Blogher 2010 even better than it has been in year previous. If all I contribute is the much-needed start to this … [Read more...]

There is No Holy Grail.

Ahem... is this thing on? Right then. Listen up, Internets! It seems we have a few issues to address here at Blogher09. It's come to my attention through my own personal experience, plain viewing and accounts from other blogging friends and blog-strangers that there is a different sort of vibe in the air here at the conference this year. It's not a good one either.1. The Swag Grab- Yes, free loot is fun. I'm not going to say that I don't like to get free stuff. I do. But I'm not about to go elbowing a few babies, stealing swag bags off of carts or run into a party just to pick up a free key chain, phone or what have you. It is not why we are here. We're here to talk shop, learn a few things, network and see our friends. The purpose of Blogher is people. Got it? It's not getting … [Read more...]

Cheeseburgers & Vodka

Scene: I've just come home from an entire day of doing nothing but hanging out with an old friend. As I'm about to exit my car I spy H walking up the sidewalk to get the mail.V: Now, there's a fine piece of man!H turns and smiles and keeps walking. I enter our house which is quiet and empty feeling from a day of no one but the dog being home. H: I'm a fine piece of man who brings home vodka and cheeseburgers!Talk about perfection. … [Read more...]

I Hear Nothing

You know what woke me up this morning? Myself. Then I sat there and read for almost an hour. I completed my latest MPR review in under twenty minutes. Make-up is strewn all over my bathroom counter and I don't have to pick it up in fear that little hands will commence their own smear campaign.I'm meeting a friend for lunch today that I haven't seen since she visited me in the hospital with The Comedian. I don't have to be back at any time in particular.H and I saw a movie in the middle of the day. We came home felt it was too quiet and went out for dinner. Crayons with place mats not included. TD and The Comedian left for their Nana's yesterday. Since then H and I have had the most stupid looking grins on our faces. I can actually hear the fan on my laptop just humming away. The … [Read more...]

The Thirty Second Vacation

I once heard the comedian Louis C.K. (he's not for everyone, I'll admit.) say that every parent gets a thirty second vacation. It's that brief moment when you have buckled them into their car seat, shut the door and walk over to your own seat. In that small window of time there is silence from the incessant toddler chatter and it is a little bit of heaven. A thirty second vacation.Between the yelling of poo-poo pants (inside the bathroom only, but still...), non-stop questions that she has asked everyday, at the same time and just the noise. Oh, the noise. It never ends. I might just put the kids in the car and start circling it. You know, check the tires, my pockets, make sure my side mirrors are in the correct position and basically just get a few laps in. I'll crack the windows. Don't … [Read more...]

Can You Feel That? It’s the Awesomeness.

Scene: H and I are enjoying a moment of quiet. Also known as bedtime for the kiddies. We're discussing upcoming events in our lives, including Blogher. H: You know, you should really post more about how awesome I am. I raise an eyebrow. H: I should also leave more comments because my awesomeness would totally radiate out from the computer. On another note I had what can only be described as a pre-blogher anxiety dream. I was traveling to Chicago from Virginia by train. How much would that sucketh? I missed my connecting train and the station, which at some point was floating on a sea of icebergs, lost my luggage. To top it all off some blogger I hate (who does not actually exists) was on my train with an ex-boyfriend of mine. I decided to be sweet and nice and chatted with … [Read more...]

Mortality Looking Me Square in the Eye.

Last Friday I had my ultrasound appointment for my right breast. In the days leading up to it I could barely sleep. I felt exhausted mentally and then physically. Each night I would lie down and my brain, lethargic during the day would instantly whir to life. All the cogs moving at warp speed and what felt like a million thoughts began zipping along my own personal information super highway. I wasn't trying to be full of doom and gloom but with the pain persisting in my breast there was this constant reminder that something just wasn't right. I dreaded the ultrasound but couldn't wait for my questions to be answered. I couldn't take this lack of sleep and constant feeling of worry settling in my stomach. Questioning your mortality is one thing but throw in a husband and two kids … [Read more...]

Flashback Monday: Lucky Star

I was probably about eight at the time. I called myself Aubany(with an 'O' and some sort of accent on the end. Yeah, I have no idea either. I was eight.). I thought I was Madonna with my permed hair, sunglasses and ballet skirt. I guess that was as close to the 'Like a Virgin' look my Mom would let me get at that age. And yes, I'm sportin' a yellow banana clip in my hair. On one side only. Now that is style. … [Read more...]