It was exactly one week ago today, after boarding the first of two flights it would take for me to get to the 10th Anniversary BlogHer Conference in San Jose (because California is about as far away as you can get, from Jersey!), I thought I was going to vomit on my flip flops.
I blamed lack of sleep…a nervous stomach…finishing work well after my husband had fallen asleep…on the couch…for the last month…or two…with the dog…he also has a REAL nervous stomach…the dog, too.
This morning, after another unsuccessful night of readjusting to post-conference life, I read my first BlogHer '14 recap and felt that oh so familiar churning in the pit of my stomach.
Personally, one of my FAVORITE moments from this year's conference happened pretty quickly: the BlogHer '14 opening video: I am BlogHer, where bloggers show us what it means to be a community utilizing two of my favorite online mediums — in words and in pictures.
Sense of community, finding your tribe, being with your people — these catchphrases, in my opinion, are the very foundation of BlogHer and what organizers have continued to build on, the last 8 conferences I've attended, anyway.
Words are powerful, like that.
On the other hand: this is my 3rd conference actually working behind the scenes, so I feel it safe to say reading feedback that borders on personal and attacks the integrity of our work…(thanks for helping me with that sentence, Melisa)…well, excuse my Jersey…it's a friggin' punch in the gut.
Words have impact, like that.
On the OTHER other hand: what you may or may not know is many of the BlogHer team are bloggers and some of us have been a part of the blogging community for many years, too.
Many of us are also members of the BlogHer Ad Network; some of us have been from the very beginning **raises hand** and I'm pretty sure it's why I was hired in the first place — especially, when talking with brands about recruiting bloggers for their special events.
Blogging is complicated, like that.
Explaining the process wasn't always easy and there were mistakes made, for certain…(stupid Eventbrite!)…but now, misinformation is being tossed around like expletives on a hot summer night…(here, in Jersey anway!)…so, yeah, it's REAL tough not to take these sort of things to heart.
Moving on, it's no secret, rather than believing that there is a behind-the-scenes conspiracy…(that one is mine AND Melisa's)…that is meant to encourage a society based on exclusivity…trust me when I tell you, no there isn't.
These are real people…trying to do a good job…and, more importantly, do right by their community.
Oh, and she probably looks a lot like this: still in pajamas, all glassy-eyed, wearing a matching set of heavy eye baggage and complimentary stress zits on her chin…YO!!!
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