Wednesday, July 17, 2013

BlogHer Announcements and Catching Up Around These Parts



Summer, more than any other season, passes by at lightning speed. Whereas January feels eight weeks long, three months of summer seem more like we just get started, and it's half way over.

We try to do as much as we can to take advantage of school being out and the weather being beautiful. Summer fills up fast, and this month high up on the happenings is a conference I've gone to for the last three years. BlogHer, the world's largest conference for women in social media. It happens in only one week and is in Chicago this year, which is beautifully close for me and for the first time, I won't have to fly. How I love that.

The number of those attending BlogHer was over 5,000 last year when it was held in NYC. This year, higher attendance is predicted. Going to your first BlogHer convention can be intimidating, and the BlogHer team wants everyone to feel welcome, wanted, and eager to return next year. With that goal in mind, BlogHer has assembled a "BlogHer Newbie" conference mentorship team, conference veterans who will be available starting at the opening day breakfast to answer questions, reassure, and then be visible during the Friday through Saturday conference. I'm proud to have been invited to be among the welcoming crew of the BlogHer Newbie mentors that will be there to remind you that we're all excited and happy to be here... so take a deep breath and smile.

If you are at BlogHer, please smile and wave if you see me. I'd love to say hello. If you want to find me easily, come to Erin Margolin and my "Room of Your Own" talk, "Shedding the Facade: blogging vulnerably." It's an open forum on Friday from 10:30 to 11:15, and we'd love to hear your voice on the topic of writing your truth, the risks, the benefits, why some of us choose to do it. We'd love to see you Friday morning.

I'm also very proud, and humbled, that BlogHer has selected my post written for my mother, "I Wish You Could Have Known Her," as a Voice of The Year/Heart category. Thank you, BlogHer. 

Other than busy getting ready for the conference next week, I've also kept up with some sites I write for. I'd love to see you there:

--You can find me at Purple Clover asking Dustin Hoffman to marry me because of this...

--If you click over to Aiming Low, you'll see this post on supervillains that features my middle son's debut of his first published artwork on a website. Thank you to the founder of AL, Anissa, for this honor.

--I talk about the undeniable signs of aging, and even give you a handy quiz so you know just how far along you are into this process. Feels good to know you're not alone, doesn't it? Go on, answer the questions, on FunnynotSlutty.

--Teens, the joy of raising teens can be yours if you remember to feed them/listen to them/love on them. This week's post on milwaukeemoms . com, "It's only hard if you do it right."

--I'm being featured on Canadian humor blogger Leanne Shirtliffe of Ironic Mom. She's gone on vacation and those friendly Canadians just left the front door wide open. I snuck a post in, "Kids don't fold like wallets." Thanks for having me, Leanne. **Leanne is the author of the newly published "Don't Lick the Minivan: and other things I'd never thought I'd say to my kids."

We are caught up. Almost.

Tell me, what's new with you? If you say just swinging in my hammock, I'll be so jealous.

Have a great summer, and thank you for reading. Having you spend your time here with me has encouraged me and made me feel pretty happy. Joy comes from community and belonging, you've given me that so many times over. Thank you.

* * *

27 comments:

  1. I wish I could say swingin' in my hammock. I want one was badly. I'm heading to BlogHer next week, speaking at HealthMinder day on Thursday. Still riding the wave of VOTY recognition and LTYM videos. Outside of that? I'm just trying to not melt from 100 degree temps (even though I LOVE IT).

    I am so proud of you, glad to follow you place to place to read your words/thoughts. Congratulations on all the recognition you so rightfully deserve.

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    1. THank you, A. I remember meeting you and thinking just how special and wonderful you were. xo

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  2. geez...a little busy eh? Logan finishes his summer volunteer job today working with kids at the school...been to the pool a bunch, the skatepark, long walks in the starshine, you know...smiles.

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  3. Excited/nervous for BlogHer. Won't be with my usual blogger buddies so in some ways I feel like a newbie.

    ;-)

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  4. oooof. It makes my heart heavy that I'll miss another BlogHer this year. *sniff* I really want to make one soon, esp since you will be there as the belle of the ball. I do hope to meet and connect with you one of these days. I can't ever tell you enough how your presence in my life has affected me and how incredibly proud I am of all of your accomplishments, Alexandra.

    In other news, don't be jelly, but my new apartment has a hammock in the backyard. It was what sold me :)

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  5. While I am NOT in a hammock, I am sipping my coffee. Reading.
    :-)

    www.mamaandthecity.com

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  6. Have so much fun at BlogHer, and congrats on your role(s) there! Maybe next year for me. :)

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    1. I hope you do go, at least once, it's an incredible experience.

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  7. I'm trying to catch up after my two week long beach vacation (yawn). :-)

    You can kick me when you see me on Wednesday. ;-)

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  8. I so wish I could come to blogHer. There are so many bloggers LIKE YOU that I would love to finally meet in person. I just can't swing it right now with all four kids needing lots of ME this summer. I am, however, going to BloggBootCamp in Minneapolis in October as it's only one day and it's 5 miles from my house. Yay! It will be my first blog conference.

    Going to check you out at Leanne's now! :)

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    1. BlogHer , you must go, at least once, Nina... it is wonderful.

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  9. Holy Moley! Not enough to try to keep up with blogs in general, but now it's tricky to catch up with you. Fantastic! (really, I mean it...do not read that with sarcasm) I can't think of a better person than you! have a great time at BlogHer! P.S. Too hot here for a hammock!

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    1. You know I think you are fabulous, but that comment up there was supposed to say "I cannot think of a better person than you to serve as a welcoming face at BlogHer"

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  10. Lady! You're the hardest working woman in show business! Congrats on all the bitchin' stuff and ROCK ON.

    XOXO
    Anna

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    1. THanks, Anna. xo I hope I see you again...

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  11. Know what's funny? Planning my BlogHer conference schedule, I didn't really consider the Newbie breakfast because I thought, "you know, it's my first time but I already feel calm and welcome because of Alexandra."
    They picked the right ambassador, mentor, voty, and vulnerable truther. See you soon!

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    1. Oh, pshaw. BUt thank you. Can't wait to see you. Please say hi. Please.

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  12. Okay, I lied about making it to BlogHer this year. Next year. Make sure you're on the newbie welcome committee again in 2014.

    Have loads of fun and love you!

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  13. I am in awe of all you do and do so beautifully well and so happy that wonderful things are happening. So well deserved! See you there!! xoxo

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    1. You know I want to see you, right, Linda? Make sure we see each other. xo

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  14. I wish I could hear you speak! And see you in person. Maybe one day? I hope.
    Have a fabulous, fabulous trip, my friend.

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    1. Would love to meet your sweet spirit one day, Heidi. xo

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