Sunday, July 19, 2015

A Happy Place - BlogHer 2015


BlogHer co-founders, Elisa Camahort Page, Jory Des Jardins, Lisa Stone

A happy place. Not somewhere in your mind but a physical space where you pack up a suitcase with the things you'll need for a few days, and then get on a plane that will take you there.

T shirt art by A'Driane Nieves
 
That's a BlogHer conference. It's a real place, with real people. People ask how you can be friends with someone you've never met in person, or wonder how odd it must be to meet someone on the internet. But it's doing that, on the internet, that is exactly what has enriched my life. I have met friends and found community because of the internet.

My friends in the computer. I am drawn to them because I feel accepted, included, and liked, when I'm with them.

The annual BlogHer conference is a very real place for me.

And the love I hold for the people that are all a part of this, is just as real.

The only thing that would have made my days at the conference more fantastic, would have been...
nothing. There is nothing I can think of. Except for the cab ride to the hotel from LaGuardia where the driver imagined I said, "I'm in a hurry! Get me there as fast as you can!" Otherwise, my cup runneth over with the good feelings from this conference.

It's good to be back home. More detailed posts on the conference--musings and ponderings on how the conference has changed for me and of how my expectations of what to experience have evolved.

And, of course, Auggie's list of lamentations of transgressions that took place while I was gone. Easily, the best part about going away and coming back are his "Tattletale Tales: Volume 1". I've been republishing his words for five years now, you can see the past years lists of how hard life is while I'm gone, here.

Here's what I sneak-peeked and read, "Day 2: we had to go for a walk in a near tornado." But otherwise, I have no complaints--a few requests for some good solid sleep tonight, maybe, but no complaints.
8 hours of this please

Well, all right. I do wish my house was picked up a bit more before I came home, but, I only say that because you twisted my arm.

More later. Because for right now, this -
"Mom, did you hear that? It's my sigh. You're home."

* * *

24 comments:

  1. Going away and connecting with friends is always fun, invigorating, and rewarding. Coming home is the sweet spot. Sounds like you had a perfect combination of the two.

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    1. I did, Cathy. It was a perfect balance. Thank you.

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  2. I loved it too!! Great meeting you on day 1!

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  3. Welcome home! One of my main aspirations is to be somewhere - anywhere - for enough time that when I come back, my family noticed I was gone. xoxo

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  4. Enjoyed meeting you "in person" at BlogHer! And I loved your son's notes when you're gone.

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    1. What a wonderful surprise to see you, Diane! Thank you for saying hi!

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  5. Welcome home and congratulations on another great year at BlogHer. I gotta get off my duff and go to one of them.

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    1. I hope you do. I'm crossing my fingers it's in Chicago next year!

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  6. I can't wait to hear from our Auggie. His remarks on your absence are always so heartfelt, funny and Auggie-ish.

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    1. It's coming up, but it's a LONG one this time, xo

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  7. It was most definitely a happy place- so glad I got to meet you-even if it was just in the elevator!

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  8. Yes yes yes to all of this! I've met so many friends through the computer that I've hugged in real life at BlogHer. It's a special place.

    And I love reading Auggie's notes :)

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    1. Thank you, Kim. I'm getting them together, he wrote a novel this time. xo

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  9. Reentry was not so bad...until I realized I had to make dinner and there was no table of tiny desserts.

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  10. Wonderful to see you as always, Alexandra. I'm looking forward to Auggie's Lamentations - always a fun read! BlogHer has definitely changed and evolved over the years and I'm interested to read your thoughts on it. A big part of it for me is getting to see people who I do t see at smaller conferences. Enjoy the zzz's. The post-conference crash hits hard!

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    1. Doesn't it, though. The conference changes because I change. What I expect out of it becomes different every year. It's always so good to see you and I remember how wonderful it was to meet you at the first conference!

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  11. The love of the Auggie is a powerful thing. And what could be more gratifying than knowing it's good for you to leave sometimes so that he is aware of how awesome you make all the rest of his days?

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  12. Missed you and your hugs this year! I'm going to be sure to make it happen next year.

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    1. I hope so, Anna. I would love to give you a hug. xo

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