Explanations, Please

Intrepid RJ asks:  Have you finally wound down from the holidays?  Or are you already looking forward to Spring Break?  I think I've thought about a question (or ten) for you that you allude to on your Blog but never fully explain to idiots like me...  What is Blogher?  Is it a support network, a business opportunity, or what?  How long have you been an active member?  Since the beginning?  You seem to always have a speaking part at the seminars, what do you talk about?  How long is your time in the spotlight?  Who decides where the conferences are held?  Is there more than one a year?  Where do you plan on going to next?

Ha.  Winter break was good.  I purposely didn't do too much and tried to relax as much as I could, with the net result being that I was well rested when we returned to school.  I enjoyed my kids and they (mostly) enjoyed the break, so it was win-win for all of us. I'm looking forward to Spring Break for that same reason - I hope it doesn't rain the entire spring vacation as it did last year.  

Blogher.  What, indeed, is Blogher?

Blogher is many, many things.  A website.  A social network. One big party, to be certain.  One four day weekend of being able to visit with old friends, meet new readers and bloggers I admire, a four day weekend that goes and goes and GOES.  I thoroughly enjoy myself.  I didn't the first year I went - mostly due to my own insecurities and faults - and I made sure to negate those troubles the next year.  Blogher is a support network, a business opportunity and so much more.  From their own description, the founders say: At BlogHer, we're working together to deliver on the same mission we wrote at a kitchen table in 2005: To create opportunities for women who blog to pursue exposure, education, community, and economic empowerment.

I have been involved since, I think, the spring of 2006.  I was invited to join as one of the first set of bloggers to have ads with the network, a fact for which I am immensely grateful to everyone at Blogher.  I attended the second conference in California in 2006, knowing no one and embarrassed myself tremendously.  I vowed on the return flight to redeem myself, and applied to be a speaker the next year.  I was accepted and invited to speak on Blogging Your Passion at the 2007 conference in Chicago, where I talked about my diet and exercise blog.  Last year the conference was in San Francisco, and I applied to speak but wasn't accepted.  I had a great time representing Zwaggle - met lots of friends and made many new ones. This year, Blogher returns to Chicago and I applied to speak AGAIN - this time on the topic of "MommyBlogging: “Balance” is a Big, Fat, Lying, McLiar LIE for Moms who Blog (and the rest of us too)".  I am really hoping that I am selected, but I'm going anyway. If I can figure out how to pay for it, that is.  Anyone have air miles they want to donate? 

I don't have time in the spotlight.  HA.  If I speak, the session last for an hour, but with the number of people in attendance, 1000+, there really is no spotlight at all.  Just one great big party. There is one conference, and usually one business conference, per year, usually held at different times and in different cities.  This year, the business conference in held at the same location, the day before. I'd love to attend Blogher business, but at $540, there is NO way I can do that. 

I'm definitely going this year.  Are you?

Comments

[kyoot]

I keep hearing about blogher through you and Foodmomiac, but no I wont be going. I'm a little fish :P

[Cookie]

I thought about it, but I'm planning to be away and frankly I feel like too much of an idiot to be in a big group with all of the mega-bloggers. :)

[Headless Mom]

kyoot and Cookie- you don't have to be a big fish to go-AT ALL!!! There are many in attendance that don't even have a blog yet. I went to BH last year after only blogging for about 8 months and it was a great experience. Informative AND fun!

I'm trying desperately to figure out a way to go again. Suppose if I bought a pass I'd have to figure out a way to get there? I'm taking donations, too! ;-)

[Cassie]

I am going for sure! and no I am not a big fish at all! But I only live about three hours from Chicago :) If you would like a roomate to share the costs? I am game

[FishyGirl]

I think I'm going, though we'll see when we get closer to July. Oh, and if anyone thinks they are too small or whatever to go, I am the biggest, most awkward dorky McDork in social settings, especially around those I see as "Big" for whatever reason, but BlogHer is... well, different. I had a blast when I went in 07, and only rammed my foot down my throat four or five times. But the thing is, it is SUCH a supportive group, that most people are too kind to mention if they notice in the first place. It's really a wonderful organization.

[Sheri]

I live less than an hour away from Chicago and want to go. I'm thinking only the cocktail party. I'm a very very small fish too. But I love reading blogs and just discovered this one.

[Amanda]

Don't want to (or mean to) offend anyone, including you, Carmen, but is BlogHer the conference more balanced politically than BlogHer the website? I tend to be a little bit (ok, a lot bit) more conservative than the viewpoints presented on the website (not only the political viewpoints but the lifestyle, economic, social, and a handful of other viewpoints as well). I was just wondering if it's a one-sided thing or if there are just so many people there that it all kind of evens out?

This may seem like a ridiculous question and it very well might be - just thought I'd ask it somewhere, though. I love your blog - your writing is so awesomely unique and interesting.

[kyoot]

Ok I'm back and just wanted to say thanks to your readers who read my comment and commented on the "little fish" idea. I'm also way up here in Canada, and flights from here to there? OMGGGGGGGG expensive. I would love it it Canada had more airline choices :)

[kyoot]

Just had another "fun" idea! I could move my body over the boarder and fly out of a US airport... hmmmmmm. now did someone say foot in mouth is a requirement?