As you may have heard, this past weekend I went to BlogHer “˜10 in New York. It was an amazing experience, and far surpassed both previous BlogHer conferences I’ve been privileged to attend. I reconnected with a ton of old friends, stalked some stalk-worthy people, attended some great sessions that will help me grow as a blogger, networked with people who are powerful and influential, and also just chilled out and relaxed during quiet conversations with some great people.
My weekend started with a phone call from The Palinode just after he’d landed in New York. “Dude,” he said, because all Canadians say “dude”, “I just landed in the Big Apple. Check it out, I’m sending you a picture of the back of the chair in front of me. Check ya later!”
I didn’t go straight to the Hilton after arriving. Instead I went wandering around north of Times’ Square. I peeked into the second story window of F.A.O. Schwarz (because I’m like forty feet tall when I’m on vacation), and there on the giant piano was Annabel! Her mom Heather was teaching her how to play a song called “Fah, a long long way to run” and I didn’t stick around to see if she mastered it. I’m sure she did; she’s a smart kid.
When I arrived at the Hilton, well, that’s when the party started. Jen and Sarah made me pose with them, but I felt weird because I wasn’t wearing my grey dress, so I hid behind Sarah a bit. I’m way shy.
Ali and Metalia forced me into a 30 second dance party. I tried to keep up, but I only know one dance routine and they said “No Macarena!” so I kept my hands down at my sides.
Feeling a bit tired from all the dancing it was time to relax. And who better to just chill with than Bossy herself? She was all “Yet another little known fact: Backpacking Dad is one of Bossy’s favorite things.” Awww….Bossy’s sweet like that.
I was in pretty high demand, and I knew I wasn’t going to be able to keep up with all of the meets and greets. Knowing that Erin had sent her head-on-a-stick along to New York with Rita Arens, I decided to ask Rita to just staple my picture to Erin’s so that people could get twice the thrill for the price of once.
Then, there was Sparklecorn. There’s really no excuse for what I ended up doing to that cake from the Ace of Cakes crew (Charm City Cakes, I believe). It was delicious, and I’m sorry I didn’t share with anyone else, but come on, it was awesome. I also stole the unicorn to give to Erin. She’s not in to unicorns yet, but I’m working on her.
For some reason I missed seeing Jenny the Bloggess this year. However, knowing that I could use BlogHer as business opportunity I had a Napa winery bottle a special sparkling wine just for me and I passed out cases of the stuff. I learned later that Jenny herself had gotten hold of one of the bottles and she enjoyed it as much as I hope everyone did.
All in all it was a really memorable event. I hope everyone was as happy to see me as I was to see them.
Thanks so much for a great conference, BlogHer. I can’t wait for San Diego in 2011!
Woohoo!
Great seeing you too! You're definitely thinner than last year. Almost…flat.
I do like a thousand crunches a day.
Loved your recap but I see you ignored my advice on watching those photoshop videos.
I just totally cracked up at that one… off to see more of them… myself! Muahahaha!
It was loads of fun.
I don't know what the hell you are talking about.
Don't try that on me, mister. I have a 10 year old. I've heard it before. Minus the "hell" part. Usually.
Is that Justin Bieber?
No, it's me, Backpacking Dad.
That's a very smart way to get to Blogher10 and still beable to pull off HomeHer10. you have great multitasking skills. bTW my twitter is now working and I can now accept followers, but support says they need to re-request.
I'm very tall.
I'm so jealous. And glad I had HomeHer10 to keep me company.
What the hell is HomeHer10? Sounds lame.
Wait a minute Backpacking Dad, those photos have been tampered with! I can't believe people tried to pretend they were at BlogHer by pasting their head and BABIES into pictures of YOU at BlogHer. And they totally suck at photoshopping I must say. I'm not one to stir the pot or anything, but if I were you I'd be pissed.
Comment win.
I can't compete with this comment. Very good!
BpD…great post :)
You tasted delicious.
I've been criticized for being a little too bubbly AND having a bitter
aftertaste.
It was SO great seeing you again. And my husband @bugfrog loved meeting you too. I won't talk about any of that OTHER stuff we did. Shhh.
So great to meet @bugfrog. He's a handsome devil, but not as handsome as me
of course har har.
What! No picture with the King of the Ace of Cakes? How did that cake taste? Sort of pulpy and inkish? Inquiring readers just have to see the picture of you giving Erin that unicorn!
It tasted like chicken.
WOW! You sure did get around at BlogHer!
Wait, I just realized you wore the same clothes in every picture. I hope you had that suit cleaned when you got home. How long did it take you to perfect that smirk because one smirk is the same as the next.
I've been practicing that look for years.
HILARIOUSSS!!!!! I hope you go to Blog Her '11 IN PERSON and that all of our Home Her '10 Homies (hehehe) go, too, including moi!!! Keep on doin' wut ya do BP-Daddio!!!
Will do.