Blogher 12 The Highs and The Lows

Now that I have had a full day to recover from the craziness that was BlogHer, and time to settle back in with my family after four days away in the Big Apple, certain things about my trip stand out about what made it so memorable.  Here are the highs and lows from my first (hopefully annual) BlogHer conference.

High: After four days together, the Mommy/Blogging friends I traveled with became much more than just Mommy/Blogging friends.
Low: Those friends and I realized we are mommy bloggers and can't keep up with the twenty something fashion and entertainment bloggers.

High: Seeing Martha Stewart up close and learning she has a great sense of humor and that she is as she said in her own words "too perfect."
Low: Making a quick exit from lunch to assure a place at the front of the line at her book signing, only to wait an hour at the front of that line, for her to arrive, sign a couple books and leave just before I got my moment with her; the moment where I was going to pitch her all my great ideas, give her my blog card and she was going to ask me to join her team.

High: Business cards; giving and receiving. So many new blogs to check out.  No shame forcing my card into someone's hands.
Low: How am I ever going to get rid of my 500 remaining cards?

High: Many, many fabulous parties.  The invitations made me feel important and were a great chance to connect with new bloggers and have some fun.
Low: They also made me feel old and made me realize I'm not that important.

High: A great night of wine tasting at City Winery, a very expensive bottle of wine as a souvenir and the opportunity to learn about MindSpring Academy; an amazing school aimed at tackling the growing epidemic of childhood obesity.

Low:  We enjoyed ourselves too much and ended up loosing track of time and missed the famed Hasbro party.

High: Informative sessions where I was able to gain new tips aimed at expanding my reach in social media and conquering the world.
Low: Over crowded sessions meant I had to find a seat on the floor, next to an electrical box, on top of a pile of loose wires, out of view of the speakers, in a skirt, affirming that I first need too conquer finding  a seat!


High: Having a genuine conversation with Kate Gosselin of Jon and Kate plus 8 and sharing tales about life with our multiples.
Low: Finding out maybe it wasn't quite the genuine conversation I thought it was, but she was being paid to be nice to me.

High: A little break from kids and their constant testing of my patience was just enough to make me miss them and be so excited to see them when I returned.
Low: My patience was tested in other ways by the long lines every where I went. I hate waiting in line, I guess I'm just not that patient.


High: Swag bags and free giveaways.  So much loot.  My kids thought it was Christmas morning when I arrived home and opened my suitcase.  Tiaras, candy necklaces, jewels, bouncing balls, lip balms and press-on fake fingernails for the girls.  They now look like dancing Barbie palm readers.  And, wow, they managed to redecorate a whole room and completely cover every inch of bare skin with the boxes of Muppet Bandaids I scored. There were video games, books, snacks, and toys a plenty for the boys.  As I handed Jameson one last piece of swag, he asked how I knew that he wanted a banana shaped, light up, whistling key chain with a hidden flash drive.  And Cameron has found more uses for his green rubber halved avocado shaped stress relief squeezer.
Low:  Too much swag, I'm afraid I had to leave many valuable pieces behind.  Several bags did not make the cut either because they were not appropriate for a Mommy blog or because they just wouldn't fit in my bag, on the train or in my house.