Lawyer Mama

Why You Shouldn't Freak Out About BlogHer...

...or BlogHer Survival Skills 101.

I'll admit I was pretty worried heading into BlogHer last year.  I'm an introvert.  Although people who met me last year or who've now met me many times at happy hours are now thinking, "Yeah, right. And introverts dance on top of tables....?"  (OK, I didn't really dance on any tables.  But I do like to put away the martinis when I get a chance to let my hair down.)  I'm not shy, but it takes a lot of energy for me to be so "on" all the time.  But if you're an introvert too, don't worry.  There are lots of us blogging.  I wouldn't be surprised if we outnumber all those extroverts out there.

I promise that it will only be like high school if you let it be.  Try to remember that a lot of us are introverts.  As such, we tend to look for people we already know or know super well on the Internet.  And we clump together in little protective groupings.  If this is your first BlogHer, break into the clump.  Go up to the bloggers you read and introduce yourself.  Say, hello.  Trust me, everyone you talk to will be thrilled to hear that you've read their blog and actually didn't run in the other direction.

I had one of those panicky "OhmygodIdon'tknowanyoneI'llhavetositbymyself" moments at lunch the second day.  I spotted a table full of much more experienced bloggers that I read and worshiped, but the table was pretty full.  So after combing the room for what felt like half an hour, I finally sucked it up, walked over to the full table, and asked if I could join them.  Everyone was so gracious and friendly!  I ended up having a fantastic political conversation with Liz and her mother.  (Liz's mom is FANTASTIC, by the way. Liz warned us that we would adore her and she was right.)

You can read my posts going into and coming out of BlogHer '07 here.  But here's my favorite one about all this angst we have about social situations like this:

Alone In A Crowded Room

Here's my post from last year telling everyone a little bit about me before the big meet up.  And here are my photos from BlogHer '07.

When you're there and you're hiding in the ladies room in the stall next to Jenny until your meds kick in and freaking out because of all the people out there in little circles that seem to exclude you, try to get a grip.  Writers and bloggers are geeks.  A very few of us are cool and extroverted and all that, but most of us are social misfits.  We may have been faking it very nicely in the real world for 30-40 years or so, but deep down we're really just nerds and geeks.  (Some of us with nicer shoes.  See tag line above!) We aren't trying to exclude anyone and we aren't talking about you or making fun of your shoes/weight/top/bleach job. We're too busy worrying if anyone has noticed we've packed on 15 pounds since liast year.

Along those lines ... as a social misfit myself, I cannot always remember the names and URL's of the 232 blogs that are in my Bloglines.  So please forgive me if you tell me you read and comment on my blog and I give you a blank stare.  I'm looking at your name tag, frantically trying to picture your blog header in my mind.  Oh and I have cool SWAG to give away, so ask me about it!  Last year I kept forgetting about those magnets in my purse.

If you'd like to find me, I'll be at the People's Party on Thursday night.  Please come say "HI!"  I can't wait to meet you.

Blog Me, Lawyer Mama, Blog Me

Mocha Mom has asked all of us heading out to BlogHer in TWO DAYS (Woot!) to introduce ourselves in 10 seconds. Now, I don't think I've ever written anything you could read in 10 seconds or less but I'll try.

• My name is Stephanie. You can call me Steph, but not Stephie. Only my dad gets to call me that.
  
• I like dry, dirty martinis. I like them a lot. Only, I don't get to drink them so much anymore because: (a) I don't want to drop the baby; and (b) my employer frowns upon employees drunk at work. If I have more than one in a night at BlogHer, it won't be pretty.
• I love shoes. I have too many. But I can't figure out how to fit more than 2 pairs into my luggage because I don't want to check a bag. Somehow I think it would be overkill to FedEx my new green wedges to the hotel, don't you?
• If you're doing the BlogHer scavenger hunt, I wear a 6.5 but I sometimes buy a 7 because my feet are a little wide and nobody makes wide sizes for the really cute shoes. (I used to wear a 5.5, but pregnancy.... Sigh. Need I say more?) Anyone want to be my scavenger hunt partner? And a question: do I count as a blogger from Louisiana (worth some points) or just Virginia (apparently worthless)?
  
• I'm an introvert. I may talk a good game here, but I'm pretty uncomfortable in new social situations. So, please don't think I'm standoffish or snobbish if I don't run up to you with a big hug and start chatting as if we're best friends. We can be, but give me some time to get cozy. And if you're a talker, I'm a listener. Come sit by me! But if you're also a listener like me, I'll talk. I swear I will. I want to meet you anyway.
• Whatever we talk about, don't tell me the ending to the new Harry Potter book. I just started it and I doubt I'll have time to finish it before leaving on Thursday. If you spoil the end for me I may have a public hissy fit.
  
• I have magnets to give away at BlogHer. They're super cute (I think) but they have a picture of me on them. Is that narcissistic?
• I like to talk politics and I love to naval gaze, but I'm unlikely to bring up a controversial subject with someone I've just met. I'm far more likely to talk about these:

I could talk about the boys for hours, but please don't let me. I want to hear about you and your kiddos too.

Then we can talk politics.

I am incredibly EXCITED! Can you tell?

Blog Me, Lawyer Mama, Blog Me

Mocha Mom has asked all of us heading out to BlogHer in TWO DAYS (Woot!) to introduce ourselves in 10 seconds. Now, I don't think I've ever written anything you could read in 10 seconds or less but I'll try.

• My name is Stephanie. You can call me Steph, but not Stephie. Only my dad gets to call me that.
  
• I like dry, dirty martinis. I like them a lot. Only, I don't get to drink them so much anymore because: (a) I don't want to drop the baby; and (b) my employer frowns upon employees drunk at work. If I have more than one in a night at BlogHer, it won't be pretty.
• I love shoes. I have too many. But I can't figure out how to fit more than 2 pairs into my luggage because I don't want to check a bag. Somehow I think it would be overkill to FedEx my new green wedges to the hotel, don't you?
• If you're doing the BlogHer scavenger hunt, I wear a 6.5 but I sometimes buy a 7 because my feet are a little wide and nobody makes wide sizes for the really cute shoes. (I used to wear a 5.5, but pregnancy.... Sigh. Need I say more?) Anyone want to be my scavenger hunt partner? And a question: do I count as a blogger from Louisiana (worth some points) or just Virginia (apparently worthless)?
  
• I'm an introvert. I may talk a good game here, but I'm pretty uncomfortable in new social situations. So, please don't think I'm standoffish or snobbish if I don't run up to you with a big hug and start chatting as if we're best friends. We can be, but give me some time to get cozy. And if you're a talker, I'm a listener. Come sit by me! But if you're also a listener like me, I'll talk. I swear I will. I want to meet you anyway.
• Whatever we talk about, don't tell me the ending to the new Harry Potter book. I just started it and I doubt I'll have time to finish it before leaving on Thursday. If you spoil the end for me I may have a public hissy fit.
  
• I have magnets to give away at BlogHer. They're super cute (I think) but they have a picture of me on them. Is that narcissistic?
• I like to talk politics and I love to naval gaze, but I'm unlikely to bring up a controversial subject with someone I've just met. I'm far more likely to talk about these:

I could talk about the boys for hours, but please don't let me. I want to hear about you and your kiddos too.

Then we can talk politics.

I am incredibly EXCITED! Can you tell?