5/29/10

Blog conferencing: CBC '10 (call me Sappy Sapperton, I can take it)

I wish I could show you Allison's shoes and her cutest ever Gussy bag.
And then maybe I would describe how fast
Jessica Bern can type. (She's doing that right next to me.)
I wish I could tell you how curly in the most perfect way is the hair on
my roomie's pretty noggin.
I wish I could put words to the rockin' bangs on
Kristen Howerton, my other roommate. They are so swoopy and gleamy (see? no words).

But even more than those very important things, I wish you could meet them (and the many of others I've come to know and love at this conference and online and at other conferences).

I wish there were a way to wrap up a post in such a way that would make blogging/online relationships make sense in words. But these relationships that are based on words can't be described with words. Oh, the irony.

Let me just say that these actual real and alive and laughing and talking people, well, we transcend our differences while we discover our similarities when we meet, in 3-D. I think that's a beautiful thing.

At conferences, we're doing the same thing and we get each other and we're speaking the same language. In our real lives, most of the people we know have no idea what could happen at a blogging conference, or why we even blog at all, but here we are. I guess there must be something to this.

What happens is that you sit and stand and walk with people who you feel you know because you do, and you not only get to see how they move their hands when they talk, but all of the sudden, the energy between you, the connection that has strung you together through words does a zappy sort of thing that energizes you.

These are remarkable people doing remarkable things with remarkable gifts that they cannot express in any other place than the good old(ish) world-wide interweb, and I get to meet them.

I'm so glad to be here. Because it's not at all about shoes or bangs, really. Although they're reeeaaal nice. It's about hearts and minds like yours standing in the same place all covered up in a common good.

And here I am trying to describe it, even though I can't, because I'm a blogger. And I know someone will get what I'm saying, even one person, and that's why we're here.

25 clicked right here to comment:

Mammatalk said...

So cool!

Corinne Cunningham said...

This is making me even more excited for BlogHer - even though I'm sure it'll be different because it's freaking huge... but besides that fact... those connections are so real, and to see them ignite in the flesh is incredible.
Sounds like you're having a wonderful time!! Can't wait to hear more about it :)

Jenny P. said...

I'm here... and I totally get this. The only thing left on my list is to have more than a five second conversation with you!

This Heavenly Life said...

I'm so jealous! I want to meet the women I feel such cameraderie with, and be struck wordless in wake of their presence.

Write on! I'm soaking up your enthusiasm, as if I were right there with you all.

Stephanie said...

Yay. I'm so glad you're enjoying yourself. (Especially since you are my vicarious CBC experience.)

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

I guess there must be something to this. A heartfelt amen from me.

I am so glad you got to have that experience. One of the many great things about blogging is seeing wonderful, uplifting, inspiring people, being uplifted and inspired. It's a great big circle and it's marvelous.

Heidi said...

I get it! But mostly because I've done it. And it's a beautiful thing. (Wish I was there.)

Kristina P. said...

YOu are simply delightful and as wonderful in person as I imagined. I wish we had more time to get to talk. And to judge at karaoke. :)

Emily said...

Love this post and thoroughly enjoyed the post you read at closing. Wish I could have actually spent five minutes chatting with you. Something to look forward to!

happygeek said...

Glad you are having a good time!!

jmt said...

I went and saw SATC II last night with Hubs. There was a preview for a .... something .....about a girl on Facebook with actually decides to meet the "friends" she's friended. To see if the connections are real. I think it's a true story that you can follow along with on FB. Anyhow...your descriptions made me think of it. How we should make "real" what we already feel is real.

I'm glad you're getting to experience all that fun. And thank you, by the way, for the link to J. Bern. I was following her but have lost her in the mix. I will click and see what she's been up to. Being hilarious, I'm sure.

Shawna Cevraini said...

Oh Heather, you wrote about how I feel as well, and so much better than you know.

So glad you're here and there!

One Photo said...

Oh my, I was out last night with some Mom friends I have met through activities associated with my daughter and after going to see SATC I came home, because if I am really honest about it I just didn't want to go for a drink after which most of them did. I really like these Moms, we have play dates for the kids and talk about the kids but I find when we go out for an evening we talk about the same things, the kids, because that is what we have in common and little else. So I totally can understand what you are saying about being able to go to one of these conferences and I wish I could attend one too and/or meet some of the blogging friends I have made and most admire. That would be a dream come true.

Glad you are having a wonderful time

Chief said...

I recently met my bloggy BFF's in person and I could never put it into words the way you have.

It was such a great experience for me and looks as if you loved it too!

The fact that you were 10 minutes from my house and I didnt meet you breaks my heart!

Megan said...

I was at CBC and I was so moved by the amazing post you read at the closing. Seriously, the conference would have been worth it if that was the only thing spoken over a mic. It was beautiful. Next time I would love to meet you, until then... good thing there is blogging.

I totally wanted Allison's shoes. And those were some amazing swoopy bangs on Kristen. You have such a gift of putting into words what others just can't. Thank you for sharing it.

Mary said...

I am a brand new blogger and took the leap of faith to go to the conference. It was an AMAZING experience! It was a pleasure to meet bloggers like yourself and to be swept up in your enthusiasm. I'm looking forward to next year!

Kim said...

I get it and you know I love you, right? Yeah, I do.
Thanks for your phone message today. You made me smile and miss you all at the same time.
Can't wait for August baby!

Melanie Jacobson said...

I'm so glad you're there and so glad you're having a good experience. I hope I get to go next year when I'm not trying to work around breastfeeding and weddings and other crazy events. And as for blogging, well . . . we move in two weeks and I don't worry AT ALL because I know I'm taking my friends with me in my laptop and I'll eventually make new ones, too. But there won't be on single second that I have to feel alone like I did when I moved here. Yay for blogging and blog friends. Much love, girl!

Kelly Miller said...

I'm so jealous! Your words are exactly what makes me want to attend a bloggers' conference. It seems to far outweigh the downsides.

TKW said...

I'm so glad you are having a wonderful time! I can't wait to hear all about it.

Living the Scream said...

I loved the post you read at CBC Your words were so touching and I really enjoyed it! CBC was so great I am still trying to process it all!

bernthis said...

It was great to finally meet you. I believe you may have replaced Lee as my wingwoman. Oh and I typed this comment in four seconds.

Sarah said...

And for this--all of this--I can't wait to meet you at Blogher...

:)

Melissa Haak said...

So this time I'm going to comment without reading all your other wonderful and intimidating commenter's :-)

Thanks roomie! It was an amazing experience and I am so glad I could make it. You are super cute yourself and so inspiring. I also totally agree, Kristen's bangs are awesome, I totally can't pull that off!

Until we meet again friend...know that you are HUGE around here ;-)

Alyson | New England Living said...

So wish I could have been there! It sounds like such an awesome experience. Maybe next year...and then I can meet you! :)

Related Posts with Thumbnails
 

Blog Designed by: NW Designs