8/9/10

I'm not really sure if all of this actually really did happen, but this is the beginning...


I feel like I just got home from summer camp. I want to pontificate on my many layered feelings about the BlogHer "camp" experience, but I don't know that any of us can truly articulate what it was like. And some of us are going to avoid sharing our true feelings in their entirety because let's face it, everything in life, even beautiful things, have their share of yuck. I returned home last night exhausted, with nothing left but a need to decompress.

Ryan wanted to hear about the weekend and I started to tell him stories and then I just stopped and said I was too tired of thinking about it all, even if most of it was absolutely good. There's just too much to say.

For now, let me just tell you the story of Wednesday, the day I flew in to New York City, hopped in a cab and 50 bucks later, saw Ellie with my very own eyes for the first time in my life. (Many of you know, but let me remind you that Ellie is the blogger turned very good friend who I was reading while still drinking. I was in awe of her writing and her recovery story. I thought I would never be like her, never be strong enough, never be sober like her).


I was dropped down to what felt like an alternate universe and there we were, in The Village in NYC, at a funky hotel called The Larchmont, sharing sleeping space and not drinking. It was beautiful. Ellie is...well, I just don't have words (again). I have not laughed that hard since high school, and I'm not exaggerating. Ellie mirrors me in ways that are so comforting. She is a gift.


So. We hurriedly got ready and took off to see some Broadway shows. As I mentioned earlier, Kristen had gotten loads of tickets for shows from generous folks at the different venues. So quite a number of us were able to take in said shows with all kinds of lovely fellow bloggers. Ellie and I split up at that point as she went to West Side Story while myself, Kristen, Jessica, and Ashley went to Fela.


Ellie saw West Side Story for the first time. Lucky lady.


Fela was incredible. It was a beautiful outpouring of sights and sounds, colorful and inspiring. African dance and song are absolutely mind blowing gifts to the world, and the talent of the cast was truly incredible (I don't know HOW they shake their hips that fast for that long. Seriously). If you can, this is a show to see. It's a feast for the senses in the best possible way.


After our shows, a bunch of us met for chocolate fondue--so it's possible I scarfed down cheese, fruit and marshmallows in an embarrassing manner. (I ate a lot of chocolate covered marshmallows, just so you know.)

Ellie and I cabbed it back to our hotel after that, and of course we could not stop talking until it was pretty late. But I had the meeting with the literary agent the next morning on the books, so we did our best to get a little rest in our funky room.


Ellie's tutu, standing by for Friday morning's 5k


To Be Continued (da da daaaaahhhm)

30 clicked right here to comment:

Ash said...

Sounds like Heaven. How adorable was you hotel?!

Can't wait for part two...

Kristina P. said...

The thing I am most envious about, isn't actually not attending BlogHer, but how much I need to go back to NYC!

Kellyn said...

When I saw you were seeing a show I oozed green envy! How fabulous!! I would have LOVED that!

Lisa Page Rosenberg said...

You were one of the loveliest sights in NYC.
Smooch.

Unknown said...

Looking forward to the rest of your story(ies) when you decompress of course....I am beyond envious!

sara said...

so glad you are home safe...loved this and can't wait to read more!!!!

One Crafty Mother said...

I thought I was done with the crying, but I guess not. I absolutely treasure you beyond words. I haven't laughed that hard in YEARS.

I haven't done my Heather post, yet. I don't have enough Kleenex. But it's coming.

Love you.

-Ellie

NorahS said...

Exciting! I can't wait to hear more!

Alita said...

Well doesn't that sound delightful. Looking forward to reading more.

kel said...

I am so jealous!!!!! can't wait to hear more!

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

I can only imagine how full to overflowing you must be!

Annette said...

A very nice beginning...I am anxiously awaiting more!

I gotta ask, So do you lie on the floor when you take some of your pictures? Because honestly I have a visual in my head right now and I know that you would do it...

WaaaHooo,
Annette

Aidan Donnelley Rowley @ Ivy League Insecurities said...

So great to meet you this weekend. Wish we had more time... (Oh, and you were not a hot mess. If anything was, it was the conference itself, you know?)

Corinne Cunningham said...

I think I had the same moment with Lucas "I could tell you, but I'm so tired (cue tears for two hours which I have no idea where they came from....) but I love so many people and it was wonderful, and it was hard and it was..."

:)
Love you. Wish I could have brought you home with me. Maybe Ellie and I will just move to the midwest... hmmm....

Carolyn...Online said...

That little can ride back from lunch was one of the best parts of my weekend. So great seeing you. Also, Goose!

Jen said...

So glad you had a great time. Can't wait for the next installment.

jmt said...

And so we wait...for the rest of the story....

waiting...

Unknown said...

Sounds like you had a great time! Looking forward to the rest of the story.

Unknown said...

Oooh, I'm so glad you got to go to a show, that's one of my favorite things about NYC! And that hotel looks so great! I cannot WAIT to hear the rest of this! Do share. Like now would be good... ;-P

Lisa said...

Congrats!! I'm so happy for you. Glad it was a good experience (love NYC...2 hrs from me) and so glad you won!

San Diego Momma/Two Funny Brains said...

Super awesome to have met you in person.
You are an inspiration. As I tried to tell you in sign language outside John's Pizzeria, befuddling and baffling you until you sorta knew what I meant.

Doing it again, aren't I?

Maggie, dammit said...

I love you guys.

Tracie Nall said...

It sounds wonderful....I'm happy for you that you got to take that online relationship with Ellie and bring it to real life! What a blessing!

MsPicketToYou said...

so see you again soon on some city sidewalk for a quick puff and discussion of little people? great, it's decided.

(ps: word verification is shedleed or "she'd lead" -- how perfectly profound...)

tiarastantrums said...

I wish I could have spent more time with you!

(ps - can you email me that photo of Katherine and I?)

Anonymous said...

But. But. We didn't get to see what you wore to Fela. ;)

Sounds spectacular. Looking forward to more.

Cynthia said...

Can't WAIT to hear what comes next! Sounds like an amazing time.

Kazzy said...

Glad you are home safe. Looking forward to hearing more about your experiences.

Megan (Best of Fates) said...

Ooh, I've been wanting to see Fela! forever it seems, I'm so jealous!

Laura said...

Let's just say that NYC has nothing on Trout Lake Camp. Can you say "chubby bunny" contest? I'll bet they didn't have one of those at BlogHer! :)

Related Posts with Thumbnails
 

Blog Designed by: NW Designs