What I Learned At BlogCamp

by Heather on July 20, 2008

in Friends, Heather, Help Me Interwebs, no one's in the hospital

Some of you who know or care about these things probably figured out that part of the reason Mike and I went to San Francisco this weekend was for me to attend BlogHer (the other reason being Jackie!’s big hair-cutting party, which I am too emotional to write about right now). BlogHer (or BlogCamp, as I call it), for those of you that don’t know, is a big conference for women who blog about anything from politics to parenting to food to technology. It was very awesome and surreal to put faces to the blogs I’ve been reading.

So, what happens at BlogCamp? Well, there are seminars to attend, and they run the gamut from writing workshops to photography lessons to turning your blog into a book. And there are a lot of PR companies there handing you ridiculous amounts of free stuff, so much free stuff that you actually have to go buy another suitcase to take it all home. And, of course, there is socializing. I met a bazillion women, wore out some shoes dancing, and crashed a couple parties with friends new and old.

BlogCamp is supposed to be a learning experience, and I definitely learned a lot of things – things that don’t necessarily have to do with blogging.

-If you’re not having fun, you’re not trying to have fun
-Not everyone thinks being called a magical hobbit is cool
-I wouldn’t mind being called a magical hobbit
-You should always stand up for yourself
-Canadians have the Best. Candy. Ever.
-I’m still not good at paying attention to “teachers”
-LOLSpeak is a second language to me
-Always wear sunscreen
-I am The Queen at procuring free drinks
-I seem to gravitate towards people from Utah and Canada
-If you go outside your comfort zone, you won’t regret it

I’m really glad I went to BlogCamp. Being around so many amazing writers has already re-shaped the way I want to share my stories. I won’t feel silly anymore when I refer to myself as a writer. I feel a lot more legitimate. In my six years of blogging, this was the first time I felt like keeping a record of my life on the internet wasn’t something I should feel embarrassed about. In fact, it’s something that I’m proud of.

P.S. I’m guest posting for Black Hockey Jesus . I’m telling all his secrets.

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    { 28 comments }

    1 CaraBee July 21, 2008 at 3:05 am

    Whew, I’m so glad you’re back! The internet has been too quiet this weekend while all you writers *smiles* were out tearing up the town.

    Glad you had fun, too!

    CaraBees last blog post..Six Things You Need To Know

    2 Kristin July 21, 2008 at 4:11 am

    You were missed! Glad you had a good time. Maybe next year I’ll find myself there.
    How is Miz Maddie?

    Kristins last blog post..Wanna Get Personal?

    3 ali July 21, 2008 at 4:41 am

    kiss. kiss.
    miss you already. :)

    4 Midwest Mommy July 21, 2008 at 4:57 am

    oh how I wish I could have gone…maybe next year.
    Sounds like you had a blast.

    5 Maria July 21, 2008 at 6:17 am

    Welcome back! I missed you guys. But managed to find ways to cope all weekend. Barely.

    I wouldn’t mind being called a magical hobbit. I’m probably too tall for hobbit-dom though. Sigh.

    The day when lolspeak becomes passe and uncool will be a sad, sad day for me. I needs it.

    Marias last blog post..kiss my ass

    6 Jennifer July 21, 2008 at 6:25 am

    Sounds like a great time! Maybe someday I’ll go? I’m sure you were so happy to get back to your little one though!

    Jennifers last blog post..Six Quirks About Me!

    7 moosh in indy. July 21, 2008 at 7:39 am

    WHAAA!
    At least I have 48 Wunderbars to keep me company.

    8 heartache heartburn July 21, 2008 at 7:42 am

    So, I’ve been reading your blog. And watching the traffic and wondering about all of it. I finally decided to step into the shallows of this blogging thing and try it out. Thanks for being an inspiration!

    9 Trish July 21, 2008 at 8:25 am

    So glad you had a good time!

    10 Andrea's Sweet Life July 21, 2008 at 8:44 am

    That’s some good learnin’!

    I’m so glad you’re finally calling yourself a writer!

    11 flickrlovr July 21, 2008 at 8:57 am

    Is that REALLY how BHJ got his name? Hmmmmm…anywhoozers, glad BlogHer was fun.

    12 Christy July 21, 2008 at 10:26 am

    I’m glad you guys had such a great time! I wish I could’ve gone to meet everyone…it must be great to put a name to a (real) face. Plus, all the free drinks–who wouldn’t love it! Glad you’re back!

    Christys last blog post..One Word

    13 Becky July 21, 2008 at 11:03 am

    Sounds like a lot of fun. Maybe, just maybe I’m jealous.

    14 maya July 21, 2008 at 12:16 pm

    wow- so you came up with black hokey jesus?!

    mayas last blog post..

    15 Kristabella July 21, 2008 at 1:33 pm

    So great to meet you and Mike!

    I totally agree that if you want to have fun at BlogCamp, you will.

    Kristabellas last blog post..The Sky Is Falling

    16 Nanette July 21, 2008 at 1:56 pm

    It was SOOOO nice to finally meet you, even if we did travel 500 miles to do it. :) And thanks for introducing me to a gaggle of fabulous bloggers!

    Nanettes last blog post..Picture this

    17 Cory July 21, 2008 at 2:53 pm

    I am sooooooo glad we got to meet! Next time we will HAVE to hang out more. Things were just a bit crazy!

    Corys last blog post..BlogHer ‘08

    18 AMomTwoBoys July 21, 2008 at 4:32 pm

    You ARE a Magical Hobbit. To me at least.

    And wasn’t the sunscreen thing someone esle’s lesson learned? :0)

    Let me tell you once again that I had a BLAST with you.

    19 Tricia July 21, 2008 at 6:40 pm

    I told you this in person, but it bears repeating in writing.

    You were freaking awesome!

    Okay, that’s not what I said in person and I never talk that way, but it came to me, and there it is.
    Courageous
    Strong
    Brave
    Gutsy
    Beautiful
    Wonderful
    Inspiring

    Thank you.

    20 Zellmer July 21, 2008 at 7:01 pm

    “Being around so many amazing writers has already re-shaped the way I want to share my stories.”
    I agree with this sentence the most. Also, the feeling of legitimacy. BlogCamp made me realize my blog is a business, where previously I was viewing it as a hobby.
    It was great meeting you and sharing the cab to that party with drunky mcdrunkerson (love her, too).
    I look forward to reading you more than I already was.

    Zellmers last blog post..Home

    21 Rock and Roll Mama July 21, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    Yeah! So glad you had fun, and I hope to see you there next year. “One time? At blog camp?” Oh no, wrong movie.

    If you have time, I’ve tagged you for a meme: Six Random Things About YOU! Sing it, H.

    http://rockandrollmama.com/2008/07/21/home-again-home-again-jiggety-jig/

    22 Shawna July 21, 2008 at 7:46 pm

    I didn’t go to blogher and I admit that I have been a bit confused by all of the posts. Your post is the clearest one that I have read thus far.

    Shawnas last blog post..One Hundred Years of Solitude…An Update

    23 Kim July 21, 2008 at 10:09 pm

    OH MY HECK…I LOVE YOU HEATHER. I just want to come and stay with you for a week now! You are THE sweetest, most beautiful lady EVER…and your husband is freaking hilarious when he is drunk. You poor thing…don’t know how you put up with him. Just kidding…Hi Mike!

    Anyway though, seriously it was SO good to meet you. Can’t wait to get together again, you are a princess and I mean that.

    Kims last blog post..Guess who I met today?

    24 andi July 22, 2008 at 6:09 am

    You were one of my favoritist (even though that’s totally not a word) people there. And not just because you snagged many a free drink for me. You were fabulous drinking or not. Hope to see you and Mike sometime again soon.

    andis last blog post..The first of many BlogHer posts

    25 threeundertwo July 22, 2008 at 6:44 am

    *sigh* I’m so jealous about the “ridiculous amounts of free stuff.” I really have to go to this next year.

    As far as meeting amazing writers I idolize? I’d probably wet myself.

    26 Loralee July 23, 2008 at 11:06 am

    I love that you gravitate to people from Utah.

    We rock.

    (Shh…that’s a total secret. Everyone else thinks we are bizarre. Which may be the draw now that I think about it. heh.)

    I WUV YOU! I MISS YOU! I WISH I GOT TO SPEND SOME MORE DAMN TIME WITH YOU!!!!!

    Loralees last blog post..Sideblog: Where I’ll be in Seattle…

    27 Redneck Mommy July 24, 2008 at 6:23 pm

    We Canucks rule! And we do have the best candy, as I discovered in my four hour layover in SF. I couldn’t believe how bad your Yankee candy is.

    Twas a pleasure to meet you!

    Redneck Mommys last blog post..Tits Ahoy!

    28 ooopinionsss December 3, 2008 at 8:13 am

    How you think when the economic crisis will end? I wish to make statistics of independent opinions!

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