>91 Days ‘Til BlogHer!
>It’s been a cool week.
After writing this post and clearing my head regarding the constantly evolving and somewhat disturbing ‘State of the Mommyblog,’ I got a call from BlogHer co-founder Elisa Camahort, asking me to moderate a panel at the BlogHer conference this summer on this very subject. We’ll be revisiting Alice Bradley’s infamous statement, “Mommyblogging is a radical act!” and asking a diverse group of panelists, as well as the panel’s attendees, whether that’s still the case. I expect this to be a very lively and emotional debate, and I’m just praying I have at least one opportunity to say, “Back up! Back up! Just step the back up!” when and if things get out of hand.
Seriously, though, many of you already have left some incredibly insightful comments regarding this subject, and I hope you’ll continue to do so; your thoughts will definitely help shape the course of our discussion.
Speaking of BlogHer ’08, this year, an entire track of panel discussions is being devoted to mommyblogging. Bwah ha ha ha haaaa! Our total world domination plan is chugging along nicely, thank you very much. Last year, as you may recall, we partied like it was 1999 and this year in San Francisco, I predict the party will be even more awesome. And while I know some of you think you’re too, well, shy for such things, that is actually being addressed. One of the first panels is on how to break out of your shell and enjoy yourself during BlogHer. And you will, trust me. Give it a few martinis and you totally will.
Can you tell I want you there? I want you there! I met so many cool women (and men, for that matter) last year and had such a fabulous time that I’m really hoping even more of you can turn out this summer. So tell me if you’re planning on going- and what you think of all this BlogHer stuff. And if you have any ideas/opinions on the “Is Mommyblogging Still a Revolutionary Act?” panel, please leave them in the comments of this post. I’ll be studying what you’ve had to say in the next few months as we prepare to tackle the subject.
>Color me so jealous… I want to go so bad! But not this year, since this year we’ve still got private school and other stuff like that going on. Next year? I am so there next year. Come Hell or high water, and even the water will have trouble stopping me!
>How do I tell my wife that what I really want to do is drive up to San Francisco and hang out with women I’ve “met” on the internet?How do I tell the woman I married, after meeting her on the internet over a decade ago, that really, this is a great idea?And how do I tell my guy friends that going to a conference called BlogHer wasn’t an accident?I think mommy-blogging is a radical act; especially when dads do it :}
>Take your wife with you! BlogHer has childcare, which I put Bruiser in last year, and it was excellent.And there are plenty of men who go to BlogHer. I think there’ll be many more this year than last year- and I saw a bunch of guys last year (not only bloggers, but a good number of PR types come to listen in, as well, and pitch their clients). Don’t be fooled by the name of the conference!
>Damn that kid going to the Junior Olympics and the one going to Cheer Camp and the one going to College that are keeping me from going to BlogHer!
>Mommy Blogging will never catch on.
>I wish I could go to these things but it’s just too hard to work around the good old military. 🙁
>I’m SO bummed I’ll miss your session because it sounds like the coolest of the whole conference. Alas, it is directly opposite my panel (the whole “don’t be shy!” thing) and I don’t think I’ll have figured out how to split myself in two by then. Dangit.
>Awesome, Lindsay! Will you/they do a video/podcast of your session for those of us who aren’t there?I was just thinking about this yesterday, visiting my Mom who was a SAHM 40 years ago. No Internet back then, no WiFi. No weekly e-mails of local family happenings, no Craigslist for buying/selling baby gear, and obviously no blogging! Just the phone, print newsletters, & church bulletins (at least that’s how I envision it). Is mommyblogging revolutionary? Or just a sign of the times & a natural outgrowth of our plugged in society? Whatever it is, I’m glad I’ve found it!
>I’ll be there.
>Wow, is it only 91 days already? I plan to be there, though I’m not sure yet due to finances. Plus, I’m hitting TequilaCon in a couple of weeks in Philadelphia, then going to Dallas for a week after that.Still, would love to hang out with you some more, and all my other BlogHer buddies.
>No can do (and would be lost so doing, anyway) vis a vis attending; but in the view of a single dude, ‘mommyblogging’ — if a revolutionary act with deep-seated objectives toward woild domination and equal rights to the TV remote control and final, absolute resolution of the toilet seat position question — then I suspect the ‘plan’ is progressing 😉
>I so want to go be a part of what the “cool” moms are doing. But I don’t think that Hubby would be all down with that jive just yet. (He still doesn’t get why I blog…nor does he understand how I have blogging friends.) So I will be there with you in spirit. Really I will. Maybe next year I can save enough pennies to sneak out the back window to see the “cool” kids.
>I think you’ll find some “cool” kids at BlogHer- Dooce will be there, and I’m pretty excited about that. But you’ll also find us dorks. Seriously, last year, there were bloggers there with six thousand readers a day and there were bloggers with six readers a day. And for the most part, we all hung out together. I remember feeling just like you did, though, mommastantrum, in 2006. I read about everyone else’s experiences at BlogHer and I envied them and I thought my husband would NEVER, EVER understand why I’d want to go to something like that. A year later, I was there with his blessing. So don’t give up hope. 🙂
>Marie, I don’t know what they’ve got planned, videowise. Every year, it seems like they’ve improved that aspect of things. I do know someone will be liveblogging it.
>Men are invited to BlogHer? I envision a roundtable on SAHD vs. SAHM wars.
>I’ll be there! I might even be wrangling the mic for this panel. Wave, okay? :)Assertagirl
>I am so happy that they asked you to moderate a panel. I just have one request. Will you pretty please do it while wearing The McDonalds Bag on your head? I kind of wish I could speak on your panel, but after the way I BOMBED last year, I don’t think they’ll ever want me speaking on a panel ever again. HAHA. I can’t wait for it to get here already, I’m already stocking up on Depends. DUDE. It’s going to be awesome. Roomates 4evah
>I’m totally making it my mission to make googly eyes at you while you are speaking on your panel.Wink, wink.See you soon!
>I’ll be there. Am so excited.
>I really wish I could go- maybe next year. I know your session will be one of the most popular (and blogged about)
>It seems to be pretty revolutionary over here in Australia – I haven’t found anyone else who is mummyblogging here. They might be out there, but we don’t have blogging communities or anything so we can’t network like you do.
>I’m one of the few ‘mommybloggers’ that has absolutely NO desire to go to Blogher. I wanted to go in 2006, but then I got so disgusted with the fallout afterwards I decided this just wasn’t my cup of tea. I am planning to go to the one-day event in Boston in October if they ever let us know when, where, and what will be happening. But no, the big event is a real turnoff for me. Plus, after last years errors regarding the handicapped, there is no way I would trust the organization to plan for people with health issues that can’t walk miles and miles. Ahem.
>I would love to go and meet all of you wonderful MOMMYBLOGGERS! I live clear across the country and it just isn’t an option this year. Maybe next?!
>I am like totally unsure whether I am going. All I know is that dude, I have been hanging out with like, 6th graders for way too long today.
>I’m going! It’s my first BlogHer and I’m very excited! Plus I used to live in SF, so I’m even more excited for a trip back there!I’m not a mommyblogger so I have no comments on it.
>I am going to submit my name (a la begging begging and begging) to be working THIS sesh. I will be running a mic round rooms for this year’s blogher (affords me the power hungry moments this bossy woman needs when away from her smartass kids)….hope to be running round you…see you there.as far as a radical act? ummm…nakedblogging AND mommyblogging together is nothing but radical.
>and also because i love you and think you are worthy: i share the love with you that i found today.http://www.236.com/blog/w/alex_leo/my_beautiful_mommy_5945.php(not my shards of brilliance)
>I’m excited to be going this year! I am one of the official photographers, so I’ll def be in ur session snappin ur mug. I read the agenda last week and was wondering if the invitation was extended to you before or after that rockin mom-blogging post! So happy for you.I’m oblivious to the “fallout” mentioned above, and I’m just plain thrilled to learn some new things, meet new peeps and enjoy a little SanFran.
>Your panel is going to rock.Still a radical act? Of course. I think we could have stayed in that session all day long last year, discussing and debating, and I’m sure it will be even more stimulating this year.
>I’ll see you there! I’m volunteering as the Bookstore Wrangler, which makes it sound like I get to wear a cowboy hat and carry a lasso but sadly, no. It means I’ll be the liaison between the bloggers who have a book to promote (and sign, and sell) and the bookstore who will provide the books and take the payments. I can’t wait! Would it be wrong of me to hope I score some free books to review out of the deal? :)I’m not sure about the Mommyblogger panel, though. I know you want to discuss the culture and community aspects, but if you bring up getting paid to blog or accepting free products in exchange for writing a post, it’s going to get ugly, I just know it. Do you have any thoughts on what direction you’d like the panel to go in?
>You know, Elizabeth, I think we’re all adults and we can discuss an issue passionately and still be friends at the end of the session. But that might be a good point to make at the beginning of the panel.
>I’m still debating on going. I don’t really know anyone IRL that is going….I want someone to hang out with. Dammit, I wanna be part of the cool crowd.
>I’ll be there. Now with a bazillion Mommyblogs out there I don’t know if what we do is still radical.Unless you mean it like, “Radical, Dude.” because then we are totally rad.