Internet Explorer users may need to widen their browser windows to span all three columns. Or download Firefox.


Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Thanks for visiting. I am no longer updating Notes to Self. I hope you'll join me on my current website, PlantingDandelions.com

Preparing for Lift Off

Revised, and cross-posted as a Blogher forum topic



Hear that? A high pitched buzz, audible only to women? It is the sound of leg waxing, hair coloring, spray tanning, teeth whitening, protein shake swilling and bathroom scale groaning. It is a constant sound—like the noise emitted by florescent lights—but if there were a way to measure it, you would see a pronounced spike this week emanating from the internet.

You would stand over the readout, and ponder the cause. You would trace and isolate specific samples of it:

You would begin to notice something. A common denominator.

BlogHer '07 I'm Going

At first, you would be perplexed; perhaps, disturbed. Why are all these women making themselves crazy trying to look perfect for a technical conference by and for women? Are there special sessions titled, "Does Your Ass Look Fat in That: Let Us Be the Judge?" or "Grade Eight Locker Room, Revisited?" Is it because of the rumors that men have been known to infiltrate previous Blogher conferences? Is a panty raid anticipated? Is it for the paparazzi?

As a woman, you might begin to feel indignant. Defensive. As a man, baffled. What has the arch of your eyebrow or the volume of your hair got to do with becoming a more effective, better connected blogger? Why should anyone care what color your toenails are, or that they are peeping out from just the right platform sandal? Why should any of that matter?

You might crumple up the readout, and walk away in frustration. But wait. If you listen very, very closely, there is another sound; really, a vibration. You may have to put your hand to your computer screen to detect it.

There. Feel that? It's six or seven hundred hearts thrumming with excitement. The primping and pecking is all just restless idling, a grooming of pin feathers in anticipation of flight. This week, I—and hundreds of other women who are seeding this new field with our diverse perspectives, skills, and gifts— will converge on Chicago from every direction, to spend a few days face to face with women we have come to adore, admire, envy, and respect.

After all the months of planning, hoping, fussing; we'll take one last nervous glance in the mirror and foolishly, fervently, hope we will do.


I leave Thursday morning for Chicago. There isn't room to list all the birds of a feather I am looking forward to meeting, but I am so excited to be bunking with my beloved Jen on Thursday, and Alana on Friday. (Promiscuous girl, I know.)

I don't know yet how much I will be blogging from the conference, but I will definitely be posting photos, so check in. I am working on something chewy for you, but it depends on how packing and waxing and laundry goes, whether I post it before I leave here.

Labels:

6 Comments:

Blogger Charlotte said...

Have fun. Wished I lived in the USA so that I could go too.

1:44 PM  
Blogger Patrick said...

So, are pics of the inevitable lady blogger lingerie pillow fight out of the question?

Anxious husbands want to know.

6:36 PM  
Blogger littlepurplecow said...

And just in time, a new bit of hot pink bling for your blog. You're a Rockin' Girl Blogger.

6:46 PM  
Blogger bluebird of paradise said...

godess speed~

5:41 AM  
Blogger Kirsten Michelle said...

it's been a crazy, crazy day!!!
i needed to do something to guarantee a smile...you didn't let me down :-)
have a great time at blogher!!!

6:20 PM  
Blogger jen said...

You look gorgeous. Wish I could be there.

12:49 AM  

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

<< Home