I'll need a moment to digest a long, wish-it-was-longer, day of debate, discussion, and networking at BlogHer. Wow. Kudos to the organizers, kudos to the attendees. This was one fantastic conference. The level of engaged discourse still has my head spinning and that I can't yet formulate any coherent thoughts about it all reveals why I did not volunteer to liveblog any of the sessions.
I don't know that I've ever attended any all-day event in which the level of interest, attention, and connection seemed to rise as the day progressed. These were/are some committed women and men, and I'm delighted and heartened to have met so many articulate, warm, snarky, opinionated, thoughtful, funny, modest, forward-thinking people. In the next day or so, as I collect my thoughts and return to NC, I hope to say a bit more about the wonderful folks I met. Even though I am literally falling asleep typing this, inside I'm shouting out a big Woohoo! Thanks to all those who chatted w/ me today. You rock.
And normally, I would despair that nothing would come of the energy of the conference's sessions, as so often happens, but somehow I know it will be different from this crowd. Lisa, Elisa, and Jory have done something quite wonderful in thinking up this very necessary idea and bringing all of us here together to build on it, and I can't wait to see what develops. Herstory in the making.
Checking out the BlogHer blogroll highly recommended.
VERY well put. I agree whole heartedly.
Posted by: Bake Town | Sunday, 31 July 2005 at 08:05 PM
I wish I could have been there. Next time I'll remember to sign up before they sell out. Sigh.
Posted by: Elke Sisco | Sunday, 31 July 2005 at 10:53 PM
Hi ae - it was *great* meeting you! :)
I enjoyed the event as well. I'm (still) too tired to blog about it, but am having a great time reading everyone else's posts.
Have a good flight back! - SD.
Posted by: Sour Duck | Sunday, 31 July 2005 at 11:13 PM
Bake Town, thanks for dropping in. There was so much there that I'm still digesting it all. I look forward to reading your thoughts on it, too.
Elke, I missed you there! Next time -- and there will be a next time -- let's both get in early so we can share a chat and a cup of coffee. I would have been curious to hear your thoughts on it, and I know you would have had the best titles for your posts. =)
Sour Duck, wonderful to meet you, and thanks for volunteering to host the feminism BoF meeting. I'm so glad I went to that one!
Posted by: ae | Wednesday, 03 August 2005 at 09:36 PM
> let's both get in early
I live about 10 miles away from where the conference was. I was thinking about stopping by for at least one of the pre- or post-conference activities, but I was busy watching 3 sets of cats ... just one of those weekends ... but yes! Next time it's a date!
Posted by: Elke Sisco | Thursday, 04 August 2005 at 12:58 AM