Not at Blogher ? Then Blog Hop '09!

Sorry, warning you now, this is a long post!

Starting today (well actually last night for a lot of people) the mothership has called-in all its bloggers, that’s right Blogher ’09 has started! And like many, I was unable to attend. Not because I did not want to, but because I could not make up my mind if I wanted to, and then eventually it was too late, as Blogher has been sold out for a long time.

But the great thing about being a part of this community is, that even when all it’s member’s cannot, come together in one place, there are still others that work to gather by other means. And that is what Pensieve and Jo-Lynne have done with their Blog Hop ’09.

There are a number of virtual parties going on, you can check them out on Pensieve’s post, and she also has a great activity with Mr. Linky. Write a post, add yourself to Mr. Linky and then when you get your Linky number, visit every blog on the Linky list that ends in the same last digit as you. It is a way of doing some virtual cocktail-partying, you can “meet” new people and be exposed to new blogs as well as get exposure for your own.

I have never been to Blogher, and even though I bought my early bird registration for Blogher 2010 today, I am still not decided! You see, I really like the intimate caring atmosphere of the smaller conferences such as Blissdom, SOBCon, Type-A-Mom, and I am just not sure I can get that at Blogher. I am going to the Blog World Expo in Las Vegas which in my mind is the same as Blogher, I guess it will be a true test of how I feel.

More than likely I will. Seeing as I am a social media coach as well, it makes sense that I be there even if it is not the same vibe.

But for some reason I am feeling very sentimental around Blogher, like there is a family reunion going on and I can’t see relatives that I have been missing. The bonds that are created online through the blogosphere can run just as deep as offline, so when online buddies get to meet, it’s like visiting an old friend and you know what that is like.

Having just past one year doing this (I am still a newbie, soaking it all in) I am still constantly amazed at the depth of caring and wealth of knowledge shared by those of the blogging community. It is an amazing group of people and I am honored to be a part of it. And I am honored to have met both Pensieve and Jo-Lynn (although they may not remember me!) at Blissdom and happy to be part of such a fun event!

As part of the participation, I wanted to tell you a little about me. But for me, it’s hard to nail me down. So I thought I would share me through others. So here goes.

- I am a Gen X’er. And I never really thought about it until I started getting my daily dose of JenX67, she has an amazing way of drawing out memories that were buried deep within. I have a very bad long term memory and at least once a week a post by Jen will spark a memory, it is a precious gift and I want to tell her thank you!

- I am a traveler. I grew up a military brat and ever since I have had the traveling bug! I have been lucky enough to work at places that allowed me to travel extensively to Asia and to live in Europe. I am lucky to have an incredible husband who also loves nothing more than to explore new places as well. But when I cannot get away, I turn to Susan and Kristin to take a virtual trip or two. And to keep me in the luxe of life, Ava provides me fabulous distraction.

- I am a foodie. Lunch whets my appetite each and every day with the fabulous photos. I also completely agree with their philosophy, that no matter how hard you work, you should always take a break for lunch!

I love movies and books. Clarabela keeps me in the know about the latest flicks and serves a my blogging cheerleader!

I am not artistic. But I gravitate towards it, maybe because there is a gap that I need filled. Blogging fills that gap. But when I want to be inspired, I turn to Jenn, Lucrecer, and Melissa.

- I am a die hard Frenchie! When I want to immerse myself in all things French, I turn to My French Corner and I am transported to the land I love.

- I am a glass half full kind of girl. I try to be the nice one, the positive one. Visits to Melissa reinforce that I am doing the right thing, that I am not crazy and there is a better way to view the world than dog-eat-dog. Julie helps me focus those intentions in a more local way.

I am a social media junkie. I cannot get enough of the stuff. I live it, breathe it, digest it. The discovery of this medium has brought a whole new dimension to my life, and I am an addict! For get my fix I look to Julie, Jessica and Liz.

- I have a strong character. And when I feel like maybe I am an alien, I head over to read Megan, who gave me my blog mantra, “I own it!”

- I am an offline introvert who has become an online extrovert! And I have more friends online than off! Don’t know what that says about me, but I have connected to some lovely people who I now call my friends: Paula, Jody, Amy, and Missy.

And when you do these lists you always forget someone, just like the Oscars. There are so many blogs that I check out on a daily basis, each and every one touching a little piece of me.

You can check out the FAQs on how to participate here. Go and have a good time!

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Tagged as: Blissdom, Blogher, Velveteen Mind