The Daily News

LFCA Latest Issue: Friday, September 25, 2009.

Latest Post on BlogHer: Parenting after Infertility.

My Status: Fed Josh's almonds to the squirrels. They needed them very badly.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Everyone Else is Doing it So I Might As Well Do It Too

Updated at the bottom

And by everyone, I mean a few people. And by a few people, I mean that I've seen it about three times today. But regardless. A what-to-expect-when-you're-meeting-me post which is a bit silly in my case because I've posted my picture and video here many times before. But in case you are meeting me for the first time at BlogHer this week...

I am nervous too. I know, it's sort of crazy to admit that because I have (1) been to two BlogHer conferences by now and (2) know about twenty people or so who are going semi-well. But I am pretty shy in large crowds or small so I will be the one nervously drawing boxes on the hotel supplied notepads.

I do very very poorly with airplanes. As in I need a sedative to get on-board so if you see me Thursday, I may look a little glazed over.

I am shorter than you think. Even people who have seen me in pictures next to other people always seem a little surprised by my height and the length of my hair. It grows at an alarming speed, so it isn't as short as you're thinking it would be from someone who donated her hair a few months ago.

Though I photoshop it out before posting pictures of me on my blog, I have an eye patch and a parrot surgically implanted onto my shoulder (actually, his feet are implanted into my shoulder and the rest of his body hovers slightly above me). It's my right shoulder, which is why I lean heavily to the left.

When I am nervous, I write things like that because I can't think of another way to describe myself.

I will try to hug you. I may even try to kiss you. I will most likely cry. If any of these things make you uncomfortable and you still want to talk to me, you may want to approach me with hands raised. This is a good indicator to me that you do not like to be hugged, smooched, or cried upon.

I will be wearing the Hilde boots. As in the donation room boots. Though the rest of the outfit is buried in the back of a drawer and will not be accompanying me on this trip.

I'm a very picky eater...a terrible eater at that. I will shock you with how little I like to eat. Things everyone likes. For instance, pizza. Or cheese. Or even pie. All things I don't like to eat.

I don't use the kids names. I call them the ChickieNob and Wolvog at BlogHer too. I will miss them a lot and will probably cry if you ask me about them. But I will tell you that the ChickieNob informed me today that I "shouldn't concern myself with things that are not my business because if her daddy wants to let her wear high heels and walk across the kitchen floor holding her hand, I should let him do this and not concern myself. Because it's not my business."

I've always wanted a tattoo, but have never gotten one. If you have one and doesn't involve too much disrobing, show it to me so I can think about what I'm missing. I may ask you if I can photograph it for my photo essay: Tattoos I Saw at BlogHer [Josh just called out that this would be cool so I am going to do it. I'm declaring this now. I'm taking photos of tattoos I saw at BlogHer. It's good for me to have a project. I am very project-driven. It also gives me a reason to talk to strangers].

I love meeting people there, but more so, I love keeping in touch afterwards. So please give me your card. Or follow me on Twitter. Or let me know that you subscribed to the blog's rss feed so I can return the favour. And, as I've already said, I'm very project-driven and lots of good ideas including the tweaking of the LFCA, group Kirtsying, and the now defunct Bridges all grew out of BlogHer last year. I have a new idea brewing and if you like to be involved in projects too, find me and talk to me because a lot of ideas are bounced around in those panel rooms.

Update:

The Tattoo Project (which will reveal its real name once it begins) can be played from home too. When you see the tattoo post, upload a picture of your own on your blog and leave a comment with a link to the post. So it's more blogger tattoos than BlogHer tattoos. But...you know...at BlogHer, you're around 2000 bloggers so it seems like a good place to start.

36 comments:

AwkwardMoments said...

You and your parrot have fun at blogher!

Beautiful Mess said...

Happy ICLW!

Have SO much fun at BlogHer! You MUST take lots and lots of pictures. The ones whom won't be attending MUST feel as if they went through photos! I have a tattoo, but I'm not going, so you can't take a photo of it. Although, it didn't hurt and I love it!
*HUGS*

Natalie said...

I wish it was closer. Have fun!

Hillary said...

Mel, I can sense all the excitement in your post. Have a fabulous time and I look forward to hearing about it! :)

N said...

Have so, so much fun. :D

(Also, have I shown you my non-wallaby tattoo?)

Also also, the parrot really suits you. ;-)

Also also also, I'm stalking you on twitter, but I don't think you actually know it's me. *g*

ColourYourWorld said...

Gosh I wish I was closer ! You described yourself exactly the way I imagined, except the pizza I thought you would like pizza :)

Look forward to seeing the Tattoos, I have always wanted one too and have been working on a design.
Have loads of fun !

Kristin (kekis) said...

Don't forget the parrot's cage to cover it on your shoulder at night. You'd hate for it to squawk while you both are trying to sleep. :) Have fun at BlogHer! I'd love to go someday.

I have two tattoos. One I'll show you because it holds much significance to me. The other . . . meh. It's okay. They can be hidden if I want, but one is easily visible. I can share pics if you like.

Mrs. Gamgee said...

I hope that you have a great time at Blogher!

sassy said...

removed tattoo. I'm not going to Blogher,wish I was, but if you like I can send you a picture.

I hope you have a wonderful time, and again, I do wish I was going!!

Kristin said...

I am so jealous of you and all the other ladies headed for BlogHer. Have a fantabulous time!

IF Optimist, then... said...

I so wish I could go to BlogHer. I've read about it for years. I love your "description" and I agree with the ChickieNob that you should not concern yourself with her high-hell wearing self. What a riot! I look forward to seeing blogher tattoos.

battynurse said...

I wish I could be there.

'Murgdan' said...

I, too, was most surprised by the parrot...and your height. I was mostly surprised you weren't from Canada like me...but the pizza thing is the most shocking.

Have a great time....

B-)

VA Blondie said...

Sounds like you are going to have a great time at Blogher with your parrot! Wish I could be there.

I also have a tattoo. I thought about for about two years before I actually got one, and I have not regretted it for a moment.

Shelli said...

I SO WISH I was going to BlogHer. And meeting you would be like meeting an old soul that was probably a BFF in a former life. lol.

Next year? I'm definitely going.

Alexa said...

You don't like CHEESE? I feel like I don't even know you anymore.

areyoukiddingme said...

Wow, I thought I was just hallucinating when I noticed the parrot and the eye patch. You must have forgotten to photoshop it out once or twice.

Have a great time. Chicago is a lovely place. If you haven't been there before, you will be surprised by the size of the lake (but that's why they call 'em Great Lakes!). Also, for the best views...take a trip to the Signature Room (the bar, not the restaurant)on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building for a drink and to enjoy the vista! Instead of paying to go on the observation deck, you pay for a drink. Unless you don't like heights - then you should go over to the parks surrounding the Aquarium and the Planetarium for great skyline views. End tour guide portion of comment...

calliope said...

I loooooooove the tattoo project!! And when you get back can we do a "tattoos that missed blogher" show and tell??
hope you have a wonderful time!!

JD at I Do Things said...

Woo! I can't wait to meet you (no, you don't know me ... YET!) Feel free to hug me. I wrote a get-to-know-me post somewhere on the BlogHer site.

Anyway, you'll know me. I'll be the one in the Green Room taking handfuls of sedatives before the Community Keynote. See you there!

Eden Riley said...

Ohhh, I second Calliopes suggestion. You could do like, an art exercise on bringing the tattoos of those "there" and those "not there" all together, so we are like, all totally there.

Hope you have a wonderful time!

ME! said...

I wish I was going to blogHer. DARN IT!!! I am personally a hugger and a crier. :) Love it! I sometimes forget that a lot of people don't do that. :)

Have fun, and I wish I could be up there and meet you all!! I want lots of pictures!!!

JB - A.K.A. Jenn said...

Ooohhh I can hardly wait for the "tattoo project"

Have a blast at BlogHer - Wish I could be there to meet you AND the parrot.

Hugs

Anjali said...

Have a great time! I'm looking forward to the Tattoo project...I've always wondered if I should get one, too!

Grace said...

Hi! You sound like someone lovely to meet and I hope to run into you at BlogHer. Also, I have a great tattoo, and it's what people recognize me by, so I'd love to participate in your project.

See you soon!

*ICLW*

EEMiles said...

I have 4 tattoos I can add to your "collection"...Can't wait!! :D
Have fun at BlogHer!!!
*ICLW*

Flying Monkeys said...

What if I don't mind the hugs or crying but am not a fan of the smooches? Just in case we ever run into each other in the great wide open. Have fun!

Shelby said...

I'm so sad to be missing your parrot and patch. Nothing spells good times like that.

Have a great time, even if it does have to involve nervous doodling and sedatives. It sounds like it will be well worth it!

Katie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Katie said...

I would so send you a picture if I could find my hiding camera-to-computer cord around here somewhere....
Have FUN!!! :)

Clare said...

Cant begin to tell you how jealous I am of fellow bloggers attending BlogHer and getting to meet each other! Maybe one day I will have to hop on a plane and cross the big blue Atlantic. Apart from tattoos would you also be interested in some body bling?

Lori Lavender Luz said...

Crying. I miss you.

Who will distract you with Twitter this year?

Jendeis said...

I've always thought that the parrot would be cooler if it could swear in different languages instead of just in Albanian. Cause I like variety in my swears...

Io said...

I am looking forward to meeting this parrot...

Michelle said...

That is a really cool idea about the tattoos! I am sure you are going to have a great time at BlogHer. Take lots of pictures. I am very jealous!

Jamie said...

The tattoo project sounds totally cool! Wow - it has been a long time since I have labeled something 'totally cool.' Not sure where that came from but I think I had a Vally Girl flashback!

Shelby said...

Have fun at BlogHer! Love the idea of the tattoo project. I have 3, and will gladly put them up when the time comes. Though by then, it will be 4, as I plan to get more ink this week on vacation. Yay!!