I'm in San Diego, along with 3,000 of my closest online friends, for the sixth annual BlogHer conference.
This is turning into a more or less annual ritual for me, akin to a Girls Night Out -- and an event I've attended almost every year since the first, intimate BlogHerCon back in 2005.
The conference has changed a lot -- and so have I. Six years ago, attending the conference opened my eyes to what I could do with my little blog, which I still had a passion for writing.
But 2011 is the year when we are all being reminded of our limitations. And I'm feeling very limited indeed (as evidenced by my infrequent posts here of late).
One thing that remains the same: I am here in San Diego looking for inspiration, and looking forward to meeting new friends and connecting with old ones. And I'm as insecure about myself as ever, which is why I spent Tuesday taking care of some personal grooming needs: Hair, nails, etc.
I got here yesterday for a pre-conference meeting with the MOMocrats, and I cannot tell you what a tonic it is to see them all in one room!
My friends are all too polite to point out that my new haircut doesn't suit me (just as they won't mention all the weight I've gained back in the last year). I wish my husband and daughter were as sensitive.
I have already hugged and been hugged by a couple of dozen fabulous female friends who hail from all parts of the country. And I'm being joined this afternoon by my sister, who is attending her first BlogHer conference -- which means this year, I'll be seeing this event through her newbie eyes, too.
Can't wait to see what my takeaways will be this year.
