"Therefore I propose that we all print out our headers and wrap them around our foreheads, indian princess style, to stave off any uncomfortable introduction moments."

Ow...Hurts. Laughing...

Jenn, thank you so much for writing this post. You are right: Any and everything goes. From swimsuit coverups to ball gowns. Tiaras are optional.

What am I doing? What you'd expect: Sunscreen. I'm bringing enough for everyone. I am not kidding. If you need some, find me. Just look for the largest hat if we're outside by the pool - that'll be me.

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette

I was getting too wor-day, about the par-tay....oh and the fear...dude, the fear.

Read on here if you so desire.

Karen

--
Troll Baby

Troll Baby Graphics

i have a post on this ready to go, but i wrote the same thing as mom-101 months ago when i first bought my tickets and started freaking out that i wouldn't know anyone by their real nameHERE. and months later, nothing's changed. lol i'll probably put my post up on tuesday- when the blogworld is overflowing with blogher posts.

Um, I haven't yet even worried about what to wear. Oh sure, I think maybe I should decorate a tee shirt with some thing on it. But there won't be time. Because I'm still preparing for my session. (beginner podcasting). Writing docs. Which I'll print out and assemble and staple together into a little booklet. Creating a new website where we'll post our "hello, world!" podcasts. And oh God, please, let there be time for me to make some demo movies.

Because the jitters I'm having aren't about whether I'll like or be liked (okay, there *is* that), but about whether we'll be able to get through the tutorial in 45 minutes. I just picture 15 or more minutes being sucked away while people install Audacity (free software that we'll be working in). What OS platform? what equipment will people be bringing? And how will all those particulars and unknowns turn a brisk happy You'll-get-through-it! You'll-feel-a-sense-of-accomplishment! into a nighnmare of Landsakes, who the hell was that person? She couldn't get us through it all... what an incredible disappointment.

My jitters are about whether, having made it through those two sessions on Day 1 (okay, really, preparations are going okay, it'll prolly be fine, yeahsure, but we're talking candidly about jitters here people, jitters!), I'm in a post-session psychic catatonic state of exhaustion, where the only speech I can muster is zoned-out "oh, uh.. uh... yeah.. I'm Susan....... and... uh. what did you say?" and I watch the party pass me by.

At the rate I'm going, I'll be happy to have clothes that are clean. And unwrinkled.

You know, to get out of this mode of worry, I think I WILL print out my site headers and wear it as a tiara. If no one else, it'll help ME ;)

ahem. Finally put my custom-adapted "I'm speaking" badge on my 2020hindsight site. Very much fun.

2020 Hindsight | Family Oral History Using Digital Tools

Link Texthttp://www.blackphoebe.com/msjen

I'll have y'all know that I was FULLY packed for BlogHer yesterday by noon. That is a full 4 plus days before my plane leaves...

That is how excited I am to come home to Calif. and go to Blogher. That is also what a geek I am.

enough said...

Here I was going with the whole "if my hair is fab everything else is gravy" theory and TODAY I FOUND A GREY.

This is not a good omen.

Ergo, I'll be the one bitching about my stylist.

--
Mir from WCS
(BlogHer Mommy & Family contributing editor)

Personal: Woulda Coulda Shoulda

Having it all with less: Want Not

Last month I attended an Usborne Book's convention in Tulsa surrounded by women (and some men) who were making TONS OF MONEY selling Usborne Books, recruiting consultants, doing book fairs and homeschool conventions, and selling to schools and libraries. And here was little ol' me who does a few home shows a year.

You know what? They were NICE! Supportive. Hugged me the first time they met me. Gave me good advice. And it was because we all believed in the same thing - spreading literacy and getting kids to love books.

I've been so charged up since convention that I'm trying new things with my business. I bet BlogHer's going to be just as inspiring.

I bet people will be nice at BlogHer, too. They'll answer your "silly" questions and give advice. You'll know some things they don't and vice versa. They'll tell you they like your shoes when you tell them their t-shirt is cool.

And it's because bloggers are GOOD PEOPLE. We're supportive of each other (mostly...) We all believe in the same cause, whether its mommy blogging, making money off of blogging, blogging to find community, blogging to support a cause, or just having fun while posting our asses off.

It'll be fun, so relax.

Even so, I got my hair done too and a pedicure. I bought new jewelry (like I need an excuse) and had business cards made up. I bought a new bag, and am thinking basic black all weekend will be the way to go. I'm bringing my yoga matt, my laptop, and am looking forward to MY VERY OWN ROOM for three nights, too.

We all have the jitters, I guess.

And I have just the one to wear! (Watch, I'll be the only one wearing the tiara, and everyone else will wuss-out.) I am getting really excited, even though I am a total noob, and not geek-like at all. I am so looking forward to meeting and gleaning inspiration from all the wise and wonderful Bloghers that will be there.

My hair is not ready.
My clothes are not ready.
My body sure as hell isn't ready.

But I'm excited anyway!

mothergoosemouse

Link Text
Jane Gassner

I'm excited...and not ready...and wondering why we are all so focused on the physical. Like we're going to the prom. I'm doing the same thing, and the only way I see able to calm myself is by reminding me that it's going to be all women...who have the same insane fears and needs and wants that I do. I tried on my bathing suit this morning. The one I bought a couple of years ago and have successfully managed never to wear. I decided I'm going to bring it. Because BlogHer is all women and I don't have to care about how I look or whether my suit fits or my pubes hang out or my belly or my boobs. Do I? That's a rhetorical question, thank you very much. But this isn't: are we so focused on the physical because (a) it's how we express excitement, or (b)we're trying to armor up against the Mean Girls, or (c) it's a habit?

But hair cut? check.
Hair color (out of box at home..) check.
Body in shape? Maybe next year.
Stuff to sell? Almost.. except I found this cool apron pattern and I'm starting to wonder if I need to make a couple of these...

Packing list? Check. Shoes chosen? probably check.
Packed? uncheck.

Funny thing, my roomie for Friday and Saturday and I were panicking about how to find each other. So I decided what I'm wearing Friday, what workshops I want and emailed it to her.

Friday planned? I'm sure not as checked as I think it is.

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Deb's Daily Distractions

My nerves have nothing to do with attending a conference where I've never met any of the other attendees (in person). I'm not worried about what to wear or the six-hour plane ride from Boston. I'm not concerned about what people think of me. Who am I kidding? I'm worried about all that!

But my biggest worry is presenting. I'm speaking at the Primp Your Blog session and I'm a bit nervous. I'm actually a bit surprised that I'm not freaking out - I'm known for my anxiety and it just doesn't seem to be as crazy as I thought it would be. I think I experienced all the anxiety the first few weeks after accepting the gig.

Ahhhh, I'm sure it'll be just fine. I'm sure everyone will be uber nice!

What have I done to get ready?

- Haircut and new highlights
- shopping!
- bragged to all my friends!

:) Megan

http://www.divinereality.com
http://www.webundance.com

I'm sure of it. Good luck anyway!
Karen

--
Troll Baby

Troll Baby Graphics

That was my big thought as i got out of bed this morning. Last year's conference was a life/career/altering experience. Being around all of the talented women bloggers was one of the best experiences of my life.

Because of the conference I've attempted podcasting and vlogging this year and I discovered what blogging naked was all about -- something I don't see myself doing but definitey love and admire all the bloggers who do do it.

So I wasn't thinking about clothes, or gray hair and I certainly wasn't thinking about a bathing suit ( just typing those words" bathing suit" is enough to create high anxiety)..nope mine is definitely anxiety of the expectation kind.

See ya Thursday night-- if my plane lands on time.

elana
Blogher Contributing Editor,Business&CareersFunnyBusiness

I had the haircut today, which went poorly. I'm still going to dye it as well, so maybe the color will distract from the cut.

Next up is choosing clothing, and psyching myself up to get on the plane on Thursday.

Christina
A Mommy Story

Well.

I've had my hair cut and colored, my lip waxed, my pedicure is done and I've dyed 100 pieces to sell. I've packed most of my clothes and almost all of my carry on. I've got an appt for my manicure, since for the first time in 14 years I won't be changing diapers for four whole days, and the polish can actually stay on.

I'm seriously thinking of making a huge batch of the best.brownies,EVAH, and bringing them with me. People will talk to me if I have chocolate, right?

Now, I've just got to get rid of the biggest cold sore in America, so people won't run screaming when I show.

Freaking out? Yeah, I'm doing plenty of it myself.

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette

I still haven't had nerves yet however I'm sure that I will get all riled up the night before. I will have to pack and re-pack, decide which of my beloved shoes are making the trip and which ones will stay behind. The biggest issue I'm having is what to do with my hair.

It's so hot here I can't quite think of clothes yet.

Chantel Williams
BlogHer Life Contributing Editor
http://www.lifeandtimesofchantel.com

As someone who is not able to make it to BlogHer Con this year (next year, hopefully!), you have no idea how green with envy I am.

I cannot wait to read the blog posts summarising all the fun you guys are going to have!

Jules

BlogHer Contributing Editor, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania
Dragongirl blog

Let's see...

I am one of those people who likes to buy new clothes for any/all events be they important or totally inconsequential. Therefore, I have been picking out outfits for BlogHer for oh, about 2 months now.

Lisa, a hat is a great idea!

I've got the pedicure, the new laptop bag, the business cards, the cute sundress, the wedge shoes that actually don't make my feet numb. Tuesday I'm getting my eyelashes tinted black (I hate wearing make up) and my hair cut.

Other than that, I have been frantically reading as many blogs as I can. BlogHer will be a blast. I'm looking forward to meeting people and also to attending many fabulous sessions. Podcasting? Can't wait to know more about that! Oh, and that mommyblogging discussion will no doubt rock my socks off.

Lots to think about and look forward to... Planning my outfits is just a way to pass the time.

Mary
BlogHer Contributing Editor, Mommy & Family
Mom Writes

Nerves-schemerves! I've been so darned busy with the Media Hub blog, pitching articles on citizen journalism, occasionally blogging myself, and working on a commentary on religious imagery that I've had *no* time to schedule a pedicure, let alone think about my outfits!

I'll be lucky if I get laundry done in time and the dishes washed before I leave. Otherwise, it's the last-minute-buy-new-underwear thing, and scrape the dishes when I get back.

Tish Grier
Editor, Corante Media Hub
Blogging at: The Constant Observer and
Love&Hope&Sex&Dreams

I laughed and laughed. I've also been buying new clothes for a few weeks, and wondering what type of clothes others will wear. I guess I'm bringing some of everything. I'm taking care some nieces and nephews for one more day, and then it's probably two entire days of Blogher shopping/packing/primping for me. Oh, and I have to write 5 days worth of blog posts to have ready to publish for the days I'm gone!!

My biggest indecision so far is whether to bring my new Canon Rebel XT (which I barely know how to use so far but takes amazing pictures) or whether to just stick with my small Casio camera which also takes pretty good photos and is much smaller, more comfortable for me to use, and a lot cheaper if anything happened to it.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

What makes you think I'm anxious?

Laura Scott
design, snap, blog

BlogHer site admin

I went through this last year. I bought new clothes and then ended up wearing my jeans and tees because after all, I wanted to be comfortable. And you all liked me anyway (at least, I think you did!) Of course, I did get my hair cut and colored and a mani/pedi (thank goodness because last year Beth Kantor shoe blogged and put up a photo of my flip-flopped feet!)

What worries me this year is that it seems so much BIGGER. And all the friends I met have accomplished so MUCH. So I do have these high school type worries about not being able to play with the cool kids...

Well, I figure I'll just look like my unkempt self and wear jeans and gym shoes and t-shirts with political messages, although I am getting a hair cut because I'm looking a bit on the shaggy side and need it anyway and I hope it won't look too bad. (It takes a week or two for my hair to adjust back onto my head properly after a cut.) I do freak out about winding up in a corner all by myself talking to no one, or making someone who is goodly enough to chat me up feel trapped by my random babbling. (I always worry about this when I go to parties or conferences.) I also worry that my husband is coming and that I'll feel pressured to hang out with him when I want to be hanging out with the ladies or worse, that I will hang out with him and the folks we know in the area because no one at the conference will want to hang out with me. Arg! Forget high school - I think my anxieties are at the junior high level.

Suzanne, BlogHer Contributing Editor - Feminsim & Gender
Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS)& Other Rants

I need to show this thread to my B-friend, who thought I was being a freak for insisting on at least one new outfit for BlogHer. I'm in training right now for wearing heels one of the days.

Jory Des Jardins
BlogHer
Personal Blog Pause

Hey guys - GUYS? I was not anxious about my wardrobe until now. GAH! I have two wardrobes to choose from: A) Corporate Androgenous Slug and B) Toddler-Food-Covered Fussy Tees.

I do have deoderant, though.
Surrender, Dorothy - When I was your age, we just let them ride in the back window.

Because y'all are scaring me. Isn't this supposed to be fun? Work has been so nuts lately that I'm just like, "Yay, California!" "Yay, interesting blogging conference!" Let's continue on in that vein, shall we, pretty toes and all.

Anyone who's nervous is welcome to come stand by me, because I don't know anyone well and I'm terrible at small talk. (Although maybe I will cover my gray - you know, if it's that important to you. ; ) )

lauriewrites is a contributing editor for travel and recreation.

Blogging, that is. I'm pretty OK with going alone to a conference across the country (bye Boston!) and meeting tons of new and exciting people...

I'll probably do my laundry tonight -- and I have roots in my hair for miles and a chipped pedicure. I don't care. I'm psyched to speak on a panel and enjoy a little sun for a change. I'm more concerned about buying new CDs for the plane than packing clothes.

See you there, ladies :)

wickedlocalplymouth.com