nina turns 40

this just sums it all up so beautifully

I have more fotos, of course, though not as many as I would have thought.  But, I discovered (as did Socal Mom, who live blogged many sessions beautifully) that it can be hard to participate in something when you're trying to document it at the same time.

opportunity taps lightly and I think it's a moth at the window

Opportunity, she has been knockin'.  After waking up this morning and realizing I'd let a golden dragonfly of one flit right by me on Saturday, I was somewhat redeemed by the swiftness with which I took advantage of that ever fortuitous airline sanfu called overbooking.  I am now the proud owner of not only a first class seat home on a later flight (I'm blogging to you from the hideous Terminal C at the SJ airport), but also a round trip ticket to anywhere Alaska flies.  That includes Mexico, y'all, where the kidlet's paternal grandparents (whom he's never met) live. 

Yesterday, one of the sessions of BlogHer  was an informal roundtable type gathering of like-minded bloggers called "Birds of a Feather".  I decided to sit in on the feminist/politics session, mostly to hear what other folks were talking/blogging about this admittedly huge topic.  Some of the most interesting women I met at the conference were there, like this one and this one.  Also at the table was a woman carting a stack of books which inlcuded Inga Muscio's infamously titled tome, and this one.  Turns out she doesn't have a blog, but works for Avalon publishing's Seal Press.  After the roundtable ended, she came up to me and asked me what I write about.  Umm, you would think bells and whistles would be going off in my head about now, some sort of mental equivalent of being poked in the ribs with a little voice saying, hey, hey, you, take advantage of this!  But alas, no.  I was high on blogs at the time, high on the power of new media and busy pondering whether I think abortion is THE core issue for feminists or just A core issue, blah diddy blah, so I told her about my blog, and that I thought it was cool that non-bloggers were there and off she went.

It wasn't until this morning, sitting cross-legged in bed and riffling through my stack of business cards that I realized that she was a friggin'-a acquistions editor of a feminist press and that if I'd had a manuscript stashed under my bed, or even a really great idea, or possibly my long lost WITS about me I could have pitched an idea to her, and she would have at the very least listened to me.  She even said the words, "We are always looking for new writers..."

Much head banging later, I am content to know that since I don't have a book idea brewing right now, and I do have her card, it is probably not the end of the world.  It highlighted for me, though, how inexperienced I am in the art of conference attending and networking.  I was great at meeting people that I wanted to meet because I admire their blogs (yes, I introduced myself to Heather B Armstrong, and she was incredibly gracious and sweet), but considering that I want to expand my professional life into something that does more than pay the bills, I need to learn me some spot-and-seize techniques when it comes to those little chances that life gives you to break out and go for it.

BlogHer first impressions now that it's done

It's not about the sessions, it's not about what I'm learning from listening to people speak, it's the one-on-one talking that I'm doing with women I never would have met if it weren't for this medium and this conference.  I'm blown away by the opportunity of it.  Blogging has changed my life.  I'm like a freakin' religious convert.

All the implications of what have happened today will have to be processed and brought to life rather slowly.  I'm changing.  My blogging identity is likely to change (or more accurately, it has been changing slowly over the life of the blog).  I'm loving what is happening to me even as it's freaking me out a bit.

Stay tuned!

Update:  Oh! Oh! I forgot!  My biggest thrill?  As part of the opening of the conference they presented a slide show which included different bloggers' responses to the question "Why do you blog?".  When my beautiful nina turns 40  banner (thanks Gary) came up on that screen, I, well, I squealed, yet again. 

coming out--BlogHer update

People used the identity blogging session (How to Get Naked) to come out as Poly!!  Right on.  That's what's really turning me on about this conference: the chance to hear the voices of people who are usually ignored.  That's what turns me on about blogging.

live report from BlogHer

We're not in Seattle anymore, Toto, you can see through the coffee.  This is your intrepid correspondent coming to you live from BlogHer Con which is about to begin.  I have signed in, I have my swag, but I am not, reapeat NOT caffeinated.  This is unprecedented, folks, nina is blogging without benefit of her favorite drug.  Anything can happen. 

There's much to report about the pre-con festivities yesterday, and there will be much to report about today, but I must repeat what I hope I've made abudantly clear so far:  the woman here are totally fucking cool.  Oh, let the name dropping begin:  I'm having breakfast with Ronni Bennett

jumping and squealing

First off people, please note that it is not yet 6am on a Saturday morning, and I have been up for an hour already after staying up waaay to late last night.   I am not yet fully caffeinated, and we need to leave the house (Grace's house!  It's incredibly beautiful, like the lady herself) very soon. What can I say, the conference hasn't even begun yet, and already the jumping and squealing factor has been way up there.  Sometimes there was squealing because I recognized someone's face, and sometimes there was squealing when I learned someone's name, but just about everyone here makes me happy. 

fotos to follow...

It's Friday and I'm feeling funky on my way to BlogHer Con, not the least bit random iPod Supa Dupa Mix

Super Duper Love--Joss Stone
You Haven't Done Nothing--Stevie Wonder
The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)--Missy Elliot
Are You Gonna Go My Way?--Lenny Kravitz
Purple Shoes--Malia
Higher Ground--NOT the RHCP
Shine--Collective Soul
Que Onda Guero--Beck
Righteously--Lucinda Williams
Back to Me--Kathleen Edwards  (no this song is not particularly funky, but it's my party and I'll de-funk if I want to)

Note:  This will be my last post from home, my last post as a pre-BlogHer attendee.  Who knows, after this experience, I may never be the same again.  And really, am I the only one who is secretly hoping to get laid this weekend?  Isn't that what these conferences are really supposed to be about?  Wild crazy don't-have-to-follow-the-rules-because-I'm-not-at-home sex?

Update: Did I mention I don't care about the gender of my potential partner?

Addendum to all members of my family:  I'm joking

Memo to GraceD:  I told you you were exhibiting poor judgement by inviting me to stay with you!

work stress makes me act weird

If you've noticed any strange or overly dramatic behavior on my part, chalk it up to work stress, please.  We have so many end of month deadlines, and I'm taking time off for that conference I can't stop talking about, and it's all starting to get to me.

Those of you who can find it in your hearts to cut me some major slack right now will be eternally rewarded in heaven/earn lotsa good karma/are really kind and groovy people (take your pick).

view from a bike

What's on your top five list of most fun things to do?  I think most of us probably have sex up there pretty high. Well, I'd put riding on the back of a motorcycle a close second.  (I might say driving a motorcycle, but that's still TBD.) Nothing gives me that sense of freedom, the thrill of motion, and sheer joy at being part of everything around me quite like being perched on the back of a zooming bike.  Everyone in their cars seem so, well, boxed in when you go cruising by them.  They can't smell the wildlflowers, or feel the sun, or wind, or road.  They have no thrill like ours from those long sweeping corners that make you lean waaaaaay over.  The road up to Mt. St. Helens is full of these curves, and on a sunny Sunday in July, full of tourists from all over the country.  They were only mildly annoying as we easily zoomed passed them most of the time, no matter what those yellow lines on the road said (oh, mom, you should skip that last sentence).  I love everything about riding on the bike, I love pulling off my helmet when we stop somewhere and strutting around in my boots, enjoying not only the chance to stretch my legs but also the fleeting pleasure of the borrowed coolness that arriving somewhere on two wheels always grants you.  When you're on a motorcycle, you get to step out of your ordinary reality for a little bit, and just be that crazy wild chick you always want to be. Oh, and it's no wonder I dig this bike so much.  It's got my name right on it (you can click to embiggen this one):

please make a note of it

To all of you who would wish to legislate what happens inside of my uterus, please keep in mind that a fetus is an unborn child like you are an undead corpse.