Thanks to one of the sessions I attended at BlogHer ‘07 (led by Elise Bauer and Vanessa Fox), I’ve been receiving Google Alerts on blogs, articles, etc. that reference certain things I’m interested in, such as “Decluttering.” Here’s a sampling of what I’ve found today:

• Ali in Australia is on a mission to get her spare room cleared out and turned into a guest bedroom before her parents arrive for a visit. She started a 100 days countdown blog to keep her focused. That’s my kind of girl!
• Thanks to this Decluttered! post over at Serendipities, I also discovered a few other sites (Unclutterer is one) that I will be adding to my RSS feeder as well as my sidebar links.
• Last, but definitely not least, I have discovered Back Into the Groove by SuperKK. Here’s another woman after my heart. Another add to the RSS feeder!

And this is just the first day of my Google Alerts! I have to be careful here. I could end up finding so many new cool things to read that I eat up even MORE of my free time to actually get stuff done.

Technorati Tags: decluttering, blogher07, organization

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Looks like I missed some controversy at BlogHer ‘07 when I skipped out on a couple of sessions. It appears that there has been some flack over paid posts. I’ve been hopping around to various blogs to get a feel for what’s being said. I even posted a comment on Mir’s blog over on WorkItMom.com, but thus far moderation has not made it appear.

I might as well admit it. I’m a little bitter. When I was in college at the ripe old age of 32, I was an intern in the university’s public relations office. I was told by numerous people, time and time again, that I could write. After one of my fellow interns graduated and landed a job as editor of a local weekly paper, she gave me some freelance work, at $15 per article. She certainly seemed to think I could write and so did many of the subjects of my articles. During my last summer before graduation in December 2001, I interned at a local daily paper. I was offered a job after graduation, making $8.50 per hour. Did I mention it was a 45-minute commute each way?

Obviously, I couldn’t take that job. I had a family to support on my own. Social security survivor’s benefits had gotten me through school, but my benefits stopped when the boys turned 16 and my income dropped by nearly half. And in case you’re not aware of this, teenagers aren’t cheap.

So, I sent out resumes for every job I could find in my field. I couldn’t even get an interview. After doing some freelance (and not steady) publicity work for nearly a year, I took the first job I could find as a department secretary at the same university I earned my degree.

Congratulations, Val! You just spent four years and thousands of dollars on a college degree to get the same type of job you had before you took that leap into higher education.

Was it worth it?

Yes and no. An education is always worth it. And I certainly won’t begrudge having a steady source of income, particularly one with the kind of benefits this one had.

I just want to know one thing. Can I write? Or were all those people lying? I once had an editor call one of my references to ask about me, and tell that reference that he was going to hire me, only to never hear from him. On another occasion, an editor contacted me and told me to call him to set up a time to meet. I did and got his voice mail. Repeated messages and I’ve never gotten a return call. And I’m not even going to talk about the columnist that did get hired whose writing drives me insane.

Think about the message that sends to someone like me, someone who started this game later in life and with a whole lot less confidence than your average 22-year old graduate. Walk in my shoes before you’re so quick to call people like me prostitutes. There is only so much rejection I’ll deal with before I decide it’s time to hang it up and do what I can to get by.

The thing that sucks most about this is that I was on such a high after BlogHer, and now to find out that some of the people I really respected look at people such as me like this.

So much for supporting each other…

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Day two at BlogHer ‘07 started off rather quietly. No coffee for me until AFTER the shuttle ride. The big event was obviously Elizabeth Edwards as the keynote speaker. Regardless of politics, I admire this woman for many reasons.

Though I wasn’t able to meet her at the Children’s Museum after the speech, here’s a list of notable people I did meet throughout the day:

Suzanne Reisman, one of my favorite daily reads. Suzanne is a former Cubs fan, the former part the result of breaking her heart one too many times. Now she roots for the Mets. But she still knows the words to “Tinkers to Evers to Chance.” I know, because she recited it for me. And yes, it was awesome.

Slackermama led the one and only session I attended and she rocked. Later on, both she and Zoot graciously let me join them at a table in the Yahoo Internet Cafe. That’s when I learned that Zoot rocks too. And while I was there, I met Casey give, who most BlogHer attendees will remember from her interesting treadmill anecdote earlier that day. If you’re not reading this woman’s blog, you’re missing out!

During the AOL Life Coach luncheon, I met BlogHer contributing editor, Nina Smith, as well as Jessica and Sheila. I had the chance to talk with Nina more at the cocktail party later and discovered that not only did she grow up in my neck of the woods, we are both University of Toledo alumni!

Because I don’t want to leave anyone out, I also had a chance to meet some of my absolute favorite bloggers the day before, such as the lovely Kris, pictured at right. I wonder if she knows I love me some baseball, too.

Susan (Friday Playdate) and I showed each other our painted black toenails. And I had the chance to tell Mary Tsao that she was responsible for me being at BlogHer, since it was through her blog that I learned about it. Am I the only one who wonders how someone sounds after you’ve read their blog for a while? Because I wondered how Mary sounded, and you know, she has a really nice speaking voice.

I was fortunate to have lunch with Patia Stephens of A Drivel Runs Through It on Friday. And on Thursday night, I met Susan Somers from Dirt Makes Fat.

And then there was Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah. I’ve been wanting to meet this woman, a fellow mom of twins (though hers are QUITE a bit younger than mine) who never ceases to crack me up and appears to share my love for all things Hello Kitty. One of these days, maybe she’ll just have to come to a football game in Detroit (Tampa Bay will be in town on October 21st…) and The Boyfriend and I can drink beer with her. Ok, I won’t be drinking the beer, but you know… Bacardi and Coke will work as well.

Am I done reflecting on BlogHer ‘07? Probably not. I still have a bunch of business cards I’m going through, adding links to my Bloglines feeds. I’m still remembering things that took place. I’m still anxiously waiting to hear news about BlogHer ‘08! Because, without a doubt, I will be there!

*ETA the link for Sarah and the Goon Squad 

Technorati Tags: blogher07 BlogHer

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I’m not sure that I can properly convey how being at BlogHer ‘07 affected me, but I will say it’s part of the reason you’re only seeing a Day One post after the conference is over.

The first thing you need to know is that (contrary to what those who work with me might think) it’s not an easy thing for me to walk into a room full of strangers. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that it’s painful. I hate going to parties alone. I will always choose showing up with someone rather than meeting them at a destination.

It’s for that reason that I asked The Boyfriend if he wanted to go with me to Chicago for BlogHer. Traveling alone isn’t something I fear; I’ve done that before when I followed Train around. But I almost always met up with someone I knew at the end of the journey, so I was still really never alone. I guess a part of me wanted The Boyfriend in Chicago as sort of a security blanket. That thought doesn’t make me entirely happy, but it is what it is.

So, when I walked into the hotel lobby Friday morning to catch the shuttle, I was equal parts excited and terrified. Trying to act like a grown-up, I ventured into the coffee shop and bought a cup because even excitement and terror don’t outweigh the need for caffeine when your body is out of its normal routine.

It should surprise no one who knows me that the first thing I did was spill said coffee on my beige and white shirt. *sigh* All I can say is that it’s a damn good thing I brushed my teeth before I got dressed, or I’d have been wearing Crest Whitening Expressions Cinnamon Rush as well. But hey, it made a good icebreaker with the person who ended up sitting next to me on the shuttle.

Registration was next, and as I made my way toward the final station, I was stopped by none other than Lisa Stone, one of BlogHer’s founders. She recognized my picture from the site and wanted to tell me that she liked the 10-second introduction I’d posted on the BlogHer site and she had used it as pull quote. I wasn’t quite sure what she was talking about at that particular moment, but the fact that she greeted me in such a way was my first indication that I was in the right place.

Fueled by that little shot of courage, I headed into the ballroom where the breakfast was taking place and approached a table with friendly-looking people to ask if I could join them. They promptly told me to get lost.

Kidding! What they really said was that they supposed they couldn’t stop me from sitting down there, but I’d better not expect them to be nice to me.

I’m not sure I could have picked three nicer people to sit with, actually. Liz appears to have boundless energy. You absolutely can’t be nervous in her presence. Becky is friendly and funny and ended up being a sanity saver later in the day. And Cherri is an absolute sweetheart.

There was a screen backdrop on the stage at the front of the ballroom and that’s when I figured out what Lisa Stone was talking about. She had pulled quotes from several of the 10-second introductions and put them into a slide show along with each blogger’s logo. Mine just happened to follow Liz’s quote, which I think was pretty cool. Again, I felt I was where I should have been. Of course, being the dork that I am, I had to take a picture of it.

After “Speed Dating for BlogHers,” in which we had the opportunity to meet several other attendees, it was off to the first session. I had planned out all of the sessions I wanted to attend, with first and second choices. At the last minute, instinct told me to go with my second choice, “Digital Exhibtionists or Chroniclers of Their Time,” mostly because I really wanted to see Kris and the other Indie Bloggers speak.

There were moments when I was near tears. For example, when Stacie said that she tries to be funny, but that she’s not sure that she really is… I just really needed to hear that. Because all of them are funny - they’re freaking hilarious - but knowing that they have that same insecurity did a lot to make me feel better about my own writing. It was better than finding out all your old junior high friends felt just as much like freaks as you did!

I followed that session up with The Art of Storytelling. I’m hoping that there will be a podcast of this session (and all the others) because it was jam packed full of people and I spent more time trying to deal with claustrophobia than I did listening.

One thing I’ve learned about myself this weekend: I am easily overstimulated. In small groups (or after lots of wine) I did well talking to people. At the cocktail party on Friday night, I was really stressing until The Boyfriend finally got there, and even then I hung at the fringes. I had no desire to be under the tent with the bulk of the crowd. It was just too much.

But I had a GREAT time chatting with Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah, and Kaleigh. The Boyfriend seemed to enjoy himself as well. Then again, when there’s free wine, it’s pretty much a given!

There will be more on Day One, I think… as I absorb everything and read others’ recaps. But this is enough for the moment, because quite frankly? I’m freaking tired!

Technorati Tags: BlogHer07

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Greetings from Chicago!

Amazingly, even though we set out later than originally intended, and even though we encountered PITA traffic and construction on more than one occasion, The Boyfriend’s magical sense of direction managed to get us to US Cellular Field well before the White Sox took the field.

I wish I could say it was a good game. Frankly, as baseball games go, it was on the boring side - until the last inning, when the Tigers quite literally threw it away and lost. *sigh*

But on the plus side, the majority of White Sox fans are nice people. Well, except for those few who were chanting, “Detroit sucks!” as they were leaving the stadium. Um… guys? Detroit is in first place. The White Sox? Yeah, 14.5 games back. Who sucks, exactly?

The Dan Ryan Freeway is under massive construction, so The Boyfriend opted to drive through town to get to our hotel. It was a little slow going, but considering it was rush hour, we found it quite easily. I’ll admit that I was a bit concerned about how slovenly we looked coming into the lobby, but there were plenty of other travel-weary guests checking in at the same time.

We’re on the 19th floor and the view isn’t so bad. There’s high speed internet access for free with our room, and free WiFi down in the lobby. And did I mention there’s air conditioning? I looooove air conditioning, truly. Especially after sitting out at a hot ballgame. I mean, this is the Windy City, but there was very little breeze in the stadium.

Now I’m off to shower so we can grab some dinner and explore the city a bit. But it’ll be an early evening for me. The first shuttle for the BlogHer conference leaves at 7:45 a.m. and I’d like to be somewhere near it!

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See you in Chicago!

Go TIGERS!

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Here’s hoping The Boyfriend remembered to drop his car off at the mechanic’s this morning before heading off to Pittsburgh Steelers training camp with our friend Dusty. Never mind that he had a month’s lead time to get his air conditioner recharged, but instead chooses to wait until his last day off before we leave for Chicago.

The funny part was when he emailed me last night, hinting about someone picking it up.

Nope.  Not biting on that hook. I love ya, babe, but this is your issue to take care of - not mine.

So, he found someone else to do it, which is great because I don’t have time. I’m too busy doing laundry and making a list of what I need to take with me to BlogHer.

Incidentally, they launched their new site design this morning and let me just say that it is fan-tab-u-lous! You should definitely check it out, if you haven’t already. Seriously. And, you know, join. Because it’s free. So, I’m looking at you, Andrea, Kare and Stacie, because I didn’t see any of you listed in the blogroll over there. I suppose it’s possible that I missed you, since I am still listed under “I Think About.” I need to find out how to change that.

Anyway…

I need to go to Target before I leave, for sunglasses and a new camera case since my old one inexplicably disappeared while in the bag carrying Blue Streaks stuff. The Boyfriend swears he hasn’t seen it. I’m sure it’ll turn up as soon as I spend money on a new one.

GAH! Only two more days until we leave!!!!!!!

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The closer we get to BlogHer, the more afraid I am.

Not that people won’t like me. I’m insanely likable. Just ask the people I work with. Well, don’t ask ALL of the people I work with; just L and J and W and Sunshine, who actually doesn’t work with us anymore, but still - she likes me. And E and K. They like me, too.

So, I’m not worried that people won’t like me. I’ll find something in common with someone.

No… I’m worried that I’m not worthy. I feel as though I used to be so much more of a writer than I am these days. Maybe I just had more to say because there was more to my life than getting up and going to work every day and coming home to a disorganized house. Back then, I was road tripping and following bands and hosting Acoustic Slumber Parties and life was just more interesting.

Up until today, I was inspired by the women over at BlogHer. Now, I’m a little intimidated.

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BlogHer is getting close! In a little more than a week, I will be on the road to Chicago. With every passing day, I feel the butterflies in my stomach fluttering a little more. I am excited and scared all at once!

A new member was asking what BlogHer was and described feeling somewhat left out as everyone prepares to convene in the Windy City next week. I know how she feels. I found out about BlogHer’s existence far too late to make arrangements to attend last year. I read the blogs of those while they were there and especially after everyone went home. And I vowed that I would get there myself in 2007.

When they named Chicago as the 2007 location, I knew without a doubt I’d make good on that promise to myself. Every BlogHer newsletter was thoroughly read, looking for details.

First we were able to reserve rooms. Woohoo! I think I had mine within the first week. My mom told me she’d pay for a night’s stay as a birthday present to me, and The Boyfriend said he was good for another. We had the room - now what?

Finally - FINALLY! We could register for the conference itself. I signed up as soon as I knew my money was good. I put in for my vacation request and I was all set.

And then life returned to normal and the excitement ebbed for a while… until I saw the countdown on BlogHer’s main page! Seventeen days! Fifteen days! Nine days!

I’m going to BlogHer!!!

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I know I mentioned this before, but I wanted to mention it again on the new blog. And I know Sarah’s going, but is anyone else? Thanks to some excellent information provided by Deb who is also going, it looks like The Boyfriend and I will be catching a Tigers/White Sox game while we’re there.

It should be a great weekend all around. I’m only sad that I won’t get to see my beloved Cubbies. But I’m sure I will have plenty of other things to keep me occupied!

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