Third time's a Chicago blogging conference charm

After almost a year of flip-flopping, tonight I finally gave in.

Two things happened over the last 30 days to seal the deal:

• Announcement of "Lean In" author Sheryl Sandberg as the Saturday keynote. I read the book a couple of months ago and appreciated a good chunk of the sentiments.
• 20% alumni discount for previous conference attendees (though the discount didn't actually go through during registration; I'm hopeful this will be rectified soon). Luke and I continue to run a tight ship fnancially, and a cheap Saturday-only ticket paired with couch-crashing at my sister's equals UNABASHED BLOGGING FUN OMG.

This year will be my third BlogHer conference in Chicago. My first one in 2007 was a blast. I was glowing with child, high on my new Parents gig and excited to meet friends I'd spent years bonding with online. The second one in 2009, not so much. I was mothering babies barely a year apart, adjusting to new travel requirements at work, and losing touch with the blogiverse despite all my writing for Parents. Plus, it was at BlogHer 2009 that I learned my sweet freelance gig was ending. To say I was a social let-down would be a severe understatement.

Once again, I bring new circumstances to the table this year. I'm not much involved in the day-to-day of the mommyblogging world, and I don't post frequently, but I belong in this community. Whether it's fodder for my book, promotion for a (someday) freelance business, or a mouthpiece for change, writing here means something to me, and there is more I want to do. 

Also, I'll still be without a blog posse, but I'm in a much better place emotionally than I was four years ago, and therefore much more open to meeting people. Plus, I get to hear Sheryl Sandberg speak (I still have every intention of writing about Lean In - hold me to it!) AND see my family, all in my hometown.

Will any of you be there? I would love to say hi.

Comments

[Christy]

I feel bad... Chicago is pretty close for me to feasibly attend distance-wise, but with two kids and a baby, it's just soooooo far away in all other aspects. I've never been to BlogHer but would love to go one of these years, if I can ever stop having kids and catch my breath :)!
Have fun~ can't wait to hear about it!

[Grandma Molly]

I am sure that you will have a great time.

[daddyd]

The writing of text comes from thoughts of a thinking process. Also, thinking is bound to come out in written form either sooner or later. So many components of life have to be in place to allow text to become reality. BlogHer'13 is a next possible step. The BEST.