They say an electrical storm is going to change our lives forever. I keep hearing it on the news – over and over again they repeat it, “An electrical storm is going to wipe out the Internet…forever.” It’s like 1999 all over again when everybody was freaking out about the year 2000 coming and breaking down all computer systems. Of course, all was fine in the end, but we sure were paranoid for an entire year.

Now, the Internet itself is in danger and we only have one day left to tweet, email, and be called “mommy bloggers.” Only one more day of hearing that one phrase that will either make moms stand up taller with pride or cover their face with shame – depending on who you ask.

Where the heck is Al Gore anyway? If he invented the damn thing, can’t he save it? Pffttt…a lot of good he turned out to be.

Since I only have one day left to share with you – well, everything – I’ve decided to leave you with these “last words.”

• Go have fun with your families.
• Turn up the radio real loud and dance like crazy with your kids.
• And the husband.
• Keep a journal. One day the Internet might be back and you’ll have hundreds of blog posts just waiting to be posted.
• On that note, maybe you should print out your entire blog for memory’s sake.
• Learn how to use a phone book again since we can’t just look it up on Google anymore. We’ll at least still have our phones, right?
• Kiss your k….

Wait. Forget this. I’m going to go.crazy without the Internet! No more wasting time…quick…everybody leave your phone number in the comments so we can text each other with twitter-like updates!

This post was written as an entry for the Mabel’s Labels BlogHer ‘10 Contest. The Internet is not really going to be wiped out by an electrical storm. Not today anyway.

Happy Friday! I hope you have had a productive and fun week. For me, it’s been a good mix of the two, which is great because that’s how I define balance.

I’ve been busy working on a couple of Blogher 2010 Room of Your Own sessions as well as a new blog. So, today, I want to share my new projects with you.

BlogHer 2010

BlogHer has Room of Your Own sessions that you can submit a proposal for, then people can vote on whether or not they’d attend such a session, and hopefully your room is accepted and added to the conference agenda. It’s a way to get different topics on the agenda that may not have made it to the main track sessions. This year, I am excited to be a part of two sessions with some great friends.

Cross Cultural Encounters of the Virtual Kind: Achieving Understanding, Tolerance and Maybe Even World Peace Through Blogging

This session will focus on how in addition to multiculturalism, the blogging community also creates and sustains “cross culturalism” through blogging. I was approached by the lovely Faiqa of Native Born to speak with her in this panel. It’s great because there’s diversity between her and I – from our cultural background, our lives, and even our blogs. It’s sure to be a great conversation…if it gets accepted.

Latinas in Social Media: Are we out there? Let’s start the conversación!

Focusing on Latinas as a group and how we are using social media to develop relationships and promote our businesses with a distinct flavor, this session will feature a great group of Latinas:

• Dr. Daisy Sutherland (@DrMommy) of Dr. Mommy Helps Moms
• Monica Vila (@theonlinemom) of The Online Mom Network
• Jeannette Kaplun (@jeannettekaplun) of Todobebé
• Silvia Martinez (@mamalatina) of Mama Latina Tips
• Lexi (@laprimera) of La Primera Blog
• And…me!

How can you help?

If these session topics sound interesting to you, then click on the titles of each session above, login to the BlogHer site (free, easy registration if you don’t already have an account), and click on the link at the top that says “I would attend this session.” That will count as your vote for the session and will help it have a better chance of being accepted to the conference agenda.

New Blog

Ahhh…yes. My new baby. I’ve started a new blog and am launching it today! It’s a great topic, and I’m already having tons of fun with it. I hope you’ll join me in the fun and become a reader. I’d love to have you!

Want to know what it’s about? Well, you’ll just have to click on over to find out!

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Have a comment? Let’s hear your thoughts on these BlogHer sessions or share with us any fun and exciting projects you have going on. Just add your comments below!

And don’t forget to visit my new blog!

Disclosure: My trip to Blissdom was provided courtesy of Fleishman-Hillard and the U.S. Potato Board as part of participating in the TasteMaker Challenge.

This past weekend I attended the Blissdom 2010 conference and was able to get together with many other women to learn about various blogging topics, network, and have fun. There were many great points during the conference, like the live Potato #Tastemaker Challenge, a very fun dinner out with Carrie, Jennifer, Yolanda, Stacey, and Lizzie, and of course, the motivational opening keynote by Kevin Caroll (@kckatalyst). But, one session in particular, was very useful and provided some practical tips for bloggers. I took some notes and decided to share since they’re important points we should keep in mind.

Note: Keep in mind that these are my notes from listening to the panel and is not my personal knowledge. I still have to research this information more in-depth, and suggest you do the same. Of course, it’s always a good idea to consult a lawyer, accountant, or adviser if you have specific questions.

You Should Know Better: A Blogger’s Guide to Legal, Accounting and FTC Guidelines

Speakers: Susan Getgood (Marketing Roadmaps), Liza Barry-Kessler (Privacy Counsel LLC), Kristen Berman (Intuit)

• If you make any money from your blog, then you’re a small business. Consider your blog a small business.
• You can’t wait until you’re rolling in the money to start tracking it.
  • The government doesn’t like it.
  • Knowing what you make is the 1st step towards increasing it.
• Think about the last 5 expenses you had for your business. What were they?
• Use a balance sheet! Remember the formula: Assets = Liabilities + Equity
• Do you need a business banking account if you only make a little money?
  • It depends – How serious are you about your business? It’s important to separate business money from personal.
  • The speaker suggests that you do open a business banking account.
• How do you pay yourself?
  • Give yourself an actual salary or wage.
• Do you need an accountant? Do you need an accountant to use accounting software?
  • Again, it depends. How comfortable are you at keeping your own records/books?
  • You don’t need an accountant to use software.
• At what point do you have to start reporting blogging income to the government?
  • The government likes it if you report any income made – even if just $1.
  • Definitely after $600 as an independent contractor, it has to be reported.
  • For self employment taxes (social security, etc.), after $400.
• What do you need a tax ID number for?
  • If your business is serious, then yes, you should have a tax ID number.
  • Can apply for one online very easily.
• Sales tax
  • Some states collect sales tax on consulting services.
  • Need to collect on sales of goods.
• 1099 Form
  • If you made more than $600, you have to file one as an independent contractor.
• Schedule C
  • Use schedule C-EZ if expenses are less than $5,000.
  • It was suggested that we look up the details of this and acquaint ourselves with it.
• Business Write-offs – You can write off:
  • dinners for business meetings
  • business gifts up to $25
  • gas expenses if going to/from a business event
  • travel expenses
• Ask yourself: Is this expense both ordinary & necessary to the business?
• Is your blog a hobby or a business?
  • It’s a business if there’s a reasonable expectation of earning a profit.
  • The IRS considers it a business if an activity is carried on for profit and makes profit during at least 3 of the last 5 tax years, including the current year.
• If someone takes your work, fight it – if you don’t, you could lose your copyright.
• Registering your blog as a business:
  • Incorporation
    • Can be DIY
    • Secretary of State websites are a great resource
    • Cost varies
  • Blogging Alone: Sole Propietorship
    • If something goes wrong, you’re personally liable.
    • You may want to consult an accountant to make sure you understand business expenses.
  • Partnerships: LLP
    • Good for small groups.
    • If something goes wrong, the entity is liable, not the individual partners.
    • Have operating agreement
      • A written understanding of who owns how much/what, who invests how much/what, plans for business development, what happens if someone wants out.
      • Hire a lawyer to review the agreement, but can write up on your own to begin with.
  • Traditional companies: LLC
    • Have operating agreement
    • If something goes wrong, the entity is liable, not the owners.
    • Highly flexible way of controlling money
    • Profits “pass through” to owners’ individual tax returns
• Hiring People, even volunteers
  • Additional bloggers/writers need writer’s agreements.
    • Who owns the written material?
    • What happens if the site shuts down?
  • For other services (web design, accountant, etc.), need written contracts/proposals.
• Employees
  • If you make money on your blog, you’re engaged in “interstate commerce” – minimum wage laws apply to you, even if you’re a small business.
  • Overtime laws apply also, unless the person is salaried & is a business manager.
  • Unless you reach 15 employees, federal employment discrimination laws do not apply; your state may have different rules, though.
• Blog policies
  • It’s best practice to have blog policies so that your readers & potential advertisers know how you do business.
  • It’s not required legally, but if you do write policies and don’t follow them, you could be liable to the fair-trade agreement.
  • FTC considers it “deceptive trade practice” if you don’t follow policies you’ve established.
  • Types of blog policies: privacy, disclosure, advertising, comment deletion, point of view
    • First 3 highly recommended, others as they fit your blog.
  • Can change policies at any time; try to inform readers of change.
• Privacy policy
  • What information do you collect from your readers?
  • What do you do with it?
• Disclosure policy
  • How can readers know if a link to a product is part of an affiliate marketing program?
  • How can readers tell if a post is your opinion, compensated, came from donated product/service, etc?
  • Do you have current or former relationships that might influence your opinions?
• Ethical best practice (disclosure)
  • You don’t need disclosure if you bought the product yourself.
• Ways to disclose:
  • Blanket site policy
  • Statement within post
  • Statement before post
    • Not at end of post
  • Category or tag for post (ie, sponsored)
  • Easily identifiable hashtag for tweets (ie, #spon)
• For swag bags given to many people, then you don’t have to disclose. If product/goods are given to you personally, and you write about it, then you have to disclose.
• You should ask a company for value statement when sent on a trip or given lots of products. We need to know monetary value.
• Prizes won or products received that are high in value are considered income that you have to report. (If over $600.)

I hope that in sharing my notes, you find this information useful. I know that I learned a lot from this session and still have some follow-up research to do on a few of the tips provided to learn more. If you were at Blissdom and attended this session, feel free to add your notes or link to your recap post.

A while back, I posted a list of 10 Blogs Worth Reading. A few more were added in the comments section of that post from readers.

Since then, I’ve come across many new blogs, but specifically, many that are written by fellow Latinos and Latinas. I’ve also connected with many Latinos on twitter and even spoke at the recent Latinos in Social Media conference held in Orlando.

I feel it’s only right to give some love today and highlight some new blogs that you may want to check out.

In no particular order…

10 Blogs by Latinos and Latinas to Read

1. Mami’s Time Out
2. Sofrito for Your Soul
3. Tiki Tiki Blog
4. SpanglishBaby
5. NY City Mama
6. Orlando Sentinel Hispanosphere
7. Speak Hispanic?
8. Latin Baby Book Club
9. Latina on a Mission
10. Mama Latina Tips

I hope you find some new friends in exploring their blogs. Let me know in the comments below of any others you enjoy reading! I know there’s many more out there.

I cannot believe it’s already the middle of October. And here in Florida, it’s still in the mid-90s most days! It definitely doesn’t feel like fall. Yet, many stores around here already have their Christmas sections up. Unbelievable.

Anyway, I wanted to take the time to share with you some recent and upcoming events going on in the blogging community.

Article Republished

• My post on Latino terms of endearment and cultural differences has been republished at MyBrownBaby. Denene has shared my post with her readers and I’m so glad that there’s so many out there that can relate.

ModernMami part of Community Site Warming Party

• This Friday, there will be a #community site warming twitter party hosted by the queen of twitter parties, Amy from Resourceful Mommy. You can RSVP for the party here and join us on Friday night as my site is one of the blogs featured!

Tastemaker Challenge

• The U.S. Potato Board has partnered with nine bloggers, who have officially been deemed the “Tastemaker” Challengers. And guess what? I’m one of them! You can read all the details here, but just know that I’ll be playing Iron Chef a bit. Only thing is, we already know the secret ingredient…potatoes! Follow the conversation on twitter with hashtag #tastemaker.

Got any news to share yourself? Go ahead and let us know in the comments. I’d love to hear about it.

And don’t forget to join the twitter party this Friday! See you there.

Working in the e-learning industry by day and in social media by night, I’m always coming across new online tools. Some are more useful than others, depending on your need.

Recently, we’ve been exploring Wordle. It takes a sample text or URL that you enter and creates a visual image representative of the text. It’s much like a tag cloud.

I thought it would be fun to see what image this blog would create. So, I used my feed URL; here’s what I got.

What words stand out to you?

Let me know if you create your own, so I can come by and check it out.

I’m in LA. And I arrived just two days after coming home from the Type-A Mom conference.

I’m here visiting the Nestle headquarters and learning more about Nestle Family and the various brands they offer.

Nestle invited a group of bloggers to come out for two days to be a part of their Happy, Healthy Gathering. They’re listening to our input as moms and dads and providing us with information on what they do for parents.

And, yes, I know there’s a big uproar on twitter regarding the trip. I’m trying to stay out of it for the most part.

I’ll get into the details of my trip at a later time, just like I’ll also post about the Type-A Mom conference.

Later….

First, I have to recover from both trips. (No, I haven’t yet recovered from the first one.)

As if that wasn’t enough, I leave late tonight to head back to Orlando and arrive tomorrow morning. My airplane seat will be my bed tonight. And hopefully, I can be awake enough when I arrive to head out to Seaworld for IZEAFest. I may just miss a few sessions on Friday morning, though.

It’s been a very busy end of September and now beginning of October. Seriously, people, do you have to plan these conferences/events so close together?

Thankfully, I have a loving and supportive husband.

But, I do miss my family.

Sick of hearing about BlogHer 2009? I hope not! Not yet anyway. Just once more from me. Then you can be sick of it.

If you missed my recaps you can go read about my first day at BlogHer and then read about the BlogHer 2009 sessions and events that I attended.

Today, I’m just going to share some more photos with you of me with some lovely ladies.

I did take three videos from the “Have You Found Your MommyBlogging Tribe?” session, the “Women of Color and Marketing” session, and the “Dying is Easy, ROTFLMAO Comedy is Hard: It’s two, two, two comedy panels in one!” session, but unfortunately my video skills are really crappy. I blame it on the fact that I’m short and it was hard to hold up my Flip steady enough and avoid other people’s heads in the shot. So, I won’t be sharing those here, but feel free to visit my Vimeo page to watch them. Don’t say I didn’t warn you, though.

Now, on to the photos.

Amy Lupold Bair of Resourceful Mommy

Lindsay Ferrier of Suburban Turmoil

Shellie Ross of Blog 4 Mom

Kristin of Our Ordinary Life – Sheena Williams of Mommy Daddy Blog – Jennae Petersen of Green Your Decor

Jessica Smith of Jessica Knows – Photo Credit: crazedmommy

Jenny Lawson of The Bloggess

Wendy Piersall of Sparkplugging

Mrs. Potato Head

More photos of the trip on Flickr!

***Except for the one noted, all photos by Melanie Edwards (Modern Mami)***

After the madness the night before, my second day at BlogHer began with a newbie breakfast. I’ve been to other conferences that also have breakfasts for newcomers and they give you a brief presentation on the highlights of the conference and even tips for getting the most out of the conference. This one, however, was just a networking opportunity for you to connect with other BlogHer first-timers. I think this is something the BlogHer organizers should consider doing in the future. It might be helpful for newcomers.

Once the opening keynote by the BlogHer founders was over, it was time for the speed-dating session. I have to admit I was a little hesitant to do this, but it really turned out to be a great way to get the blood flowing and amp myself up for the day. Here’s how it goes. The entire room lines up shoulder to shoulder in two lines facing each other. You have about a minute to chat with the person in front of you before one line moves to the left and you start all over with the next person. Shook many hands in just a manner of minutes! Then… it was off to actually attend some sessions.

Friday Sessions I Attended:

• MommyBlogging: Have You Found Your MommyBlogging Tribe?
  • Megan Jordan – Velveteen Mind
  • Kelby Carr – Type-A Mom
  • Renee Ross – Cutie Booty Cakes
  • Briar Sauro – Unwellness
• Business of You: Brands and Bloggers
  • BlogHer co-founder Jory Des Jardins
  • Liz Gumbinner – Cool Mom Picks
  • Sarah Pasquinucci – public relations manager for Procter & Gamble Fabric Care
  • Jaden – Steamy Kitchen
  • Wheatley Marshall
• MommyBlogging: Is MicroBlogging the Path to MommyBlogging Bliss?
  • Erin Kotecki Vest (@QueenofSpain)
  • Lucretia Pruitt (@GeekMommy)
  • Alana Reynolds (@Momku)
  • Susan Kang Nam (@PinkOliveFamily)

In between sessions 1 & 2, was one of the highlights of the day. I signed myself up for the Women of Color Birds of a Feather lunch table. Basically, they have different topics assigned to tables and you just join up and have lunch with a group of ladies interested in the same topic. There was a great group of ladies at this table and some came and went, so I’m sure I’ll forget some that were there. But, I’m gonna give it a shot. Apologies in advance if I forget to mention you or get your name wrong – just drop me a line in the comments to jog my memory.

• Kelly (@mochamomma)
• Fourth Breakfast (Totally didn’t catch her real name.)
• Julie (@asianmommy)
• Justice Fergie (@justicefergie)
• Justice Jonesie (@justicejonesie)
• Bronx Bohemian (@bronxbohemian)
• Megan (@MeganSmith)
• Sandie (@urbanmama)

After the last session, I rushed to the MomSelect Swag Suite for the Disney Moms reunion. I love all my Disney #magicalmoms! Got to reunite with my Florida group (most of them anyway) and met some new ones I didn’t even know were involved with Disney. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay the whole time because I had to get ready for more parties that were happening that night.

Photo credit: crazedmommy

Party Like a Rockstar

First up was the official BlogHer Cocktail party. Did you know that they’ll make drinks out of just about anything? Yup, Sobe Life Water alcoholic drinks to be exact. The vendors give out drinks too.

Photo credit: avitable

Then it was off to the Nikon Night Out event, where we were treated to limo rides, more drinks, and a lovely view of Chicago from the Flatwater restaurant. Oh, and did I mention we met Carson Kressley and got tips on how to take good pictures? Except all he told me to do was pull my hair back from my shoulder.

Photo credit: crazedmommy

Back at the hotel, I made a quick run to the Type-A MOMfluence Party sponsored by HP and then headed to the big MamaPop party, which was GASP! an actual party! There was a DJ, dance floor, and PEOPLE DANCING! Just when I had lost all hope. And what is one of the first things I do? Shake my ass up on Yvonne’s on the dance floor. Because that’s how I normally introduce myself to people. (I later shook her hand and properly introduced myself.)

The party was great. Lots of dancing and laughing. Apparently, I also managed to escape from the million cameras that were there, as I cannot find a picture. But, I promise…I was there.

Only One More Day

Somehow after all that, I managed to drag myself out of bed in time for Saturday’s breakfast. I skipped out on the keynote that morning to go talk with some vendors in the expo hall and hang out with Angel. Here is where I lovingly told the Quaker folks that the smoothie was in fact “not good!” as the guy had claimed it was. In my defense, I took a few more sips and then decided that it just needed a little more sugar. It wasn’t really all that bad.

There were many vendors and lots of goodies from companies like Playskool, PepsiCo, PBS Parents, Suave, and many many others. It’s hard not to pile up on stuff and then you remember you have to fly back home with all of it.

And then once again it was time for another round of sessions.

Saturday Sessions I Attended:

• Room of Your Own: Women of Color and Marketing
  • Kelly – Mocha Momma
  • Heather B – No Pasa Nada
  • Karen Walrond – Chookooloonks
  • Stefania – CityMama
• Room of Your Own: Sponsored v. Unsponsored – Blogging for $$ Where Do You Stand?
  • Anne-Marie Nichols – This Mama Cooks! Reviews
  • Lucretia Pruitt – GeekMommy
• Room of Your Own: Dying is Easy, ROTFLMAO Comedy is Hard: It’s two, two, two comedy panels in one!
  • Anna – Life Just Keeps Getting Weirder
  • Deb – Deb on the Rocks
  • Jenny – The Bloggess
  • Jessica – Bernthis
  • Kelcey – The Mama Bird Diaries
  • Wendi – Wendi Aarons

Once again, for lunch I signed up for one of the Birds of a Feather tables. But, apparently Work Ouside the Home moms (WOTH) aren’t as fun as the Women of Color ladies. There was nothing wrong with the group. We just didn’t have as lively a conversation is all.

Bowling and Cheeseburgers

Man. BlogHers sure do love to party! Which is just fine by me. Saturday night was full of another BlogHer Cocktail party, BowlHer, and the CheeseburgHer party. It was that night that I chatted with Miss Lori from PBS Kids after a mistaken identity crisis the night before. She had chatted with Carol of NYCity Mama at the Blogalicious party and was told she had talked with me. So, I’m definitely glad we actually got to meet after all that.

BowlHer was lots of fun. Bowling, music, lots of people, and great food. After that it was off to the infamous CheeseburgHer party for some…wait for it…cheeseburgers. There’s a picture of me with a bag on my head out there somewhere, and as soon as MommyMusings sends it to me, I’ll be sure to add here. And to finish the night off? We all got kicked out of the Presidential Suite by hotel security.

Saying Goodbye

After an extremely busy three days, I was definitely ready to come home and see my bebes. Both the tall guy and the short missus.

Even though it had a shaky start, BlogHer was very much full of excitement and fun. I love that I got to meet so many bloggers and that I took a step outside my comfort zone to meet others. I definitely wanted to make the most of it after working so hard to get there. I learned, networked, and had some great conversations. It was well worth it.

And, finally, a big thank you to Little Pim who provided me with some of their DVD demos to share with my fellow bloggers and moms interested in a Bilingual education for their children. If you got one of the DVDs from me while at BlogHer, be sure to let them know! And if you write about Little Pim on your blog, please do share the link. They’re looking for feedback.

I left the house late. Then the truck tires needed air. I had forgotten my checkbook. My very first BlogHer conference trip could have had a smoother start.

Thankfully the chocolate milk gods fixed it all after gulping down a nice bottle of NesQuik chocolate milk. (And no I didn’t get anything for saying that! I just love NesQuik. And how STUPID is it that I just had to interrupt my thought to disclaim that.) Frak. Where was I? Oh…milk. Right. Anyway, after my chocolate milk woke me up and calmed me down, I made it to the airport in time and flew to Chicago with my Orlando chicas Angie and Shari.

The Windy City

When we arrived in Chicago, we met up with Lotus of Sarcastic Mom and then ended up having to wait 45 minutes for the car Angie had reserved to pick us up. You’d think with a reservation, you wouldn’t have to wait. Right? So we ditched the reservation and picked up a cab instead.

Step off the cab and get immediately hugged by VDog (who I’ve never met before). Apparently, that is how folks roll at BlogHer. Run inside. Check in. Run upstairs. Drop luggage. Run back downstairs to meet with Jessica Braun of Edelman for a Quaker volunteer opportunity. Crap! Is this how the rest of the weekend will be?

Gotta Love Mango

Sarah, Devra, Vanessa, Anne-Marie, and I headed out to the Washburne Culinary Institute to volunteer with Common Threads, a non-profit organization which has partnered with Quaker. The Common Threads summer camp teaches 8-11 year old mini chefs about world cuisine and kitchen skills. We all helped the kids cook some Caribbean cuisine. Which means we used a lot of mango. The kids were awesome. They all payed attention when the chefs introduced the dishes they’d be preparing and they had great kitchen skills. What I loved the most is that the kids are getting introduced to different cultures from around the world through food. Because really, what better way to learn about a culture and its history than learning about their food? The second most awesome thing I loved? The kids were in the kitchen from the very beginning to the end: prep work, cutting, cooking, and cleaning up.  I can only hope they go home and help out the same way after camp. Top Chef Chicago winner Stephanie Izard also stopped by and hung out with the kids for a while. She was super sweet and gave the kids tips as they worked on their food.

Cows Must be Scarce in Chicago

After the Quaker event, it was back to the hotel and preparing for the onslaught of parties that were kicking off the conference. Because I hadn’t really eaten all day and was already feeling tired, I decided not to go to the SocialLuxe Lounge party and instead hung out at the hotel for a bit before dinner. I heard SocialLuxe had some great swag though.

Dinner was a $10 burger and $4 soda. Man! Chicago is expensive! Then off to the People’s Party hosted by The Bloggess, Velveteen Mind, Mrs. Fussypants, Izzy Mom, Motherbumper, and Playgroupie.

The Parties

Though the party started at 8:30, folks were lined up at the door well before that. It’s just like when you line up in front of the club waiting to get inside cause [insert artist-who-plays-at-club’s name here] is playing that night. Only 10 times worse because it’s like a thousand women (and one man) trying to get their hands on a swag bag. It’s a claustrophobic’s nightmare. Or a man’s. But not this man.

And then…when the club doors open – I mean the ballroom doors…it’s a mad dash inside. Grab your bag. Grab your free drink ticket. Spend the rest of the time saying, “Excuse me. Sorry. Did my bag just hit you?” Once you get past all that though, you mingle. And you talk to the sponsors. But you don’t dance. It’s not that type of party. Which boggles my mind because music was playing. And where I come from, you dance when music’s playing. I’m just saying.

Not two hours later though, it’s off to the next party. They really need to rethink calling these things parties. Again, I’m  just used to a different meaning of the word I guess. Anywho, it was time for the Room 704 party hosted by the Room 704 ladies.

And once again it was a mass amount of women all crowded together like a mosh pit waiting to get their swag bag and little bunnies. Except that this time we weren’t waiting to get inside a particular room, but rather were all crowded around in an open area of the hotel’s lobby floor. Once we got our bags, everyone pretty much went their own way. People were tired from having traveled that day, attending various parties/events, and all the commotion from the “parties.” Some mingling occurred, but you could see everyone was overwhelmed. I was overwhelmed. And left feeling “empty,” if I can use that word.

Was that it? Is this how the conference will be? It’s certainly not what I expected. This so far has not been fun.

Crashing

I went back to my room exhausted, confused, and disappointed. This was not what I had envisioned the conference would be like. Perhaps that was the problem. I had all these ideas of how things would be and had set myself up for disappointment when they didn’t turn out that way. A friend also reminded me that the conference itself had not actually begun yet and so we needed to keep that in perspective.

So, tomorrow would be another day. It would be the actual first day of the conference and I resolved to have a better time. I had to meet more people and have a good time. My way.

***Pictures to come later. Come back Wednesday for day two of my BlogHer 2009 trip.***