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January 12, 2006

such a geek

I am such a loser.

Today, my dad bought me an airplane ticket to san jose on july 26 of this year. This summer! Do you know where i am going? I'm going to BlogHer!

I was so bummed out last summer when i didn't get to go. Really, my regret about not going lasted for months. But, i did meet Supa and Denise and many others because i DIDN'T go. We met in a BlogHer live chat. I made a promise to myself that i would go this year.

The problem is that i am an unmedicated social anxiety disaster. I know i will be sitting in my room full of panic and dread. And probably everyone will think i'm that weird canadian. I get that a lot. She's the snobby weird one. Because! When i do try to talk to people i'm a total idiot. Even when i try to comment on other blogs - total idiot. Awesome!

Still, i'm totally going - just to get away from my own private hell. I love my kids - a lot. But, i haven't been alone for more than 3 or 4 hours since June 5 1997.

That was the night before the night tristan was born. I was being induced earlier that day and it was a total disaster. So, i spent the night alone in the hospital - barfing from demerol. Romantic!

But, that was the last time. Aside from a whirlwind trip with parker and shane in 2004 to toronto for my sister-in-laws wedding, i've been no where, no place since our hawaii honeymoon in june 1995.

I suck.

I am so excited. I think i will spend the time sleeping. Also, i have a room - at the Hyatt! Two queen size beds - sharesies anyone? I don't snore, but i do fart - a lot.

Posted by Jess at 10:05 PM Permalink

Comments (23)

jenB

look, i already claimed the farting queen status at last BlogHer, as well as awkward Canadian, so don't worry. Seriously, i would say a lot, if not most of us there were suffering from social anxiety. i suspect you will feel comfortable pretty much instantly. plus, there is liquor.

Posted by jenB | January 12, 2006 11:19 PM

Rachel

I totally relate to the overwhelming social anxiety. Strangely, for me, it ended when I became pregnant with my boys. Something about a twins pregnancy after five years of IF gave me an instant conversation starter, plus everyone was initiating conversations with me because I was so huge for so long. In any case, isn't writing to people on-line in message boards, e-mails, and commenting on their blogs SO much easier than speaking in real life? It's amazing. :)

Posted by Rachel | January 13, 2006 05:07 AM

Chantal

Huh. I think I could totally do that weekend if you wanna share? Wonder how much a ticket to San Jose is from Ottawa?

Posted by Chantal | January 13, 2006 05:48 AM

Denise

TW and I are going to Blogher too so we will see you there in person and we will help alleviate your anxiety.

:-)

Posted by Denise | January 13, 2006 06:23 AM

Stacey

Wow Jess that is such great news. Something just for you! I'll bet it's hard to think of waiting 6+ months now before you can make your great escape. I'm excited for you!

PS. I hadn't heard the demerol/barfing story from Tristan's birth before - demerol sucks sucks sucks. Even mixed with gravol demerol sucks. Morphine all the way!

Posted by Stacey | January 13, 2006 08:22 AM

FlippyO

Hey, I'm going too! But, because I like my room privacy (although no real anxiety disorder, just kinda shy in person), I'll be bunking alone...or with Leigh-Ann, if I can force her to go.

Posted by FlippyO | January 13, 2006 08:45 AM

FlippyO

Okay, I'm officially booked, at least room-wise. So, I guess since they're having us book at the Hyatt in San Jose, the conference is in San Jose too? It's too bad it isn't in San Francisco.

Posted by FlippyO | January 13, 2006 09:15 AM

jess

Okay! I'll bow to the gassiness that is JenB. I will hold on to the uncomfortable canadian though. But whoa - liquor - well then that solves everything.

Posted by jess | January 13, 2006 10:00 AM

supa

i remember that day of chat!

wow. so you're really going this year!
[wonder if i can convince Iain that a bloggers conference in california is a wise use of funds? because I want to meet you in person. we could be two socially retarded peas in a pod.]

regardless, you are going to have F-U-N and you'll have to tell us allllll about it. especially what it's like to be all by yourself and be free to sleep in.

Posted by supa | January 13, 2006 10:48 AM

Kim

I'm so excited for you!

I wish I could go but I just got back from a business trip to Vegas and I'm likely headed out to another conference in Phoenix in March. My husband may lose all will to live if I leave him alone with the children that much in one year. I'll just have to live vicariously through you :)

Posted by Kim | January 13, 2006 10:49 AM

supa

p.s. flippy, i think the whole conference is taking place in the hyatt.

Posted by supa | January 13, 2006 10:49 AM

Irene

oh you so deserve that little trip on your own! I'm so excited for you! I so wish I could go too!

Posted by Irene | January 13, 2006 11:16 AM

Chair

I am so sad.

I want to go. I wanna! I wanna! I wanna!

I wanna give you hugs and post 30 photos of me hugging you on Flickr, but we so don't have the money. Dammit. I would so totally share a room with you, too. I fart, burp, don't snore and I make really cute squeeking sounds when I drift off.

Posted by Chair | January 13, 2006 11:20 AM

Jenny

Yay! I'm glad you're going to BlogHer!

Posted by Jenny | January 13, 2006 11:50 AM

FlippyO

Supa, it's a tax write-off for business purposes. Go!

Posted by FlippyO | January 13, 2006 02:07 PM

wordgirl

I've only read about BlogHer. I'd like to go, but I hate to fly.

Posted by wordgirl | January 13, 2006 06:21 PM

mama_tulip

Awesome! Mad props to your dad!

LOL!

Posted by mama_tulip | January 14, 2006 02:01 PM

supa

tax writeoff, eh? Hrmmm!!

Posted by supa | January 14, 2006 10:29 PM

FlippyO

Yes, it's for business purposes. You make money from website design. You'll be schmoozing at a conference where design will be discussed, and you may even get business there. So, voila! It's legit. Also, anyone that has AdSense or ads on their site, they're going to learn how to monetize their blogs better, right? Never mind the boozin' & schmoozin', it's business.

So, put up the Paypal button on your site. C'mon Jess, convince her.

Posted by FlippyO | January 15, 2006 03:31 PM

Donna

I just booked my room for BlogHer, too! I look forward to meeting you there!

Posted by Donna | January 16, 2006 05:19 PM

supa

you convinced me. I'm going.

...

AAAACK! WOO!

Posted by supa | January 16, 2006 07:49 PM

jess

The PayPal button is up over at supamb. Go and give her a bit cause we're gonna room together!