Before we go any further, I know you’re dying to find out the answer to yesterday’s cliff-hanger question: What body part is this?

As it turns out, it’s Marvelous Mama Unbelievable Underwear from ASSETS, so everyone was right – it’s a pregnant belly! Am I an idiot that, on first glance, I thought it was padding to give yourself a big ole butt? Tara, Megan & I were hysterical, and I was thisclose to asking the ASSETS woman in the booth about it until I realized what it was called. Regardless, it’s totally funny. That butt is huge.

So, day two! I skipped breakfast that day as well as the keynote because a lady needs her beauty sleep (especially ’cause I was out the door on Day One earlier than my usual wake-up time & I had a bachelorette party to attend the night of Day Two), and went right to the first Break-out Session I thought would be best for me (there are 7 offered simulataneously and none are repeated, so the pressure’s on!): Networking With a Purpose Via Social Media. Because of the Session Fiasco of 2010 that occurred the day before, I didn’t have high hopes – and wow was I proven wrong! The panel was made up of Laurie, Ana, Carmen & Heather & they rocked it so hard that I took 5 pages of notes (comparitevly, I only had 3 for the whole day on Day One!). If you click here you’ll get the transcript of the whole session so I won’t regurgitate it for you, but I had to say my big a-ha! moment that came out of this was the gem, “Recruiters need applicants as much as applicants need recruiters.” This was a lesson I learned as an actor – that the casting director is desperate for you to be the right person when you walk into the room! I didn’t think of this being directly applied to career changes but, well, duh! What a fantabulous perspective.

After lunch, which I spent on-site gabbing with Nicole Indelicato, a to-be life coach studying with Martha Beck & working on her branding designs with Jess Swift! Obviously she’s a smartie pants, so we ended up not only spending the entire lunch being anti-social together (wait, can you be anti-social with someone else?), but went to the rest of the afternoon seminars together, too.

First stop was Writing Lab: The Evolving Publishing Ecosystem, which lead me to think that anyone who works with a publisher will wind up poor and unknown unless they take matters into their own hands. OK, snarkiness aside, it really was super informative for a wannabe author like me, and Kamy, Carleen, Florinda and Penny made an honest, insightful and engaging panel, and with a best-selling author like Gretchen Rubin in the audience (note to BlogHer: What the heck was Gretchen Rubin doing in the audience? Like, really?!)asking & answering questions – along with an almost-fight with a “good” publisher in the house – it was awesome sauce all around.

After a quick bathroom break (note to BlogHer: 2400 women concentrated in 2 floors needs more than 1 converted men’s bathroom), I made my way back to the Writing Lab for the Humor Writing session. And holy crapballs people, Lizz Winstead, the co-creator of The Daily Show, was on the panel! I was looking forward to it since I saw her listed in the first announcements of the session, and it did not disappoint. Coupled with Jessica Berns (with laryngitis!) & Awesomely Luvvie (which I assume ain’t her real name, but I couldn’t find it anywhere!) (note to BlogHer: why the heck didn’t you put The Bloggess up there when she was here for another panel at a different time? Like, really?!), they hit home the point that, as a comedian, the most important thing is to find your voice, use it often, and never apologize for it. Amen and hallelujah! Lizz was also super awesome to talk to me one-on-one (because I’m pushy & approached her after the session was over) about how writers get hired for The Daily Show (yes honey, I’m always thinking of you!)

The Humor Panel at BlogHer. Image credited to Awesomely Luvvie in her BlogHer recap post!

When the funnies died down, it was time for the Closing Keynote, which stoked my ladyness (ew) by bringing Marie Wilson (the co-founder of Take Your Daughter to Work Day!), Gloria Feldt (a teen mom who became Planned Parenthood’s CEO!) and P.Simran Sethi (she’s young & an Emmy-award winning jounralist!)  on stage to be interviewed by Alison Stewart of Choose or Lose! The feminist in me was geeking out, and it was really inspiring to see women who paved the way for, well, something like BlogHer to exist. My favorite take-away? “Behind every success is years of crap.” My kinda ladies!

Oh BlogHer, how I wish you started the event with this!

I went to the Chill Room to relax pre-bachelorette party, but when I went to the bar to get a drink they asked where my drink ticket was. I went to buy one for – wait for it – $16! Oh hell no! So instead I happily sat with Anna and Lori, chatting about the swag and the weirdness and the whirlwind of it all.

I hit the bathrooms before I left and took my only pic of the day (too bad! My skirt was so cute!) because, well, I was recognized & offered tons of blogging kudos by my friend here in the middle of the pic. She’s been a reader (but not a commenter, to the credit of my bad memory!) and said the sweetest, nicest things ever, & I just had to take a pic. Alas, now I’m the dumbass because she didn’t have a card and I can’t find her. So please, my fan & friend, please step out from behind the comment curtain and show yourself! I’d love to be following your blog, too!

L to r: Boni, my mystery friend, & me sans cute skirt (well, it’s there, but you can’t see it)

And there you have it – my BlogHer 2010 recap round-up. And while I’d love an excuse to go to San Diego, I don’t think I’ll be seeing you there for BlogHer 2011.

The seminars: B-

The peeps: A

The organization: D

The event as a whole: I wanna say C because the corporate stuff and the first day was so stinky pants, but really, I have to say B. I don’t regret my ticket purchase at all!

So, dear BlogHer, if you’re reading, embrace your title. As soon as you make this a conference for Bloggers Who Happen to be Women and not just Mommy Bloggers and the Corporations Who Love Them, I’ll be back.

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Sensational Spring: I created a total Inspiration Mix download! I miss tapes.

Delicious Discount: Get a $25 discount for any $250 purchase from  Tara Sroka until Aug 31st.

Affiliate Awesomeness: (1) Khristian A. Howell’s Confessions of a First Timer (get your mind out of the gutter!) is the perfect read for any trade show exhibitor virgin. (2) Get my cult leader Danielle LaPorte’s Digital Firestarter Sessions in your own home, on your own time. (3) Also, Molly Hoyne’s Joy Equation is your 30 day guide to Living on Purpose.

Tags: Michelle's Memoirs, Rousing Reviews

This entry was posted on Friday, August 20th, 2010 at 1:24 am and is filed under Encouragement for Everyone, Happy Hooplah. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.