Picture you’re a Smurf…you’re short, you’re blue and you wear a funky little white hat…and people look at you a wee bit cock-eyed and crazy when you tell them you’re a smurf. You feel like a lone little Smurf in the world. You’ve heard of whole communes of the great blue ones, you’ve even had a chance to talk to some…but still very much a Smurf in a world of Gargamels. *dude, if you didn’t watch cartoons in the 80’s, you are so missing that whole analogy and I worked hard on it*
Then one blessed day you walk into the Hotel Preston and H.O.L.Y. crapola, there is nothing but a SEA of short, blue, funky-white-hat wearing folks just like you.
This was me at Blissdom09.
I found my fellow Smurfs, ya’ll!
And they were teh awesomest.
I won’t go into great detail about all the bloggity stuff we did, because for those of you who aren’t bloggers it will mean nothing…and for those of you who are bloggers and couldn’t go it’ll be like laying on a bed of razor blades folllowed by a lemon juice shower.
I’ll just tell you that I had a time that finds the words “wonderful”, “fantastic”, “outrageous” paling by comparison. It was more than my tiny brain could take in.
Beyond all the panels of information and sessions of Q/A, the truly shocking thing I learned was that there are, in fact, NO ROCK STARS.
I had high hopes of getting to meet bloggers that I’d read, tweeted, facebooked, stalked with the intensity of a thousand suns…and I did…and they did not find me to be a complete spaz (or if they did, they hid it so nicely). They were funny and inviting and just as enthusiastic to be there meeting people as I was, they weren’t holding court or expecting adoration…there were no diva complexes.
And I? was pretty amazed by that.
I will tell you that the first time someone turned to me and hugged me and squealed “I read your blog!” I nearly died on the spot…bury me now, I’m done here. With no little amount of shock I looked around like “Are you SURE you meant me? I know MooshInIndy and RedneckMommy are standing right behind me, did you miss one of them on accident and are now unsure of how to get away from the token Asian *seriously, 250 women and I was the only one* in the room?”
But no. She was excited to meet ME, she asked me how the kids were, she KNEW me. And for that second, I felt like a rock star.
That was what the whole weekend felt like, giving each person THEIR rock star moments…cause, whether everyone felt it, we were ALL with the band, yo!
I don’t want to minimize one single person I met or forget any significant moment, but I know I can’t help but fail on this one..so I’ll just do this one thing and be done with it:
My Highlights of Blissdom09
- Hearing Jen Lancaster (the author, the blogger, the goddess) give a shout out to my cleavage in her end-of-conference keynote speech..oh YES she did…and then she was kind enough to take the time to hunt me down with a copy of her yet-unavailable new book “Pretty In Plaid“. I’ve already had a stroke once, I’m pretty sure I was just seconds from having another.
- Getting to celebrate Beth’s birthday at a dinner full of laughs and new friends.
- Hitting downtown Nashville with some of the finest booty-shaking, karaoking, beer-swilling, Elvis-statue-molesting, boot-buying, BBQ-loving friends (and I was wrong, there was ONE rock star in the bunch).
- Not being part of the Elevator 13. <–must read, go NOW! Then come back and guess who was one of the party being photographed in the lobby by the manager. HEH. Sorry, ladies.
- All of the “sleeper meets”…people I didn’t know I wanted to meet, but I know my trip was made better, brighter and shinier for the meetings.
- Seeing my kids’ faces when they woke up and I was finally home. THAT really was the best part of the whole weekend.
- HOLY Linkage, peeps! I know you probably won’t, but definitely check out some of these incredible people….and if you really feel the need, there are some HYsterical pictures on my Flickr (mom, you may not find ALL of them appropriate, but the Canadians invaded and I wasn’t at leisure to object, even if I wanted to).
*************************
I know I said my contest only went through the 8th…but I was out of town and all and then THIS happened….
…and they look are the equivilent of human cupcakes with sweet, luscious buttercream icing with little sprinkles of RAWR on top…cupcakes that sing…like angels. So, I’m extending the contest to win their cd/dvd and a box of Godiva Truffles until the 11th, since only a couple of people have even commented on it!
You’re welcome. *smooches*
on Feb 10th, 2009 at 7:36 am
Smurfs!!! I love it!
Has a blast meeting you!
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AnissaM Reply:
February 10th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
@Lucie @ Unconventional Origins,
Hey, doll! I’m so glad that we got to spend so much time talking and getting to know each other, that was the BEST!
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on Feb 10th, 2009 at 7:40 am
I was late to the party (I came Saturday) and like you I was relieved to not be part of the Elevator 11. Heather’s recap is hilarious though!
Love the picture…and so glad you had a booty kickin’ time in Nashvegas!!!!! Here’s to BlissDom 2010.
p.s. sprinkles of RAWR? Indeed. Chris Mann too baby!
Jamies last blog post..I Slept With White Trash Mom And I Liked It
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AnissaM Reply:
February 10th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
@Jamie,
Oh yeah, Chris Mann was certainly some high quality eye candy, no? I feared for all those boys getting out of that conference room alive.
Cougars on the loose!
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on Feb 10th, 2009 at 7:58 am
Anissa the smurf analogy totally worked for me. Great summary of an incredible weekend for shy, insecure, blog newbies like me. I wasn’t overwhelmed and I didn’t meet one Diva either. But keep in mind, you are one of my blog idols…I loved meeting you!
Janine (@twincident)s last blog post..Plant a seed, grow a field of dreams **UPDATE**
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AnissaM Reply:
February 10th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
@Janine (@twincident),
YOU were part of teh awesome! I loved getting to know you better and I hope the next time we have some more face to face time, it was so chaotic there.
Thanks for your sweet words.
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on Feb 10th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Can I just say that I love that you blamed the Canadians when it was actually the Mormon that caused more trouble?
moosh in indy.s last blog post..moosh in nashvegas.
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AnissaM Reply:
February 10th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
@moosh in indy.,
Yeah, but it’s easier to blame the Canadians and cause international relations issues than to blame the Mormons and cause a religious uproar! You’z the wildest lady around.
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on Feb 10th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Great recap. Lovin’ the smurf analogy! It was SO SO SO fun to meet you!
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AnissaM Reply:
February 10th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
@Musings of a Housewife,
YES! People who get the smurfs…gotta love old Saturday morning memories. I didn’t know who all to expect, so you were a wonderful surprise!
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on Feb 10th, 2009 at 9:36 am
ding-ding-ding
We have a Winner!
Absolute best recap of Blissdom. [and i've read a million twenty so far]
Now I finally feel like I was actually there! And cool. With cleavage.
Thanks!!!!
‘Need to go have a moment of silence now and thank my lucky stars i didn’t pick Elevator 13. Oh yeah ~ nevermind ~ i wasn’t in nashville.
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AnissaM Reply:
February 10th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
@JustBetty,
LOL, there are a LOT of recaps aren’t there? To be expected but I feel so honored to be your #1, should I expect a tiara or sash or something in the mail?
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on Feb 10th, 2009 at 9:48 am
I’m sorry that I missed it. Maybe next time…
Oh, and I read Bitter is the New Black last summer on the beach. I am beyond jealous that you not only got to meet Jen Lancaster but that she gave you a shout out!
Megan (mommyesquire)s last blog post..What I learned this week.
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AnissaM Reply:
February 10th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
@Megan (mommyesquire),
Are you planing to be at BlogHer? I’m expecting more fun x’s 100.
Jen was extraordinary, very down to earth and easy to talk to and I love that she is exactly the person you expect from reading her books. SQUEEE!
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on Feb 10th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Wow! I got linked on “booty shaking”! What an honor!!!!
Sarah @ Ordinary Dayss last blog post..I’m Cushy!
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AnissaM Reply:
February 10th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
@Sarah @ Ordinary Days,
Girl! Who else?
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on Feb 10th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Dude, you are sooooo my favorite Smurfette. What a perfect analogy. I spent the rest of the trip home explaining to random people on airplanes what a blog was….grrrrr.
However, one critique…I like the *other* pic of you with the HAWT guys better.
But that’s just me. And I’m like that. Heh.
Amos last blog post..Why I don’t deserve to be let out in public…and other embarrassing stories.
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AnissaM Reply:
February 10th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
@Amo,
LOL, and my mother-in-law would’ve died on the spot. Don’t you just get frustrated that the world doesn’t know about the bloggy goodness out there? Oh well, they’ll learn!
*hugs*
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on Feb 10th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Someone asked me “Who did you meet that you were most excited about liking even more than you expected?” I said you.
I knew I liked you. But girl, I had no idea that I would adore you. You were like a magnet for my attention. I already miss you.
Megan {Velveteen Mind}s last blog post..Back from Blissdom 09: I Got Soul but I’m Not a Soldier
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AnissaM Reply:
February 10th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
@Megan {Velveteen Mind},
WOW, just WOW. You blew me away every moment I was with you and you were exactly as kind and fabulous as I’d hoped you’d be.
It goes both way, babe, you have no idea.
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on Feb 10th, 2009 at 11:00 am
[...] Post of the day - I’m with the band - Anissa (Hope for [...]
on Feb 10th, 2009 at 11:01 am
By the way, can I use that photo you took of me as a profile??
:-)
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AnissaM Reply:
February 10th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
@Musings of a Housewife,
oh HECK yeah! It’ll thrill me to see MY picture of your face in your profile all “I did that!”
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on Feb 10th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Damn, girl, you get around! Ha!
Can’t wait to check out the pics, excited to hear you had a fantabulous time!
PAPAs last blog post..Recession Cutbacks
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AnissaM Reply:
February 10th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
@PAPA,
It was too too much: noise, hugging, giggling, snarking, talking and fun.
You’re going to Blogher, right? It should be all that plus a bag of chips
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on Feb 10th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Sounds like a blast. I’m looking forward to going to BlogHer this summer and having a similar experience (I hope!)
Jen Ws last blog post..Updates on my pledges
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AnissaM Reply:
February 10th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
@Jen W,
WOOT! Girl, I can’t wait to meet you in person in Chicago and unleash the fun. I hope the windy city’s ready.
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on Feb 10th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Anissa, I enjoyed you so much. And that is a GREAT photo!
Steph
Adventures In Babywearings last blog post..Dear Stay At Home Working Mom
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AnissaM Reply:
February 10th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
@Adventures In Babywearing,
You were so much more than I expected…and SO beautful…and that baby of yours? More than I could stand. Ivy should be the poster child for something: mommyblogging or just in-your-face-cuteness…I don’t know, something!
i can’t wait to see you again soon.
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on Feb 10th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
you are the adorablest. i verily miss you, sweets.
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Anissa@hope4peyton Reply:
February 11th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
@To Think Is To Create,
I don’t think anyone has ever missed me verily…I’m feeling very special right now!
I can’t wait til the next time I can be in your presence, tis a good place to be.
Anissa@hope4peytons last blog post..It’s what I do
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on Feb 11th, 2009 at 12:30 am
Now I’m singing the Smurf song! Loved meeting you, girl–you are just as funny and friendly as I knew you’d be!
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Anissa@hope4peyton Reply:
February 11th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
@Shannon,
Was 150% my pleasure to meet you. I so admire what you’ve done and you were definitely one of the ones that I was a little geeky about meeting, your welcoming personality just made it that much better.
Anissa@hope4peytons last blog post..It’s what I do
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on Feb 11th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Oh hai! Did I comment yet? Probably not.
Sorry about that.
But YES! BRIGHTER!! And BOOBIER!!!
big luff to you gurl
VDogs last blog post..Love Is…In Your Bedroom
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AnissaM Reply:
February 11th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
@VDog,
Whatevah! I got you on my Flickr, so it’s like I OWN a little piece of your soul.
Come on, Blogher, come faster! The girls are getting twitchy.
Big love back at ya
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on Feb 11th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I loved meeting you and your jugs! Can’t wait til next time though so I can be ur drinking buddy:(
A Cowboy’s Wifes last blog post..Little Man Packin’ his Saddle
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AnissaM Reply:
February 12th, 2009 at 1:43 am
@A Cowboy’s Wife,
Friend, it’s a date.
*hugs, kisses and funny boob-bounces*
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on Feb 11th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
It was truly wonderful meeting you. I love your outgoing personality - and really, whats not to love? Can’t wait to see you at BlogHer.
Renée aka Mekhismoms last blog post..Blissdom!
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AnissaM Reply:
February 12th, 2009 at 1:44 am
@Renée aka Mekhismom,
Everything you said but in BIG.HUGE.CAPS! I “may” be relocated to ATL before BlogHer, so don’t forget me.
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on Feb 11th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Dude, you are so much flipping FUN to be around. I kind of choked socially, but I hope you don’t think I am too much of a dork to hang out with again sometime.
CheekySweeties last blog post..Getting There ~ #Blissdom09
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AnissaM Reply:
February 12th, 2009 at 1:47 am
@CheekySweetie,
choked? I was witness to NO choking, you were lovely and funny and I can’t WAIT to hang out again!
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on Feb 12th, 2009 at 12:44 am
I loved meeting you!! You are hilarious and cute, girl!
Heathers last blog post..Blissdom ‘09
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on Feb 12th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Your cleavage totally deserved a shout out.
It was great to meet you, I am now adding you to the sites that I am proud to stalk “professionally!”
Hugs!
The Stiletto Moms last blog post..15 Years Ago Today…
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AnissaM Reply:
February 15th, 2009 at 12:23 am
@The Stiletto Mom,
If I invite you in and offer you cookies and cocktails, can it still be called “stalking”?? I think not!
*hugs back at ya*
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on Feb 14th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
SMURFS UNITE!
Yes! We ARE smurfs.
Best part of the weekend? Everyone really just loved eachother.
Best weekend evah!
xoxo, alli
Allison Worthington {@fussypants}s last blog post..Happy Valentine’s Day!
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AnissaM Reply:
February 15th, 2009 at 12:24 am
@Allison Worthington {@fussypants},
150% agree, the best part was seeing a complete lack of competitive spirit or that catty belittling that you so often get with a group of women…building each other up is a beautiful thing!
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on Feb 15th, 2009 at 12:15 am
It was so lovely to meet you. In July, you’re mine, hooker.
Sarah Violas last blog post..Happy Valentimes
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AnissaM Reply:
February 15th, 2009 at 12:25 am
@Sarah Viola,
RAWWWR!
It’s on, girly, you + me + Chicago = tearing it UP!
Thanks so much for just being you, you brought me a lot of joy and comfort.
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on Feb 21st, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Anissa,
I’m not sure how I missed this Blissdom post of yours. Wish that we could have hung out together. I know that I would have fallen madly in love with you…
Just another Smurfette,
Michelle
Vintagesquirrels last blog post..Let Me Anthropologize (First Attempt)
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on Feb 26th, 2009 at 7:36 am
[...] trip to Nashville opened my eyes to so much. Parts of me that had been buried under the things I HAD to do, my [...]