Awkward BlogHer Moments-In-The-Making

So, there’s this little conference (maybe you’ve heard about it) called BlogHer.  If you are a blogger, you know what I’m talking about.  If not…

Come Talk to Me



It’s held in New York City this year – primarily aimed at female bloggers – and I am lucky enough to be attending it in just a few more days.  It’s huge. No, really, HUGE. We are talking over 7000 bloggers, PR types, and sponsors. Taking up multiple levels of The Hilton. For two days. (And this doesn’t even include all the “private” parties and events being held for 4 days or so, all over NYC.

I’m really pretty excited to go. I have this new site set up, so I won’t be embarrassed to say where I blog.  I have spiffy new business cards.  I even found one or two cute outfits to strut in.

But…

There are some social aspects of the conference that give me that “what the hell was I thinking” feeling.

First – How do you say hello to a blogger?  I’ve been to a few conferences like this already, but you always have this problem.  I mean, you tweet, you facebook, you comment on their posts – all never even having to look eachother in the eye.  I might have “talked” to you a dozen times or more, but still, what do you say when you meet in real life?

“Ummmm, haaaaiii.  I’m Mandy.  Um, I mean, Last Minute Mandy, on twitter.  Ummmm, I follow you.  You know…on twitter.  But I don’t read your blog.  Well, I have, but not a lot.  Just cause I don’t have time.  Not that it isn’t totally awesome, it’s just, there are so many hours in a day.  Uhhhh.  Yeah.  Soooooo….”

Right.

And what’s the physical protocol?  Do you shake hands?  Do that awkward hand-waving-hi thing?  HUG?  I totally would hug it out with 95% of the people I’ll meet.  Yes, I am ignoring you other 5%.  Save the drama for your mama.

But, not all of the 95%, even want to be hugged. There are some bloggers that are even tackle worthy, but they don’t want you to suffocate them, so that’s not a good plan either.  I could try to stalk them in a bathroom the whole conference, but then I’m sure one of the “gems” in the 5% would blog about me having some kind of explosive diarrhea.

Not what I want to be known for.

And what if there is a really sweet woman who actually does want to hug it out with you, who even has read your blog, but you don’t have the slightest clue who on God’s green earth twitter she is.  Yeah, obvisously I’m gonna go for the hug.  Then muddle through.

These awkward situations don’t even include:

  1. My total lack of fashion sense – in the mecca of all things fashion, no less.
  2. My inability to class it up and put heels on.  Unless I want a pic of my ankles around my ears on facebook.  Which, for the record, I probably don’t.  Yet.
  3. Bad breath.  Bound to happen.  Just sayin.
  4. Not knowing a soul.  Well, I mean, knowing a few, but no one who is going to buy me a cheese bra or anything.
  5. The fact that my husband and kids will be there.  If it’s 2 am, and Mommy is at BarHer taking shots – is that a bad thing?  Do I need to feel guilt about this?  Do I *gasp* come home before midnight???
  6. Cramps.  I hate you mother nature.

Yeah.  See?  Issues?  I gots them.

But, either way, I’ll be at BlogHer.  Ready to give you the best awkward hello … of. your. life.

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  • TheAngelForever

    Love the new look! I still remember meeting you on the monorail at Disney. Of course, I believe you knew my Mr. Sparkle first – you know TechyDad. Hoping to be there this week and get to meet up with you.

  • lastminutemandy

    I loved that moment! I felt like your cyber stalker.
    Thanks for the compliment! I hope to see you guys too! Especially at SparkleCorn for all the…sparkles.

  • http://twitter.com/trulytrayce trulytrayce

    Oh how I heart you. Did I tackle you? It's possible…very very possible! I KNOW I got a hug. I mean hellooooooooo. And the next time I see you just wait to see what kind of cheese I can find for you ;) You are wonderful and everyone you meet will be lucky to have met you. xtotheohbabyyouwillrockit

  • lastminutemandy

    More cheese, please! Smooooooches too.

  • http://theheirtoblair.com Blair@HeirtoBlair

    Admitted: This is my first time reading your blog. & I LOVE IT.

    umm, I'm totally the most socially awkward person ever, which will be plain-as-day in front of everyone. After I trip in my heels & realize that I don't know how to iron a dress.

  • http://twitter.com/TechyDad TechyDad

    I'm totally with you on feeling like there's awkward moments in the making. I keep having High School flashbacks… and if you knew anything about what I went through in High School, you'd know that's *NOT* a good thing. Having to remember dozens of new faces/names (when I have trouble placing faces/names I've known for years), trying to remember which people go with which blogs that I might or might not read (or maybe I do read them but mainly browse through them in Google Reader only reading a post or two in depth). I'm nearly to the point of having panic attacks about it all.

    Right now the only way I'm getting through it is to convince myself that it's the anticipation messing with my mind and the actual event will be fun. It also helps to know that others are as “issue-ridden” as I am. We can exchange some awkward greetings together while in our poor-fashion-sense clothing and popping Listerine Strips. ;-)

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  • lastminutemandy

    “Uhhh, Hi, TechyDad & AngelForever…remember me?….I love you guys….and your stinky breath….or something.” ;)

  • lastminutemandy

    Blair, welcome! I just moved on over to this spot, so you haven't missed much! And it will be easy to spot me at BlogHer, because not only will I be in wrinkly clothes, but they'll probably still have the tags on as well.

  • bec

    haahahha! love you babe! Hope you have a blast (not in the restroom though!) And I say squeeze them all – it'll only be awkward knowing you wanted to hug them, and didn't have the cajones (can I say that on here?) to do it!

  • Jane

    Just be your sweet self, babes! Extend your hand and say, “it's so nice to meet you face to face”….then tackle them before they tackle you! Carry mints or breathe freshener and use frequently…
    Relax, have fun.

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