BlogHer Bound

Sooo…I haven’t posted, or really even advertised that I’ll be at  BlogHer this year.  Because, really, I’m not SUPPOSED to be at BlogHer.  I wasn’t planning to go.  It didn’t fit into our family budget, and while I *could* have used my awesome powers of guilt and persuasion (they worked last year) and borrowed the funds from our “save ridiculous amounts of money so we can buy a house” savings account, it just didn’t seem like the best idea.  Especially since it would have depleted said account.  Heh.

So I was resigned to sitting at home and drinking heavily while reading all of your posts and tweets from Chicago.

And then, (almost) 8 weeks ago, the world turned upside down.

And my thoughts on the subject changed.  I knew I HAD to be there.  Because Heather was still planning on going.  And as much as I knew she needed to go, to see everyone, to thank everyone, to get away, I also knew is was going to be hard.  And I felt *I* had to be there with her.  For her. Even if I’m way over inflating my importance in the matter. Shhh. Don’t tell me  :0)

I also knew I needed to be there to thank each and every one of you myself.  For the amazing things you’ve done these past two months.  For being who you are.  For being what you are, which, by the way is SUPER SPECTACULARLY AWESOME.

But, still, I’d made a pact with my husband that we’d save money.  And, specifically, not plan any trips this year.

And it was such a dilemma for me.  Like, literally, a keep me awake at night, stress me out, drive me to drink more dilemma.

And then, suddenly, I was TOLD I was going.  That I had a plane ticket (on the Party Plane, no less) and a conference pass and that the rooming situation was being figured out.

That some of you, unbeknownst to me, had gotten together and, for lack of a better word, sponsored me.  And once again, I was blow away at how amazing and generous and loving and caring and SUPER SPECTACULARLY AWESOME you all are.

And I was excited.  But I was also sad.  Sad because I shouldn’t be going to BlogHer this year.  Sad because Maddie should still be here.  Sad because BlogHer for Heather should be nothing more than a fun weekend away from her husband and daughter.

So I didn’t tell people.  I didn’t add the button to my sidebar.  I didn’t scream it from the rooftops.  I didn’t want to celebrate it.  Because it didn’t seem like it was something to be celebrated.  You know what I mean?

But I owe some of you a thanks.  A thank you for giving me the chance to be there.  A thank you for once again showing me how awesome and generous people can be.

And I didn’t feel as though I could go much longer with out saying it.  Even though I really don’t know to whom I’m supposed to be saying Thank You, you generous anonymous bastards.

So, Thank You.  And I really AM excited about going and I’m looking forward to seeing, meeting, and groping so many of you in person.

And, since my husband is giving me shit for the amount of money he suspects I’ll spend on food and alcohol, please don’t be mad at me if you find me doing this to you:

see more Fail Blog

Okay?  Thanks in advance.

PS- I’ve heard of many, many, many of you who aren’t planning on going to Chicago because  you couldn’t get a conference pass.  TRUST me when I say that, pass or not, there will be plenty to see and do and you won’t ever find yourself without a drinking/eating/gossiping/shopping partner.  So, spend the $$ you saved on a conference pass and get yourself a hotel room.  For reals.  Do it.  DOOOOO IT.  And please leave a note in the comments if you’re already planning that, so everyone can see who will be there.  We’ll call it Blogstock/Blogstalk or something.   Heh.

Related posts:

1. BlogHer: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
2. Getting To Go To BlogHer…Priceless
3. Label Daddy is Sending Me to BlogHer ’09! *I HOPE*
4. ACK! With a little OH SHIT thrown in!
5. Change of Plans