So I recapped some of the better conference stuff for you Tuesday, but here are some of the *other cool* things Ain’t Miss Beehavin’ and I did in the city:
A little sightseeing!
You can see it all from the double decker bus!
If you love Art Deco and Beaux Art architecture, this is the city for you!
We decided to stop off in Battery Park to walk around and check out the Statue of Liberty across the river at Ellis Island.
Naturally we found a lovely outdoor bar, where our fantastic bartender Claire bought us a Bloody Mary, many extra olives and heavy on the vodka, thank you very much Claire. She was awesome!
Every neighborhood has it’s own personality!
And yes, this guy is wearing a Prada suit cleaning the windows to the Prada store. The tour guide pointed out he missed a spot.
And if someone can figure out what this sign means, email me!
OK, here’s some of the stuff I didn’t want to write about BlogHer the other day, because I felt somewhat unsettled by the experience, but if you ever think about attending, here are some things to know:
Although there were several sessions I really liked, and I got to meet some of my favorite bloggers, the conference could have been more diverse on subject matter. Many of the sessions were dominated by mommy bloggers. While many of their blogs are worthy and interesting, (see my blogroll!) I would have loved to see more sessions slanted to those of us who are 40+ with subjects like “Hey I Have No Kids And Still Have a Life”! Or seriously, how about something on menopause? And as Zadge said, more photography and food!
An overwhelming number of people were tied to technology, and only had eyes for their Blackberry’s and IPAD’s. There was no eye contact, no smile or a nice to meet you. Um, don’t you want to hear the actual speaker instead of twittering constantly? Perhaps network and find out about who you are sitting next to? If you attend, you would seriously want to make sure you know another person that is also going to the conference, it makes for a much better experience. When I read Aunt Becky of Mommy Wants Vodka the other day, she said she had experienced the same thing last year, which I thought was kind of interesting as she is a popular blogger with a good sized audience. And she said it was because she wasn’t connecting with anyone. Sooo not good.
A lot of people were entranced with the blog swag, which consisted of countless toys, and were very “mom-centric”. People were tying up entire elevators with empty boxes so they could ship home a pack of Play-Doh and a Mr. Potato Head, amongst a pile of other crap that should have been recycled to poor inner city kids.
There were TONS of private parties. Most of the action took place off site and exclusively for select groups of bloggers. (which I totally understand because sponsors are interested in them and what they do). Even though there were giant ballrooms at the hotel, not all bloggers were invited to the parties. This personally made me feel like I was in junior high. I DO not have any trouble whatsoever socializing and walked into a party anyway because no one was checking. The venue could have easily accommodated hundreds more people, so there there was no reason to exclude anyone at all.
Finally – the Hilton New York. A sucky outdated hotel and guests with extreme elevator rage. And to Dr. Leah who ran up the back of my legs with her rolling luggage, I’m so glad you got busted for pimping your blog in a session and getting totally shot down, because as the Zadge would say, you are a BEEYOTCH.
Would I go back again? Maybe someday if they streamline the sessions and put some attention into more blogger diversity, and hold the conference at a more modern hotel that can comfortably hold the large blogger crowd. I do admire the concept of BlogHer; but I think it has some work to achieve being an inclusive conference and span the spectrum of women; not just those those of a certain age and childbearing status.
In the meantime, I think the Zadge’s idea of Drinkfest ‘11 in Denver is a totally fantastic idea! I’m ready!
Tags: #blogher, #blogher10, tips for navigating a conference
I Can’t Help Myself Friday. The Freaking Edition.
Aug 13th, 2010 by meg
Did you ever have a week where you just wanted to flip out? Admit it, it’s everyone’s fantasy to tell a boss off once in their career, like the unfortunate co-worker I had, who had a tirade in the office and then stomped back to his cubicle for a jar of oregano before leaving the building for good. (true.)
Let’s check of some of this weeks major freak outs and freaky people, shall we?
Clearly, Steven Slater’s way to leave a job is better than my ex-colleague’s. Who doesn’t dream they can slide down the emergency chute with a couple of beers?
Seriously, I can’t believe he was double-fisted coming down that slide, determined to crack those brewski’s before tossing 28 years of service in the toilet. Watch Jimmy Fallon sing his ode to the new American Folk Hero.
(PS, I almost forgot. As an extra added bonus, watch the men in the audience clap. Not ONE has an iota of rhythm. It’s truly hilarious.)
Chicken Nugget Lady had a meltdown of epic proportions New Years Day because Mickey D’s was still serving the breakfast menu. Lady, let me clue you in if you are trying to cure a hangover:
Several Hash Browns,
One Gigantic Fountain Coke;
Is the exact recipe to fix you up. I know, I’m Irish, my body matter consists of 25% starch, equivalent to the sacred white potato. Now get a grip.
While in New York this past week, Meg and her sister bumped into this guy at the hotel:
Whereupon they immediately wanted to do this:
Let me make a plea to the surgeons of Beverly Hills:
DO NOT TOUCH BRUCE JENNER’S FACE EVER AGAIN, OR IT WILL SHATTER INTO A MILLION SAD PIECES.
And no, you cannot put Humpty back together again.
Click here to see this woman’s words of brilliance and her secret to handling cold weather. I love her. (P.S. on this one, you need to access Facebook. Sorry about that.)
OK, let’s stop freaking and start drinking! Have a good weekend, peeps!
Tags: Bruce Jenner, Chicken Nugget Lady, Jet Blue guy, Jimmy Fallon
Posted in I Can't Help Myself Friday, Social Commentary | 8 Comments »