…a pedicure, a late afternoon private party, a group dinner (with the some of the ladies above and a few others) and finally a drive-by of the conference parties (where we met up with another dear friend) before I realized that at midnight West Coast time, I had officially been up for 24 hours!

I also managed to pick up a roommate in the midst of all of that meeting and greeting.

I was bitterly disappointed that my planned roommate had to cancel two days before the conference (hot on the heels of having to come to terms with the fact that my good friend and 2010 roommate wasn’t able to make it this year…). But during lunch, I heard about someone’s last minute add-on who would be sleeping on a cot – and suddenly, I had a new roommate! One whom I had never met IRL or online…

Luckily, she ended up being one of my new favorite people. Though I still can’t imagine what possessed me to say, “oh sure – I’d LOVE to share my hotel room with a virtual stranger.” I blame it on the BlogHer fever. It’s a three day long group hug – and even a non-hugger like me can’t resist the love.

Here we are test driving a mattress I could never afford:

That? Is one of the five pictures I took at BlogHer. Seriously – what is wrong with me?

Other conference highlights from Friday included catching up with one of my favorite DC bloggers over really bad convention center eggs, hosting the Serenity Suite with a friend who actually thought to get a good picture of us…

… then attending From Page to Stage, a fantastic session in which Ann Imig and Amy Wilson discussed taking written work and adapting it to be read aloud. This included both editing and performance tips, AND volunteers from the audience were encouraged to read blog posts and receive feedback. Of course I was the first volunteer. I read an old post of mine, I’ve Got Disco in My Soul.

And I’m so glad I did, since it provided me with an opportunity to meet some fabulous new people.

This was kind of a theme for my weekend: seeing and meeting people. People who made me drop the veil of appropriate responses, reserved interactions and general concern about whether I’m overstepping, being a bit too much or assuming intimacy that isn’t there.

I danced my ass off at Sparklecorn and wore a rather unexpected dress to boot. No pictures of course, but believe me – it was not my usual semi-conservative style. In fact, with all of the front and back “plunging” going on, the only bra situation that would work involved sticky silicone. This had the added bonus of bumping me up an entire cup size and making me feel positively obscene. And then of course, being scoffed at by friends more genetically gifted in this area…but that’s beside the point. It was rather splashy for me. And I would probably have looked pretty hot if I wasn’t so inept in my, um…application of the support system. Early in the evening, I was informed that I was a bit lopsided. But in a room that had a 90% female population – I don’t think anyone really cared.

Moving on from my boobs…(probably the first time I’ve ever had to say that)…

I also picked up two new friends at the lobby bar afterward when Jen and I decided to grab a quick drink before turning in for the night. We all bonded over trying to NOT be picked up by truly icky, much older men stalking the parade of BlogHer attendees heading back to their rooms. This resulted in another hour of laughter and over sharing. By far, one of my favorite conversations of the weekend.

The next day, I went to a luncheon hosted by women I hadn’t met before and I completely ignored every wave of shyness that washed over me. It’s intimidating to walk into at room full of people who are so well known and well thought of – to arrive late and alone when everyone is already immersed in animated conversation – to sit down and make yourself talk to people you don’t know…or people who you’re pretty sure don’t know you. In situations like this I immediately become that little girl at a new daycare, watching the other kids play, barely able to speak above a terrified whisper in response to even the friendliest of overtures. It’s hard to push that aside. But I did. And I had a wonderful time, getting to know lovely new friends and spending some time with others I admire but have never had the chance to meet in person.

I spent the rest of that afternoon doing another shift in the Serenity Suite, eating cake pops, catching up with more friends I had not yet seen and NOT being shy around the “big name bloggers” hanging out there. Then trying to introduce myself to Nie Nie at her panel – only to have one of those horribly awkward high schoolish moments when you realize that you’ve approached someone at the absolute worst time and inevitably find yourself standing there like an idiot while you watch them talk to other people. Basically, I thought she was surrounded by other admirers, when in fact she was having a last minute chat with her fellow panelists just before they went on stage. So I didn’t get to meet her. But I was brave about trying – and that counts a lot for me! And of course, I got to hear her speak…

All of that not being shy will take it out of you. And make you hungry. So I was feeling very ready for a relaxed group dinner:

Thanks to Kim for taking that picture (she’s behind the camera)! And for the life me, I can’t remember why Jen and Joy weren’t there… But this is a good representation of the group I kept coming back to over those few days.

While there were still a couple of evening parties on the schedule, this was probably last time I really sat and talked to people. And after a couple of margaritas, I had a lot to say. That seems to be a pattern for me when cocktails are concerned: share now, cringe later. All worth it though.

I honestly can’t believe that I put on another dress and heels that night (yeah – no, I don’t have pictures – we’ve been over this right?) AND danced. My poor feet… But again – worth it. Especially since the dance floor is where I met yet another charming lady. She saw me speak at Listen to Your Mother (more on that in a minute) and the fact that she made the effort to say hello made me want to cry. Why can’t real life be like this?! I mean to this degree. It’s so incredibly heartwarming.

I don’t even remember the next morning and slept through most of my 6:00 a.m. flight so I think I’ll just stop there. For this post I mean.

I’m going end here and write a separate post on my two favorite moments/events at BlogHer. I attended both the Voices of the Year keynotes and the Listen/Letter to Your Mother open mic salon. And I’ve been thinking and talking about them ever since. And if I’m going to write about that, it will require a separate post. One with very few links because I am LINKED OUT.

Sorry for the abrupt ending but it’s late and I need to get to bed. I’ll try to wrap the next post up all pretty-like with a yellow grosgrain ribbon. Until then!