But I have in fact popped my head up a couple times here on this blog, over the last few months. I've posted twice since April. And even that was rough. And if you read those posts, you know my absence is due to a more predictable reason.
I've always found it hard to write about experiences as they're happening. Especially difficult ones. It's like reflecting on the scariest part of the roller coaster ride while you're still screaming in panic with the wind rushing in your ears. It's much easier for me to wait until the ride is over, stumble through the exit, maybe go puke in a trashcan, let my stomach settle... and then wrap some words around the entire thing later.
That, essentially, is why I haven't been posting anything here in a while. I'm still in the middle of the goddamn ride, and it hasn't let me off yet.
But if I engage in the Big Fat Cliché that tells us life itself is just one long roller coaster adventure, then what am I gonna do: wait until I'm 90, and start a blog then?
Not so much.
*
Last weekend, I attended BlogHer, the Godzilla-big blogging conference which took place here in my hometown this year. BlogHer, the conference where women bloggers are celebrated, and men bloggers are... tentatively let into the building. (I'm just kidding. Actually, if you're a dude, you're welcomed with open arms and nuzzling at BlogHer. Or, if you're Whit, you have women throwing panties and hotel room keys at you. Seriously. Crowds of women were following that dude everywhere. He's the Elvis/Justin Bieber/Robert Pattinson of blog conferences.)
I only attended the evening parties during the weekend. I didn't attend any discussion panels, although now I wish I had. I could've learned more about how to monetize my blog. Or how to maximize SEOs. Or what SEO means.
There was a lot of learning, strategizing, networking and business card passing happening at the conference. I knew going in that that wasn't going to be my deal.
I went to BlogHer because it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet some writers I greatly admire. And be in the same room with some creative, funny and talented people.
Which is exactly what happened. I could list all the cool bloggers I met, and I could litter this post with all kinds of inside jokes that would be totally irrelevant and irritating for those who didn't attend the convention. But that wouldn't really serve a purpose. Plus, I'm sure I'd forget to mention some super-amazing people, and that would just make me feel bad for the rest of the day.
Although I will say that I finally got to meet more of my DadCentric compatriots, which was the highlight of the whole event for me. (Muskrat. TwoBusy. Whit.) I finally got to meet one of my fellow Culture Brats (My beloved new BFF The Weirdgirl.) I also got to confirm the high-quality charisma of Kristine from Wait in the Van. The vivacity of Jules. The infectious energy of HipMamaB. The make-me-snort-vodka-out-my-nose-from-laughing-too-much wit of Lexa. The absolute kindness of Sweetney. The Go Get 'Em kick-assitude of Doug the Laid-Off Dad. Among many others. Many, many others. Many people with great blogs I'm now discovering for the first time. On one evening, I attended the "Listen to Your Mother" open mic session, and heard some outstanding women read their wonderful works. Put it all together, and that's a lot of awesome sauce in the ladle.
Basically, I had the privilege of hanging out with people that made me want to write again.
That's what I wanted, you guys. That's really, really all I wanted.
I talked to a lot of people who gave me a lot of support. I also met people that are blogging while, yes, going through some serious shit in their own lives: I don't have the market cornered on personal upheaval, apparently. There's value in writing about it. There's value in the writing, and in the sharing of it all. I can do that, if I proceed cautiously, step by step. I can't guarantee it'll be always be funny, but I can at least try and provoke a little back-of-the-throat vomit. How does that sound? Awesome, right?
The next sound you hear will be a very small, tentative "Giddyap."
Just don't give me crap if my next post doesn't go up until November. 'Kay?
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