The Rest of BlogHer
July 29, 2009
I hardly take any photos at BlogHer. Probably because I am too busy talking to people and drinking free wine. And laughing. The laughing is what interferes with the photo taking the most, all that shaking makes blurry photos.
This photo makes me smile. It was from the Suave party at The Wit. I mention those two things because they are examples of things done right. The party was low key. A beautiful bar with free drinks and fabulous appetizers. There was no swag handed out at all. The party itself was the swag. How refreshing not to have feel guilty about throwing good things away or trying to jam stuff into your suitcase.
The Suave representatives did not try to make us talk about their products or pitch us anything. But honestly, I do buy Suave shampoo because it costs $1 a bottle and my children are fond of pouring shampoo down the drain. Probably not the sort of PR that they would be looking for, but it is the truth. I am cheap.
Photo shamelessly stolen from Metalia. See that woman sitting next to me? That is Kristen. I adore her. I had never met her before this weekend, neither had Susan though she works with her. Our first day in Chicago we invited her to our hotel room to share our 4 bottles of Two Buck Chuck and hummus with chips. After that we forced her to go everywhere with us.
She sent me the first text message when I arrived home:
Not ONE WAITER has come by with a tray of food. And I’m having to pour my own wine.
I know. It is such a let down.
Our waitress realized I was not eating any of the food she asked what wrong. I told her about the whole gluten free thing she brought the chef out who made me special food. Fabulously delicious food.
I am not sure what Susan was saying that was so shocking to Sarah and Metalia. But please note Metalia’s bedazzled iPhone cover. It is has pushed right past tackiness into a class of awesome all by itself.
The laughter. I should have abs of steel, but see the avocado and wine mentions. (Danielle and the PORN! skirt.)
I don’t want anyone to think that Blogher was not a worthwhile experience. It was. The conversations with smart people. Not having to explain what a blog is, or why you chose to write one. People with whom you connect, even though your lives could not be more different. The sessions, this one in particular:
and I am not just saying that because I adore and respect every single one of these women and count them among my friends. The genesis of this panel was a comment Stefania made during a panel on which I was speaking in 2007.
I know I have already posted this salad before, but in keeping with my habit I ate this 4 times while in Chicago. The fifth time I went to the restaurant I had guacomole and chips. Apparently I require avocado in every things that I eat.
Quote from one of my many gluten free friends:
“You know I hate asking about gluten free food. It has become such a fad. I feel like a trendy asshole.”
One night I walked in on Susan in the bathroom and she was rubbing deodorant on her feet. I looked at her our of the corner of my eye for a minute while I was putting on my lipstick.
“Do you have a foot sweating problem or something?” I asked.
After she recovered from laughing she revealed to me that the deodorant prevents your shoes from chafing.
I immediately kicked off my black heels and rubbed my deodorant all over the places my shoes were already pinching. I did pause for a moment before I did the second foot to see if she was just messing with me. I am happy to report that I wore those 3″ peep toe heels the entire evening and had no problems at all.
(photo from Yvonne)
The next night Heather and I were in my room getting ready to head out somewhere when she said her feet hurt. I helpfully told her about what Susan had said. She was skeptical but since she had gotten approximately 5 million sticks of deodorant as swag she decided to try it. Now, let me say I did not notice what sort of shoes she was wearing, nor did I watch her do it.
(I am laughing so hard remembering this that my children think I am having convulsions)
We leave the hotel room and are walking down the hallway when Heather says, “I don’t know about this. I think I was expecting a miracle or something.”
“Really? I thought it worked well.”
“My feet feel all slippery.”
For the first time I look down at her feet and realize she is wearing thong sandals. I stop in the hallway and grab her arm.
“Did you rub the deodorant on the bottom of your feet?”
“Well, yes. That’s where my feet hurt. Isn’t that what you said to do?”
It was then that I fell over right there in the hallway I was laughing so hard.
Once we both recovered I said, “At least your feet won’t smell bad, right?”
I realize I am a party pooper by not wearing my McDonald’s hat, but it kept falling over my eyes. And that was interfering with my wine drinking.
At one point during the party Yvonne handed me the tray of burgers so she could photograph the security that was coming to break up the party. There is a photo somewhere I saw of of Metalia and I with the burgers that neither of us could eat. (It was Ali’s photo, link here. God, too funny.) We were saying that next year at BlogHer they should serve Kosher, gluten-free, vegan food to kill three birds with one stone. But then the more we thought about we realized that would probably just be cardboard.
Equally funny was when a bunch of men showed up at the party. When one of them said it was his bachelor party I was all, wow I am so sorry you have such lame friends that they couldn’t even plan you a party of YOUR OWN. You know, one with naked girls, or gambling, or something.
The MamaPop party was the best party of the entire weekend. It was awesome, like a wedding but without that pesky bride and groom. Make sure you read this post that Tracy wrote about Blogher, especially the last paragraph. Spot on.
There were so many more people I was thrilled to see again. Or meet for the first time– WOMBAT!
I know I am leaving lots of stuff out. And forgetting to mention people that I had fun with. And suddenly I am going to be all, Oh NOOOOO, I can not believe I forgot to mention that person. I loooove them. So if I forgot to mention you, please do not be offended. I have just… run out of words.
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I have to say, I’m sort of glad you clarified the whole “bottom of the feet” thing because I would have likely put it there too!
I sure I hope I can attend next year - sounds like a fabulous time.
July 29th, 2009 at 3:39 pmHow funny! I recognize Kristen’s um… I’m trying to say this politely… I recognize her front from this post by Linda- http://www.sundrymourning.com/2009/07/26/apres-blogher/
I hope Kristen doesn’t mind her cover being blown, so to speak. It must truly be an incredible bra.
Also, as a fellow Austinite, I can commiserate on the stomach flu thing going around. I am oh so optimistically putting my daughter to sleep next to a big blue bucket, but I know she will no doubt walk into my room and stand over my face to say “Mama I’m feeling kind of blaaaaaaaaeeeeuuuuu…”
July 29th, 2009 at 4:00 pmSaw the blogher “convention” last night on the Chicago public TV - WTTW. Looked during the crowd shots for you, but didn’t see you. sounds like there were more people that showed up than expected. Glad you had a good time.
July 29th, 2009 at 4:12 pmNo, you’ll be all set with the tray after tray of kosher vegan gluten free avocados.
July 29th, 2009 at 4:18 pmHonestly, I still have warm fuzzies from the Suave party experience. It was just lovely.
Thanks for making me laugh about 1,400 times this weekend!
July 29th, 2009 at 4:24 pmIt was SO good to see you, Chris. You, and the other ladies you mentioned (and whom I love as well) make it worth going.
You guys are NORMAL and FUN and NOT CRAZY. Well, maybe a little crazy, but only the *good* kind of crazy.
July 29th, 2009 at 4:34 pmI am so glad that you all had such a nice time.
And by the way, I’m totally with you on the shampoo thing. I have a girlfriend who SWEARS by the 14 and 15 dollar bottles FOR HER KIDS and I’m all like well you go girl.
And the first time one of your kids doesn’t close the lid and it topples to the floor and then they forget to pick it up and you find yourself that evening slipping on the floor in the 15 dollars worth of shampoo, you might get just a little pissy
I’m sorry, where was I??
Oh yeah, It looked like FUN!!
And great pictures as usual!
July 29th, 2009 at 4:43 pmEveryone at BlogHer is so darn attractive. Geez.
July 29th, 2009 at 5:05 pmwaaaaaah, wish we’d gotten to talk more. This BlogHer was wonderful in many ways, but between The Party and The Panel I feel like I totally missed out on socializing to a large extent. Bah. Next year. Right?
Chris says: There is always next year
July 29th, 2009 at 8:24 pmI am so jealous. Every party I went to had so little food and I had to pay for my drinks. I’m already working on a sponsor for next year and am working on a party with real food and drinks…don’t care about the swag. Totally right.
July 29th, 2009 at 8:25 pmI cannot stop laughing. Except that I also kind of want to cry because I miss you all so much.
But mostly I cannot stop laughing.
July 29th, 2009 at 9:27 pmI have tears in my eyes from laughing so hard at this post. I completely adore you, too! But, seriously, where’s the damn waiter? The situation is becoming dire.
Positively can’t wait for next year!
(And Kate, no worries — that’s the most traffic my little blog has ever gotten. That bra was SO worth the $25 or whatever I spent on it! JC Penney! Padding! Yay!)
July 29th, 2009 at 9:38 pmI am loving reading all of the BlogHer posts all over the interwebs. I am also loving your hair! Do you think the deodorant trick works with the soft solid shit or just the stick kind?
Chris says: Isn’t that the same thing?
July 29th, 2009 at 9:44 pmOh, and also, my little kids, when they’re playing with shampoo in the shower, call it “bubble juice.” I get that from the dollar store.
July 29th, 2009 at 9:45 pmHeather’s shoe story… priceless- laughed so loud woke up the hubs in his chair… thanks
July 29th, 2009 at 10:02 pmI heart you, you gluten free trendy asshole.
July 29th, 2009 at 10:30 pmI am so trying that deodorant idea. My feet to not hurt when wearing heels would be fabulous.
Speaking of damn food allergies and feeling trendy…I totally understand. I just put a post about it. It totally sucks and people always question it. I really don’t understand why I would choose to eat this way unless I had to!
July 29th, 2009 at 10:33 pmWho made your bag? I LOVE IT!! So cute and big. That’s a hard combo.
Chris says: ROXY. I got it on clearance for $17. Doesn’t that make you love it even more?
July 29th, 2009 at 10:47 pmThat was one damned good waitress to notice…AND to care to ask!
July 29th, 2009 at 11:13 pmOkay - the deodorant on the feet thing has me intriqued. I hate wearing nylons to work but if I don’t my shoes kill my feet.
BTW - the vomit post made me laugh out loud but I shouldn’t have read it while eating my breakfast.
July 30th, 2009 at 9:33 amGreat pictures! Looks like everyone had a blast. Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to go next year! :o)
July 30th, 2009 at 10:20 amGlad you had fun, and the fact that you got that awesome purse on sale does make it more awesome.
July 30th, 2009 at 10:30 amLooks like you had a blast. I am glad that everyone enjoyed themself. I want that big salad
July 30th, 2009 at 1:32 pmNow THAT is the BlogHer that I had hoped everyone got to enjoy!
July 30th, 2009 at 1:37 pmIt’s nice to hear about all the fun and love. You all look so adorable.
July 30th, 2009 at 2:24 pmThe photo I took of you with your tray of None You Can Eat burgers is in my BlogHer recap but, alas, it was an iphone:
http://www.justheather.com/2009/07/28/blogher-virgin/
Next year, I’m going to remember to tote a real camera now and then because I missed out on a lot of fun opportunities!
July 30th, 2009 at 2:46 pmomg this deoderant story made me laugh so hard on the train yesterday. people were giving me the eye like..what is wrong with her?! and yet i’m headed to a weddig this weekend and am absolutely going to try it with my heels! i wonder if gel works..since that’s what i use. hm, tmi?
July 30th, 2009 at 3:10 pmThat boob skirt is hysterical. I don’t know her, (or you!) but I’ve got to imagine she is a riot to hang out with
July 30th, 2009 at 4:36 pmI SO wish I could have been there! This post makes me sad
But I’m glad you all had a wonderful time!
Chris says: Next year!!
July 30th, 2009 at 6:48 pmSo, I was wondering if I could be you when I grow up.
Whadda ya think?
Tammy and Parker
July 30th, 2009 at 8:40 pmhttp://www.prayingforparker.com
@ParkerMama
every time I see a picture of you, I just can’t believe you are a 40 year old mother of seven. I am twentysomething mother of none and you look a hundred times hotter than me. Go girl.
July 30th, 2009 at 8:41 pmI am so glad I got to spend time with you, lady.
ps. I have a picture of you and Metalia, not able to eat cheeseburgers…http://www.flickr.com/photos/alimartell/3756641259/ LOVE LOVE LOVE
Chris says: Hahahaha That is the one I was thinking of! Love it. And yes, it was so great to actually spend real time together this year!
July 30th, 2009 at 9:47 pmIt was such fun to meet you. Same complaint as Sweetney - not enough conversations, too much running around - although I can’t say it was because I was throwing the world’s coolest party ever. Just rookie spreading-too-thinly-ness. But my god, it was fun. Plus it’s always nice to be oblivious to the underbelly, which I was.
These photos are some of the sweetest I’ve seen. So great.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:17 pm…wait, that kind of came out wrong. It wasn’t any kind of deliberate obliviousness. I was just like “swag? what’s swag?” and that was on, oh… Sunday morning. Oops.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:20 pmi’m still confused. do you rub the deodorant on the feet or your shoes?
Chris says: On your feet, but not the soles of your feet. Just where your shoes rub and could potentially cause blisters.
August 3rd, 2009 at 3:48 pmThis is one of my very favorite BlogHer posts. all of your pictures make me smile…and want to book a plane ticket to Texas ASAP.
xoxo
August 4th, 2009 at 9:02 pm