It is no secret that I am a fan of blogging conferences. I mean, I’ve only ever been to BlogHer (San Francisco, 2008 and Chicago, 2009)(I’d link, but I’m lazy/tired). I’m all booked for the BlogHer conference this August in New York. (New York! I’ve never been! And have always wanted to go! And will probably spend the entire time acting as one who is existing on exclamation points!) There are other conferences, I know, but I have a husband and children and a job and a life that all need me here for the most part. BlogHer is my must-do and it is a good fit. Some people go there in an attempt to build their “brand” or to try to climb up the high school “popularity” ladder or to stir up more drama than they are able to do online.
Me? I go to hang out with my friends. I am all about community. (And also, Community – one of the funniest shows ever.)
This past weekend, a different kind of conference occurred. There were no sessions, no keynote speakers, and the only swag available consisted of pins.
Tequilacon decided to jump the border and come to Vancouver.
A “tequila conference” might sound rather raunchy and debaucherous, but no. It was basically a bunch of bloggers meeting at a popular pub (Steamworks) who ate dinner, had a few drinks and laughed until their sides hurt. An added bonus? My sister Dayna had just moved back from New Zealand after a two-year stint of living across the pond. When she showed up at my hotel, the moment we saw each other, we literally ran a full-force with our arms wide open.
She told me that a few of the fellow attendees could see the resemblance between us. I have never seen before it but in that photo, I think I do.
So! What do bloggers do when they get together? Well, there’s a lot of mustaches involved.
Miss Hillary is the creator of ‘staches on a stick.
Did you know that I shot her wedding two summers ago? If not, well, now you do.
Sizzle rocked her ‘stache while Mr. Darcy looked on.
They are seriously the cutest.
Kerri was working the ‘stache.
She even has a traveling ‘stache website. OH YES SHE DOES. I’m even featured on the site. See?
Cayly used her ‘stache to introduce herself to a fine young lad who was sporting a real stache.
Their story from that night is one of the cutest things EVER.
Jen was with us as well but I somehow missed getting a photo of the two of us. I was probably too busy talking. I know that it’s hard to believe but it happens occasionally. Or always. (Updated! Sizzle posted one of us on Flickr!)
It was simply a great night of hanging out with friends, telling ridiculous stories and laughing until you wondered if breathing would ever be an option again.
I try not to wax poetic (or tragic) about blogging here, but I have to confess that I have wrestled with it a lot lately. Wondered if it still fit into my life, if I should keep going, if maybe I should just bid adieu and carry on carrying on. Spending time with these people who know me and get me and who I would not even know if it were not for this here site (Well, except for Dayna. OBVIOUSLY) made me realize that maybe I need to stop analyzing this space and just using it when I want to, like the good old days. So, you’re stuck with me. For now.
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Nothing at all blogging-related, but entirely consuming me is my daughter. We got notice last weekend that this past Saturday would have Miss Emily showing up to ballet class in her recital costume. She was required to have a proper bun (Water, gel and hairspray, oh my!) and to have her makeup done. Blush, eyeshadow and MASCARA.
The teenage years are going to kill me, you guys. Anyone have a tower we can rent so that we can lock her away?
I can most definitely see similarities between you & Dayna!
And that photo of Emily … yeah, you are really going to have trouble when she’s a teenager! Better save up for that tower now. And the gun Matthew was going to buy the other week? Probably a good move.
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angella Reply:
April 27th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Haaaaa. Indeed.
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Pingback: TequilaCon and Other Shenanigans | Songs In Blue
I had heaps of fun even though I went home early because I’m a nana. But I’m coming up in a couple weeks! So, YAY!
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why am I wasting my time with BlogHER when there is a Tequilacon? Brilliant!
.-= designHer Momma´s last blog ..Yesterday. Earth Day. Documented. =-.
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Everything is better with a traveling mustache!
I can’t see the similarities in the picture…but it may be like my sister and me…we look nothing alike, but our gestures and the way we speak is the same, so people see it? maybe? Either way, you two are adorable!
.-= alimartell´s last blog ..It Would Be So Rufus. =-.
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So fun!
.-= hillary´s last blog ..I Don’t Care Who You Are Where You’re From What You Did As Long As You Love Me =-.
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That looks like fun alright and yay for seeing your sister again. I definitely see a resemblence and you are both beautiful!
I have been feeling the same about blogging lately…no inspiration, maybe I am done. Only time will tell.
And mascara on a 3 year old? Getting that on must have been a feat?! I can barely get it on myself!
.-= Kami’s Khlopchyk´s last blog ..Hmm, I thought we were done with baby stage =-.
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COMMUNITY. Yes, that’s why blogging is awesome, and it’s also (another reason) why Joel McHale is awesome.
Also awesome? You (+ a mustache in your hair). Hillary is totally my mustache soul sister.
.-= Kerri Anne´s last blog ..Photographic Evidence Of A Canadian Good Time =-.
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So good to see you and spend time with you! Thanks for picking us up and taxi-ing us over to Granville. It was a lot of fun.
.-= Sizzle´s last blog ..Sounds fun, eh? =-.
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I love Community! Best new show on TV!
Glad you had a great time!
.-= Kristabella´s last blog ..A Little Bit Of This, A Little Bit Of That =-.
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As I was reading your post and scrolling down I totally expected to see Miss. Emily holding up her very own stache! Tequilacon sounds like a very fun time and the sense of community out there is more than I imagined when I started blogging this last year. Love it!
.-= Mama in the City´s last blog ..Story Telling =-.
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angella Reply:
April 27th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
I totally need to get a photo of Emily (and the boys) with a stache! We’ll have to do it when we go to Portland (and see Kerri_ this summer.
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it was SO great to spend a bit more time with you this past weekend. I can see why Kerri adores you like she does! xoxo
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Sounds like fun a fun weekend. Emily is so cute!
This blogging thing really does stress you out from time to time, doesn’t it? Just write you have something that you want to say. There is no pressure to this gig, at least there shouldn’t be.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Bypass Surgery; A daughter’s point of view =-.
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Wow – I didn’t know that the weekend was a reunion for you and your sister. How cool is that? It was really great meeting you – and what beautiful photos you took!
.-= jenny´s last blog ..It’s here! It’s here! =-.
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Among my favorite parts of the evening was the look on your face when it turned out that me saying, “No, seriously, you HAVE A MUSTACHE IN YOUR HAIR” was not a completely nonsensical statement.
Great to see you again! Can’t wait for July.
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it was so awesome to see you again! And your sister? Awesomesauce!
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Things I Love 23 =-.
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Just found your blog. You are hilarious with the stache. I’m having fun here already
.-= lifeologia´s last blog ..Benefits of Reflexology =-.
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I went to a little bloggy meet up this weekend too. It was so wonderful!
Love the ‘staches on a stick – seriously “rad” (to use a word of yours…)
.-= Elaine´s last blog ..WW – Home =-.
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