As I caught the shuttle to the airport this morning, I was seated behind two women who (apparently) were at the same conference I was at. I did not recognize them, but there were ONE THOUSAND attendees. I didn’t even meet everyone I thought I would, but I made a pretty good dent in my “to meet” list.
The two women were talking about all of the drama that had occurred in their circle of friends. There were fights, and bickering, and tears. The people they came to meet were not who they had expected them to be, and nobody seemed to get along very well. They both said that they would not be attending any future conferences because they found this to be a very expensive lesson learned.
My experience was EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE. There was no drama (involving me), just love and sweetness and sunshine and rainbows. I was skipping around with a crown of daisies on my head and singing songs from The Sound of Music.
I am lying about the daisies (though it might be an idea for next year), and there was no singing happening. This would be due to the fact that my voice is nearly gone thanks to three consecutive nights of TRYING TO BE HEARD OVER ALL OF THAT LOUD MUSIC.
I cannot do the weekend justice right now as I have averaged approximately five hours of sleep per night. I got up at the butt-crack of dawn this morning to make it to the airport for my flight. Upon arrival, I found out my flight was delayed an hour and a half. This means I COULD HAVE SLEPT LONGER.
This also means that I have time to kill. Instead of sleeping, I will photos of (and links to) some of the lovely ladies (and their men) who made my weekend far better than I ever dreamed it could be.
Sean (Holly’s honey), Simon, Kristin, Leah, and Holly.
Two more shots of the lovely couples.
These guys were my home base. Leah and Simon were not only just all-around awesome, they were my go-to people who held my hand if I did not know anyone. Simon is every bit as funny and charming as he comes across on their site (Even though he teased me incessantly about my “Canadian accent”). Um, YOU GUYS are the ones with accents.
Leah was my session-attending buddy when I was not taking photos of the conference. Meeting her was like when I first met Kristin in that I feel like we have known each other for years. Which I guess we have. Sean and Holly are lovely and gracious, and all sorts of wonderful.
Enough gushing (for now). Onwards!
SAJ and I.
I finally got to meet this wonderful friend who spoils me constantly. She has the sweetest voice and is even greater than I thought she would be.
Kelly and I.
Not only is she stunning, she is ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS. She wanted to put me in her bag and take me home and I almost took her up on her offer.
Sarah and I.
Her hair is even more beautiful in person, as is she. I just wanted to put her in my pocket and take her home with me.
Dooce and I.
Photo taken by Kristabella (Hi sweetie!). Heather is lovely and gracious and funny. At least that’s what I got out of our three-minute conversation, two minutes of which were spent trying to get a photo taken of us that wasn’t all blurry in the low light. We were at a party hosted by Maggie Mason which was marvelous. Huge thanks to Maggie for hosting it and spoiling us all.
Mrs. Flinger and I.
Leslie is a bundle of sunshine. She also belongs in my pocket.
Yvonne and I.
She is one of the loveliest women I have ever you could ever meet. She just exudes WONDERFUL. I need more pockets.
Casey and I.
She is every bit as amazing as she comes across on her site. She is also destined to live in one of my many pockets.
I don’t have a photo of my personality twin Ali, but here’s one of her with Casey.
Can you see why I wanted to stuff them in my suitcase and bring them home? I really need to find an outfit with multiple pockets.
If you think they are funny on their sites, real life would blow your mind.
More of the funny. More of the laughing. More of the awesome. There is a story about the cheeseburgers, but that is a whole post unto itself.
I somehow don’t have a photo of me with my roommate or with many others I spent time with, but I did a lot of talking and laughing. Sometimes I just put my camera away.
I am going to sign off, as my flight is about to board. FINALLY.
I hope to follow with a post that will give justice to this fantabulous weekend once I catch up on my sleep and get reconnected with my family. Peace.
(PS - Amanda! The above is all a big fat lie. I hid in my room the entire weekend because everyone was all, “CANADIANS SUCK!” and “GO BACK TO YOUR FOREIGN LAND!” I stole photos off of the Internet and Photoshopped myself into them. I will cry on your shoulder when I get home.)
46 Comments
Glad you had so much fun and got to meet so many awesome people! Now I feel like I got to meet them too! (kinda) 
Victoria’s last blog post..Limited Time Offer!
I’m so glad you had so much. I’m jealous that all those girls got to have you all to themselves. Missing you here. Went to out new church this morning and we’re very sad and missing SBC. Have a good, long, nap when you get home and then be sure to call me. Or if tomorrow’s better do that. I emailed you my new number.
LOVE YOU!
christy’s last blog post..We’re HERE! but….not there…..
Comment by christy on July 20th, 2008 @ 11:23 amI mean so much…fun.
christy’s last blog post..We’re HERE! but….not there…..
Comment by christy on July 20th, 2008 @ 11:23 amIt sounds like you had such a fabulous time…as I knew you would. Can’t wait to meet you next year! (You’re going again, yes?)
metalia’s last blog post..Sticky Fingers
Comment by metalia on July 20th, 2008 @ 11:46 amIt was awesome wasn’t it?!! I had so much fun with you and it seemed like I’d known you my entire life.
I think we all need some bigger pockets!
SAJ’s last blog post..Planes trains and automobiles
Comment by SAJ on July 20th, 2008 @ 12:15 pmCool. So glad that you had fun, though I knew you would. Travel home, safely.
Elizabeth’s last blog post..Home Sweet Home
Comment by Elizabeth on July 20th, 2008 @ 12:53 pmSounds and looks as though you had a great time! Yay!
Hannah’s last blog post..Marmalade
Comment by Hannah on July 20th, 2008 @ 1:33 pmi have at least two pictures of us together. you can steal them if you want. i’ll allow it. because you are awesome. my experience was like yours. perfect.
Comment by ali on July 20th, 2008 @ 1:43 pmI am happy to hear you had such a wonderful experience!
Those murals in your last post are so neat! Thanks for sharing them.
Comment by Kristin on July 20th, 2008 @ 4:20 pmGlad you had a great time!!
So do you think that maybe I could see you in person sometime in the next….. month?!?! haha. call me tomorrow after you’re settled in.
Comment by Karen on July 20th, 2008 @ 5:11 pmLooks like great fun and I am glad your experience was perfect. I can’t imagine how anyone wouldn’t love you, it’s simply impossible.
Kami’s last blog post..Summer Vacation
It was so great to finally put a (Canadian accented :)!!) voice to the photos! It was wonderful to meet you. 364 more days til next time
And I’m so glad I knew the photo girl too! Saved me much effort!
slynnro’s last blog post..From the mouths of crazies.
Comment by slynnro on July 20th, 2008 @ 8:30 pmLove seeing the update. Can’t wait to hear more!
kaili’s last blog post..Boo Hoo!
Comment by kaili on July 20th, 2008 @ 8:32 pmLove your post and pictures! I didn’t get to go to the conference this year, but I had the best time last year and hope to go next year.
Anali’s last blog post..Catching Up - Fun + Food
Comment by Anali on July 20th, 2008 @ 9:09 pmnot sure you remember me, but we met a couple times over the weekend, and i thought you were super great. like you, i thought everyone was friendly and fun, and i had a blast. i can’t wait to do it all again next year. i’m sad that some people felt the weekend was too much drama for them, because i didn’t feel that at all. glad you had fun!
Lara’s last blog post..Who I Am
Wait, we have no photos together??? How could that be??
Heather B.’s last blog post..Gone fishin?
Comment by Heather B. on July 20th, 2008 @ 10:34 pmHow exciting! I’m glad you had such a good time and met so many wonderful people! Looking forward to hearing more! (Oh, and do you ever take a bad picture?)
Comment by Michele on July 21st, 2008 @ 12:35 amNow I am curious about the cheeseburger story.
Wow! I think my head would explode too! Looks and sounds like you had a blast. You ARE going to need a heavily pocketed outfit. ; )
Cool picture with Dooce (and all the others too!)
Hope you had a great homecoming!
Elaine’s last blog post..My Weekend, With A Mini Heart Attack In There To Keep Things Interesting.
Comment by Elaine on July 21st, 2008 @ 7:27 amHoly Wow, you got a picture with Dooce! That is so cool, she is my blogging hero (and so are you
teresa’s last blog post..Vacation Part 2
OMG! I love you! And I love that you told everyone I took the photo with you and Dooce! Because I totally did!
It was so great to finally meet you and everyone! Everyone needs to go to BlogHer! It is awesome!
Kristabella’s last blog post..The Sky Is Falling
Comment by Kristabella on July 21st, 2008 @ 9:59 amIt was so lovely to spend so much time with you, Angella! (Or should I say An-GEL-ah — you with your fancy two Ls!) Hope you got home safely and that you come back to San Francisco again soon!
Nothing But Bonfires’s last blog post..Putting the Eek in Weekend
Comment by Nothing But Bonfires on July 21st, 2008 @ 10:14 amSounds like you had a wonderful time! I’m sure everyone’s blogs will tell tales of how great it was for them to have met you!
Ashley’s last blog post..Spilled Milk
Comment by Ashley on July 21st, 2008 @ 10:41 amWas awesome to meet you, even though we didn’t really get to talk much. Adding you to my reader. (When I should be working!)
Nadine/Scarb’s last blog post..Don’t come and knock on my door
Comment by Nadine/Scarb on July 21st, 2008 @ 11:11 amAng! is it weird how satisfying it is to see all your favorite bloggers in once place? I mean, I haven’t blogged in a year, but I read blogs everyday- SAJ, Whoorl, Dooce, Holly, and it makes me smile to see you all in place together, sharing. What an awesome experince! I might start blogging again, just so I can go next year!!
Comment by Kendrah on July 21st, 2008 @ 12:14 pmHi Angella!
I just wanted to say thanks to you and Ali for making BlogHer less socially terrifying for me the first night;). I’m looking forward to reading your blog and hey — I have a year to get business cards made up for the next big BlogHer conference. I’m glad you had a safe flight home.
Oh, my mother in law is Canadian. Just thought I’d mention that.
Anna’s last blog post..Prize Winning Oatmeal Cookies Made With Excellent Walnuts
Comment by Anna on July 21st, 2008 @ 12:45 pm(Ditto, SAJ.)
I’m so happy to be home but it’s incredible how much I miss you! and everyone. It’s crazy how surreal it felt at times, to be standing next to people I feel like I’ve known for years, and yet how amazingly REAL and awesome they, and the entire weekend, was. I feel like I can’t properly articulate The Great Time I had. All of that to say: Long live fantastic friends. And Lefty O’Douls.
Kerri Anne’s last blog post..Weekend Update, Pre-Vacation Edition
Comment by Kerri Anne on July 21st, 2008 @ 1:12 pmI’m only bummed we didn’t get a picture!
She Likes Purple’s last blog post..BlogHer Roommates
Comment by She Likes Purple on July 21st, 2008 @ 4:38 pmThese photos are great! I’m going to live through you with your trip to BlogHer so keep the photos coming
The Over-Thinker’s last blog post..And then I became Canadian….and it didn’t even involve alcohol!
So great … I can’t wait to see more!
merrymishaps’s last blog post..synchronized napping
Comment by merrymishaps on July 21st, 2008 @ 7:56 pmI just realized I never bought you a drink after you comped me that glass of wine. Guess you’ll just have to come to Vancouver and get it.
Adore you.
Kristin’s last blog post..Underrated Monday: Lesbian Dad
Comment by Kristin on July 21st, 2008 @ 11:29 pmLooks like you had a great time and got to meet all of those great people. Good to hear you had a blast!!
Mel’s last blog post..Planes, Trains and Automobiles….OH MY!!
Comment by Mel on July 22nd, 2008 @ 9:21 amI MISS YOU.
That is all.
whoorl’s last blog post..Elsewhere
Comment by whoorl on July 22nd, 2008 @ 7:38 pmAwww, so many of whom I wanted to meet…Ali, Slynnro, Heather B., Whoorl, SAJ, YOU. Guess there’s always next year…hope you’re all planning on attending again =)
In other news, I LOVE CANADA. Maybe I’ll just move from SF there and we can be blog buddies within the same country!
Camels & Chocolate’s last blog post..Oh, Canada
Comment by Camels & Chocolate on July 22nd, 2008 @ 11:05 pm[...] of the highlights of my weekend (Apart from the whole Imaginary Internet Friends becoming Real Life Friends deelio) was participating in the Shutter Sisters Photo [...]
Comment by Dutch Blitz » Photo Walking on July 23rd, 2008 @ 7:24 pm[...] of the highlights of my weekend (Apart from the whole Imaginary Internet Friends becoming Real Life Friends deelio) was participating in the Shutter Sisters Photo [...]
Comment by Dutch Blitz » Photo Walking on July 23rd, 2008 @ 7:24 pmAgain, sweet post!!! I’m so jealous you got to meet SAJ!
Mrs. Wilson’s last blog post..The rest of the story
Comment by Mrs. Wilson on July 24th, 2008 @ 10:31 am[...] returning home from the trip of AWESOME, my energy resources were quite depleted. As were Honey’s. By the time we walked into the [...]
Comment by Dutch Blitz » Permanent Vacation on July 25th, 2008 @ 7:57 am[...] two weeks of company/me traipsing to San Francisco/more company, Honey and I ditched the kids left our kids in the trusty hands of Uncle Lance and [...]
Comment by Dutch Blitz » Which Door Would You Choose? on July 26th, 2008 @ 8:00 pm[...] is the deal. I went away for a conference where I got to meet some of the amazing women (WAY more than I linked to!) that I knew online. I have read some garbage after the fact where [...]
Comment by Dutch Blitz » Wait. Where Was I? on July 29th, 2008 @ 7:22 pm[...] weeks have not been the norm. In addition to that (wonderfully) crazy conference called “BlogHer“, we have had a vast array of company. I then went and jetted solo (Once again!) to [...]
Comment by Dutch Blitz » Squeezing Every Moment on August 7th, 2008 @ 5:27 am[...] I am completely aware. As are my child-bearing hips), but then we go and throw trips to BlogHer and to shoot weddings and drive an hour and a half nearly every day for work, AND MY HEAD REALLY [...]
Comment by Dutch Blitz » Awesome. Not Awesome. on August 11th, 2008 @ 1:10 pm[...] my Step Mom at the sink. She was visiting to help with the kids as I left for BlogHer the next [...]
Comment by Dutch Blitz » Finally Living Up To Its Name on September 7th, 2008 @ 2:12 pm[...] - bookmarked by 4 members originally found by yesh on 2008-08-22 To All The Blogs I’ve Loved Before http://www.dutchblitz.net/to-all-the-blogs-ive-loved-before/ - bookmarked by 3 members originally [...]
Comment by Bookmarks about All on September 16th, 2008 @ 11:15 pm[...] mentioned that during my trip to BlogHer I may or may not have burst into tears in H&M. I had all of a sudden found myself alone, in [...]
Comment by Dutch Blitz » Where Online Meets Offline on September 22nd, 2008 @ 12:33 pm
Sounds fantastic! When you’re mostly caught up on that sleep I’d love to meet you at the beach and hear all about it.
Tannis’s last blog post..the rule of 4’s
Comment by Tannis on July 20th, 2008 @ 11:14 am