The 2009 BlogHer conference officially begins today, and I’m not there. I’m at home – grousing at my children, monitoring my dwindling 401K, and obsessively refreshing Twitter in search of new pictures of (almost) everyone else having a fabulous time.
So why, for the first time in four BlogHer conferences, am I not there having a fabulous time myself?
1. I need a pedicure. And not just any old strip mall nail salon pedicure – I need paraffin wax and a salt scrub. Maybe a 45-minute soak in boiling oil would do the trick.
2. My hair looks like hell in Chicago. In 2007, even after plying it with the very best Aveda has to offer, midwestern humidity incited that telltale frizz as soon as I left the hotel room.
3. I have a triathlon next month. Last year, I ambitiously packed both my swim suit and my running shoes, thinking that I’d pawn Oliver off on Kristen or Liz and do some training. In reality, the only thing I did when someone else was holding Oliver was fetch myself another drink.
4. I already drank myself under the table last weekend. Enough said.
5. I like to eat. There’s never enough food. Alcohol, yes; food, no. Ever since 2006, when they cleared away tables full of uneaten hors d’oeuvres promptly at eight o’clock – just as I’d finally gotten my Yahoo-tini and was ready to start noshing, I’ve gone hungry at BlogHer. Which, in combination with free-flowing wine, makes for some painful mornings.
6. I hate airports. I don’t hate flying, but the processes that lead up to takeoff and begin after landing drive me crazy. It’s a moving walkway; don’t lounge, walk. And if they didn’t call your row number or seating area, sit your overeager ass down and wait your turn.
7. I’m already exhausted. Every year, I literally get sick – either at the conference or afterward. Which is my fault, because I don’t know when to pack it up and head to bed, and I know better than to fall asleep in front of my friends.
8. I don’t do the sponsor thing. I’m not judging those who do; in fact, I had a sponsor in 2007 – a fabulous company called CleanWell whose products I still use. But that sponsorship was offered to me. I’m not interested in entering contests or soliciting for sponsors. Call me lazy, but if someone wants me, they’ll find me.
9. I couldn’t hack the logistics (not to mention expense) of child care. Without delving into the boring details, I’ve got three kids and no relatives nearby and a husband whose work schedule is constantly changing.
10. Ultimately, it wasn’t a smart fiscal decision. Yes, I know that BlogHer happens every year and I’ve had a whole year to plan for it. I also know that I’m not alone – many people are feeling an economic pinch. I planned and I saved and I realized that while I’d rather jet off to Chicago with my hobbit-feet and frizzy hair, I’d be able to sleep better at night if I put that money toward existing bills rather than racking up some new ones.
Much as I love seeing the tweets and the pictures, and as much as I’ll love reading the post-BlogHer posts, it was terribly difficult to make the decision to stay home this year. On Tuesday night, Kyle even asked if I wanted to take the money in our bathroom renovation fund to buy a last minute plane ticket and bunk with friends. It was a touching gesture, but I couldn’t take him up on it.
Because even when it hurts, I always try to do what I know is right.
Enjoy! I will see you next year, I promise.
I love Kyle’s offer. How very sweet of him to make it. How very sweet of you not to take him up on it.
Being responsible sucks, no? Looking forward to meeting you next year.
I missed you so much my heart hurt. On the “up” side, I’ll be in Colorado in December. : )
Please mark “December 12th” on your calendar. Details to follow….
Same reasons I skipped most of the parties and only paid for one day… it sucks to be responsible. So I guess you have good financial planning that you’re going next year!
Also, I’m so with you on the food! not a good place for a starving pregnant lady. Hope to see you next year if I muster up the energy to attend.