In Awe of Fellow Bloggers

I just can't get Blogher out of my mind. Spending hours on-line, logging in to read blog sites created and written by the most amazing women, I'm in awe and truly humbled. The blogosphere is populated by incredible blogs, penned by women whose honesty, humor, passion, and the fine art of writing showcase with inexplicable beauty. I want to laugh and cry and say, "right on" to so much of what I'm reading.

The Keynote on Friday evening 7/18/08 featured readings from 22 blogs and was, as Fussy points out, "an event that kicked 10,000 pounds of ass". Fussy's post lists the participants in the blog-read fest (complete with links to the posts they read) and comes with high recommendations. Try it out. A podcast is forthcoming which will add another dimension; there's nothing like actually hearing these amazing women (and one man--go Dave of Laid-Off Dad) bring real life into their posts. Lots of laughs, tears, nods of recognition, touching moments, and sheer insanity; a cross section of blogger bliss. My favorite and the reading that made me cry for the raw edged beauty of life, death, and hope juxtaposed was Polly Pagenhart's Thanks Giving from her blog, LesbianDad. I also found the words of Schmutzie a poetic dream. Bottom line: they were all terrific reads by great bloggers. Kudos!

Funny how these conferences go....despite the hundreds of women moving between lobby, meeting rooms, foyers, and social events, certain faces just kept appearing and re-appearing regularly as I made my way through the crowd. My take on this is that the universe is placing us close by for a reason and doing so over and over again to reinforce the connection. It is not for me to question why but to accept.

I kept running into LaurieWrites, Motherscribe, InABottle, Murmuringtrees, and Molly of WhiteTrashMom. Everywhere.

Sadly, I lost the card from a very interesting woman who I met during the Macy's soirée on Saturday night; she is fanatically passionate about Second Life, a topic of which I knew nothing but left feeling enriched and actually curious about the world of virtual realities after she shared just why this forum grabs and won't let go. I appreciated her ability to take something so oddly foreign to me and turn it into an enticing romp. I just may check this out but sure wish I could find this lovely mentor as she's quite obviously in the know. All I remember is that she lives somewhere in Arizona. Perhaps a bit of research will lead me to her if it's meant to be.

Dozens of blog website cards cover my bedside table. I go through them trying to place a face with a name and I check out the websites. I may not know anything else late on this Tuesday night in my bone weary and mind jumbled state but can confidently say that these blogger women got it 'goin' on'. Seriously.

P.S. Do you see the blurred white shape in the background of the blurry first photo on this post? That's the Michelin Tire Man. Don't ask.