Simply Awesome BlogHer '06

I am not quite sure what other word I can use to describe BlogHer '06.  I must admit that initially Ifelt similar to Lia when she wrote about dreading BlogHer.  Although I was very excited to meet and hear my favorite bloggers, I felt intimidated going to a convention where I didn't really know anyone.  Well, I 'knew' these folks through their blogs, but I didn't KNOW them in person.  It helped that many of my fellow bloggers share their identity with a personal photo on their blog, although I am still tentative to show my face to the world.  I enjoy being able to post and create content about my life, yet keep the actual photos of myself and family private.  (I am sure that this topic alone can spur up a myriad of posts).  So it gave me the warm fuzzies when I would walk up to someone and say, "Hey, I recognize you from your blog" and they would look at me like... "and who are you? " Fortunately, most everyone was kind.

Some thoughts as I walk away from BlogHer and move back into the normal life of mommyhood, playing with my daughters and preparing for a human resource meeting at work.  BE HONEST.  BE DARING. BE PROUD TO EXPRESS YOUR THOUGHTS, FEARS, JOYS, TRIUMPHS, FAILURES.  TAKE RISKS WITH YOUR WORDS.  DON'T BE AFRAID TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE.  WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY IS IMPORTANT.  As I transfer these quotes from my notepad to the computer, I reflect and realize that I have been guarded with what I have shared on this collaborative blog.  I am not sure how much I want to expose to the world, and how much I want to remain private.  I struggle with sharing too much, yet admire the hundreds of blogs I read every day that tell me all about their lives.  I have yet to find that balance which seems to come so easily and natural to these great blogs.  I so wish I could be like THEM....  and maybe bacause of BlogHer and the hundreds of women that I have met and heard this weekend, I can let my guard down.  Well, maybe a little.

Today, I had a blast meeting some of my favorite bloggers including Asha, Krisco, City Mama, Maya's Mom , Charlene Li, Grace Davis and Badgermama, and Minti.   

Even though I saw Dooce many times today, I still did not have the nerve to approach.  Maybe next year...... 

Jill Asher, Co-Founder Silicon Valley Moms Blog