So BlogHer. Yeah. I have loved BlogHer every year, but this year? Not so much. It’s not because it’s not filled with tons of great people. It’s just that, well, it’s too fucking big now.
Every year more and more people show up and so it’s more of a clusterfuck than ever before. I knew it was going to be different this year on Thursday night when I went to the People’s Party and it was wall-to-wall people with $8 fucking beer.
Sure, I ran into many of my favorite people. Sarah and Suebob and Average Jane, and many others. But it’s actually a chore now to hook up with people you want to hook up with. More than ever this weekend it was truly a case of me NOT running into many of the people I went to see.
I went to a number of sessions and discussion groups. My favorite was the first one I went to on Friday morning about introverts. Monty was on the panel and it was a great session.
Hilly spoke up into the mike at one point, talking about things from the other side of the fence…as an extrovert. And I got up and talked, too, explaining that one of MY methods for dealing with BlogHer is to design and wear mildly offensive t-shirts. It’s a great icebreaker.
Sure, I got a ton of business cards and two bags full of swag. And I’ll be spending some time this week entering URLs into Firefox because I don’t have enough fucking feeds already. But in general, I spent far less time at BlogHer this year than I have in the past. I just couldn’t make it happen…couldn’t flip my freaking-the-fuck-out switch off for very long.
I totally skipped the parties because I knew they’d be too loud and too crowded for me. And the parties are generally some of the best times at BlogHer. I opted for the much more sane smaller and intimate group – Hilly and the Gay Mafia – at night. I didn’t even catch the closing keynote with Dooce.
So I really don’t have a lot to say about the conference other than what I’ve said. I don’t know that it’s going to hold the same level of fun for me any more. It’s just getting unmanagable for me. And that kinda makes me sad.
In other news, I’m still tired, though I had a decent sleep last night. And today. I’m also very broke. I ought to take donations because I know that’d send Jester through the freaking roof. I am also still dumbfounded that I was called “The Man” on a radio show on Sunday.
Karl, you were one of the people at The People’s Party that I wanted to meet the most but you were always flocked on all sides by chicks that wouldn’t budge.
I swear we gave out over $4,000 in drink tickets, but God help me, the people! Who knew people liked to drink in an overcrowded loud conference hall?
Next year. Make room for me in one of your harems.
Reply
Megan – aw, I wish you’d come up to me. Those chicks you’re talking about were probably Hilly and Monty and a few other friends. You totally would have been welcome. I got there a couple of hours late, so it’s no wonder all the drink tickets were gone.
Reply
I know what it’s like to be beyond broke on a limited income. However, I am flush this week so I have totally got your back for Dave Diego, my favorite Karl! MUAH!
I know what you mean about an event that you enjoyed when it was smaller and were uncomfortable with when it grew large. There have been a few of those in my past. Stuff is always more fun the more intimate it is…
Reply
Extroverts unite! Erm, or something like that….
Reply
Winter – Sweet! Bring on the booze and hookers!
Hilly – Extroverts don’t need to unite. They’re already united.
Reply
have fun at dave diago and sorry you didn’t have more fun at blogher
Reply
I think I’ve donated quite enough to the cause for this week. Though if you want to put up a paypal button I’ll surely direct people to it.
Reply
I’m working at a conference this week and I’m already stressing out about being among hoards of people. Everyone else on our crew keeps talking about how excited they are for the big closing gala at TAO, but honestly, if I could skip it again this year I would.
Reply
If you think BlogHer has gotten too big, wait until you go to ComicCon. It can take you several hours to walk from one end to the other because it’s so packed with people. If you have Xanax, pop ‘em.
Reply
I’d like to do BlogHer some year but I’m afraid I’d be the girl in the corner not talking to anyone. Small talk can be so painful sometimes.
Reply
So who the fuck is going to go to BlogHer with me next year then? I was counting on you to be my date.
Reply
I’m glad I got to go to your BlogHims session. You’re right about the overwhelming size of the event, though. I’ve spent the past four days reading Tweets and blog posts of people who were there and thinking, “Darn! I wanted to meet her!”
Reply
For what it’s worth, I had a withdrawn year at BlogHer in 2006. Didn’t rock the parties, didn’t stand up and talk in *any* sessions that year.
Despite the size at any given point, I think each year is just different. You’re different; the conference is different. The venue makes a *huge* difference. It was shiny but tight this year – I suspect next year we’ll have more breathing room.
I’m so glad I at least ran into you!!!
Reply
I would probably feel the same as you. Whenever anything becomes too successful, from a blog to convention to a city, what it gains in success can also mean a loss in intimacy.
Reply
Mildly offensive hats is fine but if you can fashion yourself a unique rin foil hat – the world is yours.
Reply
Charlene – Oh, I had a good time. I just didn’t have as good a time as last year.
Jester – That’s true, you have been a solid contributor.
Stacey – Yeah, big crowds. *shivers*
Avitable – There will be no Comic Con. No tickets, sadly.
Pixie – I can relate, but don’t let that discourage you. Lots of people feel like that but still go.
Britt – Oh, I’m sure I’m going. No worries.
Average Jane – Glad you were there, too. I’ll be better organized next year.
Lizriz – Shiny but tight. Heh.
Neil – the intimacy is a big issue. I felt it was a lot more intimate two years ago, but it keeps getting bigger. Soon it’ll be held at a stadium.
Dr. Zibbs – Tin foil hats. That’s what I was missing.
Reply
That sucks – I had assumed you’d already gotten your tickets!
Reply
Just like the rest of the conference and festival world, when a small event gets bigger, then another smaller one comes in to be small again. It’s a never ending cycle.
Reply
Avitable – We were working on it, someone was possibly getting us passes. Just didn’t happen.
Martymankins – Very true.
Reply
I hate when little things I love and they are mine grow into big things. I like my little spaces…
Still not sold on the conference idea. Seems so … corporate. Ya know?
Anyway. You’re still on my list of bloggers to have a drink with. Maybe next TequilaCon, or something.
Reply
Sounds fun dude! Glad you had a good time, which I coulda been there. : )
Reply
Glad to have met you at the BlogHim session.
First time to BlogHer for me so I have no comparison. It certainly was chaotic, but I just figured it made for a good excuse to have martinis!
Reply
I understand the whole too big thing. About BlogHer, I mean.
But at least you got to go and hang with some fun people!
Reply
Nat – for sure at Tequilacon!
John – That would’ve been fun.
Nancy – Good to meet you, too.
Sybil – Oh yeah, still had a good time.
Reply
I met you when I was delirious from travel as I finally walked into the hotel late Thursday night, and then I never saw you again. I looked for you to actually meet you at parties and at the closing keynote when Dooce mentioned the “5 people Karl should meet at BlogHer” but couldn’t find you. Dang. But I do have your cute business card, so that’s something.
Reply
Deb on the Rocks – Dooce did NOT mention me! That would be insane. Sorry we couldn’t hook up again. Next year, I’m sure.
Reply
Well who else did she mean when she mentioned–right before mentioning doggy death threats and the mythical hobbit thing–about someone throwing acid on her to reveal the robot beneath? You so could have stood up then and got lots of cheers and stuff. Oh well.
Reply
Deb on the Rocks – Holy crap! I must find that on video!
Reply
Hi Karl,
I met you last weekend at the SixApart party that had free champagne. I like your t-shits. I was happy to meet you, and put a handshake to your writing.
-steph
Reply
Steph – Hiya! Yeah, the Six Apart suite was pretty packed, wasn’t it? Great meeting you, too.
Reply
I didn’t get to meet YOU, either? D%$M IT.
Reply
MrLady – Right? I’m sure your trip sucked because you didn’t get the honor. :p
Reply