Life After BlogHer '05 (Part I)

Beth wrote me a sweet note after I popped in for a brief hello at the weekly blogger meeting at Harvard's Berkman Center and saw her. She mentioned that she'd heard the interview I did with Ponzi at BlogHer on the event. (I come after the Technology BOF).

I'm still here on the East Coast, hanging at my sister's near Boston. I've spent the week at my sister's among laypeople, non-bloggers who wondered why I couldn't put the laptop down for a second. They like to laugh at me while I talk with self-importance about blogging like I've discovered salt. I made some allusion to the power of having a voice in the blogosphere, prompting my brother in law to retort, "Ah I feel the blog is strong inside you." I can feel his restraint--they'll wait until the retreat to the bedroom to laugh at me unabashedly.

After all, the last time I used words like transformed I worked at a Dot Com. I realize I need this--reminders that an offline world exists, and that my niece has just stolen a red marker from the grown up drawer and colored all over herself. I was supposed to be watching her, and spending quality time with the child. But then I heard the all too familiar chime of fresh email arriving in my inbox and had to jump back on to Technorati.

I yelled over to my sister and brother in law: "Hey you guys--listen to me! I did an interview." Ponzi had just asked me, in the podcast, how I'd become involved in the event. I turned up the volume to hear my response:

"...It's amazing how this thing has grown!" I said. "It just went from a snow ball to...like...an ICE BALL."

"Wow, that sounds appealing," my sister said.

I think I meant to say the event had snowballed. My description made rigor mortis sound more auspicious.

Reading others' accounts of BlogHer has been ultimately more satisfying than listening to my own.

Comments

[Joy DJ]

Hey, don't be so hard on yourself Jor....I'm surprised you could form sentences considering the amount of sleep you had before BlogHer. You were great! And, by the way, I thought Ponzi's interviews were terrific. -Mom

[Jeremy]

Hey Jory, the conference sounded amazing. While reading through accounts of the event, I stumbled across photos of you and the other organizers. You look just like your writing -- smart and just-so-damn likable. Not that anyone can tell much from random snapshots, and I know looks aren't supposed to matter, but it's fascinating to see someone you've only ever glimpsed through their written words.

[Jenna]

Jorgia,
Sure blame the laptop for your lapse in watching our niece. You never have lapses otherwise, okay. I understand that you are still involved and busy, but the sidetracking is an endearing quality that you have always had. At least she chose a color that matched her hair.

[Marilyn]

One of the reasons I chose Davis was to be close to my nieces. I must admit, when I'm with the little one (age 7) I often forget the word "blog" exists. Good for you for getting some well-deserved offline time.

[nina]

I could feel the blog strong within you, too! Seriously, though, I've been getting strange looks from people as well when I try to explain to them what this great, wonderful, fabulous thing is that I love so much.