The Joy of Six...

BlogHer Baby

 

Well, I may not be in San Diego at the BlogHer '11 Conference this weekend...but guess who is?

 
Yep, Olive made it to BlogHer...and she seems none the worse for the wear....just hanging out with Mom.  Of course this is the only picture I have at the moment...and that was thanks to Denise; my sweet friend and amazing boss at BlogHer.  She managed to track down Jory and Olive and snap a pic amidst all the chaos that happens at a BlogHer Conference.  I wonder what ran through Olive's little head with all the faces and voices coming at her from everywhere.  It's quite an amazing event....at least she had Dad, Grandma and Grandpa M and Mom nearby.

Hmmm, maybe she'll agree to blog another post about her adventure....stay tuned.                            ~ Olive's Grandma  xo

Virally Invaded

My computer caught a virus.

It came out of the air.

Before I knew what happened,

There were pop-ups everywhere.

 

There were windows on my desktop,

And down on my taskbar.

As soon as I would close them out.

In seconds there were more.

 

They warned me that the virus

Could harm my hard drive files;

And to buy the anti-virus software NOW…

To take care of these spies.

 

All the while more messages

Were popping everywhere.

The more I clicked…the more they came.

‘Til I was pulling out my hair.

 

I ran my Norton Safety Scan.

It said it caught a spy;

And contained and fixed the culprit.

No further action applied.

 

My daughter now was over

To help delete this ‘freak’.

She had no better luck.

We called a true pro geek.

 

Oh to be a computer brain,

A techie wiz….a God;

I would kick that virus in the ass,

Without help from the Geek Squad.

 

            ~ Joy

 

Pieces of Me

  

 

Yep, I got my first major virus.  It invaded my computer so badly that I had to take my machine to the Geek Squad at Best Buy.  Jenna and I didn’t know where else to take it after we couldn’t delete it, and I purchased my computer from there…so it made sense.  There’s a set fee to have it looked at, which is bad enough, but I really didn’t have a choice.  At that point I was afraid my files on my hard drive were jeopardized, and that’s all I would have needed.  They plugged things in at the store, and didn’t seem to think things went that far, but they were going to do a whole diagnostic check of everything and let me know.

 

I was without my computer for basically ONE day….the rest of that day and part of the next.  I WAS LOST!!!  I couldn’t believe how different it felt to be without that piece of my daily routine.  It told me a lot about myself….YIKES!  That evening I filled the gaps with a couple of movies….that was good, and besides I love movies.  I actually went to bed at a more reasonable time….also good.  I cleaned a couple of small things out by my desk; but I didn’t really do any things around the house that I could have done….hmmm, another lost opportunity.  My mind was on my friggin’ computer.  I kept wondering if I was going to be able to hook everything up correctly once I got it home.  Geesh, not too anal am I?

 

Well, long story short….turns out I had 24 viruses on my computer.  Twenty-three of them were easily taken care of.  I suppose we all have little ones on there that we just work around that don’t cause us any real problems.  Maybe they slow our computers down a little, but we just live with them most of the time.  The last one, however….and probably the one I took it in for…..kept re-installing itself and was giving even the Geek Squad a run for their money.  But they managed to get to the bottom of the problem, and cleaned it all out.  When they called and said my computer was ready…I couldn’t get there fast enough.  They even took it out to the car for me….nice guys.

 

Everything seems to be fine.  All my programs are in tact.  I thought with everything cleaned off that my computer would be really fast now, but it really isn’t any different that I can tell.  In fact, when I open my blog, it seems to take a while for everything to even show up.  I have no idea why that is….me being such a techie person.  I was just so grateful that none of my files were damaged and that nothing was lost. 

 

Whatever I happened to link to or open that initially gave me that nasty virus…..I’ll never know; but you can be sure I’m going to be VERY careful from now on.  I’m surprised it didn’t happen to me sooner.  These viruses are flying around everywhere.  It doesn’t take much to catch one and infiltrate it into your system.   You could so easily click on something….harmlessly, and before you know it….BOOM, you’ve taken a virus into your computer.  The Geek Squad guy working on my computer said that over half of their business is from people getting viruses.   So be careful out there my blogging buddies…..

 

Hugs, Joy 

It’s my Blogiversary….I’m 4 Years Old!

When I think back to the year 2005, in one sense I am amazed that I decided to start a blog at all.  On the other hand, it probably was one of the most important personal decisions I made…and actually felt compelled to do for myself…in a year that was to change my life.

 

I had been familiar with blogs in the Fall of 2004 and had become a faithful reader and commenter of them because of my daughter, Jory; who had...and still has her own personal blog,  Pause.  I was hooked.  I had a full-time job for Discovery Education; a branch of The Discovery Channel.  Our company had been bought by Discovery and we were in the process of down-sizing.  It seemed like someone was being let go everyday.  I was recuperating from elbow surgery to boot.  It was a sad and unpredictable time.  I saw friend after friend leave our working community…rather unceremoniously.  Who was next?  When I went home the blogging world became a haven for me.

 

In early 2005, it was MY turn.  Almost in relief, I lost my job at the end of March along with others.  This family that I had come to love with all my heart was crumbling around me.  Nothing was the same.  It broke my heart.  They had a surprise party for me.  I cried like a baby.  There were so many good people there.  There is NOONE left there now.  NOONE.

 

I never really did find a job outside of my home again.  Also in early 2005 this thing called BlogHer happened to three wonderful ladies….Elisa Camahort-Page, Lisa Stone, and Jory Des Jardins…my daughter.  What this Women’s Network and Conference has grown into in those four years is truly incredible.  I just wrote about it on my blog….here.  So now I work for them…in a very small capacity as a Community Manager for their site.  It’s very busy. It takes up a lot of my time, and I can’t seem to post as much on my personal blog because of it; but that’s really up to me and how I can ration my time.

 

As 2005 progressed, so apparently was something amiss with my husband’s health.  Although I believe Joel knew for a long time that something was very wrong, he chose not to address it until it was basically too late.  I’m not sure if it was due to depression and not wanting to deal with being sick or that he just put himself in a state of denial.  I knew something was wrong long before I finally convinced him to see a doctor.  He never went to doctors…NEVER.  He had been losing weight….but then it went beyond that point.  Then his appetite was gone.  He was going to work during all of this, and he was telling us he felt fine.  I knew differently.

 

When I started my blog in August of 2005 Joel had lost weight, but was still eating and going to work.  I guess he thought he had everyone fooled….even himself.   Jory and her husband, Jesse, helped set my blog up for me with my layout and header.  We did a good portion of it over the phone.  I was very excited about blogging and reading everyone’s blogs.  My days were consumed by it.  I felt the warmth of the community….I loved the connection.  It felt so good to write, and so good to read what others had to say.  But I had this dark cloud hanging over my shoulder every day.  Joel was in jeopardy, and I knew things were going to unravel quickly.

 

When I finally convinced Joel to see a doctor at the end of October, he would find what I had already feared...stage 4 stomach cancer.  From diagnosis to death….Joel died in three weeks…and I blogged through it all.  Not just of Joel's death, but about many things going on.  Blogging kept me sane at a time when sanity could have been lost.  It kept me going.  The give and take between my blogging friends was invaluable. Each and every one of you know exactly what I'm talking about. 

 

  

Starting my blog was one of the best decisions I have ever made....even when I did it.  Oh, and Joel loved reading my posts…for the short time he and my blog were here together. 

 

So Happy Blogiversary to me….heading toward #5.  Thank all of my blogging buddies for being so wonderful.  I still miss Joycelyn and Winston...always will.  You all are a pure joy in my life.  Blessings to all of you...... Love, Joy       

Bewitched...BlogHered...and BeTwittered...am I

BlogHer 09 wrapped up four days ago, and I'm just now finally writing a post about it all.  Shame on me; but I do have a few good reasons why....

First of all, when Julie and I  came home on Saturday night we were both totally exhausted.  I personally haven't walked that much in a long time....BlogHer's Conference took over four floors of the Chicago Sheraton & Towers Hotel.  Even with the escalators and elevators, there was a lot of walking to all the rooms for the sessions, etc.  Hey, it was good exercise, but my legs sure felt it that first night.  I immediately unpacked my stuff, organized things, went through all of our 'swag' with Julie, and then tried to catch-up on things on the BlogHer site....YIKES!  With everyone on staff at the conference....it got pretty busy again on the site.  Julie and I both checked the internet for news of BlogHer 09 posts, etc....and already found quite a lot written.  Julie checked out Twitter and read me a few.  I thought I'd die when she actually read one that said, "Saw Joy and Julie Des Jardins on the escalator."  Is that adorable or what?  After catching up a little in Twitter while Julie worked on something of her own and made a call home to talk to her kids, we watched a movie and pretty much called it a night.  Julie would be leaving around 12:30 pm to go to the airport to go home on Sunday.  Next shift.....

Sunday, July 27th....with Julie gone I was checking out all the articles, posts and pictures I could find about BlogHer 09.  I do it every year for myself...and for Jory.  I save certain articles and pictures in files for both of us.  Sometimes I catch things that Jory might not get to see, but that's pretty rare. I even checked out Twitter again to see what they were saying. I couldn't believe how much they were 'tweetin' about BlogHer...it was everywhere. I'm not a Twitter person, I just haven't made the time for it, and now I think maybe it's a good thing... but it's really interesting to check out for a while.  Checked out more posts and articles; but there were so many that I stopped and did a little work in between. Then it was time for Jen and I to pick-up Jory and her husband, Jesse, from the Metra train station.

For the next two days we talked BlogHer....as we always do after the event every year.  We looked up more articles that Jory had been interviewed for...or that her partners had been interviewed for.  Jesse checked out things as well.  This is what happens....BlogHer consumes us all for a while.  We sat and talked about a lot of things actually...not just BlogHer.  Jory and Jesse went down to the lakefront to take a walk on Monday and then went out with friends for dinner that night; so they did manage to fit in some nice things in this 'down time.'  Joe and I took them to the airport yesterday afternoon to catch their flight home.

And now...here I am finally writing my post about how wonderful BlogHer 09 was.  Out of the five BlogHer Conferences there have been, this was the second I've been to, but just in the two years that I last was there...I'm astonished at the growth of this amazing event.  It blows my mind....and I heard that very same thing from many, many people.  The women of BlogHer run this event so beautifully.  They just don't miss a thing.  It really is a well-oiled machine.  Now that I have gotten to meet the staff in person...and not just through e-mails...WOW, they are really something.  Elisa, Jory and Lisa couldn't be more blessed than to have these wonderful people to work with.  I'm not even going to name all of their names because sure enough I'll forget one of them...but you all know who you are.  I just can't tell you how incredible you are and what a fantastic job you all did and continue to do.  You made that conference work....and walking through those doors of that hotel and looking around at all that was to be seen (and it was overwhelming)....that was no small task.  Congratulations to you all.

The conference itself....well, where do I begin?  I again want to  thank sweet Lori for getting Julie and I a room at the last minute...it was great.  Check-in wasn't until 3:00 so we had to check our bags in a baggage room until then.  It didn't take long before people were coming up to Julie and mistaking her for Jory....immediately, in fact.  We expected it...and it was no big deal...at least not to us.  But we wish we could have made all those people feel better.  Some of them felt terribly embarrassed, and there just was no reason to. This has happened all their lives...they're twins for cripes sake.....and it happened the entire conference, even when Jory made an annoucement at the end of the breakfast on the first day that her twin sister was there....'JUST SO YOU KNOW.' 

Somehow Jory found us right away when we walked into the main registration. (I'll never know how she did.)  She looked so great...all ready for the Welcome Breakfast.  We sat at the BlogHer staff table in front so we didn't miss a thing.  The ladies looked wonderful....and filled us in on everything we needed to know.  They always make everyone feel comfortable and at home. 

There were so many wonderful sessions to go to during the two days of this conference.  Of course Julie and I didn't make all of the ones that we would have liked to.  We did see Jory's session, "Business of You: Brands and Bloggers."  That was a great session....really interesting, and a lot of participation.  I also got to see my pal Denise's session (also my boss)...just because I had to go see her....."Beginning Basics 101 - Getting Started."  She was great and certainly knew her stuff....she's funny to boot.  Julie and I made it to several other sessions over the two days, but we missed a couple of the ones we wanted to go to because they were filled by the time we got there.

The Food....oh dear lord.  I did everything in my power not to overdo.  Oh my poor diet.  Thank God for all the walking around.  The food was really good, and there was plenty of it....at least I certainly thought so.  I never saw anybody run out of anything.  It really was quite delicious...from breakfast to lunch and even the cocktail parties.

After the sessions on the first day there was the Community Keynotes.  These were essays/posts by 21 members who got up on the stage and read their pieces.  OH DEAR GOD! And me with only my one stupid piece of kleenex.  Denise was sitting next to me and must have rubbed my arm a dozen times.  She was taking pictures and videos of some of it for the BlogHer site. Sitting in front of me were Julie, Jory and Jesse...and I could see the girls passing a nice big handkerchief between the two of them....I was jealous as I held my crumbling kleenex.  But for maybe two or three, these keynotes were either so hysterical or so terribly touching and emotional that there wasn't a dry eye in the ballroom.  The bloggers chosen to speak were perfect.  I personally didn't know any of them...but for one who we call TW, but who's name is really Tarrant, and I just love her.  She was wonderful.  These keynotes really touched everyone and capped-off what was already a wonderful first day of the conference.

The BlogHer Expo Hall where all the wonderful sponsors and vendors of BlogHer 09 were exhibited, was just amazing.  There you could find sponsors like PepsiCo, Wal-Mart, GM/Chevrolet, Tide/Bounce, Ann Taylor, PBS Kids, Michelin Tire, Picnik, Clorox Green Works, to name just a smigeon.  They were giving away all kinds of wonderful 'swag,' and you could sign up for give-aways everywhere.

Then there were the CELEBS....some pretty terrific ones too...and they all were so down to earth, friendly and gracious to everyone.

Tim Gunn was there from Project Runway and Tim Gunn's Guide to Style.  He signed autographs and took pictures for hours....he was as nice as they come and stayed well past the time he was suppose to.  Here's a pic of him with Jory and Elisa.  Some lucky blogger will win a private style consultation with Tim as a result of a Tide-sponsored blogging contest that asked BlogHer attendees to post what they would be wearing during the conference.

Here's Paula Deen, Author and Chef from the Food Network, who was at the Wal-Mart booth...."Hi Ya'all."  She's always a delight; but I never got a chance to really meet her.

  

There was Carson Kressley from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and How To Look Good Naked.  I never got to see him either, but heard he was a riot.

 

 

 

  Rick Bayless was also there.  He's the Chicago restaurateur and Top Chef judge.  Julie actually did go up and speak with him....really a nice guy.

         And last, but not least was Dave Lieberman, a chef from the Food Network.  He was a very popular guy with the attendees.....and pretty adorable too.  He did a food demo session the second day at the breakfast session.  He is such a sweet and friendly guy....very accomodating to everyone.  Took pictures with a lot of the bloggers.

        So another successful BlogHer Conference is over.  These two days were truly wonderful for Julie and I.  We met some terrific ladies and we connected just as we had hoped we would.  Julie made some wonderful and surprising connections with some women regarding her book.  She had been passing out some promotion pieces from her book publisher; but some women had already known about her new book and sought her out.  Jory told her that's exactly what she needed to do at BlogHer.  This conference is meant to connect people...to bring voices together.  It's a platform that lets everyone express themselves in great conversation...and often in those conversations we share great laughter, emotion and tears.  What could possibly be better than that?  

Early into BlogHer 09 they announced at one of the breakfasts in the Ballroom where BlogHer 2010 was being held....New York City...in August.  The room erupted into cheers.  Julie was very happy to hear this.  It will be right in her backyard next year.  I guess a lot of people have been waiting for BlogHer to finally be in NY.  I'm very happy for them...but for me, Chicago is still MY kind of town.  Congratulations again ladies on a wonderful conference.... 

Getting into the Christmas Spirit

Apart from having all of my Xmas decorations up and all the presents wrapped and under the tree, I've been starting to get my yearly holiday e-mails from family and friends.  How about you?  Here's a couple that I got from my dear friend and past co-worker Miffy.  Miffy worked with me at Discovery Education...and before that, United Learning....and before that, The Altschul Group. We've known each other for quite sometime.  She was one of the trainers of our prevention product trainings, while I was the Training Coordinator of these trainings.

Everyone should have a Miffy in their lives....a heart of gold, a smile that lit-up the room, and love that oozed out of every pore.  One of the blessings of my job was the stellar friendships I made with people like Miffy.  That core of trainers that I worked with on a daily basis were...and are a remarkable group of people in so many ways...Bob, Lori, Cynthia, Nancy, Paul, Eliot, and Miffy. I still hear from some of them....thanks Mif for the Xmas goodies.....

How Many of These Well-known Carols Can You Name?

 

Match the description with a favorite Christmas Carol for each of the 20 items below.

 

1.  Quadruped with crimson proboscis

 

                                               

2.  5 p.m. to 6 a.m. without noise

3.  Miniscule hamlet in the far east

 

                                                   

4.  Ancient benevolent despot                                                             

 

5.  Adorn the vestibule

                                                                       

6.  Exuberance directed to the planet 

                                              

7.  Listen, aerial spirits harmonizing

                                                    

8.  Monarchial trio

                                                                           

9.  Yonder in the haystack

                                                                

10. Assemble everyone who believes

                                                  

11.  Hallowed post meridian

 

12. Fantasies of a colorless December 25^th

                                               

13. Tiny tintinnabulums

 

14. A dozen 24 hour yuletide periods

15. Befell during the transparent bewitching hour

                               

16. Homo sapien of crystallized vapor

                                               

17. I merely desire a pair of incisors

                                                 

18. I spied my maternal parent osculating a fat man in red

                 

19. Perambulating through a December solstice fantasy

                     

20. Aloft on the acme of the abode

                                                   

(If you get stuck, I have the answers....let me know.  I love this stuff....I might use this one on Xmas Eve with my family.) 

                                     

Here's a funny one from Mif....

A man worked for the Post Office whose job was to process all the mail that had illegible addresses. One day, a letter came addressed in a shaky handwriting to God with no actual address. He thought he should open it to see what it was about.

The letter read:

Dear God,

I am an 87 year old widow, living on a very small pension.

Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had $100 in it, which was all the money I had until my next pension cheque.  I had invited two of my friends over for a Xmas dinner next week. Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with, have no family to turn to, and you are my only hope. Can you please help me?

Sincerely,

Edna

The postal worker was touched. He showed the letter to all the other workers. Each one dug into his or her wallet and came up with a few dollars. By the time he made the rounds, he had collected $96, which they put into an envelope and sent to the woman.

The rest of the day, all the workers felt a warm glow thinking of Edna and the dinner she would be able to share with her friends.

Christmas came and went. A few days later, another letter came from the same old lady addressed to God. All the workers gathered around while the letter was opened. It read:

 

Dear God,

How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me? Because of your gift of love, I was able to fix a glorious dinner for my friends. We had a very nice day and I told my friends of your wonderful gift.

By the way, there was $4 missing. I think it was those bastards at the Post Office.

Edna

 

What a hoot!  Hope your holiday preparations are going well everyone.  I'll probably be back with more..... Love, Joy

   

Just a note from Joy....

Hi Everyone...

I've been busy trying to keep up with the BlogHer site.  Cripes it's been busy.  The Conference started yesterday; and by all indications it looks like everything is going wonderfully.  What an amazing and jam-packed weekend they have planned!  I've been reading a lot all over the internet about the first day of festivities....I've spent SOOOO much time on this computer.....OH MY EYES!!!!

I've been trying to visit you all in between working as best I can. I still need to do more....be patient with me my blogging buddies.  I'm getting ready right now to go to my niece, Heather's, bridal shower....my brother's daughter.  I'll be seeing some relatives there that I haven't seen in a long time.  That should be fun.....and long overdue.

I'll be coming by soon.... Have a beautiful weekend everyone.....                          ~Hugs, Joy 

Here’s To My Health….Oooo, ah, Ouch….

Me and my achy body came in from my walk around the neighborhood yesterday….my new ritual that I have recently constituted along with my new, healthier diet.  It’s not an automatic thing for me….never has been; but it’s the ‘NEW’ plan on my way to a healthier lifestyle.  Why?  Because my “OLD’ plan apparently hasn’t been cutting it…..albeit is a heck of a lot more fun.   However, according to my doctor, MY plan will start working against me if I don’t take some serious action and do something about it…..NOW.  Though nothing is life-threatening, he’s worried about the possibilities of things like Diabetes, heart disease, stroke and such….all related to my on-going battle to lose weight.  I already have some of the achy knees, hips and back stuff that comes with the territory of getting older.  It’s not like I haven’t heard those words before, and it’s not like I didn’t already know what he was going to tell me.  I’m just not crazy about being told, and I don’t give him much of a chance to lecture me since I make as few appearances to his office as possible…..you know; I’ve got to be feeling pretty shitty and willing to risk a lecture. As nice as he is, and as good a relationship as we have…I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop.                                                                                                   

Unfortunately I was scheduled for one of those appointments…..I didn’t have a choice.  They were holding my prescriptions hostage and wouldn’t fill them until I came in for a complete physical.  Cripes, it had only been four years.  That didn’t seem so outrageous to me.  But my doctor knows me pretty well.  He wanted the whole battery of tests done.  I always feel like a car going in for a complete tune-up.  Heart…fine.  Hearing…fine.  Blood pressure….good. (Well fine for being on medicine.)  Mammogram….fine.  EKG…fine.  Lungs…fine.  Cholesterol….okay.  A slight elevation in my glucose count.  This is the main reason why I’m constituting the ‘NEW’ plan…..bummer.                                                                                                       

Hey, it is what it is.  I didn’t gain this weight overnight.  I’ve had a sweet tooth all my life.  I’ve loved bread and starches all my life.  What I don’t quite remember is:  When did I get so lazy?  I was always so naturally active.  As a kid I couldn’t sit still…..I was a tomboy.  As a teenager I was a cheerleader and into gymnastics and loved sports.  As a young mother I was constantly ‘on the go’ running after little ones.  That didn’t stop for years…well into their high school years really.  Maybe it happened when they went off to college and things slowed down for me.                                                                                                                      

It became a very different life in my late forties and fifties when there were really no more kids in the house and it was just my husband and I.  I worked some of those years, but things were definitely slowing down….and I must have been slowing down right along with them whether I knew it or not.  I was okay with that.  I think it was even my plan.  Then of course there are always those things you never plan for.                                                                                                                      

Death has a way of slowing you down like nothing else.  It can immobilize you if you’re not careful.  I was surprised at how well I thought I did after my husband, Joel, died 2 ½ years ago.  I did what I had to.  I handled whatever needed to be taken care of….almost like a checklist; and still tried to feel like I was existing in my normal day….or what could be normal for me at that point.  Then right on the heels of that, I got hit with my mother getting ill and her death.  Here’s how I remember my existence at that time….                                                                                    

I took care of paperwork and legal issues.  I blogged and read blogs.  I worked on BlogHer.  I cleaned some of Joel’s things out.  I saw family members.  I read blogs.  I worked on BlogHer.  I had things fixed in the house that Joel never got around to.  I’d drive out to see my mother and bring her what she needed.  I talked on the phone to my kids…a lot.  I played games on the computer.  I read  blogs. I blogged.  I e-mailed.  I reviewed blogs for BlogHer.  I met with my brother to discuss my mother. I had more things repaired around the house.  I met with a financial advisor, insurance agents and bank representatives.  I spent time with my kids.  I played and worked on the computer.  I had lunch with friends.  I blogged.  I answered e-mails.  I blogged.  I worked on BlogHer.  Along with my brother, I took care of the details of my mother’s death.  I finally flew out to see my new grandson, Bastian, two months late.  And I joyfully celebrated the marriage of my beautiful daughter, Jory.

                                                                                                          

Does anyone notice a pattern here?  Does anyone see one mention of exercise?  Well in all honesty, that wouldn’t be totally fair.  There have been periods in those 2 ½ years that I actually did exercise on a fairly regular basis on my stationary bike that my son, Joe, got for me.  My problem is consistency.  I’ve started using my bike again too.                                                                                                

I have to use the Double Whammy of walking and using my exercise bike to counteract all the hours I spend sitting in front of the computer hour after hour….day after day.  Now THIS is where I’m consistent!  And although my computer was a haven and a refuge for me at some very stressful times in my life, it is also what’s gotten me into such disastrous trouble.  I have NO guidelines when it comes to the computer….blogging…..BlogHer….e-mail…. computer games…..and everything surrounding the internet. I don’t know when to call it a day.  I go from one thing to the next to keep caught up.  By the time I’m done….it’s often into the wee hours of the morning, my ankles are swollen, and I fall into bed.  Hello?  What kind of exercise program is that?                                                                                                                    

Good news….my fingers are damn skinny.  

The Brilliance of BlogHer

From the moment Jory walked me through the doors of the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier I felt like I was in another world.  My head couldn’t swivel fast enough to grasp all that was going on and to focus on every table filled with brilliant, beautiful, blogging women.                                                                     

It was breakfast on the second day of BlogHer ’07….but it was my very first peek at the phenomenon that is BlogHer….and I was about to experience a love fest like no other.  I saw so many faces that I recognized from blogs I have visited, posts I have read, and pictures of past BlogHer conferences.  What a feeling to have people tap me on the shoulder and say, “Hi Joy, I’m so happy to finally meet you.” Big Hugs!!                                                                                                   

Jory did her share of steering people over to me to say hi as well.  Truly, I was overwhelmed by the warmth and heartfelt connection going on in that gigantic room; only such a room could hold the likes of this crowd…..nearly 800 women and men from all over the country….and all over the world.  Amazing stories and backgrounds…..and all of us there for the same mission on behalf of women.                                                                                                                

The day flew by in session after session of panels and speakers, and delicious meals and numerous extras to participate in.  So many interesting forums, so many uniquely gifted and engaging people, so little time to make as much as you could out of each day.  I felt almost lucky that I only had one day to make my choices for.  Sadly I missed the opening day of BlogHer when Jory had her "State of the Momosphere" session.  I heard nothing but wonderful reviews from everyone, and it continued when I got home and read all the great posts being written about BlogHer.                                                          

The weekend was perfection, and Navy Pier was the supreme venue, on the shores of Lake Michigan and framed by the Chicago Skyline….it was like a piece of art.  Everyone was taken by the beauty of it all, and picture-taking was in abundance.

I was sorry to have to leave on Saturday when I did; but I met a wonderful lady who just happened to sit down at the same table at lunch….and just happened to live a few blocks from my house.  She offered me a ride home.  Now how could I refuse that?  Besides, the rest of the day found Jory in interviews and various other sessions; and I knew I would have to catch up with her later.                                                                                          

I started out a little tired Saturday morning from what turned out to be a pretty hectic week.  But BlogHer rejuvenated me…..a pure adrenaline high.  I could feel it on my face every time someone came up to me to “chat.”  I could see it everywhere…it wasn’t just me.  It was contagious….and we all were there to catch it.  I can only imagine what BlogHer ’08 will have in store.

All Things BlogHer

My head is fuzzy, my brain is mush, and my eyes are blurry and popping out of my head…..and that’s the good stuff.                                                                                       

BlogHer launched it’s new site redesign on Tuesday of this week.  It looks GREAT!  Of course along with any major overhaul of this nature comes many glitches, updates and adjustments.  The BlogHer team has been working on ‘overload’ for quite some time now; and this week we all took it to another level.                                                                

What a great bunch of people, and I want to say some thank you’s to a few who have managed to keep my brain as unscrambled as possible.  Thank you to Denise….who is just so great in every way; and though we’ve just started working together, I feel like I’ve known her forever.  Thank you to Mike and Graham for all your technical savvy and perseverance…I’d give anything to understand even half of what you do.  Thank you to Kristin and Kristy, who are so invaluable to BlogHer I can’t imagine being without them.   And, of course, to the Terrific Trio….Lisa, Jory and Elisa, who have managed to stay afloat even with the most exhausting and hectic schedules I’ve seen in a long time.                                                                                                            

Timing is everything….and on the heels of this launch just happens to come BlogHer ’07; right here in my backyard.  The conference opened this morning and will run through Sunday, the 29th in the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier in Chicago.  I’ll be joining the festivities, along with the 750+ other blogging addicts who already have a day up on me.  What an amazing agenda BlogHer ’07 has.                                                                                       

Aside from the wonderful sessions, panels and speakers, (Elizabeth Edwards  included)….there are all sorts of demos and displays, raffles, cocktail receptions, breakfasts, lunches, live music…..lots of food and drink and even the Yahoo Internet Café and Bookstore.  There’s so much going on, I don’t know if I could survive three days.  But while I’m there, I plan to take it all in and hope that Jory will catch me if I start to wilt…she’s good at that; and doesn’t really have a concept of what wilting is.                                                                                                                           

I'm hoping to get a good night's sleep and be up, out, and on my way to BlogHer '07 early tomorrow morning....me, my mushy brain, and my blurry eyes.   ~Joy   

Blog Guilt

I’ve got it!  It’s been creeping up on me for a while now.  I’ve managed to keep it at bay for the last couple of months, but it’s rearing it’s ugly head again.  This week especially…while Jory’s been home and we’ve both been working on our computers…me upstairs, she down.  We've both been feeling our share of blog guilt.  Occasionally we yell to each other with questions or comments.  Maybe we should have set up the string and two cans system.  You can hear the tap, tap, tapping of the keys throughout the house.  Hers in a much more frenzied effort to catch up with her e-mails, write reports, and finally….to write a couple of posts.                                           

My blog guilt bubbled to the top again yesterday when she managed to find time to post a piece on her blog, Pause……”Why I’ve been a Bad Blogger.”  Funny enough it was about the very same thing I’ve been having a little angst over….guilt about not blogging as often as we’d like….check it out.                                                                                                                  

Jory gives much more compelling excuses than any I could muster up…..actually she lists them.  What’s my excuse?  I have plenty of time.  I’m not traveling all over the country, or rushing to meetings, or speaking anywhere.  My excuse?  Focus.  It just hasn’t been there as much lately; and I’ve been so easily swayed away from focusing that I feel it keeps me from writing about anything substantial.                                                                                                           

It’s not like I haven’t been LIVING on this computer….that’s NEVER the problem.  Between working on the Blogher site, reading and keeping up with my daily blog buddies, and posting….the latter has suffered.  Thus….the blog guilt.  I suspect it will ease up and I’ll feel better about it; although I’m heading into another period where my blogging will take another substantial hit of neglect.                        

I’m leaving on March 31st to go see my daughter, Julie, and my two grandchildren, Bella and Bastian.  I’ll be gone until April 9th.  Though I’m making arrangements to be able to work on the Blogher site while I’m away….I have no plans to post anything on my blog at that time.  I’m anticipating feeling MAJOR blog guilt….again…..still.                                                                                   

There was a time when I’d NEVER let this happen.  I seemed more on top of things.  I get worried that I’ll just run dry of things to say….at least anything that would be worth listening to.  That the days will run into weeks, and my thoughts…along with my brain….will shrivel up and turn to dust, like a sun-baked carcass lying on the desert sand…never to inhale a fresh breath of air again. A little dramatic…maybe.  Nevertheless….I worry.                                                                                            

  Actually, I think the addition of working for Blogher has just changed the dynamics for me, that's all.  It’s a pretty constant gig….but one that I’m enjoying very much, and learning an incredible amount from in the process….thus the adjustments to continue to work with it while I’m away visiting family.  Cripes…I’ll be Jory for that week….only on a MUCH smaller scale.  That’s why ‘I get it’ when she comes in town.  I get that she’s got to make all the ends meet everyday.  I get why her laptop is virtually glued to her body, with her cell phone in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.  I’ve given her space….unconditional space….whatever it takes.                                                      

Jory leaves tomorrow for New York…. the next leg of her trip.  We’ve had some really good talks while she’s been here.  We’ve watched a couple of movies, some TV shows, gone out to dinner for Joe’s birthday and even played a little trivia….albeit, she was working at her computer in the next room and chimed in from time to time when she heard a question and wasn’t too absorbed in her work. She still counts that as being involved…and we accept it for what it is.   We ‘get it.’ We all have come to understand what Jory’s life is about at this point.                                                      

When I go to Julie’s in a couple of weeks, she has planned to have a computer available for me to work on…..she ‘gets it’ too.  As someone who exists very much like Jory….but in the world of academia…..she understands only too well.  The tap, tap, tapping will be heard from different rooms in Julie’s house too….only her husband, Chris, will be a part of the symphony.                                                                                                             

Between the many hours I plan to spend with Bella and Bastian, the much anticipated chats and activities with Julie and Chris, and the time spent working on Blogher….I’m hoping to keep my blog guilt to a minimum; or at least postpone it until I’m back in the quiet of my little room tap, tap, tapping away trying to breathe life into that dusty carcass.