Her Bad Mother

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Blah-De-Blahg

Here is a promise that I made to myself recently, and that I will make to you, too: I will not blog, on this blog, about BlogHer, prior to BlogHer.

I am, of course, super-thrilled to be going. But you all don't want to read about that: if you're going, you already know what that excitement feels like and don't need me to deconstruct it for you, and if you're not going, the last thing that you want to read about is this Big! Fantastic! Party! that you'll be missing. So I'll desist.

There will, however, be two exceptions to this promise. The first is that I will, in all likelihood, write about BlogHer on BlogRhet, the meta-blog sandbox that Joy and I and some of our thinky friends frolic in from time to time (and which you are welcome to play in, too, if you like). Stuff about how we talk about things like BlogHer conferences, the sort of language we use, why so many of us identify ourselves, pre-emptively, as outsiders who'll be lurking on the sidelines or hanging back at the table looking for other geeks. (Word to you all - we are all geeks. Every last freaking one of us. The biggest blogger that you know is, end of the day, just some geek who writes on the Internet. In her pajamas. Nobody's a rock star here, people. ALL. GEEKS. Goin' to a geek convention. Hot geeks, at a fun convention, but still. Geeks.) Maybe a post or two about the real or perceived politics of inclusion and exclusion that flare up when virtual life hits reality, that kind of thing. And if I or any of my BlogRhet peeps do write those posts, I'll certainly mention it here and direct you to them.

The second exception: there will posts about BlogHer over at MBT. Not least, because a group of us will be minivanning down to Chicago on a bloginista road trip and we will (oh yes we will) be blogging it, with photos and video and all manner of exhibitionist performance art. Kinda like Thelma and Louise times six, but without the crime or the death or Brad Pitt.

The biggest reason, however, that there will be BlogHer posting over at MBT is this: we're going to send someone to BlogHer. Well, we're going to give away a full 2-day registration package, which is pretty good. And it could be you! The contest is open to all citizens of the internet - you don't need to be from Toronto, or from Canada. You do not - repeat, do not - need to be a mommy blogger. Hell, you don't even need to have a blog (although if you're interested in BlogHer you're probably thinking about getting one. Check MBT for deets.) You can be anyone, from anywhere - all you have to do is write a post, sometime between now and June 15th, on some variation of this topic: (how) does blogging empower women? (Variations: How has blogging empowered you? Is blogging a radical act, for women? Are women rocking the blogosphere? Is the blogosphere rocking you? How and why?) Then send your link to me or post a comment here or at the MBT post. All posts, of course, will be linked up here and at MBT (which, I suppose, means that there's a third exception to my No BlogHer Posts promise. But you'll forgive me, right?)

We've got an awesome celebrity judge (you Canadians - and Americans who lived close enough to the Canadian border to pick up MuchMusic, Canada's MTV, in the 80's - will appreciate how cool this is) who will select the winners. Did I say winners? Yep. Those of you who are not planning to attend BlogHer can still participate - we'll select the best of the submissions from those of you who are not going and the winner will receive a wonderful We'll Miss You At BlogHer prize package (the contents of which are secret, but will, I promise, include candy.)

You can find full details here. Check it out, then get writing!

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You can also win BlogHer registration by doing the Parent Blogger Network Blog Blast next Friday. You see how badly we want you to come? We're giving it away all over the place.

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And because that's not enough for you to do: check out the writing challenge that we've just posted over at BlogRhet. It's a meme, but you can tag yourself. Or just wait for me to tag you. Or maybe wait for OTJ to do it - she sprays a meme better than anyone I know.

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And - did you know that Babble has just launched Babblepedia? It's a parenting wiki (the first ever) to which anyone can contribute. Our own little wikipedia, all about parenting and childcare and everything that you ever and never wanted to know about what to do after that little dictator is dropped from the stork's beak. And, $1000 - ONE. THOUSAND. DOLLARS. - goes to whoever submits the most posts by June 30. That's a lot of diapers. Or a lot of drinks at BlogHer (one of which you'll owe me if you win this.)

I'm going to be spending the rest of my week establishing myself over there as the resident swaddling expert. Oh, how I miss the swaddle, sometimes, and the days when WonderBaby could be contained within a thin sheet of cotton...



Those were the days, my friends. Those were the days.

47 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I always knew WonderBaby was a superhero, but this set of photos just confirms it. I half expected her to take off into the sky, like that politician in Heroes.

I will be going to BlogHer and stalking you. Count on it.

12:26 PM  
Blogger Kelly said...

Oh how I kind of wish I was going to BlogHer. 'Wish' because I'd get to meet so many cool, cool ladies. 'Kind of' because I'd feel so entirely out of place.

Maybe someday, when I can shed this self-conscious skin, huh?

12:38 PM  
Blogger Her Bad Mother said...

Oh, Kelly. You wouldn't feel out of place. At least, no more than everybody else does for the first five minutes. After which, it's all so busy and exciting and full of nervous women checking out each others' urls that any out-of-placeness immediately evaporates.

And if it didn't? Well, then, I'd hold your hand.

1:59 PM  
Blogger Phoenix said...

Oh but jumping on the couch is so much more fun. At least for her.

So um, can someone tell me what exactly BlogHer is?

2:15 PM  
Blogger mamatulip said...

I want to hear about BlogHer. I want to read about the excitement and read about people meeting people and what it was like. I'm not going and there was never even a hope of me going, but dammit, I'll be there vicariously through all of you who ARE going. So when the time comes for y'all to post about it, make sure your posts are DEEEETAILED.

2:29 PM  
Blogger Laural Dawn said...

Seriously, I'd never have the nerve to go to BlogHer. But ... I can't wait to hear all the details. And, I'm sooooo posting on your challenge - just cause it sounds like something I would actually be able to write about.
LOVE the couch pictures.

2:42 PM  
Blogger Lawyer Mama said...

I just got tagged by Mary G & I'm actually excited to participate!

I have to say I also like reading about BlogHer because I'm going. And hearing about it always seems to be reassurance that I won't feel like a total geek!

Love, love, love that action series of Wonder Baby! She just needs a cape.

3:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

wait...blogger road trip?? how can i sign up for that????

3:22 PM  
Blogger Mimi said...

Fantastic photos. And, er, nice Karlanda couch in charcoal wool slipcover from IKEA. I have the blue linen iteration of said sofa.

3:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Those pictures are wonderful.

I wanna go to BlogHer...I'm just not up for any type of challenge lately...I'm Blah. not Blog.

3:52 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Geek? Geek? Frolic? Frolic? I am a frolicing geek?

Yes. I am a Frolicking Rollicking Geek.

I think I have my new tagline. DOes it go wiht oranges? (ahhh. the simplicity of oranges and lack of concerns about ginga aesthetic....)

3:53 PM  
Blogger Jenifer said...

Would you hold my hand too? I so wanted to go to BlogHer despite being so new to this. The timing however, was not meant to be. We had already rented a cottage and the first weekend is BlogHer.

Maybe next year though.

4:02 PM  
Blogger S said...

Awesome pictures.

I have a crush on WonderBaby. No joke.

4:26 PM  
Blogger meno said...

I'm going to BlogHer and i will feel completely out of place, JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

I haven't been/won't be blogging about it either for the very reasons you mention, except for maybe the night before, when i will be squealing and panicking in equal measures.

5:43 PM  
Blogger Lara said...

i, too, wish i could go to blogher, to meet this wonderful writer whom i've so admired over the past year or so. but sadly - actually, no, it's not really sad - i'm going to be a bridesmaid in a dear friend's wedding. however, i might be up for competing for that "we'll miss you at blogher" prize package. because really? i know you're going to miss me. because i am just. that. awesome. :-P

oh, and p.s., wonderbaby rocks my world with her dynamic stuntacularness.

6:36 PM  
Blogger Beck said...

Kaboom! Look at Wonderbaby go! Once they get busy there is never any respite again, ever.
I'd love to go to BlogHer. That would be fun.

7:38 PM  
Blogger OhTheJoys said...

You're all good withe the promise to yourself. I didn't see you mention Blogher once. Nope. I don't recall anything about it in this post. Heh.

"Spray a meme" - you make me sound like a cat in heat. (...trying to decide if that's a good or bad thing...)

8:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just read the word 'Blogher' and I flash back to life without a prom date. I imagine if I were to go I wouldn't be allowed in because I wouldn't know the secret handshake - that y'all have figured out how to do via the net. And I just figured out how to freaking underscore!

9:46 PM  
Blogger Kyla said...

Since YOU brought it up, I have to say how freaking excited I am about BlogHer. I involuntarily "Squee!" anytime it comes up.

I have already been sprayed with the meme (by the lovely slouching mom), it shall be up at my place tomorrow. :)

WonderBaby is spectacular. She has excellent form. I see a great future ahead of her in stage diving. ;)

9:57 PM  
Blogger Liz said...

I'm going to be the biggest loser at BlogHer. I think I'm going to be like the annoying little sister--and trying my best not to be agog. I'm sure I'll be out of place and feel small with my teeny blog. I have some major blog envy. But I am SO psyched to go and meet lots of great women all blogging about important things. So who cares about my boring old blog, right?
C--when are you speaking? Am I totally retarded that I *just* noticed you're SPEAKING? Can I stalk you?

10:23 PM  
Blogger Her Bad Mother said...

Liz, I'm speaking on the State of the Momosphere panel - Friday afternoon.

Jenifer, I'd totally hold your hand. I'll hold everyone's hand. Am multi-armed Indian warrior goddess.

(Mimi- that's a Karlanda SECTIONAL, I'll have you know. AHEM.)

All - DO THIS POST. Even if you're not going to BlogHer. You know you wanna.

11:18 PM  
Blogger Alex Elliot said...

I'm going to Blogher and I have to admit that although I'm totally excited for it, I am nervous about it too.

11:40 PM  
Blogger ewe are here said...

Someday I'd like to go to BlogHer. Sigh.

I think MF and Wonderbaby would be best buds - MF has that couch jumping, pillow jumping thing down, too. So much fun!

6:18 AM  
Blogger Dondi Tiples said...

Such a hilariously cute set of pictures. WonderBaby is adorable!

6:19 AM  
Blogger Fairly Odd Mother said...

Thanks for doing this! I feel very sad when I realize I'm not going to BlogHer (I'm already going away for my 40th birthay, plus our family vacation falls on that same weekend); but hopefully next year!

7:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hmmm, I think I'd fancy going to BlogHer maybe.

I could write a pretty good post I bet about how blogging empowers the psychiatric survivor community.

And maybe I am being myopic or unfair and judgmental here, but somehow I just don't think the yummymummy rockstar judge would be particularly interested in a post about that...

11:58 AM  
Blogger Her Bad Mother said...

Ali - I'll be in touch about the road trip.

Krista - She's very nice; I didn't select her solely for her celebrity. And I, for one, would love to read your post, and on that basis alone will assert that she would too.

12:07 PM  
Blogger Magpie said...

OMG I love those photos! Splendid!

12:11 PM  
Blogger Karla Zamora, Digital Analyst said...

Go. Wonderbaby. Go.

Blogher sounds like the place to be, I will have to start saving now for next year.

Have a great time and can't wait to hear about it.

2:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I LOVE those photos of Wonder Baby! She's so graceful when she's pillow jumping! :)

3:29 PM  
Blogger Julie Pippert said...

I so need to win that contest. I can't afford to go to BlogHer and would I ever like to.

So tell me, what asskissing method is most likely to win me the win? ;)

If I sweep your floors and stuff, will this earn me any points?

I did do the meme challenge.

3:44 PM  
Blogger Ruth Dynamite said...

Why do I hear the Revenge of the Nerds refrain echoing in my ears. Personally, I consider myself rock star geek. Is that so wrong?

I'll be rockin' the geek shadows at BlogHer. Can't wait!

5:10 PM  
Blogger Cristina said...

Wish I was going to BlogHer but I can't make it this year. I hope you guys have fun and I'll have fun reading about it!

8:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm sure she is "nice" but "nice" really has nothing to do with it.

There is something unsettling to me about this contest, and having one "celebrity" media person be the passive recipient of all entries, and judging all participants writing. Where's the democracy in that? Where's the community in that? It seems almost anti-blogging, highly corporate and very glossy-photo-like, and generally leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Why is one person a high priestess, being the sole judge of all participants' entries? It reeks of classism, elitism, and some other strange corporate smell I don't feel comfortable endorsing.

You know I love you and the mbt gals, but I just thought I should share my perspective, because if I didn't I'd feel dishonest in my respective e-relationships with you.

8:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I would like to officially invite ANYONE reading this who is going to Blogher but is terrified at the thought of walking into the opening day breakfast and not knowing who to sit with, and thinking that everyone knows everyone else and won't welcome a stranger, to LOOK FOR ME. I'll be the short, chubby, blonde lady wearing glasses who is talking non-stop.

And Catherine, I just wrote a post this morning about how EVERYONE going to Blogher is a geek (well, my word was dork). A bunch of ladies spending a long summer weekend sitting in conference rooms with their laptops talking about page views and using words like Flickr and Twitter? Geeks! Dorks! And then I wrapped it up by writing "Come to Blogher. It's what all the cool dorks are doing"!

11:41 PM  
Blogger Girlplustwo said...

I am going to squeeze you very hard at Blogher. I'm just saying.

12:29 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

For not wanting to write about BlogHer on here, you sure did a helluva job on this post! ;) Well that's okay, we're all allowed to screw up once, but I'll be watching! lol.

I haven't really caught the BlogHer train, but from what I've read, it sounds like alot of fun. Even if it is all geeks. ;)

And those pictures are cool, you have rapid fire (what is it actually called? lol) on your camera? I gotta get me one of those.

1:41 AM  
Blogger Her Bad Mother said...

I hear ya, Krista. I don't entirely agree, because I think that there's absolutely room in our community for recognizing excellence, even in the manner of having judges and winners and the like. And I sought out Erica because a) she's a mom with an online presence, and b) she's a neutral observer - she's not a habitue of our community, so she can't be accused of bias.

But I get your discomfort, so I'm gonna see if I can't think of some way to make this a little more American Idol-ly, and a little less Pulitzer... ;)

10:00 AM  
Blogger Her Bad Mother said...

Oh, and Lisa? Camera was set on 'action,' with flash to better capture the movement with less light.

10:01 AM  
Blogger Sarah said...

Oh my goodness-- WonderBaby is in skinny jeans! The trendiest baby ever. So adorable.

10:43 AM  
Blogger Run ANC said...

Those pix are your best yet! It's like watching a movie. Seriously, frame those in sequence. I'd pay you money to do the same for the Boy. Too cool.

We should have a Great Swaddle Off sometimes. I bet I could give you a run for your money...Challenge?

11:12 AM  
Blogger Her Bad Mother said...

NME - dude, I can wrap a swaddle with one hand behind my back in less than a minute. In the dark. Drunk. You?

11:22 AM  
Blogger BOSSY said...

And Bossy will not comment about BlogHer and how excited she is and she won't even comment if she is or isn't going (she is.)

1:22 PM  
Blogger Run ANC said...

Man, I can definitely do it drunk, but I'm not sure about one-handed. I CAN, however, do a swaddle that a 6-month old is not able to bust free of. At. All.

You're on.

3:16 PM  
Blogger PunditMom said...

I do NOT blog in my pajamas -- I prefer to call it my yoga outfit! ;)

4:40 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As a geek who raised two extremely cool next-generation geeks, I say be loud and proud!
When you can write like Bad Mother you transcend categories though. She's just plain a great great talent.... See you all in Chicago.

11:26 AM  
Blogger moosh in indy. said...

I'm going to leave this linky linky all over the place until June 15th, good luck to me.
http://mooshinindy.blogspot.com/2007/06/begging-for-blogher.html

11:28 AM  

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