Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Influence- Meet and Greet


For the past month or so I’ve been toying with the idea of attending a blogging conference called Influence. My fellow blogger, and friend-in-real-life Kacia is a community leader for the conference, and has been spreading the word about what an encouraging, inspiring and FUN event it’s going to be. I haven’t made the leap to committing to going yet, but she just posted an online meet and greet for attendees to help everyone get connected before meeting for real next month. Though I’m not 100% if I’m going to take the plunge and attend, I wanted to participate, in the hopes that joining the pre-conference party might get me psyched up for the real deal.

So here we go:






3 get-to-know-me things
  1. I live to eat, and don't understand those crazy "eat to live" people. I hesitate to say I'm a "foodie" because that implies a level of fanciness that I don't necessarily require. Sure I love an expensive cheese plate, but I'll also eat a whole box of Kraft Dinner (yes, that's its real name...for good reason) without looking back. Entire vacations are practically planned around food (I'm lucky my husband shares my sweet-and savory-tooth) and I am often looking forward to my next meal before this current one is over (or even begun).
  2. I feel big. No, not the "my pants don't fit because of all that living to eat" type big. I mean I feel dramatically. I feel, care, and love passionately. There aren't many things I'm middle of the road on. When I'm happy, I'm thrilled. When I'm aggravated I'm...well...pretty obnoxious to be around.
  3. I’m a strange breed of right/left brain combo which means I love sewing as much as I love spreadsheets (lots) and I get equally geeked about designing a party photo-booth as I do mapping out the seating chart (super geeked). 
2 things I’m looking forward to about the conference
Since I'm still on the fence about going, I'll share my two biggest hesitations:
  1. I will feel like a big dorky mash up of a wallflower at a sixth grade dance, a freshman on dorm move in day, and a small time blogger in a sea of talented multi-hyphenate media powerhouses (oh wait- I really will be that last one...) There has been ton of talk about building community, making connections, no blogger left behind!...but I'm still worried that I won't fit in. As friendly as I'm sure all the ladies are, there will still be those awkward moments when I hold my figurative lunch tray and scan the room for a place to perch. Or those times when I pretend to be doing Really Important Things on my phone, just to not look like the loser in the corner while everyone else is chatting away. (tell me you've pulled that move before, right? Just me?)
  2. Though I’ve been doing this crazy blogging thing for five years now (which in blog years means I’m pretty much a dinosaur) I still haven’t totally nailed down my purpose for this little web space. It’s part personal diary, part creative outlet, and part (sometimes it feels) silly waste of time. I’m worried I’ll be out of my league with all the “real bloggers”. You know, the pro and semi-pro writers that have sponsors, boast subscribers by the thousands, manage etsy shops, and run their photography/event planning/cupcake liner print shops on the side. Does a full-time working mom with a blog geared mostly towards updating the grandparents with pictures of a baby at the park really have any business spend the weekend gallivanting around town, wearing stripes and learning about social media? Well on second thought- gallivanting and wearing stripes are two of my favorite things....
1 thing that I cannot leave home without
In all honesty it has to be my iPhone, but I'm hesitant to count that because at this point it's practically an extension of my hand. So instead I'll say sunglasses. I have pretty sensitive eyes (ask to see photos of me in an eye patch as a kid...I have 5 years worth of pics!) so I pretty much don't go outside without my shades. Even when it's not that bright, I'm still thatgirl rocking the sunnies- now you know it's only partly to look cool, and mostly because I'm a big baby.


What about you all? Is anyone else planning on going? And if you are, do you want to pack some snacks, don some shades and be my friend for the weekend? (I'll figuratively help carry your figurative lunch tray!)
And for those of you on the fence like me...you can learn more about Influence here, and check out their things you should know series on their blog. See you there?

28 comments :

  1. My two cents...go.

    First of all, I really doubt you are that much of a wallflower that you won't meet people and fall into easy conversation. Unless you were your shades indoors, too, and well that might just make you look unapproachable. :)

    Secondly, this blog of yours? The one you use to update the grandparents? It could totally become one of those blogs you are talking about. It just needs more exposure. The talent is there, the purpose (uhm, hello...Miss DIY, Miss Party Planner, Miss My Fashion Guru, Miss Fashionable Even When I'm Prego And Beyond Guru, the list could go on). I'd say it disgusts me, but I don't want to sound petty. ;)

    Go.

    Go, go, go.

    And let us know how the food is.

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    1. oh happy, you are always too kind to me. I may have to pack you in my bag so you can be my personal cheerleader. Actually...that's not a bad idea at all- and I won't even need that large of a bag! :)

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    2. I second all of Happy's encouragement. You are crazy talented and I love your blog.

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  2. *wear your shades indoors. I flunked basic English.

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  3. I think you should go! Easy for me to say though, I really want to go to one of those things too but chicken out for all the same reasons as you. Plus there are never any in my area so it'd be tough to travel. Wish I could go to this one though because I'd definitely hang out with you! :)

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  4. I've totally pulled the pretend to be doing something really important on my phone because I feel uncomfortable move. :) Large groups aren't my cup of tea, so I'm definitely feeling a little nervous wondering if I'll fit in with anyone. Hopefully we'll have a chance to meet!

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    1. It's comforting to hear so many people have the same insecurities and fears....And it makes me hopeful that we'll all use that empathy to welcome each other and form real bonds.

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  5. Oh joy you should so go. B/c you're sweetie kin takes a bottle and I'd love to live vicariously though your traveling self. Go!
    And for all the other reasons you're thinking of going, too.

    Ps. Bought my first two pairs of knee highs at tar-jay to make baby legs! Looking forward to dusting off the machine and whipping up a pair

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    1. True, Crafty. I'm lucky that little mama likes her food, no matter the source. Can't wait to see how your baby legs turn out- mostly I can't wait to see Sophia's chubby legs in her fall duds!

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  6. LOL! I think that we all are so afraid we won't fit in that, by default, we all WILL fit in. It's gonna be an adventure! See you there. :)

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    1. You're totally right. If we're all outsiders, then no one is! :)

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  7. I understand your first point on the "looking forward to" I am the awkward one. I am the one who sits at meet the teacher night and knows no parents...I am the one who knows no one in real life...sigh...so if you see someone on her iPad or her stupid red phone pretending she is getting a text from her husband or kids...it's me...come on over! :)

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    1. I'll be on the lookout for you and your red phone!

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  8. I TOTALLY have pulled the phone in the corner thing. Or I just pretend like I have to pee.

    And go. I'm always jellies of how awesome each of your posts are. So I want to have awesome conversations on our trip there.

    Go go go go!!!

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    1. ooooh pretend bathroom break. That's a good one! I'll have to remember that for my next awkward encounter!

      And you're sweet to be "jellies" of me. ;) I'll try to bring my conversation a-game.

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  9. Okay, I really want to meet you! I hope you come! All of your get-to-know-me facts are pretty true of me, too. I have also been blogging for the past five years and while I've been refreshed with new perspective and direction every so often, I think it's time to seek it from the outside, and I'm so excited to go to Influence for that reason. A lot of the people I know who are going aren't these super big bloggers - and if they are, they're down-to-earth, and that's why I love them so much!

    I also use my sunglasses all the time. Sometimes I take them off in the middle of driving and am like, "I don't need these on. I feel ridiculous." But then usually I still want them on anyway.

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    1. Thanks Annie...I think Influence will be full of new perspective. And might be just what I need to stretch my tired blogging muscles a bit.

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  10. well, i for one look forward to meeting you and excited to see us all get together and have a great weekend.

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  11. I totally understand the nerves of being a wallflower. I am so worried about this. I am an extro/introvert and I don't know what side of the vert I will wake up on from day to day. So I'm totally worried about basically meeting no one and just hanging out in a corner on my iPhone with a newborn. I also know that this conference is there for a reason for me... and so I'm taking a scary plunge. I really hope you are able to come!

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    1. "what side of the vert"- I love that. I guess we're all a bit of a mix, huh?

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  12. I love the right/brain left brain thing!!! I TOTALLY get it. I have a civil engineering degree, but run a handmade etsy shop making totes & bags. It has been a struggle to find the "right" fit of a job.

    I'll meet you in the corner. I'm headed to the conference solo and am a little scared I will be that girl who doesn't know anyone.

    xo,
    Kim

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    1. it's tough to balance the two worlds, right? But your bags are cute AND practical, so it's a win-win!

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  13. Name twinsies! I'm so happy to have found your pretty and inspiring blog! I really hope you take the leap because it would be awesome to see your blog flourish with inspiration and influence. and to meet you, of course. :)

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    1. oooh, always happy to meet another Courtney. I'm excited you're going!

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  14. Loved reading this. And you will NOT be the only small time blogger there--because I'll be there :) Just sayin'. Look forward to seeing you at the conference!

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  15. Yep, it happened. I love you now. Also, if you EVER feel like you're 'scanning' that big ole room- you find me. I'll hug you, pull a seat up and it will be lovely.

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