Momo Fali's: Forget Cleveland...it's Chicago that Rocks

Monday, July 27, 2009

Forget Cleveland...it's Chicago that Rocks

I learned many things at the blogging conference I just attended in Chicago. There were a lot of sessions, and speakers, and sponsors...and parties.

The first thing I learned is that you can't physically be in three different places at once, no matter how hard you try. The moment I arrived, I had a trio of gatherings to attend. I chose to go to a volunteer meeting where the coordinator told us not to show up at our 7:00am shift hungover. Which led me to raise my Corona in the air in agreement and exclaim, "Hear hear!"

I also found out that no matter how much you love your roommate, you may not like her as a bedmate. Unless, of course, you like waking up with another woman lying on half of your body with her face nuzzled in your neck. Did I mention the snoring?

I learned invaluable information, such as how to use your Blackberry to find a dive bar near the Sears Tower that serves $3.00 margaritas and cheese-stuffed pretzels. I found out that you can pay a bum to show you to the train station and that meeting your favorite bloggers is kind of like meeting your best friend and a celebrity all at the same time. That's not my line, it's his.

I was taught that free beer is awesome, sun-dried tomato and goat cheese canapé turns to paste in your mouth and that deep-fried macaroni and cheese may be the world's most perfect food. Though you may want to have a defibrillator handy.

I found out that my favorite author is more than amazing in person and that she won't sign her latest book when it's a copy you checked-out from the library and carted to Chicago. What? I was totally going to pay the library to replace it. Don't judge me, people.

If it wasn't for the conference, I wouldn't have been educated in how to drive a Tahoe (thanks for the loaner, Chevy), how to win an iPod Touch (thanks for the raffle, Hanes) and how to find hidden hotel suites giving out free clothes (thanks for the shirt and jeans, GAP).

And finally, I learned that it is great to see old friends and that you shouldn't take Ambien before saying goodbye to your new friends, because when they are hugging and crying, you'll be laughing and chasing unicorns.

Labels: BlogHer, Insomnia, Ramblings

# posted by Momo Fali : 7:59 AM

Comments:

Meeting you FINALLY and hugging you and then spending time with you... a total highlight of my weekend.

ADORE YOU and all your gorgeousness.

# posted by

Rachel : July 27, 2009 at 9:32 AM

Were the unicorns in the form of a creepy looking cake? Just wondering.

Nom nom...deep fried mac and cheese! I had way too many of those.

One of my fave times this weekend was just the 5 of us (you, me, Piper, Secret Agent Mama, and Patron). We'll always have Chicago! :)

It was such a love fest; I don't think I'll truly get off of this high for several weeks. xoxo

# posted by

Melisa Wells : July 27, 2009 at 9:36 AM

I really wished you actually lived in Columbus, Indiana. And I'm also pretty much over the whole you're not a big Polynesian woman thing.

# posted by

moosh in indy. : July 27, 2009 at 9:40 AM

Sounds like a truly awesome weekend!
And that you will need a week to recover!

Thanks for taking Flat Bad Momma. She is safe with my brother and staying for an extended vacation in Chicago. I can't get her to talk. Must have been some time!

# posted by

Bad Momma : July 27, 2009 at 9:42 AM

I so wish I was there.
Awesome recap Momo.

# posted by

Kim : July 27, 2009 at 9:43 AM

Momo, I was SO happy to meet you. You were truly one of the people I most wanted to meet and I hope we get together sooner than later since SERIOUSLY!! We don't live very far away!

# posted by

jenny from mommin' it up! : July 27, 2009 at 9:44 AM

I miss my tall blonde friend already!
(We should form a crime-fighting duo...we could get CAPES!!!)

# posted by

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins : July 27, 2009 at 10:28 AM

...and now the entire internet knows I snore. Would hate you a little if you weren't so damn snuggly!

Glad you made it home safe. Thanks for lettin' me bum a ride!!

# posted by

Amy : July 27, 2009 at 11:17 AM

But did you drink a Busy Dad with Busy Dad?

# posted by

Kevin McKeever : July 27, 2009 at 11:37 AM

Glad you had a great time!

also a little curious as to how Weaselmomma's gonna feel by being linked to under "old"...

# posted by

Jason : July 27, 2009 at 11:43 AM

It was so great to see you! Sorry we did not connect ovah cocktails. I had 3 days of consecutive hangovers but not one of those fun nights was spent hanging out with you!!! Next year, Momo, next year.

xo!

# posted by

Caroline : July 27, 2009 at 12:08 PM

sounds like a FAB time-even the 'bedmate' lol
I so wish i could have gone and am so envious of those of you that did...maybe next yr

# posted by

Unknown : July 27, 2009 at 12:31 PM

After reading everyone's posts about the BlogHer convention, I must say I look forward to my first one. I'm glad you had a great time. I'm sorry I couldn't meet up with everyone at some point. Life is an interferring b*****d! I'm tipping my Miller Lite to you!

# posted by

SurprisedMom : July 27, 2009 at 12:37 PM

It sounds like it was such a great time!!! Congrats on all the stuff you won and even bigger smiles for all the fun you had :)
I hope one day we have Blogher in Dallas so you can have Shiner Bock--it really is the best ;)

# posted by

Miss Lisa : July 27, 2009 at 2:03 PM

There were free Gap clothes? Thanks for hogging that fun information you big 'ho.

Oh um, it's me - Carolyn. We met outside. We drank Miller Lite together. You remember... Right?

# posted by

Carolyn...Online : July 27, 2009 at 2:26 PM

How fun! Did you take photos? If so, we would love to see them! Happy Monday!

# posted by

Cheffie-Mom : July 27, 2009 at 3:07 PM

Yes, you have to post pictures. Embarassing ones preferred. jk.

And the library book thing. I believe you. Really.

# posted by

James (SeattleDad) : July 27, 2009 at 3:40 PM

I also believe deep-fried macaroni and cheese IS the world's most perfect food!

Jen Lancaster is an amazing author. She rocks!

# posted by

meleah rebeccah : July 27, 2009 at 4:24 PM

Dude. NYC next year. That's my hood. I'm in... Looking forward to more formally making an ass out of myself in front of my peers...

# posted by

Out-Numbered : July 27, 2009 at 4:39 PM

Glad you had a good time...and dude, Ambien is evil, huh? :)

# posted by

AutoSysGene : July 27, 2009 at 4:51 PM

I loved seeing you for the first three times and being on the phone and going MOMO! into my phone and my friend going "Huh?" and having to stop being awestruck and having to go back to talking on my phone and pretending that I didn't just see you AND PIPER walk past me three times.

But at least I got to hug you both numerous times throughout the weekend.

I already miss you!

# posted by

Anonymous : July 27, 2009 at 5:09 PM

You are the best. Is your liver still hurting? Because Bossy couldn't stop quoting you for the rest of sunday.

# posted by

BOSSY : July 27, 2009 at 5:45 PM

I have yet to meet another blogger face to face and can't WAIT until next year. Thanks for sharing the stories.

# posted by

Caffeine Court : July 27, 2009 at 8:29 PM

Yup. That was one hell of a conference.

# posted by

WeaselMomma : July 27, 2009 at 9:53 PM

one day, ms. momo. one day...

# posted by

the planet of janet : July 27, 2009 at 9:59 PM

"Unless, of course, you like waking up with another woman lying on half of your body with her face nuzzled in your neck."

If this is the norm, I'm in for next year's meeting.

# posted by

Mitch McDad : July 28, 2009 at 12:25 AM

It was a treat to meet you, Momo. You're a peach :)

# posted by

Mrs4444 : July 28, 2009 at 9:25 AM

So glad we got to meet!

# posted by

maggie, dammit : July 28, 2009 at 10:16 AM

I am SO happy you had such a great time and wish I could have joined you! But still, Whoo Hooo!!!

# posted by

Bean : July 28, 2009 at 11:11 AM

You are a total celebrity in my world. And an awesome friend. So how much will the picture of us fetch on TMZ?

# posted by

BusyDad : July 28, 2009 at 3:40 PM

So, so great to meet you.

See you next year, hotness ;)

# posted by

Angella : July 28, 2009 at 3:47 PM

Another round of delicious Miller Lite? Why, thank you, let's get two. Each.

Best.line.of.the.weekend.

# posted by

MsPicketToYou : July 28, 2009 at 5:46 PM

I said it on a few other's blogs, and I'll say it here: the good news is that I can live vicariously through your postings about this great event!

# posted by

Charlie on the PA Turnpike : July 28, 2009 at 5:51 PM

It sounds heavenly! Can't wait to go next year!

(laughing and chasing unicorns sounds pretty cool to me!)

# posted by

Dawn Parsons Smith : July 28, 2009 at 10:35 PM

I hated not being able to meet you at Blogher! (darn having to leave early)

Maybe next year. :)

# posted by

musingwoman : July 28, 2009 at 11:49 PM

Spending time with you at the $3.00 Patron Place is such a great memory. Hugging you every time I saw you is another great memory. Being your friend is a great honor, my dear.

XOXOXOX

# posted by

Secret Agent Mama : July 29, 2009 at 4:00 PM

Sounds like you had a good time, except for the sleeping arrangement.

# posted by

Kimberly Wright : July 30, 2009 at 2:21 AM

I'm glad I finally got to meet you. I wish I had had more time to chat when I wasn't so freaking brain dead.

# posted by

Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah : July 31, 2009 at 12:19 PM

Lovely recap. And I THINK we met (still processing). I was with Kathy from The Junk Drawer. She was so thrilled to see you at Day 1 Registration. BlogHer 10, here we come!

# posted by

JD at I Do Things : August 3, 2009 at 7:37 AM

I was so glad to meet you in Chicago, only I wish I'd actually hung out with you more, rather than just squeal and hug and squeal again!

Just getting back from a vacay after BlogHer and catching up...

# posted by

Karen MEG : August 6, 2009 at 10:48 AM

Sounds incredible! And YAY for awesome free stuff!

# posted by

Jaina : August 11, 2009 at 5:43 PM

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Monday, July 27, 2009

Forget Cleveland...it's Chicago that Rocks

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