BlogHer For Introverts.

I attended this year's BlogHer conference in Chicago. As one of the Voices of the Year, I thought I should go despite my acute introversion. I thought being named one of the Voices of the Year would propel me out of my shyness. In hindsight, that makes me laugh.

My husband and I drove from Detroit to Chicago and enjoyed the sights along the way.

We contemplated doing some Christmas shopping at the numerous retail outlets along the way. 

The Lion's Den seemed nice.

I especially liked the logo.

We stayed at the Radisson Blu which I insisted on calling the Radisson Bleu with a French accent filled with ennui. I should have called it the Radisson Bleh. Or the Radisson Meh. It was clean and modern yet soulless. I should offer to write their advertising copy.

It wouldn't be a blogging conference without taking some selfies so I did that in the hotel mirror. This strapless top was in danger of falling down all night. But I think that added to the thrill of being in the big city.

It wouldn't be Chicago without taking a picture of my husband in a bib. I made him wear it and nothing else later on at the Radisson Bleu. Me-ow.

Since I don't have a decent full-length mirror at home, I checked out my ass in all my pants and skirts. Don't lie. You do this too. You just have the good sense not to take a picture of it and post it on the internet.

Later, I wore a Jockey Fit Kit cup on my head and sang "Hello, My Baby" like that ragtime frog on Looney Toons. I regret not making a Vine video of this. For that, I apologize.

Once I established that meeting new people amongst the throngs of bloggers at the conference still gave me hives, I ditched the Saturday sessions and went sightseeing with my husband.

We took edgy photos in front of the art museum and felt like Bonnie and Clyde without the guns or the bags of cash. Okay, maybe I wasn't being "edgy" so much as "hungover." I shared a bottle of wine with this lady the night before:

The beautiful and witty Lexa of Lemmonex.

If you don't know Lemmonex you should get yourself over to her blog and introduce yourself. She's one of my best blogger buddies and this is our third tour of BlogHer together.

I also had the good fortune to spend time with the adorable and charming Sara of Animal Crackers. 

Sara taunting me with a picture of Sparty. Go Blue.

My husband was particularly excited to get photo evidence of me Instagramming during lunch. 

Mark my words, this photo will turn up as Exhibit A the next time I tell him to put away his phone at the table. Aren't lawyers precious? Don't ever argue with one. Trust me. Now you know why I wear tops that look as though they're about to fall down. It's the only way I can win an argument.

We also went out to dinner with my beloved Turhan, one of my best friends since middle school. 

Imagine us with stringed instruments and braces.

Turhan and I met in orchestra. He was last chair of violas and I was last chair of the violins. It was screechy kismet. He was kind enough to drag me out of my introverted shell and insisted that we be friends. I never knew what this terribly handsome and popular boy ever saw in me, but I was grateful for a friend.

I still am.

I also remain the same introverted dork who's not particularly good at meeting new people unless they drag me out of my shell by force, preferably in an orchestra pit. Thus I'm still not great at blogging conferences. I accept this as something that is not going to change anytime soon. And this is exactly why I brought my husband and made plans to meet up with wonderful friends who don't terrify me.

Thank you, friends.

Thank you, husband.

I will say the one event at BlogHer that you can't miss, even if you are paralyzed by introversion, is the Voices of the Year readings. Hearing these talented women read their work aloud for an enormous crowd is both mind-boggling and inspirational. They absolutely rocked it. They made those of us in the audience laugh until we were doubled over. They made us cry. They lifted us up and inspired us to keep on doing what we love. Even if we look like fools in the process.

Or at least they did that for me. Which is why I'm here blogging again, trying to come out of my introverted shell and write a bit more. If you'd like to read some of the amazing Voices of the Year posts, I recommend these: 

Zakary Watson from Raising Colorado read her hilarious post:

 "DIY Is Full of Danger." 

JC Little from The Animated Woman read her disturbing and funny post:

"How to Check for Pinworms."

Shannon Bradley-Colleary from The Woman Formerly Known As Beautiful:

 "What I Know About Sex Now That I'm in My 40s."

Ann Imig of Ann's Rants inspirational and also funny post:

 "Own Your Creativity. Or at Least Flying-Cross Body-Check It."

There were some others I enjoyed as well but I haven't been able to locate them yet. As soon as I do, I'll post them. Enjoy!