True story.
There are roughly elenventy-bazillion blogs on these interwebs. Mommy blogs and daddy blogs, pet blogs and food blogs. DIY and where to buy it blogs. What to wear, what not to wear if your life depended on it blogs. My life is awesome blogs, my life is the worst thing ever blogs. More blogs than, well, something that there's a lot of.
So lets say each blog is a snowflake (a unique, individual snowflake, just like everyone else). Blog conferences are like snow. Some of them are huge, roaring blizzards, if blizzards were made of free samples and swag whores. Some of them are annoyingly, cloyingly fake. Like a souvenir snowglobe from the Caribbean.
And some of them are perfect, movie quality, Christmas morning snowfall. Make everything pretty but don't keep you from running errands or getting to work kind of snow. The pretty kind, that makes your cheeks pink and your shoes crunch, but you're so dazzled by its beauty you don't even notice the dirty slushy parts around the edges.
THAT was this past weekend's Aiming LowNon-Conference. With less than 100 people, we had a chance to really connect and create relationships with amazing women (and the token dudes). We ate, and talked and drank and laughed. Oh my Gawd, we laughed.
This is NOT a judgment on other people, but by its very definition, being an Aiming Low conference already made sure that we were a certain crowd. Generally speaking, the don't-take-ourselves-too-seriously, love-making-others-laugh-as-much-as-we-love-food-or-wine-or-chocolate, we-totally-know-what-we're-doing-so-don't-talk-down-to-us-please kinds of people.
It was, in my opinion, blog conference perfection. I learned some, I taught some, I cried some (eff you, Leila!) and laughed a helluva lot. And ate a bunch of southern-y food. (For the record: Sweet tea is gross, grits with cheese is delish)
We were a motley crew; mostly moms, but not everyone. From all over the country (and Canada too, eh?) Uplifting, inspiring, make you wanna sit and write for days keynotes from both JC Little and Ree Drummond. So the coffee was pretty much terrible, but what it lacked in quality, I made up for in quantity. My biggest complaint is time. Can't we just open a commune? We can all write and share and entertain each other, analytics and stats be dammed.
So basically, the Non-Con sucked, and you totally shouldn't go next year. It's so intimate and close-knit, you'd probably totally hate it. You get all inspired, and you're suddenly neglecting your household duties in order to write. And because I'm worried about the mountain of your laundry, the entertainment level of your children and the cleanliness of your bathroom, I'm telling you not to go. I mean, unless you're into that whole inspiration, brilliance, knowledge, superhero costume party thing.
Wanna see more photos? I took a bunch, both on a group photowalk on Friday morning, and throughout the weekend! (Hence the artsy fartsy stuff mixed in with random candids and craziness)
Those were some fabulous photos you took!
Thanks, lady! It was a GORGEOUS venue!
It was amazing to finally meet you and , yes, you were full of the awesome that everyone said you would be. I loved getting to know you, to laugh with you and now I’m sad you’re not here.
Oh, Anissa. I’ve admired you for SO long. I remember talking to you in the Blogher11 Twitter stream, and being totally intimidated by your awesome when I finally was able to meet you in San Diego.
You’re incredible, and I kind of can’t believe that I can call you friend.
You made magic this weekend. XOXO
You made laughing so freaking easy Lizz-with-two-zeds. Also watch out for weaponized dust bunnies!
Aww, thank you, tiny adorable person, half of an awesome couple! You’re just as fab in real life as you are on the interwebz!
You are right… no one should go.. in fact anyone who reads this who did not go this year just wipe this event from your mind. Small is amazing.. I mean really think of the clitoris.. small and yet also amazing… coincidence?. I think not.
Maddie, who loved meeting your.
HA! You win the “compare Non-Con to something random” contest!
You’re so great, and I loved meeting your too! 😉
Ugh… your what?… .. LOVED MEETING YOU YOU YOU
Maddie, who has still not caught up on her sleep.
Aaaand, now I’m tearing up. I’ve seen so many good analogies to describe the NonCon. Though they are diverse, they all capture the feeling so beautifully. Yours is stunning, and is so descriptive that I feel the chill of the snow on my nose (that might be the frosty air out here at my kid’s soccer game, but whatev).
I want to go back. I want to spend more time laughing and listening and learning and getting to learn more about the people I had the pleasure of meeting. Until we find ourselves drinking coffee and DELICIOUS sweet tea at the same table again, I’ll make do with reading your blog. So glad I got to meet you, Lizz!
Oh, Kym. You are teh awesome. Thank you SO much for the smartness, the hotness, the ghettoness and for you! I loved getting to know you!
Smooches,
Lizzle Dizzle
Nope, no one come next year. I want these people all to myself again.
Exactly!
People will TOTALLY hate it. They shouldn’t go. And now I’m weepy again because I MISS Y’ALL!
You, my dear, are a gem! Thank you for the grits and the giggles.
Everyone should definitely stay away. It was totally terrible and awful. Avoid it at all costs, other people.
(I can’t wait for next year.)
Lizz! I had way too much fun hanging out with you. That just should not have happened ;o) You are a brilliant woman & I’m glad I got the chance to get to know you!
Are the tickets for next year on sale yet?
You were the perfect roommate.
Right down to the adorable giggling in your sleep that added that just right touch of magic.
xo
If you need a roommate next year, count me in.
That last paragraph is all the words. All the things I got from it. I can’t wait to see you next year!