The Schlep #typeacon
The links in this post may be affiliate links. That means that if you click them and make a purchase, this site makes a commission. It will have no impact on the price you pay or the experience of your purchase.
The reuseable shopping bag falls sideways as it goes through the curtain of the scanner.
I toss my well-loved TOMS and equally-adored Chromebook into separate tubs, and sling my backpack onto the conveyer belt and watch all of my things disappear through the black rubber strips.
I step into the high tech scanner, hood my arms as instructed, and wonder if the machine can tell what kind of underwear I have on under my no-metal zipper or anything cotton dress.
Stepping through the scanner to retrieve my belongings, the TSA agent eyes my tote curiously.
There's a faint, pulsating glow coming from the spilled tote, and it wasn't there when the bag went in.
Three pairs of Mickey Mouse “Glow with the Show” ears spill cheerfully out of the bag, onto the conveyer belt. Part of me wants to acknowledge that yes, this is the Atlanta airport, not Orlando, but that yes, they're Mickey ears.
Shoes slide back on, laptop goes back into my backpack, which needs both straps used to hang comfortably on my frame. I collect the assortment of things from the belt, pile everything back into my tote bag.
Mickey ears off and precariously sitting atop a board game and some energy bars, I start the hike to my gate.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and because I'm technically on the clock at this point, I stop to check the notification.
I see the #typeacon feed on Twitter is going hot and heavy; lots of chatter about getting home, hugging kids, unpacking swag and LOTS of talk about the quality of the conference.
I can't look too closely now; I have to find lunch and my gate.
I grab a seat at a charging station and plug in my phone. It's 11:30am, and if all goes according to plan, I'll be home in time for dinner.
Carefully leaning my backpack and tote together, I wait.
My half-day journey home is only beginning, and I can't wait to squeeze my dudes.
People sometimes look at me funny when I tell them that I go to blogging conferences.
They can't comprehend why I would travel to the other side of the world to learn about this “hobby” of mine.
They don't even realize that it's one of my favorite parts of my job, that blogging conferences are what have gotten me here, have taught me what I know, introduced me to people who have changed my life, and provided the venues for some of the most fun I've had as an adult.
It's worth the schlep.
The frustrations of air travel, the surly cab drivers, the crappy overpriced airport food? It's worth it for the feelings and knowledge I bring home. Every time.
A blogging conference ignites in me the fire that drove me to blog in the first place.
I went to Atlanta this weekend, for my first Type A Parent conference; I've heard people call it their “favorite conference ever!!”, so the expectations were high. And they did not disappoint.
I learned and I taught.
I laughed and I cried.
I danced. And danced some more.
I wore a TARDIS skirt and posed for photos with a storm trooper.
I ate amazing Southern food, and not-so-amazing hotel pastries.
I spent more time with some of my favorite friends in the world, and hugged others for the first time.
I met new people, interacted with new brands.
I bought some earrings, and lots of coffee.
I remembered why I love blogging. And Twitter.
I was reminded of how strong and amazing women are. Especially when we join forces.
And men. There are guys there, too.
I am inspired and motivated and ready to take on everything. Anything.
Type A is my new favorite conference. I won't miss another one. And it's worth every moment of the schlep to get there.
It’s my favorite conference, too. I’m glad I got to meet you!
It’s my favorite conference, too. Well, except NonCon, but it wasn’t a real conference. It was an anti-con. A non-con if you will. Anyway, I’m SO GLAD I got to hang out with you and haul your butt to dinner and breakfast! 🙂
It’s funny talking to people about “my friend Lizz” who lives across the country and who I only see once or twice a year. This Internet thing, this blogging thing–it brings me the best people.
This was the first one I missed and I was so bummed- Type A is awesome!
This was my first TypeA too and I loved it! It was right here in my hometown and I’m glad it was, because I don’t know that I would have traveled to attend since I’m new to conferences. But now I know the awesomeness that is TypeA and I can’t wait to attend again! It was great meeting you Lizz, I’m looking forward to seeing you again at TypeA next year!
I totally agree, Liz – it’s worth the schlep! Great post. Thanks for sharing your perspective !
Love this as much, well, almost as much as I adore you, woman.
Miss you already.
And yes. Best conference of all the times. SO glad you were there.
It was so fabulous to see you! I’m so glad you’re traversing the country and doing the schlep again in a couple weeks where I”ll get to see you again!
Ditto on the schlep, Mickey ears, and TypeA being a must-go-to-every-time conference. I’m so used to typing “nice to have e-met you”… it’s a welcome change when I can drop the e 🙂
I love, love, love this post for so many reasons. So glad to hear I was not the only one that received some funny looks with my glowing ears in a tote bag heading home. Your TARDIS skirt was amazing, Donna Noble told me so 😉 Looking forward to using all that I learned from everyone and getting back to the basics of commenting and Twitter conversations.
Thank you for coming to Type-A to speak this year! It was a pleasure to meet and talk with you. And I love, love, loved your Doctor Who skirt.
And, no you are NOT neglecting your children when you attend. 🙂 so nice to meet you this past weekend!
I never thought I’d have a Lizz Porter fall asleep on my bed at 3am but those are the kinds of things Type-A does to you. It’s awesome and worth every moment of fatigue. And schlep.
Beautiful, and I second your emotions…Type-A is always a special community of people who gather and truly SHARE, and it is a privilege to be a part of it – and yes, this is definitely my favorite, and most treasured part of my job.
So glad I met you, Lizz! And I’m glad we got to share a couple of great Southern meals together (thanks Jana!).
This was my first TypeA too, and I, too, loved it. Didn’t get to meet you, but there’s always next year 🙂
Finally! You are no longer an avatar! Thank you for making me laugh, dance, learn and fall more in love with blogging than ever. Hanging together at this TypeA was like reuniting with an OLD friend rather than feeling like making a new one. Lizz, you completely embody the saying “Work like you don’t need the money, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like no one is watching, sing like no one is listening, live like there’s no tomorrow…”
I am so, so happy that TypeA brought us together & can’t wait to see you again.
XOXO
Thanks so much for giving me a ride in your cab. Your kindness was just one example of why Type-A Parent was a great conference.
You can’t see it but I’m gazing at you very meaningfully right now
Loved being on the receiving end of a few of your amazing hugs. I agree – I’ll never miss a Type A again. The schlep is TOTALLY worth it! xoxo
this is the conference I am saving for for 2014. I have always heard such great things about it.
So glad you had such an incredible time!
Thanks for sharing Lizz! I was very curious about Type A. It sounds like you had an amazing experience! I’ll have to check it out!
It was an absolute pleasure to meet you at Type-A. I’ve followed you online for a long time, and it was great to go from being an internet acquaintance to real life friend. I feel lucky that I got to spend so much time with you at Type-A…the meals, the parties, the ride to the airport. You are beautiful and vivacious and I feel enriched having spent time with you. Can’t wait until we can see each other again!
This was my first Type A conference, too. It will not be my last.
OK, I read this twice already, and I’ve cried both times. I just love you Lizz Porter! I’m so glad that my favorite conference is now your favorite conference too. Can’t wait to hug you again, my friend.
I really need to find out more about this. I seem to hear so much about it. And the shaklee thing. Whatever that is!