During my first few days of taking Radio Broadcasting in College, I will never forget the intense feeling of, "these people get me."
Their brains were also filled with useless information that no one else on the planet really gave a hot damn about.
So, its been a while since I felt like I had found "my peeps".
Until this last weekend at a blogging conference called Blissdom Canada
I know, I know.
A blogging conference.
Sounds stupid. Maybe even dull. It was none of those things. It was a damn dream.
Ever since I started blogging with my first posts. I knew I wanted to be part of something better. Something bigger. Kind of like when Tom Arnold married Roseanne.
He hit the damn jackpot. Talk about a career boost.
What was I talking about?
Right, blogging conference....
So, I flew right across this damn country, not knowing a soul, all in the name of finding my "community."
I didn't sleep a wink the first night.
I mean it.
Whenever people say that to me, I always think that they are feeding me a bunch of bologna.
Okay. I am lying a bit. I am sure I slept for a total of 40 minutes. It was a terrible night.
The next morning, I couldn't quit pooping.
See, I wasn't sick. I am just a nervous pooper. Even when I was a little girl, my Mom would put me in Music Festivals and I would spend the last 10 minutes before my performance in a church washroom.
Hallelujah.
Speaking of pooping, that might have been one of the best parts of the trip. Having a Boom Boom in absolute peace. No one knocking at the door to show me a "owie" or a drawing or asking me "What's for supper?"
Just me and the toilet
Now that is what I call pure Blissdom.
Any who...
As I made my way to the lobby, I joined a group of strangers and introduced myself. And within those 5 minutes, Julie, Tara, Brooke and Alisha became my "go to" people.
And they seemed to genuinely like me. They didn't find me obnoxious or annoying.
Bonus.
Each of them introduced me to their roommates and blogging friends.
And I was home free.
I would love to post pictures, but I feel really friggn' lazy. Which is not something someone should say after attending a Blogging Conference.
Shhhhhh...
Pictures of Jian Ghomeshi, and of me bumping chests with Ami McKay the author of The Birth House and The Virgin Cure. Pictures of me sipping on free Starbucks during the Mircosessions. Pictures of me totally out of my comfort zone and playing Kinnect at the Microsoft Party and most importantly pictures of me dressing up in an " I Love Lucy " costume. Even video of me talking about my blog online for the Marilyn Denis show.
Blog Conference Advice for Newbies
If complete strangers ask you to lunch...You go. You will make the most wonderful friends and contacts that will make you feel at home for the entire three days. Thanks Queen Mother Ladies.
If a complete stranger offers you a ride to a friends home.... You take it. You will be in awe of their blogging knowledge and generosity.
If two taxis full of women decide to go dancing at midnight.... You go. You will laugh until you cry.
Also, don't get so boozy and over tired from the time change, that you are too exhausted to attend the newbies breakfast lunch and then lie to a woman you have come to adore, that you were there for her remarks.
Sigh.
And most importantly, when you are given free cookies from Presidents Choice, go to your room, take off all your clothes and eat those damn cookies on a white duvet.
Thank you Blissdom Canada. I'll see you next year.

Sounds blissful! I'm still torn as to whether I will return next year for a conference, and if so, which one. ShesConnected was a pretty class act as well.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the next one will be in Winnipeg!
DeleteGlad you had fun! I understand the washroom visits!
ReplyDeleteI knew I couldn't be the only one. P.s I LOVED YOUR POST BLISSDOM BLOG. So good!
DeleteIt was so great to finally meet you in person Kyla! And I understand what you mean about going not knowing a single soul and hardly being able to sleep. It's amazing what happens when you put yourself out there, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteBig time. I am so enjoying stalking you "in real life"!
DeleteAnd when a complete stranger ask for a ride in a facebook group offer them one because you will meet an incredibly awesome woman who will help you figure out what your life's calling is. I am a better person for having met you!
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet! I am already planning on hiring you :)
DeleteLove you my "friend by roommate!" ... what an awesome post. Really sums it up (and while I am generally a nervous pooper too, I am a constipated traveller so all was good ... till I got home!! lol). Am so glad to have found your blog as well ... so when are we having a West Coast reunion??!!
ReplyDeleteI love all the POOP TALK. P.s Your Sonny is still freaking me out!
Deletesee, I am a safe pooper. It has to wait until I get home. Akward but true. And I assuming anyone reading these comments get us and has no problem reading this. RIGHT?
ReplyDeleteMORE POOP TALK! Yes.... ;)
DeleteI'm with you on that one Brooke!
DeleteI'm with you on that one Brooke!
DeleteI had so much fun with you this weekend!! I was always happy to see your smiling face in the crowd...thank you for being so friendly to me! I can't believe I never saw you doing kinect! And I totally thought of you as I ate 6 of the cookies today, and thought "I'm doing this all wrong. I need a white duvet." xo
ReplyDeleteHey... do you want to break dance?
Deletep.s I am glad you think of me while eating cookies. Better than when you are making a "boom boom"!
Hahaha!!! Of course NOW that's going to happen! I'll keep you posted. And yes...with you I'll break dance. With Mr Creepy? Not so much.
Deletelol so funny! great post, sad to have missed Bliss this year, but I was over at SCCTO meeting a different yet similar group of ladies. glad you made the most of your adventure!
ReplyDeleteNext year, I hope to do both. Wow. I need another job.....
DeleteGlad to hear SSCTO was also great!
lol so funny! great post! I was sad to have missed bliss this year but I was over at SCCTO meeting with different yet similar lovely ladies! glad you made the most of your adventure!
ReplyDeleteNext year, I will go where you go! :)
DeleteHow did we not meet??? I am so happy that you had a great time. You described my experience to a T when I went to Blissdom and #SCCTO for the first time three years ago! So happy to hear you will be back! We'll meet in person next year o.k.???
ReplyDeleteI have been saying the same thing to about a 50 other people. I think they need to have a receiving line of some sort. I love to hug and kiss strangers!
DeleteHilarious! So glad you had an awesome time at Blissdom. Maybe next year I will be able to make it.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog BTW!
Thanks for loving my blog. I write it for only you ;)
DeleteI am sooooo going next year. We can totally go dancing together!
LOVE! Thank GOODNESS our paths crossed! Blissdom would not have been complete without meeting you! The joy for me, you are even sweeter in person! I hope next time we have more time to chat, to put it simply I adore you:) Glad Blissdom was everything you needed it to be xo
ReplyDeleteI felt like such a stalker coming up to you. I wish we could have talked more. You gave me one of the best blogging talks of the weekend. I have been repeating to TONS of people things you told me about how your blog changed....
DeleteI didn't make Blissdom (I'm hoping next year) but was very fortunate to be able attend SCCTO and meet some of my "peeps" as well. It was a great experience and I met some lovely people!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you had a great time at SCCTO. I heard it was equally amazing.
DeleteI'm taking your cookie advice for my next conference. That sounds like perfection.
ReplyDeleteYOU LIED TO SHANNON. For shame. Never lie to The Shannons.
Shhhh... no I didn`t. I never lie.
DeleteWHA?!!! lol
Deletethe Shannons are still glad you came.
This is the best description of a blogging conference that I've ever read. Makes me want to go!
ReplyDeleteGo! You will not regret it. You will meet lots of amazing women and a few whack jobs :)
DeleteI am so jealous!! I am there next year.
ReplyDeleteI never know what to expect when I read your blog. Poop talk was a little unexpected. Lol
ReplyDeleteSee you next year!