This was my first BlogHer (aside from BlogHer Business this Spring which is WAY different, much smaller and not so dramatic!). There were approx. 1000 women bloggers and a few men (usually sponsors but a few BlogHims). Seminars included the Mommy Blogger track, political blogs, entrepreneurial women, photography, etc. Evenings were staged with receptions and parties to give more opportunities to meet and, as is the ritual at BlogHer, throw business cards back and forth between speedy introductions.

Most seminars were very good especially when the floor was opened for questions and dialogue. I attended one on positive blogging yesterday which I did not expect to get anything out of (I get/do/commit to inspiration commentary on Girlfriendology) but was further inspired to reduce the negative energy on the internet by continuing to find beauty and create positive power and generate hope in the blogosphere by ‘using it for good.’ Thanks BlogHer for that seminar and for all the effort put into this big event. It was a great opportunity to meet other like-minded women, to learn and, most importantly, to hear the voice of writers and bloggers and the lesson they have to teach all of us.

The outstanding negative of the event was a little too much drama by bloggers who wish they had the audience that other ‘famous’ bloggers have. It was too bad that this had to play out in a few of the sessions. This specific blogger, IMHO, should have attended the positive blogging session where we could have circled her with goodness and hopefully changed her focus from bad to good!

Even with this little drama circus, the spirit of passionate women bloggers rose above it and proved that our personal spirit shines through our online personality (be that good or bad). What influenced me the most were the women who are following their passion. From blogging about college radio to home schooling, bird watching to art slams, the blogosphere provides a world of opportunity for 36 million women (and rapidly growing) to have a voice, listen and find others with similar thoughts and convictions, and, for many, to share their hope for a better world.

I had the opportunity to do a video interview with Lisa and Gail - two women who met on the internet and became sisters. They told me about the depth of their friendship and how they are forever engaged in this friendship. (As soon as the video is up, I’ll share on the site. It’s a great story!) I interviewed girlfriends who wrote a book together on being a Rookie Mom. And, I filmed Ann from HP about the way she and her girlfriend group stay connected. Thanks for sharing to all of them and to hopefully more wonderful women I’ll meet today at the post-BlogHer round tables.

So, enough from me. Time to finish packing, get in the shower and head down to the event. Thanks to the inspiring, encouraging, supportive and fun women of BlogHer08.

And, here’s more links to blogs from BlogHer08:

• LifeWithMy3Boybarians, fun and talented Darcy (also GraphicallyDesigning.com)
• Goodyblog.com, Amanda W.
• LaPetiteChic, Katie S.
• SpinningIndie, college radio musings from Jennifer
• Author of the book “Big Green Purse,” Diane MacEachern (about how we can each change our spending power to create a cleaner, greener world!)
• Just Expressive, by Jess “Raven” B.
• Superhero Designs, by Andrea S. “You are your own Super Hero” (everyone was wearing her jewelry!)
• Notes to Self, by Kyran P.

More to come! Remember, feel free to leave your blog in the comments and to share a little linky love!

Related articles by Zemanta

• Book Review: Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener, World

Tags: bloggers, BlogHer, BlogHer08, San Francisco

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 20th, 2008 at 11:07 am and is filed under Be a Better FRIEND, Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.