BlogHer 12, New York City

Before I left for the BlogHer 12 conference, my co-workers gave me some advise. One told me a very disturbing story of an encounter a friend had in a park with a mugger with a hammer. Just the kind of advise I needed—NOT! Another co-worker volunteered advise that I was prepared to zone out as he spoke. “Penny, we’re not city dwellers. New Yorkers can pick you out in a second because you’re going to be walking around looking UP at the buildings.” Okay, he was TOTALLY correct and I knew it. This was the first time I would be in the big city. I’ve been in other cities, but does anything compare to NYC? 

Upon arrival, I was shocked at how unappealing the claustrophobic airport is. Squeezing into the transportation van with a driver I had uber trouble understanding left me a bit apprehensive. Speeding onto the freeway all I could see were lanes and lanes of cars. My first thought was, this is going to take forever and I am already soaked with sweat! Why hadn’t I grabbed a bottle of water, I’m thinking to myself. Because you didn’t see a vendor–you idiot! Little did I know that the endless lines of cars in my vision were not sitting still as I thought, but moving at WARP speed over a road that literally made my teeth rattle. Sweat pouring in places I’d rather not admit, I look up at the air conditioner vent to see it CLOSED! YIKES—no wonder I’m burning up. This Florida gal rarely turns off the a/c and of late, lives in a meat locker.  Open the vent…open the vent…OPEN THE VENT….opening that sucker is more difficult than one would think due to a driver determined to accumulate enough teeth from the passengers to make a haul from the tooth fairy! 

Horns blaring, barely breathing, holding on for dear life, my first big city taxi ride is exactly what is depicted in film! Doubtful I have ever gasped so much in such a short period of time, I’m relieved to have stopped….somewhere, anywhere….open the vent, open the vent, OPEN THE VENT! Magically, the door opens with the driver pointing to me. Struggling to wiggle by a young man who doesn’t budge to make this easier, I hit the pavement. “Hilton,” I hear the driver say. I look around…[I’m sure my eyes were HUGE], I look at him and sheepishly question, “Where?” This man is probably thinking, geez, tourists (that’s what we do in Florida). Following the arm pointing stories up, I locate the “HILTON” sign. FINALLY—I NEED A/C! Actually, I need an ice cold shower.

Immediately upon entering my room, I run to the window to look at the beautiful skyline. The building across from me has window washers on scaffolding…those dudes do not make enough money. I don’t care what they make, it would never be enough for me to be out there. I would be flat on my stomach holding on for dear life with my eyes closed tightly. 

Holy Crap, I’m completely worn out, having just experienced everything I had anticipated for the entire weekend in less than two hours. 

Picking up conference credentials was a snap, then off to the main ballroom for a special guest to address the conference. Walking into a humongeous ballroom, I quickly found a seat among the five thousand in attendance. Ladies and gentlemen, The President of the United States, Barack Obama! The deafening applause and screams erupted from the audience. Then……there he is live – on the screen – over the Internet, but he was addressing the predominently woman audience. Afterall, the conference is BlogHer – not BlogHim. The announcement of the address was made barely 24 hours before, I wondered, was this to be a political speech. Clearly, the speech was addressing women who know the power of social media. Politics were mentioned in a round round about way, but it did not smack you in the face as I expected. 

Link to President Obama’s speech 

I wanted to accomplish several goals at the BlogHer12 conference.