My Obligatory Type-A Conference Prep Post
I’m very excited to be heading to Asheville this week for the Type-A Conference. I am so pumped, for numerous reasons. I’ll get to see some old friends I haven’t seen in a while. I’ll get to finally meet, in person, some women who have become very dear to me through online relationships. Plus, I’m not speaking at this conference, so I get to completely relax!
There are loads of great posts out there on how to prepare for and what to expect from a conference. So instead of doing one of those, I’m going to do a post about what my fellow conference attendees should expect from me. Forewarned is forearmed, after all.
Me at my last conference, hugging Niri. It was only a side hug for photo purposes.
- I’m a hugger. Big full-frontal hugs, not wimpy side hugs. If you see me coming toward you with arms spread, feel free to run away.
- I am shy, in an odd way. I think everyone else is a famous star and über-popular and I remember most everyone I ever meet, but I think no one ever knows who I am (nor do they want to), even when they’ve met me many times. That means I rarely have the nerve to go up to someone and initiate a conversation or introduce myself. So please feel free to make the first move. I’ll love you forever if you do.
- My voice and my laugh are loud and obnoxious.
- I’m an interrupter. Feel free to call me out on that.
- I am also a storyteller. If you want a good, funny (but not necessarily brief) story on just about any topic, come find me.
- I’m pretty laid back when I’m in a group. Don’t ask me where I want to eat or if I’m going to an event, because my answer will be “whatever.” My entire childhood was filled with large amounts of people trying to make en masse decisions, and frankly, I’m just exhausted by it.
- I don’t do drama. I may be willing to nod my head and listen to your drama if I’m in a good mood, but I probably won’t weigh in on it. Unless you force me. In which case, you should know…
- I am blunt. Tactless. Terse. (Let me get my thesaurus…) I have opinions and I’m not afraid to share them. I am terribly insensitive, and I’m working on that. Please don’t take me personally. If I seem hard on you, it’s not because I don’t like you. In fact, it’s probably quite the opposite. It’s probably because I care about you.
- If you want to talk about how hard it is to leave your family to come to a conference and how much you miss your kids and how you’ve never spent a night away from your three-year-old, then don’t come talk to me. I love taking mini-breaks away from my family. I think it’s good for me and good for them. And I think people who don’t agree are crazy.
- That said, I love playing with your kids and cuddling your baby. If you need someone to give a bottle or occupy Junior for a few moments while you take a break, I’m game.
- I am a prude. I do not want to see any of your private parts. Keep ‘em covered. (I know that it might not be necessary to say this, but conferences can get wild, so I’d just like to go ahead and put it out there.) (And yes, this means breastfeeding boobies.) (And yes, my two roommates, this rule applies to you, too.)
- I was the nerd in school. I still am. I sit at the front. I listen to the speaker, and I don’t talk in class. I take copious notes. But I have eased up a little since my school days, so now I don’t mind letting you borrow my notes. And I love rehashing the lecture afterwards. Going to industry conferences is like the best of college without the pressure of grades.
- I dig high heels. I wear them at the most impractical times. So please bear with me as I walk slowly because my feet are killing me.
- Please give me your card! I will check out your blog and I will follow you on Twitter and I will stay in touch. I hope you’ll do the same for me.
I hope the above hasn’t scared you off, because I mean it when I say I can’t wait to meet you! See you soon!
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Comments
My goodness. Cut from the same cloth, down to the ragged edges. It’s like staring in a mirror.
I’m reading this list and I’m confused. You’ve positioned many of these things in a way that might make them seem ‘bad.’ And that scares me because a lot of them sound like me. And surely THAT can’t be the case.
Although, last week while stomping around and shouting, Brad said to me, “I can’t imagine why it is you got fired.”
Hmm, maybe they are bad things. I guess if you’re ok with them, I am too.
Brad’s comment sounds exactly like something Nick would say.
I didn’t really mean for them to sound bad, but yeah, they do. Oh well. For all my bad traits, at least I’m honest.
We’re not “bad,” we’re just not for everyone!
oh my. I think we might be twins.
Can’t wait for my hug!
Thanks for linking back to me. Ok I am a hugger too…and I dont do drama either! Can’t wait to meet you this week
86 the hugging and heels and I am with you for all the rest…mmm except I DO like to order for myself. I will be happy to order your dinner for you if you want to go with the flow. Excited to meet you and dodge the hug.
Anna
@marbjar
So bummed I didn’t get to visit your table. I’m dying to try your app.
I love pretty heels. I’ll walk slowly with you. And I promise not to show you any of my girl parts.
And you’ll pull me up when I fall in them. Love you.
Well I like everything about you so far. Cannot wait to meet you in person!
Hooray for being a fellow nerd and one who loves mini breaks from the family! You can hug me anytime! See you there!
Okay so I’m “that mom” the one that will be missing her kids, but it’s my first go-round and I promise not to talk about it too much. However I am super excited to meet you and will remember you, I promise.
See you soon!
“So please bear with me as I walk slowly because my feet are killing me.”
You are crazy.
Not gonna argue with you.
I had no idea such events as this occured. How interesting. Do you have to be like, a professional blogger or something to attend? Can you just be like, a dabbler?
(When I go into the nursing home they’ll have to pry my heels and my lip gloss out of my crotchety arthritic hands.)
RebeccaFlys
No way, you don’t have to be a professional! Blogging conferences are excellent for anyone, whether you’re just considering starting a blog or whether you’re already making loads of money and are a famous blogger. The networking and education are invaluable.
Well, I didn’t get to see this until after I’d already met you! But, it was nice to meet you!
You too!
All of these things is why I fell in love with you when we met at a blogging conference. Kind of awkward, huh? Oh well. Please tell me you’re coming to BlogHer so I can give you a full frontal hug.
Hope you had fun at TypeA
Oh, how I wish I were coming. It’s just not in my budget right now.
This post CRACKED me up. So glad I got to meet you on Wed night!! Next time I’ll expect a full on frontal hug.