Posts Tagged: Blissdom11
Who Can Tell Your Story?
Who can read the pain in your face (or joy, or fear, or doubt)?
Who can make you laugh with one word (or with a look)?
Who will tell you the truth when you ask for it (or even when you don’t, but need to hear it)?
Who will smoke a cigarette with you even if she hasn’t in YEARS (or tell you that you shouldn’t do it, even if, socially)?
Who’s okay with not talking to you on the phone because you’d rather Skype (or text)?
Who’s gonna hold your hair back while your puking (or know to leave you alone because you hit a wall)?
Who knows your deepest secrets (and whose do you equally know)?
Who knows your story (and knows exactly how to tell it for you)?
GIRLFRIENDS.
I have few friends who can read pain, joy, fear, or doubt in my face. I have few friends who can make me laugh with one word or a look. I have few friends who will tell me the truth when I ask for it, and even when I don’t. I have a few friends who will smoke that social smoke with me, and a few who will spank me if I do. I have a few friends who are totally ok with Skyping till our fingers hurt as opposed to talking our ears off. I have a few friends that would hold my hair back or leave me alone without even asking why. I have a few friends who know my deepest, darkest secrets, and I know theirs just the same. I have few friends who know my story and who can tell it in a way that would make me proud.
Lotus? She’s one of my girlfriends!
[Photos Courtesy of Lotus Carroll]
My Bliss
My Bliss: Part X
In 2009 I wrote this after Blissdom:
“Various bloggers from various blogging circles (or not) came together, but from what I observed everyone was made to feel welcomed and united. It was a great thing to witness. Every one of us unique in our own rite, just like the bricks of a building.
Together they are strong and sturdy.
Together they are beautiful and they contribute to a greater good.
Together they make up so much more than one little brick standing alone.”
Together we are strong and sturdy.
Together we defend each other.
Together we are beautiful and we contribute to a greater good.
Together we accept our differences.
Together we make up so much more than one little brick standing alone.
Together we make an impact on the world.
This is bliss—my bliss.
Saturdays Are Perfect for Photowalks & Sushi
My Bliss: Part IX
We were all very slow to move on Saturday morning. We were tired, the week had caught up with us, and, personally, the late nights finally took their toll. Lotus and I got to bed at 4’something, and I didn’t fall asleep until well after 4:30am, due to my poor, achy, throbbing feet. We did have a nice few moments on the floor in front of our room, though. Except we were on the wrong floor. But, I digress… Just looking at Lotus’ boots, on Saturday morning, hurt my feet, as I opted to walk around the Opryland Hotel in my house slippers.
A small group of photogranerds met for the photo-walk. I was so pleased to see each and every one of them.
We stopped at the brick steps so that I could take some portraits of all the walkers. Jennifer even took one of me.
Shab caught me while working. I totally love these pictures because I feel like I’m in a zone when I’m photographing someone, and to actually see myself while in that zone is really interesting.
Then the photo-walk continued…
As my feet were submerged in the cold-cold water of the man-made brook, two men of God approached me. Few words were spoken, but there was an understanding as to why I was so keen to dangle my feet, slipped in, the water like liquid socks. He smiled. I smiled. I almost asked him if he wanted to join me.
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After the walk was over we went up to where Vdog and Jim were waiting for us. Before we headed off to lunch, I got to say “hi”—via video-chat—to my old friend (an OG Cre8buzzer) Mr. Lady. It was so nice to “see” her, too; I only wish she would have been at Blissdom.
We decided to hit the sushi restaurant. And, we indulged in some of the best sushi that I’ve had in a long time. After a little while Leslie and Rachel joined up with us. It was a nice way to spend the final moments of Blissdom together.
Before we said our goodbyes I asked V, Leslie, Rach, and Jim what their favorite part of Blissdom was.
Join me tomorrow when I give my final thoughts about My Bliss.
Girls Night In & Out {With a Couple of Boys}
My Bliss: Part VIII
The night started off with a bunch of girlfriends enjoying some Mexican food. Rachel, Casey, Emily, Leslie, Victoria, Maile, Lotus, and I had a wonderful dinner together, full of good conversation and delicious food. These are those special moments of a conference, stolen away, intimate, and bonding.
Then it was time for us to hit the red carpet at the Girls Night In Party. Girls Night In at Blissdom is one of my favorite things. It has to do with Karaoke, which I could have fun doing all night long if you let me. This year the bonus was performances by Chris Mann and Crystal Bowersox, extra drink tickets, and the ever awesome Freschetta Photo Booth! Seriously, every party needs a photo booth. Chris was sweet enough to record a message for Olivia (one of his biggest little fans, but she’s not a bigger fan than her Ma, yo!)
Me in All My Karaoke Glory [Photos Courtesy of Jennifer and Shab]
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After the Girls Night In Party we headed over to Fuse, where we danced our happy asses off.
This part of the night was the most fun. The music, the dancing, the sweat, the beats, the love—it was utterly amazing!
Everyone danced together while on the periphery there were men from the other conference, that was going on, watching us. There were only a couple men on the dance floor, Jim being one of them. We were all having a blast, dancing all Johnny Castle and Baby, together. All of a sudden I felt someone’s body up against my backside. Oh! Dirty Blissdom Fuse Dancing. Fun! When I look around and spot everyone that would have been ALLOWED to Johnny Castle me. There’s Loter. There’s Momo. There’s Jim. There’s the Love Bomb Crew. There’s Jana. There’s Heather. There’s Rach. There’s EVERY. SINGLE. BLISSFRIEND. So, I turn around and it’s this creepy agriculture guy in a green button down. Once I see that it’s not one of my people, grabbing my ass, my eyes pop out of my head and I mouth “help me” to Jim. Just then the guy FULLY gooses me.
“Oh My God, you are SO naughty,” I yell at him, as I turn to Jim, point, and say, “DUDE, THIS IS MY HUSBAND!”
Jim rescues me with a hug and the green shirted creep buzzes off at the speed of light; I’m sure he thought Jim would go all Kung Fu on him, or something, because Jim could totally eff a dude up. Just sayin’.
At that point, I adopted Jim as my husband for the night. Then I found out that he was everyone else’s fauxsband. Whatever. He likes me best, I’m sure!
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Plopped on the stairs, we were beat. We were also coming to the realization that Blissdom was soon to end. This particular night ended with the pouring out of hearts. And while we were sad that it was soon going to end, and we’d soon be going home, we took comfort in knowing that our friendships were stronger because of these moments.
A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.
—Douglas Pagels
Bliss is…
Lunch with a table full of friends.
Seeing an old friend’s baby for the first time (not to mention hugging his beautiful Mama and Aunt).
Laughter. Unadulterated silliness. Rinse, lather, repeat.
Taking pictures of beautiful women.
Listening to a smart, funny, good looking guy talk about stuff that you just “get”.
BEING PART OF A FLASH MOB!!!!
Blissdom Flash Mob, FTW! [Photos Courtesy of Dawn Camp]
***Look carefully, I’m diagonally behind Chris Mann in the black and white, and in the color picture both my hands are back as we are doing the “slow-mo Matrix” part of the dance! Thank you to Jana (and everyone else who was involved) for the choreography and execution of this awesome, and most memorable experience!
We Rock! [Courtesy Hannah Braboy]
My Bliss: Part VII
{Part I}{Part II}{Part III}{Part IV}{Part V}{Part VI}
