BlogHer13' - Open Mic, and Meeting Real Humans That Exist on The Internet

My experience has been a whirlwind. Being at BlogHer13' has been surreal to say the least. When I stepped off the plane it was hard to process the fact that I made it here.

I've had so many wonderful experiences since being here.

Here are a few I'll share:

I had the pleasure of reading at open mic night for Listen to Your Mother Creator Ann Imig 
It was so funny. My roommate Trish wanted to read at this event, and I came along.

All of a sudden I heard "Sarah!"
I turned around, and there was Stephanie Precourt from Adventures in Babywearing. I've known Steph online for years, and I worked on 5 Minutes For Parenting with her.

When I saw Steph's face (and her cute little striped sweater) I was kvelling. I felt at home!

Something ignited inside me. All of a sudden I felt I could do this, I could read in front of these people.
Then I saw Ann Imig sitting there in her gorgeous green dress, and I introduced myself.

I was already having kind of a shitty day, but when I saw the bowls to submit your name to read your funniest/most heartwarming/best blog post, I thought "what the hell!" Seeing Steph and Ann gave me a second wind.

So I charged my phone and threw a paper with my name into the sea of other papers with other people's names.

I auditioned for Listen to Your Mother in New York with my piece Unintentional Natural Childbirth. I decided in that moment that I would read that very post!

Being up at the podium was thrilling. Knowing people were listening to my words was gratifying.

Thank you Ann and Steph for that opportunity!

The next day, I ran into Jason Mayo at lunch! We had some great conversations and he gave me some sage advice. Thanks man, you know what you did ;)

I also had a chance to chill with Tanis Miller  She's fucking awesome. She's also a Libra!

This afternoon, I was the mic wrangler for Tanis Miller and Jenni Chiu's session on blog storytelling. 

I finally got to meet Jenni from Mommynanibooboo. I've read her for years, and I admire her candor. 

Thank you, Jenni. You are a real person. It meant a lot to meet you. 

Rita Arens and Julie Godar and I had a fun conversation about astrology. Rita is an Aquarius but she's got a moon in cancer, so she's sensitive. Julie is a  June Gemini. We talked about how crazy May Geminis are :D

Also penguins! 

I've been blogging since 2009. I've poured my heart, my soul, and my insides into this space. It hasn't always been pretty. There have been ecstatic moments, there have been horrific ones. I've lived here. The couch is worn, the cushions are faded and it may smell like nag champa, but this space is mine.

I want it to grow. I want people to read my words. 

Thank you to my mom, who encouraged me to come to BlogHer. 

I was afraid to put myself out there in an overt way, but I did it.

I'm not afraid anymore.

There's an apple tree with a big bright red ripe apple. I can see it. I'm going to climb that tree, pull the apple down and taste a long satisfying bite. As a chew, I will taste my dreams realized.