So here goes - short and sweet.
- Everybody at the conference had a love for blogging which was amazing. Everyone had their own particular style and point of view which was great to see.
- The place was filled with mummy bloggers. I am not a mummy blogger. Ergo I felt very out of place. It would probably have been better to market the day as a blogger meet up, or alternatively a mummy bloggers conference. Lessons for next time I guess.
- I met some awesome people. Emma, Janelle, Kirrilly, Fiona,and they are just the couple I can find links for right now.
- One session in particular was awe-inspiring - hearing Lori speak. I had tears in my eyes as she spoke - the strength and courage of one woman alone made the trip worthwhile. I didn't meet Lori at the conference, she was the belle of the ball and had plenty of other well-wishes, but it was worth going alone to hear her talk.
- Going off your meds for a week is not a good idea. Especially when said meds keep you sane and your moods level. I ran out of my ADs the day before my trip and didn't have time to get a new script. I am slowly getting back to normal but lesson well and truly learnt.
The one thing I repeatedly heard at the conference is that people don't talk about their children, or family or partners because, "that's not my story". Now I definitely believe in protecting your children and if you are private person, protect your anonymity. But all of that is my story. My brother stealing from my Mum and I? That is my story. My relationship with my husband is my story. My emotions at other peoples fortune and misfortune - yep, my story too. And that's what I blog about. Believe me, there have been times when I have wished I didn't say something when someone else has read a post and been hurt. But this is me being honest to myself about myself. Sometimes that is painful. If you don't want to be in my head, don't read my blog. But if you do, be prepared for what you might read. It's not all pretty.
The night before the conference, my brothers girlfriend found my blog; I am assuming from all my references to #ausblogcon2011 on facebook and twitter. She sent me an email that was remarkably mature in nature.
In essence it said that she was hurt by some of the things I wrote, but that she 'got it'. Some people won't get it. But either respect it or move on.
I did leave the conference with a mustard seed of an idea that I want to grow over the coming year. It's not so much a business idea, as a way that I can give back, and hopefully build my 'brand' at the same time. More coming when I have firmed things up some more.
For now - I am back in business.
It was so lovely to meet you. You are such a great dancer! Thanks for getting me up on the dance floor. :)
ReplyDelete"The place was filled with mummy bloggers. I am not a mummy blogger. Ergo I felt very out of place."
ReplyDeleteBINGO!!
the exact reason why i didn't go and why if next year's is the same i probably won't go then either. the last thing i want to do is pay to fly across the country, pay for a ticket and then be reminded of constantly of what i don't have, a group of bloggers i don't belong to/with.
i thought considering it was going to be attended by mainly mummy bloggers it was strange that it was marketed as the "aussie bloggers conference".
i'm sorry that you found it tough without your meds Bec, i can only imagine.
i think it's fabulous that you're an honest, open blogger. while i don't share myself in photo's or alot of detail, i am very open about what i feel and my emotions - for me there is no other way to write. if i was to censor what i was feeling then my writing would suffer.
~x~
I've been following Lori's blog too, she writes so eloquently for someone who is going through absolute hell.
ReplyDeleteI was worried that the conference would be overrun with mummy bloggers. Perhaps next year they could break it up into 3-4 categories or groups so that IFers don't have all the babies/kids stuff being rubbed in their faces.
I am glad that your brother's gf "gets it", it takes a certain level of maturity to accept what someone else writes about even if it is about you.
I am so glad I got to meet you, Bec. If only the music hadn't been so ruddy loud.... perhaps I could have gotten to know you a bit better!
ReplyDeleteMy usual radar to all things grating for IFers was set to mute, I must admit. You may think it strange that I still think of myself (and my partner) as IF.... well, we always will be. That will never change, technically. But now I am in an awkward world where I straddle the two realities. I don't belong with the "normal" mummy-bloggers and don't consider myself one at all. In saying that, I also don't believe there was much rubbing-in-faces of all things kids and mums, except in the My Blog, My Story section. Perhaps that's something the organisers can be mindful of next year. I do understand that when going through the painful throes of IF/IVF, everything feels like salt in the wound. Been there, had loads of salt rubbed in that over an extended number of years! So I hear what you're saying.
But there are other sectors of the wider community that were probably not catered for very well either. Disability, chronic illness, divorced/single parents, gay/lesbian, I could probably name a few more. I am totally with you and your commenters, trust me, in that it was confronting for those who did attend who weren't mums and I guess it was just because it was the brainchild of those founding members that this was the main focus, I guess? It was pretty clearly stated on the ABC website homepage that it was primarily for "mummy bloggers" (egh.. I really don't think I am one, again!). And perhaps hopefully more careful attention can be paid to these distinguishing factors next time. Honestly, it would have daunted me no end had I been in your position. I was deeply moved (having been where you are for so many years myself) when I found out your situation. I am not certain I would have felt strong enough to go, seriously, so hats off to you and deepest respect there.
I want to meet Miss Stink Bomb next time! Ya gotta come. I might have to send a real begging email to the event organisers that IF-ers are more considered/catered for... I get all the reasons why. Completely. It's a very difficult place to be. And isolating.
I'm sorry I didn't get around to reading your post here before now, I've been away and busy with work. Which is what I ought to be doing now.. x aherm.