Drank the Kool Aid

Y'all...(after a weekend in Nashville, I am allowed to drop a "ya'll" arent' I?) I had the most wonderful. weekend. EVAH!

First off, I finally got to meet Amy (Milkbreath and Margaritas/my first blog design) and Jamie (Blonde Mom Blog/first blog I ever read) I will tell you right here and now...I wanted to pack these girls up and bring them back to Chicago with me. They were just. that. AWESOME!

Second, I can't even begin to sum up the whole experience. I feel like I'm a lot more clued in than I was before. I learned about blogging, I had amazing opportunities to network, and I really connected with folks I now consider my friends. (so many I can't link them all here)

Now, down to the nitty gritty...what did I learn?

Well, I'll tell you...My favorite quote from the convention came from the woman herself (Allison) in the "Paths to success" session.

"Being authentic, and true, and being a nice person matters." Amen sister (and a virtual high five) I truly believe it takes no more energy to be nice than it does to be mean (probably less) and being nice gets you so. much. further.

I saw a few occasions where bloggers marched around like the queen be. I'm telling you, they were few and far between. For the most part, everyone was championing everyone else. It was about helping us all be better (better bloggers, better women, better writers, more marketable...you name it)

I met Ali, (for the first time btw) and I really assumed she had no idea who I was. Amy said, "Alli, this is Nap Warden" Do you know what she did?

She put her hands on her hips, struck her best super woman pose, and said "Where's your cape Nap Warden?" She totally in that moment, made me feel like we had been friends forever. I like that feeling. Everyone wants to be included, accepted, and part of the group.

Later in the day, a blogger came up to me and yelled "OMG...you're Nap Warden!" I had no idea who she was....but I rolled with it. I gave her a huge hug and said "OMG...it's SO great to meet you!" It was one of many great moments for me. I hope I made her feel as good about herself as she made me feel. Who doesn't want to be recognized? It's really nice, and I thank her for that:)

Up to now, I always hear about blogging as a community, but I finally really get it. We are not competing against each other. We really are on the same team. I want your blog to look great, whether it's from your own hacking, me giving you a blog makeover, or a different designer doing you up. I want great opportunities to come to your blog as much as I want that for my own. If any of you become The Pioneer Woman...I want you to pull us up with you...as will I;) That's what it's about, all of us growing our blogs and brands together. If you are stronger, we all are stronger. (I suppose you're thinking "Uh oh...Nap Warden drank the Kool Aid")

It was just that good of a vibe all weekend. I feel like a better person and blogger for having attended and I thank Alli, Barbara and Paula for the experience:)

*I'm going through all my cards and following everyone I met on Twitter...If I miss anyone please let me know:) I will also be doing a separate post for all of you on the Online Advertising session, it was really informative...

28 comments

  1. So glad I Finally got to meet you. And at #blissdom 2011, we are totally making a "breaking down Lost session" ;)

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  2. My first Nap Warden comment of the weekend....."I hate so and so's new blog design" as the person was sitting next to Nap Warden who did the design.

    I love you my friend!!!

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  3. It was AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME meeting you!!!! Of course I feel like I knew you already after our marathon phone conversations. I can't wait to see you again. BlogHer? :-)

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  4. I LOVE YOU
    period

    WISH that I'd had more time with you.. but, you were off being all popular and what not ;-) :-)

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  5. glad you had a great time. Sorry I didn't go

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  6. Gosh, that sounds awesome! I was so jealous seeing all of the tweets this weekend. Maybe next year.

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  7. Fun! I'll be living down South next year, and will definitely try to make it. What a great way to spend a few days...

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  8. Yes! I love that - I totally drank the Blissdom Kool-Aid too. Or rather, the blissdom hot chocolate (Thanks ConAgra!)

    It gets easier to sum up after a couple days. The fog lifts, the sun shines back on overwhelmed brain cells, and the golden nuggets start to shine. Can't wait to read what you remember most and what really stood out to you!

    Angela <><

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  9. Man, I wish I could have gone, too! Glad you had fun.

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  10. Glad you liked me. I'm not going to be easy to get rid of.

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  11. Great to meet you! BlissDom was fabulous!

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  12. This post makes me so excited for the conferences I am going to this year, your excitement is contagious.

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  13. Is it ridiculous that this made me tear up? No, I'm NOT pregnant :P Can't wait to meet you at BlogHer!

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  14. LOVED loved finally meeting you in person!!!! You rock. So glad we got a picture of the three of us. SNIFF.

    It's really kind of crappy to be back to normal today. Sigh...having withdrawal.

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  15. Ummm...I noticed your blog's tagline hadn't changed yet...get ON that, woman!!!

    Loved the instant connection we had. And the drinks! And the laughs!

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  16. I didn't know you before I came but I will not forget you now. I love your style, and blogging attitude. Love the story about Alli!

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  17. I love, love, LOVED meeting you. Your sense of humor is uniquely you and made me laugh. More than that, you made me feel COMFORTABLE in a room of 500 women that I didn't know! Maybe someday I'll be able to afford a nap-warden-drawn-cartoon-me :)

    Love!

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  18. Wow! Sounds like such an awesome time... I have heard amazing things from Blissdom weekend! I can't wait to go to the one in Canada in the fall... you should come, too! Hopefully we'll meet this summer at BlogHer!

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  19. I'm so glad I got to meet you! You have the most contagious smile and you are just too sweet! Also, fantastic use of the word y'all....you're like a true Southerner now!

    xo
    Mary Anne

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  20. The learning was great, but the community was greater, totally. Meeting you was a treat. See you around!

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  21. Great seeing you again and hope we cross paths at another Chicago event soon.

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  22. I had a fabulous time too! Great recap post =)

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  23. The conference sounds great! I'm kind of jealous that you got to dress up and have grown-up conversations for a few days. :)

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  24. Did you bring any of that kool-aid home with you...I could use some!

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  25. How fun to meet another designer/illustrator at the conference! I could have talked to you for hours about graphic design as the other conference goers eyes glazed over! I am looking forward to connecting with you over the next year before we meet again at Blissdom11. Together we could rule the digital art world! Talk to you soon!

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  26. Hi Nap, nice to meet you! No, I wasn't at the conference. My bloggy friend Kim over at Mom Tried It told me you were her roommate! So I just had to check out your blog! I love this post that summarizes Blissdom. So cool! I try to be myself and be real on my blog too.

    Anywho...nice to meet you, I'm totally a follower now!

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  27. What a great description of the conference. I hope to be able to make it next year. Thanks for sharing!

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