BlogHer Wardrobe and Big Time Nerves
Posted by Pamela Jeanne at 7/13/2008 10:05 AM and is filed under Signs of Progress,Reconciling My Fate 
If you see me at the Blogher 08 conference starting later this week chances are good -- unless I spill red wine or spaghetti sauce on it -- you'll find me wearing a little something in white I created for the occasion (see below).
I still find it highly ironic that I'm part of the Mommyblogging track. The panel I'm on Saturday, July 19, is called When the Road To Motherhood Is Anything But Smooth: Infertility, Adoption and Miscarriage Bloggers.
The session includes two incredible women I've been emailing for more than a year now -- Lori and Mel. I'm very excited to meet them in person. You can bet a large number of G&Ts (or other adult beverages of choice) will be consumed as I've been promising them for some time now, and I expect they'll take the edge off my nerves.
Nerves. Ah, yes. I've got mucho butterfly-os in my stomach-o. MUCHO! I'm perfectly at ease and fairly articulate in front of my computer, but public speaking on a topic that touches this close to home and requires such deftness in the face of so many myths and misunderstandings, well, I just don't want to do a poor job representing ... y'know what I mean?
You've given me some great thoughts (seen in the comments section here) to work into the conversation. I only hope the stage fright doesn't knock them out of my head. If you have more thoughts or ideas about settling my stomach, I'm all ears. Also, please let me know if you plan to be there. Would love, love, love to meet some of my readers.
So here's me modeling part of my BlogHer wardrobe:
p.s. Reduced, the images lose some legibility (trust me it looks better in person), but you should recognize Calliope's lovely blog banner designs, and, of course my blog URL. You can find more Show and Tell stories and images here.
p.p.s. Deep breaths, that's right keep breathing, Pamela Jeanne...
What a great idea! It looks fabulous on you.
Soon we can start to count down the hours. Until we hover over G&Ts.
Mwah, my friend.
Reply to this
*SIGH* Oh, to be even just a fly on the wall there!! I have no doubt, you girls are going to knock their socks off (if anyone wears socks in SanFran in the middle of July...). Love the T-shirt!!
Re: being lumped in with Mommybloggers... the now-defunct board that I recently wrote about was originally called Childfree Living... at the request of the women who posted there, it was changed to Childless Living (there were two other boards called Childfree by Choice in other areas of the site) -- but it was still called Childfree Living on the main boards page and, for quite a long time, was slotted under (get this) the "Family Planning" section!! No wonder nobody could find us...!
Reply to this
It looks great. Very very cool.
I asked Mel this the other day, but what the hell, I'll ask you too-- is there any way you guys can record the panel for a later podcast?
Reply to this
Lori is working on that very idea...
Between us all, we'll keep y'all posted!
Good to know we'll have the greater blog-osphere there in spirit
Reply to this
Thanks! I hope it works.
Reply to this
Love the T!
Reply to this
Really glad to hear you're doing this.
Just before you go on stage, visualize everyone in the room... naked.
If that doesn't work, ask yourself what's the worse that can happen. Then ask yourself what the chances are of that really happening. I usually find that by the time I get to the 2nd question, I've got the fear monkey on the run.
Good luck and I'm sure it will go wonderfully!!
P.S. Shirt is fab.
Reply to this
LOVE the t!!! and it looks fabulous on you. what a terrific idea.
I'm still trying to get in to the panel. it's a harder ticket than a huge sold out concert! either way, I'm trying to coordinate with mel about meeting up when you all have time...
about the nervous stomach -- don't drink coffee, do drink/eat mint and ginger. and most importantly, don't forget to b r e a t h e!!!
Reply to this
The shirt looks fantastic, and I'm sure you will do brilliantly.
J
Reply to this
I love it! The shirt is a great idea. And we are going to have a fantastic round of cocktails.
Reply to this
Good luck Pamela Jeanne! You'll be great!
Reply to this
Great shirt. I like it. I wish I had the whole weekend off so I could come meet everyone.
Reply to this
Hope you have fun! Drink an extra G&T for me. I wish I could join you guys.
Reply to this
Love the shirt!
I was very nervous before the forum I participated in too, but after a shaky start (physically, not verbally), it fell in place. I think you will find that your thoughts and feelings have been conveyed to people so many times that it will come out again naturally.
I'm sure you will be great. I wish I could be there to hear you and meet all of you.
Can't wait to hear how it goes.
Reply to this
Great idea! I'm so happy you will be speaking at BlogHer...just imagine you're talking to us if you start feeling too nervous. I'm looking forward to hearing all about it when you get back.
Reply to this
Good luck, Pamela Jeanne! I'm sure that you, Mel and Lori are going to do a brilliant job at representing our community at BlogHer.
No matter how many times we may have done it before, presenting in public is always a nerve-wracking process - particularly when one is speaking on something so close to one's heart as infertility. The temptation is just to get up and get through it as quickly as possible - so remember to slow down, and to take plenty of pauses to enable your audience to take in what you're saying.
I'll be thinking of you all.
Reply to this
Loving the tshirt. If only everyone was going to look just like their blog. I'm planning to do a lot of staring at badges.
Reply to this
You'll be fine. You can bring your notes on index cards (on a ring so if they fall, they won't get messed up) if you find you need them. As my peeps say, BE FABULOUS!
Reply to this
The shirt is fantastic! Your going to do great! And how wonderful to be able to meet Mel and Lori in person!
Good luck!!
Reply to this
Fits to a T. : ) Have a great time. Thanks for doing this for all of us!
Reply to this
You girls are going to ROCK!!!!
Hope you have a wonderful time!!
Reply to this
Love the T!
It will probably be very scary and nerve-wracking at the beginning, but I'm going to bet that once the panel gets going you will be feeling fine.
Wish I could be there to see you all in person. Do let us know about the podcast if that happens!
Good Luck! You'll be great!
Reply to this
I love your shirt. I think you, Lori, and Mel will do wonderfully this weekend! I only wish that I could be there.
Reply to this
Good luck, Pamela Jeanne! Knock 'em dead!
Reply to this
I'm so glad you're going to represent our community! You'll be great. Love the t-shirt.
Reply to this
Love the T!!!
Am so jealous that I won't be at BlogHer!
Ok, deep breaths...i'm breathing with ya: HOO-HOO-HOO-HEE-HEE-HEE...
Reply to this
I am the same way when it comes to public speaking. Thanks for speaking up for all us infertiles out there.
Reply to this
I.m sorry.I'm not speak English.
Pamela Live is good, bad, live is live.
(I know your story from polish New York Times: http://partnerstwo.onet.pl/1492673,4704,,godzac_sie_na_zycie_bez_dzieci,artykul.html
Thank you.
Poland
Reply to this
I feel very fortunate to have been able to participate. It was an interesting session and, by far, the one with the most tears... I am so glad I got a chance to finally meet you!
Reply to this
Likewise, Rachel! It was great to meet you in person, too. Thank you so much for your participation in our panel. It meant a lot to see you in the room. A friendly face goes a long way to minimizing nerves! Glad you made it home safely.
Reply to this