Tuesday
Oct232012
I Was a Community Leader at Blissdom Canada '12, and a Lot of Things Happened
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Whenever I go to a social media conference, I am left with a month's worth of stories, but no one wants me to dedicate an entire month to posts about my four days in Toronto at Blissdom Canada '12. Damn you all for having taste.
So, a whirlwind tour it is!
I dyed my hair before going, because I saw hair salon tweets from conference-goers, and I am easily influenced when suffering pre-conference anxiety.
I wore my Christmas argyle toe socks for the flight from Regina to Toronto, because they are what keep the airplanes I ride in up in the air.
On Friday morning, the entire Marilyn Denis Show audience was made up of Blissdom Canada people, of which I was one. And these people (aka Shannon McKarney, Bon Stewart, and Susie Parker):
This little guy hung out with us at the show:
I would show you the picture of me with Marilyn Denis, but I ended up looking like a psychotic Weeble Wobble with three chins who'd just been hit in the back of the head with two-by-four, so I erased it in a fit of good sense and human decency.
Then, I decompressed next to a pond with some ducks:
And then, I had supper with Annie of PhD in Parenting, where I neglected to take any photos, because I was busy dealing with some pretty tasty spaetzle.
And then, the Palinode and I met up with Gayla Trail and her partner, Davin. They took us all over Chinatown, and then we had coffee in a little coffee shop with a bathroom that looked like this:
Not to knock their tour-guiding skills, though! They were lovely, even if the bathroom was a health violation. The Palinode and I are secretly selling our apartment and have bought a lovely little bungalow next door to them.
No, that's not happening. We only wish that we were that dedicated to stalking fabulous people.
Did you know that, according to the In Case Of Fire notice in the hotel hallway, if you make or cause to be made an alarm of Fire, you are guilty of an offense. Make an alarm of fire, and you are guilty of some nondescript offense! They'll tell you what that is later!
The Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General needs an editor.
During the actual conference, from the party on Friday night straight through the microsessions and the speakers all day on Saturday, I didn't take any photos. I forget to take out my phone when I am being overwhelmed by hundreds of people, sponsors, and events.
Even though there is no evidence here, I assure you that I was a Blissdom Canada Community Leader, I attended the opening party, I lead three microsessions on iPhoneography, I watched great speakers, and the presence of a Starbucks booth giving out free coffee nearly cured me of my atheism.
Later, the Palinode and I had supper with Bon Stewart, Motherbumper, Redneck Mommy, and Jessica. I only mention this because I'm name-dropping.
The Palinode was a rather well-dressed dragon for the traditional closing Blissdom Canada Halloween party.
I dressed in a black turtleneck with comfortable shoes and told people alternately that I was an academic, a member of the French Resistance, or a lesbian spy.
Barbara Jones and Bon Stewart both win for being kick ass:
JC Little wins for going meta with me and drawing me while I took photos of her doing the drawing:
And here's her drawing of me!
Look, I know this entry is really long, but it's mostly scrolling, and we're almost done! I swear!
Motherbumper and I lead an excursion on Sunday to the Canadian Movember headquarters and then on a short photowalk.
RadioRedHead and I mo-sista-ed it up:
Here's our whole Movember excursion crew:
And then on Monday, the Palinode and I hung out with Mrs. Wilson and her wonderful aunt, flew home, and were welcomed back by horrifying raw chicken carnage care of our three evil-genius cats.
And that, my last remaining readers, was Blissdom Canada '12!
The End.
So, a whirlwind tour it is!
I dyed my hair before going, because I saw hair salon tweets from conference-goers, and I am easily influenced when suffering pre-conference anxiety.
I wore my Christmas argyle toe socks for the flight from Regina to Toronto, because they are what keep the airplanes I ride in up in the air.
On Friday morning, the entire Marilyn Denis Show audience was made up of Blissdom Canada people, of which I was one. And these people (aka Shannon McKarney, Bon Stewart, and Susie Parker):
This little guy hung out with us at the show:
I would show you the picture of me with Marilyn Denis, but I ended up looking like a psychotic Weeble Wobble with three chins who'd just been hit in the back of the head with two-by-four, so I erased it in a fit of good sense and human decency.
Then, I decompressed next to a pond with some ducks:
And then, I had supper with Annie of PhD in Parenting, where I neglected to take any photos, because I was busy dealing with some pretty tasty spaetzle.
And then, the Palinode and I met up with Gayla Trail and her partner, Davin. They took us all over Chinatown, and then we had coffee in a little coffee shop with a bathroom that looked like this:
Not to knock their tour-guiding skills, though! They were lovely, even if the bathroom was a health violation. The Palinode and I are secretly selling our apartment and have bought a lovely little bungalow next door to them.
No, that's not happening. We only wish that we were that dedicated to stalking fabulous people.
Did you know that, according to the In Case Of Fire notice in the hotel hallway, if you make or cause to be made an alarm of Fire, you are guilty of an offense. Make an alarm of fire, and you are guilty of some nondescript offense! They'll tell you what that is later!
The Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General needs an editor.
During the actual conference, from the party on Friday night straight through the microsessions and the speakers all day on Saturday, I didn't take any photos. I forget to take out my phone when I am being overwhelmed by hundreds of people, sponsors, and events.
Even though there is no evidence here, I assure you that I was a Blissdom Canada Community Leader, I attended the opening party, I lead three microsessions on iPhoneography, I watched great speakers, and the presence of a Starbucks booth giving out free coffee nearly cured me of my atheism.
Later, the Palinode and I had supper with Bon Stewart, Motherbumper, Redneck Mommy, and Jessica. I only mention this because I'm name-dropping.
The Palinode was a rather well-dressed dragon for the traditional closing Blissdom Canada Halloween party.
I dressed in a black turtleneck with comfortable shoes and told people alternately that I was an academic, a member of the French Resistance, or a lesbian spy.
Barbara Jones and Bon Stewart both win for being kick ass:
JC Little wins for going meta with me and drawing me while I took photos of her doing the drawing:
And here's her drawing of me!
Look, I know this entry is really long, but it's mostly scrolling, and we're almost done! I swear!
Motherbumper and I lead an excursion on Sunday to the Canadian Movember headquarters and then on a short photowalk.
RadioRedHead and I mo-sista-ed it up:
Here's our whole Movember excursion crew:
And then on Monday, the Palinode and I hung out with Mrs. Wilson and her wonderful aunt, flew home, and were welcomed back by horrifying raw chicken carnage care of our three evil-genius cats.
And that, my last remaining readers, was Blissdom Canada '12!
The End.
categorized in writing and blogging and tagged in Blissdom, Blissdom Canada, Movember, Toronto, conference, conferences
writing and blogging and tagged in Blissdom, Blissdom Canada, Movember, Toronto, conference, conferences 
Reader Comments (20)
I absoloutly hate that you were in the same city and I missed you! Soon my friend I'm going to hop on a tin can and fly for coffee....
SoberJulie, I need to take extra days at these conferences for non-conference hanging out!
I was so happy to end up on this excursion with you! I can't wait to have a minute to finish watching your Ted Talk.
Great weekend! Great write-up.
Sounds like a wonderful time!
I thought Bon Stewart was kinda cute in that first photo... then I fell in love with her a little bit when I saw the Ziggy Stardust shot....
*sigh*
I really enjoyed our lunch together. Can't wait to follow up on our plans. :) So great seeing you and Aidan again and getting all caught up.
Miss you already. I'm that needy Albertan you just can't shake.
Redneck Mommy, I'm a fan of needy Albertans.
Jealous of the folks you were in company with! Looks like a great time and I believe you when you say you were there. Sure. I do.
(We met at the cheeseburger party at Blogher this year and chatted very briefly. Bon Stewart was standing in the group too...can't remember who else except you and Aidan. Just stopping by to say hi!)
xo Jill
Thank you for sharing the Blissdom with those of us who couldn't be there Schmutzie! I love JC's drawing of you. What was JC's costume at the party? I couldn't tell, but it looks cool - either Bowie Space Odyssey or a member of Kiss. ;) That bathroom reminds me of every club bathroom my band ever played at and some of the "dressing rooms". Ha!
Mod Mom Beyond Indiedom, you're welcome!
I think JC's costume was her inner werewolf emerging, and I loved it.
I loved your long, scrolly-down entry, and especially the link to your evil kitties' welcome home greeting. Thanks, the rest of my day will be happy and laughy!
Was SO rad to be able to spend a bunch of time with you. :)
Awesome, fun shots, and I'm jealous that you got to go to the Movember headquarters. Well, when our team wins for getting $700000 in donations this year, maybe I'll get invited. I also love that you got JC's boots in there.
That looks like an amazing few days with fabulous people. Also Canadian bloggers are all cool and SHOULD walk around in black turtlenecks like the hipsters they are in my mind.
My earlier comment got eaten. I shall try to be evermore eloquent.
DAMN I LOOK GOOD IN THAT PIC.
I'm so glad I overcame my shyness to talk to you and the Palinode =]
The Animated Woman, I kept this photo a secret so you could see it for the first time larger :)
you rock and I <3 you.
Each year I love you more than the last! <3
Shash, you're not too shabby, either :)
You're awesome! I don't really know what else to add...