Blissdom Ice Breaker

Posted on January 13, 2012 by erin

 

I’m hanging out today with @CreativeKristi and @MeghanTucker who are hosting an awesome Blissdom Ice Breaker so we conference goers can get to know each other a bit before next month’s shindig.

So first off? What do I *really* look like? Because we all know my avatar here, on Twitter, and on Facebook is a fancy photo taken at my friend Heather’s wedding when my hair was professionally done AND I had actual makeup on. Neither of which happens in my everyday life. When you see me at Blissdom, this is most likely what you will see, although the hair may be up in a ponytail if it is (a) unwashed, or (b) I am hot and sweating like a pig because I’m totally nervous and freaking out:

C'est moi. At 8:45 on Friday the 13th, 2012. Voila!

What you need to know about me: Although this will be my second Blissdom, I’m still basically a conference newbie (only my 3rd ever) and I’m naturally kind of shy and anxious. I’m going to work on that, but if you see me hiding in a corner, please don’t hesitate to grab me and shake me. Or take me to one of the Opryland’s bars for a glass of Chardonnay.

I will be leaving my family behind in Kansas City, including my newborn baby girl, Piper, who is 12 weeks old today. This will be really difficult for me, but I need the time away PLUS I love the Blissdom experience and I grew so much from it last year…not only personally, but as a writer and blogger. I know this year will be even better.

Here’s a pic of me with some friends at last year’s conference. We called ourselves the #Scarf Tribe (p.s. I will very likely be wearing the same hot pink scarf this year as it’s one of my only ones and also favorites). From left to right: @HopefulLeigh, me, @Elainea & @DutchBeingMe.

I know the conference has a different layout this year, but I’m still going to be in the #WriterTribe. Also, I am selfishly staying in my own room because I’m looking forward to some alone time and uninterrupted sleep… NOT because I don’t love you all and want roommates!

My blog is a hodgepodge. I write fiction, poetry, stuff about my life and family, and a lot lately about the post-partum depression and anxiety I’ve been experiencing. Plus the aftermath of just having had my third child (I have three daughters altogether, 6-year-old twin girls plus new baby daughter). I don’t like to categorize my blog or corner myself—I blog about lots of different things and whatever I feel like.

So there you have it. I’m just me. I’m sarcastic, silly, a little shy, and looking forward to meeting you all and learning as much as I can at Blissdom.

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!

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  • http://www.creativekristi.com/ Kristi @ Creative Kristi

    I’ve been thinking I need to get one of those pretty avatars lol Mine is an ‘everyday’ photo ;) Thanks for linking up & I’ll be looking for that hot pink scarf this year!!

    • http://www.erinmargolin.com/ Erin Margolin

      Kristi,

      Look for that scarf for sure! It’s like my security blanket, LOL! Cannot wait to meet up–ps was going through my Blissdom stuff from last year and found your biz card along with my Blissdom necklace and even the pale blue rubber bracelets we got. SO EXCITED!!! Thanks for doing this linkup! I still need to visit the others’ pages, working on that today/tomorrow.

  • Courtney

    i think its great that you decided to go without the kids. yes you will miss them but I agree it needed to get away and have time for yourself everyone once in a while! Have a great time!

    • http://www.erinmargolin.com/ Erin Margolin

      Thanks, Courtney!

      My husband is getting his time off/away this week (he is going on a trip to Florida this week with about 10 of his high school buddies—for lots of golfing, drinking, poker, etc). So Blissdom is my turn!

  • http://twitter.com/saving4someday Sara Hawkins

    Can’t wait to see you again! BlissMitzvah 2.0 will be ON!

    • http://www.erinmargolin.com/ Erin Margolin

      Sara,

      Me either!! Are we doing it on Friday night? Do we have any concrete plans yet? I’m so behind w/ everything. I am SUPER EXCITED!!! xoxoxo

  • http://misadventuresofmrsb.com/ Mrs. Jen B

    Girl, get your sleep on.  :)

    I’m soooo looking forward to meeting you! We’d better run into each other! 

    • http://www.erinmargolin.com/ Erin Margolin

      Jen,

      We will MAKE IT HAPPEN!  I will have my phone and be tweeting from there so we can find each other….we can also exchange #s with each other beforehand, too if you want! YAY for Blissdom!

  • Jenna Farelyn

    I met Erin last year and she is a sweet, beautiful soul. 

     *HUG* love you!

    • http://www.erinmargolin.com/ Erin Margolin

      Frelle,

      You are so sweet. I want this to work out for you, too. @AnissaMayhew also suggested you check out her “media kit” (I am clueless about what that is)…to help w/ sponsorship stuff…please keep me posted. I hope you can make it work somehow. There’s still time. Keep sending stuff to BlogHer, too! xoxoxox

  • http://www.liveandlovework.com Chrysta Bairre

    This will be my first BlissDom and I’m excited and nervous! I relate to wanting to hide in the corner! When I feel overwhelmed or anxious by social situations I want to fade into the background and hope no one notices me. Of course another part of me wants someone to notice me and draw me out.

    Let’s agree to engage each other if either one of us sees the other withdrawing- what do you say?

    Chrysta

    • http://www.liveandlovework.com Chrysta Bairre

      Also, I’m a scarf-a-holic! I won’t be wearing the same scarf all weekend, but it’s unlikely you’ll see me without one. I want to be in the #scarf tribe! :)

    • http://www.erinmargolin.com/ Erin Margolin

      Chrysta,

      We have a deal! What tribe are you in (i.e. writing, photography, etc.)? I am writing…are you on Twitter? I will be tweeting a lot w/ my phone and maybe we can tweetup! ;-) I am @ErinMargolin on twitter if we aren’t already friends there?

      • http://www.liveandlovework.com Chrysta Bairre

        Erin,

        I will be spending most of my time in the Life Development track, while picking up a few sessions in each of the other tracks. It’s so hard to decide which to attend!

        I’m @LiveLoveWork on Twitter and I’m following you! Woo!

        Looking forward to meeting you at BlissDom!

        Chrysta

  • Anonymous

    Hi Erin! Nice to “meet” you :) I’m going to Blissdom too- first time in Nashville. I’ve been to the Blissdom Canada conference twice though. I’m also naturally shy and anxious and have 3 kids. 

    cheers!

    • http://www.erinmargolin.com/ Erin Margolin

      Tarasview,

      Yay! We sound a lot alike! But if you’ve been to Blissdom before, it won’t be quite as nervewracking for you. THe hotel is the scariest part—it’s HUGE and I kept getting lost in it! LOL! Ca’t wait to meet you! ;-)

  • http://notenoughpatience.com/ Greta @gfunkified

    Okay, first of all, you look FANTASTIC for having a baby that tiny! Amazing. I’m also from (near) KC, super shy, and leaving four kids (including one that will be 11 months old), and I’m going to Blissdom for the first time. Would love to meet you, Erin!

    • http://www.erinmargolin.com/ Erin Margolin

      Greta,

      Let’s plan on it!!! I just tweeted you. You are going to LOVE Blissdom. Are you going to the newbie meetup? You should—it might help? DO you have business cards?

  • Julie Gardner

    Now I’m even more sad that I’m not going to Blissdom.
    And also that I don’t own any scarves…

    • http://www.erinmargolin.com/ Erin Margolin

      Julie,

      That scarf? Is one of 2 that I own. I got it last year at Banana Republic. I HAD to have it b/c it was bright pink w/ fishies on it….I fell in love with it. And I figured one new, bright, fun accessory was just what I needed for meeting all these new people…and it really helped!
      I wish you were coming, too. I’d share my scarf with you.

  • Basilmomma Heather Tallman

    This is my first Blissdom! I have never left my family at home and I too am the anxious one in the corner!
    Love the scarf!

    • http://www.erinmargolin.com/ Erin Margolin

      Basilmomma/Heather,

      HOORAY for your first Blissdom! You are going to LOVE it, I promise! Let’s refuse to let each other hide in the corner, ok? We have to promise to reach out. Talk to people. Introduce yourself. Do you have business cards? When do you get in?

  • bywordofmouth

    I get to see you again!!! And we can just hide in that coffee shop again when we need a break (and caffeine!)

    • http://www.erinmargolin.com/ Erin Margolin

      Nicole,
      I remember that little coffeeshop! But we can’t forget the pretzel M & M’s! HAHAHAHAHHAHHAA

  • http://tiaras-and-trucks.blogspot.com Angela

    I would love to meet you!  I think I’m going to wander around between the writing track and the life development one, so I hope we cross paths.

    This is my first conference, and I am vascillating between giddiness and fear :)

    • http://www.erinmargolin.com/ Erin Margolin

      Angela,

      This time last year I was a nervous wreck—so you are not alone. Let’s definitely try to meet up. Email me your cell # and I assume you will be tweeting so we can always find one another that way, too? email me at erin_margolin at yahoo dot com!

      ps there’s a special gathering for newbies (which they did NOT have last year and I so wish they would have), you should go! check the schedule!

  • http://www.misselaineouslife.com Elaine A.

    Go #ScarfTribe! So sorry to miss you there this year.  Have a great time and think of me, k? Hope you can get some rest while you are there too… xoxo

    • http://www.erinmargolin.com/ Erin margolin

      Elaine,

      You need to make me a Flat Elaine to take along! I am so not artistic and can’t do it alone. But think it would be so much fun to have you along in spirit and for funny pics! xoxo

  • http://twitter.com/TruthfulMommy Truthful Mommy

    First, OMG you are so adorable but I would have never recognized you because I would have been looking for a blonde:) Second, now I wish I was going to Blissdom because I would totally LOVE to meet you. Third,when we do meet, I am totally giving you a giant hug because I think you are so awesome. I’ve only been to one conference ( Bloggy Boot Camp Chicago) and GDRPEmpress, assured me that I looked like my avatar…only she was expecting me to be wearing a red nose and riding a trike because I act so silly on Twitter…I was not, nor do I on most days ( contrary to popular belief)LOL Have fun!

    • http://www.erinmargolin.com/ Erin Margolin

      TruthfulMommy/Deb,

      I WOULD TOTALLY LOVE to meet you, too! I wish you were coming to Blissdom, too. Sad face. But there’s the Aiming Low Non-Con????

  • http://www.leighkramer.com/ HopefulLeigh

    I’m sad I won’t get to be an official Scarf Tribe member with you this year! I will definitely wear a scarf whenever I stop by Opryland to see everyone- which will hopefully include you!