BlogHer '08: Liveblogging. When The Road To Motherhood is Anything but Smooth

The infertility panel! Woot!

Sadly, this panel is up against some serious competition, mainly the blog-to-book panel (which I will watch the webcast of later). I decided that I needed to be here. After all, if it wasn't for infertility I wouldn't be blogging. So.

Intro of panel. Cool folks all.

Calling the community ALI (adoption, loss, and infertility). AWESOME.

Mel (Stirrup Queen) is moderating.

First up: why we blog about it. I babbled something long and grandiose. Someone took a picture of it.

Lori just called the panel the View on Clomid. Heh.

Pamela is talking about feeling invisible her at the conference, and her latest blog entry is sad... I guess some folks feel overwhelmed about the whole lots of babies here. I kinda think it's awesome--but I'm so far down the infertility road that I don't hate it anymore. Not sure how I would have felt three years ago.

Dramalish is here! And she's totally awesome. I have a photo with her somewhere I'll post.

Really, really, really wishing they'd scheduled this event at a different time. I hate how few people are here. Everyone is discussing building a bridge between fertiles and infertiles. Sigh. Not sure that one needs to be built, frankly. But that's probably because I don't give a shit about what people think about the subject (if you know what I mean).

I should clarify that. I mean I don't give a shit what other people think about infertility and ART, whether they "approve" or not, and whether or not they think I am a selfish asshole for pursuing a bio kid. Is that better?

Discussing the whole "non-moms" contest thing. Boy, that was organized by a bunch of idiots.

I'm waiting to talk again. Once again, I babbled endlessly. heh.

Sometimes I forget how painful the whole IF experience is.

Sarah has arrived with a diet rock star! But she's in the back of the room and didn't want to disturb things... arg. So close and yet so far.

Sorry. Not live blogging, cause I'm too busy listening to everyone. Suffice to say this panel is AWESOME.

It's wrapping up. Off to the keynote.

Comments

[Paula]

Hey, I think blogging words is not the medium for something live going on, that would maybe done better by a video. Maybe shorthand could help to keep what's going on and later publish an article, a post or an essay. Blogging is the medium of what happended in the PAST, not NOW.
You better stop blogging now and concentrate on LIFE.

[watercolor]

Why can't she live blog? I've enjoyed it and I think she has enjoyed doing it. You don't care for it, don't read.

[PiggyToes]

Um, I've been enjoying the updates. Past or present.... Maybe Paula needs to read this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog and update her definition on blogging.

[Peggy]

I've enjoyed it and I hope you're having fun at BlogHer! It's your blog, do what you want!

[bri]

I am loving the liveblogging and am grateful for the opportunity to feel like I am almost there. Thanks, Cecily.

[kathleen999]

I like it!

Blog away, girl!!

[camille]

oh, paula has the corner on the definition of blogging. mmmkay. anyways, thanks for sharing what's going on there. i think it's interesting and would be great fun to be there. happy blogging...

camille

[jenn]

Don't stop! I'm devouring the BlogHer live posts. It's the next best thing to being there, and I'm loving the peek you're giving us into the pacing and atmosphere of the events. I think I've checked your site an obsessively high number of times today!

[CreoleInDC]

I truly HATE stoopit people! Cecily...this was AWESOME Chica! It was so lovely meeting you! You truly were my absolute FIRST blog I ever read about infertility! I LOVE YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH!

Paula...bite me.

[Jo-Ann]

Cec I have been breathlessly waiting for the live posts. I like reading about this through your eyes. It was a great idea.

[Sara]

I don't have any idea who Paula is, but I think she needs to step off. I am loving the updates.

[Lori]

It was so great to have you in the audience.

I enjoyed hearing your thoughts on dealing with BIG chasms, and that you sometimes CAN get through to them if you just persist.

Thanks for live blogging us!

[Kim]

I am absolutely loving living vicariously through you ~~ I'm such a Z-list blogger that I probably won't ever attend BlogHer, but I'm always a little green w/envy for those who do get to go, and I spend all of the weekend, plus the following week, reading all about it. :) Ignore the naysayer ~ she needs to expand her definition of blogging! Love you, Cecily, and am so very glad you got the chance to go to SF and SHINE! :D

{{{hugs}}}

[kim]

Paula - stop being so judgemental, Cecily can do what she likes on her own blogg. Its cool to hear what Cecily is up to.

[Mental P Mama]

I have loved you posts this weekend! Thank you so much...and safe travels this morning.

[Sheri]

I have loved reading every single one of your posts while you've been at BlogHer... actually I've read them more than once! Thank you, thank you for sharing up to date information on your fabulous trip.... I'm so glad I was able to contribute to you going!

[Jessika]

I love the liveblog updates! That and twitter. It made me excited FOR you and so happy to see how great of a time you were having. YOU decide how you live life and blog, we are happy with you the way you are!

[Aurelia]

Why is it that I agree with everything you say Cecily? Thing is, I really don't care if people know that I used fertility treatment to get pregnant. I talk about it IRL all the time.

The whole 'bridge' between the two groups is odd and I think something someone made up a long time ago.

[Alison]

Oh, I wish I could have been there! Even though I don't blog! Well, I do comment once in a while.

But the bridge between fertiles and infertiles - I do think one is needed. Seems like fascinating conversations were had and I've already started to read some of the other blogs that you linked to.

[millie]

So very great to get to finally meet you! I loved that you live blogged and like everyone else feel that Paula should go the hell away.

Safe travels home.

[Monica]

I don't know that I would have been able to attend that session (if I were there, of course!). I was once an infertility blogger back when it was such a small group, but now? I don't know. With two kids, I don't have the pain that I once did. But, man, just thinking about it still hurts so much. Even so, I feel...what is it?...removed I guess. The pain of infertility is so raw, so powerful and so constant. I just read Pamela's blog and, yes, I so understand it. But, I'm also that woman with the baby bjorn now, you know?

[luna]

hey cecily, I'm the one who took the pic (it came out blurry though). don't think we actually got to meet, but glad you did the live blogging thing, and I loved your comment about engaging rude commenters.

[magpie]

Totally sorry I missed this panel, since IF was how I too got into blogging. But it was at the same time as "community as a healing force" and I found myself there instead.

So happy to have me you.

[nonlineargirl]

I enjoyed the panel (despite welling up repeatedly in response to what other people said). Despite the topic, which I understand may not be every blogger's cup of clomid, it was exactly what I was hoping for out of blogher - panelists and audience members engaging, sharing, supporting. I laughed more during that panel than in almost any other. I think that speaks to what involved participants (you key among them) can make together.