I'm Going to Boot Camp!

That's right, next month I'll be heading to boot camp.  Now before you start scratching your head at the 40 year old, out of shape, gives-up-25-minutes-into-her-30-minute-workout old chick heading to boot camp of all things, let me specify that this is Bloggy Boot Camp! 

 

What exactly is Bloggy Boot Camp?  According to the website, "Bloggy Boot Camp is a one day blog and social media conference for women hosted in major cities all around the U.S. In a time when blog conferences are growing more popular, Bloggy Boot Camp remains one of the most convenient, inexpensive and co-operative events around. Everyone, from brand new bloggers to experienced social media mavens, can benefit from this experience."

Terri, my friend from Accidentally Homeschooling, invited me to attend the Boston conference with her several weeks ago.  At that point there were ten tickets left.  We discussed finding sponsors and what that would involve.  Before I had a chance to wrap my mind around the whole thing, we were struck with the plague.  By the time we emerged (never-having-found-more-than-one-and-wondering-if-we'd-truly-seen-one-in-the-first-place-but-hey-my-laundry-was-all-done), Bloggy Boot Camp was sold out.  Terri had her ticket but she would be making the trip on her own.

I discovered the conference was the same day that we planned to attend International Steampunk City and consoled myself that it was all for the best.  Then we discovered a giveaway for a Boot Camp ticket.  We entered and I suddenly discovered that I did, in fact, wish to attend.  Neither of us won.  I returned to planning my costume for Steampunk City.  Then Terri reTweeted that someone was looking to sell their ticket, at less than the early bird ticket price.  I had no sponsor.  I had other plans.  What to do?

My oldest daughter convinced me that Steampunk events are much more frequent than blog conferences.  My husband decided that he'd sponsor me if that was what it took.  I bought the ticket.  I'm attending my first blog conference and have now moved directly through stage 2 into stage 3.  I'm suddenly remembering that I don't like large crowds of people who expect me to talk to them.

Oh boy.

Trying to push my anxiety to the side, I'm focusing on everything I will learn and hoping it will help me to make this blog even better for you, my minions readers (I've always wanted minions.  It's my life-long dream.  Don't judge).  There are already several things I wish to work on to make this site easier to navigate.  I'm mostly waiting on time and money. Maybe this one day conference will be the impetus I need to make it a priority.  No matter what, it will give me blog fodder.  And that can't be bad.

Have you ever attended a blog conference?  Any advice you can share with this social misfit?  It'd be much appreciated!