So, the Blathering. Undoubtedly at this point, you’ve read recaps that are funnier, more insightful, and just plain better than mine, but you’re here now and you will read mine and like it.
(One thing people learned about me this weekend: I am maybe a little bossy.)
My nerves almost got the best of me on the way to the airport.
I don’t know these people, I’ve only met one of them before and have not seen her in over a decade, very few of them have a clue who I am, and clearly no one would notice if I just didn’t show. They would probably have more fun without me! I would really be doing them a favor if I just stayed home! Yes! I will be a hero and avoid ruining everyone’s weekend by being a weird wallflower by just not going…oh, hey, I’m at the airport already. Hmm. Might as well show up. When everyone hates me and kicks me out of the parties, at least I’ll be in Austin and can drown my sorrows in migas, tacos and Shiner.
So I went, because I was already at the airport and was going to get charged for parking either way, and it was more than worth it.
There is a peace that comes with being among your people, and when it washes over you in an Applebee’s on a Friday afternoon as you barely even touch your salad because you are laughing so damn hard with people you’ve literally just met* (awkwardly, of course — as is my preferred style — in the lobby of a Hyatt Place), it is a powerful thing.
Somehow, the weekend just got better from there. Reconnecting with Tara, who is as strong and smart and funny as they come, finally (finally!) meeting Jennie and feeling like I’ve known her forever, hearing Emily‘s stories in person (as funny as they are on the internet, they are exponentially better when acted out in front of you), trying on the world’s best 80′s cocktail dress as Temerity Jane tweets pictures of you in it before you can even run back to the dressing room, holding ‘s Regan‘s adorable, perfect baby girl, falling a little bit in love with Sarah, Elsha, and Miriel, getting all fangirly over Jonna, spotting #theblatheringhooker in the hotel lobby with Andrea and -R-, marveling at A’Dell‘s planning and hosting abilities, enabling Miranda in developing a new jewelry addiction (confidential to Miranda’s bank account: I am so sorry.), talking hockey and everything else in the world with Jen, spotting houndstooth on South Congress for Sarah and Julie, kind of wanting to be Natalie (even with her neighborhood’s chicken problem), being uberjealous of Lauren‘s amazing hair, Katie sitting there and quietly taking it as I harangued her about her distant relative-by-marriage while she was trying to eat her salad, discussing all things Mike Leach with Becca, perfect hugs from Christina (who I would like to hire as my personal accessory buyer), nearly spitting my drink out laughing with Kristie and Manda, and, and, and…I could write 2000 words and still not get to everyone. I loved every minute, every woman there, and hate that it had to end.
I came home with an even worse case of baby lust than I left with (even after the pregnancy & newborn horror stories — and lo, there were horror stories), an extra five pounds of queso & cupcake weight (WORTH IT), a purse full of Canadian candy (that totally perplexed the TSA guy), a renewed love for Austin (as my long-distance relationship with Texas continues), and most importantly/best of all, the beginnings of what I know are going to be some incredible friendships.**
I can not wait for next year.
*Many of whom were warned not to talk to strangers, before boarding planes to go to another city to spend a weekend doing exactly that.
** I also came home with a $168 speeding ticket that I got on my way to the airport, but that is slightly less fun. Austin, I love you, but we need to talk about your idea of a lovely parting gift because I have to say, while something personalized is always appreciated, you’re still not quite hitting the mark there.