BlogHer, SwagHer, BlokeHer, and PokeHer: Recap and Swag away

Well, I think it might be best for everyone (or just me) if I don't tell you all about this past weekend in Chicago because my head might explode from the awesome of it all. BlogHer was everything I hoped for and more. WAY more.

(Well, way more in the area of meeting amazing women writers and discovering tons of new people that I want to read and become an apostle of. The “educational” aspect was underwhelming, but that is simply because I made the choice to attend mostly panels that were entertaining, not geeky. My bad, not BlogHer’s.)

As you know, though, I was really there to party, so I got my game face on(which takes awhile because it involves lots of eyemakeup) and we headed to the SocialLuxe party. We got signed in and they gave us a “swag collection” bracelet needed to get your swag on, a drink ticket, and raffle ticket. I saunter into the room and belly up to the bar. No Maker’s Mark, but oooh! they’ve got Crown Royal, a more than acceptable alternative. I delicately sip my drink and turn around to catch up with Rants and Anna Lefler (I’ll apologize now for being a hideous name-dropper so if you hate that kind of shit,… Adios! Don’t let the doorknob hitcha where the good Lord splitcha.), who turn out to be nowhere in sight.

I wander around trying to figure out what the heck I’m supposed to do now. Schmooze with the venders? Eat? Wait in line for a mini-manicure? Suck down my drink as fast I can and then indelicately sway back to the bar for more?? I was okay with that last option, but then Ann and Anna came back carrying these two enormous bags that looked to be pulling their shoulder joints apart. I was like, where’d you get those? They were like, around the corner, outside, you have to go get your swag from that room, it looks like they might….

I didn’t catch the rest as I was practically sprinting out the door. Figures that I'd be too preoccupied with getting my drink on to miss the swag. Hmph. But when I got to the room, all was well, they still had bags, andI collected mine. You wouldn’t even believe all the stuff that was in there! You wouldn’t believe how much it weighed!! You wouldn’t believe me if I told you that there was actually some pretty awesome stuff in there along with the really random stuff that only a misguided team of PR people would think was a good idea!!!

Ann was not injured making this photo.

And you know what I’m gonna do? Because I love you so much for being here reading.... Because I am going to test you to the very limits of your patience with stories from this past weekend (because one post just ain’t gonna do it)…. And because I already own way too many cameras...


I’m giving the very best swag of the weekend to ONE LUCKY READER.

The coveted SocialLuxe swag bag was a bit overstuffed, but among the many lovely things that were included in the bag the standout was the extremely generous gift from Kodak that had everyone pretty excited (or bummed if it wasn't in their bag or if they got there late and didn't get anything). The Kodak Zi6 pocket HD video camera. (And yes, it really is pink.)

So, one lucky person who comments on this post and then tweets me (@theBitchinWife) one tiny moment from your life that you wish you’d had a pocket video camera on hand to film (put #kodak on the tweet, too, or if you run out of room, then leave me the URL in the comment section) will win the ultimate swag of the BlogHer ’09 weekend. I will also throw in the awesome black and white tote bag that it came in (seen in the above photo with the uber-hot Ann of Ann's Rants fame), a Kodak 2-GB SD memory card, and a Nikon memory card holder (that I picked up at the sensational Nikon party at the Flatwater).

So to clarify, leave a comment for me on this post for one chance to win. Then tweet me on twitter for a second chance. You need to include my twitter handle @theBitchinWife and you need to include the hashtag #kodak .

I will select the winner 100% subjectively. There will be nothing random about it. I'm going to give the person with the best tweet (or comment that fills the required "filmable-moment memory") the video camera and goodies. I can't say what will work better, humor or sincerity.... I'm a sucker for both. So, give me your best moment and keep it short. I will announce the winner next Tuesday (Aug. 3rd, right?).

I hope that you will refrain from entering the giveaway if you were at the SocialLuxe party and already got one of the video cameras or all that other stuff, but I will let your own conscience guide you. I know what I would do, but you may have special circumstances that I don’t know about, so I’ll try not to judge. But I will, so be warned.

Tell your friends about it, or don’t to keep your odds better. ;-)

I know that I didn't give many details of the weekend... they will be forthcoming. I will let my pictures do the talking for now.... click over my flickr widget or here to see all the pictures from the weekend. Also, I am honored to have my picture up over at Pacing the Panic Room today! Ryan is an incredibly gifted photographer and the wise and hip scenesters of MamaPop cannily flew him in to document their Sparklecorn Extravaganza (which, in my opinion, was a highlight of the weekend, despite a certain amount of grousing that their 500-person RSVP limit was too snobby pr something.... pffffttttp, get over it). His talent is such that he made me look freakin' awesome despite it being the second night of parties, 1am at night, my third social engagement of the evening and 4 hours of sleep. Nicely done, Ryan, nicely done.