Reflections on the Best/Worst of BlogHer08, two weeks later

First up, I have LOTS of pics from BlogHer08, and some that I haven't posted here, because I know there are those of you who either a) didn't go and are just sick about it, or b) went and did some things you really don't want to remember doing.

So, for those of you who are jonesing for some more of BlogHer08, you can find all my pics HERE, courtesy of FLICKR and the new PICNIK editing tool, which is kinda cool (and also showcased at BlogHer08).

Okay, enough of that. Here they are:

The Cool Moms Rule! BlogHer08 Awards

Best Swag:
Zivio Boom bluetooth headset, which I have already raved about.

Incidentally, for those who wrote and want to know how it is holding up in the wind and rain, etc., I'm having a hard time finding out, because I am going to have to sneak it away from the Engineer, who is practically in love with it and may be sleeping with it any day now.

Worst Swag:
Anyone who gave out leaflets and fact sheets *and nothing else*

I appreciate free stuff as much as the next girl, maybe even more, but why come to a conference if all you have to offer is cardboard and rhetoric?

Swag I Am Still Miffed About NOT Getting:
Anything from Apple

They didn't even bother to show at the largest gathering of internet-savvy women this year. No clue why.

Best Speaker:
Stacy Morrison, from Redbookmag.com

She's a successful businesswoman and a blogger herself, and WOW is she inspiring! She's also incredibly open. I thought I would be most impressed with Dooce, who is also kick ass, but it was Stacy who won the day, hands-down.

Worst Speaker:
TIE between Raggs and That blogher who thought she was all that

This big shaggy dog was all over the place, but he had nothing to say. ; )
I don't want to mention names, but when you turn a Q and A session into your own private soap opera, you're going way over the top, girlfriend.

Oh, and to all those BlogHers dressed to the nines throughout the conference: there's a place and a time, ladies. Night club? Fine, go for it. But during a full day of conferences, if I see your skinny butt walking around in 5 inch heels, I'm going to trip you on the stairs, I swear. I saw some of you wearing shorts in 50 degree weather with high winds, too (hint: Victoria's Secret Pink, right next to the Westin St. Francis, had hoodies going for $25).

Biggest Surprise:
No Kyra Sedgwick or Holly Hunter at Ruby Skye

I was skeptical the big stars would show, but with all the build-up and the lights and the music, they sure tried to give the impression that the headliners were pulling up in limos any second now.

Biggest Disappointment:
Westin St. Francis

First off, the food really wasn't that great. Boxed lunches, okay, they were fine, but if I had to look at the pastries and fruit "breakfast" ONE MORE TIME, I would have gone after those Sesame Suite cupcakes come dawn. And I'm just a cereal girl, normally. (Cause we are living in a cereal world...) I mean, really, this is a swanky hotel, and they couldn't spring for the occasional scrambled eggs in a warmer?

Add to that the lack of power strips and extension cords in any of the conference rooms and the dim hotel room lighting (we didn't mind that so much, since we did have a great view of Union Square, but I heard other bloghers complaining), and you can see why this year's event, for all that it was in a "nice" hotel, felt a little claustrophobic.

Best Out-of-Hotel Adventure:
The Photowalk

We actually ended up splitting off from the Shutter Sisters, who didn't have much of an agenda anyway, and doing our own thing. Note to walkers: Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill is uphill all the frickin' way. And we are talking some STEEP hills. My legs still hurt the next day. But it was worth it for the views (even if I did grumble about the climb the whole time to the annoyingly-fit Engineer).

Bloggers Who Just Want To Have Fun Award:
SoCal Moms.

Every time I saw them, they seemed to be having fun. From girly-girl makeovers at Sak's Fifth Avenue to the cool swag bags I saw them carrying around, they took BlogHer08 by storm.

Trying too Hard Award:
BlogHer Party Girls (who don't know when to stop)

Yes, I know we all partied. I'm only looking at those ladies (and you know who you are) who had so much to drink they made the rest of us look bad: It is NOT cool to get in trouble with hotel security and get us all cut off at the Macy's party because you keep spilling your complimentary cocktails, mmmkay? Come on, ladies, let's show a little maturity.

Best California Souvenir:
The In-and-Out T-Shirt I bought the Rhino

I was surprisingly impressed by the In-and-Out burger franchise while in CA. They cut their french-fried potatoes right there, fresh as can be, they're clean and fast, they use high-quality products and they get your order right.

Worst California Souvenir:
Serious West-Coast Jet Lag

I still can't get up early in the morning. Sorry, kids. Thank goodness school doesn't start for two weeks.