Monday, January 10, 2011

Finding my bliss at Blissdom in Nashville

One of my goals since I started this blog last July has been to attend a blogging conference. I've been teaching myself everything I do here in this space completely on the fly, which has never been my preferred method of learning. And I'd really like to be more intentional about improving my writing skills, and a conference seems like a good avenue through which to do that. I also thought it would be a fun chance to meet some people in real life who share my interest in carving out space for myself on the web.

I know very little about what separates one blogging conference from another. But when I read that the Blissdom conference was taking place in nearby Nashville, Tennessee, I thought it made sense to sign up. It's being held the last week in January, and I'm only going for one day, but I hope to learn a great deal and meet some fellow blogging folks.

A highlight for me will be spending a night in the recently renovated Opryland Hotel. I visited this hotel when my family first moved to the midwest from Connecticut. I think I was 10 or 11 years old, and I remember very clearly wandering around the hotel's giant atrium in complete awe. The lush greenery, the water, the bright flowers--I nearly convinced myself I was in an exotic jungle. I was devastated when I heard how it was almost completely destroyed during the floods that hit Nashville last spring. The Huffington Post has some astonishing photos of the damage. I worried this American treasure might never bounce back.

Atrium of the Opryland. Photo courtesy of the Gaylord Opryland.
But indeed it has, and today I dream of once again standing in awe in that atrium. I'm also dreaming of being able to devote a full day to learning about blogging--I hope to return home with lots of ideas to make Arrows Sent Forth a more fun and enjoyable read.

Are any of you headed to Blissdom? I'll be there on Wednesday for the Wisdom Workshops and would love to meet up!

This post is a part of Mondays are for Dreaming at The Mother of All Trips.

9 comments:

  1. I wish I were going so we could meet up! I have heard wonderful things about it and can't wait to read all about what you learn! I attended Type A last year and am planning on going this year...it is so wonderful to meet up with people who do the same thing and get great tips!

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  2. It's also one of my dreams to go to a blogging conference. Unfortunately it won't be Blissdom but I look forward to reading all about it.

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  3. Blogging conferences are great, especially because you get to meet people. I've been to Blog Her and Type A and to TBEX twice and all were worthwhile trips. I won't be at Blissdom, but wish that I were so that I could meet you IRL Nicole!

    May the weekend be as fun and informative as you hope.

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  4. Hey Nicole!

    I just gave you a blog award!! Come check it out!

    Have a great day!
    Allyson

    http://longfamilychronicles.blogspot.com/

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  5. I am a Blissdom newbie and am so excited & nervous. I can't wait to go to all the sessions, meet old & new friends, and absorb everything I can...

    If you see me, say hello! I'll be the shy girl in the corner trying to hide.
    ;-)

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  6. I'll be at the Wednesday Wisdom Workshops as well! I would love to meet you. Blissdom newbie too! By the way, I love your perspective. :)

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  7. I'm a Blissdom newbie as well and can't wait to meet you!

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  8. I'm coming in on Wednesday for the workshops too - it would be so fun to meet you!

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  9. So glad that you at least get to come for the WWs. I know you'll learn so much! Looking forward to meeting you!

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