I never say a thing about it. I roll my eyes or mumble a “Thank God…” when I discover I’ve slept through most of it.

But here’s my unsolicited two cents…

It annoys me to no end when any time a woman or women at tweet ups let loose and have a great time, maybe getting drunk, getting on the dance floor and tearing it up, generally having an amazing time… gets VILIFIED in social networking not a few days later.

But guys show up in photos in various states of the same behavior and the tags are “Great guy” and “hilarious!”

It disgusts me that I may never see great people again in any forum, in person, or even online, because they were ran off by snarky, insecure jerks.

It takes a lot to attend these events. Breaking through that fourth wall means exposing yourself and laying your vulnerabilities on the table. The control we meticulously maintain on our blogs is gone to a harrowing extent.

There is no edit before posting feature in real life.

I’ve seen people crippled by agoraphobia, general anxiety, depression, and loneliness at these. People who took big steps and quietly take or get credit for it.

Sure, there is a share of party animals, couples, the fun loving, but mainly, I see those looking for that outside connection they don’t get at home.

I see people looking for an escape, looking for love, looking for fun, looking for new friends, looking for a reminder they are not alone in their quirks, passions and fears. I wish there were enough hours in the day to tell you all how brave, funny, and sweet you are. But here’s the thing.

There is so many of you. :)

If you consider deleting your Tumblr and withdrawing from this community because of someone’s nastiness, (especially those who were NOT EVEN there,) remember something: These are people that envy your bravery and spirit.

So, If you want to attack someone or spread rumors for the sake to quell your own insecurities, ask yourself one question before you hit POST:

What the hell is missing from YOUR life?

Now, if you excuse me, I have some cats doing silly things I need to heart

It’s taken me some time to post this, because the sheer beauty of this device is still incredible and has a place in my heart.

This was in my hotel lobby. It has a button that… (shit, I said I wasn’t going to cry…) once pressed, dispenses PANCAKES.

YOU PUSH A BUTTON.

PANCAKES.

COME.

OUT.

For those of you at brunch later that morning wondering why I only had toast and was moaning softly, it was because of my previous dalliance with this stainless steel mistress.

I named her Betty.

I sobbed when we checked out.

GPOYW - “Always make the best of a cloudy day. Especially when you’re in Chicago.”

It’s a good thing I had my La-La Loopsy doll with me at the Field Museum, because the stuffed bears were SCARY you guys.

(pic from nicknameless’ FLICKR page. Click the photo for her pics)

I wish I had seen the movie before going to CHSH.

That was a close one.

I wish I had planned this CHSH outing better, as I felt I rushed through so many “hellos” and didn’t get to spend as much time catching up as I liked.

But some swift kicks in the ass and reflection make me shut up so I can focus on the good:

* Making new friends (more on them later)

* Absolutely falling in love with Elizabite’s baby.

* Seeing the crossover of my family meeting my internet family at the lobby.

* Finally meeting team Emergency Pants, Martin and Dave and SO many people I had no idea would be there.

* I finally ate BOZO’S DOGS and it was glorious.

* Goofing with two of the funniest people I have ever known on Tumblr, Yodelmachine and Katefeetie.

* Stacy taking time to hang out even though she was FILMING A DOCUMENTARY.

* POT ROAST.

Jason, Jess, Dan and Toni… you guys know how to throw a party.

I am so sorry to the people I told, “Be right back!” And didn’t finish our conversations. If you feel I blew you off, I SWEAR it wasn’t intentional, you forget so easily how overwhelming this can be. I am so sorry and hope I didn’t come off as a jerk.

I love you bastards and if you’ll excuse me, gonna continue my tradition of eating like I’m stilll on vacation because my bag is still unpacked.

FIN

The fact that I said bye to Shane while he was in the restroom may have spawned a whole new tweetup…

This is art by Elizabite’s baby.

It’s not as impressive as his earlier work, like drooling on my shoulder, but pretty good.

Still in Indiana… Cloudy since the internet left.

This one? She makes it look easy. She really does.

This monster that is CHSH has grown and become a monster of it’s own.

But she still has a smile and will chat you up like you’re the most important person there.

Thanks again, Toni!

Since Tumblr seems to have stopped crashing, here is a picture of people at brunch this morning.

So if you were just winding down from your envy of not being here…

You’re welcome.

Overcast. Apt.

Bye, Chicago.