I’ve been very fortunate to attend several blog conferences this year. One of my favorites was Bloggy Boot Camp in Phoenix in May. By the time I returned from BlogHer ’10 in New York in August, I decided that I had exhausted my conference fun budget for the year. But then I heard that SITS was holding a Bloggy Boot Camp in St. George. I started crunching numbers, and didn’t see a way I could swing the cost in our budget. I entered every giveaway I heard of on other blogs for the chance to go, but no luck on winning a ticket.

Last Tuesday, I was tweeting around to see if any Bloggy Boot Camp “pity parties” were being held (a fun event for bloggers that couldn’t attend had been rumored, but never confirmed). I didn’t hear anything back. On Wednesday, I got a text from a friend saying if I wanted to go, she could make it happen. I was madly arranging rides, sleeping quarters, and someone to watch the kiddo.

Friday morning was a bit crazy. I had to wake up at 4am to drive Taylor to the airport, then wait around three hours for a job interview. I got ready at my parents house, had my interview, then ran home to pack. Soon after, I was on the road to St. George with a bunch of awesome bloggers, @twitadrian, @imtopsyturvy, and @craftymomcooks. The next 4 hours were spent chatting, snacking, and posting #DirtyUtah tweets.

I’m not sure if it was the conference itself, or just getting away with awesome people for a few days, but Bloggy Boot Camp was exactly what I needed for my soul. Here are 10 reasons why Bloggy Boot Camp rocked.

1. Blogger’s Night Out: Friday night a dinner party was hosted at the Pasta Factory, where we played a fun game. Everyone brought a gift bag with something representative of their blog. After some massive swapping, bargaining, tweeting and flirting with the only male in the room, I scored the grand prize!

mascaragasm

2. Hawaiian Karaoke: After the dinner Friday night, we went to Honolulu Grill for karaoke. It’s the only karaoke spot in town, and it’s in a Hawaiian take-out joint. But let me tell you…it was LEGENDARY. Our lovely BBC ladies busted a move and belted their hearts out on songs like “Copacabana” and “What’s Up?”, and sang along with my rendition of “Stay (I Missed You)” (because every girl STILL has the lyrics memorized). But the guy singing the Hawaiian songs I’d never heard won me over for the night.  Have you heard “Come rub upon my belly like Guava Jelly?” Yeah, didn’t think so.

3. Late Night Girl Talk: I stayed with the same ladies that I drove down to St. George with, and let’s just say that certain topics only seem to come out after dark.

4. The Dixie Center: This was a fantastic venue for BBC. Any by fantastic, I mean comfortable seats, comfortable temperature, and LOTS of electrical outlets. I was so happy I had my iGo Charge Anywhere charger, and shared my juice with other ladies on dying iPhones.

5. Listening to friends speak: The more conferences I attend, and more people I connect with online, the better likelihood that I’ll know how is speaking at a conference. Particularly awesome was Stephanie and Kristina P‘s presentation on Snuggies, BumpIts, Unicorns, Blogging Commandments and Twitter.

6. Feeling safe enough to fall apart: This year has tried me like no other, and the focus of my blog has changed significantly. At lunchtime, our table group was talking about things we’d like to see in the future with our blog. When it was my turn, I opened up about my insecurities as a writer, and not being confident to publish less than stellar posts. I felt supported by my ladies, and realized that there’s no requirement to blog when you don’t feel like it.

7. Business card swapping and new friends: This Bloggy Boot Camp had around 70 attendees. I knew quite a few of them, but I made lots of new friends. I’ve gotten supportive comments from my new “tribe” on my blog just in the few days that I’ve been home. I hope to see any and all of them at future events.

8. Teaching newbies how to embrace Twitter: This was a byproduct of many questions, but I felt confident enough to teach a good group of ladies how to utilize my current addiction social media platform of choice. I was even moved to tweet “my testimony” of Twitter.

9.Tiffany and the Bloggy Boot Camp event crew: I am so grateful for SITS ladies for bringing this conference idea into fruition. It has a different feel than the larger blogging conferences I’ve attended this year. I feel a particular kinship with Tiffany and Julie, partially because they’ve been extremely supportive through my struggles of the last 6 months. A lot of time and effort goes into planning, obtaining sponsors, and organizing an event of this magnitude. And the SITS crew does it over and over around the country. I really hope I can hit a few of the 2011 Bloggy Boot Camps.

10. Driving back with @nativepilgrim: Karen and I connected the week of BBC, partially due to the common desire to find a roadtrip buddy. She is new to Twitter, and due to my encouragement she’s become a full-fledged member of the Twitterverse. And how could I not love her when she had a big Coke Zero in the cupholder when she picked me up? The four hour drive just flew by.

To those I’ve met at Bloggy Boot Camp, thanks for your friendliness and synergy. This weekend was extremely awesome for my happiness and mental health. To those considering attendance at a future Bloggy Boot Camp, I wholeheartedly advise you to go for it.

Right now I’m working on one of those blog posts that is dripping with so much pain and emotion that I can only write a little bit every day. A real peek into my soul. It’s harder than I thought. Be patient.

In the mean time, these song lyrics have been repeating in my mind.

This is how it works
You’re young until you’re not
You love until you don’t
You try until you can’t
You laugh until you cry
You cry until you laugh
And everyone must breathe
Until their dying breath

“On The Radio” by Regina Spektor

I love meeting new people. It’s one of the things that motivates, inspires, and delights me. Believe it or not, I’ve been meeting people off the internet since 1997! I met my husband online! I’ve met friends from other countries! I’ve met some really, really amazing “real” people through my “virtual” life. So when an opportunity comes around to meet my friends of the interwebs, you better believe I want to be a part of it. After the airport fiasco, I was so worked up about the drama I’d just experienced. But I sucked it up, and went over to the evening party. I was greeted with a flood of hugs and introductions. I arrived just as things were wrapping up, so Adrian and I went back  to our rooms and spent a few hours chatting.

In the morning, Adrian and I drove around looking for a quick breakfast spot and grocery store in Scottsdale. Do you know how difficult this is? After 30 minutes of driving, we had breakfast at Wendy’s and grabbed my forgotten items (namely DEODORANT!) We rushed back to Xona just in time for the first presentation. There were so many wonderful and informative classes…writing, staying authentic, branding, PR, vlogging. But more than anything that I learned at Bloggy Boot Camp…it was the connections I made and the friendships I strengthened.

These two lovely ladies are Lauren (aka @supermomcentral) and Lynsey (aka @lynseyleah) I’ve known these sweet girls since high school, and have admired both for many years. They’ve achieved great things, and it was awesome to reconnect and make new memories.

This is Tiffany, aka @SITSgirls. She is one of brains and beauties behind Bloggy Boot Camp and SITS…an incredible blogging support community. I’d heard so many lovely things about Tiffany and was happy to jump into a pool with her (more about that later)

Stephanie, aka @sahans, is one of the fabulous local Utah ladies who I’ve connected with over the past few months. One thing I love about Steph is how accepting she is, and how she makes wherever she goes more fun. She doesn’t judge me for taking more than one Chick-Fil-a mint. Plus, I love a girl who will take uninhibited silly pictures with me.

Adrian, aka @twitadrian, and I roomed together for the conference. We’ve seen each other around SLC a few times, but I was so happy to get some quality time with this fine woman. She is sweet, intelligent, and makes everyone feel special.  I was lucky to be her roomie (plus it was fun to shop and eat and sit around the airport together)

Holly, aka @magnoliasNsun, was one of the first people to run up and introduce herself at the Friday night cocktail party. She was so excited to meet me, and made me feel so special. We forged a great bond, spent luxurious time together at the hot tub, and are already scheming a trip to spend time together again.

Julie, aka @angryjulie, was the official photographer for Bloggy Boot Camp. She humored me for all the pics I wanted to pose for, and we sat with each other at White Chocolate Grill for dinner. Apparently, she has a big following in Utah…

Laurie, aka @tipjunkie, was one of the people I was most excited to meet at Bloggy Boot Camp. Her successful site www.tipjunkie.com has been one I’ve followed for a long time, and it was great to socialize with the JUNKIE!

Jyl (aka @jylmomIF) and Loralee (aka @looneytunes) are two of my blogging/social media idols. They both gave presentations at during the conference, and I feel so lucky to have had time to chill with these RAD chicas!

After dinner, there was a a poolside cocktail party hosted by Huggies and Help A Mother Out.

I spent the evening in the hot tub with my cherry cola, chatting with several of the sweet ladies I’d met over the conference. Once I got out of the hot tub, Jyl was rallying up support for a fully-clothed pool jump.

*courtesy of Angry Julie

So many great things learned, so many friendships made, so many inside jokes, and so much motivation. That was Bloggy Boot Camp for me. Now if only I could go to the other ones in Austin, San Fran, and Philly…

Lately I’ve had a hard time concentrating. I have a bunch of blog posts in draft, but I just can’t seem to sit down long enough to type them out adequately. Forgive my random smattering of photos, songs, and other things that have been making me smile (or making me ponder) lately.

Taylor is not much of a facial hair guy, but I’ve been bugging him to at least TRY to grow out a beard. For years I’ve preferred men without facial hair, but lately I’ve been finding it really sexy. The longest I’ve ever seen Taylor unshaven was probably about 3 days, and I was curious to see how long he’d be able to stand it. He’s had most of the week off, and has kept himself unshaven for 5 whole days. Unfortunately, he leaves back for Memphis tomorrow and will go back to his clean-shaven baby-soft face. Apparently it’s an FAA regulation to be clean-shaven so the cockpit emergency oxygen mask can correctly adhere/suction to his face. Who’da thunk?

Big Bang Theory

Everything by Alanis Morissette


I am the wisest women you’ve ever met
I am the kindest soul with whom you’ve connected
I have the bravest heart that you’ve ever seen
And you’ve never met anyone whose
As positive as I am sometimes.

I blame everyone else, not my own partaking
My passive-aggressiveness can be devastating
I’m terrified and mistrusting
And you’ve never met anyone as,
As closed down as I am sometimes.

What I resist, persists, and speaks louder than I know
What I resist, you love, no matter how low or high I go

I’m the funniest woman you’ve ever known.
I am the dullest woman you’ve ever known.
I’m the most gorgeous woman you’ve ever known
And you’ve never met anyone as, as everything as I am sometimes.

You see everything, you see every part
You see all my light and you love my dark
You dig everything of which I’m ashamed
There’s not anything to which you can’t relate
And you’re still here

Peepshow!!

Lately, I’m really getting by with a little help from my (Twitter) friends. I appreciate the support I’ve had through this rough funk via Facebook and Blog Comments, but there’s just something awesome about encouraging comments in real time.

…or how I gained 50 pounds in one year through “blogging”…

When I started Nicole Rates It, I thought that I would use it as a platform to review the foods I love, promote local restaurants, record my travel adventures, and lose weight. Lose weight with a food blog? I have several friends that have been successful with it. It gave them accountability for their food habits, and they seemed to be able to keep their portions in control.

For me…it ended up being an excuse to eat. I spent money I didn’t have to eat foods that were not good for me. Even when I went on blogging hiatus in December, I still caught myself buying foods that I knew were unhealthy. I take dozens of pictures of a decadent meal, with the intent of eventually blogging about the amazing food I just consumed. I would use the blog as a reason to eat gargantuan portions, order desserts and appetizers, and get huge boxes of pastries at bakeries…all for “my blog.” And what has it done for me? It’s given me writers’ block and an additional 50 pounds on my already obese frame.
These are pastries from Schmidt’s Pastry Cottage in Taylorsville, Utah. This bakery catered my high school dances, and eating their treats reminds me of younger happier times. I started the blog post on these treats in January…took pictures, wrote out detailed descriptions, finished off the box, and never published the review. I cannot tell you how many other times I have done this.
As my months of unemployment have dragged on, I have finally taken up the hobby of cooking. I got a great Crockpot for Christmas, and I’ve been experimenting with all sorts of slow-cooked delights. Dr. Pepper BBQ pork roasts, chicken Tikka Masala, Cranberry Turkey, and more. I’ve been eating smaller portions, freezing the leftovers, and trying to stay away from the restaurants and bakeries where I lose control.
My problem isn’t lack of fruits and vegetables. I love my produce, and am anxiously awaiting farmers’ market season. The problem is all the dips, sauces and glazes I eat with my produce. I need to plan out my meals more carefully, journal my food consumption carefully, and listen to my body’s hunger signals more carefully. I need to take accountability for my actions. And I’ve realized that I can’t be successful right now with my weight loss goals with this blog.

In March I auditioned for NBC’s Biggest Loser reality show, feeling that I was a shoo-in. I need to lose 165 pounds, have had some incredibly unique health challenges, and I’ve got that winning personality that TV producers go nuts over. But I didn’t get the callback. And it’s sent me reeling into another depressive episode that makes me want to binge myself into oblivion. I’ve made the decision to step away for a while. Maybe permanently. But don’t fear, I’ll still be around…just not on Nicole Rates It.

Via KSL.com:

UTAH COUNTY — Utah County commuters will soon be dealing with 24 miles of freeway road construction, from Lehi Main Street to Spanish Fork Main Street.

Drivers can be sure to expect delays: the HOV lane will be gone during the next two and a half years, and there will be some overnight closures for drivers to deal with. A total of 55 overpass bridges will be rebuilt, as will 10 freeway interchanges.

Argh…what a way to ruin my night…finding out that the next two years could be spent in freeway delays. This would be better news if I didn’t drive this stretch of road 3-6 times a week.

Since I’ve been back in Utah, I’ve put 19,000 miles on my car in 9 months. I live in Spanish Fork, which is in southern Utah County. I have some friends and family in Utah County, but the bulk of my time outside the house is spent in Salt Lake. There’s more to do, more people I associate with, better job opportunities, doctors that I loyally frequent, amazing restaurants, and lots of culture.

My family is very lucky to have such a beautiful home offered to us to live in through our recent difficult financial times. I lost my job in Atlanta last summer, we needed a place to move into quickly, and this home was ready for us within days. I would never have guessed that our “temporary place” in Spanish Fork  would have stretched out so long. But now that we’ve been here a while, we’re comfortably attached. Rosie loves her school, and I already feel like a horrible mother for sticking her in 4 schools by 3rd grade. Taylor’s commute is a bugger – between driving and flying it takes 7 hours from home to Memphis crashpad.

Our plan is to move up to SLC after I’ve been employed for a few months. I’ve just gotta get a job first. This construction announcement is just the motivation I need to finish my class and get employed!

Have you missed me? Have you worried since my last downer post?

Please forgive my recent blogging slackerdom. I’ve been swamped with many things from awful to awesome. Right now I’m in Vegas with my lovely sidekick Heather ( @utahsheather).

When I’m home with a proper internet connection, I promise to blog about…

My Biggest Loser Audition

Rosie’s Music Man Audition

Priceline Bidding Tips

My Fractured Fairy Tale

My Essential Roadtrip Playlist

Now wish me luck on The Price is Right!