Camaraderie in San Francisco

This last weekend was more relaxing than my previous weekend in San Francisco. Let's face facts: the crowds at Luminara couldn't match the nervous energy generated by 1,000 female bloggers. Especially when they are waiting for the royal address from the Queen of Blogging, herself.

I've struggled to capture the intensity of my conference weekend, both in person and on my blogs, and I'm pretty sure I can't do it. Instead, I want to say a few words about camaraderie and leave it at that.

I benefited from being surrounded by women who blog. I don't have a lot in common with many of the bloggers I met, but it didn't matter. I was inspired, and - good news - my desire to maintain my blogs has been reinforced. Also, the number of the business-types lurking around the edges of the conference, while annoying, convinced me that some blogs, if not this one, continue to be a notable force.

Then there was the fun times with bloggers that I already know. Zoe said some nice things about the conference and traveling with the baby, and I totally accept her apology about the airport debacle. Brie was at the conference too, and we teamed up for meals and some fantastic sessions. Also, she made me sign up for a free massage, and I'll never be able to thank her enough. Lydia and Sarah went to the Blogher cocktail parties, but mostly they just went to San Francisco. I wish I could have seen them more, but with a big holiday around the corner, I coudn't join in on their extended stay in San Francisco. No matter. Spending time with my real-life buddies in the United States was pretty special.

Finally, I was so happy to spend time Shannon and Chris and their friend Floor in the evenings, even though I was a little burnt-out and nutty. They are learning how to cook healthy food, and they fed Zoe and I well.

In the end, there were good, supportive feelings all around, and that's why I'm really glad I decided to take a trip to San Francisco.

THIS is a macaron

...in case you were looking at my header and wondering if I meant macaroon. I made the same mistake until Lydia set me straight last year. I ate a few of these macarons at the blogging conference, and I think I'm even more prepared to eat one in Paris next month.

You want to know about the blogging conference and my trip to San Francisco? Too bad. I just wrote a little bit about my favorite session over at Things Worth Making, and I'm too tired to write more right now. Instead, why don't you check out some of my photos on Flickr? You may notice that Zoe and baby are missing from the collection; we did go to San Francisco together, and that is Zoe's stroller I'm pushing, but they prefer to keep their photos private and I totally respect that. Suck it up, Internet!

Vitamin D, yo

Friends, I hope you're taking your Vitamin D, even during these sunny summer months. In power of vitamin D, hope for a new disease fighter captures some of the good things that science has been uncovering about the vitamin, including positive results for MS treatment and prevention, and cursory research uncovers even more good news. Take your vitamins!

It's business time

I'm sure you've all noticed that Tentative Plans has been looking a little different lately. I'm attending Blogher '08 in San Francisco this weekend, and I'm assuming some attendees will check out my musings after they get their hands on my stylin' new business card:

I aim to please!

Speaking of business cards, my coworker David reminded me of one of my favourite scenes from American Psycho when he saw my card:

But back to the trip. It is going to be fun for multiple reasons*:

1) I'm going with a real, live baby.
2) I'm going with Zoe.
3) Brie is also attending the conference.
4) Lydia and Sarah R will be in San Francisco.
5) I will get to hug my sister.
6) I will be at a blogging conference.
7) I will be in San Francisco.

You can bet that you'll hear all about it here.

*These reasons are listed in no particular order. Expect the first one. That one is definitely my favourite reason.

Call to action

We've got our plane tickets, our itinerary and our accommodation in the bag. Now I would love some travel tips for the destinations listed below. The one place I want you to focus on, however, is Paris. Michael tasked me with planning some exploration options, and I don't know where to start. I'm pretty sure many of you have favourite memories of Paris (or desires to visit something special in Paris), and I want you to share your goods. Lay it on me!

Itinerary
Belfast (day-trip potential)
Portstewart/Portrush (five nights)
Dublin (one night)
Zurich (one night)
Porlezza (three nights)
Sienna (three nights)
Florence (one or two day-trips)
Lucca (two nights)
Cinque Terre (two nights)
Alassio (two nights)
Paris (three nights)

Jonathan, Jonathan

I talked to Jillian on Tuesday and I said, "I just saw Jonathan Richman last night." She responded, "Every time I talk to you, you just saw Jonathan Richman last night."

Of course it isn't true. I've only seen him live three times, and the first time Jillian was sitting beside me when he opened for the 2001 Belle and Sebastian concert in Vancouver.

The show was amazing, as always. Michael, Bex and I left beaming, even though the last song was about his mother's death and I cried a little bit. Overall, he was in a great mood and I think he loved us. I want a copy of his new song about cell phones:

When I'm on the beach, I'm on the beach. No you can't call me there.

Maybe you need to hear it? I can't find it anywhere, but I'll let you know when I do.

Some of you may not know who I'm talking about, so I've attached a clip from a 2007 concert, which most resembles the show I just saw. He played this song for us too, as I expected. It was good.



Tommy (the drummer) was wearing white jeans at our show. They were hot.