I am completely swamped with stuff in the next month or so.  I should probably write everything down on a calendar, or something. Oh wait, I have that fabulous Erin Condren Life Planner in my laptop bag.  I can’t wait to see what she has in store for the 2010-11 version.

So anyway, starting next week, July 19th to be exact, I am going to be participating in the Pro Blogger Challenge with The SITS Girls on Blog Frog.  It is a plan to which gives you “31 Days to Build a Better Blog”.  I am completely stumped with my blog writing lately, and I need some new ideas.  This was the perfect challenge for me.  I hope to learn more about myself, my blogging, and be able to change some of the things that I do with my blog.

During the first week of August, I will be attending the BlogHer Conference in New York City.  This is my second BlogHer, as I attended last year in Chicago.  I had a great time.  I will be attending some parties, but I am not going to overwhelm myself this time.  Seriously, I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off last year trying to get to all the events.  I can’t wait to see all of my bloggy friends there too.  If you are going to BlogHer, be sure and come say “HI” to me.

The week after Blogher, I will be hosting a Back-To-School Giveaway Bonanza with 11 other awesome bloggers. We have some great sponsors lined up for this event.  We will be announcing all the sponsors and specifics soon on our Facebook page.  Please “LIKE” our Facebook page to get the latest information and a list of all of the Bloggers participating.

And last but not least, I will be finishing my summer with Bloggy Boot Camp in San Francisco. This is my second Bloggy Boot Camp as I attend Bloggy Boot Camp Phoenix.  I will be speaking at this particular BBC.  I will also be doing a little road trip up to San Francisco with my Bloggy Pals.  They also recently added a Bloggy Boot Camp in St. George, Utah on November 13, 2010.  I will most likely be attending that one too, as it is the day before my 35th Birthday.  I think that is the perfect way to celebrate turning 35!

Wow, looking at all of this freaks me out. But it’s a good freak out, right? Plus the Angry Kid starts Kindergarten the first week of September.  I can survive all of this…I can…I hope.  Wish me luck!

At the beginning of the month, I participated in I Heart Faces Photowalk Across America. One of the points or objectives of the event was to get a new profile photo for your website or your blog.  You don’t really think about profile photos until you need them.  These are traditionally referred as headshots (used by actors and actresses to get work), but in the blogger world, we call them “profile photos”. A profile photo is used to identify the owner of the blog with their readers.  You might also be using a profile photo on your Facebook account, or other social networking sites.

Photo by Elaine

This is my current profile photograph on my “About Me” page here on Angry Julie Monday.  I change my profile photo about every six months, because I’m always messing with my hair whether it be the length or color.  It also reflects my personality/mood at the time.  If you know me well enough, you will see my “Julie looks” that I like to give out. Right now, I’m obsessed with turquoise.  It is the color of the year!

As a frequent reader of blogs, I want to be able to identify with the writer, and who this person really is.  I also identify with people through their Twitter profile photos.  I get confused when people constantly change their profile photos (on Twitter).  When you are following thousands of people, you learn to identify with a color or theme.  I use my blog button on my Twitter profile because of my job and some other things, but mostly because I’m ADD and would be changing my Twitter Profile Weekly.

Why am I writing this? Do I have a point? I’ve gone to two blog conferences this year, and several other blog related events.  I’ve attended these events with other people, and other bloggers.  Before I went, I checked out everyone’s websites.  I wanted to “know” who they were.  It is really hard to identify and/or find people at these events when I don’t know what they look like.  Even though I may use my avatar on Twitter, I’m pretty narcissistic and post pictures of myself frequently.  I want to know what you look like, RIGHT NOW! Not two years ago, not when you got married, not when you were 100 lbs, and modeling.

So this is a little reminder to everyone attending some of these conferences and events this summer.  There is a conference this week in Utah, Evo, which I’m totally bummed that I cannot go to.  But, I am attending that really HUGE conference in NYC in August, you know the one, BlogHer. PLEASE post a current photo of yourself on your site, unless you are anonymous, which I totally get.  I want to know what you look like, if I meet you in person.  You will recognize me, because I will be that really loud girl, wearing a headband.

Do you want some tips on how to get a great profile photo? Here are a few.

1. A recent clear, close-up photo of your face

2. No hats or sunglasses

3. Your CURRENT hair color

4. Have someone else take your photo! Maybe there’s a local photographer looking for models for their portfolio? Another bloggy friend.  You can take photos of each other.

Do you need an example of WHAT NOT TO DO for a profile photo? Yes, I edited a photo of myself. I may wear this outfit, a lot. I really really really like this headband too.

Here is your mission: make sure your profile photo is up to date!

Conference attendees, you make not think that this is not a big thing, but if you would like to work with brands, turn your blog into a business, etc.  You need to look professional.  These brands will be looking at your blog, before and after the conferences.  All of those link-ups, etc that you are participating in, well potential advertisers look at those lists too.

P.S. This may be one of those pre-BlogHer posts.  I’m trying to be not so obvious about it, though.

I’m totally kidding. I was trying to think of a good title for this post. I didn’t want to start it with “BlogHer Recap, My Story….” because that’s been done before. I know, I’ve seen it. But really, isn’t this BlogHer 5K t-shirt fabulous?

I started off my trip to Chicago with a flight detouring to Dallas, TX. Well I really wasn’t detoured, my flight was not non-stop. I meet some fabulous people while waiting for my connecting flight who just happened to have the seats next to me on the flight to Chicago. {Hi there!!! You know who you are!!!} I was able to manage my flights due to my new little friend. I like to call him, Mr. X. I arrived at O’Hare and met with my roommate, Shannon. This was our first time meeting. We actually “met” on a parenting forum, awhile ago. We hopped in a cab and made it to the hotel, in horrible weather.

Shannon and I then began our hectic weekend. I attended these functions, if you really want to know…cause I know YOU do.

*Mom Central Cocktail Party
*MomDot Dinner Party
*Room704 Party
*BlogHer 5K
*EA Sports Party
*Mommy Needs a Cocktail
*MamaPopRocks: Sparklecorn
*BlogHer Cocktail Reception (Saturday)
*BowlHer
*CheeseburgHer Party

I walked away with some great swag. I didn’t fight for it though. Really, the swag fighting was kind of entertaining. I walked into the Room704 party late, and all I heard with women bitching about “the free stuff” being gone. But my only thoughts were, “Holy Crap, is that “The Nap Warden” and “Scary Mommy”? Did I just see a naked woman walk by? Yes, yes I did..it was Naked Jen. Seriously, I lost all conversation when I saw Jen walk by, in her nakedness. I knew it was time for bed.

I got up at 5:45 the next day (Friday) to do the BlogHer 5K. I strapped that Garmin of mine on and ran with my ladies. Yay for the Garmin, because I was able to track our distance. I met some awesome Fitness Bloggers too. You know who you are. I actually felt better after doing that run. Perhaps, it was the Walgreens I ran into, to get my Monster. I got back to the room, ate some food, and attended some sessions.

Friday night, I wore two outfits. I rocked The LBD “Little Black Dress”, but I really don’t know how little it was. Then I changed into my MamaPop gear. A lovely personalized “Angry Julie Monday” shirt, some knee socks, and a jean skirt. I was intensely fascinated with that cake. I also wanted some fruit with my alcohol. I may have gone to the bar with one of my “blog crushes” Jennifer and ordered a very expensive drink. I may have gone to another bar after the event. I returned back to my room with some Legos from BusyDad. Oh, and I met my night time Twitter Family @onlyaman and @churchpunkmom.

Saturday, I was barely functioning, but made it to one session, “Vaginally Challenged Bloggers“. I loved it. And I’m glad that I pushed my way to the front. I’m more used to hanging out with guys than girls anyway. I work with mostly men, or boys as I like to call them. After the session, I was ready for some food. Food came, and then went. Yep, I got sick, took a nap, and almost missed the entire day. I scrambled to get myself together and got dressed.

Shannon and I headed to BowlHer, and then back to the Hotel for CheeseburgHer. I assembled a beautiful paper bag hat with my blue flower attached.

After stuffing down McDonald’s cheeseburgers, I headed back to the room with Cynthia. We had a great discussion about blogging, etc. In reality, I was holding her EA swag bag hostage. We said our goodbyes, she left with (2) bottles of Cuervo, and I checked my e-mail.

I finally crashed after a very very long weekend. I woke up the next morning to the sound of Shannon packing and getting ready to leave. Sigh, I knew it was over. We said our goodbyes and she left. I headed down to the coffee shop at the Hotel for some breakfast. I ate a $25 omelet. YES, with tax, tip, and everything, it was $25.

I left later that afternoon for the airport. I didn’t share a cab with anyone. I was ok with it. I was totally over-stimulated and needed some quiet time. I made it to my flight check-in and had a bit of a problem. My suitcases were overweight. I had to re-arrange some shoes things. But I finally was able to check in. I flew home by the way of Atlanta and then Orange County. I was very excited to see Angry Husband and Angry Toddler at the airport. I think Angry Toddler missed me. Angry Husband probably did too.

I just wanted to give a HELL YEA to all of these people! Because you made my weekend ROCK!! If I missed you in my shout out, I’m sorry. Forgive me. Yell at me in a comment or something. If you have pictures of me, let me know. I’m starting to see them pop up.

ForTheMommas, Twenty Four at Heart, Nap Warden, OnlyAman, Churchpunkmom, Picnik, Piper of Love, Playgroups are no place for Children, Undomestic Diva, @amysho, Workout Mommy, MizFitOnline, Ecostore USA, Kevin Burke, The Unlikely Housewife, @mumby, Looney Tunes, Scary Mommy, Sarah Bellum’s tales of wit&charm, Blogfully Yours, Bizzie Mommy, and of course my @EmmieJ.

You probably wanted to read about nastiness, didn’t you? I had no issues at BlogHer. I worked the room. I loved everyone. I miss everyone. I approached everyone. I’m not shy!

and YES, I was dehydrated. I paid $5.95 for one of those crappy water bottles in my room. Please let BlogHer 10′ be sponsored by a water company!

YES, that’s right…New York, here I come! I bought my ticket already for 2010!