I just can’t. I keep trying to write super sentimental sentences that will accurately depict all the AWESOME and AMAZING that was this year’s Bloggers in Sin City event, but I just can’t. It’s too much and I just have to accept that no amount of hyperbole or run-on sentences will ever be able to accurately explain what it felt like to go back to Vegas for round two, to throw myself into the dizzying shenanigan-fest for a second year in a row.
I was scared last year. It’s a terrifying thing to step into a group of strangers known to you only through their words, Facebook profiles, tweets and two-dimensional social media avatars. I’m an introvert with enough anxiety that I’ve got to mentally and verbally rehearse what I’m going to say before I pick up the phone and call the damn dentist. Seriously. And yet, you throw me into a room with a bunch of kids from the internet and all the crazy comes out, all the crazy I usually reserve special for my closest and dearest friends, the crazy that comes out mid-day on Saturdays when I’m lounging around the house with my husband or around my cheese-covered dining room table with girlfriends. The weird and quirky isn’t usually so accessible, but there’s just something about a big group of bloggers that forces me to check my inhibitions at the door and embark on a full body awkward turtle adventure.
Because when someone you’ve just met two days before asks you to partake in a full body awkward turtle at the first buffet of the weekend, that’s an opportunity you just really shouldn’t say no to.
—
—
Just like last year, this year’s event included ALL THE AMAZING THINGS and ALL THE AMAZING PEOPLE. I was worried I’d stick to the people I’d met last year, but without even trying I found myself falling in love with all the rookies, wishing that I could stuff them in my pockets and keep them with me forever and ever, amen. It’s an amazing thing, that an event like this can pull together so many brilliant, beautiful and talented people, but it does.
—
I felt different going in this year. I felt more relaxed, more ready, more excited. Less nervous, terrified and suspicious of my ability to succeed in an environment of so much yelling and happy. I was less stressed, more excited at the prospect of seeing some of my best friends, all in one place. There were tackle hugs and jumps for joy and three trips to the buffet over the course of one single day and just so many good, good things.
—
There’s something magical that happens between showing up in Vegas at the welcome mixer on Thursday night and saying goodbye to everyone Sunday morning. I can’t explain, can’t put my finger on it, but it’s a magical sort of bond that just pops up and weaves lives together. The hugs we give each other at the end of brunch on Sunday are the kind of hugs you give your closest and bestest friends. They are never-let-me-go hugs, hugs with deep inhales and squeezes and mumblings about missing each other and countdowns until the next adventure brings us back together again. They’re real hugs, honest hugs, hugs that say I care about you and miss you when you’re not around.
—
—
In the end I’m just so thankful. Thankful that Nicole makes this amazing event happen each year, thankful that Flamingo not only puts up with our shenanigans each and every year, but also spoils us rotten with VIP access and generally wonderfulness, and I’m thankful that there’s a thing called Bloggers in Sin City that’s managed to introduce me to a handful of my best friends.
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This sounds amazing. I am going to blog more solely so that I can attend next year #incentive
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haha, was thinking what Diana said too.
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Yes! Let’s do it, we’ll be newbies next year
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Also, I’m really glad that video got captured for history.
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Ha! Me too! The video is magical!
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Terra it was so so so good to meet you! Your words in this post hit spot-on what I’ve been feeling (and trying to write). As a rookie, I have to say that I’m glad to know next year will be less of the nervousness and more of the awesomeness. I hope we can get together soon π
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As much as I’m not a fan of Vegas, you have me thisclose to booking a flight for next year’s BiSC. Because with that many awesome people I know and love–both IRL and online–then I think I could set aside my mild dislike of Vegas for a weekend =)
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I don’t think I’d ever go to Vegas again if it wasn’t for BiSC. It’s not really my scene, but, like most things, bloggers make it better!
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<3 <3 <3
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Sweet Terra!
What a wonderfully charming and engaging post…so like you! I would have never imagined (in one-thousand years) that you were anything but an outgoing, welcoming extrovert! π
Your post was very endearing and a perfect testament to the bright, shiny gift that is #BiSC!
As a “brand sponsor” I didn’t think I would fall in love, but it is impossible not to…totally infectious Γ’β¬β in the best way!
Huge hug!
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i’m so glad we have recaps so we can relive a little bit of the magic every day. this made me smile so hard. I LOVE HUGS. you’re the prettiest <3
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I love you. I’m so, so happy that I got to spend more time with you this year, because that was one of my biggest sadnesses from last year (yes, sadnesses is a word, despite what that red squiggly line is trying to tell me), that I didn’t really get to see you. You’re one of my favorite people OF ALL TIME in the history of ever, and I adore you and your awesomeness and your crazy and your hair. (It had to be said. You have awesome hair.)
I was surprised at how insecure I felt this year, and a little bit disappointed in myself. Last year was supposed to be the big scary year with all of the newness and such. I felt like I was trying too hard this year and I kind of cringe at how much effort I had to put in at just trying to be myself. I don’t know. I haven’t written all my posts yet so maybe I’ll figure out what that means by then.
Anyway. You come to Iowa and you call me, okay? I have a place to take you for some Mac & Cheese to cross that off your list. Just maybe don’t come in the middle of the summer because it’s miserable and awful here. Come in the fall. It’s much more temperate and very very pretty. π
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I’m also super glad we got to spend more time together this year and was sad leaving last year knowing I’d missed out on getting time with you.
And if I come to Iowa, I will track you down and tackle hug you and we will feast on all the mac & cheese in all of Iowa and it will be brilliant and amazing.
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I’ve seen the full body awkward turtle three times on facebook and still couldn’t resist seeing it again on your blog.
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The full body awkward turtle is addicting, for sure.
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π thanks for being awesome and making us newbs feel welcome!!
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There really are not words to describe the weekend but as always, this is written so well. Oh the hugs. Spot on – they ARE different in Vegas. They are more than just a pat on the back. They are a special bonded loving embrace.
p.s. Love the photos π surprised you didn’t use your own amazing photos!
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I used your photos because I don’t think I got any photos of me on my camera and you did. Also, I’m pretty sure I’ve still got pictures I haven’t posted on my little camera I used at the pool….
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i mean yes to this whole post. love it and love you and so glad we got to hang out again this year even if for a little bit. also if i didn’t say a million times already, i LOVED your mad men dress, so freaking cute!
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Love putting some pics to your awesome tweets! So glad you had an amazing time! What a fun trip after graduating! LOVE the turtle! π
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I want to experience ALL OF THIS… with you… in 2013.
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2013 BISC OR BUST!! It just has to happen. End of story.
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“TheyΓ’β¬β’re real hugs, honest hugs, hugs that say I care about you and miss you when youΓ’β¬β’re not around.”
Having missed out on the hugfest last year, I 1000% agree with this statement.
Those hugs and the parting words that came with them, that’s when I knew, if there were any remaining self-doubts, that “this person is one of MY people”. You just can’t fake those kinds of emotions.
It’s a really weird phenomenon, I can’t even begin to understand it or explain it, but if were to try put into words, I would say it’s this feeling of recognizing “this person legitimately cares about me and likes that I am part of their life”. it’s a wonderful feeling and not something I feel all that often.
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I’m so glad you got to partake in the hugfest of that last magical brunch. It really is something special and you’re right – it is a feeling of the person caring for you, genuinely in ways that are rarely felt.
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I missed your presence in my life, so I came to read your blog.
Glad I got to meet and hang with you!
<3
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YOUR FULL BODY AWKWARD TURTLE WAS AMAZING!!!! Also, your pictures are seriously amazing π
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i keep trying to recreate / explain the full body awkward turtle to people. they just don’t understand.
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It is simply beyond explanation. Also, it’s ridiculous, in the best way.