Are you planning to be at BlogHer 08? Put Saturday afternoon at 4 PM on your schedule. That's the time for the Boomers and Beyond meetup at the BlogHer conference in July. I'll be facilitating this Birds of a Feather discussion and representing the Beyond category among the Boomers who will be there.
Isn't it great to get facilitator roles just because you're old? But the meetups aren't about the facilitators, they are about whatever the particpants want them to be about.
As the Beyonder in the room, I might suggest some topics, such as:
- Why the hell doesn't Medicare cover the cost of K-Y Jelly?
All right, I'll be serious. Here are some potential topics from my brain:
- Boomers and their gadgets. What we love, what we hate, what we want
- What happens after the hot flashes stop?
- Photography tips
- Getting more comments on your posts
- Technology
- Health
My topics are not the point. The point is that YOU come with your topics as a boomer (or beyond) and the discussion goes from there. What do you want to talk about?
Who do you want to meet with, talk to? If you're overwhelmed by mommy bloggers and just want to find a group closer to your years, this is the place. As my roommate at last year's BlogHer conference in Chicago pointed out, "I just don't fit in with all these young women." Well, here's the spot where you fit in.
Don't forget that these Birds of a Feather (BOF) meetups are also about networking. This might be a good place to find contacts for a project you have in mind involving aging, or marketing to boomers, or enlisting boomers to help green the environment. It's also a perfect time for talking with the bloggers who share your interests, because the group will be smaller and the conversation can be more inclusive of everyone in the room—and more in depth.
One thing I hope to get out of the BOF session to meet the women who blog about topics of interest to boomers and beyond. I know my role at BlogHer is nominally a Technology Contributing Editor, but I often take on topics about Elders because I am one, and there is no Elder CE in place. I'd like to know about your blogs, get your cards, learn about you.
What are some of the concerns of boomers and beyond in the blogosphere? At Happening Here, Jan writes about politics, peace, racism, and civil liberties. Then there's Fried Okra Productions where Claudia writes about music, photography, and aging.
Jen of A Garden Carried in the Pocket writes about books. At Marja Leena Rathje, Marja posts stunningly beautiful photographs and articles about art, photography and music. Politics, aging, opinion and a variety of news of interest to women over 40 are the concerns of Women's Voices for Change.
What sounds interesting to you? Let's hear some suggestions.
Comments
Will try to make it
I'm attending a session from 3:15-4:30, but I'll try to duck out a little early and stop by for this.
Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen
That's great, Kalyn
We'll be glad to see you and hear what you have to say about the topics we have going.
http://www.webteacher.ws/ http://first50.wordpress.com/
The hot flashes end??
Do you promise?? I'm 2 years post-menopausal but those little friends are still with me!
I think the photo walk might be scheduled at the same time. if it's not, I'll stop by!
Debra
A Stitch In Time
Deb's Daily Distractions
There is a lot going on
at the same time, I know. Hard to choose. Hope we see you there.
http://www.webteacher.ws/ http://first50.wordpress.com/
Hey What Is A Boomer Anyway?
Now I think it is folks born between 1946 and 1964. But there are others who say that those of use born around 1954 to 1963 are actually Echo Boomers or Boometts.
I ask because I don't know if I should go to the MidAge thing or Boomers or if I will even be able to find my way out of the hotel room.
Can you be a middle age boomer?
Sleepy and dippy don't mix, I'm putting myself to bed.
Gena - Out On The Stoop
yes, you can
be a middle aged boomer, especially if you think that the 40s are part of middle age–these days the average life expectancy is close to 80, so both labels apply.
http://www.webteacher.ws/ http://first50.wordpress.com/
Hello Virginia, I'm a
Hello Virginia, I'm a newcomer here, having only today heard of this site from a fellow artist/blogger, Marja-Leena Rathje.
I'm sorry I didn't know about the BlogHer conference earlier, even though I couldn't have attended in the flesh (I'm across the pond, in London) but at least I could have been there virtually and I would surely have mentioned it in the article I wrote ("Where are all the older female geeks?") which was published yesterday in the Guardian newspaper, here in the UK. You can read it at the Guardian's online edition:
http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/women/story/0,,2285382,00.html
There are more details and links on my blog, Blaugustine
http://www.nataliedarbeloff.com/blaugustine.html
I would love to hear from you.
Welcome to BlogHer
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I'm off to read your blog now.
http://www.webteacher.ws/ http://first50.wordpress.com/