Last week I went to the Aiming Low Non Conference. It was awesome. Mainly because I didn’t die on the way there or the way back. Aiming Low must mean a lot to me if I was willing to face the terror of plane flight.

For one, I got to see some awesome friends and take really terrible prom pictures:

And then another one:

And then the best picture ever taken happened at Non Con:

And I wanted to point out the mad skills of Faiqa and Leila because I think they did this:

I never had the college dorm experience, so this is exactly what I chalk conferences up to: debauchery. I’m not even going to play, rooming with me and Julia you get spoiled. Mainly Julia, but I’ll throw myself in there too because I sleep through anything and won’t throw shit at your head because you have a blow dyer drying at 8 am. I will keep you up until 4 am with my masterful interpretation of how everyone wants to be Pioneer Woman except me because I don’t cook or photo. Or pioneer.

Beyond the debauchery of a whole lotta lady bits, Non Con was exactly what every blogger needs: there was absolutely no bullshit. No complaining about swag lines or bats to knees for invites or a hierarchy. It was bloggers talking about blogging at round tables. Everyone got a turn, everyone had their say and, I think, everyone left inspired.

To put more of themselves in their blogs or to send off their book proposal or to get up earlier (that would be me) or to fall back in love with this platform. To drown out the noise of what everyone else is doing and listen to what it is they want. Attendees had the chance to be heard and make a plan (if they wanted to). Remember, this was Aiming Low not Aiming High and lists and things are for overachievers which we are not. The Non Con, more than anything, was a judgement free zone where people felt supported, nurtured and inspired.

And then, after I didn’t die on the plane ride home, it was my birthday and a balloon man made me this:

This should sufficiently tell you that I’m one helluva good time. I’ve also been listening to Justin Bieber on repeat for about 40 minutes, so my judgement is all kinds of wrong.

Thank you Anissa!