October 18 11

Indeed, I did attend the Blissdom Canada conference this past week. Unlike other post-conference posts you may read, I am probably not going to share any game-changing learning with you, because, basically, I learned what I already know.

I learned that Canadian women are strong, smart, beautiful, capable, lovely, inspiring, amazing. I learned that there’s just never enough time to spend with everyone—especially the kindred spirits. I learned that I am a pretty capable writer and that I can go ahead and call myself A WRITER. I learned that there’s nothing sexier than someone who knows how to use an m-dash correctly. I learned that I am still blogging like it’s 2004 and I will continue to do so until the words run dry and there’s nothing left to say. I learned that carrying around my big honking camera does not necessarily mean that I will take photos with it, as I will be too busy stuffing my gob with delicious head-sized cookies and talking my fool head off to take pictures. (I took four.) I learned that there’s tremendous power in a good pair of black tights.

(image credit: CLBuchananPhoto)

You are welcome.

I learned that I need to start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I learned that my subway commute will always give me instant material. I learned that I still have no idea how klout works or why it’s important. I learned that I fit into Haley-O’s daughter’s pink camo booster seat pretty darn comfortably. I learned that I still want to put Heartland’s Graham Wardle into my pocket and take him home and bake him some pie. I learned that authenticity beats out pageviews every single time. I learned that comments are down, and it doesn’t matter.

I learned that I am doing what I was meant to do. 

I am a story teller.

Sometimes my stories are funny, sometimes they are heartfelt. Sometimes I cry tears of joy and sometimes I cry tears of sorrow. I get angry, I get frustrated, I get flustered, I get proud, I get protective. I have good days and bad days. There are things I know. I am an ellipticizer, a mother, a wife, a lion-tamer, a diet coke quitter, a juggler, a getter-of-drinks. I drink my coffee a little sweet and a little light. I like the smell of clean sheets and the feel of almost everything from anthropologie. I chew minty gum and love history more than the average person should, really. I am an expert in the art of time suckage. I like to quote movies, eat cookie dough, and read. I love Jon Hamm and I miss LOST. I stopped wearing my confidence glasses because I don’t need them anymore and because they were becoming too trendy. (Yes. It’s true. I’m a closet hipster. And I’m pretty proud of it. Let’s all raise our PBR and rejoice while I run out and take pictures of myself in front of my vintage baby blue bicycle. Come on, you know you want to!) I was raised by my television set. I wish I could rid the world of LOLspeak. I am Canada’s Emma Pillsbury and Annie Edison and my children tell me that I am a DOF (destroyer of fun). I am learning to use my camera better and love my thighs more. I am a senior online editor at Canadian Family by day, and a helper-with-homework and expert snuggler by night.

And I always write about it.

Because I was meant to.

Some people were meant to save lives. Some were meant to educate. Some were meant to fight for others. Some were meant to entertain.

I was meant to put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard, if you will) and weave a tale.

And that is exactly what I’ll continue to do.

And if this doesn’t work out, I can totally work for the CW, choosing the soundtracks for their shows.

Because, honestly, I may have been born to do that too.

 

 

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  1. I am glad you have learned you need to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

    Comment by Ana on October 18, 2011
  2. Yes! It has taken me three years to admit that I’m a storyteller and to claim that’s what I am. I just completely rewrote my “about me” page to say that very thing. Cheers to storytellers!

    Comment by Jennifer on October 18, 2011
  3. Awesome post, darling!

    Comment by Rae Ann on October 18, 2011
  4. Lovely post – so very happy I have gotten to know you in real life even though I felt I already did by reading your words. I am happy you will continue to tell your story because you are so very good at it!

    Comment by Kelli on October 18, 2011
  5. Kelli! You are basically one of my favorite people ever.
    I’m just saying 🙂

    Comment by ali on October 18, 2011
  6. Yay! Of COURSE you are a writer. Why oh why else would so many people come here every day? I am so glad that you had a blast at Blissdom! You were definitely born to write and share your words.

    Comment by Jen on October 18, 2011
  7. I love this. Thank you.

    Comment by Pam @writewrds on October 18, 2011
  8. All I can think of is the comments your mom would have on that photo. Ha!

    I’m still having a hard time realizing I am a story teller. Even though I know I tell stories really well.

    Comment by Kristabella on October 18, 2011
  9. It’s too bad there was no “Sit like a lady” session at Blissdom. I totally needed one of those.
    Hee!

    Comment by ali on October 18, 2011
  10. […] Ali Martell from Cheaper Than Therapy wrote: What I Already Know […]

    Pingback by Did you attend Blissdom Canada? Share your thoughts! » The Best of Everything on October 18, 2011
  11. I just actually started using Klout. Not because it means anything to me, but because if you can’t beat em, join em. That’s my current theory at least.

    Old school blogging FTW!!!! 🙂

    Comment by Issa on October 18, 2011
  12. I can think of a ton more sexy than an m-dash, but the fact that you know what that is makes you awesome all the same. 😉

    I really loved chatting with you, and the other wonderful people in attendance. You’ve all inspired me in some way or another, and for that I thank you.

    Comment by Alex on October 18, 2011
  13. I can’t help it, I’m a GRAMMAR NERD. 🙂

    Sigh. I need more time with you, woman. Let’s make that happen…mmmmkay?

    Comment by ali on October 18, 2011
  14. Love you, Ali! You’re awesome at what you do. Can’t wait to see you again soon. xoxo

    Comment by Loukia on October 18, 2011
  15. and i learned what i already know: it is always entertaining to read your posts;)

    Comment by Klara on October 18, 2011
  16. AMEN!

    It was so good to spend all of that time talking and eating with you. (I took two photos.)

    xo

    Comment by Angella on October 18, 2011
  17. There’s an old saying that we already know everything, we just keep on forgetting it 😉

    Comment by Larissa on October 18, 2011
  18. Um, a) Please start watching Buffy. It is actually stressing me out that you haven’t.

    b) I have such respect for you and other bloggers who are weaver of words. One of my take aways from Blissdom is to write better – the craft, the words, the raw, the real. I really want to get better at it.

    c) I took English in University — but that’s been a while so I need to touch up on grammar and stuff — and not sure about dashes – so I’m adding random ones here. 🙂

    Great post

    Comment by Rebecca on October 18, 2011
  19. I’m kinda stuck on the fact that you haven’t watched Buffy. YOU MUST WATCH BUFFY.

    It was lovely seeing you again, I’m only sorry we didn’t have a moment to spend together.

    Comment by Redneck Mommy on October 18, 2011
  20. I miss Lost too:(
    Wasn’t at Blissdom but this is probably my fav wrap-up of the event!

    Comment by Sarah on October 19, 2011
  21. Love this Ali. Especially the up-skirt shot. Also how my picture inadvertently made it into your post (notice I said post? See? You can teach an old dog new tricks)

    Comment by Sharon on October 19, 2011
  22. I learned that I should comment more or put my fingers on a strict diet so I can type on my stupid iPhone in bed at 2am when I read blogs!! And yes, lets rid the world of LOL speak!

    Comment by Lindsey Jacobs on October 19, 2011
  23. I had a similar experience at Blissdom Canada in that I felt so validated by the things I heard and saw. As if I’m moving in the right direction rather than fighting against the current to be something I’m not. That was good for me to experience. I don’t know if I could have articulated that as a goal prior to attending but as outcomes go it was welcome.

    I have an easier time calling myself a writer than a storyteller. Maybe I need to examine that about myself. I think I can tell a decent story, but I’m not sure I qualify for the title. Before your post, I’d never even thought about the distinction before. Interesting.

    Comment by Karen on October 20, 2011
  24. I loved the “i already know Canadian women are…”
    Great post

    Comment by Lisa aka @those2girls on October 22, 2011
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