1. Actually being part of the conference team
It was so much fun. I met so many more people this year as I worked at the registration desk and around various other things. I apparently also talked so much I lost my voice. The other good thing about being part of the team was watching everyone learn how to use Facebook stickers in our Team Facebook chat. Darren was fond of using Power Rangers ones, in case you’re wondering.
Image via whalespout.com.au
2. Having enough voice to get through my presentation
It was probably worse than nails on a chalkboard, but my voice held up ok. I was worried there for a while – so worried I was eating honey straight from those little containers you get at the buffet breakfast. A kindly gentleman made me honey and lemon tea to sip through my presentation, and Brooke scoured the halls for ginger. I was also stoked that Sonia Styling and Kate from Drop Dead Gorgeous Daily BOTH got my “my name is Rupert, this is my cat” Ricky Gervais reference. Full marks girls (And Sonia, I still owe you five bucks).
“Loads of websites just clogging up the internet by people just doing websites about themselves. ‘My name is Rupert. This is my cat. Here are my favourite Cure songs in order.’ Who gives a fuck?”—Ricky Gervais
I also prepared a downloadable PDF cheat sheet for those who couldn’t make it or were a bit overwhelmed with taking notes. You can download it here, or take a peep at Pip’s excellent effort!
3. Watching Chantelle get the love and devotion she deserves
I am Fat Mum Slim‘s Number-One fan, Official Bee’s Ankles, and now celebrity paparazzo. This girl is the real deal, and SO sneakily funny and sarcastic. I knew how terrified she was of public speaking (no kidding, I had to talk her out of quitting for nine whole months) and I was so proud of how well she did in her session about using social media to grow your blog. And then watched the love in the room pour out for a crazy kid with crazy dreams she makes come true on the internet.
She got hated on again two days later, so I’ve reverted to wanting to punch the whole internet again.
4. Katie 180 ensuring I had enough snacks
In case I got “hangry”. Which, let’s face it, was entirely possible.
5. The food at the QT Gold Coast.
I warned ya!
6. The Speakers and Team dinner
At Yamagen. I ate until I nearly cried, I was so full. Agedashi tofu, you complete me.
7. Eden performing her slam poetry.
Hanging with Nikki, Beth and Mrs Woog required a funny little ritual (that included me donning a soft pant and taking all my makeup off) which was already exactly what I needed. Then Eden snuck up off the couch, put a “do not disturb” sign on the door, announced she was going to perform for us, then had us spellbound for exactly two minutes.
I’ve never seen anything like it. I am wary of poetry that doesn’t rhyme. The thought of sitting through a pretentious performance of somebody’s purple prose sounded like something I’d rather eat a bag of nails than watch. Of course, she was nothing like that and it was incredible. I hate her so much, she’s so good.
8. Walking past the place where a stripper once tried to push me down the stairs
I hate the term “stomping ground”, but Surfer’s Paradise was mine. If you were around circa 2001, you’d have seen me in my tartan pants drink bourbon and own the dance floor at The Party on Orchid Ave. Occasionally you could lure me out to other places, but not often. I had to smile as I walked under the Crazy Horse strip club sign, and remembered how I was just that little bit too fast for the angry stripper. 
9. Finally getting my Theo’s kebab
Given I left the Ahoy party early due to my rapidly diminishing voice, I never had the opportunity to stagger over to Cavill Mall and get my midnight kebab. Lunchtime the next day, though – I rolled up to the counter and ordered a salad kebab. Me, felafel, tomato, lettuce, cheese, onion, and six kilos of the best garlic sauce in Queensland sat on the sand and laughed at two Asian tourists run screaming down the beach to get away from a seagull. Well I laughed, my kebab didn’t appear as amused.
10. Meeting all of you
Finally putting IRL faces to blog names is always fun. It was rad to see everyone having a good time, learning new things, meeting new people, and hugging old friends. See you next year?
What was your #PBEVENT highlight?
Kate McLean (Whale Spout) says
September 5, 2014 at 10:31 amI loved your presentation Stacey, can’t believe how much I learnt from it! Thanks for the cheat sheet too (can hardly read my notes!). Am loving that my photo of you made your blog!!!!
Veggie Mama says
September 5, 2014 at 10:51 amThanks for taking it! And I totally used it without written permission… feel free to tell me to take your intellectual property down from my blog 😉
Kate McLean (Whale Spout) says
September 6, 2014 at 7:07 pmNot at all – you are more than welcome Stacey 🙂
kotsin says
September 10, 2014 at 12:45 pmSeven m0nths ago I l0st my j0b and after that I was f0rtunate enough to stumble upon a great website which literally saved me. I started w0rking for them 0nline and in a short time after I’ve started averaging 15k a month,… The best thing was that cause I am not that computer savvy all I needed was some basic typing skills and internet access to start… This is where I started—– huluwork.Com
Marie Biswell says
September 5, 2014 at 10:35 amHoly Catfish girl…. you just gave me a heart attack!! I’ve had heaps of giveaways on my blog where the winner was chosen by random all done without a permit! So I raced over to the OLGR link but after reading it a couple of times I realised that they were talking about businesses …but then I thought I’d better get a clear definition of what a business is, so then I headed over to the ATO site and an hour later, I have written myself some notes, deciding that my blog/craft/hobby is just a hobby, not a business — phew! — so lil ole me can continue on as normal!! Ughs, I need a cuppa tea now, too much too early in the day!
Veggie Mama says
September 5, 2014 at 10:50 amThere’s so much that bloggers don’t know – and they need to! I would still be careful with those giveaways, girl. A game of skill is much safer whether you’re a hobby blogger or not x
edenland says
September 5, 2014 at 1:15 pmI HAT YOU.
And the fact you were too quick for the stripper who tried to push you down the stairs.
When I got back I was describing the weekend to Dave (it took a long time) … and then I got to you entering the room in that black dress.
“And then VEGGIEMAMA walks in wearing this AMAZING BLACK DRESS looking SO FUCKING BEAUTIFUL HON that I had to stop her mid-sentence to tell her how incredible she is. Beautiful AND smart.”
XXXXXX
Veggie Mama says
September 5, 2014 at 1:45 pmHaha you made me laugh! It is a pretty rad dress, I’m glad you liked it! I am so glad you came, and I’m glad you had a reasonable time. I also love that you hat me. I’m honoured! RILI HONOURED!
Smaggle says
September 5, 2014 at 2:21 pmI loved when Eden did her poetry. It was magical. Especially the silence at the end. I HAT you both. And I rili menit.
Veggie Mama says
September 5, 2014 at 2:23 pmI really, really liked the bath. I want one now.
Lisa Mckenzie says
September 5, 2014 at 3:38 pmSounds like you really had a great time xx
Veggie Mama says
September 5, 2014 at 9:13 pmIt was wonderful, LIsa! I hope I meet you in real life one day too x
Renee at Mummy, Wife, Me says
September 5, 2014 at 4:24 pmYep, definitely see you next year! I loved your session. It was super helpful and answered a lot of the questions I had. I have one more though, so I’ll email you about it in the next couple of days if you don’t mind 🙂
Veggie Mama says
September 5, 2014 at 9:13 pmOoh please do! I hope I can help x
Chantelle : Fat Mum Slim says
September 5, 2014 at 7:34 pmI loved spending time with you. That was my favourite thing. You are the best person I know. Thanks for being so you. x
Veggie Mama says
September 5, 2014 at 9:12 pmThanks for putting up with anxiety and spewy babies to hang out!
Kirsten and co. says
September 5, 2014 at 8:20 pmLoved meeting you at the registration desk. Apologies for calling you by your blog name and not your actual name the entire time we chatted!!
Veggie Mama says
September 5, 2014 at 9:12 pmHaha dude, nobody called me Stacey the whole time I was there! Even in real life and out of blog things people still call me veg or VM so you’re like part of the team now 🙂
Shari says
September 5, 2014 at 8:56 pmSo sad I missed it – love the photo of Samara from BlondeInk (from my stomping ground Canberra) with Chantelle from FatMumSlim…
Veggie Mama says
September 5, 2014 at 9:11 pmSamara was so lovely!
MotherDownUnder says
September 5, 2014 at 9:06 pmI want that tofu!
I had a great time this year.
I don’t know if it was just because I am a year older as a blogger or if it was because this was my Problogger number two, but I felt so much more comfortable and less overwhelmed this year.
Veggie Mama says
September 5, 2014 at 9:10 pmYou’re a ProBlogger Pro! I can see you learned so much last year and I think it helped you streamline some stuff. So this time you went in with open eyes! So glad to see you again, I miss you x
MotherDownUnder says
September 6, 2014 at 4:25 pmI miss you too!
And your girls!
It was lovely to catch up…you seem so happy!
Veggie Mama says
September 8, 2014 at 11:51 amLife’s pretty good!
Laney Galligan says
September 5, 2014 at 9:24 pmThanks for the shout out for my comp post during your session. Hope you’re recovering this week x
Veggie Mama says
September 8, 2014 at 11:52 amI can speak and it doesn’t make people’s ears bleed!
Christie-Childhood 101 says
September 5, 2014 at 10:18 pmSo many awesome moments, it’s just too hard to choose a favourite. Chantelle was awesome and I am looking forward to going through your notes and listening to your session 🙂
Veggie Mama says
September 8, 2014 at 11:52 amI’m sorry if it frightens you!
Sonia@ LIfe Love and Hiccups says
September 5, 2014 at 11:32 pmIt was so awesome to see you hun – I wish I had more time and you had more of a voice so I could sit and gabber with you. But I got my hug. I’m happy 🙂 xx
Veggie Mama says
September 8, 2014 at 11:52 amhah consider yourself lucky
Carla @ My Yellow Heart says
September 7, 2014 at 1:55 amChantelle got hated on again? What is it with people?
Desiree Fawn says
September 7, 2014 at 9:39 amOh man, looks like such a fab time! 😀
sammie@theannoyedthyroid.com says
September 8, 2014 at 12:19 amWell, I didn’t get to PB this year so one of the highlights for me was reading your cracker of a wrap up. Of course all that talk of felafel and pictures of desserts made me feel hungry as a horse and hearing about how good Chantelle and Eden rocked the rooms (in different ways) made me pea green with envy but I loved it all the same (apart from the bit about Chantelle getting hated on – some people have no soul.) . I hope you have all your voice back and to see you there next year!
Sonia from Sonia Styling says
September 10, 2014 at 2:09 pmIt was so dang awesome getting to meet you in the (absolutely gorgeous) flesh. I loved your session – you shared so much valuable info – and yes, you do still owe me $5, which I am willing to exchange for you publicly declaring you would stand next to me anytime without a paper bag… x