Chris Brogan, Merlene Paynter & Jason Falls at Blog World 2008

It’s been quite a year since Blog World Expo 2008. It’s hard to believe it’s only been just over a year since I attended Blog World last year  – it was my first conference and little did I know that over the following months I’d attend CES, Affiliate Summit West, SXSWi, BlogHer and IzeaFest as well as Wordcamps, Podcamps, Twestivals, and a number of local social media events.

Also over the past year I’ve started a business, moved, made the decision to home school my teenage son, started a new relationship and launched a bunch of sites, projects and communities. I’ve made a lot of great friends, been a part of some amazing things, and sometimes it’s hard to catch my breath.

Which is why instead of partying in Las Vegas this weekend with many of my friends, I’m home in Toronto. At first the conferences, the travel, the events were fun. I’ve met so many great people, learned a ton of things, and had so much fun but at the same time it’s taking me longer and longer to recover from the trips. I get home and I’m tired. I’m stressed. I’m overwhelmed. My kids are stressed and overwhelmed by the absences too and overall the trips are really beginning to feel more like work than anything else.

Second City Toronto

So I’m home in Toronto this week and while I miss seeing friends in at #bwe09 I am taking some much needed me time. I’ve spent the week enjoying Toronto. So far over the last few days I have attended a concert (Gaslight Anthem with Murder By Death – both were excellent), attended a Second City Toronto show (“Shut Up and Show Us Your Tweets!” which was hilariously funny), went to see Where the Wild Things Are (not for young kids but it was a gorgeous film), dined on a variety of things including homemade pizza, Jamaican Crab Bisque from the Soup Nutsy, and a delicious squash stuffed pasta in gorgonzola walnut sauce. Plans for the next few days include a trip to a Toy & Collectibles show, possibly take in the Airborne Toxic Event concert, and an afternoon pint at a local pub with friends on a weekday afternoon.

Despite the fact that it sounds like we’ve been on the go non-stop all week I feel more rested, refreshed, recharged and even refocused than I’ve felt in well over a year. I know when my “vacation” ends on Wednesday and I’m back to my regular routines I’ll be ready to charge ahead at full steam with renewed excitement and focus than the 50% or so focus for the last few months.

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