I started blogging in February of this year. And I had no idea that this little blog. With the tongue in cheek name. Would become what it has.
I had no idea that I would become obsessed with my sitemeter. Or my map of visitors. Or what google searches led people to this page.
I had no idea that I would come to crave comments. Or that I would have to create events for the weekends because my comments were a bit low then. I had no idea that I would get a sense of validation from blogging.
I had no idea that I would make friends. Real friends. Friends that I would drive hours to see. Friends that I would actually contemplate buying a $700 plane ticket so that I could spend the weekend with them. Laughing. And talking. And laughing some more. As if we have known each other for forever.
And I had no idea that I would actually meet these friends inside my computer.
But I have.
I met Nissa..jpg)
And then Angie..jpg)
And Angie and Shannon. (How many times do you think I might post this picture?).jpg)
And Lizzy..jpg)
And Lizzy and Kori..jpg)
And then there was the surprise summit with Angie, Shannon, Kori, Lizzy, and Lula..jpg)
Followed by a mini summit with Lula and her girls..jpg)
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And followed by another mini summit with Lizzy and HER girls. This time on Lizzy's stomping grounds..jpg)
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I had no idea that I would actually work on planning a HUGE Blog party. But. I am.
And then today. Today...Darcy told me that Blogher announced their 2009 conference. With the fabulous theme of "Real Life." And this is the perfect opportunity. For a ginormous bloggy sleepover.
Mark your calendars. Save your pennies. Oxygenate yourself. Stock up on depends. And plan to join me at the Chicago Sheraton and Towers July 23-26!
So...how long have you been blogging? Is blogging what you thought it would be? Or has your original intention morphed into something else? Have you met the friends inside of your computer? Are you going to Chicago in July?
Theme song: Chicago - Saturday in the Park. Because it has ALL the elements. Chicago. Saturday. July. People laughing. Dancing. And I even think there was a mention of ice cream. And I have been waiting such a long time to meet ALL of you!
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44 comments:
I blogged about this exact topic today! :) Great minds and all that! :p I've been blogging for 3 years. And yes, i have met other bloggers and Internet buddies. But then again, i have a history of meeting folks from the internet. LOL
July in Chicago, huh? Ohhh That might not be beyond my home leave abilities. *bounce*
I might could sme. That's a pretty good ways off. I could probably get all my ducks in a row by then. I have never flown before ever. So that kind of scares the poo out of me.
WOuld anyone be will to meet me here and share the driving? It's like a 10 hour trip if I drove. lol
I don't know I'll just have to see.
Chicago? I've never been. If there's a chance I'll run into Oprah, all bets are off.
Other than that, we'll see. Yes, we'll see.
p.s. Um...hello...about that $700 plane ticket to potato country. Have the rates gone down? Have you checked? Ahem.
I have been working on my family blog (that I keep private but I want to start inviting my bloggy friends to) since 2007 - my new blog I just started recently and I am having such a great time jumping into the comment world.
:)
Holly
What a great post!! And how cool is it that you got to meet real friends?!?!?
No, my blog has morphed too. It started out as a way for my husband to see and hear about what was going on back home while he was in Iraq. And now people come to see what The Bella is up to and what's cookin' in the kitchen, etc. It IS validating to know that people care about what you are writing, and how if you miss a few days people email you to make sure all is well.
I love the bloggy world!!!
Are you really planning to go to Chicago?! Cause I'd definitely go if you went. I've never been there...
I've been blogging about the same amount of time you have. We'll have to do our year celebration together!
I never knew how important blogging was going to be for me. It's a lifeline. It's an outlet. It's VITAL TO MY VERY BEING.
Can't do Chicago. We're going to Disney in May. So, Chi-town is out of luck with all the partiness that the Mama Dawg would bring.
Yeah, I just commented in the third person.
I had absolutely NO expectations about blogging and have been pleasantly surprised. I've "met" lots of nice interesting folks on line. It's been surprising and quite frankly, a lot of fun. It gets me through my extremely boring days at work.
Neat! I love your energy!
I started blogging in August . . .and I too crave comments - it is really sad in some ways! But I love all the lives I have come in contact with and peaks into other's daily happenings! It really is fun!
I feel the same way about blogging that you do. I was nervous at first. Then I just did it and I'm so glad I did! I've met so many wonderful, genuine people!
The other day I was bummed out about something, I twittered that I was sad and I got a bunch of responses back to try and make me laugh. (And a threat to kick the ass of whatever was bothering me.) It really made my day.
Chicago huh? I'll just have to see about that.
i've only been blogging since march of this year...
it HAS become more than i ever thought, though.
can you say "comment crack"?? made me want more!
i always thought i was starting it for me. as an outlet...but also a way to let family/friends know what we are up to.
fortunately?/unfortunately?...it has some readers...and i am trying to stay true to why i started it in the first place. but there are my days when i wish it was more of a journal so that i could spew my frustrations with certain someones. but i can't. and ultimately, i shouldn't.
and blogher. i don't know. i think it would be a blast...but i'm one of those that doesn't think i should be in the big leagues, because i started this for me...not for any resemblance of recognition. which is funny, 'cause isn't that why we all do it??
Chi-town is the BEST CITY EVER!!! Love that place.
Now.. there's a chance that I'll be heading to San Diego in July, so if that pans out then it would probably be a no go... but it's ways off and I don't even know where I'll LIVE then so put me down as a maybe :)
I started blogging in May of this year. It's taken over so many aspects of my life...everything is about blogging. I take pictures to share, think of topics to post and go into withdrawals if I can't read other blogs.
It's sad and fun at the same time!
Chicago is a maybe...we are thinking of a two week August trip and if that comes through then idk.
I would SOOO love to go to this.. If only it wasn't on the other side of the world... Crapola..
How knows, maybe I will win a huge sum of money?
WOW! I so want to do this! But, can I come without technically 'knowing' anyone? I don't know.
It's definitely something to think on...
How do they work, anyway? Do you just book your hotel room and hope for the best? Do you actually register and get an itinerary? If I'm not that popular a blogger, will I still have fun?
So fun! But I'm holding out for you coming to my side of the country. :)
Hmm, I'll have to think about that. Never been to Chicago. Would be fun if my bloggy friends were gonna go.
Although a cabin in the woods is more my style, I gotta say.
I'm not really a city girl.
Perfect song pick, btw.
I've never met any of the blogger people. I still kinda feel new to this whole blogging business, but I have to admit... I love it. I love meeting new people online and hearing their thoughts and comments. It's wonderful that people are meeting. We are fortunate to have Internet ability, to connect us on levels when we might never have met someone otherwise. I can't go to Chicago in 2009. We have our wedding in January and a family trip that Dad is trying to plan, so I have to save pennies for those two things. Maybe in 2010. It's a long away goal, but one I'd like to think is possible. In the meantime, say "Hi" for me!!
Ooooh, Chicago! That's only FOUR hours away from me!! I don't think I can swing the overnight stay, but I might be able to race down for lunch or dinner if they don't commandeer all of your time.
But don't count me out yet. Maybe I'll start saving my Blogher Ads revenue and by next July I'll have A tank of gas. HAH!
I've been blogging since January of 2007, when I found out I was preggers. My sis-in-law did a pregnancy blog and I thought it was the coolest thing! So, the bug bit me and I began our family blog (which I still keep private).
Mid year, I decided to start a blog that was dedicated to household stuff instead of our family. I began to do a bit more blog surfing and somehow came across a few great blogs and I was hoooked!
I haven't met any bloggy friends yet. Y'all live too far away from me! MOVE CLOSER, m'kay??
Wow, that's so cool! And very inspiring-I just started blogging and am having so much fun looking at all the wonderful blogs out there.
I don't know that I could swing the whole Chicago thing, but it would be fun to meet up with some bloggy friends who are closer by---most of the bloggerinas I am buddies with are on the other side of the country from me (anybody out West??) or else they keep their location Top Secret ;)
I feel the same way about blogging as you-- it's amazing, huh?
And I'm so bummed that I left TN before knowing you all. I could have been in your posse.
And I am psyched that it's in Chicago. My husband works there 3 days I week, so I could totally tag along. I just need to find a sitter. Eight months should be enough time for that. I wonder if people bring kids and arrange sitters there. Hmmmmm...
That would be so totally awesome! I wish I could do that. Maybe you guys can print out my picture and take it with you?
I started blogging in January as a way for our far-flung family to keep up with our happenings. These would be the same family who have NOT ONCE visited the blog ;) It quickly morphed into an outlet for me. And though I didn't intend it, it's actually become a scrapbook layout springboard. I've ended up using my write ups on posts as journaling, and in one instance a whole theme album.
i'm going. cuz you know what?
I LIVE IN CHICAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so i'm there, baby!!!! yippie!!! can you IMAGINE? we'd be face-to-face. pretty damn cool.
You know...Chicago is in my backyard...I should totally go!!!
I can't believe you started your blog in February. Are you completely overwhelmed by your quick success? I have been blogging a little bit longer than you but, I don't have nearly the readership you do. What is your secret?
No. Way.
Are you really thinking of going???? COOL! I will have to give this some thought...
I started blogging in July. And no, it is not what I thought it would be... it is WAY better. And I am so very thankful for the friends from inside my computer that I have been lucky to meet in person! AND there are many more that I would like to!
Started blogging in May and I love it!! It is so much more rewarding than I ever expected it to be. Military life keeps you moving around and always having to make new friends in new places, but the blog world is full of wonderful friends in every zip code. Probably can't afford Chicago, but I would love to go to a cabin in the woods with bloggy friends too!
I lvoe my blog friends!
I lvoe my blog friends!
And I'm STILL jealous that your Library thingy works for you and not for me!!
way.not.fair. *pout*
I do heart Chicago. And the John Deere Mom and I are only a few hours south. I doubt we'll go, but we can dream.
I had a blog on myspace after Addison was born. JDM made a blogspot in January of this year, and it was Christmas break and I was bored, so I made one too. It has morphed, and taken much more time than I ever thought it would. And we totally talk about y'all, and compare who we're reading and who's commenting us and who seems a little weird or scary. And gossip like we're all "really" friends. And I think about people when they don't post for a few days (especially if they're heavily preggo SIPPY CUPS AND BLACKBERRIES!)
So yeah, I'd like to go to BlogHer, but I'm sure then my husband would think I'm even more psycho than he already suspects.
I've been blogging about 9 months. And it has brought me all kinds of joy and friends inside the computer.
I doubt I will be in Chicago. But I'll be there in spirit!
I've been blogging since July. My BFF got me into it. I started it as a way to find good things to talk about. I was tired of whining about stuff and made it a point to only blog the good stuff. Instead of looking at the crap and pain in my life, I wanted to make sure I noticed the sunshine. It has amazingly improved my attitude and outlook.
Would love to go to Chicago ... realistically it looks slim, but you never know!
Wow, Chicago is really close to me. I may have to check it out.
I have been blogging for a year and half and I can't believe what it has turned into. It is a huge part of my life and I love all the people that I have come to call friends, although I have yet to meet anyone in real life.
I've only been blogging since May on the other blog and now I am at the new blog, I am SO jealous. I would love to meet so many bloggers.
If I started walking now, maybe I would make it to Chicago by July.
and my intention for blogging was for my mental catharsis -- and it has worked.
I feel as though I have more friends on this thing than in real life.
If I started walking now, maybe I would make it to Chicago by July.
and my intention for blogging was for my mental catharsis -- and it has worked.
I feel as though I have more friends on this thing than in real life.
I've been debating in my head whether or not to go.. :) Luckily, there's still a little time to decide, as registration hasn't opened yet. whew.
Dude, I could totally do Chicago. Now you've got me thinking....
:o)
You know my bloggy story..started two years ago...was a scrapbook of my family...now it's all about me me me. Chicago sounds like fun, but July is a long way a way...I can't think past Thanksgiving right now ;)
Kat, you've got the most beautiful smile! I love how blogging has opened up such a great community to us. I've been blogging since June 2006 and have had the privilege of making friends with and meeting some wonderful bloggers.
I started my blog after much nudging from a good friend. She said I didn't have an excuse since I had recently become a SAHM. LOL
I have a list a mile long of bloggy friends I would love to meet! Unfortunately, I will just be coming back from a week long vaca with my mom and fave aunt at the end of June to the Mall of America. I'm sure my pocketbook will be begging for a break!
I wanna wanna go! We are even in the US during that time... I'm supposed to go to a conference during the 15-18 and then vaca with family the rest of the month, maybe hubby wants a solo vaca with the kiddies??
Anyone think that'll happen??
Chicago sounds fun. I've been there once, but I was 9 and we went straight to my grandpa's apt and then straight home. So, I didn't really see anything. Could be fun. I'm not really that far from Chicago.
I've only been really blogging now since Oct/08. I haven't really developed too many relationships yet, but looking forward to it.
I started the blog just b/c it sounded like fun. No real intention with it, other than meeting new people and expressing my views, no matter how trivial or silly they may seem.
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