I wrote these words in my journal last week: “I am ready to meet some bloggers. Definitely in 2010.” It was a weird thing for me to write. Usually my journal is reserved for too-long paragraphs about my feelings. But, in the midst of hand writing thoughts too pathetic even for my blog, I had the sudden realization that I want to meet some bloggers. I’m ready. I might have taken the opportunity had it presented itself earlier, but I didn’t seek it out. For a few reasons. The least of which is that I’ve seen a lot of PSAs in my life on the dangers of meeting people off of the internet, so even though I trust bloggers maybe more than I should, that old stigma hasn’t completely died for me. The more significant of which is that meeting new people is not really my thing. I mean, I’m not terribly awkward, but I am very shy. I definitely don’t make an impression that anyone will be slow to forget. It might take a drink or two before I’m my blogging/twitter self.
When I decided last week that I wanted to meet some bloggers, it was just this vague in-the-future type of realization. I was really all talk. I had no plans to make it happen or anything. But then @freeandflawed said something on twitter about how few people belong to the LA bloggers group on @20sb, so I joined and then responded to her tweet, and then she said we should hang out because she’s clearly not a weirdo nervous about meeting new people, and then I said I would love to meet her and @nicopolitan, and then so she said “Let’s make it happen,” and then @phampants said he was jealous, and then we started the hash tag #MakingItHappen, and then we made it happen.
Saturday, I met Nico, Jenn, and Phil at IKEA. It was all perfectly normal, but I had this moment when I saw Nico walking toward me that felt very surreal. Somehow he’d stepped out of his computer and was looking at me saying, “Ashley?” Other than that, meeting bloggers was pretty much the same as meeting anyone new. Having followed people on twitter and read their blogs didn’t make a huge difference. It turns out bloggers are just regular people, who don’t necessarily talk that much about blogging. After IKEA, we made our way to Fuddruckers. (I think I speak for the four of us when I say we’d be really happy if anyone had any information on why Fuddruckers is named Fuddruckers.) Meeting bloggers was kind of a worlds colliding moment for me and it was a good experience.
So, I want to meet you. My travel budget is in the neighborhood of zero, which means you’ll probably have to catch me here in the LA area or the two times a year I’m in the Seattle area, but we’ll make it happen eventually. I can’t wait.
Related posts:
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Good for you!
I’m hoping to meet some bloggers in February next year. Obviously I’m limited by geographical location too or I would LOVE to meet you!
That’s so fun! I’m glad your first experience meeting bloggers was a positive one. If I’m ever in LA I’ll be sure to let you know. An Ashley meet-up would be amazing!
Like I said, “Jealous”.
I’ve never met bloggers either. I’m excited that you got to meet a few!
I am so glad that you were able to go meet some bloggers! There are some other fantastic bloggers in your area who have meet ups in the LA area. Not sure if you read them or not–email me.
Because I’m from such a small town I’ve only met up with I think 3 other bloggers. Each time has been a lot of fun. I dont feel like I’m meeting strangers from the internet. Each time I’ve felt like I was hanging out with an old friend I hadn’t seen in a long time. I am hoping to add more bloggers to the list of those I’ve met too in the next year!
I’m jealous too. I want to meet you!! There are a few bloggers I want to meet. I’ve never met any before.
We should totally grab coffee (or drinks) when I’m in town sometime!
It’s so true that blogging actually doesn’t come up much at all.
Also, IKEA + Fuddruckers sounds like a great afternoon.
ooh! I’m planning to be in your neck of the woods for my 5 yr college reunion, but that’s not til the end of April/beginning of May…you know, if you’re around :)
I don’t know what it is about meeting bloggers that makes me so apprehensive, I’m definitely not normally. Every time I’ve met up it’s been nothing but fantastic.
Maybe the key IS to make it a goal for the year, definitely a great first step. When you’re back in Seattle let me know. :-)
Well, I’ve met one or two of my blogging compatriots (though through your intercession of course) and I don’t know if I still qualify as a blogger because I haven’t blogged in ages. But there’s always a good chance I’ll be in the Southern California area at some point (I mean, it’s a 5 hour drive from home and what am I really doing with my free time?). But I’m glad that “real life” and blogging are kinda-sorta coming together.
PS I like the way we’re all talking about how we’ve either met or haven’t met bloggers. Like they are some kind of mystical creature that one might see if they’re special enough.
To be fair, worries about meeting strangers from the internet is always something someone should approach with caution. However, with bloggers, there’s more information on people’s personalities available.
Great to hang out with you! Next time, we think we’re going to hit Jenn’s neighborhood because she lives next to some really great bars. One is themed like a log cabin. I’m completely serious.
hey I live in Orange County! you know An Experiment in Poverty (http://experimentinpoverty.blogspot.com) is hosting an OC/Long Beach/LA book club for bloggers? first meeting is this Friday! you should come! i don’t think reading the book is mandatory…but it might help! : )
That’s rather neat. I wish I could meet some bloggers, but I doubt there are many English speaking bloggers currently living in Georgia (the country). If, by some crazy chance, you do know of one, please send them my way. I would love to make a friend in this country.
Perhaps it will all be possible once I move back to Canada, and once I actually really get to know some blogger.
But I do have one question… why Ikea?
That’s so awesome! I really want to meet some bloggers, too! I definitely plan on making it happen in 2010!
Oooh that sounds like fun! Okay, I’ll have to come visit one day, I’ve always wanted to visit so might as well kill two birds with one stone! :)
I met another blogger for the first time this past summer and now we’re IRL friends. I highly recommend it!
I was thinking about a West Coast Blogger meet-up. I don’t know when or how and barely know who but it seems like a good goal to aim for.
Dang! Wishing I lived in the States so I could meet you, too. But I guess your travel budget will keep you from visiting us in Korea, eh? So cool to meet up with other bloggers. I remember the first time I met up with a bunch of K-bloggers in Seoul. It was like finding a sort of family. Also, the coffee beer was delicious and I’m sure this helped!
I sent you an email maybe two weeks ago. I think it may have gotten stuck in your junk mail. Mind peeking in there for me? It’s coming from my hotmail account and it’s titled something along the lines of Christmas Party at Wonju Wife or close to that anyway.
Glad you had an awesome time meeting other bloggers!
If I EVER make it out that way, I’m looking you up.
I used to blog on xanga when I was younger, and I actually made a lot of good friends there! If I lived in LA, I’d definitely meet you :)
Fuddruckers! I’m SO happy that you joined us on Saturday. I love meeting new bloggers and it’s always nice to meet friendly faces in LA. We definitely have to hang out again. Make it happen!
I haven’t met a single blogger and it makes me super sad. I need to. I want to. Badly!
I am so jealous bloggers got to meet you! I want to meet some bloggers so badly and have been making plans with two of them sometime next year. Since I’m also quite poor…if you ever feel the urge to fly down to Florida, we’ll definitely meet up. ;)
Ashley, it was an absolute privilege to have met you! The first time I met someone offline was in 2006. I’ve since met quite a few people from the online realm in real life. My rule of thumb is to meet in a public place that you’re reasonably familiar with.
Let’s stay in touch and get together again soon! I bet Nico and Jenn would be down for something, too.