by meeting bloggers
For the first time in two and a half years of blogging, I personally met another blogger face to face yesterday. Susan and I haven’t known each other for very long, but when I learned she and her partner were coming to Vancouver on a holiday, we arranged to meet. And what fun it was! We talked non-stop the whole evening, over dinner at a bistro and later over dessert back at our house.
I’ve often thought a real meeting with another blogger would compare to the dedicated writers of pen pal letters in the “old days” who met years later. We chatted about that – Susan’s partner and my husband compared it to CB and ham radio operators who sent messages out on the airwaves, not knowing who might pick them up. We’ve all heard stories of how some of them finally met after 30 years of talking to each other! Indeed, our messages in our blogs go “out there” too, to be read by any chance and intentional readers. Today’s digital equivalent to ham radio must be podcasting. Of course savvy news media have joined up and my husband is able to enjoy his favourite news documentaries from around the world while cycling to and from work. All this makes the world pretty small these days, but you can’t beat meeting face-to-face.
August 17, 2006 in Blogging by Marja-Leena
Cool! I’m glad you were able to go meet them. That’s pretty exciting.
That’s a neat story about ham radio operators. It’s heartwarming to think of people just talking to each other. It’s what we do.
I have friends I’ve known online for 6 – 7 years and hope one day I’ll meet them!
What it most especially allows is marvellous international friendships to develop.
This post raises in my mind the rose red city half as old as time?
Erika, you will have to do a bit of traveling to meet all your friends, and they to visit you too. Which is what I have to do more of as well!
Anna, yes indeed, that’s what has been a wonderful bonus and keeps me hooked. Do you think we might meet someday? Maybe next time my English son-in-law takes his family home for an extended visit?
Hmm, I hate to reveal my ignorance or just not remembering it, but where is “the rose red city half as old as time” from? Sounds marvellous, rather like Coleridge.
Rose Red City
Oh yes. And here now I’ve met so many bloggers in person I’ve become blasé about it! The first time or two is such a step into the unknown. Of course every new meeting is, but after the first couple there’s less anxiety – of course it’ll be fun!
Just dropping by – to say Hi! It’s sure nice to meet people and put a face to the name. How come you turned out the lights? 🙂 I’ll send you some Chinese Prayer candles – they flicker a lot.’ I’ll be Bach.’for another peek soon eh!
Anna – what a big surprise – Rose Red City is Petra!! Of course, now it makes sense, we were thinking about meeting there! Geez, the Middle East doesn’t appeal right now, but we must keep an eye on that and plan – next spring, I wonder? My, but I’ve been traveling in a virtual haze through the link you sent me, Anna, thank you so much!
Leslee, I know and envy you that so many bloggers we know live in that part of the world!
Hi Roger, it’s been a while! Sorry about the dark photo, the one where the flash didn’t go off. We didn’t really want our faces on the net, you see.
Yes indeed, it would be bad timing for a Middle East trip, but let’s leave it on the pending board for a bit
Although I can imagine joy coming out of meeting a correspondent – and I would not have had the intimate introduction to France had I not gone to stay the summer with my pen pal when I was 14 – but …. I must admit to liking being anonymous. I enjoy the ‘zipless’ communication, to misquote Erica de Yong. But I am very pleased for you because you obviously enjoyed yourself tremendously and love the personal personal contact.
Omega, I do agree with you about the pleasure of anonymity. Because I’m an artist, and like most artists I do want my name and work to be known, I’ve chosen not to be anonymous on my blog.
The blog medium, extending to personal emails sometimes, has given me immense pleasure in the many friendships that have developed around the world. Because of that, I have a desire to meet some of those friends someday if possible. Sure, there is always a risk that face-to face we might not “click” yet I think usually there will be enough commonality in our shared online communication for us to have an interesting visit, especially if one of us is a new visitor to the other’s area.
So, Omega, whenever you are in Vancouver….
A late but heartfelt endorsement of how pleasurable it can be to meet face to face! Thanks for posting the dimmer picture, being shady people (heh heh) its only fitting! Thanks for your warm hospitality and warmer smile Marja-Leena! Anyone else would be lucky to have the chance to share time with you in person!
Hi Susan, thank you so much for your lovely words and for the visit! We must do it again. Hope you enjoyed the rest of your vacation.
I have (sortof) met a few people who have read my blog, people passing through Juneau, and it has always been a fun and interesting experience, though I have yet to meet a non-lurking blogger in real life, i.e. someone who comments frequently and whom I count as one of my online friends and supporters.
I had the chance when I was visiting Seattle but ultimately it didn’t work out. It’s funny, now I’m getting ready to move to this totally new part of the country and it turns out several of my blogging friends live in the area and I find that comforting.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your positive experience, it’s encouraging…
🙂
Elise, I think you will really enjoy meeting some of those Seattle bloggers! And I bet we shall meet now that you are moving closer. (But darn, I still want to go to Alaska!)