It occurs to me this morning that what might have been more interesting than the introductory session of BlogHer (though I have to admit I missed the slideshow, which sounds kind of great) would be to enact some stories from the audience, for everyone. Like "Woman Blogger was isolated and bored until she met Other Woman Blogger, who was going through an enormous crisis, and today, they are meeting in person for the first time! Give it up, people!" and then the bloggers meet onstage, sobbing, like long-lost cousins in Korea.
Because, of course, many people were there simply to see other bloggers they knew, in the flesh. It was much like a high school reunion, only without the bragging (like you could snow anyone who reads your blog regularly) and without the posturing.
How interesting is it, that feeling when you meet someone face to face? You already know them, rather well, but you know the text of them, the letters they write to the world. Some part of the inside of them, in other words. And then there is a person to know. It's like the person you imagined, but inside another body. A pod person! Good Lord!
Pretty fast, however, the normal rules of knowing someone apply, and you get to know their gestures and comportment, and soon they are the person you think they are. Whew!
I found this especially so with Beancounter. I have known her for years, now. Of course it was her! I hugged her right away. She gave me beautiful earrings.
Badger and I keep calling each other, decompressing from all this intensity. "And then! And oh my God! And after that! I can't calm down!"
It was a total love-in, wasn't it? Except at the end I had to tear Malcolm away from Badger who wanted to nibble on her arm warmers. The dog was on a total contact high.
Posted by: GraceD | August 01, 2005 at 10:06 AM
Wait, Badger wanted to nibble on her arm warmers? I can't keep up!
Posted by: e | August 01, 2005 at 06:09 PM