Wednesday, May 23, 2007

this blogging thing and new friendships

You start this blogging thing for yourself. To get your ideas out there, have an outlet for the stuff that floats around in your head, and heart, on a daily basis. I started this bad boy not knowing a whole hell of a lot about how things work here. And now my writing instructor is asking me, go figure?, to explain to the class what the blogging phenomenon is all about.

Which I suppose I could start out by saying what I just did. Why I started, how I feel a sense of community with this whole thing. How it's just a whole nother thing to get your writing out there, in a public forum and kind of let go of stuff, in that way. The support and feedback you get from others through this way. I could talk about how to start a blog, how to funkify it all with headers and all that crazy jazz (which I clearly keep to a basic minimum seeing as how the wordpress switch caused me to need a drink on contact with the mere thought of it). I could talk about the pros and cons of blogging, but what I really, really want to say about it all right now, is the opportunity to meet amazing people through this way.

I knew when I left for my trip to Myrtle Beach last week that I was going to miss this place. Reading about new digs and food gems, vacations in Spain, looming babies and clogged drains, girlie things and shoes, top ten lists, kids birthday parties and facepainting. And I knew I was going to be meeting Brooke, one of my first ever blogging friends, and one of the big reasons this blog that I was starting back in August just felt to totally make sense.

There are those type of friends that you meet in college, or high school even. Those you make an instant connection with, that have seen you through your best and worst times, breakups and breakthroughs. They're the clichéd friends that you would call at 3am on the rare occasion that you aren't already together. These are the ones that I had the luxury of vaca-ing with last weekend. And what a freaking great vaca it was. The weather was to die for, the beach was beautiful, our place was the bomb, it was all just so perfect.

There are the friends I traveled with, and then there are friends of a different type. Ones you don't see often, but when you do it just feels like no time at all has passed. Or maybe you haven't even met yet, but when you do, it just feels so comfortable in a way that you could only hope for. Thank god for blogging for the fact that I met my long lost twin sister. We swear we share DNA. From the name similarities, to the little things we continue to find in common with each other. From our music choices to drink selections. The tv shows we both like, and our affinity for being attracted to the same type of guy (ahem). You know when you just meet someone and it just feels like your paths were meant to cross? As though certain things happened in life to direct you toward each other? Well that's how it felt when I "met" her back several months ago. Through letters and phonecalls I have gotten to know this amazing girl that I cannot come up with enough wonderfullness for. So Saturday when we finally got to meet meet, it didn't surprise me in the least that it just had that real real comfortable, fun, easy feel to it all. The kind of feeling you get when you hang with an old friend, an old comfortable friend. That feeling like everything is just really right and you're happy and like there's no place you'd rather be that with these type of friends. Because they get you and it's just this indescribeable bond.

So in a couple weeks, in my writing class, I'm going to talk about what a blog is and how it all works. How you start one, why it's a good thing, what can suck about it. (Because I am Miss Blog Know How; you can call me that now, thanks.) But what I really want to show love for right now is the amazing group of people I've met through this whole thing. I'm laying on the cheese factor here, I know. I'll stop. I just really like all of this, all of you. And that I got to meet someone I consider one of my closest friends from all of this, well that's just pretty damn sweet.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pretty damn sweet indeed. I find these blog friends pretty freekin cool... thanks for sharing your thoughts, your good days and bad. You keep it real and that is what I love.

Appletini said...

That was sooo sweet! Isn't it an incredible feeling when you meet someone that feels like your long lost twin :) I am soooo HAPPY for you!

egan said...

Ha, nice topic Brookem. I love the group of bloggers I've met online and those I don't really know too well. There's so much to learn about everyone and you can find motivation, comfort, and friendship. It's also like virtual eavesdropping and I love that fun aspect.

Anonymous said...

Well look at you, Miss Blog Queen! Though it's true, you know your stuff. I'll admit, I'm jealous of your blog. It makes mine look...well, not so cool. I love your blog, and what you have to say; the good and the bad. I'm not sure what I would have done had I not stumbled onto your blog. I know I wouldn't have such an incredible, talented, amazing, and wonderful best friend! :)

Aaron said...

I deserve an honorable mention for answering blogger questions! :P

Carrie said...

As desiree said - pretty damn sweet indeed. It's like a community that is ... from the outside in you could never fully understand it, and from the inside out you could never fully explain it. It must be experienced, as so many things must be, to be fully appreciated.

Anonymous said...

This is indeed very sweet of you to write about blogging and the growing friendships. Blogging is sure fun, as you meet so many new people.Some of them become your close contacts. Blogging is a nice platform to make friends around the world.Enjoy!

megabrooke said...

desiree- thank you:)

appletini- it's VERY cool. the similarities are insane i tell ya.

egan- virtual eavesdropping/stalking. good point.

brooke- you're too sweet wild woman.

double a- c'mon. i gave you a little mention with the top ten list. when will you do my suggestion?

carrie- you explained it so well. to a t!

linda- thanks for the comment and stopping by:)

Tbone said...

The experience of meeting random people over the net, who are going what you go through, talk about things I wish I had the guts to etc...I am a proud blogger..thanks Queenie!

anne said...

So charmingly well said. I had NO IDEA either that it could lead to these benefits. Thank you.

rubytuesdays said...

Yay! You're back! Glad you had a fabulous trip! Nice that blogging has has so many positives for you! Such a sweet post!

Anonymous said...

Awesome...so awesome..it's amazing when you meet omeone like that....also...I love coming to your blog!

Bre said...

This is such a sweetheartdarling post! I adore it! You're incredibly right - you can meet fabulous people on these here internets... who knew?

Anonymous said...

Miss Blog Know How,

This was a great post and I know what you mean, it's so nice to find people out in "the world of blog" who you can relate to. And you know, send long emails about crazy Saturday nights. Ahem.

megabrooke said...

tbone- thank you for coming back again!

eb- you are one of these inspiring writers that i think about!

ruby- yes i am indeed back in action. no more bikers for me for at least a couple months.

princess- thank you!

bre- it's totally true! and thank you.

brandy- ahem indeed! :)

The Exception said...

Carrie said it so well as did you.

I have heard that the blog is the future. I would love to read/hear what you say to the class!

Who knew all of this was out here!

Rambler said...

welcome back, 6 days looks like a long time

megabrooke said...

the exception- who knows what the hell ill come up with. public speaking is not my thing. hmm.

rambler- long time no see!

Kimberly said...

That's really awesome that you've made good friends through this creative outlet of yours. I guess I'm somewhat of a blogging "introvert" but I am thankful for the chance to communicate on a different level about things in a way that surface conversations don't usually allow. I'm glad to have crossed paths with you on this whole blogging journey and I always enjoy hearing your perspective!

ab said...

I too have made some really good friends, both online, and IRL through blogging. I wouldn't give up this experience for the world!

Diva's Thoughts said...

Wow! That is awesome! It's rare to meet someone you connect with like that.

armalicious said...

These kinds of stories are why I blog. I have met some wonderful people, some who I think I can call friends, since I started blogging (again) last September.

And it's great to get to know new people, too. And it seems that I am "meeting" new bloggers more and more and they are wonderful! Thanks for stopping by and joining in on the Lost stuff. I loved it.

megabrooke said...

kimberly- it's always nice to see you here! and thank you- i like reading you as well!

stephanie- you threw me for a loop with the acronym there. phew. got it.

the diva's thoughts- very rare and very cool!

arm- thanks for stopping by! im loving the lost gossip going on.

Beth said...

I agree with everyone else-that's so sweet. I'm glad your trip was so good!

I've just been beginning to see all the fantastics aspects of blogging. It's so great to get to know people that you normally would have never met.

Clare said...

That was really sweet and it's so great to make new friends through blogging. When you meet you already know what's going on with them so it saves a whole lot of getting to know you talk :).

B said...

I agree with you totally, I have meet some great people through my blog. It's become one of my favorite hobbies. I am addicted no doubt:)

Airam said...

I've yet to meet any bloggers but I definitely love the idea of it and would welcome it if the opportunity presented itself.

Chris said...

What a great post. I very much feel a bond with the blogging community.

JM said...

I've also met an amazing group of friends through the whole blogging experience.
I think because we are uninhibited to say the things we do, or the things we write about, we leave ourselves exposed. It's probably the reason that we are able to feel connected with those who read us, or those we also read.