Chelsea (she who talks smack) was in town for a few days and she and Derek put out the call on Twitter that they wanted to meet local bloggers. And I was all "sign me up!" because it's Chelsea Talks Smack and Dshan - two bloggers who I have read for years, who write honestly and candidly about both the shiny and not-so shiny parts of their lives. Basically, two bloggers who intimidate me with their kickassness (totally a word.)
And then Friday rolled around and I got all clenchy at the thought of actually meeting them.
I'm not very good at meeting new people. I'm awkward and anxious and talking to people who I don't know makes me want to vomit or die. So I talk too loud and too fast and I tell stupid stories and I spend the entire evening cringing internally.
It's part of my charm.
At least that's what I tell myself.
My angst was completely unnecessary (as it so often is) as Chelsea and Derek are as interesting and cool in person as they are through the magic computer box. Plus I got to meet Shannon, a local blogger who shares my love for Las Margaritas (the best Mexican food in Vancouver. I will fight anyone who says otherwise.)
I haven't found much of a blogging community in Vancouver. I read a few local bloggers but there doesn't seem to be the same social connection outside of blogging that other cities have. Or maybe there is and I'm just completely unaware of it. The only time I've met bloggers in person is when out-of-town bloggers come to Vancouver. It's odd and I'd like to change it.
So tell me, are you a Vancouver blogger? Would you be interested in meeting other bloggers? If you're not a local blogger, do you have an offline relationship with the blogging community in your city? How do I go about meeting local bloggers without looking like the crazy stalky lady?
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It was great to meet you!
ReplyDeleteLas Margaritas FTW!
I'm jealous you got to meet those wonderful people! There isn't a big blogging scene here at ALL (which is why I travel off to other places to meet bloggers!) but if I am ever in Vancouver, I am so taking you hostage for an afternoon :)
ReplyDeleteI'm out in the far suburbs of Vancouver, and am a sort-of blogger. Meeting new people kinda scares me too, but I'd be interested in meeting others in this area. :)
ReplyDeleteMy first blogger meet-up was super nerve wracking. I was so so nervous before I went! It was worth it though, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteWell, tweetups and Third Tuesday (on meetup.com) are a good place to start for the Vancouver social media scene... but I tend to agree with you, it's not that developed and I'd rather meet bloggers to be social rather than to listen to them talk about how to track your blog stats and get more traffic, if ya know what I'm saying. Maybe because I killed my blog in August and I don't care bout that stuff anymore, but that's my opinion!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I guess I don't qualify as a blogger anymore, but I'm from Vancouver and I'd be up for meeting for a coffee if you like? And I am not really like this anymore, but I totally know where you're coming from on the nervousness factor when meeting new people. I had a crippling case of social anxiety disorder in university. The not knowing what to say/slight awkwardness... it IS part of your charm :) Just like how I am so clumsy I walk into doors on the regular is part of MY charm.
Good on you for stifling your fears and going for it! I would totally win the most-awkward-person-of-the-year award so I know where you are coming from. It's absolutely part of your charm.
ReplyDeleteNow I wish I lived in Vancouver! There may be a blogging community here in Halifax and I'm just unaware of it. Or maybe I'm just not cool enough. Nah...
Shannon: It was great to meet YOU, lady :)
ReplyDeleteEmily-Jane: Yes, please!!
Sharon: Cool, lady.
Vanessa: I know what you mean - even though I'm a nervous wreck I'm always happy to have put myself out there.
Laura: Oh god, no thank you to the meetups that talk about site traffic and stats. I mean, I don't judge people who are interested in that stuff AT ALL, I'm just not looking for that sort of community. You know? I want to meet bloggers over beers and hockey or tea and cupcakes. I want to hear about my city through other's perspectives. Maybe I'm missing out on amazing Mexican food because of my deep love for Las Margaritas. Stuff like that.
Rescued Insanity: Definitely "nah!"
I don't have anything super deep or meaningful to say, just that I find the blogging community in Edmonton the same way.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that I had a local blogging community.
ReplyDeleteIt's sometimes strange for me to think back and realize that some of my very best friends were once just "blog friends."
ReplyDeleteBut honestly, I just kept making plans with local bloggers I admired and laughed with, and then sat back in a combination of awe and glee as so many of them became people I see on a regular basis, and who exist to me so far outside of the blog realm that I sometimes forget that's how we originally met.
"I want to meet bloggers over beers and hockey or tea and cupcakes. I want to hear about my city through other's perspectives."
ReplyDeleteUm, yes please! I was bummed to pass on your invite the other night, but I'm always up for meeting new people, especially if there are cupcakes involved.
-Marianne
I'm in. I'll be all nervous and giggly and sweaty most likely, but I'm still in. :p
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I cant meet any of you guys. Not to be rude, but you all are a bit nuts and they say it is dangerous to meet people online.
ReplyDeleteHillary, I have a question for you.
If Pete and RePeat were sitting in a boat in Vancouver and Pete fell out of the boat, who would be left in the boat?
you are one of the bloggers i am SO UPSET i have never met in person. i shall require your presence in DC at some point :)
ReplyDeleteI've thought about what it will be like to meet some of my blogger idols/friends. (I say "will" because I know it will happen eventually. I'm determined to meet some of them before I die.) And the thought makes me sweat and throw up. Because unlike my internet self, I am not witty or snarky or fun in real life. I'm awkward and stuttery and I swear and belch. So yeah, I feel your nerves.
ReplyDeleteI liked meeting you with Kristin! I don't really consider myself that active of a blogger, or well written etc. I'm very 'journal-ish' but have enjoyed meeting bloggy people :)
ReplyDeleteBut it's sorta fun when we do get together!
Yeah, it's weird. I don't know how everyone knows their local blogging community. Is there some special website? How do I even find local blogger's blogs? Basically, dumb luck I ended up finding one girl that was from my area and now I stalk her and all her friends, who are local. Maybe that's how others do it too. Hmmm. Curious.
ReplyDeleteOh darling, you are absolutely lovely and I absolutely LOVED meeting you and had such a great time and think you're totally wicked great. SO, CHEERS TO THAT. Hopefully we can do it again! xo and thank you, thank you for such sweet words, seriously- you rock.
ReplyDeleteIn Kamloops there isn't a huge blogging community, but I'm glad to say blogging is how I met Amber (Girl With The Red Hair) and we've become close because of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm often jealous of all the meetups/tweetups etc. I hear about and have made it a goal to make my way to a Vancouver blogger meet up this year so we can finally meet, as well as other people (minor details being that I'm not blogging of course.)
What Alice said. Also, you should not be nervous around us. Mainly because we are nuts (a good nuts) and just ohhhh so lovely!
ReplyDeleteIn Lawrence, Kansas, Twitter really brought the online community together It's actually how I met my wonderful boyfriend and the people I spend most of my time with now (my college friends had mostly moved away!)
ReplyDeleteIt's a MUCH smaller community than Vancouver and while there are some of us that blog, I don't know if we would have found eachother by way of just our blogs.
But Tweetups, for the win!
Found you through Kyla Roma and just wanted to leave a comment saying I looooove Las Margaritas! One thing I miss about Vancouver is the awesome restaurants.
ReplyDeleteOh, and try El Taco on Davie (right near Granville). Best tortilla soup ever!
Now I MUST go to Las Margaritas in Vancouver the next time I am there... I shall give you a review :)
ReplyDelete