Have you ever met a fellow blogger in real life, one that you had no previous friendship with before?
I did yesterday. And it sucked.
A few weeks ago I was trolling a few blogs and searching for some local ones to read when I happened upon one from a woman whom I recognized goes to my church and also to MOPs with me. I thought that it was the coolest thing, knowing someone else in real life who blogs. Somewhere in the back of my mind I envisioned us becoming fast friends and getting together with our kids to talk about all things blogspot, etsy, and parenting.
But when I went up to her and said "Hi. I'm Amanda. I'm a blogger too and I was reading some local blogs and saw yours. How cool, I don't really know too many bloggers in real life." I was met with something along of the lines of ... "umm yeah" before she turned around and walked away.
And that right there was my reality check. It's scenarios like that which are why I don't just walk up to people and attempt to make conversation. I have an awkward approach, I know that. But at 27 it still sucks to get shot down like that. All four years of high school came rushing back at me.
Later on, as I was still dwelling on my inability to make friends and find common ground with people, I realized that this is exactly why I blog. It's safe. There is no real risk of putting myself out there. If people don't like what I have to say then they'll simply click away. Blogging is this awkward girls best friend.
And perhaps that other blogger is just as inept as social interaction as I am and that's why she blew me off. Maybe just like me, she uses her blog as an easy out. (at least that's what I'm telling myself)
I did yesterday. And it sucked.
A few weeks ago I was trolling a few blogs and searching for some local ones to read when I happened upon one from a woman whom I recognized goes to my church and also to MOPs with me. I thought that it was the coolest thing, knowing someone else in real life who blogs. Somewhere in the back of my mind I envisioned us becoming fast friends and getting together with our kids to talk about all things blogspot, etsy, and parenting.
But when I went up to her and said "Hi. I'm Amanda. I'm a blogger too and I was reading some local blogs and saw yours. How cool, I don't really know too many bloggers in real life." I was met with something along of the lines of ... "umm yeah" before she turned around and walked away.
And that right there was my reality check. It's scenarios like that which are why I don't just walk up to people and attempt to make conversation. I have an awkward approach, I know that. But at 27 it still sucks to get shot down like that. All four years of high school came rushing back at me.
Later on, as I was still dwelling on my inability to make friends and find common ground with people, I realized that this is exactly why I blog. It's safe. There is no real risk of putting myself out there. If people don't like what I have to say then they'll simply click away. Blogging is this awkward girls best friend.
And perhaps that other blogger is just as inept as social interaction as I am and that's why she blew me off. Maybe just like me, she uses her blog as an easy out. (at least that's what I'm telling myself)
13 comments:
Or maybe she just sucks! I think some blogging hides the fact that in real life those same people suck :P I met up with someone who I met through Etsy and her blog and she was even more awesome in person (as were her kids) as she was in blog form. I feel bad for you because it discourages you from wanting to try again, but I promise you someday you'll make that real life connection.
Makes me want to hop on a plane and come barge in and visit you. After about 5 minutes you'll wish I'd shut up and stop talking and you'll want to kick me out...hee hee.
Yeah, I'm just gonna go ahead and say she sucks. I've met April and Tia and Holly in real life, and they are just stupendous. When Alyssa hops on a plane and barges in on you, I'll make sure I'm around. And I promise not to say, "Um, yeah," and walk away!
that was pretty rude of her... but it was probably that SHE felt awkward about you bringing it up. i think it was great of you to try to strike up a convo!!
Making friends as adults is incredibly difficult. And the way that you approached her, was the exact way that I think *normal* people approach others. Or, in my head it is? If you would have approached me like that, I would have done an embarrassing happy dance after the in depth conversation that would have been to follow your introduction, ya know- the kind of happy dance that you'd then turn back around to catch me doing?
I've approached many people like that. "So ummm... I really like the way that you're wearing your hair, and I can only assume that it must be because you're into swing music, and hopefully its real swing music and not the crappy second or third round of fake swing music, because if its the real kind, than maybe we can be friends?" ....totally not the right way to talk to somebody. But its how we think, right? And if you want to connect with someone... let them know who you are, right up front.
Anyways.
Amanda.
That girl sucked. You rock. And so on and so forth.
you are a sweetheart, and that girl is obviously NOT a sweet, kind person. but everyone i've ever met "in real life" from blogging, has been wonderful, and as amazing as they are in writing. some people aren't really what they present themselves to be on their blog; and that's crappy. but there are plenty of honest, sweet, lovely ladies out there...you need to meet them, my dear!
I discovered you while participating in a Tuesday blog hop. There was a snail mail project link on someone's page and it led me here, so I began looking around. You've got some pretty great posts and jewelry going on :) This story, however, made me cringe. Why do people have to act like this?! Whenever this type of crappy thing happens to me, I make a point to pray for that person and reassure myself of God's love for me. It's the only which has kept myself self-esteem afloat in my adult life.
Cheers.
Oh my word, how rude is that! The lady, I mean. That stinks she blew you off. I know all about those sort of daydreams. *sigh*
I'm with AlyGatr, April and Tia. Goodness gracious.
p.s. I'm not sure I'd be BRAVE enough to start a convo if it was a lady I knew from other places! Heheh:) You're pretty darn brave.
Oh....My....Gosh......
I hope I hope I hope that wasn't me!!! Was it? It couldn't have been. I would be thrilled out of my wits to meet another local blogger...but then you never know, sometimes I get distracted....oh my goodness, if it was me, I am SO SORRY!!! I hope it wasn't. If it was, I totally didn't mean to blow you off. If I did, it was purely because I was off in a different world at the time...which can happen...
Anyway, after talking to you in MOPS today I found your Etsy store and subsequently found your blog, and am inspired to "resurrect" mine. :) Great to meet you, and hopefully we can meet up again. :)
Rachel
That was a rude way for her to react to you, but defiantly don't let it stop you from trying it again..some people are just like that. You never know what kind of beautiful friendship could come out of your next time...now I feel like I'm talking to myself... I struggle with walking up to someone new and starting a convo with them too. I wish it came more naturally to me but it just doesn't. :)
Girlfriend! This is so not a "you" issue! She is painfully insecure it seems and maybe just didn't know how to deal. I seriously imagine us listening to Dixie Chicks and laughing about farm stories together all the time. Probably way too much of the time:) You are beyond cool.
See, the difference between you and your blogger not-friend is that you use your blog as a genuine representation of who you are (because I know you a little bit). She obviously uses her blog to portray an image that isn't wrapped in truth.
You speak truth. You are genuine. :-)
Love to you ~~ Melodye
aww that stinks! I can relate and would have done the exact same thing as you. At least you tried to make a connection.
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