Tuesday, July 31, 2007

You Think You Know Someone...And Sometimes You're Right

I wonder how long it will take for the University of Phoenix to develop a degree program on sociology with an emphasis on blogging? Because if you've spent any time at all doing this or surfing it (or "blog-jogging" as I call it) you'll see that the blogosphere is eerily like real life.

Well, that's not to say that any individual blog is like real life because it's definitely not. We all blog what we're willing to let others see, know and use against us in a court of law. Some are more transparent than others, but that's another post.

What I mean is that personalities show through. Some are funny. Some are pretentious. Some--divisive. There are lovely blogs. Waste-of-airspace blogs. Teaching blogs. Preaching blogs. Cheerful blogs. Inspiring blogs.

Heavy Thoughtful blogs.

Ahem. I've been so accused.

And...occasionally there are episodes of fighting and flattery--just like real life. But in the middle of the social order that gets played out here, there and everywhere, there is the overwhelming, ever-present, ruling element of...chemistry.

Just plain chemistry.

I'm amazed at how many times I've surfed around and read something or seen something very nice and even artfully composed...and for no good reason at all, had absolutely no compulsion to go there again.

It's strange. And that's all I can say about that.

But I won't take it personally if you won't take it personally.

And so, just like high school, circles are formed. O.k. Not just like high school. Hopefully, nobody is egging cars or toilet papering houses in their sensible shoes, and making their quick getaway in a Suburban. I trust we're all a little nicer--a bit more compassionate--and a whole lot more humble by now. I hope. But still, there are the jocks. And the hippies. There are the brainiacs and the techies. Popular girls and glee club dorks.

And never rarely the twain shall meet.

But today, *la la la la la la la la la* I am to be the envy of countless thousands. Well, I would be the envy of countless thousands if countless thousands read this blog, because I have MIRLed with the blogger who was read by countless thousands to have said...

And here is where I’d like to make some stupid joke about animals walking down our street being led two-by-two by an elderly gentleman with a long beard, but at this point it just seems like a cliche.

and this...


I don’t know why I am okay with people I’ve never met reading all my ramblings, but start to twitch when I realize people who know me in real life are reading.

and finally, this...

If y’all visit one day and I’m no longer here, just know that the rain has driven me insane and I’m curled in a fetal position somewhere mumbling, “Just make it stop. Please make it stop.”
Can you guess?

I'll tell you all about it tomorrow. *wink*




*crickets chirping*




O.k. o.k. I'll tell you now!

I met Big Mama! No, not that one...the Big Mama. Boomama's Big Mama. I. had. lunch. with. Big Mama! I'll link her at the end, 'cause once you leave you won't be back.

And as I suspected, she was not so very big, but thankfully--tall enough so that I didn't have to feel fat and Amazon-ish. Though I did wear my vertical stripes and flats...because every little bit helps.

And *whew* my girls did not, in fact, slip and call her, "Mrs. Mama," as they joked they would do. Though, I'm pretty sure she would have just laughed and not thought anything of it.

And to everyone's delight, Cuddlebug did not pull her deer-in-the-headlights routine with sweet Caroline. In fact, I think they all had a very fun time running and climbing and getting sweaty in the petrie dish toxic waste trap McDonald's playscape while we talked about everything from blogging to blogging with a little of this and that, and some such and such. Which is code for it's really not any of your beeswax.

*gasp* Who said that?

Now, let me explain that I was the one who encouraged Big Mama to put on her sunglasses, seeing as she has not posted any clear pictures of her likeness on her own blog. I felt it not my place to unveil her. She is definitely not trying to "look all Hollywood," as I think I heard her say in her endearing, self-deprecating way while I was fumbling for my camera so Fifi could snap a picture of us.

I can not believe that we walked away from that MIRL without getting a better picture of the girls together! I could just spit! But early on, I did think to catch Cuddlebug and Caroline up high in the bubble by the ceiling. And Big Mama was so engaging that it didn't even occur to me until now to envision them falling from that height and going splat against the metal tables or the tile floor.

*happy sigh* Thank you, Big Mama.

Anyway...shall I share my impressions? Want to know what the real Big Mama is like?

*whisper* Come here and I'll tell you.

She's. so. nice! Just affable and real and...nice. To say any more would just be to embarrass myself. You know? So, I'll leave it there, and encourage you to click over if you've never read her before. If all 12 of you do that, well...she probably won't notice because she likely gets 12 hits a second, but you'll be glad you checked her out.

And as Big Mama would say, "You're welcome."

21 comments:

Robin said...

I am SO jealous! ;)

I think I need to fly to Texas just so I can met the two of you and see the rain.

It finally rained here in the desert and I was so happy! I'm sure if I lived where Big Mama does I'd be sick of the rain too. But boy what I would give for a good 'ole thunder rolling thunder storm!
So glad the two of you met and the girls had fun.

Laura Talbert said...

I knew, I knew, I knew from your quotes and hints! I rock! lol

What a fun blessing! How fun, fun, fun!

Kelli said...

The author of this comment will remove her own comments now and go outside to throw her tantrum.

Brenda said...

I figured it out too--meaning I obviously read too much of her blog! How fun for you both and you should both be honored to meet each other!

Mishel said...

How cool is that?!! Way cool!

Glad you had a great time!

Free In Christ said...

I really enjoy reading your posts. You make things so stinking real, I feel like I'm talking to you. You aslo paint such good "word pictures." So happy you got to mirl a bloggy friend. Sounds great.

Have a blessed day.

Heather said...

*clasping hands* I am *SO* happy for both of you!!! WOW!! I sure wish *I* could have met *you* in real life GB! Jealous indeed. :)

karly said...

I know (what Heather said)! I just might make a trip your way to meet YOU, GB! :)

Sounds like you had a fun, fun time! How fun it must have been! FUN! :)

Oh, and while I haven't read Big Mama until today, I might not visit her again for the sheer fact that she is so stinkin' funny and it would take me a long, long time to get caught up on her archives. (I like to know everything from the beginning... which is why I am reading your archives! Maybe when I am done with yours!)

P.S. I have that shirt. God bless vertical stripes. :)

Dawn said...

Well, that is very cool. I've been so privileged to meet two blog friends, with Barb coming up in October. So I know how absolutely fun it is. I have only read Big Mama a few times, and know she's great. I don't know why - because I could sure use all the laughs I can get.

Won't it be fun when we all get together someday in heaven??? We are setting a date --

Big Mama said...

You are too kind. Seriously, too kind. And I love this post because it shows a little of how funny you truly are.

We loved our day today, and as we left, Caroline said, "Oh Mama! Those girls were SO FUN!" So was there Mama. I think we'll be ready for another playdate soon.

Alana said...

I clicked over here from Big Mama's post about meeting you!

I'm starstruck;-)

REALLY great post about the big event!

Anonymous said...

Some of my closest friends NOW are people who knew me online and we've met and stayed friends IRL. It's greatly encouraging to be real and meet someone who IS real. God is good! Have an awesome day!

Anonymous said...

I read about your MIRL on BM's site. That is so neat! Glad y'all had such fun!

Anonymous said...

I clicked here from Big Mama's. I think she's totally famous so now I think you're totally famous too, even though this is the first time I've read you :)

I liked your post about your lunch meeting. How fun!

Jennifer (mom of four) said...

that was a great post!!! I came over from BigMama!!

Unknown said...

I'm glad that other people see blogging connections as a sort of chemistry. I totally agree! There are some that I always enjoy reading when I get the chance, but just don't enter my top 20 for some reason.

I'm glad you had fun for BM.

Anonymous said...

OH how WONDERFUL! I'm so HAPPY for y'all!!!!!

I hear ya about the blog/relationship thing... I have some things to express there, but I think I might be better off not to! (((((HUGS))))) sandi

Anonymous said...

I'm on just for a brief time tonight...should be packing or cleaning or something...but I just wanted to say hello and catch up on your life! Missed you and your posts!!!!

What an exciting thing to have happen - to meet another blogger in real life, and one that you really enjoy to boot! :)

Barb said...

Wow. Just wow. I'd read all about this meeting over at her place a couple of days ago but she didn't post a photo. I have to tell you, I didn't picture her this way at all. You look exactly like, well, you, because I've seen very clear photos of you around here, but I expected, for some silly reason, to see Big Hair on Big Mama. And big, black-silvery ginormous braces. Her braces don't even show for pete's sake. LOL

You don't have to meet her in real life to know how genuine she is, and how funny. How sweet that you two finally met each other.

Melodee said...

Oh, how fun! It's always a good time meeting a blogger in real life.

Jenny said...

I love your blog, you are inspirational :-) Keep up the good work with your lucky girls and yay for meeting Big Mama!

Oh, and thanks for the comment on my little blog too:-)