Surely you remember???
I’ve been making memories. Learning hard lessons. Meeting a few of you for in-person fun.
One person I didn’t meet on my quarter-long touring adventure was Lizzi Rogers, only because she lives in England. I can’t finance my own UK book tour.
Maybe someday.
But Lizzi came up with her own way to Make a Memory, and I hope her version will send her my way.
Please enjoy Lizzi’s Make a Memory submission “No Wires Required.”
“Is your husband going with you?”
It’s the question everyone seems to want to know when I start talking about my upcoming trip to ‘Murica – will I have a companion? A protector? A MAN?
I’m learning to hold back the eye-rolls by now, and I explain as kindly as I can, that Husby doesn’t know any of the people I’m seeing. He hasn’t built any kind of relationship with them, and has no reason to go.
“What are you going to SEE then? There are some AMAZING places in America…”
The other inevitable question, which has even been posed to me by some of the people I’m visiting – what do I want to DO while I’m there? What sights and attractions do I want to visit?
My answer (with an ill-concealed sigh of ‘here we go again’ness) is that I’m not going to see the sights; I’m going to see the people. At which point my questioner tends to give me a look which indicates that they find me quite baffling, and the subject gets changed.
Just occasionally I’ll find someone astute enough to grasp the entirety of the idea behind my trip, and then I get the slightly incredulous question:
“So…you don’t actually KNOW any of these people? And you’re going to stay with them? On a massive trip through a bajillion states?” (accompanied by an implicit “Are you MAD?!”)
In reverse order – no, I’m not mad; yes, though it’s a bajillion-and-one states; and yes, I’m going to stay with them. But do I KNOW them? Well…yes and no.
For three glorious weeks in autumn (‘fall’, for ye across the pond) I shall be playing pass-the-parcel down the east coast of America. With me as the parcel. I’m coming over to finally meet some of my very most favourite bloggers In Real for the first time ever.
Some people have the luxury of meeting their friends from around the Blogosphere at places like BlogHer or BlogU, but as an Englander, it’s just not possible to justify the expense, especially when I know that the reason I would be attending would be the people, not the information. Added to which, I could pretty much guarantee that in spite of the wide attendance at these functions, there would be a few glaring omissions from the list of friends I’d love to meet.
So I’m cutting out the middle man. Conference be hanged – I’m going to meet my friends where THEY are.
And here’s the thing – in spite of the thousands of miles between us and the fact that we’ve never stood in the same room together – I most definitely DO know them: I’ve been reading their innermost beings for years.
The Blogosphere is a queer, Through-the-looking-glass kind of place, where you can fall hard for someone’s spirit and words before you ever lay eyes on them. You need no introductions to learn the weft and wend of their heart – you just click into their latest post. You may never have heard them speak, yet hear their voice echo beauty and truth through your mind. Having never met their eyes, you can nonetheless know that there is resonance between you.
Without them ever having touched your skin, they can give you goosebumps and leave you feeling a connection so strong that you might be forgiven for thinking that should you put your hand to the screen, they would be there, on the other side, palm raised, millimetres from your own.
For those I fell deeply in friends with, I created a symbol – a hardwired heart – to show that despite the geography which kept us apart, technology allowed us to create a pioneering kind of friendship – the sort which existed in the World Between the Wires.
And oh, that world…it is beautiful.
Some members of that world know my darkest moments. Most of them know my brightest ones. There are a few I talk to every day, and whom I hope I never, ever lose. We share honestly with one another. We chat intermittently, when it fits, or we might have long video-chats into the small hours. We email. We send voice messages on WhatsApp, or quick tweets to let each other know we’re thinking of the other one. We discuss all things under the sun and send each other snail-mail and glitterbombs. We send our feelings through asterisked *hugs* and dewy-eyed emojis, and as far as traditional person-to-person interaction is concerned, it’s bizarre…but it matters. We matter, to one another,
I can’t tell you the usual minutiae of friendships – how they laugh; what their mannerisms are, how their shadow falls; or what it feels like to hug them – but I can tell you some of the things which delight them, scare them, inspire them and move them to action. I can tell you stories about their childhoods; their mistakes; their triumphs. I can tell you what’s important to them; WHO’S important to them; and what they’d like to accomplish. I can tell you their soul.
And at last, come autumn, I’m going to go and meet the bodies which house those souls who have become so very precious – and in some cases quite vital – to me.
Then I shall learn how they laugh; what their mannerisms are; how their shadow falls; and the inexpressible delight of finally wrapping my arms around them in a For Real hug.
No wires required.
***************
Lizzi is a Deep Thinker, Truth-Teller and seeker of Good Things. She’s also silly, irreverent and tries to write as beautifully as possible. She sends glitterbombs and gathers people around her – building community wherever she can.
She’s living Life in Silver Linings and *twinklysparklygoodness* because two miscarriages and a subsequent diagnosis of spousal infertility will rather upset anyone’s applecart. She borrows other people’s children to love while she learns to accept a future she never expected.
Lizzi is a founder member of Sisterwives and #1000Speak, and hosts the Ten Things of Thankful bloghop each weekend.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Considerings
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LRConsiderer
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+LizziR/posts
Pintrest: http://www.pinterest.com/LizziConsiderer/
43 Comments
Can’t wait for the audio book version. That is what I will be giving my father.
I hopehopehope it doesn’t suck……
Yeah. I get it. Good stuff.
I enjoyed spending so much time with you and Laura on my last adventure, Jim. Portland is still one of my very favorite places.
I have had the pleasure of meeting 5 blogging friends in person, and each experience was delightful. I especially treasure my weekend shared with you and MTM, Andra. <3
I’ll message you, but if you’re in Atlanta today and are free for dinner tonight, MTM and I have reservations at 7:30 at The Optimist. We’d love to have a threesome…… 🙂
Audiobook? You’re speaking my workout language my dear! I can hardly wait!!!!!!!
In the mixing phase now………
I most definitely have. Who, you ask; well, the wonderfully talented and spirited Andra Watkins, of course. It was a pleasure to have her visit and I enjoyed attending one of her book events, meeting her in person, and sharing her with my book loving friends.
I have also had the pleasure of meeting a blogger (who, sadly, no longer blogs) who had a well known housewares/lifestyle shop in the area. She had me to lunch and it was, still is, one of my favorite summertime events.
Just catching up this morning, Andra, and glad to see your blog post while I was.
My visit with you and Tom was the best, Penny. I know I was stressed and got some bad news at the last minute (and what a saga that’s turned into), but I loved being there. The Cutoff is a welcoming cocoon of peace and prettiness. xo
Good luck with the latest audio book recording process, I’ll be happy to share the link and listen. 🙂 Lizzie sounds like a wonderful person and I hope you get the chance to meet this fall.
It was great meeting you, John and Ryan. I can’t believe it was a little over a week ago!!
I would love to met some of the regulars. A few tries but sadly nothing yet.
If you somehow find yourself near Houston on September 30, I’d love to give you a hug. 🙂
I think I spoke too soon….I just got notice on FB that you “commented,” and my guess is it was a response to my comment about a partial fix….NOW it’s not working at all. 🙁
I’ll send you an email rant, I mean, explanation. I’m not posting it publicly. 🙁
i think it’s great, and i’d love to meet some of my blogofriends face to face. i’ve met one, after we discovered we live near each other, and even share mutual friends, though had never crossed paths before. p.s. i wanted to tell you that a few weeks ago when i was doing the sunday nyt crossword, meriwether lewis was one of the answers to a clue. a sure sign that’s he’s really made it to the big time.
Thanks for the big fat smile today, Beth!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 I’m glad you saw his name and immediately thought of me.
Isn’t it funny how social media can connect you with people in your very neighborhood? I love that part, too.
Generally, when watching TV in the evening, I tend to leave the room or “zone” through commercials; so I was only half paying attention last night when whatever was being peddled was endorsed by Lewis and Clark. Every reference to them brings Andra and her books to mind. 🙂
Hi A
Cant wait to see you and MTM later this summer. Lizzi is great.
Thanks, Lance 😀
Can’t wait to take you on the not-a-tourist tour, Lance. 🙂
To answer your question, Andra – Yes! I met you! But before that, back in 2006, I connected with someone, now a good friend, because we were visiting the same blog site. We found out we had gone to the same concert days earlier and probably weren’t sitting too far apart. When we finally met, our friendship was easy and instant.
Lizzi, I hope you have a glorious time in Murica. What a great opportunity to connect and meet your blogging friends face-to-face. Enjoy!
Thank you – it’s an amazing opportunity and one I absolutely plan to make the most of 🙂
Mary, I’ve GOT to get to WI when the Packers aren’t playing……..unless you want to take in a game. 🙂 Love your story about meeting someone close by.
Lizzi seems awesome!!
I was so glad when you came to my neck of the woods, Andra! I’m glad you’re out and about visiting others.
P.S. I emailed you. 🙂
Bless your boots! Thanks for that 🙂
PPS: I emailed you back. 🙂 In the whirlwind this has been, I’m very grateful for the time I had to connect with people like you, Linda.
Now this is why I adore blogging. This is the post to print out and slap down in front of the naysayers and scoffers. Pressing the fast forward button for you, Lizzi. Autumn will be here before you know it. May you meet everyone on your list and more.
EZACKHERLY! I am SO psyched about this, and to anyone who thinks that real friendships can’t be struck up online, well, I send them this post and a gigantic sillyface raspberry. IT’S REAL! 🙂 And thanks for the FFWD – I need that 😉
Kelly, I totally agree. I’ve met amazing people through online writing. I can’t wait to hear about Lizzi’s tour de force.
Andra, you continue to inspire so many of us to make memories! What an incredible movement you have started! I cherish the memories I have of meeting you and spending time with you and MTM!
As to Lizzi, OMG!!! What a fantastic trip you are planning! I hope you are considering the Northeast of ‘Merica! Boston perhaps? There are a lot of honeybees in Massachusetts you can meet but there is one special honeybee that would love to see you!!!
I want to – I SO VERY WANT TO! *crosses fingers* Will have to see what can be made to work, Honeybee 🙂
Maria, I loved your post today. Having been to your house, I was able to imagine some of those bad parenting spots. 🙂
Ha! I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. I guess you can see how I would have tripped off the front steps. And you can picture me at the table trying to inject myself while they sat in the living room watching tv and fighting. You know I love my kids to pieces and I was a damn good mother in spite of those bumps. 🙂 🙂
This is beautiful Lizzi.
I’m peanut butter and jelly that I won’t be able to meet you on this adventure.
People who don’t blog don’t understand the connections we can form through just written word. One of my dearest friends is one that I met online. The first time we met — was at her wedding 🙂
I remember, I remember, I REMEMBER – you said that before. Annnnnnd someday I plan to come to Canada to MEET YOU. And Katia. And Ken. And Susan. Because there are too many people up there in that little English Adjunct we left lying around the Commonwealth, and I WANT TO SEE YOU TOOOOOOO
I want that for-real hug RIGHT NOW!
Fall can’t come quickly enough. xoxoxoxoxoxo
Me too, Precious, and I’m SO psyched that you’re going to be my FRIST HUG when I step off the plane. SO SO happy 😀
Yay, yay, yay! It can’t come fast enough. And I owe you a voice message. But it’s been one of those Tuesdays.
Tuesdays are sent to try us, my dear. Do it when you have space – no hurry 🙂
I’ve not met a fellow blogger yet, but I sure hope to. Maybe some day when I’m not working so darn hard I will have the wherewithal to make it happen. Or maybe we will sell everything, drive to the East Coast, and make a hop over to Europe. I hear there are some fantastic places over there, but there are some blog buddies there I’d like to meet as well.
I’ve never met in real life anyone who I’ve met online. It seems like it could be fun, but it has never been a possibility. I don’t mind really. I got into blogging to meet + understand people who are different than the people around me, so from that point of view I’ve succeeded. That being said, someday… maybe… I’ll meet some of you bloggers in person. It could happen.
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