Just a couple of weird (I prefer the term “quirky”), unsocialized homeschool moms:
Saturday morning, Ken taught a Beginners’ Photography Workshop, and I was his trusty assistant. (Just call me Vanna.) Through the big wide wonderful world of the interweb, my blogland friend Kris heard about it, and signed up. She bought herself a super-cool new camera for her big 40th birthday a few weeks ago, but what good is a super-cool camera if you don’t know how to use all the super-cool features? So she made the trek to our house to join the workshop. I told her one requirement was that we had to have our picture made together, and I had to put it on my blog. She agreed — if she could put it on hers, too. 
When the class was done, we braved the sweltering heat one more time to let Ken make this photograph.
I know Kris from her blog, Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers. Kris and I already felt like we knew each other, but we’d never actually seen each other outside of blogland! It’s SO hard to explain to non-blogging friends that you have friends you have never met in real life. I guess that’s part of what makes blogging conventions such a big deal; sure, you can learn about blogging, but the really cool part (speaking as someone who has zero experience with blog conventions!) is finally laying eyes on these people you’ve “known” in blogland, and getting to hug their necks! Kris is the third friend I’ve met in blogland before meeting in real life: Alicia goes to my church, but we didn’t figure that out until after we’d visited each other’s blogs; and I’d bought tea from Mari‘s an online tea shop, but had never met her in person until she came up and talked to me in Trader Joe’s one day!
Kris and I talked about all this when she was here, and that gave me an idea. (My best ideas usually come when I’m talking or writing, which is probably why I tend to do a whole lot of both!) Blogging conventions are fun, but they are expensive. What if we just arranged a meet-up, sort of like the photographer meet-ups we sometimes attend.
I have to go all linquistically geeky on you for just a minute to justify what I think we should call this get-together:
The English suffix “-graphy” means either “writing” or a “field of study“, and is an anglicization of the French -graphie inherited from the Latin -graphia, which is a transliterated direct borrowing from Greek. It often functions literally as a reference to writing (e.g. calligraphy, cartography, biography). However, it also has evolved to denote a field of study, particularly studies that involve some degree of collecting, cataloging and/or surveying (e.g. geography, demography, oceanography).
Almost every blogger writes; most of us have certain “fields of study” (homeschooling, humor/satire, family life, encouragement, etc), and I think most bloggers collect, catalog and/or survey blogs to find and keep up with ones we enjoy. The suffix “-grapher,” is defined as “someone who writes about a specified subject, or in a specified manner.” Doesn’t that mean every blogger?
So, let’s call this thing a Blogographers Meet-Up!
I’m tentatively thinking to do this on October 2, 2010; there will be no speakers, no fees, just blogographers getting together (definitely in some safe, public location!). It’ll be open to any blogger who wants to join us, so if you are in Georgia, I hope you will join us. If you’re not in Georgia, maybe you can find an excuse to visit! After all, we do have a bunch of historical and touristy things around here!
I’ll post more about this as soon as I do a bit more planning!
Twitter: Kris_WUHSMom
says:
It was so fun to meet you, Jamie! I’d love to come back to the area for a blogographers meet-up.
Kris @ Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers recently posted..Weekly Wrap-Up: The One That Was Extremely Late
Jamie,
I would LOVE to come to a blogographers meet-up!! Unfortunately, I live in Wisconsin. My brother and his wife life near Atlanta (in Powder Springs), so maybe, if I save my nickels and dimes, (and migraine meds) I might be able to come up with something. I will put this on my “really want to do” list!! Great idea!
Catherine
Ok Jamie, Sorry, You’re such a cutie and all – but WOW KRIS – You look fantastic! What a wonderful shot! We have not gotten to “see” you very much on your journey. You are so beautiful – great cut and great shot! Way to Go.
Ok Jamie – you can have your comment spot back. Um. Ya.
Twitter: jamieworley
says:
She does look awesome, doesn’t she!?!
Aw, that’s so exciting. I’m all sad now because Georgia is not exactly neighbor to Iowa.
Erin recently posted..Of Father’s Day, Failure, and Front Teeth
wonderful idea! wish we were in GA i’d love to meet up with y’all.
michelle recently posted..Busyness
I love meeting blogging pals in real life as well. I agree that it is strange explaining a virtual friendship to those who don’t blog. They think it is geeky and, well, odd!
I wish I could be in Georgia in October…
Jeanne recently posted..Good stuff
I read both of your blogs pretty much on a daily basis and love them. I live in Georgia and would be very interested in meeting up. Please put me on the list to keep informed.
Blessings
diane
Twitter: HarmonyFineArts
says:
Look at the two of you! What a great photo!
I have met several blog friends in real life and it is always so much fun.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom recently posted..OHC Summer Series #1: Mosquitoes and World of Smell
Sign me up for the blogographer get-together in October! I’m in the Atlanta burbs. And how fun to see your photo with you and Kris, since your blogs are two I follow faithfully!
Ellen recently posted..Weekly Wrap-Up: Why I’ve Been Quiet Lately
Me too! Me too! (raising my hand high). I’d love to meet my neighbor in person
I’ve had the best time reading both of your posts.
Tricia @Hodgepodge recently posted..Toss Your Laundry
Where at in Georgia? I live in NC and my anniversary is Oct. 3rd. I was thinking about a weekend getaway for my hubby and I. This would be an awesome weekend to meet some other bloggers!
Joy Ellis recently posted..Homeschool Viilage
I’m in North Georgia… and marking my calendar with a huge smile!:) Staying tuned!
Susan recently posted..Simplifying the View
I’m in GA-if it’s not too far from me I’d love to come. Where are you considering meeting?
What a beautiful picture – it’s so neat to see two of my favorite bloggers together!
Getting excited here – we’re traveling down to Macon for a family reunion on that Sunday, so I’m marking my calendar for the meet up – can’t wait!
Shannon recently posted..A Favorite Homeschooling Book
That is so cool that you met Kris in person!! I just love her blog! I am putting October 2nd on my calendar … what a great idea!
Alicia recently posted..Wordless Wednesday