Putting a face with all those words
by tamarjacobson
It is two years ago since I first had the opportunity to meet real bloggers in person. When I met amba and Ronni, it was after I had been blogging for only five months. I felt just like a new born Bambi with trembling legs and a shaky tail. It was magical and very exciting putting a face with all those words. It was like being accepted into a new and different community, like one I had never encountered. For we immediately had something that binds, what authors have in common: the need to express themselves publicly for all the world to read. But more than that because, even though they were veteran bloggers when I met them, blogging was a relatively new phenomenon. So it was being involved in something technological, leading edge, unknown and exploratory that created an immediate bond as well.
Now,after authoring two different weblogs and having survived quite a few transitions and crises, I am preparing to meet four bloggers who I have read and admired for close to two and a half years.
- When? the afternoon and evening before I go on my hike
- Where? London
On Thursday I received the plan from Jean at This Too:
Dear Tamar
Here is the plan for your day in London:
I will come and collect you from your hotel in the afternoon when you have had a rest (2 or 3 pm? – you can ring me in the morning) and we can go for a cup of tea and food if you are hungry, either at the cafe in … gardens at the end of your street or somewhere inside if it’s not nice weather. Then I will take you to Natalie‘s apartment … which is an easy ride by bus or tube, or taxi if you are feeling tired, and leave you to spend some time with her and see her wonderful artwork. Ernesto, Andy and I will then arrive at Natalie’s at about 5 for drinks, before we all go for an early dinner at 6 at her favourite local Italian restaurant. I – or maybe Ernesto … will get you back to your hotel for a reasonably early night, we hope.
How does that sound? Speak now if you are allergic to tubes, buses or Italian food 🙂
I was at work when I received the e-mail and naturally dropped everything to reply immediately:
Jean,This all sounds completely perfect. Am sick with excitement and so grateful for all the trouble you are all taking to meet with me. What a wonderful, wonderful day!I can’t wait!Absolutely no allergies, you darlings!Huge hugs and a huge smile all day now!
Since then I have been thinking of nothing else. All the worries about aching bones and will-I-make-it type fears about the 100 mile hike, have completely dissipated and all I can think about is putting faces with those reflections, insights, beautiful writings, and exquisite drawings. My only dilemma is that I will be unable to blog about it immediately afterwards because I will be hiking for days without Internet access. However, I will have my journal with me (I don’t leave home without it) and will keep notes about thoughts, feelings and impressions so that I will be able to report back after the facts.
But for now, right now, my cup runneth over and joy seems to be spilling out through my typing fingers in anticipation. Of course, Jean replied right back. I once wrote about her as one of my angels (see if you can work out which one she is):
We are just as grateful that you take the trouble to meet with us although you have so little time in London!
Can’t wait either.
xJean
I hope she won’t mind that when I finally get to meet her in person, I simply must give her a great, big, real hug …
tamarjacobson 
We will all raise our glasses in a toast to you, Winston! I will see to that.
Thanks for the good wishes.
What a wonderful plan! Hope it all comes off smoothly. I have yet to meet other bloggers but look forward to the day.
I have been reading Andy and Jean for as long as I have you. Please convey to them my humble and respectful regards from the colonies.
Bon Voyage! And safe return…
Thanks, Kay, for the good wishes. Am not sure about that turning green stuff though … lol!
The Kay is turning green with envy! I am truly delighted for you!!!! Bon voyage!!! I can’t wait to hear how it all goes!
I pretty much agree with Jean, here, Michael. Although I have found that it is easier for me to express myself through writing. That’s why I love e-mail as well. Intimacy face-to-face is always a bit more difficult, I think, because I wonder what people see and hear about me … low self confidence I guess. Anyway, I’ll let you know how it goes when I meet up with everyone in London Town later this month. Probably they will get to blog about it before me though … it will be interesting for me to read when I get back home.
Thanks for the conversation here, Jean and Michael.
Michael, I realise that I’ve just been lucky so far in not receiving any vicious or hurtful comments on my blog, and I try to be mindful that I’ve made a choice to run this risk so that if it happens I won’t be too shocked. But I hope and trust that even if it does happen I won’t have big regrets, that I’ll still be able to feel it is outweighed by all the good things about meeting such wonderfully like-minded people on line. The most wonderful thing of all: whereas I certainly find it easier to come out and say things that make me feel vulnerable on line, I am noticing that, through doing this many times, and rejoicing in the connections made, I am more able to do it face-to-face. That’s worth a great deal. So I try not to split the two worlds, but to see them as a continuum. The first time I met a blogger friend in the flesh, I was terrified. I arrived early and had to go and have a drink to calm my nerves. It was fine and, like the others since, she was just the same person I’d met on line. There may be exceptions, bad surprises, to come. But no more, I think, than with people met any other way…
In anonymity lies (blogging) freedom. But this freedom is easily abused.
I cite as proof all the nasty things people say by way of comments on one another’s blogs, things they likely wouldn’t say if their identities were known and they could thus be held accountable.
On the other hand, I also cite the things people say on blogs — constructive, thoughtful, deeply held feelings on subjects not easily broached — that likely wouldn’t be said if their identities were known and they could thus be held accountable.
Maybe things are perfect just the way they are.
Michael,
Thanks for your comment. In fact, I found those three other bloggers through Jean’s site over the years so there is certainly a connection as far as I feel it.
Interesting how you describe the feeling that one’s cover is blown in a way by meeting in reality. Does it feel easier to be real – genuine – deep – sharing – virtually?
Hi Tamar,
I think it’s great that you have the chance to meet Jean. She seems like such a wonderful thinker and great person. I’m not familiar with the three other bloggers, but if they’re friends of yours and Jean’s, they must be OK.
I’m undecided about my feelings on meeting the people behind the blogs. Thus far, I’ve met just one.
On the one hand, I must admit that satisfying one’s curiosity and having the chance to learn more about the people who intrigue us can be an attractive proposition.
But on the other hand, I wonder if, once the veil of (relative) anonymity is lifted, we perhaps become a little more reticent and circumspect when expressing ourselves now that our cover is blown, so to speak.
Oh, and Natalie, I adore Italian food. Just thought I’d mention!
Hi Rhea,
Maybe you and I will connect one day when I am visiting my son again, eh?
Yes indeed, Ernesto, I am ready, willing and able to bus it back to that area with you. Will e-mail you my hotel information.
Hello there, Natalie, glad to hear from you. Am looking forward to seeing all your wonderful art work! oh yes … and also you too!
Oh, I thought it was near mine. It’s ok. If Tamarika is willing to take the bus back to King’s Cross we can do it together!
This sounds really cool. I’ve met just one blogger in real life and that was by accident.
Tamar, I can’t wait for this meeting either! What a joy this will be. By the way, “my” Italian restaurant doesn’t serve only Italian food so there’s plenty of choice whatever your tastes. Ernesto, it’s just round the corner from me so it can’t be the one near you?
See you all very soon.
Wow! It’s very exciting to be part of this! If I am not mistaken, I live very close to the italian restaurant (but I still don’t know which one it is). If you can drop me a line at e.ramirez AT ucl DOT ac DOT uk to let me know where you will staying, to figure out the escape route 😉
Cheers!
Kim,
Thanks so much for those kind wishes. Warms the cockles of my heart.
Tom,
Yes, it is great fun but also quite hard at times, these hikes. I did half of the Coast-to-Coast [ http://www.coast2coast.co.uk/ ]five years ago (about 100 miles in 5 days) with the same group of amazing women who completed the whole thing. The bed & breakfasts on the way, at each arrival point, are so charming and welcoming. So, while I really look forward to it, I know it will often be a challenge to my five year older limbs and muscles. Will be armed with a large bottle of Advil! And will certainly write about it when I return.
Ah Tamar, I loved living in Israel. It always felt like home to me – real home – a place where I felt belonging for the first time in my life when I arrived there. The lack of angels feeling has more to do with the fact that there were some terribly painful times for me in my emotional life. I was ill-equipped to deal with the life I was creating for myself. And it always seemed to me that when people would become close to me, soon after, they would turn on, against or away from me, especially during some of my most challenging moments. I know, now, that so much of it came from within me and was transferred out. But, it also had to do with the people I chose to have relationships with. And definitely with some excruciating “stuff” I went through with my family. There is always a part of me, all these nineteen years in the United States, that longs for and misses Israel so much for so many things. If I did ever return to live there, I know I would discover just as many “angels” as those I found waiting for me here in the U.S.
Thank you so much for asking that question. I appreciate your interest.
I followed your link to “one of my angels” and was intrigued w a line there: Sometimes I think that while I lived in Israel, angels were nowhere to be found.
As one who lives half the year in Israel, I am curious why you wrote about Israel that way. What was it about Israel, about you, both, something else that brought you to that statement or conclusion?
Whenever you have a chance to respond, I’ll be grateful. Meanwhile, nesiya tova!
I’m drooling with envy on two counts. First, I too have had the pleasure of meeting a few of our fellow bloggers, and know what a treat it can be.
Second is the hike. A high-ranking entry on my list of things to do before I die is a hiking tour of Great Britain.
I’ll be looking forward to your accounts. Keep those legs strong and your journal paper dry!
Oh I am so excited for you! I do wish you traveling mercies, a wonderful time with new-old friends, and perserverance for the hike.
Kim
MaryB,
Gee, I hope I get to meet you before Autumn! But then again, you and I are such busy bees, aren’t we?
Jean,
:>)
I am very keen on hugs…
Tamarika, you’re going to love meeting blog friends face to face. I got to meet Pete and Jo when I was in England last year, and it was a hoot! Also planning to meet Elsie in Providence this summer. And YOU someday – maybe in the autumn? Enjoy your trip!
Neil,
That is a great idea. You should too. I think your trip will take much longer than mine, though … MUCH longer … : )
You should plan a world tour just to meet all the bloggers you now know!