The Chocolate Lady

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

A Bossy Night

Last night, I broke away from the diapers and legos, and headed to the beach. It was cool, and cloudy, but the ocean is gorgeous in it's own right, no matter the weather.

I did what some think is weird, I met a bunch of "strangers" from the internet, and I liked it!

Like many of you, Im a regular blog reader. I have my fav's (check out my updated blog roll, coming soon!) and I read them each day. There are others that I read from time to time...Id love to read more, but there's that laundry monster that I need to keep at bay.

Often, I find myself wanting to share a funny or interesting "blog story" with a friend;

Me: (lol) do you read blogs?

friend: (puzzled look) no, why?

Me: well, there's this gal, who has a blog, and she is so funny, and today shw was writing about this .....

at this point, the friend usually has a look on her face, as if I had just asked, "Do you wipe cat poop on your face in the morning?"

I mean, most of my friends dont know what a blog is, they dont read them, and they think Im a bit of a wacko to be "into blogging."

I know some of you know what I mean, right?

Rare is the person that might set up a meeting with a stranger on the internet. Rarer still, is the person who would set across country, criss-crossing the states, meeting strangers that have come to know her, only through their computer monitor. But Bossy is doing just that. She is on an adventure, going from state to state, city to city, meeting up with her "fans" across America.

So, at an oceanside restaurant, in Laguna Beach, last night, Bossy met up with myself, and three other wonderful gals, for a time of coming together. A time to share souls, and connect on a level that is often missing today.

We discussed blogging, and how it people can be more real, more open (or not) and communicate on levels that are often lost in the fast-paced, materialistic, shallow social interactions that we face every day. When you read someone's blog, they are often showing you the things that arent obvious to those around them...their humor, their likes, their pet peeves, their intellect, all rolled up with vulnerability, and it makes for a different kind of "getting to know you."

I contend, that the blogs I read, are of women who are witty, clever, down-to-earth, and I honestly, It's not easy to find folks like that in today's world.

When Bossy announced her tour, I hoped she would venture out this way (who can resist the California sun?) and I was excited to meet this most stimulating writer.

Once there, the gals all chatted on the patio, and as the sun set, we eventually moved the gathering inside (thanks weather, and FYI, WINTERS OVER!)

I learned about their triumphs, their trials, their children, their families, their hopes and found them all to be delightful. I was intrigued by stories of families setting sail on the pacific for months at a time, how they came to choose the names for their children, and even about a wild couple that has a stripper pole! (Im not telling who!)

When it was all said and done, I gleaned from each one of them, strength, humor, confidence and a sense of calm that I dont always find today.

Bossy herself, while funny and sharp (no secret if you read her blog), is a strong woman, willing to put herself out there, give of herself, in an "Oprah's Big Give" kind of way, but giving of the heart instead of money....with a little bit of "Oprah's Roadtrip with Gayle" mixed in, minus the Gayle and the bickering.

I hope everyone will check out her blog, and look on her road map...if you get the opportunity to meet up with her in your area, do! Not only will you meet an amazing woman, but Im sure you will also find the others that join you to be well worth meeting.

and PS. Bossy inspired me to look into something VERY EXCITING...but I need more readers first...so, if you like reading my blog, please tell a friend, and I apologize in advance if they give you a strange look when you mention reading blogs.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm so jealous. It sounds like you guys had a great time. Too bad it wasn't a bit warmer...Bossy could have put her tootsies in the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

I was hoping Bossy would make her way through Texas but someone must have told her that Texas is only as big as Dallas.

"The stars at night, are big and bright, (clap, clap, clap, clap)
deep in the heart of Texas".


Yeah, that's where I am.

Now I feel better.

Anonymous said...

That is awesome.

I have only just discovered Bossy (through you) but I can only imagine how fun that must have been.

Kristin said...

it was so great getting to meet you and the other women... i had a wonderful time!

Ok, Where Was I? said...

I just linked from Bossy's. I'm intrigued now by what you've been inspired to look in to.

M said...

Very Cool! When is she in S.F?

The Traveling Yogi said...

How exciting to get to meet people you know through blogging, but in real life. I would love to personally meet some of the people I "follow" through their blogs. And I have actually met a couple of caringbridge families. And yeah, people think I'm wierd for following blogs, but who cares.

Unknown said...

On the subject of people thinking I'm weird for following blogs and having blog friends.
I figure that means they must really know me, and that makes me feel good.

dgm said...

That was a fun evening. I'll never be able to look at your banner with anything less than great respect now that I know how long it took to get those heart-shaped hedges juuuuuuust right.

Anonymous said...

How fun! Maybe one day I'll take a roadtrip and meet Grandma J - since she really is just down the road! I can't wait to hear about the idea!!!

Jason, as himself said...

What a great recap of your night with Bossy. Ours was very similar, and my sentiments about Georgia are the same.

Thank you for your very kind words about my story. I hope you'll keep coming back! I've got you bookmarked.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

I felt like our evening with Bossy was like a 70's encounter group--it was just so real.

The San Diego Bloggers had a pre-Bossy meeting also, so we are totally part of each other's lives now.

Bossy's road trip is an extraordinary thing--and she is an extraordinary woman.