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August 6, 2009
How do you befriend a popular internet personality without seeming like a stalker?
I had fully intended to send an invite to a couple of bloggers I follow to my dad's annual BBQ. They live near where my dad is, seem to be people that would be good friends if we lived nearby, have kids near in ages to our own and have occasionally replied to my comments.
But seriously, I think one of them makes a point to reply to almost all of his commenters. And the other, while less trafficked comment-wise, has a definite following of her own.
So who am I to them but one more of those freaks on the internet who got a little too wrapped up in their lives, and should therefore be kept at arm's length.
So, yeah, I totally wussed out. Much like the way Rex is willing to send me to Blogher every year, and I come up with some reason (ok, lots of times they really are good reasons) to not go to a conference where I will know not ONE SINGLE PERSON in real life, and in fact don't have much of an online relationship beyond readership with any of them. And judging by my stat counter, not a one of them has even that shallow of a relationship with me. What would I say to them?
So does sending an invite make me a crazy? Does thinking that they might actually come make me delusional?
Guess I'll never know.
Posted by me at August 6, 2009 9:35 PM
Comments
Here's my two cents. It doesn't hurt to ask.
The worst thing that could happen is that they say they can't make it and then laugh like maniacs at the silly person who thought to invite them to a gathering. I think only evil silent movie villains do that while twisting their mustaches.
Posted by: Anna at August 7, 2009 8:45 AM
You should have sent them. Never hurts to ask! I'd invite you to something if I ever did anything exciting! :)
Posted by: Genevieve at August 12, 2009 5:32 PM
I host a spaghetti dinner at my house every Wednesday, and invited local bloggers one night. They came. All of them. Even the famous ones.
And there wasn't an awkward moment all night long. We all "knew" a little bit about each other and we all love to talk about ourselves. I gave everyone a nametag, so we weren't calling each other things like "clearly delirious" and kept food on the table and the glasses full. I had a job to do the whole time, so it wasn't awkward for me either.
Posted by: Lora at September 9, 2009 2:41 PM