I had the pleasure today of meeting one of my favorite bloggers and reader of mine, Gwen Hartley. She has a fantastic website TheHartleyHooligans which chronicles her life as a mother and wife. It is both funny and touching.
She has been a supporter of my writing and over the past year we’ve developed an online friendship. In a weird coincidence, one of my other readers who I’m close with, Mary, is good friends with Gwen’s best friend. Anyway, Gwen and her husband Scott live outside Wichita, which I have been told is in Kansas.
In the past, I’ve really only met a few readers. One took me out for night of jazz, one became my amazing girlfriend, and another met us out for drinks in Atlanta. Other than that, I haven’t been totally convinced of the rest of you are real people. I’m not sure the wall is a wall except when I touch it, though. I’m that kind of asshole.
I am thrilled, however, when I get to meet other bloggers or readers. While it isn’t always appropriate or smart to mix online life and real life, there are definitely opportunities for connection. For example, this fall I am going to BlogHer and AimingLow’s Non-Con where I can hang out with people who are like me – in desperate need of approval from strangers online.
The idea of connecting with you in person is very exciting. Obviously I’m not tweeting out my address or phone number, and I only travel with security escort, but if you’d like to meet at a public place in a wide open area with lots of witnesses, I’m game. I’ll need a credit report in advance (anything below a 720 is going to result in a cancellation – I have standards), and also an emergency contact number. My bodyguard Spurt is known to put a beat down on a man or woman he thinks may be a threat.
He tends to think all people are threats, and, you know, better safe than sorry. Spurt – what a hilarious name. He’s a goof!
I will most likely bring my dog, as I did today with Gwen, Scott, and their two little ones, Claire and Lola. She will not bite, but may pass wind while seated in your lap should you misbehave. I will then look at you, point at your face and shake my head side to side in a shaming posture. You will cry.
So, let’s hang out! Oh, and you’ll cover travel expenses. I like HoJos.
dadblunders says:
I must agree with you! There is nothing like reading through your comments on your blog and feeling more connected to people all around the world. I love to hear others tell me what they thought (good, bad or indifferent) and how they relate. When I am reading through comments it makes me realize just how small of a world it really is and how easily it is to connect.
D.J. Paris says:
@dadblunders Agreed! And thanks for commenting – I know a lot of dad bloggers are going to be at BlogHer ironically in a few months. I’ll be there too. Should be awesome.
Craziness Abounds says:
So how soon can I expect my Triscuits? That is why you bought two boxes right? As for comments and responses… Sometimes it’s easier said than done to respond to every single one. I’m the same way thought comments cheer me up and keep me in touch with reality
D.J. Paris says:
@Craziness Abounds Being overnighted. Half-eaten, fyi.
Craziness Abounds says:
@tfpHumorBlog i just died a little inside. Sigh
D.J. Paris says:
@Craziness Abounds Tell it to your journal, or something else that cares.
Craziness Abounds says:
@tfpHumorBlog That was harsh my friend. For your information I did tell it to my journal, AND my giant dog, and my ferret. So I hope your happy. They are all pissed and demand satisfaction!
D.J. Paris says:
@Craziness Abounds They say, “Good day!” to me. “Good day!”
Ericamos says:
Being a new follower to your blog, I have to say that I’ve greatly appreciated the time you took to reply to my comments. I’m glad our comments bring us as much joy as your replies. Also, that TV name thing drives me crazy too!!! On one episode of Buffy (my favorite show of all time!!), a character addresses another as “Cousin Beth.” I wanted to pull my hair out!! If I ever addressed one of my cousins with, not only their name, but their title, I think they would punch me in the face!
D.J. Paris says:
@Ericamos Erica, thank you. Erica.
Katjaneway says:
I was getting used to receiving replies to my comments for a while, and then you just… stopped. I felt kind of sad panda. I was all “awww he must be too busy to reply to the comments!” That sounds like I was being bitter and pissed but I promise you, I wasn’t lol. I think it’s fine not to respond to every single comment that someone makes, though. Some aren’t really meant to be responded to. And as your popularity grows (which we all know it will!) it might become more of a chore than something that lifts you up. For example, I’ve got a youtube channel with over 2,000 followers and probably over 150 videos. People are constantly leaving comments on them, but most just don’t need replies. They’re not usually talking to me, anyway, since they’re Good Eats vids. lol
D.J. Paris says:
@Katjaneway Sad that I didn’t know about your channel. Going there now to subscribe and follow!!!
D.J. Paris says:
@Katjaneway Wait – do you work for Alton Brown? Anyway, I use his recipe for cooking turkey. Amazing.
Katjaneway says:
@tfpHumorBlog Gosh I WISH!!! No, just a really big fan. Trying to get all the Good Eats up in HD, plus whenever he shows up on shows like The Best Thing I Ever Ate/Made
D.J. Paris says:
@Katjaneway How does that not get taken down for copyright infringement?
Katjaneway says:
@tfpHumorBlog Cuz FN doesn’t really care that much. I try to post something from Fox or NBC and they jump down my throat. All I get from posting Good Eats is an email (rarely) that states “this video may be owned or licensed by Scripps, but you don’t have to do anything!” lol Actually, they went after LikeTheHat, who was the original poster of all the Good Eats eps. But, his vids are still up so I don’t know what happened with that.
JeanL says:
I’m a new reader of your blog after you followed me on twitter. I have to say, yours is one of the most entertaining blogs that I read! I will have to start commenting now that I know you plan to continue reading the comments and responding.
D.J. Paris says:
@JeanL Thanks, Jean!!! I appreciate it.
wilyguy says:
Your boobs totally look great in the photo btw.
D.J. Paris says:
@wilyguy Agreed.
Juststuff3 says:
the fact that you replied or even just acknowledged my comments with a ‘like” is what brought me back here…then when I got here it was fun and interesting to read the new post…
don’t feel obliged to reply all the time though….like someone else said…some comments are not meant to be responed to….there are ‘just comments’ 🙂
D.J. Paris says:
@Juststuff3 Yeah, this comment sort of blew. Sorry. Ha. (kidding)
MissBatman24 says:
You know what I just realized? Your profile picture makes you look like Spartacus.
Eschelle says:
I love triscuits in much the same fashion…
D.J. Paris says:
@Eschelle Just finished 10. A full meal. Now, it’s time to purge. (yeah, I make those kind of jokes, too)
D.J. Paris says:
@MissBatman24 Kirk Douglas had more butt chin.
AngelicArtwork says:
It’s cool, tell Spurt he can layoff. I ain’t real anyways. I am a figment of your imagination. Oh and by the way there are only 2 blogs I read besides my sister’s yours and http://thebloggess.com/. nice to hear you are going to BlogHer, I hear it’s a big deal. No need to reply otherwise I just start looking like a weird stalker type since I just liked your facebook page too. I just get bored sometimes in this house full of 4 other people lol.
D.J. Paris says:
@AngelicArtwork Sorry – I can’t believe I missed this before! What a compliment to lump me in with Jenny L. She’s great. I actually found my girlfriend through her (sort of). Keep reading!