A Bloggy Get-Together And An Embarrassment Of Riches

Clockwise from left: Kalynne, Cheri, Jenn, Jennifer

You know I really wanted to meet Kaylnne and JCK (Cheri's already my bitch)--I returned from vacation Friday at 4:15 and did all the week's laundry straight away so I could be guilt-free when I headed out the next day to take the RICA, a teaching certification test, and then zoom up the 5 to Carlsbad to meet Cheri, so we could zoom further up the 5 to hook up with Kalynne and JCK in Anaheim.

Mishaps aside (a fender bender for JCK and a loooong walk in heels for Kalynne) we had a great time. I'm not even going to try and count the number of Champagne splits Kalynne and I had, though the waiter did comment that it was a shame California Pizza Kitchen didn't sell whole bottles. The food was delish and the company better.

As I have found happens when you meet your blog friends, you are instant real-life friends. So far, for me, the personality that is conveyed in the blogging is the real deal. So if I like your blog, I'm pretty sure I'm going to like you.

Another thing I've found is that when bloggers get together they really cut to the chase. Conversations are deep, personal and real. It's not a cocktail party where everyone is wearing their social mask. I love that you can have diametrically opposed positions on issues, but really listen to, understand, and learn from one another.

Let's just say it was worth the 45% tip I left the waiter--he could have turned the table 3 or 4 times in the time we sat and talked and laughed--it was money well spent!

Thanks ladies and I hope to see you again soon.

An Embarrassment Of Riches

I haven't been hanging around the blogosphere for that long, but even I can see that this must be awards season. I love to see the new awards pop up and watch how they fly around. On my list of things to do is to design my own button--of course I should probably figure out how to display the awards given to me first (I can figure it out if you give me the code, a la Bossy, but otherwise I'm lost).

This gem seems to be pretty new but making the rounds quickly:

This sparkler was bestowed upon me by Deb at Etc., Etc., Etc., Jen on the Edge, TexasHolly at June Cleaver Nirvana, Oliver Rain, and the inimitable Tootsie Farklepants at Vintage Thirty. You can see why I'm blushing, right?

Trooper Thorn (a brand new blogging buddy) at Dogs and Jeans, hooked me up with this award:

Who wouldn't want to be described as Kick Ass?!

I used this button the other day, but couldn't for the life of me remember who to credit, so I didn't. (I've since learned to rename the file for all awards/buttons with the name of the person who gave it to me and the date). Now that my memory has been jogged, Thanks, Magpie Musing!

The hard part is the passing on of the award. Did they already get it from someone else? Are they "awards" kind of people? Will so-and-so feel left out if I don't pick him/her? Aaaah, the pressure!

Since I've seen the Brilliante Award everywhere, I'm bestowing it on those I comment upon who don't already have it. Wear it in good health!

The Kick Ass one I have not seen around, and frankly, I really dig it (my teens will now have to stay in their rooms forever because I said "dig it." Of course they also get upset when I threaten to "Pop a cap" if they don't straighten up. Oh well.)

So, for defining Kick Ass in a variety of ways, I give you.

Hollywood: Where Hot Comes To Die (Bite Me Fridays just crack me up. Plus, now that she can walk unaided again, she might literally Kick Ass).

Magpie Musing (Being a Lefty Commie Pinko like me is Kick Ass!)

The More The Messier (She is my compadre in kicking sulky teenage ass!)

The Philosopher-Mom ('Cause meeting a blogger who lives across the country is Kick Ass!)

Motherscribe ('Cause coordinating the get-together with the blogger who lives across the country is very Kick Ass!)

Last, but not least, was this award from Karen at For The Love of Pete:

I think everyone should have this one, it sums up blogging perfectly. So please, take it and pass it on.

Comments

[Cheri @ Blog This Mom!]

"Another thing I've found is that when bloggers get together they really cut to the chase. Conversations are deep, personal and real. It's not a cocktail party where everyone is wearing their social mask. I love that you can have diametrically opposed positions on issues, but really listen to, understand, and learn from one another."

Amen.

[Jennifer H]

What a great group of women! The best seat in the restaurant, besides at your table, had to be the one next to it--for eavesdropping.

You all look great!

[Tootsie Farklepants]

Oh how I wish I could have been there!

Congrats on your awards!

p.s. I had to Google "inimitable". Who's blushing now?

[janet]

You all dress so beautifully!!!

[suz]

The picture of dinner looks great...you are all so happy. Could that be the drinks????
Sounds like a very fun night and you should NOT be embarassed by your awards...you deserve them!!!!!

[gary]

you are definately a Kick Ass blogger, and I am so pleased a lefty commie pinko too!

[MamaHenClucks]

Looks like you had a great time! And with a 45% tip, I'm sure your waiter did. not. mind. :)

Congrats on your awards! You totally deserve them!

[suburbancorrespondent]

Gosh, I'm kick ass? Boy, that sounds a lot cooler than the "cute and endearing" label I get slapped with a lot.

[Smalltown Mom]

Sounds like a great get-together!

[Minnesota Matron]

Thanks, Jenn! That looks like SO much fun! The Matron wishes she knew more Minnesota bloggers!! (and her lefto commie heart is on her sleeve, for sure!)

[Shelley]

Hee! The Lefty Commie Pinko button made me laugh. My husband has called me that before, along with Bleeding Heart Liberal. Although he doesn't mean them as compliments.

[Claudia]

You are SO lucky to have so many blogger friends near you. :(

I seem to be quite alone over here in MA.

Can't you all come HERE??!
* whines *

Congrats. on the awards, love, you DO kick ass.

[Suzy]

Thanks Jenn, where do I get the code?

[JCK]

Thanks so much, Jenn! I will wear my Kick Ass award proudly.

It was divine to meet you on Saturday night. So glad you could make it up. And you, of course, are kick ass for knocking out that test and making it there BEFORE us.

[Kalynne Pudner]

Ditto to Cheri and JCK's Kick Ass comments! Thanks for the award...and next time I come to SoCal, I'm going to take Suburban Correspondent's advice about looking all the way over the shoulder to hide the double chin. Clearly, trying to push it into my jawbone with an index finger was a waste of grip on my champagne glass.

[Jason]

It's no wonder that you're oh, so very popular!

[magpie]

Aw, shucks! Kick Ass makes my day. Thanks!

[magpie]

Aw, shucks! Kick Ass makes my day. Thanks!

[phd in yogurtry]

"Conversations are deep, personal and real"

my kinda gals! "social masks" - I like that. It really captures how stifled I often feel at so many social get togethers.

[melissa]

First, I wondered what it would feel like to meet other bloggers. I worry that it won't be fun, but you've convinced me otherwise.

Second, I've got the same qualms about giving awards! How comforting to know I'm not alone.

[San Diego Momma]

That meetup looked wonderful! (Did you get your hair cut?)

Also, you are one of the most deserving awardees I know!

[Nora Bee]

Congrats on all your awards, you fancy thing! I can tell you are from CA because you say "the 5" like all my in-laws. And yes, I agree. We just had a small get-together in honor of Melanie Beanpaste's visit and it was just as you say. Except it sounds like you had more champagne and therefore I should have been at yours.

[Just Jamie]

You nailed it on the bloggy get together. I see now why Bossy made the trip. Meeting our cyber peeps is better than therapy.

[Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy]

Congratulations on the awards. Well deserved.