Al posed some questions to some of us girl bloggers today. His question to me was:
"Are you glad you decided to come to the first blogger gathering last December? 'cause we're glad you showed."
The short answer is "Yes - oh, yes, most emphatically, yes." But I can't leave it at the short answer. This is a blog. Short answers aren't allowed.
Those of you who were around to read this blog a year ago and those of you who have read the archives (and I know there's at least 2 of you who have done that - which amazes and humbles me) may recall the extreme levels of anxiety I was experiencing prior to the trek. Here I was, going to Vegas for the first time ever to meet up with a bunch of poker playing bloggers who I knew only through the words they put up in their blogs. Add to that - I was going by myself and then throw in the fact I was an average of 20 or so years older than the rest of the attendees and you have a tasty cocktail of anxiety. I needed a ton of reassurance. And, by Jove, you guys gave it to me.
I also got a ton of warmth and acceptance upon arrival in Vegas and meeting those people I'd been reading all those months prior. I've made friendships I never expected when I began this blog nearly 2 years ago. Hell, I never expected to have any readers let alone the grand adventure that's come along as a result. I still experience anxiety, but it's of a different sort now. I fear the time that this wave we are riding comes to shore. I fear the time to come when there are no more words that can be written. I fear the time of disconnect. I have come to treasure the friendships I have made and want to continue cultivating those as well as to forge new ones.
My insecurities still raise their ugly little heads from time to time, though. I guess it's because I'm still a little awed by the fact you guys let me hang out... So, yeah Al, I'm glad I showed, too 'cause (and I'm quoting from myself here):
I had roughly 30 pairs of arms reach out to me a gather me into this unique community of people, who hail from such diverse backgrounds and who are super-glued together by a shared passion for a little card game. A little card game.
See you in December. 8^)
