On Saturday Kerry, Amy, Evan and I headed down to London for the weekend courtesy of those nice people at Think Parents. Yes, an all expenses paid weekend in London. With trains and hotels and meals and everything. I know – mad isn’t it.
Over the past couple of months my blogging world has exploded somewhat. Both on the materialistic front (with free Blu-ray players, trips to theme parks, etc), but more importantly, it’s exploded socially too. Historically most of my blogging interaction has been with people in other countries, and as a result geography has dictated that our friendships have developed through the sterile membrane of a computer keyboard.
I’m under no illusion that this in anyway devalues the relationships I’ve made however. You only have to look at the amazing levels of support I got with last years Dales Walk and the dozens of friendships I’ve made to see that despite it’s virtual overtones, blogging creates very real and very wonderful social communities.
But now my blogging world seems to have started bleeding into my regular one. Over the past few weeks I’ve met a dizzying number of bloggers face to face: Rosie Scribble, Tara, Kerry, Preseli Mags, Linda and notSupermum (briefly). And of course Hadrian’s Walkers Jo and Ian. Heady stuff for a social recluse such as myself.
And it doesn’t end there. This whole Hadrian’s Walk thing effectively means I’m in the process of arranging to have eighteen other bloggers come with me on my holiday next year.
And it’s bloody fantastic. I haven’t felt this enthusiastic about blogging for years. I even came straight in at number 7 on a Top 100 British Parent Blogger list this weekend which, while it no doubt shows that there is something wrong with their measuring criteria, is rather good for the old ego. Especially as I came in 2 places higher than Ian. Ha! The loser! (Shut up Jo, I know you’re three places higher than me. But such lists are ultimately meaningless and you’re just exposing yourself as a pompous blowhard for gloating about it. You make me sick, you really do).
Of course my actual page views hasn’t gone up. But to be honest that doesn’t matter. I’m more than happy with the little circle of friends I’ve got going. The thing that is really exciting me is that all of these friendship seem to be suddenly becoming more solid somehow. It’s like someone’s pored fertilizer on my blogroll or something. It’s great.
I’ll blog about our trip to London later this week. But the reason I was there was to take part in a sort of filmed focus group talking about the wonders of Blu-ray for the Disney Website. Oh yes, Disney now owns my soul, lock stock and barrel.
It was fun, although a little disconcerting at times. I’m not even sure they’ll even use anything I said as I tended to just trail off into confused rambling. The thing I really objected to was the make up artist who dusted my face in order to stop it shining on camera also dusted the entire top of my head too. What was she saying?! I’ll have her know that I have magnificently luxuriant mass of hair up there! It’s just very light in color so it’s hard to see sometimes, that’s all. Apparently that’s considered extremely attractive in some cultures you know.
Extremely attractive.
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on Jul 21st, 2009 at 3:06 am
Jeff´s last blog ..Just wish me luck
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July 21st, 2009 at 7:30 pm
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on Jul 21st, 2009 at 9:20 am
SingleParentDad´s last blog ..I Have a Name
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July 21st, 2009 at 7:31 pm
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on Jul 21st, 2009 at 9:27 am
:)
Clair´s last blog ..Kind of back
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July 21st, 2009 at 7:32 pm
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on Jul 21st, 2009 at 9:51 am
Tim´s last blog ..Howzat!
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Dan Reply:
July 21st, 2009 at 7:33 pm
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on Jul 21st, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Preseli Mags´s last blog ..London or bust
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Dan Reply:
July 21st, 2009 at 7:34 pm
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on Jul 21st, 2009 at 3:17 pm
I was delighted to be a new entry at no92! Of course it won’t change me. No. No photographs!!
SandyCalico´s last blog ..Rainy Day Activities for Toddlers
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Dan Reply:
July 21st, 2009 at 7:35 pm
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on Jul 21st, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Erin´s last blog ..Lesson: Leaves are never squishy
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July 21st, 2009 at 7:36 pm
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on Jul 21st, 2009 at 4:05 pm
notSupermum´s last blog ..Me, Myself and I
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July 21st, 2009 at 7:37 pm
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on Jul 21st, 2009 at 4:46 pm
VegasDad´s last blog ..it was just a leap
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Dan Reply:
July 21st, 2009 at 7:38 pm
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on Jul 21st, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Jo Beaufoix´s last blog ..The Highlight of a Big Day
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Dan Reply:
July 21st, 2009 at 9:48 pm
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on Jul 21st, 2009 at 8:46 pm
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Dan Reply:
July 21st, 2009 at 9:49 pm
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on Jul 22nd, 2009 at 5:22 am
And I know what you mean about the blogging thing taking off. I just got a few people to vote on what book I should read. Now that is the big time.
James (SeattleDad)´s last blog ..Aged Longer for Extra Flavor
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Dan Reply:
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Start one man. If you blog it, they will come.
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on Jul 22nd, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Yes, rather predictably I am going to agree with the very lovely Mags and Tara (but not Ian, oh no) and say that you did brilliantly in front of the camera. I managed to find time to spot this amid thanking my lucky stars/breathing a sigh of relief that my daughters rather than me ended up on that sofa – I had had my hair dyed specially but not managed to shed a pesky five stone in time!
I’d like to make a serious point though if I may, about blogging. (Cough) I came it at as an offshoot of my job – trying to keep up with developments as a writer to stay up with the times, give myself new skills and even (whispers) make money.
The surprising thing has been the friends I have made. Thanks to Kerry at ThinkParents, that includes six remarkable women I shared a trip of a lifetime with.
I recognised you as you were kind enough to answer a query I posted on the mum bloggers’ ning network.
What I didn’t know until I found you here was that you were a community mental health nurse. Blogging has been a key way for me to help tell my story of how I overcome mental illness and to help others tell their stories too – and this is a current project I’m working on elsewhere.
So I am full of admiration for you – I of course find this much easier to say in a comment on a blog post than I would if we were face to face – and that – as replicated in posts and comments from other people on so many other blogs is another great aspect of blogging isn’t it? Blogs are helping so many people find a voice and reduce isolation.
Right, I think I have, as ever, rambled on enough, but (best Arnie voice) I’ll be back – your blog is fantastic.
Good day – and if Ian is reading this – hello, Sir, how’s it hanging?
Linda´s last blog ..Magical Croyde – and why it’s a family favourite, by Jess Brooks
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Dan Reply:
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:26 pm
And anyway, I much prefer to keep my work and my home life as separate as I can, and blogging is something I use to do that with. I imagine as a writer it’s a little harder to make that separation.
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on Jul 22nd, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Linda´s last blog ..Magical Croyde – and why it’s a family favourite, by Jess Brooks
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Dan Reply:
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:27 pm
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on Jul 22nd, 2009 at 8:50 pm
DCUrbanDad´s last blog ..Where the hell does the time go?????
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July 22nd, 2009 at 9:32 pm
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on Jul 22nd, 2009 at 11:26 pm
still not apologising to Ian, love is never having to say you are sorry and all that…
Bye.
Linda´s last blog ..Magical Croyde – and why it’s a family favourite, by Jess Brooks
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on Jul 28th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
My worlds came together a few years ago and now they are just one big blur. I like it.
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Dan Reply:
July 28th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
I think I like it too, although it’s all a little new at the moment.
Dan´s last blog ..Serendipity
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