Monday, March 22, 2010

The Blogger Lunch

Over a year ago I came across the blog Pulsipher Predilections. I don't know if it is the humor, the constant mocking of celebrities, or the obsession with Snuggies, but it has since been one of my favorite blogs. Kristina occasionally sponsors lunches for her blogging friends in the area. After missing two prior events, I decided to attend her most recent lunch, which was a fundraiser to provide Snuggies for seniors in nursing homes.

I consider myself a quiet person and have never been accused of being the life of the party, so showing up to meet 50 bloggers I don't know was a step out of my comfort zone. Luckily, the event was held at a Golden Corral, which gave me enough incentive to show up. I pulled up to the restaurant and parked for a minute and watched many women arriving with bags of Snuggies they had collected for the event.

I was nervous for a couple reasons. First of all, this was the first time I'd been introduced to someone I met online, and I've heard McGruff say that those kind of meetings can be dangerous. Just imagine that danger and multiply it by 50. I also felt kind of like someone on the Maury Povich show waiting to meet a long lost relative. My other concern was that I have been blogging pretty much anonymously for years under the alias Chaka and have a secret identity to keep. I felt the same kind of anxiety Batman might have if someone ripped his mask off in public.

I finally went in and made my way to the section of the restaurant where the bloggers were seated. I had obviously expected a higher woman to man ratio, but I as unprepared for what I saw. I was the only guy among the 40 or so excited blogging women. This was a lunch for bloggers, not scrap-booking, so where were all the guys? (No offense to any of you wussy guys who scrapbook.)

I felt a little awkward, but Kristina was a gracious host and made me feel comfortable and even sat at my table. It reminded me of when the hillbilly gets invited to a fancy dinner, slurps from his soup bowl, and the host does the same thing to make him feel comfortable. OK, not the best analogy, but all the women around me were nice and made me feel at ease.

I was surprised at all the Snuggies that were donated. Everyone had a great time, and I had 5 plates of food. As I waddled out of the restaurant, I was glad I went. We should all get out of our comfort zones more often.

10 comments:

Kristina P. said...

I am really glad you came. Stephanie told me that there were going to be some of her man-friend bloggers there, so I didn't think you would be alone!

I felt so bad. But you did seem fine. You were a brave soul. And you sat at a good table, with women who make people feel very comfortable.

Hope you come again some time!

Cranberryfries said...

I know we didnt sit by each other or anything but I just wanted to say I was highly impressed you came. The first bloggy event is always a hard one to do, as you noted, breaking out of comfort zones and all but believe me it'll be old hat in just 12 easy steps. No wait I think I'm confusing it with something else.

Anywho glad to see you there and I look forward to reading your blog.

Lisa said...

lol..this is such a great post. too funny too. i'm glad i didn't miss it. if kristina is funny to you and she has your favorite blog, then i'm off to be her fan too..

Eric said...

That sounds like a good cause! One of these days, I'll organize a blogger event where everyone brings a mobile browser, no one can talk, just describe yourself online. No wait, that would be weird.

Anonymous said...

1 guy... 40 women...STUD!

Atzimba said...

That's awesome!!

* said...

I'm here via Kristina P's link on her blog. Blame her for it. :)

PS: Anything "Chaka related" I've GOT to check out. My kids are huge fans of Chaka.

Amber said...

Chaka, you're awesome. Also you don't look old enough to have as many kids as you claim. Sorry I was so sexist in assuming you were a husband of a blogger. ;) I look forward to reading your blog and getting to know you better!

Lisa Loo said...

Man, most of the time I love living here, in the middle of nowhere Montana and then you blog something like this.

Obviously we need a do-over.

How sly of you not to let on that you would be attending so we couldn't plan a quick trip to Utah.

Oh well, I'm not sure my donkey could have made it all the way to Utah anyways.

Cheeseboy said...

Wow. I am very impressed that you actually showed up. If you ever have a man blog get together, I am in.

Like the blog. Very entertaining.