I live in my own little corner of the world like we all do. And I’m not complaining. But as the world grows flatter, somehow it seems to expand. At least my world does. Having another life online opens so many other possibilities and communities and people I would never have known if my world had remained round. Here’s just a slice of the last week.
Tonight I did the traveling— to Palo Alto for a party thrown by the Silicon Valley Moms blog. This is a network of mom bloggers in various parts of the country. Though I’ve been involved for about a year, I had only “met” the other moms online by reading their very thoughtful posts or comments on mine.
This was my first chance to meet the SV Moms as a group; worth a 2-hour drive to match up names and faces and Twitter avatars.
Though my agenda wasn’t sponsors or swag, we all left bearing great gifts—I immediately did a quick search for the REALLY valuable stuff—but there was no chocolate.
And the best gifts were not in the goodie bags. As I drove home I thought of how much I’ve been enriched by being connected online, getting to know the kind of people I’d want to know in my real life.
….and then I realized: this IS my real life.
(PS Thank you to Chevy and other sponsors)
You have the most EXCITING life!! I love reading about all your “adventures”…Every photograph of you is BEAUTIFUL!!
You lead the most EXCITING life!! I love reading about all your “adventures”…Every photograph of you is BEAUTIFUL!!
Ha, Carmel is a quiet little town; it’s my life ONLINE that’s exciting.
As for the pictures, I’d say I’m a master of Photoshop–except I don’t know how to use it. Waiting for one of the techies I’ve met online to teach me.
Very good post, Darylle. I am now in contact with people who have fallen through the cracks over the years and relatives I did not know even exist. I recently had lunch with a young man of my same surname who is from an entirely different branch of the tree. It’s a different way of relating, but it IS part of my “real” life. I listened to President Obama’s town hall meeting from Shanghai as a live stream through FB. The comments were flowing from around the globe…a true international community, right there, online, in real time. This stuff blows my mind.
Thanks, I also love all the people and things you can dig out of those cracks–and the idea of sharing experiences on a global scale—amazing. For our kids maybe it’s just part of life—so I’m sure it dates me to say I’m with you, it blows my mind —as if that expression doesn’t date us enough already.
Great to meet you last night! 🙂
Great meeting you too—and look forward to seeing you next time. Already decided any time SV MOms has an event, I’m there!
This is so amazing, fun and a wonderful example of how social media should work. I too have met so many amazing people through FB, Twitter and blogging. The key is as you say pick up the phone and meet in person. The commonality is already there through the SM relationship! As a result of reaching out, I have developed business and friendships in Atlanta, Orlando, Charlotte, San Antonio, LA, San Diego, Ft Laud and more coming. Thanks for sharing and have a blast online and offline.Not to mention you and I re-connecting from our high school days!!!
What fun!
What an uplifting post! Loved the photographs, too! Everyone is so happy in them, as they should be. We are all very fortunate to have the good health, intelligence, the resources and the fortitude to use the modern technology available today. We have the world at our fingertips! There are no longer any excuses for not keeping in touch, getting aquatinted or getting reacquainted! Someone who is a bright and articulate man, in his early 70’s, told me that he never thought it was possible, but now knows that one can even fall in love, on-line! How ’bout that! The world is our oyster and I know that you feel as I do, very grateful!
By the way, Darryle, do you have a web cam?????
Thank u. I so appreciate your comments–all of your examples and all of our connections– perfectly illustrate what’s available at our fingertips, as Donna said. Susan (Whymommy) has a site, Mothers with Cancer, that is literally a lifeline.
Funny you would ask about a web cam. For someone who had a career immersed in TV/video and is now so attached to the web, I’m surprisingly behind in technology. Still mostly use a desktop–I do have a webcam….sort of. If you read the post after this one, you’ll see why it’s completely embarrassing to to admit—I LOST the mike. I’m hopeless.
And, I lost out! I can’t believe we were completely out of sync at that party. I was so slow going around to the booths, they were closing up before I had finished. I think I should have gone faster. One of my goals on Sunday was to spend time with you and I failed miserably. Can we try again? Can we meet halfway some day??
Sorry I missed you too! Will be fun meeting you again, and I’m sure we’ll figure out a way, especially with me being such a social media slut….