Andrea and I are planning a blogger meetup for August. Yes, you read that right. I’m helping plan a social event. Do you know it took Andrea at least three attempts over the course of six months to get me out of the house? She was like a dog with a bone! I cancelled on her at least once. (Twice. Never have I been so glad Mikey’s allergies lower his immune system.) In her last email before I buckled, she demanded I quit acting like a hermit in a cabin with a manifesto. I met her for lunch, along with two other women. It was fun.
But I was so nervous to meet everyone (stupidly, I was nervous everyone would think I was fat and ugly!) that I parked in a metered zone and forgot to pay the meter. Let me tell you, it’s the ticket on my windshield that was fat and ugly, not me.
Did you notice I said I met Andrea and two other women? That’s right, three people met me for lunch. That’s all I could get to come. And ever since then, every time I suggest a meet up I get crickets. Every time! And it’s not like I make the mistake of suggesting everyone come down to the Inland Empire. I suggest Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego. I drive! I’m willing to travel to meet people. But no, nothing. I feel like Yukon Cornelius looking for gold.
I’ve narrowed the crickets down to a few reasons:
- No one likes me.
- No one lives in southern California.
- No one likes to leave their house.
Andrea and I have been talking about this get together for a couple of days now (it was an all of a sudden decision we made) and yesterday we were on the phone talking about who might come. “I have at least 10 people interested, probably more,” she said. “How about you?”
Like lemon in a paper cut.
“Oh, you know. Between Twitter and Facebook, two people.”
“Two people? Are you serious?”
“Shut up.”
“Who are the two people?”
“They aren’t the five that unfollowed me on Facebook last week, I’ll tell you that much.”
I can’t do much if you don’t like me. I mean, I can try and send you links to bloggers far more annoying than me and see if that helps, but you probably already read them, too.
I can’t do much if you don’t leave the house. I know how that goes. Meeting new people in a social situation isn’t easy for those of us who consider reading historical fiction until 2:00am a roaring Saturday night. And I’ll be honest with you, too–the meetup will be fun, but it won’t top an unexpected plot twist in a quiet house.
I can’t do anything if you don’t live in southern California, either, but I can at least ask you where you live, so that the next time I invite people to hang out on Twitter and Facebook and no one answers, I can recover my dignity by later tweeting, “That’s okay, I know most of you live in Cleveland!”
So, here is how I would love for this to work. I’ve composed a geographical survey. If you read this blog, can you please indicate where you live? I’ve broken the country down into regions, excluding California, which I made its own answer and separated into north and south.
Then, if you have a blog and would like to attend (I can’t wait to meet both of you!), can you say so in the comments?
If you don’t have a blog, I would still love to hear where you live out of curiosity. Based on absolutely nothing scientific, I think the majority here lives on the east coast.
Finally, I would love to hear from you in the comments even if you don’t have a blog. Jokes aside, I think another reason I’m greeted with deafening silence on facebook and twitter is that not everyone in the world has a blog, making a blogger meetup pretty unimportant.
Wishful thinking?
Edited to add: Sigh. I completely forgot to include non US residents in my survey. Please feel free to join in the conversation in the comments!
Edited to add, ii: I guess I forgot Maryland, too. Great. Sorry about that.
Edited to add again, iii: I forgot Louisiana? That’s it. Wikipedia is dead to me.
Edited to add again, iv: So, I was trying to be funny in my post but it may have come across as sad. Trust me, I’m not sad! I think it’s funny, truly. :)
Am I correct in guessing by your poll options that London is a step too far?
No, it’s just that I did this on the fly and forgot to add non US residents. I’m sorry! I’ve amended the post to reflect that. :(
I like you. I live in Los Angeles. I’m iffy about leaving my house, but my “blog” has, at last count, oh about 39 followers.
But I will gladly read the recaps of the meetup and look at the lovely pictures!
Another person from England over here. I’d love to meet up but alas, there’s an ocean in the way.
we should have our own UK meet-up ;-)
I think that’s a great idea! An even better idea is for Andrea and I to do a blog/craft meetup in England. :)
Ha, only Europe seems to be awake! I blog and have one (yes, you read that correctly: one) follower. The good news is, she isn’t a family member. I would love to meet you, but as I’m also an introvert I don’t think I’ll ever travel to the USA (six hours with several hundred people in a closed space, brrr…)
You’re a quilter! I always, always, always wanted to learn how to quilt. I even bought a built…that I never tried from intimidation.
I’m from Israel, so same as the Engish people here , there’s the ocean between us + the whole of Europe to even get to that ocean :D
Israel! I wish I hadn’t forgot non-US residents! :(
I used to live in Torrance and would have definitely joined you, but now I live in Maine, so you are right. East coast. You are one of my favorite bloggers, so I can’t imagine who finds you annoying. Probably only people who love exercise and hate carbs. Who needs them anyway?
Masochists need them, that’s who. ;)
Virginia nd I don’t have a blog but love reading yours :)
Thanks, Casey. One of my best friends, Tiffany, lives in VA. She blogs at Worthwhile Domicile :)
Another Virginian here! Your link doesn’t work- I’d love to check out your friends’ blog.
Thanks! I fixed it.
I live in Italy, and I haven’t blogged once this year. I hope your meet-up is a great success!
Thank you, Jessica!
Another vote for England.
No blog but I’d have snuck in to meet you anyway. I’d have spent the whole evening convinced that everyone else is funnier, more self-assured (11 year old son asked me yesterday if adults ever feel self conscious and if so, why? They’re big, grown up and have it all sussed. Hah!), more intelligent and eloquent, better dressed etc etc, but I’d have come.
I think we all would have felt the same way secretly. :)
Jules – You rock. I would meet up with you if I wasn’t on the opposite coast. Also, you are right that not everyone has a blog. I was reminded of that painfully last week when a few people asked me about mine and I felt like the BIGGEST nerd explaining what it was and why I do it. I swear they were thinking, “So you don’t have any REAL friends, I guess . . . you’ve got to create this little world online.” I know they weren’t, but I suppose I’m paranoid. It is a hard thing to explain if you don’t do it, and it is interesting how we all can feel so close and yet be miles apart. It is good – but it makes meet ups a bit bumpy. Still, whenever I’ve met a “blogging friend” in person, it has been worth it and I’m glad you are going for it!
Hahaha!! Courtney, I’m right there with you in trying to explain to people what a blog is and why I do it. My mom looks at me like I’m nuts and then says, “So, is that like that Facebook thing you talk about?” Yep, I have to make friends with people I’ll never meet because I’m to odd too have friends in real life. ;-)
I have to explain to my mom what a blog is every time I talk to her about it. Every time!
Clearly what you need to do is come to the UK, there are a ton of people over here who read your blog and like you! :) (side note: hey Charlotte! Small world!)
I would love that!
Now, now, now…we can’t have you feeling sorry for yourself! Trust me, your comment numbers blow mine out of the water – you don’t know crickets until you put your heart and soul into a blog post…and NO ONE comments. Talk about discouraging!! :-( However, I’m learning that it’s not about who comments, it’s about me trying to become a better writer who is more engaging with the audience. Apparently I just haven’t found the right audience yet. ;-) But enough of the rant!
I have a blog. But I live 3,000 miles from you. When you write your William Morris book (and I edit it…ahem), and you do your book tour and come through beautiful East Tennessee…we can meet up for coffee. :-)
Hah! I wasn’t feeling sorry for myself. I was trying to be funny! Oh well. Maybe I should stick to anti-clutter posts. :)
Thats how i found your blog and they inspire me to go throw things out! (In the hot plains – no blog of my own to date.)
Love you…love your family…love your blog! Live in New Jersey though.
You and 43% of everyone here lives on the east coast!
I would love to meet up – but I’m a southern gal…down in Atlanta. Have a blog and would love to do a blogger meet-up, but I don’t follow you on Twitter/facebook so I guess I missed the memo. LOVE your blog, love staying up til 2am on a Saturday reading historical fiction, love your little community here.
I don’t have a blog, and I don’t do Facebook. Sometimes not having Facebook makes me feel like a hermit, but I’m fine with that. I enjoy your blog, and think you seem like you would be a lot of fun in person. I live way across the country, so that probably won’t ever happen. Maybe you can have some kind of hermit friendly meet up, with books to hide behind, and mandatory quiet reading time.
Ah, mandatory quiet reading time! Sounds like my kind of party. :)
Hi, Jules. I so relate to you. So maybe someone like you won’t be helpful? ;) Well, I’m worse actually, because I don’t have a blog. I have a blogsite, and I write a thoughtful, well-written (ish?) post on an area of one of my interests, double check “facts,” move it to “pending” and then delete it the next day. But I’m in America! In Chicagoland. I am a hermit with no manifesto that I wouldn’t delete, but I’d venture out to meet you. Am I making this worse?? I enjoy your blog very much anyways.
Thanks, Wendy! I’m glad to know there are so many people here that are like me. Perhaps we can all meetup and stare awkwardly into our coffee cups. ;)
No blog yet – because, honestly, every time I sit down to write a post or two, I compare them to yours and consider mine LACKING. I think you’re the bomb! Also, I don’t “get” the twitter thing (I’ve tried, a little, halfheartedly) and don’t follow you on Facebook (I’m only on once a week or so to notice belated birthdays I need to acknowledge; I haven’t added anyone other than people I really know.) (The FB/Twitter thing is another reason I am hesitating about starting a blog – if I’m not doing those things, can I still be a real blogger?! Also, where in the world do people find time for so much media in their lives?????) But, to answer your where-do-we-live question: Can you come out to play in Oklahoma sometime (only not now ’cause it’s summer and we can’t go outside until at least October)?
Never think your writing is lacking. If you need a pick me up, read the first three years of my blog. Crikey. There’s lacking for you.
How many times have I written something, deleted it, and said nothing because what I wanted to say sounded dumb, or would have required too much time to rewrite, reword, edit, etc? On a COMMENT no less??!!! Case in point, I’ve already done it twice. In the last five minutes. But I’m forcing myself to hit “submit comment” here. So I completely understand, Pam!
Another Londoner – for some reason you must really appeal to us over here!
I guess so! I wish I hadn’t been such a ditz and forgotten on US. Grrr.
looks like you were right, we’re over here on the east coast, trying to stay cool! i would meet up with you if it were opposite!
Maybe there will be a conference where we can all meetup.
Hi Jules, I don’t have a blog but do enjoy reading yours and several others. State: Maryland which somehow did not make it the list of either Northeast or Southeast – we are a sort of middle of the road state that really can’t figure out if they are Southern Living or Northeast Go-Getters.
I’m sorry, Theresa! I’m horrible at geography and was so nervous about excluding anyone or putting a state in the wrong section that I copied everything from Wikipedia–and look where it got me! So embarrassed. (blush)
I live in Indiana, so no joining you anytime soon!
Ah, but you live in Indiana, so that makes you lucky. I hear it’s beautiful.
Love your blog. Would love to meet you! I don’t have a blog and I live in South Carolina.
I have family in North Carolina! Maybe I should plan a visit back there and do a meetup, too. :)
Jules, I had no idea you’d have to many followers in the Southeast! I always assume most bloggers live in/near big cities — mostly in California and New York — because of all the conferences and meet-ups I see that are NOWHERE near me. Turns out, people must just be flying or driving to them. Who knew? Anyway, I’m in north Florida, but you can bet if I find myself near Orange County (I’ll be in San Francisco this fall, but gather that’d stil be too far), I’d come to anything you and Andrea hosted. You’re two of my favorites!
Annie – I’m in North Florida too! I am going over to look at your blog – maybe we live near each other. :) I don’t have a blog – I just comment here a lot!
I knew Susan is in north Florida from a post where I mentioned basements! :)
Another East Coaster here (Virginia). Write a book, go on tour! Then we can all meet up with you! :) I have a blog, but I haven’t written anything since about May. I’m blaming it on being pregnant and tired all the time. That and all I feel like I have to talk about any more is being pregnant, which sounds boring even to me, so I just don’t write anything. I was so good about writing at least once a week before…
Hah! I wish I could write a book and go on tour. Maybe one day.
I’m in Ann Arbor (although will move to London in a few months, which I’m even more excited about now that I know that Londoners seem to be big fans of yours). I have no blog, but I too would have tried to sneak into your meetup b/c you seem so darn kind and frank – two traits I really admire.
Thanks, Maria. Funny (and awesome!) that you are moving to London!
I am a librarian from Birmingham, Alabama and I think you are lovely. I don’t blog but would love to meet you at a gathering in the South.
Another Southerner! I need to move east.
Another lady in Italy…until next week, then we’re off to Colorado! But I don’t have a blog anyway. I had one for a hot minute, and then no one commented, and I was like, “what’s the point?” Clearly I have a much better response to crickets than you do:)
You and your writing are much loved, Jules. Chin up!
I’m just a mere curious blog reader, who reads many different blogs for many different reasons, and love yours. So meeting up with you and other fellow bloggers isn’t really applicable to me… oh, and the fact that I live ‘down under’ in Australia :)
Another Floridian here – and no blog, but I too would try to sneak in. :)
Hey, Cleveland is not far off, I’m in Columbus. I would totally come to meet you if I lived nearish, because I think you’re an awesome lady. The idea of a “blogger meet-up” would intimidate the bejeezus out of me, though. I have a blog. That I…stopped writing in last October. (Coooomplicated reasons, those. I’m trying to motivate myself to get back to it. Of course I proudly told all of my relatives about it, blogged for a few months, and then…totally disappeared.) I took advantage of a weird Bing promotion to take two online courses for free offered by Alt Summit, one of which was “how to win at business cards” and was last night. I felt EXTREMELY out of place and didn’t really chat during the course. I was basically in there to get some neat ideas for business cards but it was…not entirely helpful and just a lady holding up insane cards that were all trying to outdo each other with memorable things. (Really? If I went to a Blog Conference, I’d have to do something bonkers like having cute little striped muslin bags to hand out with my cards?) I would be open to meeting people, maybe, because I am towards the painful end of the shy spectrum, but putting a label like Blogger Meetup on it would make it even harder to motivate myself to do it.
My very plain business cards just went to the printer yesterday. They’re my first, and they’re completely run-of-the-mill. I refuse to turn the production of business cards into some weird, high school competition. Actually, that’s one of my pet peeves! I can appreciate the creativity that goes into them, but I think that time could be spent on something else.
Sometimes people focus on things that I think are pretty silly, and I think ShowMan business cards are one of those things. Focus on being charming and approachable, and your cards can be nothing more than your number scribbled on a cocktail napkin and still be a great success.
This is probably why I’m not invited to conferences. ;)
You mean I don’t have to have darling little leather bracelets with the name of my blog burned into them? Whew.
My point is still that labeling something as specific to blogs sets up a weird expectation. Meeting awesome people is one thing. Meeting competitive blogging types would make my toes twitch. Not that that is what it’d be, but with that title, I’d be less likely to do it, I guess.
If I were having a conference, I’d invite you. But it wouldn’t be labeled for bloggers, so I’m not sure what conference that would be…
Post a picture of your business cards, please!
You’re brave. Meeting unknown people is intimidating. Go you!
It’s Andrea! She’s the fearless one who forces me to try new things. She due right around the time of the meetup, so if she has the baby I’ll be on my own. My stomach is in knots over this!
Hi! Another Marylander here…I don’t have a blog and have only recently found Pancakes and French Fries. I read one post and instantly added you to my favorites list. I check in every day and am slowly working my way through the earlier posts. Why do I check in every day? Because this is one of the most authentic blogs I’ve read! I love the William Morris project! I love your ability to be real, open and honest about your struggles. Like I said, I’m not a blogger, but if you ever come to Maryland, I’d love to ‘meet the author’.
You can bet I will never forget the state of Maryland again! I’m so sorry for that. Thanks for reading. :)
Another Kate from Maryland(although I’m currently trapped in PA). The common response to “I grew up in Maryland” is “Oh, we drove through there once on a family trip to New York/Florida and got stopped by the cops both ways.” Since I’m assuming your west coast family never made such a trip, you’re forgiven for forgetting us. :)
Well, I live half an hour north of Amsterdam, otherwise it would be a pleasure to meet you! You are lovely, and real – and you have a way of looking at the world (and sharing how you feel) that makes me sure it would be a brilliant time.
Thank you, Lynn! I was in Amsterdam once and it was GORGEOUS! (minus the red light district)
I don’t read any other blog, just yours. Love your writing style, your humor & we have young boys in common. I don’t have a blog & live in Minnesota. Would love to meet you some day.
What! I’m the only blog? Missie, I’m so flattered! Thank you, thank you. I would love to meet you, too. :D
Another non-blogging Southeasterner. I hope that makes you feel better. Also, I unfriended everyone on Facebook last week because it was distracting me and I couldn’t bear to listen to all the amped up politics approaching election. So that should make you feel better too.
Oh, there is one guy on FB that I want to punch in the throat every time he spouts off. I hear you!
I live in Central Florida, but would love to meet you if I ever go to California. Love your Blog. From your comment section you have way more friends than 2! Maybe we can all meet in the middle???
That sounds awesome! :)
I would be all over a meetup if I didn’t live in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada!!
Jules- It is obvious that you need to move! According to the comments, it seems London is your best bet. If we are using the poll, it seems like the Southeast is the clear winner. I, myself am voting for North Carolina. Durham to be exact!
Twas your name that pulled me in almost 2 years ago. Carbs and fried carbs. What’s not to love. I stayed for the writing though. In that, I think you are awesome!
Thanks, Jully! We have similar names!
Clearly Andrea and I need to do meet ups in London and the South East!
Hi Jules,
I love reading your blog, I don’t have a blog, and I live in Michigan.:)
Hi, Amy! :)
I can’t believe you got that kind of response — I would LOVE to be involved, but I am running my blog from Virginia!
Maybe you need to do an East Coast tour of NYC and DC! Then you’d have tons of dinners to attend!
I guess so! I would love that, actually. I’m going to be in PA in the fall, I think!
Checking in from minnesota to say no blog, no twitter, no facebook, but still a fan……
I always thought you were from Virginia! :)
technically, I am from Virginia, since she’s my mom. ;-)
Haha! :)
Omaha, Nebraska here! No blog, though…
One of my favorite bloggers used to live in Nebraska (Jen Altman).
Also in Maryland the “forgotten state”. I am also hard to drag out of the house, i’ve been working on that. come on over to the mid-atlantic
Thanks, Gabbie! I’m sorry I forgot Maryland!!! :) (Your babies are adorable. I always think that when you leave a comment. I love that picture.)
Thanks!
Well, I live in Illinois, I don’t have a blog, I don’t particularly like social situations. I sometimes like to leave my house ( I love to travel and I love to wander and walk and go to museums) but I do like you tremendously – and if I did have a blog and if I did live in Southern California, I would attend your meetup in a heartbeat.
Thank you, Kathy. Wandering and walking around museums sounds like an amazing time. :)
Hi Jules. I do have a blog, but haven’t really gone public with it. I guess I fear that others won’t like me. Ha! I’m in Arkansas and I didn’t see it on the list, but I cast myself in with the Texas and Oklahoma group. I would come to one of your gatherings but would be VERY nervous. My main thing is that I fear I’ve lost my brain since having kids and wouldn’t be able to carry on an intelligent conversation.
Did Wikipedia leave out Arkansas, too?! Ugh. I’m sorry. Trust me, the week before and after the meet-up I will be completely useless. It will put that much of a strain on my brain to be social.
Fellow blogger here… located in North Carolina. Love reading your stuff – especially the things your boys say. I am not sure my blog has any followers… lots of SPAM comments… does that count?
Haha! Counts for me. :)
*waving hand madly* I am in Orange County! I will meet up! Name the place!
Yes! Awesome. It’s going to be in Long Beach. I can’t wait to meet you!
I would meet you, but I don’t have a blog and I’m Bristol (England). Maybe one day – I do love California.
Another Englander! I love it. :)
Hi Jules. I live in New York, don’t blog, and have been a daily reader for the past two years. Although we’ll probably never meet, I do think of you as a friend who has taught me so much, and I’m sure if we ever did meet, you’d be just as charming and funny in person as I suspect you are more congenial than you give yourself credit.
Off topic, but since I’ll be away during The Discovery of Withces discussion, just wanted to say that so far I’m enjoying it. Thanks for suggesting a book I would NEVER otherwise have read (I haven’t gotten swept up in the recent vampire craze.)
I liked it, too, and I think it’s because it has such a historical bent to it. You could really tell a university professor wrote it.
No spoilers, but the second one is really interesting historically! I’d recommend reading them close together because I was lost the first few chapters. (The vampire genealogy was too complicated to remember from when I read the first one a couple of months ago.)
I heard the romance wasn’t much emphasized this time around, but I didn’t feel it was all about the romance in the first book, either. I love historical fiction. I feel like, in a small way, I’m learning something new while goofing off. Of course, all that depends on the author.
I love you Jules!!! Sorry I don’t have a blog, I’m just a blog reader. Found lots of other great blogs by reading you.
You’re my inspiration for a more meaningful life. And you look like you’re a great Mom. Another point of inspiration!
Please keep it up!
Aww, thank you, Olivebertie! :)
I would love to do a meet-up! I am in So Cal (San Gabriel Valley) and will drive as well.
Can’t wait for the details. =)
Yes! My two people just turned into four!! :)
Wow, J, who knew that P&FF is SO international, you are so chic, I am envious! I would be there in a heartbeat if I lived in L.A. still, but it would take me at least a month to gather the courage to get on the highway, hah!
Hi Jules! I am in SoCal but I haven’t even touched my blog in at least a year I think. My blog wasn’t really public either. It was more for me to go and write out stuff in my head just to get it out of my head so I wouldnt go insane. I always thought I would try to make it into more to maybe help others in the same or similar situations I have been but I never could keep up with it. Love reading your blog!
Thanks, Christie! Blogging isn’t the easiest hobby to start up, that’s for sure!
Until yesterday I lived in Edmonton. Am currently in Vancouver (just handed coffee and a smoothie by my son) and am on my way to China in a couple weeks for a long stay. Thinking about a blog of my adventures. Love you Jules and would totally meet you. Coffee smells great must go drink it now.
I live in DC (but an originally from LA so I always love your so cal references).
edited to add – I don’t have a blog.
I am in Southern Texas, I enjoy your blog every morning. You are a witty, creative writer, and I adore your vulnerability. I always have this silly notion that the blog ladies I read everyday would make such fabulous friends! I picture us meeting for afternoon tea and talking about books and being moms in the garden. Heh! Kinda silly, but that is how I think. So, know that if I was closer to you, I would want to be your friend and we would have fabulous afternoon chats while our children played. (LOL! in our fantasy life :) )
You never know, Miranda. I could happen! I never thought I would be organizing events with Andrea, but here I am!
I’m from Louisiana, which also didn’t make the list. Whoops! But I love reading your blog.
Louisiana! OMG, never again will I rely on Wikipedia. I’m so sorry. :(
Hi Jules! I’m 17 and I live in Singapore. Haha, guess I must be the youngest here? I check your blog everyday and get super excited when you post! It’s actually the first on my favourites bar. (: Been reading your blog since last year? But only had the courage to comment now. I really love your blog and your writing style, please keep writing!!
ps. your boys are adorb
Close, but someone below left a comment and claims to be 15! I’m not sure I believe it. ;) Thank you for leaving a comment, Kimberly! :)
Well, that was just whole lot of fun–seeing from whence everyone hails . . .
Idaho here, by the way. I do have a blog, with what I like to call my ‘dirty dozen.’ That said, while I would love to meet you (and a few other bloggers)–a ‘blogger’ meetup gives me a nervous tick.
But do have a fabulous time–can’t wait to read all about it!
Nah, this is going to be mellow and low key. We’re even setting apart quiet time. In fact, quiet time is supposed to be the bulk of the evening. :)
OMG ~ they all do live in Cleveland! :) If you ever make up the coast to Seattle I’d meet up with you. I don’t blog but you wouldn’t hold that against me, right? A friend shared this article on FB yesterday and your post made me think about it. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/15/fashion/the-challenge-of-making-friends-as-an-adult.html?_r=3&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1342623771-6EUsK3toJfRCIIDiUPy9XQ Because really we’re all just trying to find friends in this stage of life and its just sooooo hard!
Interesting article! I found that I have more friends now that I am older, and that is because responsibilities–like taking the boys to school, practice, etc.–forces me out of the house to meet people. I have more friends now than I ever did in high school and definitely in college.
I am do not have a blog & live in NY. Also, once to kill time on a road trip I tried to name all 50 states in alphabetical order and actually said ,”Well there are no states that start with P.” My husband likes to remind me of this evertime we drive to Pennsylvania. At least you have the defense that you don’t live anywhere near Maryland or Louisiana.
Hah! One time as a tween I asked my dad how many states were in Europe. I thought he would come unglued.
Someday I’ll leave Vancouver and head down South…it was so much easier when I didn’t need a passport! You’re welcome up here anytime :)
I would love to visit Canada!
I live in Ontario, Canada. And I don’t have a blog. but I do read yours everyday ;)
I would come, but I live in Arizona…and while its only a 6 hour drive…I think my husband would think i was crazy if i told him I was driving 6 hours to have lunch with some online ladies!
However, i have been thinking of doing an Arizona blogger meet up, so I would love to know how you planned and executed this thing…hope you post a “how-to” for the rest of us :)
Enjoy your blog very much, just don’t comment often. LOVE your book group, I’ve read so many of the books recommended on your pin board!
I will, Heather! Who knows, maybe Andrea and I will take our show on the road. ;)
I don’t have a blog and I live in Connecticut. If I were in Southern California, I would love to meet up; so much of what you write resonates with me.
Thank you, T. :)
i am not a blogger, but love YOUR blog :)
Well, clearly I am the only person in the entire state of Missouri that knows how to find good reading material on the internet! :)
I don’t have a blog, but do lay awake at night thinking of blog posts and blog names. Maybe someday…
Also, historical fiction… greatest Saturday nights ever when there is wine involved. If I ever come to California I’d like to meet some bloggers, but would probably refer to you all as my ‘cool new Cali friends I just randomly met’
Not the only one Emily!
Two from Missouri! :)
I have a (half-started, sadly neglected, need-to-get-back-to-it) blog, but as my parenthetical would indicate, I’m not really sure you’d call me a “blogger.” At any rate, I’m a lifelong, card-carrying Southeastern-er (from KY, but have lived in VA, GA, SC, and currently live in TN), but trust that if I lived in SoCal, I’d be there with bells on! :)
I’ve lived in CA almost my entire life! I sometimes envy people with the courage to up and leave one state for another.
I do not live in Cleveland, but it is my hometown! I have recently started reading your blog. I really like it! I actually clicked on it becuase of the title. Good Luck to you in your meet up! Keep writing on your blog please! I am in Jersey, but if I was in SOCAL I would come to your meetup.
Hah! That’s so funny, you’re not the first person to say that in the comments, and I was just thinking about changing the name of my blog this week. :)
Don’t you dare change your blog name! I had a hard enough time with your blog design (loved the yellow and the pattern and the organization of the old one, sorry). I don’t like change!! ;-)
I live in lovely Charleston, South Carolina, and I think your blog is super. Stumbled upon it one day (cannot remember when or how) and have been checking it ever since. I have a blog as well, although it’s on a bit of a different scale. I have, oh, say 15 followers, maybe 16 on a good day. Anyway, keep up the good work. It’s a pleasure to read your writing.
Doesn’t matter how many followers you have. We all start at the beginning. :)
Hi Jules!
I also live in Southern California in the IE. I have a blog, but it has been sadly neglected lately.
I would love to meet up with you all. Though I too am a hermit working on my manifesto and will probably cancel. But really, I will try. ;)
Hah! All you can do is try, Janet. :)
Yay for Southern California, Orange County to be exact!
xo Jana
Yay! Please come. The event will be in Long Beach. :)
Well, I USED to live in Southern California (mainly Santa Barbara, but my family is in Mission Viejo) and I totally would have met up with you. But alas I now live in Chiang Mai, Thailand. So with travel time and traffic at LAX and whatnot, it’s quite a jaunt to get there. :) That said, I’ll be back for a visit in October….what’s that month lookin’ like for ya?
It’s looking a little crazy, since I’ll be doing the 31 days of William Morris that month, but I may have to make an exception or double up work on a day. :)
I live in sunny SoCal near Pasadena. Your blog title made me follow you and I think my friend sent me your link. I do have a blog but I am so bad at updating it! I too get intimidated meeting new people. It feels so akward but I am happy you did it!!!
Thanks, Renee! I hope you can make it out! :)
I would totally come! I do blog, but only some family and a few friends are followers.
Joni in SF
Hi Jules!
LOVE your blog. I wish I could get my act together and post more regularly on William Morris days. But I read your blog every morning and always look forward to it.
PS: I’m in northern CA. Would love to meet you someday! :)
You and Joni are in NorCal–I might have to go up there!
I’m a Louisiana resident :) I went ahead and chose Southeast. I would totally come to a meetup if I could!
Andrea and I really need to plan something for the south. I have family there, so it’s actually not that impossible!
Hi Jules – I live in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and have no blog. As mentioned above, love your authenticity and vulnerability and your humor!!! I think you’d have to drag me out of the house for a meetup – but I love smaller groups and would completely love “mandatory quiet time” with a book!
Hope you are able to post the results of your survey…
I’m in PA, and have been reading your blog for a few months now- it is part of my 5 blog rotation that I check daily. I have been hooked ever since I read your post about your decision to stay home. It made me cry! I could so relate: I just BUSTED my butt in grad school and first year teaching, and decided to stay home with my first baby (due in November). I love your honesty and your humor, and would totally have lunch with you if you are ever in the Philly area :)
Isn’t that a terrible feeling? As much as I regret spending the money, I don’t regret busting my butt to get that degree. It was hard, and I earned it. It changed my perspective on things and gave me incredible confidence.
Well, I’m not a blogger, so I guess I can’t go. :( But what happened to the Pinterest afternoon?? Are you guys still going to plan that? You know I would definitely be there for that!! :D
Well, I live in Seattle, doy, and the thought of visiting the Inland Empire in the middle of summer filled me with such horror that I had to go lie down for a few minutes. (It’s 60 and overcast here.) I totally understand about how hard it can be to pry people away from their homes and their solitary pursuits. Up here it can be so hard for new people to make friends that it has a name – the “Seattle Freeze” – AND a Wikipedia entry!!! But I would come to your meetup if I could, and I too would fret and worry that nobody liked me.
No blog, although I keep a separate Livejournal account that is chiefly about ferrets and my ongoing attempts to smear some decor around the house.
P.S. I have *been* to Maryland and still can’t remember its existence. It took me five minutes to remember the name of the *city* I was in. Sorry, Marylandians!
I keep a separate Livejournal account that is chiefly about ferrets and my ongoing attempts to smear some decor around the house. I loved this sentence.
Well, now I fear that as one of the 2 FB people who said “yes,” that makes me look desperate! (It never ends, right?) If I come, I will surely sit in my car & hyperventilate first.
We share the same county, I’m down Temecula way. Really hope to make it, but that said, we have a trip planed to the Central Coast late in August, and then my mother is coming to visit, so it’s already looking bad.
Admit it–you’re secretly hoping for a scheduling conflict, right? I know I would! ;)
NO. I do want to come! I’m hoping to meet you & Andrea & everyone else. Meeting more of my own tribe is probably the chief reason I’ve tried to start blogging in earnest this year. :-)
Hi!
Imnot a blogger, but read yours every day! I love your sense of humour, your wit, and the fact that you’re always honest (something I like to think I am too). Your William Morris project posts are awesome, they always inspire me to tidy up a drawer or start a project i’ve been delaying. And the pictures of your sons always make me smile, no matter what. Finally, you and I share a lot of common issues regarding food… and I just want to say thank you for talking about it…makes me feel less alone.
I would come but…. Im in Montreal, Canada. Would love to go to your meeting, just to say ‘Hi’ if I could.
Take Care,
Mimi
Hi! I’m one of the non-blogging readers (Texas). I tried blogging for a few weeks but I couldn’t find the time to write about anything meaningful. I really enjoy reading blogs and I have a great respect for those of you who take the time and open up your lives to us voyers!
Hiya! Another blogger/reader checking in from the “right” coast, New Jersey to be exact. If you come out this direction, I’ll happily meet up with you. I have been to several blogger/media events and, although they can be super intimidating in the beginning, I’m always glad I went.
Hi Jules,
I’ve been reading your blog for 3 years. I love your writing – it is intelligent, full of wit and very well crafted. And those sweet precious boys – they make me smile everyday.
I don’t have a blog, but do read quite a few, and yours is the first one I read everyday, even before checking facebook! :)
I live in San Fernando Valley, and will be relocating to India in August. So can’t do a meet-up, but will continue to read your great blog.
You can count another person from Missouri who was able to locate good material on the Internet (see Emily, above)! :) Jules, you’re an absolute delight!! Yours is one of the 4 blogs I read/subscribe(?) to – but of those 4 only 2 get my undivided attention for every post –
YOU(!) and the Nester (love her!). I don’t have a blog, am quite a spectacular social misfit and have several irrational anxieties about traveling. So, even though I think you’d be an absolute hoot in person and I would love to meet you, it’s going to have to be a negative Ghost Rider, the pattern is full. :) Keep doing what you do, crickets or not, you should be so very proud (especially of the fact that, based on their quotes, you are apparently raising the COOLEST kids ever to walk the Earth!).
I’m not a blogger but I do love yours!
I’m from Minneapolis and I don’t have a blog (yet). If we were closer, I would definitely come to your meet up. Multiple hours of what I get to only experience in short posts? Absolutely.
I also joined your book club this month and have been enjoying reading A Discovery of Witches. Thank you for organizing it. I can’t wait until the discussion.
Another Marylander here!
I’m in Missouri – about 4 hours from smack dab in the middle of the US, lol (which according to wikipedia – if we trust such sources anymore – is Lebanon, KS)
Maryland, and, not a blogger.
Survey says … come to the east coast! LOL
I could do Cleveland … but I’m just sayin’.
Blogger from Canada, baby!!! Calgary, Alberta, to be exact. So a meetup in Southern California is a little out of my reach…however, the next time I’m in Palm Springs or San Diego I’ll send you a Tweet!
Well, I wouldn’t call what I do blogging, I seem to fall into line with some of the others here, I have a “blog” that I don’t update on a regular basis. I like to think of mine as a journal that I leave sitting out on the table for passersby to read. I guess I need to write something juicy on the cover like, “Private! For My Eyes Only!” to entice others to stop by. ;) However I’m so shy about it I don’t publicize it at all, I rarely link to it if I leave a comment (case in point), nor do any of my real-life friends (except one) know about it.
I live in Kansas so no dice on a SoCal meet up. Otherwise I would totally be there! (That is if you allowed overly-private, semi-bloggers to attend.)
I’m here in southwest Florida, no blog but dream of having one someday.
I have a blog: lady business. It gets updated semi-regularly. I live in Vancouver, BC so unless you want to drive for a couple of days and cross a border, no lunch for us.
Checking in from Louisiana. No blog or twitter. I’ve never commented either, but check in with your blog on a regular basis.
I would totally have lunch with you if it didn’t require a 7-8 hour drive from the San Francisco area. And I don’t blog or tweet. I enjoy reading your blog … you have an intelligent, funny and thoughtful writing style.
I’m close! I would come! But I’m only a blogger wannabe…just haven’t found the time to start. What if I threw up a couple posts on WordPress? ;)
I can’t remember why I missed the last one (work? family schedule?) but if anyone could make me get over my paralyzing fear of meeting strangers and having them suddenly realize that I am boring and not at all funny and my hair is only okay, it would probably be you. Keep me in the loop! Although I don’t promise I won’t chicken out.
From Vancouver, Canada. IF I had a blog, which I don’t, it might say: “I used to be a full-time elementary school teacher, but it made me grumpy.” My boys are 4 and 6 and full of beans also. Thanks for the inspiration (W.M.)!
I’m from Ann Arbor, MI and absolutely love your writing. Although I found your blog only about a month and a half ago, I’m completely addicted and inspired and find myself coming to re-read posts simply because they are so beautifully written and speak the truth in the kindest way I’ve ever heard. I have a blog (ireadborrowedbooks.wordpress.com) however it was a requirement for class and completely boring to read (like actually boring – in the blog we just had to respond to readings so only those in our class understand anything I’m talking about). I’m keeping up the name though for 2 reasons: I like it and I can see myself blogging regularly after I graduate grad school (next May)! Keep up the work and your spirits – I’m not a big commenter on any blog but am cheering you on from the sidelines! :-)
New Joisey. We have to say it that way. Too bad we couldn’t have coffee when I was visiting San Diego last year. Hope your meetup goes well and now looking forward to this William Morris book I’m hearing about…I was a cartographer in a former life. Maybe I can make you a reader map! :)
I love reading your blog, but can’t meet up – I’m from Canberra, Australia
i love your writing and think your blog is great! i would love to meet you but…. i’m in melbourne, australia.
If I lived in California, I’d go to a meet up in a heartbeat. It would be so fun to meet you! Alas, Nashville is a bit far away.
I am also in the IE…no blog, but I know 2 really great gals who blog! Dare to guess who they may be?
Hello from Minnesota. Love reading your perspective and it gives me a glimpse of what it might be like living in So CA where my mom grew up.
Jules, your blog is my favorite to read (seriously, ask my husband…he knows who I’m talking about when I say Jules), and I would love to meet up with you someday, but I live in Michigan.
Jules, if I still lived in SD I would totally meet up with you! Am I a blogger? Hmmm well yes technically I HAVE a blog but since I don’t get around to actually posting more than a couple times a year I don’t think I really count. However I would still try and crash the get together anyway. Who doesn’t like being around crafty, stylish and smart women?? Miss you guys and LYMI!! BTW, loved the pictures of the boys in their superhero outfits. The second to the last one was classic – enlarge and frame :)
Hi Jules
Another reader but non-blogger here! I am in Michigan
As usually, your post totally strikes a cord. I just sent out a invite to 16 other mom’s for a night out, then waited 24 hrs and got my first sorry it won’t work out email. Then I got a yes (yeah) and then 3 maybes and a few more messages that they would have like to, but had other plans. But I only heard from half of those invited. I’m a 37 year old confident successful woman, but putting myself out there to plan an invent brings out my inner teenager. I hope your get together goes well, and I am not out drinking alone tomorrow! Cheers!
Jules, well done on busting out of your comfort zone! Two reasons why I won’t be coming to the meet up: 1. I don’t have a blog; and 2. I live in Canada.
Vicki
well, apparently northern california are extremely under-represented in your reader base, but as one of the (s0 far) 3% i’ll say that i’d be at your meetup in a heartbeat if it weren’t for the miles and my 8 month old!
Iowa and I have no blog. I thoroughly enjoy yours.
Hi! I’m from Brisbane, Australia. I’m 15 and i love your blog. I’m basically obsessed with Interior Design and blogging and my friends are always like why do you read all this stuff? And I’m like i don’t know, i just like it. And they are all you are going to be all knowledgeable when you have a kid and I’m like hahahaha shut up.
must say, this is a another reason living in copenhagen Denmark is a bad idea seen from the food/interior window, I would love to meet you and more of your heard and be a more integrated part of a “community”. I envy you farmers marked days, all your options for shopping, copenhagen is a very small town, denmark a very small place to live, and for the weather nothing grows but the heat bill …
I love your blog, but you live on the other side of the world from my front door… sorry!
love
lisbet
Wow, Southeast for the win! If I lived in Southern California (ahh, I wish!) and I got out of the house, I would so join a blogging meet up. Instead, I chat with friends from my moms group on facebook and google any new parenting/baby phrase I come across. Ha!
Hi Jules! I live in Norfolk Virginia. I don’t have a blog but I really like yours. Have a happy day!
Hi Jules, well I actually AM from Cleveland. I don’t blog. You are the only blog I read daily. I occasionally read a few others, but they don’t have the pull yours does, so I don’t subscribe. Good luck with the meeting. –Jeanne
I live in Wyoming and regularly cancel or consider canceling on people because I make plans but, when the moment arrives, would rather lay in bed in pj pants and read. If I was local, I’d muster up the courage to come to your event. If you ever find yourselves in the Jackson Hole/Yellowstone area, you are invited to visit of course. If you agree to and then cancel, I won’t even hold it against you because I totally get it.
I submitted Northeast on survey–not sure if it went through.
Staten Island, NY. Two blogs not written in. Well, twice I wrote in one of them. Several years ago.
Girl, 42, married, no kids. Sometimes, when my ego needs an extra beating, I attempt to DIY something around here.
Last night I tried archery at a range–it was fun.
Did I miss the survey? Hm, maybe it’s Flash, so I can’t see it? (stupid iPad)
I’m in Houston, TX. No blogs, but endless facebook and twitter posts.
I do read lots of blogs, though.
I am in the San Francisco Bay area and I don’t blog. I am spending the summer with our small remodeling project that ballooned to almost unmanageable. I think a meet up sounds like fun but I hardly make it to Southern CA (and then only to Pasadena to see my cousin).
I found your blog when you started your William Morris posts…and have enjoyed all your posts since. I seldom connect on Facebook with anyone other than far flung friends and I don’t twitter. I tell myself I spend enough time reading blogs and need to draw a line somewhere and it is on twitter.
Hi Jules,
I have been reading for about 9 months now (since Camp Mighty), but I hardly ever comment. I do like you and your blog though, my lack of comments is not personal at all.
New York, NY. I keep meaning to start a blog… ^_^
Can’t wait for the a discovery of witches discussion!
Ps. You are the only logger i know who uses bluebook signals :)
I’m nearish you in Claremont! I don’t have a blog anymore (I couldn’t hack it after having a kid last year), but if I did, I would come! Whatever the reasons you’re getting a low response, it’s not you. You’re funny and honest and a great writer, which is why we all keep coming back.
I live in Portland, Oregon.
I found your blog through “Young House Love.”
I like your blog and I hope people go to your party and bring you flowers. Love.
Hi Emily, Vancouver Wa gal here!
Loving seeing where all your readers are from. From New Zealand, so I won’t be able to meet up either unfortunately. If I lived a bit closer, I would have been keen, though!
I read your blog regularly and love it, but never comment. You need a Canada option on your survey! If I lived there I would definitely have come out.
I live in SD and just started blogging… I would love to meet up if I can!
I live 20 minutes from you. But still can’t seem to get off my ass to set up the recurring lunch idea that everyone says is such a good idea.
Hey there- I’m east coast, DC specific. If I was in CA, I’d go to any sorta meet-up, even w/o having a blog. Because I think you’re cool like that. So count me in if you make it out here, even to forgotten MD.
Hey, I’m in the South Bay! When/where is this meetup? Hoping for an empty spot on my calendar so I can meet one of my fave bloggers. :-)
Hello Jules!
I like your writing and tweeting a great deal, and would be thrilled to attend a meetup of yours — although I blog for only ten (very important) followers plus my mom. :) Alas, NYC is rather far from LA. If you plan a New York-ish get together, I’m so in!
Cheers,
Lissa
I live in Toronto, Canada. As an introvert who loves historical fiction this post made me laugh!
I live in the north of England but I’m visiting family in MA at the moment so I got a bit closer for a meet up but not quite close enough. I read your blog because you write so well and with honesty and humour. Thank you.
I live in Tokyo, Japan! :)
I live in Halifax, NS, Canada, and I usually prefer reading to going out, too. I have a friend staying with me this week which has quadrupled my social time. At least. I work in a university and it’s summer, so almost no one is here; I’m saving up my seeing people urges for the fall…
I’m 21 years old, don’t blog, and live in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Yours is definitely one of my favorite blogs (along with a few DIY/interior design ones), maybe because I feel a connection to you, I lived in the USA (Maryland, ha!), for 7 years and definitely feel my family would be like yours had we not moved back to Argentina.
Anyway, good luck with the meet-up! I’m sure it will be a success, if you measure it in the interesting people you meet and grand conversations you have, and not the amount of atendees.
Hi! I am 25, live in Northern VA (outside DC), semi-blog for myself, and absolutely love your blog. You are so honest, funny, and very inspiring because you write so well (I was an English major in college and very much appreciate a well written sentence :)
Can I comment a week late? I know I haven’t been commenting much, er, at all lately, but I have an excuse for the past week: road trip vacation!!! Yeah! It was fun. Sorry I’ve been making myself scarce. I still read and follow, but lately I’ve been feeling silly writing on blogs and knowing my favorite writers and thinking of them as friends, when I realize they don’t. know. me. at. all! Do I have a blog? Technically yes. In reality no. See, it’s not perfect and organized and the way I want it to be, so I ignore it (and don’t share it). And write posts in my head, and wait for the day I’ll have the time and be motivated to make it perfect. Which is never. And I DO realize and understand how much. stinkin. work. blogging. is. I do. And though I used to consider myself a good writer (adequate when necessary, did well in school) I don’t love writing. I’ve always associated it with work. Hence my 3-4 blog posts a year.
I’m 37 and live in Washington (just south of Seattle). I know (think?) we’d be good friends if we lived near each other, and I’d love to meet you some day. It is possible, since I never imagined I’d meet John and Sherry (you know who I’m talking about) and I did – my dear husband took a half a day off work just to drive down to Portland with me in February. So I actually do hope to meet some time; stranger things have happened. Until then I like to flatter myself that you actually remember me sometimes, ha!
Oh, and I am still holding on to the hope that one month this year I will actually read the book of the month and participate in the discussion. Still hoping . . . it’ll happen . . . don’t stop doing them!
I was at the Meetup with Young House Love too! At the Portland Yard and Garden show?
Yup, couldn’t believe how nervous I got just before we were going to meet them. It’s like, “Hi, I’ve read your blog for three years and know all sorts of things about you but I’m a perfect stranger to you . . . ” But they really are super gracious, and I’m glad we went.
Hi, I’m late on this one but am doing a blog catchup tonight. I’m in the South Island of New Zealand. At least that’s the same ocean as you, but more west and down a bit, I think about 13 hours in all. I follow a dozen blogs but I don’t have one of my own. I imagine a young Liam Neeson would have made an excellent Jamie (yes I do know he’s Irish but he was a perfect Rob Roy).
oops. clearly my obsession with the possibilities of Liam/Jamie was supposed to be in response to another post. Sheesh, this is what happens when you get behind with blog reading…
Aww, I missed the poll, but you can count another fan of your blog in Northern California. Your meet-up in Southern CA sounds fun. Wish I could make it! I’m an introvert too, but like to push myself out of my comfort zone from time to time.