I did the unthinkable. After much deliberating, doubts about the wisdom of it, I said what the hell and took the plunge. I thought, what’s the worse that can happen? Well, I wasn’t worried about being kidnapped or anything like that but I was concerned about being busted.
Yep, I went to the much touted blogger link-up here in Jamaica and met eleven other bloggers. Crazy, aren’t I? At first I thought, maybe this is not a good idea. What contributes to blogging being so popular is the mystery element. So you know everything about the bloggee’s life but that’s fine since you don’t know who the bloggee is. You have no idea that the respectable, bespectacled neighbor that you bid good morning each day is ‘Man out of town’ who likes freaky sex.
I wanted to be able to cuss, deride, criticise everyone who got on my wrong side without being confronted some time later about it or putting my job at risk. I wanted to mull about that guy who couldn’t get it up regardless of what I did (no I haven’t blogged about that yet) without contributing to the poor soul’s embarassment. I thought that it was ok for MadBull and Abeni to be all gungho about it, afterall they don’t live here. And so I pondered. What if *gasp* I meet up on someone who reported to me in the past, or an ex (or even present) boss. I don’t even know which would be worse. My carefully crafted image of the of the confident, young professional would be shattered. The people who aren’t my friends may know from a very frank post that I’m not always as self-assured as I like to project. Oh crap, forget this.
However, the bane of human’s existence, a combination of curiousity and inquisitiveness triumphed. That same nosiness that cause me to spend countless hours every night reading about diverse lives of the authors of the different blogs that I frequent. My grandmother would say is ‘fastness’.
So anyway I pried myself from the house telling myself that I’m just going for icecream by Devon House and depending on how I feel I’ll pop in just to peep. While parking, I anxiously looked in and saw a largish group and wondered. Hmmm, they look quite decent from where I’m sitting in driver’s seat and most importantly didn’t see anyone I know. Ok, maybe I’ll just go get a drink from the bar without them knowing who it is. Yeah, that’s what I’m going to do. Maybe.
I approached the door, looking for Madbull and KingstonGirl who both have pictures on their sites. Dr.D had indicated that he might not be there so even though he also has a pic on his site, I wasn’t looking for him. I paused at the door; I didn’t see KG but wow, that handsome guy must be MadBull, he looked nicer in person ![]()
It was great folks, I put a face to some of the blogs I frequent. I won’t mention everyone I meet for fear of leaving out someone. I was quite pleased to meet Francis whose blog got me started. I mentioned him in my very first blog.
I noticed however that I was the only female Jamaica blogger who turned up so I guess that says something about me. It’s either, I have too much time on my hand and don’t have much to do with it or that I’m just more inquisitive than the typical Jamaican female blogger. Take your pick.

15 responses so far ↓
Dr. D. // July 27, 2006 at 8:20 am
Gela, it was nice meeting you.
Your writing style is quite similar to how you speak.
And BTW, the letter to your superiors at work telling them about all the bad stuff you have mentioned about them in your posts has been sent!
Just cool!
Kingston Girl // July 27, 2006 at 9:00 am
Sorry sweetie!!! I do have my good excuse which i have explained elsewhere! And I promise that next time, I will be there!
fwade // July 27, 2006 at 9:20 am
Gela,
You are such a live-wire in person — it was great to hang out with you for a couple of hours!
As for the courage it takes to blog .. true ting! when I wrote my first really risky blog entry my business partner told me basically “we had to talk!”
My wife has helped me to change a few of mine also, just to be on the safe side.
But listen, your blogs are alive with who you are, and most people want that feeling of freedom without having an outlet, a means or a way to unblock themselves from experiencing it.
I was tickled to hear that I helped unleash your inner blogger.
Jus’ don’ stop.
fwade // July 27, 2006 at 9:21 am
Just think of what Miss Lou had to put up with in her time…
Mad Bull // July 27, 2006 at 9:50 am
It was excellent meeting you too, glad you could come. Thanks for the kind words as well
Leon // July 27, 2006 at 11:14 am
Hey Gela! First time commenting on your blog, and it surely won’t be the last. Nice to meet you!
Guyana-Gyal // July 27, 2006 at 4:28 pm
Y’know, I never thought about it, that when you have a blogger meet, your secret identity is blown.
I think you went because you’re a sociable kinda gal. I’m glad you all had fun.
owen // July 27, 2006 at 5:51 pm
omg you write alot. nice meeting you thought, cheers
Scratchie // July 28, 2006 at 1:43 pm
It was nice meeting you. Very fun person. This is my 1st visit here. Can’t keep up with MB’s links. Maybe that’s telling me to revamp my own but hey… The few hours was good.
Lex // July 28, 2006 at 1:54 pm
Wow. Sounds that that was so much fun….and risky. Cheers for going!!
Gela's Words // July 28, 2006 at 11:55 pm
Was nice meeting y’all too. Yeah GG cover blown but that’s awright, haven’t bucked up anyone as yet, maybe Ja not that small. It was great Lex, there’s a group pic on MadBull’s blog but I won’t say who’s who,Got to be there to find that out ;)Oh Fwade, you’re too kind.
Stunner // July 29, 2006 at 1:34 am
This is my first time here at your blog. I need to come back and check out your posts.
It was good to meet you at the linkup and I am glad that you were brave enough to come.
Jdid // July 29, 2006 at 9:31 am
meeting people who you’re familiar with in cyberspace is like the weirdest thing. I’ve met a few from some of the message boards i used to be on and you just feel so strange walking up to folks. I agree with your sentiments. i try to blog in anonymity too so i feel what you’re saying
Anonymous // August 13, 2006 at 2:02 am
I love your website. It has a lot of great pictures and is very informative.
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Anonymous // August 18, 2006 at 5:10 am
Greets to the webmaster of this wonderful site. Keep working. Thank you.
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