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| Totally unrelated photo...but you love it when I do this, I'm sure! |
I've decided that you don't know someone till you've heard them. I can talk to you online, and I form a picture of your sweet self in my mind, but I don't think about how you'll sound. And that's kinda like the final part of the jigsaw. And after the Crop last weekend, I also realise that it's something you'll never be able to guess at. Pam, for example, came across the M4 from Swindon....all the time we've known her online, that's where she's been. In fact, she's lived there for more than a handful of years. So of course, colour me surprised when she talked to me in her warm and friendly Scots accent! And of course, a native of Liverpool, our Jo has a wonderful friendly scouse accent...which she can turn up and tune to the point of foreign! Combine that with her warm, look-at-you-all-the-time she talks to you attitude and you start to realise that however good online is, it's not the best. I noticed for example on her blog post yesterday, that Mary Anne was surprised that someone at the Crop was surprised to discover that she's American. Given my surprise on Saturday when we all chatted to each other, I'm no longer surprised! Is this making any sense at all?
Mind you, as Kirsty said, our blogs are very much about us as individuals; we can kind of create an image, huh. I wonder if mine is completely destroyed for 20 odd WOYWWers now! If you're very clever, you could completely 'guide' reader opinion of your character and likeable-ness (if that's even a word - don't offer likeability as an alternative please, that's just as bad). I think I write as I speak. I know I have to type fast to keep up with the stream coming from my mind...and I frequently delete delete delete whole chunks of text when I'm editing...not to change your opinion of me per se, but certainly to reign in the unnecessary, uninteresting and frankly boring parts of my thought stream. Now, if you want to meet the counter opposite of the person you've got a picture of in your head ..you've just got to meet Donna. Now shorter of hair (!) than I remember, but otherwise, not at all who I thought I knew. Quietly spoken and totally 'in the zone' as soon as she picked up anything crafty; it's no wonder she's prolific and creative. And so smiley.
So now, if you want to meet some fellow WOYWWers or join any sort of craft group, how about it - get your gander up, courage to the front and put the call out. It's far easier than you think..and.....you'll know people for reals!
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36 comments:
Brilliant, thoughtful post Julia - it was so lovely to see the photos and "know" a few more of our regular blog buddies but I guess we need to meet up with you one day so we can say we really KNOW you. x Jo
You are so right, I know someone did mention how I was much smaller in height than they imagined! Well I did say I was rather short I'm sure. But I have to say you and Jan were as I thought, fun, friendly and warm welcoming. Listening to everyone was rather amusing, hearing the accents and, I admit, as I read some posts I can now 'hear' them if that makes sense! Great LO btw, I'm starting to pay attention to LO's now as I'm digitally scrapping but I can see that creeping out into the real world. I'm still smiling, have emailed Lisa a few pics and am still talking about our day, Keagan feels like he 'knows' you all now and is starting to ignore me I think! Take care Zo xx
A lovely post Julia. Maybe we should all write a few sentences describing the real us one Wednesday...or maybe get someone who actually does know us to write a little about the real us :-)....scarey thought eh?
Hugs,
A x
I so agree...
It is so wonderful to establish friendships through our bloggy interests....but it is easy to form opinions and mental pictures of people...
What fun it would have been to be there and actually listen to and see these friends.
I am like you...My mental image of Jo was taller too...I was surprised in the pictures that she was not.
You were fun to see in your "hip looking outfit" all modern and edgy...I love those long tops with the legging style pants but alas I am too heavy to carry it off! You did it with panache!
After all the pictures, I am really enjoying visiting those blogs!
it is a good job it is a tena lady day or I would have had an accident!- actually I did when I laughed myself off my chair,
so you had a picture of someone LOUD and long haired and unfocused?
I am only quiet because I learn so much from listening to other artists, it got quite noisy at times back at Morti's = who is a Goddess,
yes you 'speak' exactly as your blog 'talks' but it was your quiet asides that reveal your sharp wit that I enjoyed most on the day and I think you sometimes cut that from the blog too?
last observation
you reminded me of the Queen when you chatted nonchalantly to Alan about giant valves and draftsmanship, in a way only you and the Queen would; leaving me to think - did she research us all or is she just well traveled?
hope the family stuff was a joy and gives you a recollection of fond memories of easier times as you cope with whatever the future throws at you.
dxxx
also love the random LO
What a fun thing to do, I wish I had some WOYWWers here in Mass. Thanks for your kind (as always) comments on my photos. Just thought you would be interested know that the milkweed plant (I had photographed a dried out one) is considered a weed, but actually is essential for the Monarch Butterflies survival, as they lay their eggs on the underside of the leaves, and when the caterpillars hatch out they eat the leaves, and sometimes form their chrysalis on the plant. The butterflies then migrate all the way to Mexico. A little science lesson from a former Kindergarten teacher. Have a great week!
Very well put, Julia. I had such a fun day. i am so glad i didn't just decide it was too much effort to sort the children out and not come.
Very well put, Julia. I had such a fun day. i am so glad i didn't just decide it was too much effort to sort the children out and not come.
Love matching what I imagine with reality!
Julia
I really love this page because there are lots of pretty little elements yet it looks so minimal.
People do sound so different from what we expect...this is offten the case. How wonerful to listen to people you type to.
xxx
A fabulous post Julia, it has made me smile - big smile. Hopefully, if you do this again, more of us will attend. You are Queen Julia to me, for bringing so many lovely, like minded people together in this thing call blogland - thank you! Crafty hugs, Anne x
that is a very thougthful post but true. My daughter once had a internet date with someone who seemed perfect, so much in common..... until he spoke ... squeeky voice = the end ha ha ha
janet
Loved reading this post! One day I hope I get to meet some WOYWWers - mind you people just think I am a cat! Maybe I should change my piccie?! xx
Oh Julia--everything you said is so true! I especially love the unexpected American! If I had been able to hop on a jet and come to the crop--I think I would have expected a variety of British dialects...since although I'm American, I know there are many many different dialects, because it's like that here--right in the same city sometimes. But I might have been surprised to meet the odd American or Hispanic or even a French accent! All the ladies look so precious though--all members of the crafty tribe! Love it!
Great post, Julia - we do tend to built pictures in our minds that often do not match the reality... and the reality is nearly always so much better :)
Love the random layout too - lots of lovely 'white space' as the experts would say.
Hugs, Elizabeth xx
So right. we do have pictures of people but few of us imagine sound. When I first listened to Dyan Reaveley I felt like i was in the wrong place living in a "between" world. how could that northern accent be in my Texas room? Your meeting sounds fabulous. So envious.
Wonderful observations and analysis! I really enjoyed reading all you wrote and it was funny, sweet, candid and lovely. It always amazes me how people, so diverse in every way, hit it off together just because of their common love of crafting.
We really MUST do it again as so few enjoyed what so many now would love to share! Does that make sense or does it sound like Winston Churchill in a WW2 speech !? I'm certainly up for it and, other than Dolores coming all the way from Slovenia, I think I travelled furthest from Liverpool via Derby and I must be the oldest WOYWW there too, so not many have an excuse not to join in.
Thank you your Maj! You're a star!
Jo x
Before my computer quit allowing me to access videos, I feel like I "knew" everything there was to know about Donna. I would never call her loud, but maybe a bit brash. So good to get your perspective of her.
I was a bit embarrassed and slightly overwhelmed by a comment Jo left me on my WOYWW post that some of the WOYWWers mentioned me during your meet. Surely everyone had more to talk about than that (grin).
From the various cards I have received from you, I can imagine you saying what you write. Your typing is marginally different, though. More defined, which undoubtedly comes from the editing. Although I can't hear you speak, I have a picture of you in my head as I read your words each time you post. You are and always will be a wonderful blogging friend, who I can hopefully meet one day. I'm sure we have a lot more in common than paper crafts, rocking horses, and joinery.
Long live the Queen (that's you dear Julia).
Very well said, Julia! You made perfect sense to me. I hope you aren't scared by that.
Very observant post... we do't think about accents or tones of voice until we hear them and then can read posts using the correct accent... I really should have turned up... peeps would expect a Scottish accent from me and I don't have one at all... hailing from the South of England originally I wouldn't!!
What a thoughtful observation. You do write like you speak, I think, or is that speak like you write.... You certainly put me at ease on Saturday and it was lovely to have time to chat to you 'one on one' as they say.
Can't believe that this was the one and only WOYWW crop, so I look forward to meeting you again!!
I loved your post as it is so true, as all of your posts are. I must admit I never edit my posts, except for typos and grammar errors (I'm an English language teacher so I am always afraid of being caught out!)
I have a think about voices and when I worked in a bank I used to love talking to people on the phone, particularly the men! But when the reality walked in the door.....!
When people meet me, they always think I'm posh as I have a very southern accent. I'm not!
Next time I'll be there in all my tall, crazy, messy poshness
Jakixx
I love the way your mind works and the way you write . . . not just on this post, but on all of them.
I confess that I imagined about 40 or so WOYWWers would be present and was very surprised to learn there was only half that amount in reality. My imagination let be daunted by the prospect of turning up, and also, I didn't fancy the journey if I'm honest. But boy did I miss out!
Ah well, hindsight gives us 20/20 vision! xxx
Thoughtful post Julia, you can "know" someone as much as you like but you only truly "know" them when you meet them! To the Americans I sound so English and after 18 years they still LOVE my accent. To the English I sound so American... I've even been asked what part of America I come from!! And of course, in reality I'm from Durham, and although that accent has long gone I still pronounce my vowels hard, ENglish people over here can pick up I'm from the North. But the funny thing is when I get into an absolute furious temper the torrent that pours forth is pure Geordie. It's a rare occurrence mind you, that lack of control, but it's interesting it comes out in Geordie because in real life and normal conversation I have a hard time remembering the slang words and getting the accent right. But it's obviously still there, deep within!!
Hugs
Brenda
Oh my, I think I need some more sleep. I was half watching TV and half reading the blog, I thought the post was titled "more of that woyww crap". Ha ha, so sorry.
LOL @ Mari. I would confuse everyone with my strange mix of Brummy/Black Country/East London/Oxfordshire/Wales accent!! In fact I can pick up any accent within minutes. Does anyone want to come to SW Wales for a crop? Ali x ps Love the LO.
Great post Julia....somehow I imagined you a little taller!
Just wondering what you made of me now....should I be worried?
As for Doone....I am with you. I was expecting someone along the same description as you too. Everyone turned out wonderful and we could not have had a better "mix" if you planned it!
I think I will be chatting about last Saturday for a fair while. In fact my buddy who was here earlier says she wishes she could have gone and she isn't a blogger!!
I do love what Crafty Chris wrote above!
On to Crop II now then! Trying to twist Jozart's arm but I have bagsied the first bed so you had better be quick!
Hugs
xx
ha ha - so that's where I've been going wrong... while you delete delete, delete - I forget or don't bother!!!
If I'd have been there - you'd have always been able to detect me by my laugh... even in a crowded party with disco, in a pub buzzing - my friends have always had not GPRS to locate me - not me wearing a bright red hat or similar, no. They've always found me because of my laugh (i'm 'in'famous for it).
Don't be fooled by the picture on my blog/avatar either. That was pre all this illness silliness. The smile is still the same friendly 100% genuine smile, the hair is darker (for the mo) and longer, the face fatter (the body fatter still), I wear specs - but always take them off for a night out (I can't see very well if I do mind) and pain has aged me a little - but heck - I am 41 now!!!
Knowing how little I have to drive to tire me out - the average farthest I drive per week is 3 miles if I have a doc appointment. I drove 12 miles last week to a 'new' friend and when I got home, added to the day I was whacked for 2 days. Daft eh? However, in company I can ride on adrenaline and happy endorphins alone - I'm such a contrary mixed bag at the moment... having said all that - I defo want to be a part of the next meet.
I talk as much as I type - in blogs and on comments lol... I wear my heart on my sleeve - and its a case of WYSIWIG with me. Like it or not!
big hugs
Paula x x x
p.s. forgot to say that my specs have dog teeth marks in them and micro pour 1st aid tape over the arm bits to make the bit where the dog chewed a bit more comfy lol...
So right, I wasn't at the crop but you are right, the voice does put the finality on things. I have experienced this first hand too.
Nice sweet simple layout, I like the plants.
Eliza
You're so funny Julia, though I think you're like me I type & text the way that I talk to and its seems sometimes pretty fast so I think for anyone to be able to keep up with so says my best friend from Philadelphia! When I am chatting with the WOYWWers I feel like there right across the street somewhere in New England lol!
Can't agree more...nothing like meeting people for real! ;) Met some lovely people and I class them as friends even though it is long distance and we don't meet often.
Most of my local friends don't craft like me so it's a great way of sharing the buzz.
xoxo Sioux
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