Keepin’ it real on the DL
Online identities can be a funny thing. Sometimes you try to emulate the essence of who you really are. At other times, the essence you emulate is nothing like the real you.
Lately, I have been stressing about both.
In the past few days, I’ve signed up for two BlogHer events: A BlogHer Boston area meet up and the big BlogHer ’09 conference in Chicago. While part of me wishes that the next few weeks would fly by so I could meet so many of you whom I’ve come to know in this virtual world sooner, an equal portion of me has a growing fear of what you will think once you meet me in the real world.
Will I be what you expected?
Seven years ago, I dove headfirst into the online world. I created my very first online profile on Yahoo. Okay, perhaps it was Yahoo Personals. Minor detail. Besides, everyone is doing it now. Anyhow, this immediately led to chatting online with locals in my area. And after hours of message ping-pong with a several people (okay, men), I finally mustered up the courage to speak to a few via telephone.
I spoke to three of them.
The first guy, although clearly printed on his profile as a “Southern California resident,” turned out to be a supposed “wealthy coffee farmer” in Hawaii on the telephone. After speaking with me for perhaps an entire 35 seconds (I was on my way to work and running late), he felt the need to profess his “uncontrollable connection” with me.
Block. User.
The next guy? Creepier. So maybe I though he sounded incredibly kind and intelligent during our chat sessions. And perhaps he was painfully handsome in his profile photo at 6’2” with hazel eyes. It did not matter, because once I had him on the phone…
<< Crickets >>
Nothing. Nada. Zero. I may have had deeper conversations with an angst-ridden, 16 year old at Taco Bell at 3am.
As you can imagine, I never expected a callback. Nor did I have any desire to call him.
Apparently, he didn’t feel the same way.
I moved 3 times within the next ten weeks for work. Somehow he managed to track my phone number down in every new place. Even though the telephone was never registered under my name.
My Yahoo identity would vanish soon thereafter.
But not before I received one more blip on my laptop from yet another local. His profile was something along the lines of this…
Age: too young.
Height: too short.
Profile photo: Driver’s license image. Seriously? Who shows off their driver’s license picture… on purpose?
Profile blurb: “…I’ll write more later.” So profound!
Turns out, the instant message from the guy that was too young, too short, and too busy to care about filling out a Yahoo profile would be my husband’s.
You just never know.
So if you will be attending BlogHer in Chicago and/or Boston in the coming weeks, just keep this image of me in mind, K?
*Big thanks to Tara R. from If Mom Says OK who has graciously offered to be roomies at BlogHer ‘09!
I think you’re adorable. I’d totally answer your personal. Need a new stalker?
Lisa’s last blog post..Greyhound Jellies
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:50 am
You crack me up!
)
What a beautiful smile, just made me smile, althought not as excitedly as you, lol.
Have a good week. Congrats on your Mommy blogger award, yay!
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:21 am
Hilarious! LOL Have a great time at BlogHer! Everybody will love you darling.
Christine’s last blog post..Dog Fight
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:28 am
Ahh, the internet. Darwin’s grab bag!
Tea’s last blog post..The Moment You’ve All Been Waiting For. Maybe.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:25 am
LOL..that is too cute!!!!! I can see why his ad would have caught your attention!! It sounds like something you would have written!!!!
Alicia’s last blog post..MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:57 am
BTDT with the online freaks! I did end up meeting my husband online but I had just sworn off of the online dating. Somehow, something made me give him a chance, thankfully!
I hope you and Mama Tara have a fantastic time at BlogHer!
dysfunctional mom’s last blog post..Not Me! Monday – If NOT ME….Who?
June 2nd, 2009 at 6:00 am
You look cute on your DL, it should be your profile picture. He he! Just kidding! Enjoy the BlogHer with Tara!
ceemee’s last blog post..Canvasses
June 2nd, 2009 at 7:17 am
I for one personally can’t wait to meet you at blogher (Chicago). If you bring egg rolls and buy me a drink I can overlook at any possible flaws.
WeaselMomma’s last blog post..WeaselMomma’s School of Creative Parenting
June 2nd, 2009 at 7:32 am
That’s a great picture! I worry the same thing. I’m going to Blogher, staying with a never met IRL blog buddy. It’s like the first day of high school.
Don’t you worry, you’re a rock star!
Cara’s last blog post..Funny How Things Go
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:01 am
You just never know. My hubs was a blind date. This month we’ve been together 26 years, married 23.
I could only wish my Drivers License photo was as nice as yours.
I cannot wait for BlogHer!
Tara R.’s last blog post..What’s the hurry?
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:54 am
I’m going to BlogHer for the first time this year, too. Mostly I’m going to meet people I’ve met online rather than “increase your traffic and become a Famous Blogger” but I’m excited just the same.
BTW – hi. I’m new here. Came via the magazine article and am happy to be here.
Shelly’s last blog post..
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:58 am
Just how young is Dadisodes, you cradle robber? Just kidding. And from the pictures, he is taller than you which is tall enough.
Can’t wait to see you again at both events! I’m just wondering what I’m going to bring…
Angela at mommy bytes’s last blog post..Silly Monkey Story – Weddings are for Running
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:47 am
That’s cool the last “blip” turned out to be your husband! I like your driver’s license photo… at least you smiled. (I didn’t.)
Jeanne’s last blog post..Four Years Is Too Long
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:55 am
That is too funny! I met my husband on a blind date, so it’s true, you just never know!
Tess’s last blog post..Spring Time Fun
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:00 am
You must have been drinking in that picture.
I met my husband because he hacked my computer.
Undercover Princess’s last blog post..Unique ways to relax
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:05 am
Hey, your driver’s license picture looks good!
Asianmommy’s last blog post..It’s Summer Movie Time!
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:12 am
Oh, Sandy! You are too cute for words!!! Sounds funny and odd (and I’m not trying to sound like an online stalker here), but I feel as though I know you and we’ve never even met. I mean, through our blogs we have been able to share in so many experiences with our readers. It’s amazing how one can “be there” through it all with others they’ve never met in person.
I was so hoping to get to the BlogHer conference this year, but with a 6 month old (Ha! Or shall I say 3 month old corrected because she’s a preemie?) it’s not possible for me to leave. I’m sooooo jealous because I know I’m going to miss out on all the fun and meeting in person all the people who I have met via the blog.
Have a blast! I know you will!
BTW, that is THE BEST driver’s license photo I have ever seen!
C’s last blog post..This Can Save Your Child’s Life
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:38 am
I don’t know you at all, but I suspect you’re the kind of person who can walk into a room of strangers and feel at home. You’ll do great!! Have fun.
Lisa’s last blog post..men in trees
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:10 am
LOLOL, who knew?
That’s such a fun story!
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:11 am
I think I hate you thismuch for having a driver’s license photo that is adtually cute! You are going to have a blast!
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:30 am
That’s a great driver’s license photo. I only wish mine was half as nice looking. I’m so glad you got a roomie for Blogher too. You guys will have a great time!
Joyce-Anne’s last blog post..A Friday Haiku
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:38 am
Why are you so excited? I must say your picture is the first that doesn’t look like a mug shot. I’m not going to either events. I’m hoping to go on more blogging events next year so hopefully we’ll meet up then.
Felicia – I Complete Me’s last blog post..The Working Mom Blues
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Just thought I’d mention the give away I’m having on my blog.
http://lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/2009/06/this-can-save-your-childs-life.html
C’s last blog post..This Can Save Your Child’s Life
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Damn it! Do you ever look bad???? No one looks good in their DL photo and you look like a supermodel. PUH!!!
Dejoni’s last blog post..Mom the Emo Queen
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I’ll be at BlogHer too; rooming with a blogging buddy I haven’t met in person yet. Hope to see you there!
P.S. How did you just get a ticket recently, I thought they were sold out. I know Lou (lceel) is on the waiting list.
Employee No. 3699’s last blog post..Please Don’t Call Me the ‘C’ Word…
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:40 pm
This whole post has me in giggles
Hey I even went as far as meeting one of those chat guys instead of making a phone call first, dooh.
Never. again.
You will have a bunch of fun on BlogHer. I’m a tad envious
Nicole’s last blog post..Poppy Love
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I went to BlogHer last year and was a total deer in the headlights.
I’m going again, and will still be that same deer.
So look for me, I’ll be the one with the giant eyes trying to make it across the room as fast as I can!
can’t wait to meet you in person!
workout mommy’s last blog post..QUICK!
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:04 pm
What a cute story! I love Dadisodes profile. Hilarious.
Have fun at BlogHer. BTW, you look great on your DL.
Amy @ The Q Family’s last blog post..Dreaming of: Angkor Wat
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:09 pm
LOL! Sounds sorta like how I met Hubby!! (Although I wasn’t looking for a date; just someone to chat with online… because I was 14. Because it was 1997. Because I was grounded. But; 12 years later we’ve been married for five years *eek*)
I am SO jealous of your DL photo! SO jealous.
Jac’s last blog post..The dentist would be proud
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:32 pm
You’re adorable! and congratulations on your P&C Mom award!
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:45 pm
I am sure you are just as personalble in person as you come across on your blog. you have nothing to worry about!
I loved seeing your interview in the Scholastic mag. I am so glad that you made it!
Amanda’s last blog post..Thank you General Motors.
June 2nd, 2009 at 7:04 pm
I can’t wait to meet you.
Zoeyjane’s last blog post..On Apologizing
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Oh! I’m so jealous. It would be great to be roomies with you. Hope you have a fabulous time at both BlogHer events.
And congratulations again on winning the Scholastic Parent & Child magazine award! Way to go!
Holly at Tropic of Mom’s last blog post..Moms are the new, well, moms
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:39 pm
You have such a novel way of saying some things that we all feel and then launch into such a wonderful funny story. Who knew indeed.
Patsy’s last blog post..Life Is Full of Adjustments
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:22 pm
You are gorgeous. Plain and simple. And no one I can think of is going to be disappointed when and if they meet you.
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:59 am
Not sure I count as a blogger anymore, but I am going to Chicago just to meet you. We’ll have to connect and I’ll take you around town – it’s like a second home. Are you bringing the family? I’ll keep in touch.
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:07 am
One thing is that I think many of us have learned the ins and outs of experiences similar to your early ones, so I am guessing that many people try harder to be themselves. Especially when there’s no romantic connection searched for/involved.
Wish I would be able to go to Blogher – thought of it too late. Sigh.
Jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..What’s Cooking Wednesday: Variations on a Theme – Rhubarb, Part Deux
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:20 am
lolol!! super excited. so funny. as is “I may have had deeper conversations with an angst-ridden, 16 year old at Taco Bell at 3am.” wow! crickets, crickets, crickets! i hear all the best bloggers meet their hubs online. lol.
jameil’s last blog post..Stop the Madness!!
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Your DL picture is so much better than mine. I wanted to dye my hair brown, but my hair is dark black, so the hair stylist bleached the hell out of it. Then she proceeded to dye my hair, and it turned out orange. And two days later was my DMV appointment. Now I’m back to my natural hair color, and I swear, every person who checks my DL looks twice!
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:48 pm
LOL, that was a great article, too funny.
June 4th, 2009 at 12:21 am
Cool…I can’t wait for Blogher!
Nap Warden’s last blog post..Just Because (fun with Journey)
June 4th, 2009 at 9:43 am
I love this! I met my husband via Match.com and wrote him off as a “fail” … even on our first date (which for me was a “practice date” for all the other dates I had lined up … and hated). It is true that you just never know.
I have the same fears about meeting bloggers in real life. I hope you have fun!!! : )
Jenners’s last blog post..My 45-Word Obituary
June 4th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Man, are you brave! I would never have answered the third one after the first two! I hope you have a good time at the meet-ups! Stop worrying about what others will think of you. Not only are you beautiful to look at, but you’re talented and funny. If that’s not enough, what is?
Dot’s last blog post..Creating a Household Notebook
June 4th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
I get paranoid at times, too.
I’m meeting new pals thru blog-sphere next week. And although they are talented artists and always nice online, I sometimes wonder …
What would Stephen King’s plot be like?
June 4th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
That is sweet. I have met many friends online. But mostly other moms. It’s a great way to connect.
Cookie’s last blog post..Another Proud Parent Moment
June 4th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
I will miss not be attending any conferences yet- maybe some day
I visited Boston once a long time ago and loved the feeling of that city.
Elle’s last blog post..Artist Artist, how does your garden grow?
June 8th, 2009 at 2:18 am
I remember my first forays in yahoo. I never did the personal, but I was a big fan of reinventing myself in the chat rooms. After a while, I told so many lies I couldn’t keep up, and had to just delete my account…
Mishi’s last blog post..I’m not contagious, I just sound like it
June 15th, 2009 at 5:03 pm