I posted most of this as a comment to Kathy in the previous post. There are some who insist that Bloggerfest is over, not needed, dead, just stop. It is boring, the circle introductions are tacky, etc. My reponse:
I am keeping in mind that those who has been saying that Bloggerfest has 'run its course' have access to a welcoming Happy Hour EVERY DAY. Bloggerfest is for those of us who don't have that. I think that more than one gathering is a good idea, so everyone gets the sense of community that they need. This particular gathering is for those who aren't maybe as rigged in as the Canadian group. It also is a way for the Canadians to meet some of the rest of the bloggers.
I said that I will be there with the signs next year. If I sit there drinking my coffee looking out at the mountains all alone, well, I would still call it a good day.
I believe it is for the people who put energy into putting it on to decide if it is worth their time to continue. The reports of Bloggerfest's death are greatly exaggerated. If no one else shows up next year so be it. I'm not attempting to compete with the Canadian gatherings, either the Canadian pot luck in town or the Happy Hours.
I extend my sincere thanks to Rick Rousseau for getting everyone and their blog accounted for in his blog entry. I will make the time to add all of them to my sidebar. That is the type of detail that I am not good at.
I wish I was closer, I'd come. I don't write but I follow. Good points here. I'm glad you do it. Thanks for your job well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I do wish you were closer, and you are welcome at my campfire or Bloggerfest anytime.
ReplyDeleteWell said Paula. Good stuff. Although we haven't attended for a couple years we do understand the work, good will, and positive attitude you and others have put into Bloggerfest. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Al. I hope the Bayfield Bunch can make it to another Bloggerfest at some point.
DeleteI'm not sure that I will be at Blogger fest next year or not, but thank you for keeping the torch lit. I think it is time to make it into an event!! We need to think what we can do to make it appeal to all of the bloggers out there who would benefit from this event. I think George is right when he says to get the numbers it has to be advertised. I will make a commitment to be involved one way or the other next year in promoting it. I agree that everyone is sometimes interested in going off to their comfortable happy hours rather than spending some time interacting with strangers. How about maybe having it on a Sunday!! How could we advertise it at the big tent?? I still say we should have a program with maybe someone of interest speaking to us about what we do and how we can do it better even for ourselves. I agree that the old meet and greet is just not doing it, but I don't believe for a minute that we should drop the ball. Thank you for being persistant and hosting it this year. Florida was a bit far away for me to get there.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking that having it on Sunday would potentially conflict with the church service held in the Ramada every week. I will check that, though. I will also do better at putting it out at RTR, and other places next year. I understand not driving in from FL just for Bloggerfest. :)
DeleteShadowmoss, in a bloggers' post recently some campers were called one of 'the other half' (showing a picture of tents and van campers) Perhaps I took the writers comment wrong, but that particular comment hit me like a brick. I felt like I and others were being referred to as 'poor or lacking' because we don't own a pricey or newer big RV. I was a tent camper, as well an 'older van' camper who reads every persons' blog that went to this years Bloggerfest. In an instant I would be willing to help any of the big rig owners in a minute if they needed help in any way. I'm happy for those that own big rigs as that is what makes them happy. I am very happy with my modes of camping over the years and it was my personal choice, not a 'have to'. I say 'to each his own' without judgement on what they want or have. Just don't call others 'the other half' like you are better than they are. I do not have a blog, but would love to go to Bloggerfest if I could be out there, but due to ill health I doubt I'll ever get to go. I LOVE reading about it, and I enjoy seeing pictures of the writers of the blogs I read. They keep that little bit of life alive that I can't have any longer. Perhaps if you could include on your signs, advertisements and notices an invite to RV'ers, tent, trailer, car and van campers in some way you'd get more visitors at Bloggerfest if that's what most of the bloggers wish to happen. They would probably love to meet bloggers, as I'm sure a lot of them read several blogs also. I enjoyed seeing who went this year and I so much encourage you and others to do Bloggerfest again next year. Like you I would be happy to be out there in Q even by myself! And I feel that the ones who don't enjoy it should stay away from Bloggerfest from now on and have their private gatherings. Sorry to say this but often their daily gatherings/happy hours get rather boring to read about.
ReplyDeleteAm I right in thinking that was your recently finished knitted sweater you wore that day at Bloggerfest? It looked great on you! ~Pam in Louisiana~
Thank you for noticing the sweater. Yes, it is the one I just finished knitting. It fits much better than I had ever hoped it would as I was making it, and I wore it a lot.
DeleteI may do a post addressing your other points. I think it is a good subject to discuss.
Paula love this posting and sure hope you will continue to host it. And I will continue to help promoting it. It is a venue to meet other people, fellow bloggers and followers. The Canadian Potluck just happens to fall on the same day and is fun. But the Bloggerfest could maybe happen in Sunday so as not to conflict (just a thought). I would rather go to Bloggerfest than the potluck. After the church service. Our happy hours are fun but with this bloggerfest at least we get to meet more new people. And this is what our lifestyle is all about.
ReplyDeleteAs I said, I'm not in any way attempting to replace any of the other get togethers. As I mentioned to Lorne, I'm worried about crowding the church services held at the Ramada on Sundays, but I'll check into it. Again, thanks for all that you do to promote Bloggerfest every year.
DeleteYou are doing a great thing,keeping this going. If we didn't winter in Mexico I would be there for certain. One day I will be there. Kudos to you and to those who attended this year.
ReplyDeleteCome on down! Or up... Would love to see you at Bloggerfest.
DeleteSadly it is much too far of a trip to come, not to mention the horrific roads the last few years. We won't be here forever and then it will be time to visit you.
DeleteWell said. It doesn't matter where you sit in the desert to enjoy it. It just matters what's between your ears.
ReplyDeleteBob
There is almost no place in the desert in winter that I wouldn't enjoy just sitting and looking around. Come on down and meet up with us. You are welcome in my camp anytime.
DeleteThe two or three Bloggerfests I attended I enjoyed very much! It was great to meet all the other bloggers and I enjoyed the introductions and connecting people with their Blogs and or comments. I don't like the idea of breaking it up into smaller groups would do the same thing. In the format it is now if you see someone you don't know you just go over and introduce yourself. This would not happen at small "Happy Hour" settings. I think you and George have done a wonderful job putting these gatherings together!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget Rick and Kathy do a lot to help as well. Now we just need to get you and Norma back down here.
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