Most of the people reading this entry will appreciate what I'm about to say. The New Orleans blog movement has become an incredible network of information dissemination, storytelling, and mutual support, and I would argue that the New Orleans movement has emerged as a stronger expression of community than in almost any other forum of "extra-personal" (i.e., non-interpersonal) communication anywhere else in the world.
True, that's a bold statement to make, but I still think the New Orleans blog community is a nascent, fragile community -- for a lot of reasons. Nevertheless, what one finds here is remarkably enriching, providing a profound sense of shared values and commitment to a common cause.
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Other entries about the Friday "Geek Potluck Dinner" event here:
Gentilly Girl: "All of this reminded me of family gatherings decades ago here: I guess, in a way, we are now family, and family of the heart is so special."
Maitri: Highlights:
-- A lot of New Orleanians I talk with and admire online in one place, joking and commiserating.
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-- Alexis, Dudley and I saw Sasquatch in a chicken suit in the fetal position by the pool. Believe it or not.
Loki: As I cooked and had a few drinks the rogues gallery materialized. Shecky Darwin aka Adrastos, Dangerblond, Sophmom our NOLAblogger adoptee, Ashley, Maitri, Ray, Oyster, Editor B., Markus, Karen, Lisa, Schroeder, and Gentilly Girl (in whose honor this post shall be long), bombarded the place with personality and joie de vie.
It was most peculiar having people tell me they liked my stuff. Many are the times I feel I am simply ranting into vacuum. It was an interesting counterpoint to finally attaching faces, voices, and personalities with the words that regularly scroll across my computer screen.
Talking with Lisa was great, she and I have lot in common even if she is a Mac Elitist, I'm jealous she actually saw the Sex Pistols!
Adrastos: It's quite interesting to meet people who read your blog. They already know certain things about how your mind works and at first greet you like a minor rock star. I got the Rick Astley treatment several times myself. (In the immortal words of Nick Lowe, "Do you remember Rick Astley? He had a big fat hit, it was ghastly.')
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The Sweaty Mime has more.
