The 20’s were spent rockin’ the suburbs. Penniless but with plenty of time to spare, partying was on a budget. Smoking durrys and aimlessly driving around the city with mates was Friday night’s thrill.
Then the 30’s saw the polar opposite. Single and career driven, both money and time were spilling over in abundance. Unattached and uncommitted, life was an absolute riot.
Drinking till 3am on a school night was the norm. Strutting into the office at 9am sharp, wearing the professional suit and flawless makeup became an art form.
Since entering the fabulous 40’s, party mode is entirely different and definitely trickier.
How does one manage to still go out for a fun Saturday night without losing composure as a responsible (cough) mother of twinlets?
Last Saturday afternoon saw the Digital Parents catch up; a gathering of on-line pals. We read about each other’s quirks and perks, follow each other’s journeys. Meeting in the real life becomes a natural transition and conversations have an effortless, natural flow. (And it’s not just the alcohol talking, yo!)
It’s a connection non-bloggers don’t understand.
Being the token male of the evening, and just as hilarious as I imagined, Kevin easily claimed rock star status.
Kelly and Kylie were just as bubbly as the voices in their blogs. (Loved the purple stilettos, Kel!)
I’m bummed that I didn’t take a snap of Tamsin‘s (literally) killer shoes. Spikes and all!
Having a chin wag with the gorgeous and eloquent, Veronica, I was reminded how our friendship is so much more mature for its year and a bit existence.
Evening eventually rolled in. Along with the empty wine glasses, the last left standing with me were Mumabulous, Kim and mah soul sistah, Brenda.
Walking back to the train station, I did a Jess, tripped up on the footpath and sprained my ankle. Now, there’s the party days I remember!
I can say in complete contentment, this blogosphere is my social circle for this next decade and beyond.
Real life friends won’t get it. Spouses will shake heads at the copious amount of time dedicated to the computer screen and phone. Family members are left aghast.
Meh.
Those who don’t get my blogging, don’t get me.
Big thanks to Catherine and Jodi for organising an awesome time!
Looks like I have big shoes to fill when it’s my turn to round y’all up in May!
Bring it.
Speaking of bloggy friendships transformed into real life, joining Essentially Jess for IBOT.
workingwomenaus says
I followed the fab pics on IG over the weekend. It looked like everyone had a great time. It’s one of the few times that I curse this country life: it’s so far to blogger catchups! Glad you had fun x
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Mum Talks Autism says
What a fantastic post darling and a great night. I’m so jealous I missed it. One of my few dislikes about living in rural Australia. I miss these great nights. So looking forward to meeting you all at Digital Parents Conference. Much love. MTA.
Mum Talks Autism recently posted..Remembering the importance stuff.
Zanni, Heart Mama says
I often feel a bit sad seeing bloggy catch ups like these. My friendships will probably remain online as getting to these events is pretty unfeasible from where I am. Unless one is organised in Baron Bay one day!
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Catherine Rodie Blagg says
Now that would be fun!
Catherine Rodie Blagg recently posted..3am
Kelly HTandT says
Bloggy ROAD TRIP!! 😉
Kelly HTandT recently posted..When Bloggers Meet
Kevin says
shotgun!
Kevin recently posted..Where’s my Millions?
mamagrace71 says
We can call the trip, “Thelma, Louise and Kevin…” 😛
Lydia C. Lee says
Disappointed to have missed it. Next time…
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Exceedingly Handsome Guy – pondering on superficial beauty
Catherine Rodie Blagg says
I was such a great afternoon! didn’t chat to you much though Grace – we’ll have to catch up again soon! xx
Catherine Rodie Blagg recently posted..3am
mamagrace71 says
Definitely, Catherine! Definitely x
iSophie says
Looks like a great meetup, I am certainly jealous and also inspired to finally get a Hobart meetup organised!
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Martine@themodernparent says
Looks like a great night was had by all. Can’t wait to catch up in March at DPCon13! And I would love to meet Veronica in real life! X
Martine@themodernparent recently posted..Rights and Responsibilities Online: Safer Internet Day 2013
Veronica @ Mixed Gems says
Thanks, Martine. {insert emoticon for blushing} I’d love to meet you too. It’ll happen. Somehow. Someday. xo
Veronica @ Mixed Gems recently posted..Forever connected
Twinkle in the Eye says
Looks like a wonderful time – take it where you can get it I say. Come at you from IBOT!
Jodi says
It was lovely to see you Grace! Catherine and I were so pleasantly surprised at the turn out! Can’t wait to catch up again at DPCON13! 🙂
Jodi recently posted..New Look, New Feel, New Me!
Seana says
Waaaah!! Would love to have been there. But March suddenly seems really close and the DPCon will make up.
Seana recently posted..Healthy Wholemeal Pancake Recipe – Simple, Quick and the Kids Love Them
kirri says
Wow – Looks like a fantablous time was had by all – and a nice warm up for DPCON13.
Now I have more bloggers to check out 🙂
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Rhianna says
Looks like a great gathering. I can’t wait till next month till I finally get to meet more bloggers in real life
Rhianna recently posted..Putting one foot in front of the other
Kelly HTandT says
I didn’t chat to as many people as I would have liked but it was awesome nonetheless, cannot wait for the next one! And thank you gorgeous 🙂
Kelly HTandT recently posted..When Bloggers Meet
Danya Banya says
It was so lovely to meet everyone, even if I could only stay for such a short time. I must have seemed a bit star struck. It’s a very surreal feeling, meeting people that you already “know”. I remember you saying, “I’m Grace”, and the voice in my head is shouting “yeah, I know!” Have tickets to DPCON13 now. 🙂 I want to make a joke about a door bitch, but I’m worried it will come out all wrong. So I’ll just say that I’ll see you there. 🙂
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Mel @ Adventures of a Subversive Reader says
It looks like a great get together!
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Mumabulous says
It was wonderful to meet with you and I hope we can all do it again in the not too distant future. Love
Mumabulous recently posted..Accidental Wisdom
Robomum says
After overcoming my initial nerves, I had a great time! In these situations, alcohol is my friend :o)
Rachel says
Me too (glad I’m not the only one)!
Tamsin Howse says
It was indeed a lovely evening! I would like to note that my facial expression there is 100% the fault of Kimba and I feel this is important information.
Tamsin Howse recently posted..Double Standards A-Plenty
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
Sounds like a wonderful night Grace. Spraining my ankle on the way to the train station is something I would do – perhaps we have blogging AND dodgy ankles in common! 🙂
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..meatballs in the sky with basil
Tina Gray says
I followed the pics on Instagram, all the while wishing that I could have made it. Next time! xx
Tina Gray recently posted..We’ve been married 20 years. We’re experts now.
Kimberley M says
Oh it’s posts like these that make me wish I lived in NSW still! I have wanted to organise a Melbourne based meetup for aaaaaaages, but everytime I think about doing it, I run away screaming thinking about all the organisation involved. Looks like Catherine and Jodi did a bang-up job of organising. Absolutely champing at the bit to see/meet everyone at DPCon. Not long now! Kx
Kimberley M recently posted..Working parents and the too-hard basket
Ai Sakura says
Aww sweet. Glad you all manage to meet up so often and have such a great time 🙂
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Min says
Looks like you all had a wonderful time! I’m hoping to get to some blogger meet ups this year 🙂
Min recently posted..I’ve been having retirement thoughts!
Janet says
I’m hoping to host one!
Janet recently posted..Riding for the Disadvantaged
Lyndal says
it looks like you guys had a great time – now im even more sad I couldn’t make it!!!
Lyndal recently posted..the one where we go back to basics…
littlebirdlittlebee says
Sounds like you had a great time!
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Kyla @ Three Quarters Full says
There’s never anything up here (maybe soon) – at least I generally get to catch up with my fave peeps from down south at brand events, while not as much fun as getting sloshed and chatting for hours they’re still awesome for chatting over coffee.
Kyla @ Three Quarters Full recently posted..Gotta Have Faith
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset says
You’re a Gold Coaster aren’t you? I know Em at Have A Laugh On Me is too, maybe we need to get our own meet going!?
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently posted..Phones and iPods In Schools
Emma says
Glad you had a great time, maybe next time I can join you!
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Tracey @ Bliss Amongst Chaos says
Hmmph! Sometimes living in Melbourne sux! It looks like you guys had so much fun.
Sorry to hear about your ankle though love, hope it’s ok 🙂
xx
Tracey @ Bliss Amongst Chaos recently posted..What A Night! {A Short Story}
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset says
That’s it! I’m moving Sydney! Or starting my own blogging meetup on the Gold Coast. Just need to figure out who all the other GCers are! Looks so much fun!
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently posted..Phones and iPods In Schools
Rachel says
Hey Aroha, I’m a Brissy chic but I’d happily travel to GC for a meet up! I’m only new too blogging but I’m already hooked and would love to meet some kindred spirits 🙂
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Deb @ Home life simplified says
Looks like a great catch up – fun times!!
Deb @ Home life simplified recently posted..Simple and fun date night ideas
carmen says
Now ya’all need to move North a bit. Just sayin’. 😉 xxx
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EssentiallyJess says
So jealous that we don’t have this opportunity in Darwin! I would love to meet more people.
But Rhianna and I do rock our little catchups and talk blogging the entire time! Nice to have someone who gets it.
EssentiallyJess recently posted..FaceBook, Bloggers and Edge Rank
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen says
Looks like you all had a bloggy wonderful time Grace x
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Kylez @ A Study in Contradictions says
I had the absolute best time and it was so good to finally meet so many people face-to-face, especially Brenda who I have been following for years and who was one of my best supporters back in the day. Can’t believe its taken me almost 4 bloody years to go to one! Now I am so keen and excited for DPCon, it’s gonna be awesome!
Kylez @ A Study in Contradictions recently posted..Walking my Kitchen Masterchef Dead
Brenda says
Awww. Thanks Kylie. So good to finally meet you IRl. X
Brenda recently posted..Getting Huggy with JG. The Christmas Drinks edition.
Emily @ Have a laugh on me says
You know a lot of my friends don’t get the joy of blogging either – but it rocks.
I wish I’d had the chance to visit you all – let me know when you plan your next one and I might call in a favour from my wee sis who works for an airline and I might come gatecrash the party, and try represent us Qld’ers – Em xxx
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Emily says
Gorgeous pics! Glad you all had a good time. I’ll admit to being a teensy bit jealous. x
Emily recently posted..Sometimes winning a disagreement actually means losing
Lara @ This Charming Mum says
Great to see all your smiling faces together! It is a lovely thing if some of those online relationships can turn into ‘real world’ friendships too. Although your post is a reminder that the bloggy world is just as ‘real’ as any other world. You’re right – people either get it, or they don’t 🙂
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Kate @Crazy Crunchy Chocolate Mummy says
How amazing! looks like so much fun!
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Leigh says
Looks like you guys had an awesome night!!! Ive met some wonderful people through blogging. Its nice to connect xx
Leigh recently posted..Life IS what YOU make it!
Rachel @ The Kids Are All Right says
Aw, sorry I missed it. Glad you all had such a great time. xxx
Rachel @ The Kids Are All Right recently posted..“Kids are human beings, whose lives belong to them and no one else” Reader spotlight – Mimbles
Brenda says
Always lovely to catch up with you, G. Glad everyone had an awesome time.xx
Bachelormum says
Yes I wld have loved to have made it. Next one for sure.
Bachelormum recently posted..The Chinaman and the car repairs
Josefa @always Josefa says
Looks like a fab night! Hope there is a Melbourne meet up soon!
Josefa @always Josefa recently posted..Dripping Wet
Housewife in Heels says
It sounds like so much fun! Secretly, I was checking twitter and Facebook to see how the event was going- hoping for a few scandals 😉
Kim says
I really enjoyed meeting you Grace – it was such a great night. Despite my nerves, it turns out there was nothing to fear. How could there be, with lovely people and wine at hand?? I hope that ankle has straightened up and is flying right for you now xx
Kim recently posted..Being a perfectionist is a bitch – AKA cookie dough is not a real flavour
Veronica @ Mixed Gems says
Thanks, lovely, for the kind words. Would’ve loved to hang about. So sorry to hear about your ankle though. That’s a bummer.
I was just commenting to someone how we’re always told how hard it is to make friends as we get older. Thanks to blogging, we are all primed for engagement and community online it’s such a natural step to take it to the next level in person, call it “online platonic dating” if you will! I’m glad to have made so many new contacts and friends through this gig. You will always have the trophy for being the 1st blogger I met….or actually 2nd, after Tat. You were fashionably late that day! 😉 xo
Veronica @ Mixed Gems recently posted..Forever connected
Vanessa @ babblingbandit.me says
Can’t believe I got the times mixed up and missed it! Looks like you guys had an awesome time. Wish I could say I’ll see you all at DPCon but the finances are looking nasty and so I probably won’t be able to go.
‘Til the next drinks meet up!
V.
Vanessa @ babblingbandit.me recently posted..Late 30s single white female wants man for relationship, sex, love and to make a family and all those other normal things that people want to share with someone special
Rita says
I saw pictures on Instagram. I’m so jealous! I so want to go to a blogger meeting… I’m glad all of you had a good time.
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Nami says
Hey, whaddya know! I recognize your bloggy friends from the “Like” rounds I made on your FBLS. Looked like a dangerously good time. “Chin Wag” that’s a new term for me. Mind if I borrow it?
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mamagrace71 says
Borrow away, lovely! We’ll make an honorary Aussie out of you yet! 🙂