@Elliot – Chicago is a great city…and being there reminded me I really should visit more often, as close as it is for me. It was a great time to be together – Katie really pulled together an amazing group of people!

@Peggy – You go way back at building communities on the Internet…that’s awesome! And I think there’s something about connecting at a deeper level that can occur online…and then to meet in person, it’s like meeting someone you feel like you have known forever. And those connections aren’t limited to in person meetings, as you know. Phone and email connections can also really take those connections to a new level. Blogher sounds like a great event to bring women together from all over (from what I’ve heard from others). And hey, Ms. Tess would be a great first person to meet!!

@Debra – Hi Debbie!! That’s been the real surprise for me with blogging, it’s the connections I’ve made…which I had no expectation of going into it. And it’s been so amazing! And the Saturday opportunity to connect with several awesome people was just a great moment!! Happy Sunday to you too!

I just did a post about why I adore blogging and it does make the world a MUCH smaller and brighter place. It seems that you find people online who are more caring and honest which is something this world needs more of.

Great post! How nice that you had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful blogger!

Happy Sunday,
Debbie

Great post! For me, the Internet has been my way of staying connected – ever since I had the ability to be “online” starting in 1995, when my dad gave me a 577 Mac Performa before I moved to Germany. Since then I can’t remember when I wasn’t part of some online community. For a few years I had the most popular history forum on MSN Groups. That was fun, but the flammers and spammers got too much, so I found another history forum for my members and deleted mine.

I finished my masters program online – what a concept…get your degree online!

When I became a stepmom and thought I was losing my mind, I found a stepmom support group and then found members who were practically in my neighborhood! I’ve made some phenomenal connections in this group!

In my blog community, I have yet to meet anyone in person, but I’ve connected with so many over the phone. I hope to meet most of them at Blog Her next August. In this particular realm of life transformation, I have a feeling the first person I’m going to meet is Tess Marshall.
Peggy´s Last Fabulous Post ..Music As My Writing Muse

As you mentioned about the internet, our quest for happiness can be assisted with the connections we make out in the world. Since launching our website, my wife and I have had visitors from over 36 countries.

As a final note, I wanted to mention the quote that Terrah and I have hanging over our doorway in our bedroom as a reminder from Thomas Paine.. “The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.”

Let us embrace the connections on a global scale.
Elliot Lozano´s Last Fabulous Post ..Sharing a Piece of Inspiration… Ben Harper’s Better Way Song

@Hilary – Hi Hilary. Yes, when there’s a great distance that separates, the written word is a great medium. And much of that “realness” can still be conveyed – especially in emails back and forth – and relationships can become very tight because of this. So, it’s all good – and it’s what works for each of us. There are a lot of factors in it all. The real value in it is when everyone is “real” in their forms of communication…

@Jenn Z – Hi Jenn! Gosh, I didn’t realize you were in IL. Definitely, if any opportunity presents itself in the future, we have to look at connecting up! And what a great online to offline story you have – of meeting your husband this way. Thanks so much for stopping in Jenn…

@Jannie – Hey, it’s Jannie! What?? There were brownies here…how did I miss them!! Were you hiding them?? Beer and chocolate cake! That sounds like a winner! (note to self: must find reason to travel to Austin…).

Looks like I might be having another blogger meet-up next week with an Austin buddy. He’s baking us a black forest chocolate cake. And I’m bringing the beer!

Jannie Funster´s Last Fabulous Post ..First Pictures With My New iPhone 3GS

The connections with friends and family – they either love it or hate it .. but recently with the loss of my uncle I can stay in touch with his younger friends, my friends now .. and with the cousins .. on the other hand I’m a good communicator particularly hand writing letters, and email …. and via the phone when necessary .. & in person ..!

Personally I feel I know people through the net, friends and relations too – but I have others who absolutely hate not connecting by talking – yes I can understand, and I suppose I type .. but at least I can communicate at all hours of day and night via email -so they hear from me .. but they need to ring. Others -it’s fine we just email ..

Brilliant medium – even if it is millions of Os and ls .. you talk to me!

Thanks – Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
Hilary´s Last Fabulous Post ..Fireworks and Bonfire Night – November 5th

@Farouk – Hi Farouk. Deeper connections really to add so much to our lives, and to our overall happiness. And being in that state is pretty awesome!

@Ricardo – Ricardo, you really seem to excel at this…taking those online connections into the offline world. Hugging seems so natural here, doesn’t it!! When we can really connect, that is so deeply good. And the beauty of the Internet is that we start that connection online, without any hangups to what someone looks like, and get right to what that person is saying. And then when we take it offline, wow!! You shine at this, Ricardo!! Keep on being out there, and bringing people together!

@Jeanne – Thanks much Jeanne!

@Joanna – Hey Joanna…you know what?? You are one of “my people”!! I think we gravitate toward that which we best connect with. And the Internet just broadens that circle. Joanna, it’s been so good getting to know you, and I hope that connection just continues to grow between us!

@Stacey Shipman – I know!! I never thought about how connecting this would all be. And it’s become the part that means the most to me. Stacey, meeting last spring was so awesome, and it was because we’d really established what I felt was a pretty strong connection already. And then to be able to take and make it even more personal – meeting spouses, sharing dinner – so great! Now…to get you on a vacation to Wisconsin…hmmm….

@Wendi – Hi again Wendi! Okay, whew… I know it’s been a roller coaster year for you, and it really is great to see you here again!

@Megan – Hi Megan. Isn’t that pretty amazing how the Internet can bring us so close together? Wow!! And that richer meaning to life – you know, I think that’s in the true sharing amongst friends. Friends, like you, Megan, who make this all so worth doing! And the day will come, I know it, when we will meet in person. And that will be a great and amazing day indeed!!

No worries!

Looks like I was in San Francisco anyway, so this time it just wans’t meant to be. And as you know this year has been a bit of a roller coaster with weddings and other stuff. I’ve been playing catch up all year. But now that my son’s wedding is done and we are all happily settled I feel like I am starting to get back into a routine and looking forward to spending lots more time catching up with my blogging friends. I’ve missed you all!
Wendi Kelly-Life’s Little Inspirations´s Last Fabulous Post ..San Francisco Simple