I'm bizarrely excited

This morning I found out the blog awards were going to be in Cork! The last time I was in Cork was for the home birth conference a few years ago. I'd like to go more often, but, well, we rarely go anywhere... so I thought arg, oh no, will this be difficult? I even posted a post saying, anyone want to share a room. But then I rang Axel, who said, ah yeah, book it, lets go down for the weekend. A vist

Whoop!

So we'll get to go to Phota, and Cafe Paradiso and - where else, Cork people? A visit to the Murphy's Icecream shop, definitely, even in February (update: nuts, it was just wishful thinking overriding sense - they're in Kerry, of course - boo!). Maybe if I stalked Ryan and posed my cute children casually in his vicinity he might take photos of them unsuspectingly :) Maybe Sabrina will host a ladies tea party in her house? If someone will sponsor me, I'll provide cupcakes!

friendly strangers

People who aren't online find the idea of meeting people online weird. Well I'm all for it. I love the freedom and inhibition that comes from chatting through blogs or boards. And I've met several lovely and fabulous people that way. Last night at the Blog Awards/Ladies' Tea party I had three very personal conversation ranging across birth, death, babies, breastfeeding and fertility, as is my wont, having never met two of the three people before. For me, this is normal, as you'll find I tend to go there whether I'm online or face to face anyway - this blog should be called Compulsive Divulgent. Beware, you may not want to hear about my labours or relationship, but chances are you will anyway... But I think online meeting definitely lends itself to a greater level of openness and perhaps trust - or perhaps that's just me.

As a group, the bloggers seemed really to be lovely people - genuine, creative, interested people. There was a friendly atmosphere, a relaxedness - I love that everyone felt united by their commitment to putting words on a screen, to expression, to communication (and no excessive drunkenness, which is a big plus for me). Perhaps we're making a storm in a teacup about the value of what we do ( I think I'll just go ahead and include myself in the 'we' - I don't know that there's much wide value in what I do here, but at least I'm part of a movement of sorts, I think) but what I've taken away fro the evening was the sense of a resourcefulness, an energy and creativity. Of people pursuing interests, finding ways to either make profit or just create, in inventive and communicative media.

I feel full of inspiration, and positivity, I want to have an Etsy shop. I want to get the blog my cousin and I have planned started. I want to find out about children's writing agents. I want to sell baked goods. I want to do my massage course.
I don't want to teach an exam course so much, and definitely don't want to do any more TEFL, though it's looking like I'll have to again this summer :( Someone offer me a job so I don't have to go back to that! My husband and I were just discussing the dream of living in Italy, and of course the obvious thing for me to do there would be teach English. And the thought totally makes me want to stay here! Bleh! Sorry, digression.

I'm all for talking to strangers. Meeting new people, making new friends without taking years to do it. I like talking to people on the street, but it happens less these days. I think the Internet community, such as it is, and the blogging community, is a way to talk to people on the street all round the world.

hanged for a sheep

I had various plans for my (what was it the mean college vampire called Buffy's clothes? The ensemble? That might have been it) ensemble for the Blog Awards on Saturday. Just in case anyone reading has missed it, the Irish Blog Awards are on Saturday ;)

Forninepounds is shortlisted for Best Group Blog so even though it's informal, on the off chance we win, I want to look nice. But my 7 months later and still there baby-belly messed with my plans, and MW is prepping as we speak so I felt I should make an effort too, despite the drastic finances.

I get my hair cut and blow dried four times a year, if that, at €50 a go, and I might buy a pair of shoes or two a year. I do buy bits and pieces, but generally from Dunnes. Despite the depressing clothes mountains all round my house, I never seem to have anything to wear.

So off I skipped to Dundrum, credit card in hand. And I found a gorgeous skirt, wrap top and bra in M&S, a going out bra, no clips or nothing! and a necklace and earrings grabbed at the last minute.

I was well pleased with myself, it was a fall in love moment when I tried the skirt on - Per Una rocks. And best of all, when I came home and tried it on, the husband got the horn, so I know I'm doing something right - though I will be wearing a vest over the bra on Saturday :)

It was fun shopping for an occasion, especially as I got what I wanted. If I hadn't had to rush home to get my daughter, and had unlimited cash instead of guilt and a loaded credit card it would have felt even better! One day. One day.

I'm looking forward to the Lady Bloggers' Tea Party that will take place first, in my favourite Market Bar. Being in there signifies being Out (out and about, not out of the closet) for me, Out in Town! I will fit in with other well dressed bloggerettes, it's ironic, as I, and I presume a lot of other people, blog mostly in their jammies.

I don't know what to do about driving or not, drinking or not, Nightlink or Taxis or not... I think not, after the spending frenzy today.