Blogger Bash
There is a tradition in the Peoria blogosphere that whenever a month has a fifth Tuesday, there will be a Blogger Bash. When this date rolls around, I make it a point to announce a Blogger Bash and seek suggestions on Peoria Pundit for a location.
A Blogger Bash is simply a way for people who may otherwise know each other only via screen names of Avatars to actually meet in person. It’s also a good way for people who are used to yelling at each other in cyberspace to realize that, Oh My God, that’s a rule human being.
I also make it a point to invite newsmakers and troublemakers to stop by, thus encouraging some citizen journalism.
When there was some concern in the blogging community about the plans for a particular Bash, there was a suggestion made that I didn’t have the right to plan THE blogger bash. This is my response:
Have you ever attended a party was planned by … nobody?
I’ll explain what a Blogger Bash is.
The first one was, I dunno know four of five years ago. Some friends of mine from work were meeting at a neighborhood bar on Pioneer Parkway. I posted on my blog, ‘Hey guys! Some friends of mine are meeting after work. If any fellow bloggers or commenters want to come by, do so!”
Angie Walker showed up, with her hubby Rob. We spent about an hours talking blogs and politics, while my work buddies played darts.
After Rob and Angie left, I noticed all my co-workers had left, they assuming I had left.
About a month later, the first real Blogger Bash was held at that same bar. I have pictures to prove it.
I’ve been doing this for years.
What gives me the right to organize these things? Just the combination of the right to free speech and the right to assemble. All a Blogger Bash is ANY blogger making a post on his/her blog saying, ‘Hey! Let’s all meet at so-and-so date and have a Blogger Bash. Where do you wanna party at?’ And that is it. No conspiracy. No payoff from my advertisers. I posted this on Peoria Pundit and peoria.com because I frequently post comments there, and am friendly with several other members and I want to meet them in person and get them into blogging, preferably on BlogPeoria, but if not, then on Peoria Speaks or some other free service. Blogging is the first step towards citizen journalism, and I am all for that.
Any single ONE of the people complaining that I am some kind of wanna-be blog dictator can do the exact same thing. Seriously. One of you make a post “Hey, wanna hold a Blogger Bash? Name the time and place?” Invite whomever you want.
Here’s a secret: There have been Blogger Bashes that I had nothing to do with and did not even attend. The audacity!
I hope to see you some fifth Tuesday.
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