I caught this self-description by a commenter on Friko's blog the other day and I thought: that's me.
This wonderful world of blogging gathers us kindred spirits from around the globe and pulls us all together in virtual conversations and we click with each other, no matter the age, no matter the gender. And blog meets, (though I have an affinity for the term Blog Meats, ha-ha, get it?) where one meets another blogger in the flesh so to speak, prove just as interesting as the virtual connection and are even more enhanced by the fresh non-blogged information exchanged.
Maybe the virtual circle of friends I connect with fairly regularly are all gregarious loners whether in partnered relationships or not.
I love my solitude, cherish it, defend it, embrace it.
And I'm one of the most gregarious people you'll ever meet!
And on that note, I am so looking forward to my Blog Meat with Conor. Soon. Yes, he of the recent trip around the world fame. And when I do, ye all can be assured I will shut up and be quiet.
I love the phrase 'Gregarious Loner' - I think that fits me to a tee! I like being sociable in small, manageable chunks, but also like the ability to retreat back into solitude when I need to.
ReplyDeleteJo:
ReplyDeleteI think that we all seek this quality in our favourite blogs. Unconsciously perhaps?
XO
WWW
I feel it is part of the art and the joy of blogging and the social circle which it encapsulates which gives you the ability to instantly have discussions and conversations with people all over the world, but allows you to then retreat when needed, without the need for excuses as to why you are leaving the party early!
ReplyDeleteYou say Hi to Conor from me. I already met him in Cork.
ReplyDeleteThrough blogging we get to know people from the inside without the distraction of the outside packaging, then when we actually meet, they are like friends we have not seen for some time.
Gregarious loner, excellent. That's a good description of me too. As Jo says, blogging allows you to have company when you want it but instantly retreat when you've had enough of it.
ReplyDeleteI met the lovely Grannymar recently, and she's right, it's like meeting up with an old friend.
Did a 'Freudian Slip' slip in there, WWW?
ReplyDeleteGregarious is a word that I find a bit scarey, WWW. Possibly I have the wrong definition lodged in my head, but the word speaks to me of noisy gatherings, lots of chit-chat, erudite people who talk a lot, and then a lot more - often about themselves, etc etc. All such scenarios I run away from - as far as possible.
ReplyDeleteSo, according to my definition I'm not a gregarious loner, I'm a loner with an itch to communicate - on my own terms. :-)
Blogger numbers continue to shrink, I'm noticing, maybe because there are so many other options now. Hand held devices - "Blackberries" and suchlike - are not easy to blog from, I'm sure!
Jo:
ReplyDeleteExcellent way of putting it!
XO
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GM:
ReplyDeleteHow true that is, no surprises when we meet, we just get to know each other better!
XO
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Nick:
ReplyDeleteAnd GM missed each other last year in Dublin but I am hoping for another time with her - and you too Nick, one of these years I'll be in Belfast one of my favourite cities.
XO
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Nora:
ReplyDeletePlease elucidate - not sure what you mean?
XO
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T:
ReplyDeleteGregarious to me means one who is friendly and fairly social but on her terms and nothing to do with noise and small talk and awful cocktail parties.
One who likes company of her own choosing but abhors the mean and the small and class structures.
But places a lot of importance on solitude in her 'loner' status.
XO
WWW
My blogmates are definitely an enhancement for sure. And I've managed to meet two of them in the flesh who proved as lovely as their blogs suggested.
ReplyDeleteGregarious Loners have now become Old Ruins and a grand meet is being planned I am told!
ReplyDeletevery useful blog Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI love this
ReplyDeleteGregarious Loners
It is me
Yet when I am around people
which is rarely
I like it
But cannot wait to return to the
woods...