BFF, Baby: Part I, Because I'm Long-Winded

So I was planning to be a better poster, but frankly, I was off at a lovely conference of gorgeous and talented women this weekend. No, not THAT conference, silly. Did I not mention they were nearly all Canadians? And that I may have managed to force myself to talk to nearly veryone this time, even people I hadn't met before, even if I could only take the assault on my shyness for a short while? It was BlogFriendsFest this weekend, three days in Niagara Falls with the hote ladies of local-ish blogging. Add to the mix my lo-tech travel style, and no posting was going on. Instead, I'll make up for it over the next few days by telling you about them. (crazymumma requested subway notes on everyone, but I think a little more slavering over some of them might be required. Anyhow, how much I write and gush will msotly be based on how much I got to talk to people and got to know them, so some may be mushier than others, but still, I must tell everyone about these people.)

Crazymumma

I keep thinking I must demand photographic evidence of CM's younger days so I can see if her absolute stunning gorgeousness is something she's grown into as the milk-fed flush of a young girl fled, or if she was always this amazing, or if she was, could it be? even more stunning. Seriously. The bones on that woman, and the warm tones of her, never mind what her infamous trainer has wrought... yowza. The warmth of her colouring, though, is fitting, because she is just that way, full of hugs and love and care for others, a mother among mothers, even as she wields a tough edge that can't be mistaken. What surprises me every time, too, is that for someone who self-describes as an artist, as rough around the edges, as someone whose education is in life and streets and art and hard work, she has something she never talks about - a keen insight and intellect that comes out when she starts to talk about matters a little deeper, as in the groups discussion on Saturday. Whole package, indeed.

Lisa b.

Lisa is a force. I'm not kidding. I was loving her well before the events of the last year and a half or so, which (in case you don't know her) saw her wrestling with heart-wrenching and life-changing decisions and happenings. I have always loved her for being smart and snarky, funny in a dry, dark way, both shallow and deep at once, and delightfully cranky. That she is taking on the medical system and working through all the stuff that has been thrown her way with the strength she's shown raises her from just really cool and fun and makes her absolutely incredible in my eyes. In person (because I know you want to know what these people look like, too), she has gorgeous, deep brown, doe-like eyes, perfectly formed eyebrows (shuddup, I know, but they are striking), and glossy, straight dark hair that always falls where it ought, so unlike my own mop (yes, I'm obsessed with that, too). All the more stunning in contrast with her creamy complexion. I'm so glad you got to get away for a couple of days, even if not the first night. (She instead made a grand entrance during the roundtable, and joined in for the rest of the fun stuff.)

Mama Tulip

Mama Tulip felt bad because she made me cry. Sob, actually. But what she didn't get is that I was crying because I had never opened up on the subject of the wall before. I had never wanted to share what was, for me, the rawest part of 9/11. But sitting and talking with her and Crazymumma and Ms Blue, three of the most caring of bloggers, I wanted to talk about it. They felt safe. So I hope, Tulip, that you get why I wasn't upset at you for that, but actually a bit grateful for you, for asking the questions that made us all talk and open up more on lots of subjects. What a wonderful thing, to talk on a deeper level than typical at a party, to talk among women you already know and love more profoundly through their own stories. Mama Tulip is like that. But she is also the one who throws metal signs and screams Bye, Fuckdog! across a parking lot as you pull away. She is every kind of awesome, all bundled into one adorable package (seriously, cute dimples, funky glasses, short awesome spiky cute hair). I wish I could take her home with me... I can't believe I love her even more after this weekend. How is that possible?

Major Bedhead

Major is one of those blogs I pop on and off of, one whose subjects change often, somewhat like myself, I suppose, instead of carrying a more sustained focus or story along over many posts and in and out of months. It means that I sometimes forget to go back and visit to see what next, but when I go by, I always find some interesting tidbits, some commentary I enjoy. For all that, she is one blogger I have been curious about, because I don't really know her whole "story" as such, just glimpses into her mind. She is an interesting lady, and I wish I'd gotten a bit more of a chance to speak with her or hadn't felt so shy about introducing myself, which I don't think I really did officially, anyhow, because I'm a big chicken. But I'm glad to say I did meet her, and gladder still that she made the trek. She has a serious demeanour, but a dry humour underlies it.I'm not sure what she made of our giddiness on the second night, to be honest, but I do hope she enjoyed herself. And have I mentioned how tall she is? She's quite the striking one. But really, I must comment on her blog, too - she may have the best template going. I smile very time I return, even if I don't leave her a note. I was disappointed when she switched to something more generic for a short while not long ago, and so happy to see her bring back the monkey. Yes, I said monkey...

Days Go By

Another Playdate writer, daysgoby came in all the way from down east to join us girls! I was looking forward to meeting her because somehow, you just know she's going to be sweet and fun, and so she is. She is another that I didn't spend enough time talking to and felt a bit funny about approaching with an outstretched hand to shake or something stupid like that, so I'm guessing I just let someone else intro me, or maybe let the nametag speak. Still, I enjoyed talking to her a bit and finding out she was the positive ball of energy she seems. Even if she hadn't had her nametag, though, I would have recognized the funky glasses from her posts about them - nice and blingy! And may I just say, this girl has the most awesome dimples, the most infectious smile and laugh. She's just a delight, and now I'll look forward to her crafty posts even more.

And now my fingers and brain are tired and I must go to bed. I will introduce you to more of the fabulous bloggers of BFF tomorrow, darlings.