Bloggers and Beers!

Last week, a few nights before Actorfest, a lovely editor and some multi-talented blogger/actors got together for some custom roasted peanuts, frothing beers, and animated conversation at my favorite birthday locale in West Hollywood.

Though we all knew a bit about each other from our blogs, most of us had never met before.

I had been looking forward to this night and had a minor hand in party planning it myself, now that I"m a locale Los Ann-geleno.

I remember last year when I attended my first Actorfest in LA.

I wasn't a blogger then, just starting as a freelance writer for various online magazines and a total LA newbie. It was actually on my way out of the festival that the opportunity arrived.

I remember locking eyes with a tall gentleman standing behind a desk on the side.

Okay,  maybe 'locked eyes' is a little extreme, it was more like the 'Hey, I think know that guy'-eye-stare thingy.

Apparently, he definitely knew and remembered how he knew me. He had reviewed me in a musical I did in New York back in 2002, I think?

I was in a bikini on stage the whole time. It was like Grease meets the exotic shores of New Jersey coming of age musical.

We got to keep the bikinis.

And there I was that night, a blogger for almost a year now, having beers and roasted kung pao peanuts with other fellow bloggers who were quoting me from my very own laptop.

We were talking, not blogging, about our latest adventures in acting, singing, writing...and even dating.

"I feel like I know you!"

"I use that phrase you coined all the time!"

There were even articles I had written and forgotten about that others mentioned. I was equally inspired by them.

At first, I was nervous to meet them and whomever else would be there. Putting yourself out there as a writer in a diary-like fashion can be vulnerable.

Would I come across as the person you read off the screen? Would I be misinterpreted as off-putting just because I was shy? Or would my party-girl mode kick on auto-pilot and save the day?

It's a great and rare feeling to know that you've actually left an imprint on this Earth, even if it is just an online imprint. Intangible, but inspirational.

And it takes a great and generous heart to deliver such a compliment believably.

Thank you fellow Bloggers and their Plus (1)'s. And thanks to you Mr. Editor.

We wouldn't have a voice without you.

ps. Man! I miss my 20 year old body!

(photos courtesy of Formosa Cafe and Beach Radio, CAP21 Productions (2002)

Yours Truly -- Ann Hu

Comments

[Tomster]

It was great to see you too, m'Lady!