Matters of Importance, You See

I’m not going to lie. I’m reading all these posts about how much fun Jo-Lynne, Shannon, Lisa, Melanie, Sophie, Karla and the rest of them (who clearly, I need to go read) all had at SheSpeaks this weekend.

But being a new blogger and all – I was just a little late to the game to register, didn’t think anyone would know me (Soliloquy who?) – and had important things to attend to this weekend anyway, what with my jammed social calendar ever lovin’ To Do list.

Plus – it was the first weekend since Memorial Day we’ve been at home with no company visiting.

I do feel like I missed something special – and I am planning to attend next year if it shapes up to be as well-attended successful as it was this year. I need to work on recruiting Queen B, Marcy, Shauna, Heather, Jenni, Lanxi and Holly to attend with me – unless we decide to do our own fabulous weekend in the fall.

Shauna? What ever happened to Dallas in September?

Or maybe I’ll just tap Whittaker Woman’s shoulder and we’ll organize our own bloggy-fest here in Atlanta.

The weekend was not lost. At all. We got through four closets, the eaves, the laundry room, and the garage. And had I been in Charlotte on Saturday night, I would not have had my own bloggy reunion at Target….

Because that’s where all the cool bloggers hang out on Saturday nights.

I startled the bejeezus out of met my first face to face bloggy pal, Desperate Housewife, right there on the stationery aisle. As she was checking out organizers, I instantly deduced she was the organized type. Or maybe she just wants to be organized….. whatever. None of that really happened, I just recognized her picture and launched down the aisle at her.

It should have startled her. I was a wreck. A real live, big, hot mess.

Now let me just preface this whole encounter with this tidbit:

Stephanie and I had hoped to connect about a month ago at a charity yard sale she was helping host in the next neighborhood over from us. I had a bunch of stuff to donate, so I got up early on a Saturday morning, got dressed, put make-up on – you know, concerned about initial impressions and all – I’m shallow like that, and drove over to drop my stuff off for the sale.

But she wasn’t there. I even stopped back later to shop. Still no Stephanie.

Apparently, she worked the afternoon shift – and by then, serious garage-saler that I am, I was done by 9:30 and I was probably at the pool or something… the point is, we missed each other.

I considered blogging how I’d been Stood Up by a Desperate Housewife. Twice. – but whatever. (snort)

A month later, I recognize her in Target and well, all I have to say is, if you don’t want to be accosted by freaks in public places, don’t post your picture on your blog.

Because without thinking to myself, “Soliloquy, you aren’t wearing make-up, or contacts, or even something cute. Maybe now isn’t the best time to introduce yourself.”, I just charged at her – “Are you Stephanie?? Oh my gosh! I’m Soliloquy!”

(Oh my good Lord, did I squeal at her?! I may have.)

Good thing I know CPR and everything.

Actually, we didn’t need it. The smelling salts from across the aisle and my presence of mind to get her feet above her head was all it took. She came to pretty quickly.

Seriously. That didn’t happen, either. I mean, I did take her off guard, but she was darling and she composed herself quickly.

As we stood and chatted, her husband and my family found us yakking it up. Introductions were made, we tried not to make a big deal about the fact that, “Oh my goodness, it’s MARK LEE from THIRD DAY” because I’m sure famous people want to be treated like normal people, and we’re thoughtful like that…. but since I can be totally classless on my blog,

“Oh my goodness, it was MARK LEE from THIRD DAY”.

Heh.

Seriously. We didn’t know that they’ve attended our church and live in the subdivision kitty-corner from us. How can people who live .3 miles from each other meet through blogging, I ask you? Weird.

Now, I really feel I must redeem myself – make-up, contacts, cute outfit and all – so Stephanie knows I’m not really a dork, I just play one in real life.

We’re hoping to connect for coffee or dinner soon. Or maybe I should say I am hoping to connect for coffee or dinner soon???

It’s entirely possible that I scared her off for good.

*Update: Stephanie posted tonight about our chance meeting.  It would appear she’s not only darling and funny, but rather trusting, as well.*