I’M READING AT BOLO!
I’m reading at BOLO!
I was trying to come up with some clever opening to this post, but decided that direct was best. But in case you’ve gotten this far and somehow missed it:
I’M READING AT BOLO!
And so perhaps now would be a good time to tell you: I’m scared shitless. When Lynn sent emails to the readers, she asked if we had any questions. I had just one:
WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING??
I’ve blogged about my awkwardness before. I’m even toying with the idea of telling you the story of my 8th grade public speaking disaster. But what is not commonly known is that I spent a chunk of the last BOLO hyperventilating in the bathroom. For realz.
And I WASN’T EVEN READING.
So what was I thinking? Maybe it was the sheer joy of being able to hand something in before deadline (handy that the deadline is announced after the posts are already written). Maybe it was because my friends were doing it (always a good reason). But I think Finola hit the nail on the head with this clever moniker:
introverted attention whore
Guilty as charged.
So, are you coming to BOLO?
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28 Comments
Lmao that’s awesome…I can’t wait to hear you read
And I can’t wait to see you there, with your squishy little package
. Good luck tomorrow!!
Although I don’t blog, I enjoy reading yours, so I will be there to support and clap and cheer. Cuz that’s what bloggy friends, and those IRL do
Thanks Cindy! I’m so glad. It will definitely help that I’ve met more people IRL this year
If you are reading, I will be there! I went last year to support another friend/reader and was sorry I couldn’t catch you in person. I kept looking over at your table and thinking, “Wow, she’s so popular. She’s so plugged in. She’s off mixing and mingling again!”
That is so funny! Because I felt anything but, I assure you. I suspect that what looked like “mixing” from a distance was nothing but “excuse me… pardon me… excuse me…” on my way to the bathroom
PS – looking forward to seeing you there! Want to carpool?
Sure, I’ll be your designated driver
OMG I can’t believe I didn’t even think of that. That’s brilliant, thank you
.
I totally forgot about you and the bathroom. But don’t worry, it is going to be okay! Allison thought she might pass out last year and everything was just fine. You will rock it, I know you will.
(But will keep 911 on speed dial just in case
).
LOL. Or maybe just a paper bag. At least part of the problem last year was teetering down those stairs into the basement room, on heels (which I never wear), and suddenly getting this image of descending into the PIT of DOOM (dun dun dun!). I really just made it that much harder on myself
Besides, last year I went and blogged about how awkward I feel in crowds not long before going, and that just made me more nervous knowing people had read it. At least I know better than to make the same mistake agai-
Crap.
oh Sasha you are so funny! You will rock it. And BOLO isn’t a black tie affair. Wear flats, relax and enjoy. I wish i could be there to support you. I’ll be thinking of you guys having fun as I snuggle the kids to sleep.
Oh believe, me, I won’t make the heels mistake again
.
Thanks Chantal! Sorry to hear you can’t make it, but can totally sympathize with the reason. As for the black-tie affair, there WERE a few people joking around about pulling out old bridesmaids’ dresses, just for a lark. But I think everyone was at the “I’ll do it if YOU do it” stage, not sure any one of us has the gumption to really set the ball rolling
It’s true – I sent in my post last year feeling confident that it would get turned down and then I would get credit for TRYING to step out of my comfort zone without having to actually, you know, step out of my comfort zone. I still worry that no one will laugh when I want them to laugh, but you couldn’t even properly call me nervous for this year. Everyone’s so friendly it seems pointless. Plus, there’s beer. Go you!
Yes. Beer. I’m trying to figure out how to get that balance *just* *right*
.
Oh Sasha, you will do great! You will have a room full of supporters… I can’t wait to hear you!
Hi Deb! I know, but that can still be scary
. I still appreciate the way you were looking out for me last year – thanks 
Oh, I get the scary
Shall I bring a paper bag for you to breathe into? 
I was thinking I’d bring a package – and scalp the leftovers
I hadn’t even heard of BOLO before. Do you read one of your blog posts out? How on earth does one choose which one to read!??!?
I’m sure you’ll do great and can’t wait to hear about it!
Deb
Deb – it’s really hard!
LOL. #nothelping
Hey Deb! BOLO = Blog Out Loud Ottawa. It’s a gathering of Ottawa bloggers, reading their stuff. I went last year, and this year decided to submit a post. The readers were announced at the end of last week.
It really is a fun event, but as mentioned, I can get a bit – nervous – in crowds. Or hell, even in one-on-one situations
. It usually goes one way or the other – either I spend the evening feeling stoopid, or I go all-out social and spend the next week feeling stoopid 
You are going to be wonderful and I can’t wait to hear you read. We can hide in the corner until it’s your turn, my fellow introverted attention-whore…
You are awesome, and I am *so* going to take you up on sharing your corner. The more I think about it, the more I realize that it’s not reading that freaks me out, it’s the schmoozing beforehand. Reading just means I can’t sneak out
.
PS. I’m thinking I should definitely bring a package of paper bags – and maybe even stamp them “IAW”. It will be our little secret
.
Yay! You’re reading at BOLO. I’m reading too. We can be nervous together.
Yay! I’ll be handing out paper bags