Friday, June 17, 2011

I tweet, but I'm not a twit.

When people dismiss blogging and Twitter, I get a little testy. "Oh who wants to read that you've just eaten breakfast?" they say. "Blogging is so narcissistic". As is the case with most things, once you're open to looking past the facade, there's often so much more to see.

Except if you're Ricky Gervais and you're making fun of the uber-serious internet lover "clogging up" this vast resource with home-made websites about themselves. "My name is Rupert. This is my cat... here are my favourite Cure songs in order", then this is perfectly acceptable.

But for me, blogging and Twitter have become an absolute gold mine of amazing ideas, writing, hilarity and people. When I was in the last weary stages of pregnancy, there were like-minded people with which to whine. When I'm up at 3am with the baby, there are people with whom I can chat. When I had difficulty feeding in the first few days, I had genuinely helpful advice given by mums who had been there. Even before I had Abby, people would tweet to find out if I was OK, and if it was "time" yet.

Once she arrived, even complete strangers sent well-wishes, and I can't tell you how much all this has meant to me.

The first time I heard K.Rudd was being toppled, I read it on Twitter. It's how I learned of the floods, the earthquakes and the cyclones that have happened this year. I've found some genuinely funny things from following people with fantastic senses of humour, I've learned more about other cultures, other times and other lives. And the best part is I've made new friends.

People have even sent Abby gifts... people I've never even met. People who are just generous souls and without this 140-character digital meeting place, I'd have the extreme misfortune not to know them. So for those who tweeted the love, thank you.

My friend and neighbour, Nikki from Styling You gave Abby these gorgeous little shoes just a few days after she was born. We found out we were neighbours when I tweeted a picture of my back yard, and she recognised the fence... small world!


The beautifully talented Cat, from Wouldn't it Be Loverly made this gorgeous picture, and although she doesn't know Abby or I, except what she's read, she made the most perfect present that I absolutely adore.

Miss Zoey, from Good Goog, sent Abby this gorgeous hat she crocheted herself. She didn't have to do that, she had a toddler and was very pregnant with her new goog, and probably should have been sitting with her feet up and a good book. But she took the time, and I thank her for it. Zoey also has never met me, and doesn't know me from a bar of soap.
sure it's a little big right now, but not for long... veggie baby has a massive head!
 The ever-hilarious and totally gorgeous Bern from So Now What? sent the little miss a new outfit and possibly the cutest card I've ever seen. She has three kids of her own... and a life. But still thought of me.


So I wouldn't be without Twitter. It's so much more than a selfish, indulgent time-waster. And sadly, the people I need to convince of that will never read this...

21 comments:

  1. I know exactly what you mean Stacey! I've 'met' online some amazing people and all because of twitter and blogging! The blogging community is a wonderful group of people!

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  2. "So I wouldn't be without Twitter. It's so much more than a selfish, indulgent time-waster. And sadly, the people I need to convince of that will never read this..." - SO SO sad but true! That's always the way, sigh. Oh well... one day they might just be nosey and come across this! :) Keep bloggin'.

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  3. I love this post. I just joined twitter about a week ago and am still in the 'does it or doesn't it work for me' stage. It seems fun and a bit of an extension of my blog but I am interested to see where it'll go.
    Congrats on the baba and I love those little shoes.

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  4. I have met the kindest, most generous people through blogging. You have to be in it to know that. Yay for you. What lovely gifts from some very lovely women. x

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  5. YOU are beyond lovely and by the way I want Abby's shoes ok? :) I'm thrilled you like the piece. And I do feel like I know you, at least a little. BIG hugs xxx

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  6. You would definitely be the first person to stick up for blogging! It's a wonderful community we have x

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  7. You know lots xo

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  8. How damn good is Twitter and blogging?! People in my 'real life' don't get it either. xxx

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  9. I bought the shoes because I wanted them too!  Indian giver. I am.

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  10. Geez, where would we be without Twitter ... we might have to talk to each other face to face, Stace ;)  Love this post and love having a bloggie/twitter friend as a neighbour x

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  11. Naww.
    I love twitter because without it I wouldn't have the absolute pleasure of knowing you.
    I feel closer to alot of my twitter pals I have never physically met then people I grew up.
    Can't wait to meet you and Miss Abby one day
    xoxox

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  12. Gorgeous post and yes it is so hard to explain twitter to twits.

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  13. Lorraine @ Not Quite NigellaAugust 25, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    I don't really understand people that diss it too. I am convinced that they just aren't using it right! ;)

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  14. I totally agree with you, i have only just started blogging but have already met so many wonderful people, its such an amazing community. 
    Gorgeous gifts for your little girl, i love the shoes! x

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  15. Oh I love that you and Nikki noticed the back fence!  I've met some wonderful people on twitter (you espec) and as dorky as it sounds, consider a lot to be my friends now.  My husband doesn't get it, thinks I'm shagging guys, but well, one day he'll catch on I spose.

    You were v. welcome and I want those shoes too!! Mwah.. 

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  16. I joined twitter because of you! I found your personal blog (tumblr?) through a friend's, then found your recipe blog, then started looking at (stalking..?) your twitter. I got kind of sick of typing www.twitter.com/veggie_mama all the time, so I figured I'd just get a twitter account and follow you! You're the first person I followed! What a stalker, huh? I thank you.

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  17. I could agree more. If I didn't blog or tweet, I would not have met darling you and catching up with you next weekend. X

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  18. Great post. Can't believe you and Nikki are neighbours. I've often wondered if there was a fellow tweeter living in my street.

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  19. Gorgeous. Love it - and I agree on meeting some amazing people via blogging and tweeting. 

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  20. Couldn't agree with you more! Well said. :)
    And oh my goodness, those gifts are just divine!!!

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  21. I agree! Twitter is great, but it's so hard to explain to non-twitter people what it's all about & why it's so great. The first 12 months I was on it I didn't get it either, but then when I started following real people & engaging with them (and even meeting some of them) I realised what a fantastic tool it is. People are so supportive when you're having a hard time, they celebrate your wins with you and can give you answers or point you in the right direction amazingly quickly. 

    Twitter is probably one of the main reasons I started blogging too & most of the blogs I read I've come across because of twitter.

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