THE ORIGINAL NYC BLOGFEST
The New York Blogfest made for a weird but good Friday night. We met at Mary Ann's but neglected to come up with any secret code that would help us identify each other once inside the crowded bar. I thought I'd spotted the group, and then realized I would have to walk up and say something like, "Excuse me are you the bloggers?" As the thought developed in my head, I realized if it was the wrong group, my line would meet with the same confusion as if I'd asked, "Excuse me, did you go to high school in Bakersfield?" Luckily it was the right group on my first try and no stranger asked me what I meant by "blogger."

Megan from Live from the WTC appeared to have the most fans coming into the evening, though most of us were only familiar with a couple other NY blogger sites before Friday. (When the LA bloggers met up, apparently they all knew each others' blogs well and started off the night as if in mid-conversation.) Several people had funny, panicky stories about discovering they'd just been linked by uber-blogger InstaPundit for the first time. There were those who live in fear that their boss at work would find out they have a personal weblog, and others who figured it's too late to reclaim anonymity.

I regret I couldn't stay longer into the evening, but by my third drink, I was already losing my voice to the cold-that-will-not-go-away.

Kudos go out to organizer Sophismata.com, who has a nice run-down on his site of those present and a picture as proof that we exist in "real life." Check out More Than Zero and another BlogFest pix. There's also a list of 20 Things I Learned at the Blogfest, including a reference to the well-known west coast blogger who has a past as a professional country crooner.

Other bloggers in attendance included Letter from Gotham, The Illuminated Donkey, Ramblings of a Blue-Collar Slob, Mind Over What Matters and CW Postings.

I volunteered to organize the next BlogFest, which I'm guessing will take place in April or May. Like this first one, it will be open to anyone who feels like showing up.
- posted by Amy @ 3/04/2002 03:09:00 PM