I’ve said it before: ’Blogging Connecting People’ and ’Make Blogs, not Wars’. That’s because I personally have experience with meeting new people and getting to know them, their habits, their way of thinking as well as their country’s culture and traditions through the Blogsphere. Bridges are built and barriers are broken down by exchanging thoughts and knowledge through this net based community. At the same time sharing about Norway and the Nordic countries, teaches me a lot about myself and my own country through the comments and reactions from friends around the world. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, ‘It’s a givers gain’.
I don’t mean to make too much out of it, I’m not talking about the deepest, most serious, personal life although that is shared sometimes as well. I’m talking about sharing small anecdotes and daily life experience. Everyday exchanges are what friendships are built on. It’s fun to get to know people and build personal bonds. Sometimes I get to exchange more then just cyber messages or digitalised stuff. For example we found these hand dyed surprises in our mailbox recently from a special friend (click pics to enlarge and enjoy)!!
Ordinarily such handmade, tie die t-shirts are thought of as summer clothing, but hey; we could not wait 5 month to show the Blogsphere these precious gifts from Michelle at House of Lime in Pennsylvania, US! My regular readers know my saying: ‘There is no such as bad weather, only bad clothes’ – referring to that you can go out in whatever weather conditions or temperature as long as you know how to dress properly – however, there is no weather conditions where you can’t model in good Lime’s hand dyed t-shirts :lol: The colors are so hot they almost melt the snow. To prove my point, we even made snow angles to show our gratitude:
This gift was actually a return of the favour since we sent Michelle some special, Norwegian souvenirs. You really should click and hop over to her blog, to see and leave a comment telling her how much you admire her creativity!
There have been other exchanges of gifts and greetings in my more than three years of blogging. For example a lovely Christmas card from Maribeth and a calendar of Old, Old Lady on the Hill’s photographs from her garden. To mention them all would make a long list, so instead I give all my friends out there in Blogsphere some link love from my Blogroll:
The Queer Chef -My blog designer!
A fish blog.com -Magnus Tangen in Norway
An American In Oslo -Kristie from LA, US
A Changing Life -A in Europe
Al’s Time Out
Aramis’ Blogg -A friend in Norwegian
Backpacking Philippines Travel Guide -Tutubi Flight Chronicles
BackPackTourists -My son travailing the world
Blog -Blond -Kuanyin from Maui Hawaii, US
Blogging Sueblimely -English ex-pat, Australian webdesigner and blogging aficionado
Bloggin’ Outloud
Brykmantra -Mark in US
Sandee (Comedy +) -in California, Us
Correr Es Mi Destino -Zhu, French/Canadian teacher in Ottawa
Confessions of an Expat’s Wife
Dackel Princess -Maribeth in US
Dagboek -Thess; Her writings during stolen moments…
Dave Winer -Scripting News
DianeCA’s Metamorphoses -My beloved wife!
Diane’s Place in US
Do It Myself Blog -Glenda’s inspiring autobiography
EastcoastLife -a lively girl in Singapore
eGuiden-Backstage -Gunnar in Norway
eirikso.com -Media.HTPC.Mobile.Food.Travel
Excorcise my Devils -ShadowFalcon in Australia
ExpatTravels -From Switzerland to Canada
Espreson -Sarbarth, Expressing with words
Fleur de Lisa -From Indiana, US
Fruity from Fruit Spices
Gentle & Compassionate -Ghee in Japan + Ally And Allies
Genre Cookshop -Nancy Bea Miller in Philadelphia, US
Himalman’s Weblog -An Everest climber
House of Lime -Michelle in US
Here in the Hills -Naomi: OldOldLadyOfTheHills in LA, US
Humanyms -Pearl in Canada
In Soul -Ginnie in Georgia, US and Amsterdam
In Nederland -Thess from the Philippines
Insanity Prevails -Melli in US
Interesting observations -Pearl with various aspects of blogging
Iternational Blog of Food -I’m a Team blogger her!
Fresh Mess -Mark from the Philippines living in Oslo
Italian’s Insight to Travel Italy
It’s all about luck -Morten Lund from Denmark
It’s all about me -Teena in Toronto, Canada
Kladdeboka by Paal (Norwegian)
Ladybug’s Leaf
Laza83 -Claudie in France
Letters to the Universe
Life in the fast lane -Deborah Petersen in Alberta, Canada
Lifecruiser -in Sweden
Life, Humour and Recipes -Colin in UK
LikeTress -Kim, an award winning portrait artist
maremagnum -A Chilean expat in Barcelona, Spain
Max Coutinho -In Portugal
Miss Cellania -A funny single mom in Kentucky, US
Moderatlely Confused Pinay in Deutschland
Motivated Motion -Lynn Tucker in Canada
Much of a muchness -Diane, live in deepest, darkest Dorset
My insanity! -A Filipino living in Chicago, US
My life is murphy’s law -Ev Nucci in US
My Sarisari Store
mökkikunta -A blog friend from Finland
Olga, the Traveling Bra -A Globetrotter
Random thoughts on Norway -Kenneth from Norway in Prague
Speedcat Hollydale Page -Eric “Speedcat Hollydale” in Minnesota, US
Spilling Out -Mother of Invention in Canada
Sue’s Daily Photography
Susies The Boss in US
Tin-tin: What Makes My Life Pretty?
The Queen’s Rambles
~*~Tinkerbell~*~ -The magical journal of a Dutch
Through JoAnn’s Digital Eyes’-NL
TorAa Mirror -in Norway
Tricia’s Musings -A nurse, A wife living the Fun fun social life
Trails -Gisle in Norway
Traveler’s Tales -Traveller, Foodie and Gearhead
Wanderlust Sha -Wanderlust in Greece
Will Pate – Hugs not thugs
Wish I was there -Hexe in Florida
Word Strumpet -Charlotte Rains Dixon in Portland, US
Yours-Truly.net -Caledonia in Scotland
If any others have had the same good experience in connecting and developing friendship in Blogsphere and posted about it, please give me the link in your comment and I’ll update this post with that link from yours!
Update:
Contribution with examples from TorAa:
* Our first meeting with Mrs and Mr Lifecruiser in Sweden.
* TorAa’s person to person meeting with Suzann in St. Paul, USA.
* When my Diane and Tor’s Anna met first time.
Contribution with examples from Mrs. Lifecruiser:
* When Lifecruiser’s did meet Renny and Diane first time.
* When Lifecruiser’s did meet Tor and Anna first time.
This is a really cool, far-out post, man; to go with the tie-dye.
RennyBA
Yea, cool in more than one meaning of the word :)
Wow, that must have been cold lying in the snow like that. It’s a cool -10 C in Oslo today, so I can only imagine there was some warming up afterwards. Nice contrasting colours against the snow though and one has to be a little crazy every now and then! :)
RennyBA
Not cold for Vikings you know – when we are excited at least :-)
These are precious! I’d love a dress like that. :)
RennyBA
That’s exactly how we feel too :)
That is really awesome Renny! I tried doing that as well with a t-shirt and jogging pants. It was really fun. Anyway, through blogging I also met very nice people and of course created a friendship bond with them like you. Thank you for being a friend!
RennyBA
I want to see your self made outfit too – when you come back home to Norway!
Thanks the same Charles!
Those tie-dyed shirts are fabulous! Such wonderful bright colors, and I LOVE the shot of you making a snow angel.
:-) :-) :-)
RennyBA
I do agree and we want to show our appreciation the Norwegian way you know :-) :-) :-)
i am getting the shivers looking at you and diane in the snow only in my t-shirts but it does make me feel warm to see you smiling so big and enjoying them so much. thanks again for my lovely gifts as well. it was such fun to make the swap and i am so glad to have met you and diane this way. :)
RennyBA
You don’t need to worry; Vikings always manage in snowy surroundings you know! Yea; The Swap was fun and then we have met new bloggers and introduced them to our BlogFriendNetworkCommunity :-)
What great shirts! In my youth I wore them all the time. I should get another for when I am enjoying the sun and our lake. I plan to fish this summer with Hubby. I want to enjoy our summer months.
Great Trolls!!
RennyBA
Yea, they are great to wear out in the nature, including fishing trips – we can hardly wait for the summer to enjoy them you know!
Trolls are always Great :lol:
LOL – Love the shirts (in the snow)! We have had lots of lovely experiences with meeting people through blogosphere. I agree it’s a wonderful way to make friends.
RennyBA
I knew you would love it and that you’ve had some great experience too, including made me meet your hubby in Norway. Hope I’ll see you soon here too.
Its too cold!!! You are so strong !!!
Hugs from Ibiza
RennyBA
It’s not and I’m not – just excited ;-)
Tons of hugs back!
Hah! Came here from Lime’s place. I just knew she had to have sent you some tie-dyed items, but wanted to see for myself. They look so good in the snow!
RennyBA
Welcome – always great to see new readers and I can tell you know Lime well :-)
I love the snow angel! :)
RennyBA
Me too – have you made some here in Oslo lately? :)
I notice I missed several of your posts, so I’ll come back as soon as possible to read them all! The tee-shirts are so colorful! I adore them! Noone can miss you both with them in the snow! The snow is so beautiful! and you look to enjoy so much! Have a beautiful week!
RennyBA
I know you are busy, so take your time!
I do agree, and you can’t miss us in the snow with the t-shirts on :-)
Wishing you a great one too!
I came over from Lime, wonderful Trolls and I am envious of your beautiful Tye-Dye!! :)
RennyBA
Welcome Solitaire – always great to say hello to new readers!
I do understand you envy us :)
bhahahahaha… I love your sense of humour!
Indeed…those are “hot” colors… no wonder the snow is melting around you… :-)
Anyway…I hope you don’t get a cold from wandering around like that in the snow!
RennyBA
I knew you would love it blog pal!
Yea: Hot and Vikings don’t catch cold from playing in the snow you know :-)
When I saw the first picture of you and Diane in short sleeves in winter I was wondering…What it the world are they doing. I get it now. How fun and how nice to have friends all around the world. It is indeed fun. I’m glad that I’m on your list. What an honour.
Love the shirts and you two have a terrific day. Big hug to you both. :)
RennyBA
That was exactly the meaning of this pictures too – to have you wondering.
Yea; its fun and nice to have friends all over the world and we are glad to count you in too!
Glad you liked them too and wish you the same :)
I read and enjoy your blog very much. It is a lot of fun to give and receive unexpected gifts but how does one come by the mailing address? I would be shy about posting it and asking ruins the surprise.
By the way, I would love to be on your blog roll, as you are on mine.
RennyBA
Thanks for your encouraging compliment Bill!
It can be difficult (and of course one should be careful before sharing personal addresses), but this time – as you might have red at Michelle’s post – it was planned.
You are on my blog roll now – sorry it took me so long as you for a long time have been a regular visitor.
Dropping in from Lime’s site after she showed off the stuff you sent her. Cool shirts and the pictures of you guys in the snow made me shiver. Best wished from South Carolina.
RennyBA
Thanks for stopping by, its always great to welcome new readers!
From your comment on Lime’s, I could tell you had guessed already and we wanted to show our gratitude in the Norwegian way you know :)
Neat shirts, Renny! I love tie dye stuff. :-)
Hope you have a great week. Enjoy your snow. We’re supposed to get severe storms and then cool off a little again.
Hugs,
Diane
RennyBA
I knew you would like them Diane :-)
Hope so for you too. I know you’ve had some extrema weather lately, so I hope you’ll be okay!
I love the teeshirts!!!
But are you insane … rolling in the snow? Brrrr!
RennyBA
Good!!! Not insane, just a bit childish and excited :lol:
What lovely T-shirts, Renny. Love the frolicking in the snow! Actually I’ve found that being out in snow, if it’s sunny, can be quite warm and I’ve actually taken my snow jacket off and just worn a T-shirt. So, no, I don’t think you’re mad at all. Lol.
RennyBA
Glad you liked them too.
I do agree; being out is always great if you know how to dress properly. Lol
There is nothing like an open dialogue to solve a problem.
I don’t think our leaders want to solve the problems I think they rather want to impose their own views on others and the only way they know how to do it is by use of force.
You are absolutely right. It is up to us to connect and dissipate the misconceptions and the ignorance that have separated us for thousands of years!
Great post!
RennyBA
Well said and I think some leaders show signs of understanding that now. And then of course, its only us – the people – who can make significant change by positive and open dialogues.
Oh you made me feel cold now :O) Lovely T-Shirts though. Sixties all over again!
RennyBA
Come on over and play with us and you’ll be warm and happy :O)
Sixties rules you know!
The shirts look fabulous in the snow!
You could have worn thermals under them you know!
Greetings from India, RennyBA and Diane!
RennyBA
But of course, a perfect back ground!
Thermals are for wimps you know :-) (on the other hand, you obviously remember my saying about right clothes for different weather conditions!)
Thanks for your lovely blogposts from your trip – keep them coming!
Fantastic! :) I love how HAPPY you look and how bright & cheery the shirts look in the snow! (There’s a little something coming your way from me soon too!)
RennyBA
Thanks – I know you would have loved to play with us too! :)
(can hardly wait for another touch of you!)
Those are absolutely FABULOUS. Makes me remember that my older siblings did such shirts back when I was a kid…
Of course I have to agree with that statement and I did dig up two of my posts for you to add to the list:
When Lifecruiser’s did meet Tor and Anna first time:
Bloggers paddle babble
When Lifecruiser’s did meet Renny and Diane first time:
Fab fun birthday party Norway
…and more is to come in August when we’re going to meet Claudie!
I’m really excited over the trip to France and I really hope that you and Diane can join us!
(With some wizardry maybe it will work ;-)
RennyBA
So your siblings was more freek’n out than mine then :lol:
Thanks for your contributions – those were the days!
I really do hope we all can meet at Claudie’s too, but then I need some of your wizardry ;-)
You & Diane are the sweetest bloggers ever and yes we have our shares of connection story too and I am enjoying every minute of it :D
One day, someday I wanna meet both of you too :)
Those may be very hot tees, but you and Diane make a hot couple! Norway is becoming a hot travel destination because of you two! lol….
What great photos to show your appreciation!
And you made me so very jealous of your fun photos in the snow. I’m going to roll in the snow of Norway if I get the chance!! Whoa!!!
I consider myself very lucky to be part of your blogging friends! Someday I plan to join you and Diane in rolling in the Norway snow!
hi Renny, thanks for including me in your link love =)
BTW, nice shirts u got there. You can see a lot of that shirt in the Philippines particularly in Boracay.
Advance Happy Hearts day!
wow!nice pic of you and diane,renny!
wow again!both of you didnt feel any coldness in that thick pile of snow? :)
Tie-Die t-shirts in the winter’s snow of Norway! Now I’ve seen everything, Renny. :D
Another great ode to blogging — I have made a few face-to-face contacts with fellow expat bloggers in my area, and it has always been great. We always end up talking about everything but blogging, too.
Love the tie-dye colors against the snow! Makes me shiver, though.
LOL at the colors melting the snow! You actually met The Lifecruisers? How cool is that ?! I have “met” some wonderful people by blogging…we all talk about different things and live in different places, but our commonality is the documentation of our everyday life.
that’s a real nice picture in contrast to all the white around you :) loved the snow angel too.
yup you are right about building bridges in the blogosphere :) this is one of the good benefits of internet.
This is a bit late, but … Thanks for the link, and … I’M BACK!!!
Yes, I finally got my editing interface fixed after more than 6 months, so I’m back to blogging again!
Hi RennyBa,
I just found this post of yours. How wonderful! What a great story and I love the pictures…is it still snowing my friend? That would stink!