Sunday morning I woke up before the alarm. It was supposed to go off at 4:30 AM. After only three hours of sleepI was awake at 4:10 AM. After a long weekend of Blogher-ing, I had to get ready for my flight that was leaving San Jose at 6:24 AM. Quietly (so as not to wake anyone) I tried to focus on my face so I could actually see and hopefully wash it. Deliriously I put my clothes on. Then, I triple-checked, hugged my two hotel Blogher-hotel-mates, and was one my way. I made it to the airport. Then I promptly met my favorite Blogher attendee at the airport, got on my plane and flew home.

Then by 11:45 PM that Sunday evening, and by some wonderful twist of fate, I found myself hanging out with my new friends Julie, from the NYC, Pete, um, and his wife and my new best friend, Robin.

I think the most fabulous part of all is when I was finally able to meet Julie face-to-face. We met over the internet. Then magically Sunday afternoon found ourselves sitting in my living room. How crazy is that? Crazy cool, that is! Oh internet, you are opening such a completely different and most interesting world to me. Sitting with Julie seemed so natural. It does not hurt that Julie knows many of my friends. Months ago, when she and I discovered how connected we really are, all barriers delightfully (I hope) melted away. In the flesh, Julie is better than I could have ever imagined. And hey, considering this was an online meet, you and I both know that better-than-expected is a very big deal.

Then Julie did what good people do. She generously welcomed me into her amazing world (invited me to a really cool party). I remain in a state of wonderment. Alas, all I can think about these great people I have just met is:

Where have you been all my life?

And then like that, the clock struck twelve and we were dragging our crazed and screaming children out of the Ashdown compound.

Thank you Julie (even though you actually live far far away), you and your gorgeous rockstar friends, make me feel close.