I have not seen ANY talk of it yet, nor an I trying to start it.  And I'm writing this truly as hope and prayer that we all (myself included) make the Pitt meetup the best evah !

I could not be more heartfelt and serious when I say this stuff...

 You will notice some of the oldtimers are starting to comment again, and starting to joke again.. (myself included, except my jokes are the ones that are not funny...but i'll keep trying).. We have been friends for awhile, and will most definately have some private jokes.. They are not "PRIVATE" but just experiences we have had in the past that were funny, and we may bring something up that reminds us of a funny time.

Now think to your own lives, we all have friends and families that you have shared experiences with, that  you may feel are "inside jokes" or things you get, that others may not.

So of course, some groups of people here (not just OK meetup people), but meetups from across the country will have their own little "you had to be there jokes"

This does not

Repeat

DOES NOT MEAN A CLIQUE...

 It means to understand the joke, or situation, you had to be there... I wish to God I went to some of the other meetups, as they all have their own little idosyncrasies and inside funny moments.. But alas, we can't all go to all the meetups...

Hell I was AT the damn  OK meetup, and I to this day still don't recall Patty dancing, or Kimmy doing the "driving the bus thing" And I cringe every damn time wondering how I missed it !  Not Fair I tell ya....not fair !!!

I am begging...

I am on my hands and knees... PULEEEASE do not get started on cliques, groups, and why who talks to who ... 

I plan on trying to meet and get to know as many people as I can in Pitts... But of course, there are  some people who I will hang with most of the time, just because they know what a douchebag I am, and for some damn reason,  have accepted me.

 I don't have to "re teach" what a loser I am to these people, haha ... But groups of friends, does not mean they are avoiding others..

Lets be brutally honest.. and you can correct me if I'm wrong:

99% of photographers are introverts... We are TERRIFIED of how people judge our work, and our skills and at the end of the day...

..

maybe ourselves..

Test?  What is the first thing you say to another photographer when you share your work?  Usually something like, "well its not the best, but, or "I didnt have my good lens" or "its not as good as yours, but I'm trying"  etc etc... 

Our very nature as artists, makes it difficult enough to be totally outgoing and putting our personalities out there for all to see..

The best part of the meetups to me, is watching people come out of their shells, (me included) and meeting new people and understanding that we are there for the same goal.

To learn, and have a blast with some amazing people...

So... Please PLEASE PLEASE 

leave all baggage, high school politics, who is cool, who is wierd, and trash talk AT HOME. And come to the meetups with an open mind, a kind heart, and a bottle of Cabo Wabo Tequila for me.

(subliminal message)... (just do it).. 

 I truly worry about this crap, because I just dream of everyone having a good time, and learn and grow..  Negatives are like kryptonite to a meetup.

I hope you all take this post at heart value, and we all rock Pittsburg like it deserves to be rocked..

Gtrman

shut up Ken.

 here we go...

LOL... my secret plan is to infiltrate these cliques and blow them to pieces. Hahahahaha

Seriously, I totally get it.  We all have our own little connection with each other dont we? 

I think its a great thing that for those of us who have met; be it once or twice or more; we have a connection, a bond, or a friendship.  Yet always willing to accept more friends in our lives.   

But take this as a fair warning.   For those of you who I owe a hug.... be prepared.  Its a comin!!!!      Hopefully I wont loose it on you like I did two weeks ago, lol  (how embarassing). 

gtrman:

Lets be brutally honest.. and you can correct me if I'm wrong:

99% of photographers are introverts... We are TERRIFIED of how people judge our work, and our skills and at the end of the day...

..

maybe ourselves..

 

Test?  What is the first thing you say to another photographer when you share your work?  Usually something like, "well its not the best, but, or "I didnt have my good lens" or "its not as good as yours, but I'm trying"  etc etc... 

Our very nature as artists, makes it difficult enough to be totally outgoing and putting our personalities out there for all to see..

 

OMG I thought it was just me that felt this way because I see my work as so much less than others and am seriously quite embarrassed at times to even show it. To be honest I have my OH images on my facebook but am afraid to show them here because I have friends on my facebook that aren't photographers so they think they're great, on here is a whole different ball game, you people are GOOD!

I am constantly amazed at some of the things shared. Sometimes in total humility and sometimes in arrogance. I often wonder how much of that arrogance is real? One night on FB I was having a depressed suffocating night.. I have those frequently and was shocked to see I wasn't the only 1!! Honestly as much as that feeling sucks it makes me feel better to see I am not the only 1 who's a little bit f-ed up sometimes.

I know that after the OH meet-up there were some that liked me even less than before they met me but I sincerely hope I made some lifelong friendships as well. I know I met some people that really touched my heart and I liked them even more after meeting them in person. There is no way we are all going to like everyone, there are just too many differing personalities. I just hope that we can all remember in and out of the meet-ups why we are doing this in the first place, our complete, love and obsession with photography.

Bren:

LOL... my secret plan is to infiltrate these cliques and blow them to pieces. Hahahahaha

Seriously, I totally get it.  We all have our own little connection with each other dont we? 

I think its a great thing that for those of us who have met; be it once or twice or more; we have a connection, a bond, or a friendship.  Yet always willing to accept more friends in our lives.   

But take this as a fair warning.   For those of you who I owe a hug.... be prepared.  Its a comin!!!!      Hopefully I wont loose it on you like I did two weeks ago, lol  (how embarassing). 

I dont see that as a warning ...I see that as a promise.. haha

Gtrman

amen brotha!!!!   This is all about meeting old friends and making new ones and learning a little something along the way. 

I don't believe I've seen any posts that said any one specific was not invited, hell they let me come along, so I would think that anybody else would be welcome too.  So get your reservations made and join in the fun.

 oh for sure.. these things have always been everyone invited, just wanted to give a quick prayer that none of the silly high school crap that briefly appeared in previous years doesn't make the trip this year. Can't wait to see you again David... been a while..

Oh poor Ken... you have never worked in an office that was 90% female have you? lolol

Bren:

I think its a great thing that for those of us who have met; be it once or twice or more; we have a connection, a bond, or a friendship.  Yet always willing to accept more friends in our lives.   

But take this as a fair warning.   For those of you who I owe a hug.... be prepared.  Its a comin!!!!      Hopefully I wont loose it on you like I did two weeks ago, lol  (how embarassing). 

Bren, I can't wait to get another one of your hugs!  It has been too long!

 only in my dreams Chi town...

only in my dreams...

Gtrman

Great post!

I hope to see all the purdy faces that were at last year's meetup (which was my first meetup and I was extremely nervous!) along with all the new faces!!! We are all there for the same reason, lets just have fun!!!

Oh yeah ...... I CANT WAIT!!!!!!!!!

A  Long post By Ken
Boiled down to its core
Enjoy the meetup and please
Don't be an a-whore

And the words that jumped out at me from all of it?   

Cabo Wabo tequila

Amen. :)

I am SO excited to meet all of you...and SO excited to see so many of you again!!!!

I SO mean it.

You do have a way with words!

I have to agree... I plan to come on it and absorb as much as I can in those few days.... yes I am a little quiet and tend to back off, but I am listening, watching, learning.  I don't mean to come off like I don't like anyone, because so far EVERY Mpixer I have met is GREAT!

I have made some good freinds through this forum and to go to a meetup only to come away with silly high school like drama would just be a waste.

and as for the Cabo whatever.... I don't drink so I will be laughing at all you silly fools....so beware~ there could be images to share later!

HAHAHAHA!!!!!!

gtrman:

Hell I was AT the damn  OK meetup, and I to this day still don't recall Patty dancing

gabismom97:

gtrman:

Hell I was AT the damn  OK meetup, and I to this day still don't recall Patty dancing

Because you were drunk singing greenday off key at the firepit! lol lol

I love your singing G...it's hawwwwt...:0)

I'm pretty sure he was right on key- of course I was drunk...... so..........

JanieB:

I am my own clique, nobody is allowed near me if I make it to Pitts. Just kidding...I promise to wear my deodorant in the proper places.

Im hugging you with or without your deodorant... if that ain't true love, I'm not sure what is  :)  CANNOT WAIT TO SEE EVERYONE!

wendiandtravis:

Bren:

I think its a great thing that for those of us who have met; be it once or twice or more; we have a connection, a bond, or a friendship.  Yet always willing to accept more friends in our lives.   

But take this as a fair warning.   For those of you who I owe a hug.... be prepared.  Its a comin!!!!      Hopefully I wont loose it on you like I did two weeks ago, lol  (how embarassing). 

Bren, I can't wait to get another one of your hugs!  It has been too long!

ITA!!!

Mary_K:

I'm trying my best to finagle a way to get there this year.  Last year was awesome as was the other meetup I got to attend in Beckley and if I can be made feel welcome and accepted anyone can.  Not everyone gels with everyone anywhere, but its impossible not to gel with most of these folks anytime.  I hope I get to make it!

I hope you can to Mary!

Bren:

ITA!!!

In The A...WHAT?!  Where's Dave with our acronym decoder!?