Tootin' the Horn

Huh. I am flattered beyond words at the thought, especially coming from such a cool, cool chick. And if you read the whole thing and look at the company she lumps me in with -- whoa, dude. It's an honor, let me tell you.

I'm also with BabsRN* in that I don't consider my blogging to be schmoozing, per se:

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source

schmooze or schmoose also shmooze (shmōōz) Pronunciation Key v. schmoozed or schmoosed also shmoozed, schmooz·ing or schmoos·ing also shmooz·ing, schmooz·es or schmoos·es also shmooz·es v. intr. To converse casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection. v. tr. To engage in schmoozing with: "how to be a professional artist—how to be a businessperson, how to schmooze the collectors" (Paige Powell). n. The act or an instance of schmoozing. [Yiddish shmuesn, possibly from shmues, a chat, pl. of shmue, rumor, Hebrew šəmû'â, rumor; see šmʕ in Semitic roots.] schmooz'er n., schmooz'y adj.

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Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Then again, maybe it is. I certainly have gained social connections I never would have found any other way through this crazy interweb.

I do believe in reaching out to people who make you laugh, infuriate the hell out of you, make you cry, make you think and make you care.

I don't believe in burning bridges unless it is absolutely necessary. When you do that, you simple can't go back that way again.

I've had the very real pleasure of meeting the following folks, some in person and some in the cybersphere, each of whom set the gold standard for schmoozing in blogland:

Tammi -- This woman schmoozes for a living, and proudly blogs all about. I love a woman with sass and class.

Redneck -- Just look at that post, will you? If that's not schmoozing, I don't know what is! (And I love the hell out of the guy.) (Note -- If you can't see the post, he's put it back on ice. But believe me, he painted a flattering portrait of yours truly.)

Elisson -- Is there a blogger on the planet who doesn't absolutely love the guy? I don't think so. And what's not to love?

Vicki -- Here's a gal who makes friends seemingly effortlessly. One of these days soon she's going to have to make it to Therapy Night. I can't wait.

K -- She gets people to band together to do good stuff, mostly by the sheer force of her sunny (but not cream puff-ish) personality. A true gitt'er done gal.

Miles & Sammy Meezer -- Whether you like cat bloggers or not, you've got to admire the incredible number of friends and admirers these two charmers have made all across the interweb. (The Divine Miss Marilyn insisted I include them, and I've got to live with her, okay?)

Zonker -- I'd be remiss if I didn't include the undisputed King of the Blogmeets. Is there anyone he doesn't know? Anywhere he won't go for a blogmeet? Any blogger he won't raise a glass with? I surely don't think so.

Eric -- Sometimes smartass, sometimes Mr. Mischief, and sometimes the most wonderful guy in the world to have a deep discussion with. Yeah. Just when you think you've got him all figured out, he'll go and get all nice on you. And gentlemanly. And caring. Sheesh.

There you have it. Some, but not all, of my favorite schmoozers. And I love every one of them.
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*Um, BabsRN? I'd really love to meet you at Blogtoberfest. If I can make it all the way from Chicago, surely you can make it from your little corner of Georgia. Then I can thank you in person!
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Update: I really, really should have added Venomous Kate to the above list, and am remedying that mistake right here. Why does she get the award? She doesn't just schmooze -- she bites.