Originally uploaded by Laurie York

The 2009 Blog Awards are just five weeks away. I swore I wouldn’t make any New Year’s Resolutions, but I don’t want to fritter away the opportunity to connect this year as I have done in the past. 2009, for me, is a year of new connections.

I’ve been to two blog awards so far, and met a few good people, but not enough. I hesitate to say that it’s a ‘networking opportunity’, which seems too commercial/clinical, preferring a term along the lines of a ‘community realisation event’, where online acquaintances are rendered real, Pinnochio-like.

So I’m making a list, like a page full of bingo numbers, and I intend to try and tick it off during the night until I have a full house. It’s the Blog Awards Bingo.  For people like me, who arrive at these things alone and leave without saying enough hellos, hopefully it’ll provide people with a means to break the ice.

My own list is comprised mostly of people with whom I’ve communicated online but never met in the flesh, with a smattering of people who I read/respect/enjoy online too.

I’d urge others to do the same, and if anyone out there has a nifty techie/design way of making this happen/making it more fun (Say, natty sponsored bingo cards in the goodie bags on the night?) speak now. And if it’s been done before, apologies. It’s still a good idea.

My non-exhaustive list, in Twitter style, includes but is not limited to: @gavinsblog, @redmum, @lexia, @ TrustTommy, @niallharbison, @mcawilliams, @micheleneylon, @docaoimh, @rymus, @gingerpixel, @SabrinaDent,

If you’re not on it, I’ve already met you or will likely add you later. Right now I have shit to be getting on with.