VOX is the new Oprah
Where do I even begin...
I don't feel like I usually write about what's actually going on in my life. Besides my wedding, and my dad...I don't ever really, just...talk.
Today, I just want to talk with y'all...ya know?
I love Vox like a mother fucker.
It's not about the website.
Sure I love uploading videos, and being able to make my own banner (okay, get my husband to design one for me), it's all of the super neat stuff like that that makes it so easy to use, and love.
However, none of that would matter if the people that power this website were not who they were.
The people who write on this website MAKE IT what it is.
The fact that the kick ass people who make this all possible ACTUALLY CARE and write and share about their own lives is amazing, and even surprising sometimes.
I hate to get mushy, and I think PantsParty said it best: "you tell anyone I wrote such sappy shit and I will cut you."
This place is REAL.
And it's because of that, I have been able to whip out my blogging balls and BE MYSELF.
WRITE like MYSELF....
I was invited here by my friend Liz, that I worked with many moons ago at the Starbucks at the Arden Fair Mall, in Sacramento, California.
Way back then invited my lovely friend Kristen to Vox, who I worked with, not so many moons ago, at a Starbucks in Carmichal, California.
This trip is so positive. It's encouraging, and uplifting, and means more to the two of us than I think anyone could ever comprehend.
It's hard for me to accept successes. To feel good about winning things, or accept the fact that I'm loved or liked, even by friends.
But, Vox...
You are giving me Paris.
PARIS.
A trip around the world...A honeymoon with my husband that we would have never dreamed possible.
Travel has been such a precious topic between Iain and I. From the very begining the thought of seeing the world together was so important to both of us....
"You take the pictures and I'll write the stories!" I'd say.
And we'd laugh and imagine all the places we would go. The adventures we'd have.
All of this before we had even met.
You are giving us this amazing trip, and it will keep us positive, and be a constant reminder about what life is truly about.
Thinkin' outside the bun, ya know?
Not worrying about vacation hours, and needing time off in order to live.
When I think of us seeing places we've never seen before, together.
The Eiffel Tower...Tokyo...
Struggling with languages together and fumbling with our "Conversational French for Annoying American Tourists" and our "Japanese for Europeans Without A Clue" books....
I still can't believe that this has happened to us.
To Kristen...
Iain....
Myself....
Vox. Thank you. Thank you for this.
The power of words is highly underestimated, is it not?
I was in shock for the past 48 hours. I didn't feel like I deserved this. Not just so I could fish for compliments and hear why I really did deserve this...But just, it's so hard for me to wrap my mind around the way my life has changed just in the past year....
And now this?
This amazing community of people, from all over the world, who have so kindly embraced my writing, myself, my husband, and my life.
My thoughts, and my pain, and my life, and opinions...They are all met with such discussion, and with the sharing of stories, or appreciation. Celebration...
And you all have no idea how much you have helped me just WRITE, and be myself...
My wonderful neighbors and friends who take time out of their lives and days to write me emails, and read my posts, and comment...I am OVER WHELMED by your support and love.
For a person who has spent years and years emotionally and mentally beating herself up over and over again...
For someone who is still just grasping the idea that not everything has to be a struggle. That not everything needs to be a negative, uphill climb...
But that sometimes, there are things that are just lovely, and simple, and deserved....
The fact that I can just let go,bask, and experience this opportunity to it's fullest...And allow myself to be lucky, and not feel guilty for my successes and good fortune.
It's indescribable.
And everyone else at Six Apart that has helped plan this....
My gratitude cannot not be measured, or described in words. There are not enough [this is good]s in all of Vox land to describe how honored I am to be given this opportunity...
I think video blogging me chugging a Vox Vodka straight out of the bottle, whilst eating pink cupcakes as I dance around in my Vox T-shirt and screaming "THIS IS GOOOOOODDD!!" may help you grasp how gosh darn excited I am..
But even I have boundaries..
(Which reminds me...My apologies to Mena and Gladys for screaming "HOLY SHIT!!!!" at you, on tape, after I was told the good news! My boundaries apparently don't include swearing during taped phone conversations...)
You are ALL such lovely people.
Anil Dash who wrote such a lovely post on Six Apart's website...Thank you!!!!
After reading that I burst into tears of joy for about 20 minutes. I think reading that really made it sink in for me.
This is amazing.
This ISN'T about Web 2.0 crap or traffic or about popularity.
This is about people. Our lives. Our sorrows. Our joy.
Comfort. Friendship.
And above all else it shows us that we are not alone, really. (Cue Michael Jackson....)
We are all a bunch of nerdy people, sitting in our offices, on our couches, or standing up half naked in our kitchens every morning, just checking in on different people all over the world...
Simply because we care. They make us laugh. They give us support. They make us think.
They INSPIRE.
I seriously hate to be so freakin' cheesy, but Vox has changed my life.
Blogging IS fun again.
And to think it's only been few months...
Here's to you, Voxers, and Voxees.
I love this place.
I believe the universe has a fabulous way of working, and I'm so thankful that I have finally opened up my eyes, and am just enjoying the ride.
Vox...Thank you.
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