We’ve talked about cicadas on the blog before. However, while reflecting upon my recent BlogPaws experience, it hit me. While I can’t speak for bloggers in general, I think I’ve stumbled upon an interesting discovery: pet bloggers are kind of like cicadas.
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Now, before you get bent out of shape, obviously there are some differences. None of the pet bloggers that I have met are freaky bugs with orange eyes. (If you are an actual cicada who maintains a pet blog, please give me a call. Or an email. I’m not sure which technology you prefer. However, I have so many questions for you. First, what kind of pet does a cicada have? A fruit fly? How do you type? Do you just hop from key to key? How do you want me to pronounce your name? Did you start life as a cicada or was it some sort of Kafka thing? Oh, and sorry for that “freaky” comment. No hard feelings?)
Anyway… appearance aside, there are a few ways in which pet bloggers are like cicadas. As you may know, bloggers in general are often a reclusive breed.
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Let’s be honest here – the relative safety of the computer screen allows many of us to blog about our pets and say things that we might never say in person. The first time I heard that there was a conference just for pet bloggers, I was understandably hesitant to sign up.
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However, much like the cicada emerges from the ground, I recently emerged from the protective glow of my MacBook Pro. Although I’m not on a seventeen-year cycle like this year’s crop of cicadas, it is kind of a cyclical thing for me. Given that I last attended BlogPaws in 2011, my cycle is much shorter than most cicadas, but the concept still kind of fits. (Perhaps I’m more like the dog-day cicada.)
During BlogPaws, pet bloggers from all over gather at the host hotel. (I wonder if the hotel sends a video like this one to its staff in preparation.) We all mill about, trying to adjust to this new situation, and trying to find a group. Some buzz around loudly, while some approach other cicadas – I mean, bloggers – rather tentatively.
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Did you know that some broods of cicadas actually consist of several different species? (All in all, there are thousands of types.) They all emerge together, but they look different and have their own songs. Pet bloggers are kind of like that too. We all emerge together, but there are several different species. You have your dog bloggers, your cat bloggers, your ferret bloggers, and many more. We each have our own style and way of expressing things. We’re all kind of in it together though. After a little while, we’ve all settled into a groove. We might even get a little too comfortable.
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Sadly, our time together is intense but brief. It ends far too soon. Once it’s all over, cicadas don’t leave much lasting damage behind. When pet bloggers leave the hotel after a conference, they generally don’t leave any lasting damage either – just some pet hair and perhaps a paw print or two.
The similarities don’t end there, at least for me. Cicadas like warm weather. I hate being cold. Cicadas like prime numbers. I find a certain charm in them as well. Dogs often view cicadas as a veritable smorgasbord. My dogs view me as the proprietor of a poorly-run all-you-can-eat restaurant. Oh, and I also have large compound eyes.
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Okay, so I guess all I’ve really proven is that I’m like a cicada, rather than proving that about pet bloggers in general. Such is life.
However, you sound less crinkly than a cicada.
BTW, loved the gifs. But I worry that some of your readers who didn’t watch Arrested Development might think this post was like Barry Zuckerkorn leaping over the predator who bit off the fin of the loose seal. 🙂
Pamela recently posted..9 Things I Learned at BlogPaws (that have nothing to do with blogging or social media)
LOL… well played. 🙂
Ha – this cicada got a good laugh out this post! One of my first Blogpaws posts asked the question “What happens at a conference full of introverts?” Answer: Nothing, we’re all hiding in our rooms! But really – I love Blogpaws because it’s a chance to meet other cicadas (I mean bloggers). And given that my blog covers all sorts of topics, I get to hang with the dog people, cat people and even ferret, guinea pig and capybara people. Last year, I finally got to meet another bunny person!
Vicki Cook recently posted..American Humane Association mobilizes Red Star Rescue Team to help Okla. animals
I’m glad that I could provide a chuckle for a fellow cicada. 🙂
I remember your post about the conference full of introverts – that was a good one!
LOL, that’s a pretty good analogy.
Roxy the traveling dog recently posted..Thursday thoughts with Torrey
This was brilliant. And this is why I love you. 🙂
Leslie recently posted..Just got back from BlogPaws and boy, are my arms tired…
Aw, now I’m blushing.
If only I could molt my 20-lb., dried up and overly taut exoskeleton. Because I’m sure I just have a really heavy exoskeleton.
Also, I’ve just developed compassion for cicadas. Thanks, A.J.
Elizabeth K recently posted..Classic Cardigan: I Love Potty Humor and I Can’t Help It
I’ve always assumed that my exoskeleton was far too heavy and that my bones are too dense. That must explain the extra pounds, right?
Also, anyone who could come up with LOLCicadas probably already had some subconcious affinity for the little guys. 🙂
So do you jump from key to key when blogging?
Blog Paws WORE ME OUT. Seriously. Too many introverts in one place. And not nearly enough sleep. And those dang chicks, peeping everywhere I went. I COULDN’T GET AWAY FROM THEM. Did anyone else feel that way? Stupid chicks. I hear they’ll be at next year’s Blog Paws, too.
Flea recently posted..Blog Paws and More
Those stupid adorable chicks… 😉
I’m with you on the sleep thing. I need to hibernate for a while to catch up.
I guess I can see the resemblance, though cicadas give me the heebie jeebies and bloggers, as a whole, do not.
Kirsten recently posted..A little reunion
Well, that’s good to know! 🙂
Well thank God the pet bloggers at BlogPaws didn’t SOUND like Cicadas! They’re so annoying…! But pet bloggers, aren’t! 🙂
Elyse and Riley recently posted..Throwback Thursday–Puppy Time!
True – that would have been a bit much to handle…
I guess it’s a good thing that the bloggers don’t attend conferences with the same frequency as the cicadas emerge from the ground, otherwise the BlogPaws conference wouldn’t be an annual event!
Taryn recently posted..It’s Been A Decade!
BOL! Good point.
Your bugging me! Just kidding!
This was great. Nicely done!
Life In The Dog Lane recently posted..The Dog Lifestyle
Can I just say that your ability to tie Arrested Development into this post makes me want to fly back to DC just so I can hug you again?
Last year I felt very much like a cicada, isolated and reclusive, but this year I think I found my groove. Finding my own breed probably helped that immensely. (As did the drinks. You can find me where the alcohol is.)
Can I also find out when I have I shed this exoskeleton? Is there something I need to do first?? I’m ready to ditch this thing and maybe get a cooler exoskeleton – is there an Iron Man suit available?
Jodi, Kolchak & Felix recently posted..Wasting Away to Nothing
I wouldn’t object if you hopped back on a plane. Just sayin’. If you do fly in, you know where to find me… 😉
Great post!
Dogs N Pawz recently posted..This ‘N That Thankful Thursday: Tornado Alley!
Great post. Even though I hate and fear cicadas. (But love and admire all you fabulous pet bloggers!)
What are the odds you’ll emerge again next year in Vegas? I should finally be able to make that one (which will be both exciting and terrifying since I am also an introvert). I’m going to try to remember when I go that all the other newbie cicadas are just as nervous about emerging as I’ll probably be!
(LOVE the Arrested Development tie-in.)
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I’d love to emerge in Vegas next year, but it’s too early to tell for sure. I hope I can!
I’m totally looking for a way to have red eyes for the next conference! You completely convinced me, and cracked me up!
Interesting comparison. My poor husband, who has lived in Seattle for 10 years, didn’t know we don’t have cicadas here. The only ones I have seen have been virtual (on TV) like most of my interaction with other pet bloggers 🙂
Jessica@YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner recently posted..Post-BlogPaws Depression
Great post! Hmm… now I’ll know what to expect if I ever make it to BlogPaws 😉
Sue at Talking Dogs recently posted..You Can Help Oklahoma! Blogger Disaster Response Network In Action
LOVE this analogy! I’m totally a pet blogging cicada… I feel like my only real networking move is to stand awkwardly near the food/drink area clutching food/drink and smiling nervously. I was so disappointed to miss BlogPaws this year, though, because I sure do love the opportunity to get out of my house once a year to meet other cicadas! 🙂
Maggie recently posted..Etsy for dog lovers
this was an incredibly clever post! Loved it! I didn’t realize that you didn’t go last year either! Wish we had had time to chat!
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