That sounds like a great idea to me.

And I decided I'm no longer all afraid of a picture of me appearing online...or of people in my life finding out I have gone...am going...to a survivors' retreat.

Then again, I am afraid of UNFLATTERING pictures of me showing up somewhere, but it's already too late for that since I'm notoriously unphotogenic!

What I'll do is create a mockup that I'll let you all see, but it won't be "live" (on the general internet)--it'll only be visible to those with the link. So no worries about any content until I get a thumbs-up consensus that it's good stuff. And even then, I can set the settings so it won't show up on Google searches; only those with the direct link will be able to go to it.

That sounds great - and safe. I am not sure I would want my photo on it, if that is ok, but I would be happy to write something to contribute.

I feel like there should be trumpet blasts or something, proclaiming what a BIG HUGE MAJOR DEAL it is that I don't give a flip if retreat pictures of me are up on the Internet. I seem to recall sending a hysterical missive or two to poor Matt, urging him to scrutinize any picture he posted lest it show some stray body part of me and someone view it, asking, "Doesn't that toenail look an awful lot like the pedicure that Rebecca person had once?"

Damn, it's good not to feel so paranoid anymore!

It IS a huge deal, and I didn't want to jinx it by avalanching it! But yeah. that's cool!

Now, to make clear the issue with the proposed content, this would not be a blog on the general web. It would be accessible only by a direct link, so no matter who's pictures are on it, it would still be for people who have already been to the retreat(s), or who plan to go and would like to see more beforehand. Or, on occasion, to share with our many friends here who can't attend the retreat but are still close, trusted friends in this community. So anyone's picture that would be on it (*and I would, of course, respect wishes on that issue anyway) would still be within the community, not up on Google Image Search or something. And no names, except for me and Bill Miller.

Can I have my name on it, if i decided? My name is already in the fb groups and pages and I'm happy to be associated with the event.

Steht - that IS gigantically awesome! I can't play trumpet but a bit of violin and keyboard mark the event :) I am unphotogenic too :( stupid cameras, I blame them. I do much better when I sit for a portrait - we should do that. It's because we're so awesome cameras fail to catch that, but a decent artist can work with our beauty AND our personalities to create something nearer to truth :)

Okay rambling. I love the blog idea. It will also, maybe, prevent the avalanche of bumped retreat posts every year around this time that can make people feel excluded from the group.

I think that it would good. Steht - wow, that is so amazing. I am so proud of you. I am not sure of the picture thing yet, but it might be ok.

StehtFest,

It takes great courage to come out of hiding so to speak and even if you change your mind later on and decide not to go through with it it's still a huge step to even have been in a place to consider it.

Of course you can have your name appear in it if you wish! I have a dummy mockup put together for those who would to see it. There's a link to it as if it's a website, but it's actually a "secret" blog at this point--nobody can see it without getting the link from me. No search engines, in other words. If some of you would like to take a look at this PRELIMINARY kernel of a blog, I'll send you the link. The pictures are just some I pulled together, so some of you may even see a picture of yourself--don't have a panic attack. That does not mean "Matt put a picture of me up on the internet!" It means I put a picture as a placeholder in a template that's not "live" on the internet otherwise.

Folks are invited to let me know how they like the thing, if they hate it, if they specifically want (or don't want) a picture of themselves, if they're fine either way (since, after all, this link won't be a search result in Google or anything). Think of this as a bulletin board for our favorite retreat images that we can share amongst ourselves and with others who are interested in what we do and want to know more.

Are people going to be able to comment on the blog?

Yes, and comments will be moderated.

Which on a blogger blog means that every comment will have to be run by Matt before it is posted - rather than being posted and then looked at. The controls Matt is putting in place makes this even more secure than the Facebook group, which is as safe as it gets on Facebook.

Correct--that's it exactly. It also means I can block the whole thing from being viewed by someone.

The HYPE of this RETREAT SOUNDS AWSOME!!!! Wish I COULD ATTEND!!!

Lucy- - genuinely it is not hype. The retreat really is an amazing experience, which is in fact, 'low key', gentle and genuine (once you get past your nerves). It has been life changing for me and for others here. I did not expect that. I knew it would be a part of my healing journey if I got the courage to fly to OKC, but I genuinely did not expect the depth of change I would experience through attending or the depth of friendships I would make with those I met (I thought they would all be 'brash Americans' - how wrong I was!
It would be great if you could come and it would be lovely to meet you.