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three out of three
You'll never guess what we did last night. No, really, you'll never guess. We had drinky poos with Iowahawk and his lovely wife. The time passed so fast in a alcohol induced haze of chatter that I was a bit shocked to see that the evening had ended. I don't know why, but Mrs McMuffin and I were surprised by how much we liked them. It's a pity that they're American. Well, not so much that they are American, but more it's a pity that they live in America. Well, not so much that they live in America. I'm sure that's a fine place to live, and they do have GWB to ease the pain of not being British. No, it's more that they are so far away. It would be good to get to know them better.
That's three bloggers that we've met over the last few months, and they've all been smart and funny, and the kind of people we could probably be friends with. I am still a bit stunned that we even want to meet in the flesh the people we meet in cyberspace. (As an aside, my therapist said this to me the other day and I nearly laughed in her face. What did happen to cyberspace? It always sounded rather futuristic to me.) I always thought that the people who did that sort of thing were either perverts or just a little bit odd. I don't think I am a pervert, but then who does. I don't think I am that odd either, although, if I was being really truthful, then I would I have to admit that maybe I am ever so slighty odd, in a nice way, of course.
There is a lot of talk about the alienating force of the internet, and I guess at some level Mrs McMuffin and I thought we would probably be observing what goes on from the periphery of normal life. The reality has turned out to be very different. We seem to have used the internet and blogging as a way of making contact with other people and not just in cyberspace (I want to reclaim that word). I guess the relationships we develop online are just as real as any of the others that we have in life, but for me the real satisfaction comes from face to face contact.
By the way, Mrs McMuffin has gone out for the night to some karaoke festival or something. I have a bottle of wine, a fine Merlot, if you're interested, some sushi and Spiderman 2. If you've got nothing to do, why not join me.
mr mcmuffin on 3 Dec 2004 @ 05:20 PM ✲ Permalink
Comments
I've now met two bloggers in person. At first I felt the way you do; it seemed somehow seedy. I don't know why, must be all those stories you hear of fifty year old men seducing 14 year old girls. I've become buddies of sorts with Kathleen, and we see each other every now and then. She's really nice. I know she's the same person she would have been if we originally met in a bookstore, but saying to people, ". . the friend I met online" still elicits an odd look.
Jen and I have been good friends for almost three years now, and we've never met. We chat almost daily and just get along famously. Too bad she lives all the way in Ohio. That's quite a haul for me.
There are a few others with whom I exchange email and snide blog comments. I do consider these valid relationships, but I do agree that a face to face meeting can really solidify a friendship.
It's odd, I've discussed the cyberspace vs. 'meat world' friendships thing before. The line is getting harder to discern all the time. Heck, I'm chatting with you from across the pond! Two years ago I didn't even know who you were. Ain't the internet grand?
Posted by: Dave | 3 Dec 2004 18:17:35
I've met three people from cyberspace (wooo) in the last month. One of which I'll soon be spending a year working side by side with at school. I agree with your assessment of the seedy reputation of meeting in person but, I think the more people you meet and the fact that they are more likely to be the type of person you would have hoped to have found in more conventional ways the more mainstream it shall all become. Besides, I have never understood why if you met someone in a bar and became friends or what-have-you that is considered more 'normal' or accepted than spending weeks and months 'talking' to each other first and then meeting.
A backwards world non?
Spicy tuna roll and a glass for me please.
Posted by: jo | 3 Dec 2004 20:25:50
I completely agree. I've had the pleasure of meeting about five fellow bloggers and it felt like I was meeting long lost relatives (actually better; make that long lost friends). Someday I'll make it across the pond and hope to meet you both and some other favorite UK bloggers.
Posted by: Loretta | 3 Dec 2004 21:44:04
Oh, and I forgot to put in my order: uni, toro and salmon roe. Plus some pino noir. Mmmmmm.
Posted by: dave | 3 Dec 2004 21:59:45
I think someone forgot to extend me an invitation when I was recently in England.
Boo Hoo!
Posted by: Rox | 4 Dec 2004 00:57:19
I'm back. I sang 'Bohemian Rhapsody ' with some work chums-we rocked. Rox, I shall email you to apologise for the oversight, we didn't want to impose.
Posted by: mrs mcmuffin | 4 Dec 2004 01:01:31
Oh, not to worry. I was just taking the piss.
However, the funny thing is that I was going to ask you guys but *I* didn't want to impose.
Oh well!
Yes, next time.
Posted by: Rox | 4 Dec 2004 01:24:35
"That's three bloggers that we've met over the last few months, and they've all been smart and funny": I can soon put an end to that for you.
Posted by: Steve | 6 Dec 2004 10:38:52
We'll take your challenge, any time any place!
Posted by: mr mcmuffin | 6 Dec 2004 18:28:29
A Martini moment!
Posted by: David (TEFL Smiler) | 6 Dec 2004 18:40:46
