Blog Buddies

I am enjoying reading people's blogs from around the world. The internet can be such an accommodating place if you look in the right areas and have a little sense of naivete. I am naive, but also cynical. I like to take people at their word and they are really who they are presenting. But my cynicism rears its head sometimes, knowing that things are not always as they seem.

...and sometimes that is a good thing!  (Edit: that didn't come out right!!  I am in no way saying that Richard doesn't present himself well on his blog.  Just forget I said anything here...it was meant more as a "and sometimes people are exactly who they present themselves to be".  sigh...I will learn to think one of these days...)

 I had the pleasure of meeting a fellow blogger RichardM Tuesday of last week.  Nov 2 that would be.  He was a little difficult to plan with in that I offered to get together but he was very picky on what days he could go.   Then, he couldn't even decide on where he wanted to go.  Oh wait!!!  That was me!!  Oops...

Here I go, offering to let's go out to dinner.  And the first thing I have to write back is, "I can't do Wednesday.  Well, I might be able to, but won't know until the day of to determine if the shuttle is going to launch that day or not.  If it is expected to launch, I can't make dinner."  It went along in that vein for a few minutes, offering excuses.  Richard nonchalantly offered Tuesday.  Great!

OK...now, where to go.  He then took time out of his conference to locate nearby establishments.  I think we are both so easy-going that anything sounded good to us.  I counter-offered an Irish Pub that is a ways from the hotel and he graciously accepted.  I figured it would be a good chance to get him away from the nearby fare that he was destined to eat the rest of the week.

It is always interesting to meet up with people that you have never met.  Sitting, or standing, there and scrutinizing each face to determine if this is the person that you are supposed to recognize.  Then there is the first awkward recognition and introductions.  But being the blog-o-sphere, we actually know a bit about each other...at least one facet of each other's lives.

We hoof it out to the truck and get on our way.  We begin exchanging stories, me by asking just what in the world is this I2 stuff.  I read up their page, but couldn't understand too much.  He cleared it up quickly.  Then we got into the fact that he is leaving early to go down to Cape Canaveral.  (He did divulge why and I was so excited.  I also wanted to tease y'all mercilessly that I knew but wasn't going to tell.  Alas, I am behind.  :) )  I am glad for his opportunity and wished someday to go too.

Then we talked about the shuttle launch and that it was being delayed.  I knew it would probably launch on Friday, by this time, because weather on Thursday was not conducive.  I promptly smacked him one to let him know my displeasure at his chances of seeing a launch with absolutely no thought of planning involved.  Yet here I had been stressing about logistics for two weeks now!!

He took it in stride. (I hope.  LOL.)

Over dinner he regaled me with some of his history...so much in common and he has done some things in his life that I wish I had done with mine!!  Very interesting!!

Richard, I had great fun getting to meet you and talk in person.  Thank you!!

Trying to anticipate some questions from Bobskoot:

• Nope, didn't take a single picture.
• Nope, he wasn't wearing crocs.  (Neither was I.)
• And for it being a pub, we ordered Diet Coke and water, no libations were consumed.
• Richard did opt for some traditional Bangers and Mash.  I opted for the Fish and Chips.

Later...
Learning the launch was 70% favorable for Friday,  some riding buddies and I worked out a way to ride down there.  My brother was even flying in from CA and renting a bike.  I figured we could try and get together with Richard for dinner.  Alas, the launch was scrubbed.  I opted to split with my group and continue down to meet up with my brother for the weekend.  Since I had been up since 1:30, and on the road since 3:30, I forgot to call Richard about dinner until 7.  My bad.  I'm sorry!!  Dinner is on me next time we get together!

I look forward to having the opportunity to meet every blog-buddy...  Maybe even go riding, on your roads or mine.  :)