I finally had the pleasure of meeting up with two fellow bloggers for the first time EVER. And yes. It was awesome!
I sprung out of bed early that fateful Saturday morning with a huge smile on my face and a skip in my step. Then, I cancelled my golf lesson because OMGOSH I was going to meet Kathy from @ JunkDrawer and Valerie from @ PhotoADay!
After a less than harrowing driving experience, I was the first to arrive in the parking lot of the ‘Olive Garden’. As I sat anxiously waiting for the others, I must admit, I felt a tad-bit nervous. I mean yes, I have been reading, commenting, and emailing these ladies for around three years, so I was pretty confident that I would not be coming face to face with any serial killers or axe murderers. But I did have some legitimate trepidations.
What if they didn’t like me? What if I make a fool of myself? What if I sound like a stuttering idiot? What if I didn’t like them? What if we had nothing to talk about? And what if they weren’t how I imagined them to be?
Thankfully, from the moment Kathy showed up and embraced me with a warm hug I was immediately relieved of all my fears. And when Valerie parked her car ‘Like A Glove’ much like ‘Ace Ventura’, I knew I had absolutely nothing to be worried about.
I was very happy to discover both of these smart, funny, and talented ladies genuinely express their real personalities via their blogs. Because they were exactly how I envisioned them to be. And that’s a true testament to their writing styles.
Of course, I absolutely fell ‘In Love’ with them when we ordered lunch and they both wanted extra, extra, extra, extra, grated Parmesan cheese on top of the salad! Because anyone who loves cheese as much as I do, is alright in my book.
During lunch I found out that Kathy has amazingly low cholesterol in-spite of her love for ‘All Things Fried Food’ and she has ‘The Most Fantastic Liver In The Whole Wide World’. I also found out that Valerie really never leaves her house without a camera. And that she has the longest, most beautiful, natural, nails I’ve ever seen!
We talked, we laughed, we shared stories, and we tried to come up with the next best brilliant money making idea like ‘Silly Bandz’. Three very short hours later, we were off to the ‘Bowling Alley’.
Now, I’m going to let ya’ll in a little secret. And one that I wished I had known.
Apparently, Valerie is more than just an avid bowler.
She’s a friggen professional.
You can only imagine the sheer look of surprise on Kathy and my face when we saw Valerie grabbing a suitcase [on wheels] from the trunk of her car. And that suitcase was filled with: a custom made bowling ball, custom made bowling shoes, specifically made for bowling hand powder, and everything else created for ‘All Things Bowling’. It was at that precise moment when Kathy and I knew we were in serious trouble!
Yeah, um… after the very first frame it became quite clear that Kathy and I do not possess any bowling skillz whatsoever!
Most of you already know how I like to bowl, and Kathy is a close second!
Meanwhile, Valerie played much like ‘Roy Munson’ from the movie ‘KingPin’. Yanno, except for the fact that she’s not a traveling salesman, with a drinking problem, and a rubber hand.
During the second game, Kathy and I witnessed the most astonishing maneuver in the history of bowling. [I truly don’t think my description will do any justice, but I’ll give it a shot.] At one point, Valerie literally managed to defy all the laws of physics and gravity when her bowling ball spun out of the gutter, back onto the lane, subsequently knocking down the 7th pin for a spare. It was almost as if her ball suddenly morphed into a heat-seeking-missile and directly hit the target.
Kathy and I sat staring in disbelief with our jaws ajar. Sadly, Valerie had turned her back on the ball assuming it was going to remain in the gutter and missed the whole thing.
Seriously people. What are the chances of THAT ever happening? My guess would have to be slim to none. And now? I will never turn my back on gutter ball ever again!
[Unfortunately I did NOT capture that moment on video. And I could just smack myself in the face for missing an opportunity like that!]
Needless to say, Valerie KICKED OUR ASSESS.
Overall, I had one of the best days this summer while meeting up with these two fabulous ladies.
I would love to do it again!
But next time? I want to take Valerie golfing. At least then I might stand a chance of winning!
[I *heart* the internet and the writer friends I have made as a result of this blog!]
So tell me….
Have any of you ever met up with bloggers in Real Life?
And if so, how did that work out for you?
I've met Becky Harks from Mommy Loves Vodka this year. She and her husband were funny, fun and irreverent. We had a great lunch together. Then this weekend, the lovely Linda Medrano and her husband came to visit. She's doing a two-parter on it on her blog this week and I may write a few words, as well. She's a total charmer, fun and vivacious, and her hubby is the sweetest thing ever. Isn't it fun to meet our blog world friends?
Wow, sounds like a fun day! Great picture of the three of you! The only bloggers I've met are one's I already knew. I have met some people from MySpace way back when people were on that thing. Did Valerie hustle you guys out of any money? LOL!
WE shall meet one day my friend. THIS I promise you. Maybe sooner than you think!! I gotta do the Dirty Jersey tour next spring. My nephew and his wife are expecting so I'll be up there to meet the new bundle of joy and go to the christening. So we'll have to do lunch or golf or something fun!!
And I've met Gia from “A Gia's life” twice now! She is amazing and such a sweetie! And I just got to meet Angelia from “Living, Loving, Laughing…” and her fiance Jason when I went to visit Lauren last month.
I really love my online buddies and to meet them in person has been nothing short of a great experience so far.
Oh, I forgot to mention that Angelia is amazing as well! Loved her and Jason!! Great people!!
I love it! I've met so many hundreds of my online friends and the majority have been awesome.
It is past time for us to visit. Let's make it happen, RLF.
xo Album
It sounds like an AWESOME time! But did you really worry that YOU would have trouble thinking of things to talk about? Not a chance! Glad you had such a great time. I would have loved to get in on that salad with extra, extra, extra cheese, and of COURSE the bowling!
Good times!!!
Oh…what a FAB time you ladies had! The photo of ya'll is awesome!
Charles Angels!
No, I had no idea Val was so great at bowling?!? But looking at that photo of her, you can tell! And had I been there, I would have scored lowest, trust me! I suck at bowling!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful moment, girl!
P.S. Yes, I met one blogger from Philly. And one from France. Both, were great experiences.
Ahahhaha! No Marty! Valerie didn't hustle us!
And when are you going to add KHCC to the 365 crawl!?
I'd LOVE to meet you too!
OMFG! Hellz YES!
I am sooo meeting you next spring when you are here in NJ!
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
🙂
Um yes please!
I am beyond having Leslie withdrawls.
I NEED to see you my RLBFF!
Oh Terri, you would have had a BLAST with us.
I actually thought of you while we were bowling!
Indeed!
Ron, you could NOT have been any worse than me & Kathy!
We really missed you and I was SO sad you couldn't make it!
Next time?
That sounds awesome. I am so glad you guys all got on well. They sound like wonderful people. All the bloggers I have met I knew beforehand too but I plan to hook up with some of my fellow Aussie bloggers very soon. You have convinced me it is a worthwhile thing to do!
Well done! You've managed to do what we'd all like to do with the best of our blogging mates! As for the three of you, what more can I say than, “There goes three wise women.”
Selma, you should TOTALLY do it!
Thanks Peter!
I am so jealous and I am glad that Kathy let you take a picture. There was some heated discussion on Facebook as to whether or not she allowed pictures… 🙂
I was SHOCKED when Kathy allowed Valerie to take her photo too!
Don't be jealous!
You had me at “extra, extra, extra, extra, grated Parmesan cheese”!
I haven't met any other bloggers (yet), except for Nicky and Jepeto, but of course they don't count. Well they do count, but not in the “meeting other bloggers” way.
oh meleah, this made me laugh and you're right, i don't like you, but i love you! it was awesome and fun and you ladies are the best. we should hang out more.
and OMG, no you didn't post that horrible score of 159 up there. i didn't even bowl my weight or crack a 200, but it's been a while since i bowled, but we must do it again.
i want more salad and cheese.
kathy was a great sport with the pictures and well you know we had to beg meleah to get in front of the camera. wink.
I'm more bothered about my bowling score being published (50????) than a picture of me. But I'll get over it!
I'm still marveling at Val's ball's ability to defy gravity and the laws of physics. People, you would not have believed it. Jumped right out of that gutter, I'm telling you!
Like you, I had a really good time, a laugh riot the whole day! I always thought my blog would only extend to the fingertips and eyes of the readers I have. I never thought I'd actually meet any of them face to face, but it is one of the major perks of blogging.
Now can I please have more cheese on my salad?
I'm more bothered about my bowling score being published (50????) than a picture of me. But I'll get over it!
I'm still marveling at Val's ball's ability to defy gravity and the laws of physics. People, you would not have believed it. Jumped right out of that gutter, I'm telling you!
Like you, I had a really good time, a laugh riot the whole day! I always thought my blog would only extend to the fingertips and eyes of the readers I have. I never thought I'd actually meet any of them face to face, but it is one of the major perks of blogging.
Now can I please have more cheese on my salad?
Wait. We're supposed to be in real life?!?!
Man..you can use that kind of response for ANYTHING.
I got to meet Cute Ella and SoLow from 100 MPH and Counting, and it was fabulous ! So glad you had a great time 🙂
I have yet to meet anyone. I am so glad you had a great time!! You bowl like me (LOL)
I knew YOU would love the cheese part!
ahahahahahhaha
Valerie,
OMG, we are SO getting together again!
And I know you only bowled that score because you were taking pity on me &
Kathy!
I wonder if you would ever be able to make the trek to KHCC?
We can golf and I owe you some alcoholic drinks!
I LOVE PICTURES!
Ahahahahhahahahahahahahha
Kathy,
I never imagined I would meet other bloggers in Real Life either!
Nor did I have any idea how AWESOME ya'll would be!
And I will never forget Val's Mad Bowling Skillz!
[Sorry about posting the scores, but it had to be done!]
Cheese! Cheese! Cheese!
Ahahahahahha!
You crack me up Moog!
Thanks Robin!
I was totally jealous when you met up with “Ella”
xoxoxo
I suck ASS at bowling, but that's okay!
It was FUN and that's all that really matters!
🙂
Sounds like you had a great time. I always think about trying to get together with other bloggers but then I remember I don't like people very much and I definitely don't like sitting around and talking to people.
Really? I LOVE talking to people!
Hi Mereb,
How much fun was that! I'm so glad you were able to connect in person with some of your blogging buddies. You look great, btw…
Steph
Steph!!!!!!!!!!
I miss you sofa king much!
Having gone to BlogHer this weekend, I met more than I can remember. I can't list them all because I am sure I would forget someone and give offense. I always worry about meeting people in person since I am much more entertaining when writing than speaking.
I am so upset I didn't sign up in time for BlogHer!
And I am sure you are JUST as entertaining in person!
Oh boy late to the comment party I see ! (I confess I only came after seeing some one arrived to my site via your sidebar)
Valerie was flying ahead of you eh ! I can see why you were not happy about your score ! LOL
I've met with Kathy (her sister and niece) before in Toronto (You know that right) It was fun driving around town and then finally sitting at a fountain and catching up.
I've met many local bloggers from Toronto and Hamilton – most of them active in real life social scene however 🙂
I have yet to meet Drowsey – and know she lives down the road from me. I may even have seen her or bumped into her but who knows !
Oh yea… I didn't get to take her picture either !
But when her niece took out picture – I knew I'd have a copy – and I still do ! 🙂
A “side effect”of GOOD blogging: amazing new friendships 🙂
I need to get my arse to Canada one of these days!
🙂
Indeed!! 🙂
And if and when you do – bring your whole family along 😉
I promise I'll be out before the crawl is over. Is it open all year?