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 never met any fellow bloggers in real life, and never will, partly because nobody would ever be stupid enough to offer to meet me in person, and partly because I don't want to get my ass kicked at bowling or any other sport.
The three of you look like the queens of the world in that photo. Priceless!
That's a great idea! I know how much you love Tony Bennett!
Yes!! Except it's closed on Mondays!
Thanks Mike!
I think you would be HILARIOUS to meet In Person!
Consider me stupid enough to offer an invitation to meet you!
Much to my dismay, I have not met any of my blogging friends. 🙁 But I will, oh yes, I WILL! And you, sweet thing, will most DEFINITELY be one of the bloggers I meet 🙂
This looks so fun, I was pretty much blogging off in my own little world for the longest time (2 years?) and just started participating in some blogging communities, so maybe one day.
Sounds like a fun time!!! I have not met any fellow bloggers online, but I enjoy reading everyone else's stories 🙂
Nicky!!
OMFG – You and I? HAVE TO get together! We've been separated at birth!
Here's hoping you stay active within the blog community!
🙂
what day is a good day to come to KHCC. my boss said he could give me some clubs he has in his basement. yummy alcohol. i might have to sleep on your front lawn. lol
I'm more bothered about my bowling score being published (50????) than a picture of me. But I'll get over it!
made me laugh. we have to get together with ron soon. maybe october or late september.
I am so freaking jealous!!! I want to meet all three of you!!!! I bet that was a HOOT! I would also love to meet Jennifer and have a good stiff drink with her, with all of Tribal around…. what a great time that would be! You three are all GORGEOUS, btw. I'm jealous! Instead of #blogher10, you were at #olivegarden10!
Ahahahhaah! Okay!
We usually play on Sundays, but I will play ANY DAY!
Yes, even if we have to kidnap him! Must See Ronnie!
It was indeed AWESOME!
And, yeah, we don't need BlogHer to get together!
Oh, Meleah, and I used to respect you for your intelligence. I'm in Colorado, where are you?
Uhmm, Meleah, you might want to pause just for one second and ask yourself why Nicky hasn't met any of her blogging friends. In fact, you might want to know if she's met any of her friends, other than the invisible ones that tell her what to do all the time.
VALERIE! Seriously????? She's one of my 365 buddies on flickr. How cool is that and what a small world. Haven't been bowling in a while but like to remember the days when my mother forced me to learn. I used to be able to rock a 135. Not too bad for someone 13 then, right? I've have met with bloggers too. Great experience. Flew from my little spot in Paradise to Ohio and stayed for a few days, then went to a conference. Okay, so now that I've pretty much written a post, I'll say good night Meleah.
New Jersey! Obviously, I can't be that smart if I like living here!
Im going to let Nicky answer that!
But I swear on all things holy, I will meet that woman one day!
Kellypea!
Yeah, Valerie is SO awesome in real life I cant wait to see her again!
135? Holy smokes. That's GREAT. I cant break 80!
ahahahahhahaha
PS: You know that I love when you write long-winded comments!
BonyMike, I have not met any of my blogging friends because they all live far away, some further than others. Now, as for my friends, I have indeed met them and they are NOT invisible. I can see them clear as day. Just because other people can't doesn't mean they're invisible, it means they're SELECTIVE about who they're friends with. It also means I haven't taken my meds yet. Whatever. I'm still going to meet Meleah!
I'm sure the three of you were not creating any trouble whatsoever. You guys look like you were ready to start something.
I've not had the opportunity to meet up with any blog personalities (maybe it's the restraining order or the minor fact nobody seems to lives nearby) but I hope to run into one or two in my travels someday. You're definitely on my top 5 list of people I'd like to share a beer with (or wine). Any time you can spend time with good friends, is time well spent.
And you can never have too much cheese (or bacon)…
Hell yes you and I will meet one day!
I KNOW! I would *Love* to meet you too!
And we can eat mountains of bacon & cheese with a side of liquor!
I am jealous!
As almost all of my blogging friends are in either America or Canada, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting any bloggers. I'm hoping that someone will come to the UK for a holiday and I'll get to meet up with them. I can at least hope 🙂
You kids have fun.
I'll be here in Colorado, alone, except for my collection of Lord of the Rings figurines.
And I like New Jersey, although I'm not sure why. I think it's because parts of it are close to New York City, the most interesting city in the world.
Okay, let's shoot for a Saturday or Sunday in October. Maybe you can invite some other bloggers and turn it into a blogger bar crawl for a day!
Of course you can hope! Or…
You can always come to the states!~
🙂
That's true. I really don't take advantage of going to NYC often enough.
YES!!! Lets shoot for October 8th because that's my birthday!!
Miss you too, sweetie.
xoxoxoxoxo
Alright, I am extremely competitive and now I absolutely MUST know what Kathy's cholesterol is. I'll throw mine out. At my best (two years ago) I was at 155. Last month I slipped to 171.
What's Kathy's number?
I don't remember her exact number. But mine is 320! So any one UNDER 200 is
awesome in my book!
PS: it's so nice to finally *meet* you!
I’m so glad that you had a great time with 2 of your fellow bloggers. Your social skills apparently have not been affected by past depression. Unfortunately my life seemed to have frozen up in every respect. I can’t seem to get the wheels going in some areas. I mean how does a 50ish woman make real life friends, especially when she doesn’t work. Well, at lest I’m getting out and about more instead of staying home all the time. It’s a step in the right direction.
You, too! I've seen you hangin' with all the cool kids for a while now. It's time for me to jump into the fray. Here I am jumping.
Shit, I have to work that night and I'm all out of vacation days. What about that Saturday or Sunday, we'll make it a birthday weekend!
Sounds like the perfect first meeting…well, except the bowling Kick Ass!
I haven't met up with anyone yet. Still living in the make believe world of the internet. Most of the time I think that's a good thing, although when I hear stories like yours, I pause to wonder. Thanks!
That's a ERY good step in the right direction.
And, you're doing SO MUCH better!
xoxox
Yipppeeee!
We do seem to have the same circle of friends!
It's high time WE get to know each other too!
Sounds AWESOME to me!
You're welcome.
I'm sure there are plenty of crazies running around the internet with us
regular folk, so I wouldn't agree to meet just ANYONE in Real Life!
I've met only one blogger since I started blogging, but I have met some people from a very old social network I was on a few years ago.
Wow sound like so much fun – its so amzind when you meet people and they meet the picture you have i your head of them
And did you have a good time?
It. Was. Awesome!
I just love the way you look over here in that pic. The three of you could have been a band; like the female Rush or The Police! I've met a few local bloggers at tweetups. But I want to meet u 😉