The internet makes the world even smaller... and explaining... even more awkward

It's another busy week and I'm not in the mood for blogging (it seems so 1992), but this draft was burning a hole in my post cache:

The other night, in my evening painting class, I had a moment of my real life meeting up with my internet life, which in many areas, has also become my real life...

A semi-retired gentleman who is taking my class mentioned that he had attended a boring lecture the other day. I happened to know that a certain blogger was in the area giving a talk, although I doubted it was boring... still, I had to ask.

Me: "So, was it about blah, blah, blah??"

Him: "No... it was about feral cat colonies, but I did have a colleague who attended the talk you mentioned. How did you know about it??"

Me: "A friend of mine was giving one of the talks."

Him: "Really?? Does he know so and so??"

Me: "I'm not sure, I'll text him."

Me: "Yes, he does. He had dinner with him."

Him: "Wow! Now how do you know this person again?"

Me: "He's a friend."

Him: "I know... you said that, but how do you know him? Where did you meet?"

This is the point I dread in almost any conversation I have where I KNOW someone in REAL LIFE, but then have to explain that I met them online... and somehow, it takes a turn for creepy.

I told the gentleman in my class that this person and I belonged to the same creative blogging group... a group that was set up so people could share writing, art, thoughts, etc, in an area outside of work. I didn't tell him that meeting most of these people was totally random. I made it sound like there was some rhyme or reason to it...

It seemed to appease him. Or he sensed that maybe it was better not to ask anymore. Sensing he sensed this, I told him that my ENTIRE family(including dogs) had socialized with this person and some of his kids. That seemed to make it better.

I then thought of times when I've had to explain something else that's been going on in my life... a project I've been working on with someone... someone I never thought I'd have any interaction with, but am so thankful I do. The few times it has come up in conversation, and this person's name comes up, I get the inevitable question... "How did you meet this person?? What brought you together??"

I then get to decide of I tell the truth, that I met this person as a cupcake, or do I tell them, we met through friends... :) Personally, I like the first answer.

Comments

[ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©]

As a cupcake? Perhaps better than "At a furry convention". OR NOT?

I made it sound like there was some rhyme or reason to it...

ahem!
~

[Substance McGravitas]

Cakeys are the MOST perverted.

[Pinko Punko]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

so awesome

[Zombie rotten mcdonald]

You should definitely use the explaining voice....

[fish]

I met him at a salt and adhesives convention.

[blue girl]

lol @ fish. :)

Very awkward for us to have that situation. Our kids probably won't have that same problem in 20 years. Maybe they'll feel awkward telling their internet friends that they *actually* still talk to real live humans!

[Laura Chiaramida]

I don't have a lot of friends in "real life" so whenever I'm talking about someone I know or "a friend" it's usually someone online.
And I know what you mean .. there is a moment when you can see it on the other person's face.. trying to figure out if that's an OK thing. LOL

It wasn't that many years ago that only perverts and weidos hung out online.....
Ummm... hang on.... ;)

((Hugs))
Laura

[Jennifer]

Everyone but BG and Pinko are BANNED... just because.

BG- I know. I keep thinking there will be a tipping point where it's not "bizarre" anymore, or not second rate or something like that. You can mention meeting people in any other number of bizarre ways, and it's OK, if it's in person... but mention that online component and it suddenly seems more nefarious.

[Jennifer]

Oops, Laura sneaked a comment in here while I was commenting. Laura is not banned.

[fish]

definitely a generational thing. I don't think kids blink an eye at saying they met someone online. I knew people in graduate school happily talking about meeting up with people they first met on the Well.
God I'm old.

[zombie rotten mcdonald]

Everyone but BG and Pinko are BANNED.

am I banned AGAIN, or STILL?

I'm making a chart.

Maybe they'll feel awkward telling their internet friends that they *actually* still talk to real live humans!

umm, you guys still talk to live humans?

[Jennifer]

I think it would be STILL, with a refresher...

[ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©]

Laura is not banned.

NO FAIR!
~

[Jennifer]

Tough titties, thundra!

The bats have left me feeling surly and unhinged. So... situation normal.

[ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©]

Surly you jest?
~

[Jennifer]

BANNED!

[Jennifer]

Besides... shouldn't you be spending your time posting new nature pron?? Hmmm??

[ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©]

Well I've been considering getting political.

(AKA, hatin' on Hopey.) I know, that way madness lies.
~

[Laura Chiaramida]

la,la,la.
Just dancing through because I'm NOT banned. ;P

[zombie rotten mcdonald]

I hope I am banned from the US. I think I could live in LEAFS SUCK.

[zombie rotten mcdonald]

thundra, all my politi-hate is focused on the cross-eyed Turdwaffle.

[Jennifer]

I just try to ignore it all anymore. It's less stressful.

[herr doktor bimler]

What are these 'friends' whereof you speak?

[Big Bad Bald Bastard]

This is the point I dread in almost any conversation I have where I KNOW someone in REAL LIFE, but then have to explain that I met them online... and somehow, it takes a turn for creepy.

"I met him in the drunk tank after a night of boozing it up! YOU HAPPY NOW?!?!?"

[Von]

I am not banned. I am blog mothered in. Great post though. I do recall at the bar when we were toasting my dad, when asked who this group was I said "Those people? Well they are my friends" and then I likely walked away to drink cake vodka and talk about embarrassing things

[Jennifer]

LOL @ B^4.

then I likely walked away to drink cake vodka and talk about embarrassing things

Von- It would have been interesting to see how the painting class dealt with me had I chosen this option. :)

[ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©]

ALSO.
~

[Jennifer]

WTF??

[Miss Jane]

Energy is a powerful force... we can feel it, and it permeates every cell of our being. The energy that connects us is larger than the manmade machines that transmit our messages. Kindred souls find one another because we inhabit the same wavelengths... I have exactly 3 friends that I met online... 2 of them appeared at one of my art shows and we immediately laughed and said... you are my Facebook friend!! The other one lives in Chicago!! .. ( EL!! ) or we would have met by now too. Regardless... we are friends in this life. If it really maters... tell them we met in the Mens room!!

[Jennifer]

Yep, I agree. We pick up on the wonderful wavelengths. It all seems so random, but it's not. :)