Philly Cheese

You've seen this before at Elinor's place, but it bears repeating.






















Lucky, lucky me.  I had to dig a bit, but I found this old post of mine about Internet friends.  About how we should just drop all the awkwardness of explaining how we've never seen each other face-to-face, but we know each other perhaps better than many of the characters who inhabit our "real lives."  About how in many ways no one really "gets it"- this crafty connection.  And last weekend I had the chance to test my theory as I got to meet ten other bloggers- some of whom I've loved a long, long time, and others who are new to me and instantly dear.  And guess what?  It was like coming home.















Diana, with whom I've shared many a parenting headache and who always leaves me giggling, no matter how much the Biscuit is currently hating his big-boy bed/potty training/me.  Did we miss a beat when we saw each other's faces?  Was it awkward?  Hell, no.  I may have hugged her so hard I broke myself.  I don't think I could break her.  Girl is STRONG.














Megan.  Isn't she beautiful? I got to sleep at her place, right next to a pile of single socks.  She ain't making it up.  That stack is climbin'.  And green!  I shared sleeping quarters with (I'm sorry, it has to be said) the hip Christy and her Tweedy Aran, uber-talented (and in possession of the rockinest boots) Maritza, the aforementioned Elinor with whom I shared the top-shelf experience of waking up to the sound of a crying baby that was NOT MINE, and ECC.  One of my roomies snored.  It wasn't the cat, but that's all I'm sayin'.





















They humored me with a cowl swap.  Then they gave me champagne.
















And I learned a great many things. 
Such as: I need a Canon and a fiddy.  My camera envy was overwhelming.  I took none of the photos in this post.  That should tell you something right there.
Such as:  Minty is one seriously funny, hyperdrive brilliant, excellent person and I'm going to knit all her stuff and watch her Flickr stream like a hawk.  And maybe see her this summer for a burger.
Such as:  Though the general consensus was that we were probably all dorky girls in high school who never got near the popular crowd, my sneaking suspicion is that Pam, Caro, and Diana are exceptions to this rule.  They are just crowd-pleasers, those three.
Such as: Specs should be in charge of the world.  She's quiet as all get-out and lulls you into a false sense of security and then wham! this fabulous sneakattack humor busts out.  I suspect this might work very well with North Korea.  Plus she's blonde and purty.
Such as: I need you knitters around all the time to save me from potential yarn purchase disasters like I almost made at Loop.  One look at the pattern I meant to attempt and all and sundry gave a quick, definitive thumbs down and saved me from myself.  I am ever grateful.  The honesty, the know-how, the been-there-done-that.  Who else but "our people" can do that for us?
Such as:  I am such a fangirl for Ashley that she can get me to drink beet juice.  Ick.  But seriously.  I feel like I'm thirteen again and just left that cute boy from the beach, never to see him again.  Pining.  That's what I'm doing for Ashley.






















I hope I get the chance to meet all of you.  It may just blow my mind, though.  The very idea that you're all real, and as wonderful as you are here on the 'Net?  Lucky, lucky us, right?

Comments

[Ashley]

Then we made our true love vow--wonder what she's doing noooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww?

(PS it should be noted that my juice had no beet. Pam made you drink the beet.)

[Ruth]

Right!

[maryse]

i think what you need is a nikon.

[Elinor]

Very lucky, indeed! Damn, that was a good post. I'm so mad you thought of "Philly Cheese" first! How appropriate. I've been giggling about Philly all week. No finger pointing on the snorer but hey, are you alright? Are you sure?

[Lynn in Tucson]

You have all the luck, Ms. Frick! You're making the rest of us jealous!

[ashpags]

Awww...what a great visit! =)

[pamela wynne]

xoxo

[Kelly]

What a great visit...I'm so jealous! Get ready for a malabrigo meet when I am in the states this summer...we junkies rule!

[turtlegirl76]

Like ships that passed in the night at MDSW, I know that someday you and I will get to meet when it's right. Too many people there to do it right anyway. Only, I don't do beet juice. Will beer or wine work for you?

[Kirsten]

It sounds amazing! What a smart, talented and apparently fun group of knitters you had the joy of hanging out with!!
Your post makes me want to meet each and every one. (Although it would take a huge leap of faith for me to get past the awkwardness thing.)

[Sarah]

What a great time you had - I'm positively pea green with envy! Will you, by chance, be going to Rhinebeck this year?

[earthchick]

What a lovely post. Sounds like such a divine time.

(p.s. So nice to see your *whole* face in a picture!)

[reluctantmango]

So close! I'm just 45 minutes south of Philly in Delaware :) Sounds like you had a great time with a fantastic group of knitters. Look me up next time you're in the area!

[Mandy]

Fun-ness.

[Emily]

Oh, that sounds lovely! Glad you had such a fun time.

[Ingrid]

That's so awesome. I met a couple of bloggers in Montreal and Ottawa a few weeks back, and it was just as you describe. No awkwardness at all -- just like we've known each other forever.

I will admit to being a super-nerdy high schooler too. Although, I had a lot of angst and hated everyone. Maybe it's not such a good idea to give me pointy sticks . . .

[Maritza]

Awesome! It was so much fun! And it was fantastic to finally meet you in person - even though I may have kept you up at night as I think I may have been the snoring roommate - oh noes!!! Hahahahah!!! Hope to see you again soon.

P.S. - I second Maryse's statement. I think you need a Nikon. Just sayin'. ;)

[that girl]

awesome photos. what a fun time!

[Heather]

So glad you all such a great time together, the pictures have been so fun to see. And I know a little something about the Canon envy--I just got one earlier this week and am over the moon! Just take a break from buying yarn for a week or two and you'll have the cash in no time:)

[Daphne]

I won't pretend I'm not jealous, even though I've spent at least a week pretending not to be jealous. I think. It's all in my head... which brings to mind that old saying, "how am I to know what I'm thinking until I see what I say," or in this case, write.

[Abbey]

Go for the Nikon. I have one, it's fabulous. My friend has the Canon and it is equally fabulous I think... ?

internet and 'meat space' friends are fab just the same. It's amazing how close you can get to people even though you never experience them in meat space. (reality) Glad you have a new host of friends...

[Christy / Not Hip]

Fun fun, and
Daphne, be reassured that Stella and I want to a plan a West Coast bloggie meetup.

[Miss Scarlett]

Wow. I am so jealous.
I have never regretted living on the West Coast until now...

[Specs]

Awwww. I am loving these aftermath blog posts. "You're awesome." "No, *you're* awesome AND pretty." "Well, you're awesome and pretty and knit beautiful things." Etc.

We are all going to have such healthy self-esteem if this keeps up.

[diana]

Aww, I'm missing you and everyone like crazy today. You complete me Frick. That's all I'm saying.

And don't listen to those Nikon girls. You need a Canon + fiddy, stat!