Meeting old (and imaginary) friends
Rendiru Sings the Blues
Originally uploaded by Antof9. Last week, I got to meet someone I feel as if I've known forever. I first met her at BookCrossing and knew I liked her, but I'd say we actually became friends on LiveJournal. Either way, I got to add another person to my "friends" list on BC (quite a while ago, I made my BC Friends list exclusive to those I'd met in person; inspired by thebiblioholic), which made me happy :)
rendiru was in town for a short trip, but made time to attend my book club. There are only so many out-of-town friends you'd invite to a book club, right ...and they're pretty much all BookCrossers. Anyway, not only did she come, but she dug out a copy of our current book (1984), got herself current on it, and participated in BBC! Many days we're more "barely" than "book club", but that week we were all "book club", and it was really fun to introduce the BBC to a BC friend. Yay!
Anyway, after BBC, we headed out West to the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This is my standard default tourist destination, 1. because it's about 8 minutes from my house and 2. because it's amazing.
Personally, I don't think it disappointed, either :) It was a beautiful sunny day, standard-issue Colorado Blue skies, and a clear view of downtown Denver from the top of the amphitheatre. We took a couple shots, Rendi got some of her "opportunistic photographer" shots, and we even helped out a group of girls who wanted pics of their whole group.
On our drive, Rendi was telling me how she wanted to keep her mobile phone handy, so she "pulled a bookczuk". If you don't know what that means, I'm sorry ... 'cause it's funny.
rendiru also introduced me to the joys of lemonade-laced Diet Coke. The thing is that if you prefer Diet Pepsi (which we do) and you're at a Coke establishment, you can usually ask for a lemon or lime wedge and sort of disguise the flavor. However, sometimes you have neither at your disposal. Then a shot of lemonade from the soda fountain in combination with your Diet Coke is the best recourse. And I have to say, I'm a fan! I'll be sharing that knowledge with the world. Thanks!
Anyway, all this to say that there is something very satisfactory about meeting in person someone you only know online and feeling totally and completely at ease with them. I loved being able to just talk and visit with Rendi and not feeling as if I needed to do or say anything of the "introductory" things I might with a new acquantance. Of course, part of that is that she's just fun to be with ...