Speaking of Bloggers

Looks like Mike, the proprietor of Buffalo Wings & Vodka is closing up his blog.  It's a sad day for all of us. 

I've been reading that blog for a long time, and knew just from the voice that I would like Mike.  Over the years we've exchanged some emails and chatted via instant messenger from time to time.  I've seen his wedding pictures.  We've talked about collaborating on a writing project.  Did we have a conference call with Jeremy, or was it only a three-person chat session?  I can't remember, but in any event, for a person I've never met, I have a pretty strong sense of Mike's personality.  He's in my tribe; we'd be friends if our paths crossed.  I still hope I'll end up wandering through Texas one of these days and we'll be able to have a beer together, and when I do I know it will be easy, and fun.  I believe that somehow this medium can capture a human voice pretty truthfully.

So that brings me to my story.  This fellow, Mr. Next Big Thing, he's a blog reader.  He had his own blog, for a time, and so he was on my radar screen a couple of years ago.  We exchanged emails from time to time, and mix CDs as part of a blogger-music swap back in the fall of 2004.  Turns out we like the same kind of music, and so from time to time after that we would email or comment to one another or even drop something in the mail.  Nice guy, good person.  If our paths ever crossed, I knew I'd enjoy him. 

And then we started communicating more and more, this spring and summer.  It got to be almost daily, and then it got to be several times a day.   He wooed me skillfully, and steadily, and I didn't really recognize it until it was too late.  By the time we spoke on the phone the first time I had a big crush; by the time we hung up I was captivated.  It was absurd; I didn't know what he looked like, beyond the picture he sent for the birthday party, and a couple of others.  And he lives too far away, in a place he loves about as deeply as I love Maine.  But every time I freaked out he was gentle and steady and reassuring, and so the courtship continued, and I got even more ensnared. 

And this weekend he flew to Boston to meet me.  It's the most improbable, irrational, romantic risk either of us has ever taken.  So far, so good.   

Comments

[Nicole]

Oh, I'm so glad you took a risk and had a wonderful weekend. I enjoy reading your blog and I am so happy you found someone interesting to get to know better. Best wishes on the goose-bumps, stomach-churning, overall wonderfully exciting time.

[AdriftAtSea]

Congrats on taking the risk...I wish you happiness and hope the rewards are as great. :D

[The Happy Feminist]

Aaaargh. This is going to torture my voyeuristic side. I could spend mucho time procrastinating by looking at the birthday pictures and trying to figure out which one is Mr. Next Big Thing. My best guess would be the chipmunk, except I think he's married.

Seriously, though, this is greeaaattt. Congratulations and good luck!

[a]

Congrats. Have fun!

[hilllady]

Happy Feminist: Hands off the chipmunk. He's mine, I tell you!

[The Happy Feminist]

Ok, Ok! It's just that there's nothing like a man who is cute, short, and furry.

[Meg]

Good luck. Ties to places are sometimes harder to break than ties to people. But if the person is special enough...

Good luck. :)

[william]

Hooray!

[Jill]

Hooray for risks and adventures like this one!

[Jamie]

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[vitamin d deficiency]

It is easy to see that you are impassioned about your writing. I wish I had got your ability to write. I look forward to more updates and will be returning.