Touch me...
I met all of these amazing people almost two years ago in Memphis. In a couple of days, there were friendships made with people I cannot imagine how I lived without knowing before that time. Even though I didn't even hang out with some of them very much, it has been our pre- and post- internet connections that have made me so fond of them.
I've always believed in face-t0-face connections. I'm a web-based career girl, but I am also a real-world girl.
Still...here I am, nearly two years after brief, but passionate encounters (not passionate 'ga-ga', but passionate 'ra-ra') with a group of people, encountering deep, caring feelings developed over the past two years and online.
There is Renae...she was this fabulous spitfire of a kickass woman who gave me kudos for being my crazy self on the listserve pre-conference and I've loved her ever since (who wouldn't love a sexy woman who gives a compliment?). During the conference, she had alot of stuff going on at work and I was 'el touristo', so we hardly hung out at all. Post-conference, she moved to New Orleans and got a new job and we nearly totally lost touch. Then I post a request for Creative 100 Blogs and Pow! There she is...as fantastic and real and gorgeous as the day I met her. You have to visit her blog: http://reneahenry.blogspot.com/ . I felt instantly connected to her through her amazing posts and the beginning of her very promising novel.
Then there is Charles...what can I say about Charles? I fell for Charles the moment I saw him. He's all charisma and charm and raw passion and conviction and all that. Charles gave me his room number at the conference, but I was too drunk to realize it until the next morning. I think it was partly that unrequited love that initially drove our friendship, but now I have deep down respect and admiration for this man. I've watched his struggle and victories and defeats over the past two years online on his webzine, Newtopia: http://www.newtopiamagazine.net . If I didn't have a man that I love and adore at home and the responsibility of motherhood keeping me here, I would be by his side, whether he liked it or not.
And Steve Fitzpatrick Smith. Now there is a man. I watched Million Dollar Baby and thought about him the entire time. Steve thinks on a different plain than the rest of us...but he resides there calmly. His controlled passion is the sexiest thing I've ever encountered. And his hats...I adore a man in a hat. I also loved what he DID during Memphis. He wasn't there for the square city planning sessions (sorry to those of you who do that important work...I say 'square' with the utmost respect...it's just not my thingy), he was there to raise questions and hell and the roof. It was more important to him to get some good BBQ, a flaming haircut and see the good Reverend Al Green's service. And he did all of that and more. At one point, Richard Florida pulled me aside and asked about the St. Louis oposition and what I knew about Steve Smith...ha! The drama, and Steve just seemed so laid back through all of it. When I grow up, I want to be just like Steve Fitzpatrick Smith...you'll want to be, too: http://stlstreets.com I guarantee it.
Gosh...then there was Jeffrey, from Fort Wayne, and Jannette from Fort Wayne. Jeffrey, if you have a weblog (which I suspect you must), you have to send it to me. Jannette and her posse came and visited me in Toronto. I really hope she decides to relocate here, because she is an inspirational & cool person. And Jeffrey, if you ever read this, I don't know if it was Rayford's Hollywood Disco or the hot Memphis night or the excitement of the entire conference, but that night was so wild and I really enjoyed our time together. ;)
Thayne Muller, you crazy, fantastic individual. Thanks for calling me a goddess. I would love to be a fly on the wall of your life.
Sigh. Rayford's Hollywood Disco. If ever in Memphis, it's a must see. Rayford has gold teeth and great gerry-curls and plays a mean mix of disco, r&b & hip hop. The place is filled with lights and smoke (from a machine) and sex. It's amazing.
There were more, too. People I love hearing from over our googlegroup and will continue to keep in touch with. Even you squares. ;) If everyone was a party person like me, nothing would get done and there would be chaos. Sweet chaos. xo.
1 Comments:
Tara,
It's alwasy nice to leave an impression. I dropped out of the C100 circle to work on my own projects for a while but still keep tabs. FWIW, my personal site is www.nofi.org. My personal blog is sizenuss.blogspot.com and I have a review blog at myanaloglife.blogspot.com. Cheers,
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