BLOGMEET

Had my inaugural blogmeet of cowtownbloggers last night. As expected, it was pretty much just me, Mikeintosh, and Rook. Good thing I followed my own advice and made sure there would be at least one other person there that I knew.

God bless Mike of Sublimate (God, ANOTHER ONE) for showing up. He was quiet and reserved but stuck it out with my endless manic yattering in the face of tag-team caffeinated encouragement on Mikeintosh and Joel's part.

Joel (Rook) and Mike (Mikeintosh).

Although not surprising that there weren't that many attendees, it still seems odd to me that this is the way of the world: That attempts at social interaction in any special interest group seem to always attract fewer actual bodies than there are folks who otherwise participate in the group effort.

In this case, blogging. These are all people with something to say, even if only to tell us about their day. Does it follow that they would divest themselves of the virtual trappings of cyberspace and come to meet the other faces behind these words on a screen? Apparently not.

Understand that this is not an accusation of any kind; merely a disappointment for someone who, like me, is intrigued at getting to know the people behind the words.

The evening was very fun, however; I had prepared myself for just doing coffee with Mikeintosh, which would have been fine-- and then Rook showed up. And I need to tell you all right now, the man can keep a conversation going. He is the one you want to invite to your parties. The guy you find in the kitchen discussing anything from Sartre to SpongeBob. He is a Social Coordinator's DREAM.

Oh, yes-- I am the social coordinator for cowtownbloggers. What does that mean? It means I set a time and date and say "Hey, show up." Not too too much effort on my part-- but someone has to do it, and given my fascination with people who share my interests, I'm more than happy to fill the role.

I wasn't too sure what Mike made of all the insanity. Rook, Mikeintosh and I all had the benefit of knowing each other previously; I hope that Mike didn't find it too cliquish. He stayed, though, and occasionally interspersed his quiet, personal thoughts-- and didn't leave until the rest of us did, which to me conveys at the very least a lack of discomfort.

There was one harrowing moment where Rook choked on some tea-- and then blacked out. It was one of those moments-- the freaky kind-- where for a half-second I thought he was joking only to realize to my horror that he was not.

Michael (Agent M) and Mike (Mike).

When you're in your twenties, immortality is taken for granted. Stay up all night drinking caffeine, driving to the Northwest Territories on a whim, abuse your body and mind-- no problem, you bounce back the next day.

Now that most of my peers are in their thirties, the tiny little flashes of the Grim Reaper that appear, burning into the retinas of your mind with images of your red-faced friend slumped forward, chin on his chest, beard matted with drool-- these are moments where you get a glimpse into the chinks in your so-called immortality armour.

Profound insights of this nature can be yours, all by attending an innocuous little blogmeet.

Therefore, I would definitely mark this down as a success-- if only because three out of the four people seemed to DEFINITELY enjoy themselves, with the other person being at least in the "I didn't hate it" category. And hey-- a near-death experience with no lasting consequences other than the momentary loosening of my bladder makes for a well-rounded night out.

And yes, I will do this again. I think once a month is a good amount-- and if more people aren't interested, I at least can have fun with the folks I know, right?

Posted by Agent M at October 15, 2003 11:54 AM