meeting old friends for the first time

Last night was special. I got to meet ccm321 for the first time. We've been friends for over ten years now. Both of us insomniacs, staying up way too late with copious infusions of caffeine keeping the sandman at bay. Our chats are always random, and very sporadic. Sometimes days, weeks, months and even years between contact, but when we meet up again, the passing of time proves irrelevant.

I'm fairly shy about meeting people from the net, but when he IM'd me last week and said he and his wife were coming out to Seattle-Vancouver for a week, there was no way I could let cowardice keep me from tackle-hugging him.

I met them at their hotel and tackled Chris. And promptly stomped on his foot. He was very forgiving. We've obviously exchanged pictures, but there are some things that I didn't expect. He's TALL. And he has an unmistakable twinkle in his eye. Full of mischief. And he's a great hugger, foot-stomping and all. And his wife was absolutely adorable. Down to earth and bubbly. She immediately told me he'd been nervous all day. This made me feel better, because I'd been nervous all day, too.

That lasted approximately 2 seconds. Because here was my old friend. I knew him already. And he was every bit as wonderful in person as I've known him to be.

I took them to Cafe Bizarro (where tragically there was no Seth) and they destroyed my plans to buy them dinner by sneaking off and paying the tab. We got along wonderfully and the conversation was terrific, with many broad grins of "OMG we're actually meeting!" exchanged.

It was really wonderful to meet his wife. They're a perfect couple. You could just tell how good they were for each other. That always makes me happy. They both immediately loved Seattle (which just made me love them more) and I know they're going to have a great time here this week.

I feel all kinds of profoundness trying to seep its way out, but I'll resist. It's just amazing the friendships I've made across this here internet thing.

in knots until nov 2

An open letter to George W. Bush points out the dangers of his tax policies. It's worth a read. Be sure to note the shitload (169!) of economic/business professors who signed off on this thing.

Along with the ten billion pictures of Cheney and Edwards circling the net, soundly debunking Cheney's claim that he first met Edwards on the debate stage, "this analysis of his attendance record as president of the Senate is very enlightening. Apparently Edwards has done his Tuesday job as often as he has. Twice. In four years."

Also, apparently "Hillary Clinton has presided over the Senate more often on Tuesdays than Cheney has: 3 times to his 2."

[from nikkinewsnet]