Hey, y'all thought enough of my stupid ass to raise money for my Hurricane McBitch, so that pretty much says it all right there, no?

Y'all did more than some family members, mmmkay???

Due to the Big Apple Blogger Bash of 2004, I met a ton of bloggers, a few of whom I actually consider friends now. Most of my internet forays took place during college on listservs related to bands I liked. I actually drove all over the Northeast with a couple of those guys, though everyone thought I was nuts.

But as a result of my blog? Nothing really.

I'm a "some"? That's it? Geez, for a stalker you're not doing a very good job. ;P

This is sad. I hope you all find real, flesh and blood friends in the real world who don't just rejurgitate your own philosophy and tell you only what you want to hear but actually challenge you to grow both psychologically and emotionally someday.

Yay! I love when people who don't know me make assumptions about me and my life.

Kathleen,
Friends of any sort are formed when people who have something in common reach out to each other, whether it's in person, on the phone, or through the Internet. Friends provide advice, support, laughter, and love.

Torrie seems happy, in writing this post, that she's met such diverse and friendly people through the Internet. I don't think she ever suggested that she doesn't have any "real" friends, as you say. And, I'm not sure how you determined that people who happen to live in other parts of the country or world do not classify as "real flesh and blood".

Now, on to me. Through my blog, I really have not met a lot of good friends yet. I have emailed with a few folks, but not talked to them on the phone or met anyone in person through it, though I would if the opportunity arose. I have one awesome woman who I MUST meet next time we are in the same city - we have neglected to cross paths thus far.

Internet people ARE real flesh and blood - I can testify to this as I met a boyfriend online once who I seriously dated "offline" for years after meeting him. He was definitely real and alive.

I do routinely visit and comment on a lot of blogs, and I have some regular visitors as well who often are kind enough to share their advice or comments on my posts, and occasionally to call me out if I'm being dumb. I hope that as I continue this blogging thing, this trend will continue and evolve.

Aw, I'm a constant source of support!

And Kathleen is a lonely, bitter person. So sad.

Anyway, Torrie, I blove you so very much, and I just *know* you're flesh-and-blood and that I'll meet you someday.

(Oh yeah, I have *plenty* of "real" friends, too.)

In my opinion, blogging just allows you to meet people that you otherwise might not have the chance to meet due to the circumstance of location. Then if you are in the same location (for whatever reason) you can MEET in person. But in the meantime, email, IM'g and talking on the phone can provide friendship. Who says friendship HAS to be face to face?

I don't think blogging replaces real "flesh" & "blood" people or friends, but just adds to them.

Nor do I think most people shut themselves away from their local friends while they look for friends through blogging. That's kind of a stupid assumption on some people's part.

Blogging has helped me make friends when I've been housebound due to babies! and more babies!

And it has also introduced me to people like Kathleen, which sucks.

Because of Blogging I am reminded on a daily basis that even the boring shit can be funny sometimes.

My relationships through blogging are priceless. I have met/talked on the phone/emailed many people...and I love them all.

I miss a bunch that has left us too.

I've met really, really great people via internet and blogging.

Heading on a cruise with one of my bestest girlfriends in May! Met on a board, and now great friends.

It's been fabulous.

Oi!

Am I the loser because I wrote back to Torrie's post, is she the loser because we actually know each other in person, or are you the loser because you need the attention?

I've met 2 bloggers in real life and I adore them - in a couple weeks, I get to meet 10 more, as we are having a ladies weekend! I've talked to almost all of them on the phone and the 2 that I've met have integrated with my friends that I didn't meet via blogging and it's great!!! Sometimes it's hard for me to meet new people, not that I'm lacking in the pal department, but if someone somewhere feels a bit of kinship in reading my crap, then why not strike up a friendship?!?! Communication rocks - no matter how it takes place!

.....does this mean we're just your imaginary friends? i'm a real boy, dammit!

I am so glad we got to talk on the phone, and next time maybe I will be awake when you call and not just laying around in my nightie.

Or maybe I will be... hmmmm.

I wonder, if you have a friend and then they move away and you only get to speak to them on the phone or by email if that somehow makes them less of a friend. Because the people I have met online and talk to who live far away dont feel like less of a friend to me.

But that is probably because I am a sad loser.

With huge freaking boobs.

I, too, am a sad loser, Jessica.

I do not have boobs at all.

But the fiancee says she likes my pecs just fine.

I've met four bloggers (not counting two I knew before I knew them via blogging), and missed meeting two through extenuating circumstances. They weren't strangers; what a great opportunity!

This is what sucks about living in Alaska. I'd love to meet more.

Again with the asstrolls... Is that some fucked up form of flattery (that they bother to comment at all)?

I'm still laughing at Kathleen's post. Does she read this blog at ALL? Torrie has more friends than she can juggle, both on and off-line. Not that I should have to qualify any of this to some pussy who won't leave her email so that I can spam the ever-loving shit out of her. But fret not, dear Kathleen: as Torrie's self-appointed webmaster I have full access to her blog accounts, and that means that I have access to your IP address, which means that I. Can. Find. YOU.

So if you want to tussle, might I suggest that you venture on down to Texas to meet up with one of Torrie's "real, flesh and blood friends"? I'll be waiting! *knuckle crack*

I've also gotten to know many great bloggers. I've only had the honor of meeting two so far, but I now live with one of them :)

BAH! Some people....

Through blogging and the internet in general, I have met GREAT people, some of whom I have met in real life. I have invited people I met through the Net to come meet me in Hong Kong if they are ever in the area.

In this day and age, the internet is just another medium through which to meet people. Does that mean that meeting someone in a dingy, smokey bar is more legitimate than meeting them online? People can misrepresent themselves in person just as easily as they can online.

I have never actually made any friends on the internet. But many people that I know have made extremely close friends through blogging, myspace, etc. Everyone that I communicate with online I know in real life and it is rather boring. You are the first person, I can honestly say, that I have ever communicated with online without previously knowing in person. But to tell the truth, its exhilarating.

yOU and I have nice emails!