Neat
You know when you’ve just met a new person and you’re trying to explain to someone else why that person is great. Neat. Awesome. And your words just seem to jumble together? And sound like you’re a ten year old describing the latest video game that just came out? Yeah, that’s sort of how I feel when trying to describe our weekend with Nora, her boyfriend and her dog. It was great. Neat. Awesome.
They woke up at the ass crack of dawn on Saturday morning to make the drive from St. Louis to Chicago. And while Sweets and I had briefly met Nora in St. Louis a few months ago, this trip would be different. Nora was going to stay with us. Hang out with us. Introduce us to the boyfriend and dog who mean so much to her. And I’ll be honest, I was a little nervous.
I mean, no matter how old or young you are, imagine hanging out with someone 10 years your junior. For some of you, that’s hanging out with kids barely in high school. While I adore what Nora writes in print. And adored what I saw of her in the 2 hours we met last June. I was worried that conversation just might run dry. That we’d hear crickets chirping. Not because we’re terrible people. Or boring. But, because we are just in different stages of life. Believe me, I’ve met people where I felt that way.
As I thought about it, though, I realized the people I’ve met whom I’ve felt are at terribly different stages of life from me? Whom I share nothing in common with? Sure, some of them are ten years my junior (or senior). But, some of them are the exact same age as me. And that’s when I shoved off the thought that this weekend would fall flat. I immediately changed my mindset and went with my gut … I knew we’d have a great time.
For those of you who read Nora (and if you don’t, you should!), she’s just as she comes across on her blog. Thoughtful. Genuine. Adorable. Mature. Relaxed. Balanced. Her boyfriend, Irish, is so cute. A very good fit for Nora. He’s social. Smart. Laid back. Ready to jump into this slightly strange situation of driving five hours to spend the night in someone’s home his girlfriend met over the internet. Weird, no? Well, in fact, it wasn’t. Irish was a great addition to the weekend.
And Nora’s dog Jack is just flat out awesome. A black dog with white accents. I’m convinced he’s a border collie, pitt bull mix, though some vets have suggested otherwise. The perfect combination of playful and serious. For much of the weekend, he kept watch, listening for strange sounds. Protecting his keeper. And he got along brilliantly with SoMi. Not quite ready to downright play with her. But, he put up with her nonsense. They had a very amenable parallel existence. And they might have even exchanged a few kisses along the way.
The quick visit included a walk to the neighborhood known as Andersonville, where I’m pretty sure someone stopped Nora to say her dog has small balls (when in fact, her dog has no balls at all – he’s fixed). Welcome to Chicago, Nora. T-shirt shopping. Naps in the afternoon. Nora’s secret family recipe for mostaccioli, which was divine. Wii games. Walks with the dogs. Sleeping in. Big breakfasts, including pumpkin pancakes. And too soon goodbyes.
This weekend was not a lot of flash and dance. But, it was relaxed. Enjoyable. Comfortable. Not nearly enough time to show them the city. But, we’ll take what we can get. And while great, neat and awesome don’t do our time with them justice, you get what I’m saying. It was a lovely visit with friends whom we look forward to seeing again and again and again.
September 28th, 2009 at 7:53 am
This really made me smile. I love that you had a fantastic weekend! I also tend to act like a ten year old whenever I describe a new friend. I think those of us that are still able to get giddy about these kinds of things at any age are the awesome ones!
September 28th, 2009 at 7:55 am
So far everyone I have met through blogging has been wonderful, no matter their age or what we “should” or “should not” have in common because of the different stages of our lives. I’m glad you had such a great experience and such a good time!
September 28th, 2009 at 8:38 am
I am so glad that you had such a wonderful weekend with friends.
I used to worry about age and if there would be anything in common with people who were not around my age. I was so wrong. One of my friends is in her 50s!
September 28th, 2009 at 8:49 am
This makes me happy! I am so glad that you all had a wonderful weekend. I adore Nora and cannot wait to meet her (and you!). I enjoy meeting friends that I’ve met through my blog. I always do get nervous at first, which is silly because if I am meeting them chances are we’ve emailed, texted, spoken on the phone etc but still there is that momement of “I hope we have things to talk about.” Its a unique experience but a completely worthwhile one.
September 28th, 2009 at 8:54 am
I use to worry about age, but came to learn that it doesn’t matter as long as you click with the other person.
Oh and you forgot “rad.” ;)
September 28th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Happy, happy! Good visits are the best!
September 28th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Sounds like a fantastic weekend. Those don’t happen often enough!
September 28th, 2009 at 9:35 am
This sounds absolutely lovely. So glad you had such a great time!
September 28th, 2009 at 9:36 am
im so glad you had such a great weekend! nora seems great!
September 28th, 2009 at 9:51 am
[...] Jack) went to visit Nilsa, Sweets & SoMi this weekend. In a word: INCREDIBLE. In many words: please go read Nilsa’s blog for now until I have more time to write about what an amazing trip it was because seriously it was [...]
September 28th, 2009 at 10:00 am
I am a big believer in the “age is relative” adage. Sometimes, I find that I have more in common with people 10 years older than I am than I do with people my own age.
Sounds like such a great weekend—especially the pumpkin pancakes! Yummmm…
September 28th, 2009 at 10:19 am
I don’t think I can handle all this flattery you’ve got going on in this blog today my dear! We had a lovely time and really did feel rejuvenated after 24 hours with you guys. SoMi is everything I thought she would be. Sweets will forever be engrained in my mind as the guy who loves table tennis on the Wii and has a hankering for pancakes/waffles. And you? You shall remain my Blog Idol (or perhaps now, Life Idol) forever.
Irish and I had a great time and can’t wait to come back for more sometime! You have an open invitation to come visit us anytime.
xoxox
September 28th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
I’ve been meeting a few bloggers recently too, and enjoyed every second. I think through blogging we really get to know someone and that can cross barriers -- whether this is background or age.
September 28th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Sounds like you had a fantastic weekend! (The small balls? Made me laugh.)
September 28th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
what a sweet post about your fabulous friend nora. im going to have to start reading her blog now.
i love blog friends turned real life friends.
September 28th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
My friends range in age from 2 to 82. But I have to admit that it’s a little more stressful hanging out with the young’n'supercool set. My little sister’s always more trendy than me. But that’s life. At least I can always pretend to be wiser.
September 28th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Definitely jealous you got to see Nora :( I love when blog friends become real life friends and you look back at how you guys really did meet and laugh.
September 29th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
What fun! Surprisingly, I have NEVER had conversation run dry with another blogger. I think we all love to talk!