Imaginary friends

Part One

Yoki, TBG, dmd, and Daughter of Yoki

This past weekend, I met some people I have known for several years. We met virtually via the Achenblog, writer Joel Achenbach's blog at the Washington Post.

Joel's blog (We all call him Joel), drew a bunch of funny witty people together, and when a bunch of funny witty intelligent people from all over the world get together, hi-jinks happen. Joel's job is to write the kit, and our job is... Joel may have an entirely different view of what our job is on his blog, but I think it is fair to say that what usually happens is that we go off topic as soon as is humanly possible.

We discuss gardening, home renovations, science, global warming, sports, religion, manfood, other food, politics, the 70s, the 60s. Even though everyone has a different opinion, our friendship and respect for one another, and for Joel, keeps the blog comments section conducive to discussion. Differing opinions are not seen as personal attacks, they are seen as the view from where you stand. It isn't that personal attacks don't happen, rather that when they do, the poster is called on and is held to a community standard of behaviour. The comments self police, and what results, is friendly, respectful, pithy and hilarious commentary.

With our shared blog 'culture', meeting these imaginary friends in the flesh, is like running into old friends and sitting down to have a beer. The Washington locals have been gathering for some time, holding irregular BPH's (Boodle Proching Hour, a blog lore reference) and this time, it was part of the Canadian contingent gathering in Calgary, to meet up with a part of the DC contingent.

The BPH north was hosted by one of our regulars, Yoki (who is a masterful chef) and her family, who accepted us as friends and compatriots. (A general round of applause for Yoki please.)

I'm a little overwhelmed at meeting them all, and my head is still spinning that it was possible to do so. My head is spinning even more at the thought that when I met these people from so far away, it, I could sit down and be instantly comfortable, with none of the usual 'meeting people for the first time' awkwardness.

I have a group of imaginary friends, and they are just grand.