Meeting people in person, you have met online

#21 Postby **azskyman** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 11:56 pm

Over the last twenty years, I have met people in person who I then communicated with online. I have met people online who I then communicated with in person. While I have grown to trust that many folks are who they say they are...and have no secret agenda if we were to meet, I hope you would all appreciate the level of caution I will still exercise on your behalf and mine. Public places only, please.

I have brought people together online who have subsequently married, and I have brought people together who have subsequently run to opposite ends of the world to avoid any future contact. I have brought people together who have subsequently stabbed me in the back and left me disheartened, untrusting, and disillusioned.

But the reward has always outweighed the risk.

I believe I could meet many of you at an appropriate venue (I once had an online weather acquaintance from Nebraska stop at our house unannounced and stay for three hours!), but we'll do so the right way.

My family's perception of those who roam the internet is less than stellar. Starting with me.

They expect me to be arrested just about any day for soliciting sex from a minor or manipulating a bank account that isn't mine. They won't be surprised to find a squad in front of the house confiscating the computer...followed by a mug shot of me that will rival the recent great ones of Glen Campbell, Wynona Judd, and Michael Jackson. In their paranoia, they believe Storm2k is a cover for all sorts of illegitimate activities.

I guess that means they don't hold very high regard for the friendships I consider meaningful at Storm2k.

But I love and appreciate them for all that. It is because they care about me, they say. I need to be protected from all the rascals and varments out there in cyberspace.

So, in response to the question. I have not yet met any Storm2k folks, but will surely do that someday. When we meet, our significant others, our families, and others who love us will be holding their breath and ready to dial 9-1-1 for immediate assistance if needed.

The SWAT team will be just around the corner, and if you notice a bead of red light from a laser in the center of your forhead, please understand it is because they love me so much!

Now...that being said, who wants to meet and where?

OtherHD · #22 Postby **OtherHD** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 12:04 am

azskyman wrote:In their paranoia, they believe Storm2k is a cover for all sorts of illegitimate activities.

Who says it isn't? :crazyeyes:

#23 Postby **azskyman** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 12:13 am

OK HD. If my family gets their hand on your reply, they'll surely ground me for a week!

Suzi Q · #24 Postby **Suzi Q** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 12:14 am

I think you're right about your family caring. It's hard for those "outside" our circle to know how we are. When I went to my spotter class the other night, my husband was well aware there would be a S2k'er there and he saw vb's pic before I left, I guess in case he needed to know who to look for, lol. He has grown accustomed to hearing Ticka's name among others frequently and prolly knows as much about some of my closer buddies as I do.

I'm wary of some on here, and completely trusting of alot, which may be stupidity on my part, but neither would I hop on a plane to go see someone that I am not 99.999% sure of. It's a creepy world out there and you're never as safe as you think you are. Bottom line, common sense. If the person you're meeting WON'T give you their last name, address, phone number, next of kin-RUN AWAY. NOW. Don't even think twice.

Oh, and as a funny, don't believe they'll look like the pics in the gallery. VB was not at all like his pic. And I know Ticka has changed as well!

azsnowman · #25 Postby **azsnowman** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 12:27 am

Trust me, you wouldn't WANT to meet ME in public.....you'd NEVER be the same "LOL!"

Dennis

#26 Postby **streetsoldier** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 3:31 am

I am MUCH the same as in my photo...as is Annabelle (she be a ho'), save for a WHITE beard/moustache that I've been cultivating these past few months.

Today, I look less like a "Robert E. Lee" and becoming more akin to an ancient Byzantine icon in visage...I really should submit a NEW photo soon.

#27 Postby **cycloneye** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 8:23 am

Well I would like to meet some of you in person but the problem is that I am in Puerto Rico.Unless some of you make a visit here or I go to the states I may never have that great opportunity but maybe in the future who knows if I meet someone.

#28 Postby **wx247** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 10:29 am

cycloneye wrote:Well I would like to meet some of you in person but the problem is that I am in Puerto Rico.Unless some of you make a visit here or I go to the states I may never have that great opportunity but maybe in the future who knows if I meet someone.

You never know Luis.

GalvestonDuck · #29 Postby **GalvestonDuck** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 11:02 am

I've met a couple of Storm2Kers already. I also met one of my best TX buddies after I signed up on a Yahoo Galveston group (although she and her hubby don't live here, they love visiting and want to move here).

If anyone is in Galveston during the final days of Mardi Gras, and you see someone with a strand of yellow and orange beads with rubber duckies on them, you'd better introduce yourself!

#30 Postby **Stephanie** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 11:40 am

This is a great topic Tom!

Janswizard - great advice!

I haven't met anyone in person that I've met through the boards, though I did talk to one on the phone.

#31 Postby **vbhoutex** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 10:23 pm

GalvestonDuck wrote:I've met a couple of Storm2Kers already. I also met one of my best TX buddies after I signed up on a Yahoo Galveston group (although she and her hubby don't live here, they love visiting and want to move here).

If anyone is in Galveston during the final days of Mardi Gras, and you see someone with a strand of yellow and orange beads with rubber duckies on them, you'd better introduce yourself!

Duckie don't freak if some huge fat guy jumps at you and screams 'DUCK"!!!!!LOLOLOL!!!!! T hat will be me. :lol:

We actually don't have any plans to come down, but one of our daughters best friends lives and teaches there so we have a place to stay, which as you know is almost a must unless you want to stay in traffic for hours on end. I may press for us to go to at least one of the parades as we did on a regular basis in the mid 90's when we had a friends place to stay at in Pirates Beach.

David · #32 Postby **David** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 10:32 pm

Never have, and never will... being as i'm 15, and no one wants to meet someone like me.

Rainband · #33 Postby **Rainband** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 10:43 pm

I have talked to Sandi and Shawn on the phone numerous times

OtherHD · #34 Postby **OtherHD** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 10:45 pm

David wrote:Never have, and never will... being as i'm 15, and no one wants to meet someone like me.

Well maybe if you'd stop being such a DOWNER maybe you'd get a visit or two. Also moving a bit closer to the Gulf coast wouldn't hurt.

Rainband · #35 Postby **Rainband** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 10:49 pm

OtherHD wrote:
David wrote:Never have, and never will... being as i'm 15, and no one wants to meet someone like me.

Well maybe if you'd stop being such a DOWNER maybe you'd get a visit or two. Also moving a bit closer to the Gulf coast wouldn't hurt.

Good point Lyle :wink:

Hey when you come to Miami..we will have to do lunch :wink:

Skywatch_NC · #36 Postby **Skywatch_NC** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 10:56 pm

Too bad I'm not related to Donald Trump...yes, his second oldest son is named Eric...and I could fly around the country and meet EVERYWXONE!!

Eric

ColdFront77 · #37 Postby **ColdFront77** » Mon Feb 16, 2004 1:49 am

Stephanie wrote:This is a great topic Tom!

Janswizard - great advice!

I haven't met anyone in person that I've met through the boards, though I did talk to one on the phone.

Thank you very much, Stephanie.

I can honestly say those that frequent this board with me make me feel more comfortable than from other boards... the more understanding we are of each other, i.e. not shutting each other off, if you will the better our possible meetings will be.

I would consider talking on the phone with S2K members, if we could actually have a conversation, at least somewhat. I prefer my parents to be out for awhile, as I mentioned in another thread.

Skywatch_NC wrote:Too bad I'm not related to Donald Trump...yes, his second oldest son is named Eric...and I could fly around the country and meet EVERYWXONE!!

Eric

Eric, you consider it and I agree it would be great to meet the many wonderful members of Storm2K, but for us, more so, it is easier said than done. :wink:

#38 Postby **wx247** » Mon Feb 16, 2004 10:22 am

David wrote:Never have, and never will... being as i'm 15, and no one wants to meet someone like me.

David... I would like to meet you. Besides... the formal dial-up team should have a reunion.

GalvestonDuck · #39 Postby **GalvestonDuck** » Mon Feb 16, 2004 10:58 am

LOL! I've seen your pic, David (vb). I'd recognize you if you jumped out at me. And then I'd have to throw beads at ya and welcome you to Galveston.

Skywatch_NC · #40 Postby **Skywatch_NC** » Mon Feb 16, 2004 10:59 am

ColdFront77 wrote:
Stephanie wrote:This is a great topic Tom!

Janswizard - great advice!

I haven't met anyone in person that I've met through the boards, though I did talk to one on the phone.

Thank you very much, Stephanie.

I can honestly say those that frequent this board with me make me feel more comfortable than from other boards... the more understanding we are of each other, i.e. not shutting each other off, if you will the better our possible meetings will be.

I would consider talking on the phone with S2K members, if we could actually have a conversation, at least somewhat. I prefer my parents to be out for awhile, as I mentioned in another thread.

Skywatch_NC wrote:Too bad I'm not related to Donald Trump...yes, his second oldest son is named Eric...and I could fly around the country and meet EVERYWXONE!!

Eric

Eric, you consider it and I agree it would be great to meet the many wonderful members of Storm2K, but for us, more so, it is easier said than done.

It's possible if you set your heart and mind to it, Tom.

Meeting people in person, you have met online

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