Last night, my life changed.
About five years ago, when I took my first tentative dip into the blog pool, I knew almost nothing about blogging. I didn’t know anyone else that blogged ? in fact, most people I knew had yet to even hear the word “blog.” It was pretty astounding when total strangers started leaving comments about my lists, but that opened the door to a whole new world for me, and I slowly began to make friends across the blogiverse. One of the first was a Washington-based guy named Dave2. He followed a Google link to my list of favorite zombie movies. I followed his comment link back to Blogography and a friendship was born. Over the ensuing years, Dave2 has followed me from blog to blog, even while developing into a world-class blogebrity himself. He’s remained a loyal and supportive friend to me through all my ups and downs, because he’s that kind of guy.
Last night, in the heart of Hollywood, Dave2 and I met for the first time. It was a very, very special moment for me. Not because I was meeting THE Dave of Blogography fame, but because I was meeting a cherished friend. It was good. It was warm and comfortable and sweet. In person, Dave2 is a lovely, lovely man. He is also funny, silly and possibly a tiny bit insane. I mean that in a good way. Actually, I think it’s that he has a strong streak of 10-year-old running through him. There’s a part of Dave2 that will never grow up, with any luck. He’s a charming blend of gentle man and naughty little boy.
I met some new friends last night, too ? several LA bloggers whose day jobs are in the entertainment industry: Catherine, who shocked me speechless with her confession that she has never bowled in her entire life. Kelly, whose pithy description of her “sad life” had our end of the table in hysterics. Foo, who made the valiant sacrifice of drinking only water all night so that she could pour Hilly into her car drive Hilly home safely. Amanda, who not only has the cutest glasses ever, but also told us a real-life ghost story on the stroll back to the parking structure. Liz, who is almost as big a fan of Lemon Drops as Hilly ? and who shared with us the gastronomic glory that is deep-fried mac & cheese balls. Citizen of the Month’s Neil, whose blog I’ve been reading for, like, forever, was also in attendance with his lovely wife, Sophia. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to chat with Carrie or Peggy, because both were only there for part of the evening.
I didn’t bowl, but Bret more than made up for me. Foo kicked some ass on the lanes too ? in fact, I think she had the highest score of the evening. But she did have an unfair advantage, in that she had her own personal bowling shoes (Bret ended up leaving all his stuff in the car). Hilly was more shocked than anyone when she rolled a strike after getting tutored by Bret. And Dave2? He broke 100, which was the third-highest score of the night. However, Lucky Strike Lanes is not about serious bowling. If your score’s important to you, don’t go there.
True to tradition, Dave2 came bearing gifts: lanyards, nametags and buttons for each of us, plus certificates good for free T-shirts from his Artificial Duck store. No wonder he requires RSVPs from attendees to his gatherings ? the guy puts some serious effort into preparing for these things!
The bad news is the wonderful evening came to an end, and Dave2 flew home to Washington this morning. The good news is, he’s already talking about a possible San Davego while he’s here for ComicCon 2008! Mark your calendars, SoCal bloggers.
You can see my complete DaveLA photoset on Flickr (as well as Hilly’s).
Read Hilly’s, Dave2’s, Foo’s and Amanda’s recaps of the evening.
[tags]DaveLA, bloggers meet-up, bowling[/tags]
