DFW Blogs Happy Hour!

So I went to DFW Blogger happy hour last night. It was definitely strange driving over there, wondering what everyone was going to be like. It's been so long since I've gone to hang out with a whole group of strangers. I felt like I was going on a blind date. I had sent email to Leia a couple times, Matt and I IMed, but no real conversation. Ends up everyone was very nice and all had personalities! I know people who aren't in all the internet stuff worry that those of us who are have lost all social skills. Well, this group definitely hasn't! Conversation flowed all evening.

Leia is a web designer who works with Denise. Apparently they work as a team for a small company. Denise does the designing and Leia does the coding. I didn't get to talk to Denise as we were too far apart at the table. But next time. I got the feeling that Denise and Charles are a couple but I didn't get details. Leia struck me as being tall when she got up from the table, but I couldn't tell you how tall. She also seemed a little uncomfortable with the hostess position though she's very friendly. I enjoyed talking with her. Hopefully we'll get to spend more time together in the future. I are always need more women in my life.

It appears that Cheri will be taking over Leia's hostess role. She's extremely outgoing which will serve us well. Cheri is also a web designer but from hearing her talk, I'd say she's done everything else under the sun as well. Cheri is married to Trent aka. Gianni. Don't worry, I'm not just assuming this one - I actually asked. They are a great couple. Both are outgoing but neither dominates the conversation. It seems like they really have a fun, fun time together. I was thinking on the drive home that they are also people I could hang out with again. Being married without children isn't as bad as I think it is. (Being married with children is.)

Amanda is my fellow "young and single" blogger. Actually, I don't know if she's single or not but she didn't bring a husband, girlfriend, or significant other. Amanda just moved to Denton to attend UNT. Exciting stuff...I remember how incredible my first couple of years in college were. You know the cool thing? It only got better...and continues to get better! Amanda is active in organizing Fray Day in Austin.

Pat made it clear in the beginning that he doesn't have a blog. But what he failed to mention is that he does have a site. Kinda made me laugh. Pat came with Lyn (who does have a blog). I didn't talk with Lyn much - again poor table placement. (And I purposely sat in the middle of the table!) Pat is a photographer which was very exciting for me to hear. I saw his page briefly last night but can't seem to open it at work today. But our IT guy came over and confirmed my suspicion that the firewall is being more protective than it should. Hopefully he'll get that fixed soon so I can access the normal things. Pat and Lyn seem to be a couple as well. Didn't ask but am pretty sure they were holding hands.

(God, don't I sound awful with all this couple stuff?! I'm just hyper-aware of it ever since Summer's wedding...I'm tired of being the only single person. Yet not tired enough to settle on some schmuck.)

Mark and Josh came in together and seem to know each other. All I caught was they found out about happy hour last minute and decided to come.

Jason works at Yahoo and reminds me a bit of John (the ex). He was discussing DFW Blogs ideas with Leia from which makes me think he's quite smart. This is simply because he started talking about rather complex ways to do things. Trent popped in with a simpler idea but Jason wouldn't have any of it - something about doing it the hard way. It impressed me that Jason got up from the table to answer his cell phone. Nice to see someone with some manners. I gathered that he's married since he left to go work out with his wife. Looking forward to meeting her one of these days.

Matt brought his girlfriend, Elizabeth? We didn't have a chance to talk but maybe next time. Matt had an interesting story about showing up to work and not being able to get in the building. It's funny how locks get changed when your company doesn't pay rent. Also working there is Chad. Caught the tail end of a hilarious discussion about getting things they needed before the company went under. Something about hard drives... Chad also brought his wife but for the life of me, I can't remember her name. I just remember thinking I wouldn't have guessed them to be a couple. But there's so much in this world that surprises me - I should quit being surprised.

Interesting, interesting. There was already talk of another get together. Hopefully I have enough time before next time to delve a little deeper into people's blogs. That's the fun part about blogs to me, I get to know all sorts of personal information about someone without having to really know them. Maybe the next time we get together we'll all be feeling like old friends.

When I got home last night, Dave gave me shit about actually meeting bloggers in my area. Apparently he had a weird experience with meeting someone in his area. But what he doesn't realize is that he lives in California - there's way more weird, creepy, messed up people there than there are here. I think he's also jealous that my experience turned out better than his. AND that I'm more social than he is. But, he'll be the first to point out my site isn't as popular as his. Oh the blurred lines between reality and internet.