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121: We Met, But Did I Ever Say Hello? [blush]

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A Meeting of the Minds

This cross-blog conversation that I’m having with Dawud is taking some windy turns and travels. Have you been riding with us? My last question to him was Do you see a difference between your online relationships and those offline — beyond the obvious physical differences?
Dawud didn’t take a breath before he answered. “Without a doubt!” He remarked on how easily he’s been getting to know virtual strangers in this virtual land. . . .

Then he asked me, What’s the oddest beginning to a relationship that you’ve developed through your blog?

I guess it would have to be the odd start to how I met Chris Brogan. I knew about Chris from the wonderful and insightful, people-person Ms. Becky McCray. One day, I read a post in which Chris talked about how we should extend the conversation to people outside our circle.

That struck a chord.

I picked up the phone to tell him . . . punched his number and waited. I got a message that said something like, “Hi, I often don’t get these messages. If you want to be sure to reach me, send a text message.” I thought it was ironic. The guy who said, “Reach out.” Was out of reach.

I didn’t realize that, he was at a conference at the time.

I figured I should be doing my real work and got back to it. It was April 26. SOBCon 07 was only 16 days away.

In June, Jeff Pulver came to town for a conference and a party. We met in the afternoon for a conversation. He graciously invited me to join his group for dinner. I waited at the restaurant. Jeff came in with another man. The man turned and smiled across the room It was a sharp, clever smile filled with playful mischief.

While Jeff checked on the reservation, the man came over to introduce himself.

“I’m Chris Brogan. You must be Liz.”

“Ah! Chris Brogan! You don’t pick up your voice mail.”

I’m not sure that I ever said a proper “hello.” [blush]

I’ll blame the smile . . . it’s killer.

Who’s the person that you’d like to meet?

Since this is a conversation, if you’re reading this, I’m not just asking Dawud the question, I’d love to hear your answer too, in the comment box below.

PS To Chris Brogan and to everyone, I’ll offer this song, “Hello, I love you. Won’t you tell me your name?”

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

One2One is a cross-blog conversation. Find the answer at dawud miracle on Monday. You can see the entire One-2-One Conversation series on the Successful Series page.
In Case You Missed It: Writing 06-13-07

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Comments

  5. Robert Hruzek says

    Well, there are many folks I’ve met while blogging I’d like to meet.

    For instance, she beat me here, but one of my favorite folks is Joanna Young! We’ve been corresponding, co-posting and co-commenting quite a bit lately.

    Others I’d like to meet are Pete Aldin, GL Hoffman, William Tully, Mike DeWitt and of course my two favorite brain scientists, the good doctors Ellen Weber and Robyn McMaster.

    But why stop there? I have this great idea (see the light bulb?) Why don’t we all meet up, say, once a year at some central location, like Chicago, preferably in the springtime? We could call it, I don’t know, SOBCon or something, and we could invite you to be the host, and…

    Sounds great doesn’t it? 😀

    Reply

  7. jon says

    Yes, that smile of Chris’, I agree. Of course, the first time I met him face to face, after talking for almost a year, he was walking toward me with a camera. and I think I was shooting with my cell.

    If you all keep talking about SOBCon, you might actually get some people to come. Especially if you scheduled it for May sometime.

    Reply

  8. Mark Goodyear says

    The person I’d like to meet… in person, rather than via the net? I’d like to meet Scot McKnight of Jesus Creed. The guy’s religious ideas are intriguing. But more than that… he posts three theological essays per day. I just want to know how he does it.

    I think I may need to reintroduce myself to you and Dawud again. It’s harder to bump into people randomly on the net than it is here in my small town.

    Reply

  10. ME Strauss says

    Hi Mark!
    I think we ought to get together a time to talk . . . which makes me think of the last time we did. That leads to someone we’d both like to meet . . . The American Poet, Robert Bruce!!

    Reply

  11. Mother Earth says

    as synchronicity would have it, you my dear are top on my list

    wendy piersall is second – i have this image that she might talk as fast as she types

    dawud even though we have not gotten totally personal – your picture looks like you’d give a great hug and I bet your kids are positively adorable

    phil because his smile makes my knees all wiggly and I’d love to watch the guy work a room – I bet he’s a pro

    and several of my “green” friends franke james and la maugerite – both of which are far away but speak to my sensibilities

    and I’d also really really like to have lunch with wangaari mathai – just to hear the sing sing of her voice and watch her smile

    gosh I didn’t know my list was so long 🙂

    I didn’t even say all the artists I want to meet – gee

    Mother Earth
    http://www.bestwellnessconsultant.com

    Reply

  13. Alina Popescu says

    Yes, Offline can sometimes be tricky. Who I’d like to meet? Well, first of all, most of those I only know online 🙂 Then all the male singers/actors I like 😀 I think I’d be blushing a lot and I would of course say hello 😛 The only problem is it would be the only word i could mumble…It’s though when you’re drooling all the time, you know 😀

    Reply

  20. ME Strauss says

    Hi April!
    How wonderful that you have so many friends and heroes that you’re worried about forgetting someone. Could be the one that’s a hit is you. 🙂

    Reply

  21. April Groves says

    Liz – you are too good to me…but, alas, I doubt it. The real story is how wide the arms of the blogging community open when I began to fumble my way through it. You don’t ever want to forget people like that – like YOU!

    Reply

  23. Chris Brogan... says

    I’m thankful eternally for meeting you, and for what comes after all the meetings. You’re such a swell person. Without you, I’d have quite a lopsided view of the earth.

    Reply

  24. ME Strauss says

    Ah Mr. Brogan!
    What a pleasure it is to see you on my doorstep. 🙂

    I think you’re the best in the bunch. My world needs a pal like to share my poptarts with. 🙂

    Reply

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