Author Topic: From the internet to in person  (Read 6650 times)

Offline Bex

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From the internet to in person
« on: February 18, 2006, 11:56:37 AM »
This is inspired by a question Regullus asked.

I've met a friend I made on the internet on several occasions, and we get along very well and have a good time together. He has had opportunities to meet numerous people in person that were originally internet aquaintances, and they have on the whole been pleasant encounters.

My other encounter with an internet friend was less pleasant, as he failed to recognize that I am happily married and was not interested in running away with him and starting my life over. He did also meet my husband, but just sort of... refused to acknowledge his existence. I no longer speak to this person.

Numerous meetings have gone on between various members of Planet Baldur's Gate, mostly Americans meeting other Americans and Europeans meeting other Europeans (due to financial constraints more than anything). On the whole, they have been successes. About 6 of our Dutch and Belgian members got together for a day last year, and I believe it was a dozen of the Americans who gathered in Las Vegas for a weekend in the fall. There is talk of doing a big meeting again.

I know PPG member meetings have occurred as well and look to have been enjoyable for all parties involved.

So, have you done it? Was it good for you? Would you do it again?

Also, if you are meeting someone you consider a friend, is that inherently more likely to be a successful venture than if you are meeting a potential romantic partner? It seems to me that it would be a lot less stressful.
Silverjon's Journal: a Baldur's Gate fanfic/semi-AAR, by yours truly

Offline Joe

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2006, 01:57:06 PM »
i have only met one internet person in...person and she was my girlfriend for about two and a half years. I'd visit her in the summer and on Christmas break.

Offline Evaine Dian

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2006, 02:01:02 PM »
As I said, I've done it a couple of times. The very first person I met has been my boyfriend for the last 5 years now, so I would say it was good for me.  :)
Due to recent events, I don't know if I should do it again. If so, then I'll definitely make sure that I don't have to stay alone with that person in question and try to keep the meeting short, like only a weekend.
"Show me how you do that trick! The one that makes me scream", she said,
"the one that makes me laugh!" she said and threw her arms around my neck.
"Show me how you do it and I promise you, I promise that
I'll run away with you, I'll run away with you..."

Offline Jon

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2006, 02:18:52 PM »
When I was in middle school I met this girl who lives in Florida. We were friends for a while, after a week I had a huuuuge crush on her (it's okay to say 'huuuuge crush' because we're talking about middle school) and, using my amazing charm and wit, told her, and she told me that she'd been hiding a crush on me for a while, too. We 'went out' for two and a half years, maybe three. Despite being half a country apart, it really was a great relationship, we broke up on very good terms, and are still friends today.

Have any of you ever tried eHarmony? I have, haha. I took the two-hour personality quiz (it proably wasn't really two hours, but it sure felt like it) and I can tell you the TV commercial doesn't lie; It was like reading an exact description of myself.

If you're wondering how I met Stacy (the Lady of Florida), I was just looking for someone to talk to via the Find a Buddy feature on AIM. I actually met quite a few people worth knowing on that thing. It's pretty much impossible now, though.

Love is in the aiiiiir :-*
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Offline Andyr

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2006, 03:11:54 PM »
I've met several other modders/IE-related people. We've all got on pretty well. :) (At least, I think so). It has been a while, though. Perhaps over Easter?

I haven't used the internet as a dating service or anything, though.
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Offline Kulyok

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2006, 03:25:31 PM »
I haven't used the internet as a dating service or anything, though.

No? :)

But there is PROOF...

Quote
<SimDing0> I LOVE YOU ANDYR

Offline Eral

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2006, 03:53:08 PM »
I met an Internet friend, when she came to my city for her work. We really enjoyed it. At first we were both a bit nervous about boring the other, but it was fun. In order to avoid a possible sexual attack, we made the meeting in a public place, with the expectation it would be for a hour or two. And we drank coffee, which also lessened the risk of one or the other of us behaving in an unseemly manner. Then we went and bought some ear-rings for her sister. (Most of the places I like to go for coffee have jewellry shops near them. And shoe shops. It's purely a coincedence. But Mr.FPS strangely becomes nervous when I say I'm going for coffee with a friend.)
« Last Edit: February 18, 2006, 05:12:47 PM by Eral »
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Offline glain

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2006, 04:45:10 PM »
This past year, I took a couple of trips to see in-person friends I've met from PPG and FW, now SHS.  Each trip, one to England/Scotland and the other to Seattle (my old home), has granted me the ability to say that I have made life long friends that I completely adore.  Each has become dear to me and will forever remain that way, even if we don't talk as much as we use too.  (Damn that new job of mine! >:(

I didn't go to make a love connection, just to finally meet the people I had become friends with and who had helped me through some very difficult times.   My family was very against the idea, (so was British customs) and I'll admit I was nervous meeting a few certain individuals, but my fears were for nothing. Everyone was great and had represented themselves exactly as they were in real life.

Course.... I am saddened that I never met Sim.  :'(
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Offline Andyr

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #8 on: February 18, 2006, 05:41:14 PM »
I haven't used the internet as a dating service or anything, though.

No? :)

But there is PROOF...

Quote
<SimDing0> I LOVE YOU ANDYR


I have not yet met the Ding0.
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Offline Evaine Dian

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #9 on: February 18, 2006, 06:29:56 PM »
I haven't used the internet as a dating service or anything, though.

No? :)

But there is PROOF...



Indeed!   Just with another partner. :)
"Show me how you do that trick! The one that makes me scream", she said,
"the one that makes me laugh!" she said and threw her arms around my neck.
"Show me how you do it and I promise you, I promise that
I'll run away with you, I'll run away with you..."

Offline Dark Raven

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #10 on: February 18, 2006, 06:39:01 PM »
Crossing over the threshhold?
Per me si va nella citta dolente.
Per me si va nell eterno dolore.
Per me si va tra la perduta gente...
Lasciate ogni speranza perduta che'entrate!

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Offline Andyr

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #11 on: February 18, 2006, 06:41:06 PM »
I wondered if that one would come back to haunt me...

(Not the best of pictures, but yeah, it was a pretty good day. I think we were all even quite sober then.)
"We are the Gibberlings Three, as merry a band as you ever did see..." - Home of IE mods

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I am unfortunately not often about these days so the best way to get hold of me is via email.

Offline Dark Raven

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #12 on: February 18, 2006, 06:42:09 PM »
So cute.  ;D
Per me si va nella citta dolente.
Per me si va nell eterno dolore.
Per me si va tra la perduta gente...
Lasciate ogni speranza perduta che'entrate!

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Offline fcm

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #13 on: February 18, 2006, 06:42:47 PM »
I met one of my best friends through the intarweb. We've been friends now for about 6 years, even though he's always lived pretty far away from me. There was definitely attraction, but I just couldn't bring myself to start a relationship with someone who I'd never be able to see. It didn't seem fair for either of us. And then I met Justen.

We're still really good friends, though.

Other than that, the only invitations I get to meet prople face-to-face are generally through Myspace, and I know what those guys want -- and I am not biting. No way in hell. Some of them get really explicit, too. I mean, really explicit. I feel bad sometimes. You have to wonder whether someone who begs intenret strangers to  dom them have some kind of deep-rooted psychological disturbance.

So . . . internet meeting = generally scary for Layla.

I do want to meet up with my friend Kat sometime soon, but I know her from an artist community website. Not Myspace. Scary, scary Myspace.
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Offline icelus

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #14 on: February 18, 2006, 06:49:58 PM »
Got me on my knees, beggin' "darlin' please".
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Offline Regullus

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #15 on: February 18, 2006, 07:12:18 PM »
... and I'll admit I was nervous meeting a few certain individuals,

 Corvis?

Offline fcm

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #16 on: February 18, 2006, 07:13:57 PM »
Got me on my knees, beggin' "darlin' please".

I hate that song.  >:(
Imbriglicated!

Offline Dark Raven

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #17 on: February 18, 2006, 07:14:30 PM »
Got me on my knees, beggin' "darlin' please".
Since you're down there.
Per me si va nella citta dolente.
Per me si va nell eterno dolore.
Per me si va tra la perduta gente...
Lasciate ogni speranza perduta che'entrate!

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Offline Joe

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #18 on: February 18, 2006, 07:19:25 PM »

Offline Dark Raven

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #19 on: February 18, 2006, 07:21:32 PM »
Make a gal happy.  :)
Per me si va nella citta dolente.
Per me si va nell eterno dolore.
Per me si va tra la perduta gente...
Lasciate ogni speranza perduta che'entrate!

Chosen of Mystra home to many mods.

Offline Joe

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #20 on: February 18, 2006, 07:24:10 PM »
Well that is the best part.

Offline Dark Raven

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #21 on: February 18, 2006, 07:30:56 PM »
I can't believe I said that. My face is flushed and red now.  :-X
« Last Edit: February 18, 2006, 07:49:37 PM by Blood Raven »
Per me si va nella citta dolente.
Per me si va nell eterno dolore.
Per me si va tra la perduta gente...
Lasciate ogni speranza perduta che'entrate!

Chosen of Mystra home to many mods.

Offline glain

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #22 on: February 18, 2006, 07:45:52 PM »
I wondered if that one would come back to haunt me...

(Not the best of pictures, but yeah, it was a pretty good day. I think we were all even quite sober then.)
Of course we were all sober... wasn't it around noon?  :P 

... and I'll admit I was nervous meeting a few certain individuals,

 Corvis?
Isn't everyone afraid of Corvis?  ;) 
Beware the evil behind the smiling eyes...

Offline Joe

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #23 on: February 18, 2006, 07:51:33 PM »
I can't believe I said that. My face is flushed and red now.  :-X

I refuse to believe you are embarassed.

Offline Dark Raven

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Re: From the internet to in person
« Reply #24 on: February 18, 2006, 07:56:57 PM »
I am. In RL I'm pretty shy and not so forward especially when it comes to some topics.

Per me si va nella citta dolente.
Per me si va nell eterno dolore.
Per me si va tra la perduta gente...
Lasciate ogni speranza perduta che'entrate!

Chosen of Mystra home to many mods.