We shed our land legs to sing in cyberspace

I loved seeing Shimon right by the New York Public Library on a cool, clear and sunny day. We met by one of the large stone lions, gate keepers to the books within. He says one is called Liberty and the other Grace, although I could not find their names anywhere.

While waiting I wandered around with a cup of Starbucks in hand. I noticed two fountains on either side of the front of the library entrance. To my left, a marble statue of a nude woman (genitalia covered) sitting on a horse, by one of the fountains - inscription above: Beauty old yet ever new, eternal voice and inward voice. To my right, a nude, bearded man (genitalia covered) seated on a Sphinx, inscription above: But above all things Truth beareth away the victory. Woman of beauty and worded voice. Man of truth and victory. I wondered how it would sound switched around: Man of beauty and worded voice. Woman of truth and victory.

Later we explained to the bank teller that I am his aunt and he my nephew even though I am older than him by two years only. She seemed amazed. I am not sure why: because we were laughing so much or that we behave more like brother and sister than aunt and nephew.

That was yesterday as I ended my two days in the City of cities. The day before I arrived with the life-long partner. He had his conference. For me, there were matters of the blog (heart?) to attend to. I was going to meet two bloggers, both I had met "virtually" these past few months: Ronni and Amba. As some of you already know I am a newcomer to the blog world. In fact, June 3rd is only the fifth month anniversary of In and Out of Confidence. So, as you might imagine, I was pretty excited .

Of course there is so much to say about meeting people you have been reading and writing to quite intimately for months, but who you have not seen, heard or touched. Expectations, biases, photographs matching up or not, voice and accent sounds, height, shape, colors and twinkles in the eyes, not to mention nature of hugs and hand shakes! The unknown becomes a little more known.

As I continue my internal ethnography of the blogosphere and cyberspace I am still intrigued about the dynamic of anonymity, the nature of cyber-distance as being an important part in the mystery of communication. It almost felt like meeting up with members of some kind of heroin addiction support group. We seemed to have secret codes and jargon: technorati, stats counter, crawly amphibians, large mammals or flappy birds and what about watching the graph descend on Saturdays?

In fact, it was a wondrous experience. Generosity and kindness and a genuine sharing of who we are and how we got here. We even talked about our cats, and exchanged gifts! And, yes, food and drink was involved.

I was grateful and thrilled to be able to experience Ronni's home before she makes the move.

The rest I am leaving to your imagination ... it's only fair.

Although I have to say that Amba gives a description of me which I shall surely cherish forever! Listen to how she concludes:

This is the first time I've met a fellow blogger ... and to my relief, the transition to face-to-face is very natural ... The conversation spills over from one channel to the other without a break; it simply continues. There may be exceptions, but on the whole, we're not a bunch of impostors hiding behind verbal masks, or Jekyll/Hydes or werewolves. Silkies, perhaps; were-dolphins who shed our land legs to sing in cyberspace, but that's not such a hairy transformation. [italics mine]

Yes, Amba, yes!

What do you think of Richard's idea of a meme? "In fact this could be a meme if there weren't the little problem of airfare: Describe a fellow blogger based on the blog alone, then meet and see how well your description matches the reality." (Check it out in comments at Amba) To him I reply:

I adore Richard's "meme" idea. In fact, we probably should create a bloggers' fund for such a meme - or, at the very least, for our pod-mates! As "poddess" can I decree such a fund?

Comments

[the narrator]

I've yet to meet a fellow blogger in person, though through my xanga site (the same content - they're "mirrors") I've developed some truly close friendships. It's made all the more powerful because I do not think that there is even one person who actually "knows" me who reads what I write on-line. It's an oddly split world.

[Richard Lawrence Cohen]

Can I be the treasurer for that fund?

[Adriana Bliss]

I've met online friends in person and it really is a fascinating experience. Unless there's intentional deception, people are suprisingly honest online - their self shines through and each person I met was as I expected, plus.

Your trip sounds enlightening!

[Ronni Bennett]

It was a joy to spend an afternoon with you in person, Tamar. I hope we will do more of that.

Meanwhile, as I am going through my daily ups and downs about leaving New York City soon, I can't let Shimon mislead you about two of the great landmarks of MY city: the lions at the library.

They have no official names, but they have been commonly known for many decades as Patience and Fortitude.

[kimbofo]

Oh wow. I recognised the pavement design in your photos as that of the pavement surrounding the NYC public library and neighbouring Bryant Park! I was there last month for the first time and immediately fell in love with Manhattan. Glad you have a
had a nice time.

[Frank Paynter]

I think the friendships we build online are reason enough to pursue this new form.

[Tamar]

Frank: Yes, I agree. I am intrigued about how we build them because, for some of us, we share such personal and important information about ourselves.

kimbofo: Manhattan is like no other. I love the city too. Am amazed you recognize anything in these photos - am not as good with the camera as so many of you!

Ronni: thanks so much for the "correct" names of those gorgeous lions. I was tempted to sit on top of one of them while waiting for Shimon! I hope you and I will do - "more of that" - too.

Adriana: indeed, it is the honesty that I love about blog-friendships - and what intrigues me about it at the same time.

Richard: YES! Definitely.

the narrator: it does become a *split* world in a way. I do have a few non-blogger friends who read me but not with the same interest as one of you. And of course not with the same "commitment." I once wrote about that - a blog becomes a commitment - it has to be nurtured, groomed and cared for!

[Winston]

This entire thread strikes me as being VERY important! But in a way I cannot yet define. I must get back to my place, ponder, and perhaps key a few of my thoughts on the subject, assuming, of course, that my thinking makes some kind of sense. And yet, that requirement has never stopped me before!

[Tamar]

I can't wait to see what you say, Winston.