I've enjoyed trivia, ever since the Canadian-made Trivial Pursuit went on the market in the early 1980's. We owned the Genus, Baby Boomer and Television editions of the board game, and played them on occasion when friends came by. A game for four usually lasted a couple of entertaining hours. About a decade later, computers came into my home, and since then, I've gravitated to Internet versions of trivia, readily found on most IRC (Internet Relay Chat) servers. As with most online venues (blogs are no exception), I've come to know several people quite well through the typed word alone. A few folks have become close enough to merit the occasional phone call and others stay in near-constant touch by email. A few times, I've lucked out and met some of these people in real life.
My oldest online-turned-real-life friend is Karen. We met almost ten years ago through a newsgroup discussing a book we had both read and loved. If you're curious, the novel was Diana Gabaldon's Outlander (Cross Stitch in the U.K. and many other Commonwealth countries). After just a posting or two, we took our correspondence to email, and became fast friends. We had a lot in common, and a love for trivia was among them, so we often visited a favourite trivia chat room together.
When we first met face-to-face, we both felt a bit uncomfortable. We hadn't exchanged photos, so we only had a vague idea of what the other looked like. We arranged to meet up at a craft show, where we'd each be with another friend. It was a short encounter - just long enough for a cup of coffee and a wish that we had a couple of keyboards between us. It took me a bit of time to reconcile the face of the person that I met that day, with the friend I knew so well online.
Through the years, we've arranged to get together a number of times and have maintained our friendship despite ongoing changes in our respective lives. Emails have dwindled over the last few years, but we always know where to find the other, and when one of us does, it usually generates a flurry of emails, laughs and general silliness.
A few years ago, Dave, a young Australian trivia player was traveling the world, and among his stops was a visit to nearby Toronto. Karen, who lives about 90 minutes from me drove to my place for the occasion. So did Frank, and it was also the first time I met him in person. The four of us spent a nice day chatting, cooking, watching summer Olympics and of course eating. What else do almost-strangers do when they meet? Oh right, we drank too!
That get-together kick-started a few subsequent visits between Frank and me. I checked in on him when he was in the hospital recovering from his heart attack later that year, and a few months after that, he decided to spend a bit of time in my neck of the woods. Our friendship evolved from there and the rest, as they say, is history.
Recently, Frank and I received an email from our longtime, online friend Zia. She was coming to Canada and wanted to see the two of us. Plans were made, dates were settled and a couple of weeks ago, we met our fun and engaging friend whom I had known for over five years (longer for Frank) if only through the typed word and occasional photograph.
She came bearing gifts - among them the world-famous Tim Tams! And yes, they're every bit as yummy as those Aussies (or Oddsies in Frank-speak) say they are! We spent all of Saturday together, enjoying lunch out, attending our local outdoor Southside Shuffle Blues and Jazz Festival and finally back to my place for Frank's famous barbecued back ribs. Unfortunately Frank was suffering from a nasty toothache that day, but toughed it out and enjoyed the time despite the gnawing pain in his jaw. Zia had no trouble keeping us entertained with delightful stories of her travels, family life and career.
From Toronto, she traveled into the United States to visit another mutual online friend and then back home to Australia just a few days before her first grandchild was due to enter the world. We're still anxiously awaiting that news. Except for that nasty old toothache, Frank and I thoroughly enjoyed our time with Zia and I hope she'll visit again if she ever finds herself back to this part of Canada.
No doubt, there are less pleasant incidents of people getting together in the real world after meeting online, but I suspect most would have a fun story or two to tell. I know of two blogging friends that plan to meet up shortly and I'm happy and excited for them. How about you? Have you ever finally met anyone that you've known for awhile online?
Here are a few photos from the Blues and Jazz Festival. Please click on each one to enlarge them.
We arrived at the south end of the city late in the afternoon. The street was closed off to traffic and musicians were set up at intervals along the main drag. Their schedules were well-timed so that as soon as one band went on break, the group directly across from them started up their set. This clarinetist was part of the Dixieland Band seen in the smaller photo at the top.
There was a little bit of Country and Southern Rock.
And even some Rock & Roll as provided by the Tone Dogs.
This couple was a lot of fun to watch. They danced throughout much of the Tone Dogs' set.
If The Captain and Tennille were still performing today, they might look something like this.
This little terrier looked adorable wandering the street, mothering its toy puppy.
A totem pole that appears to be made just for Frank. If you look closely, you'll see that they're all fish.
Moving away from the street, we found some interesting kiosks. This one sold clothing - colourful dresses adorned their racks. 
These exotic-looking masks caught my eye.
And this hat shop sported stacks of sombreros.
Zia thought that Frank would have made a good Rasta, but he just smiled and dodged her suggestion to try on this Dreadlocks-adorned Tam. He knew the camera was taking it all in. 
This rooster basked in the golden sunshine at the end of a lovely day.