I met a fellow BDer!!

[Thinlómien]

Thanks Kath! Continuing...

On Weathertop in Salt Lake City...

Left to right: Agan, Lommy, Nog, Greenie and Morm.

On a famous square whose name I forgot in San Fransisco...

Left to right: Alona, Lari, Greenie, Lommy and Nogrod.

In a park in Oklahoma City...

Left to right: Agan, Nog, Greenie, Lommy, Roa and Craydon

To be continued still...

[Thinlómien]

On a Christian children's summer camp...

Left to right: Nogrod, Greenie, Folwren, Lommy and Agan.

In front of a restaurant...

Left to right: Lommy, Greenie, Nog, Zil and Agan.

Again in a random parking lot (this time in North Carolina)...

Left to right: Lommy, Greenie, Agan, Mnemo and Nog.

One more...

[Thinlómien]

In the central park in NY...

Left to right: Brinn, Agan, Encai, Lommy, Greenie and Nog.

And that's it!

[Aganzir]

Does anybody want to guess what are my two favourite sets of clothes (out of those I had with me)?

Anyway since Lommy has been posting all the meeting photos I should probably go ahead and share a picture of my meeting with The Ka, TGEW and Laurinquë in Washington.

Left to right: Agan, Lauri, Ka, our common crush, TGEW.

[Nogrod]

It seems people tend to make descriptions on people they have met, so I thought of doing one myself as I’m pretty sure the girls will keep you updated with the events of our trip to the US. The people will appear in a loose order of meeting them… (heh, Lommy seems to have beaten me with the same idea… but who cares…)

Brinniel – I really loved her open and shiny personality when she visited us in Finland and without her caring devotion we would have missed a lot of things both in Boston and New York. And even if we had some disagreements in the end, we parted in love (realizing one is going to miss someone for good changes the mood in an instant) and I’m looking forwards to meeting you again. We love you Brinn! You’re special.

Kath – Oh my how I love her – and her delightful British accent (the girls kept using “Reelly-reelly” -phrase for a week after departing from her). You make my day, anyday! Open, fun, hilarious and easy to hang around with. A super-Brit.

Rikae – She doesn’t bring herself to the fore like many Americans do (in contrast to most Europeans) but she is just as loveable and ironic in real-life as in werewolf. Even if she is a bit bossy over Mac I do think they’re a perfect match. I would have loved to have a chance to talk with her more but there were a dozen of people around all the time and so little of the time… (this actually applies to more or less everyone we met in Geneva!)

Macalaure – If there ever was a decent human being, then Mac is one. I reelly-reelly love him: responsible, caring… and fun in his own way. It’s hard to make a difference between the two adjectives, but if Rikae is irony, then Mac is sarcasm… read it as you like.

Boro – A charming guy and a good man. I really appreciated his company and hospitality – and his college-lodging reminded me so much of the times I was in the Uni myself… And really, if this guy is single… with the wits and a general hang of things, what’s wrong with you girls?

Fea – An alpha-female with stress on all the good the term implies: self-confident, funny, friendly, flirty; you name it. Most easy to come by with and always a good company. And hey Fea, I learned driving the auto-gear car in the end! It’s just that one needs to break the habit of trying to pedal the clutch (which is brake in an autogear).

Wilwarin – Of all the people she reminded me of my High School mates (why is that, don’t ask me as I don’t know). A fun and hippie enough personality to my liking. There’s something innocent, cool and impulsive about her I really like. And I do love her smile.

Mirandir – She was one of the loudest people around but still one of those I had the least contact with. She felt very much at home at the company but I never had a chance to know her better. Good laughs, though.

Celuien – One of the most silent Americans I’ve ever met (which is not saying a lot). Also one of the persons I really feel bad not having a chance to talk more with – we have a history of writing the Mead Hall with our characters as close friends and their children as best mates, it would have been so much fun to discuss that, and everything. But maybe the next time?

Nienna - Another quiet person. She reminds me of Lommy’s & Greenie’s mother to an extent it feels creepy. And what goes to Celuien applies to her as well. It would have been great to get to know her better. But I got the feeling that she and Form is a good match indeed…

Bethberry – We met at the Niagara Falls and the first thing that comes to my mind is her concern if I thought Canada was overall like the Canadian side of the Falls (a town turned into an amusement park)… Don’t you worry, I have other sources of information and like Rikae said “who is the place for but the Americans…”. One more person I’d really have liked to know better. Maybe we’ll have the next round-trip in Canada?

Ibrin – The former moderator of the onering.com turned into one of the ‘Downers was just an amazing personality – and most hearty & hospitable. A tornado wrecking the area was no excuse for disallowing visitors. And despite her husband managing to buy a huge HD -tv, she seemed to be in charge of the house – and full of life lived & stories about it. An artist, a composer… a really interesting personality. You miss a lot if you don’t meet her!

Diamond 18 – Heh, the new hairstyle is soo cool and she’s cool anyway. Sadly the Mythbusters took so much of our time together… I was somewhat unhappy the little time we were allowed together. (Same goes to Oddwen) I think we could have made good friends.

Oddwen – A girl every young guy should be wild about! A bit shy but so lovely! I wouldn’t use the term “geek” but some might. Whatever, aren’t we all more or less geeks? Ibrin’s actually the worst what comes to being a nerd… she had her new iPad with her all the time, and all the gadgets they had! (actually they found a US compatible cord to our laptop and so we have nothing but praise for their kindness!)

McCaber – He spoke so fast… and smiled and laughed – and had the coolest convertible (although a Japanese one). I can still hear the ring of his laughter in my ears. And happily he was not the Joe – Jablonsky or whatever – we came up with in the first WalMart…

the phantom – He was so much alike his ‘Downs persona – and so far from it at the same time. Call it a contradiction if you wish. He was really one of the nicest persons I met on the whole tour. Honestly. You may dislike his BD personality (especially the werewolfers) but he is such a great and caring person in real life it just disarms everyone (with the exception of Lommy perhaps?). You’re cool, dude! I really appreciated your company and would love to meet you agin!

Shasta – I mainly knew him through werewolf and we had been more or less annoyed by each other’s playing styles, so it was great to meet him in person which kind of made me totally change my appreciation of him. He’s such fun and in-the-middle-of-things personality! I really wish him all the best in his career as an actor (you have what it takes!) – and heh, we saw “Next to Normal” before you!

Sally – One should have anticipated a person with an overriding sense of humor and caring but what Sally was just quadrupled the expectations! And she woke up early one day to go to the Wal-Mart to buy us a copy of Apples to Apples! (we bought an expansion-pack from NY) Need one say more? Love you Sally!

Mormegil – The girls were downright frightened to meet him but he was a most relaxed guy and a terrific father of a bunch of adorable kids – and we remember his wife with warmth. You all were just so hospitable to us and we really appreciated it! We were even a bit confused about all your apologetics… the time with you guys was great and we have nothing to complain, not even the quietness of the SLC downtown or the size of your house…

Alonariel – If I was twenty years younger and thus twenty kilograms (more or less forty pounds, like I was) less than I am, I would really had a crush on her and would have done all to get her as my girlfriend! Happily / unhappily those conditions do not apply and I will just say she was a really pleasant person I felt very easy to get on with… They sing about leaving your heart to San Francisco… it kind of makes sense, with the city itself as well.

Lariren Shadow – Nice, cool and fun to meet with. In some odd (sic!) way she reminded me of Oddwen. One of the persons I feel more time would really have made a difference!

Roa Aoife - Another one I think most ‘Downers are afraid of turned out to be a really sweet personality and just relaxed company. A dinner-meeting was fine and dandy: good food and nice company. In real-life she was in no way intimidating or scary but the opposite of it, even a bit hesitating and soo lovely because of that. God, I’d have wanted to share more time with her…

Craydon - He has played one werewolf-game so we’d have to count him as a ‘Downer as well. The first (and thus far the last) Iraq-veteran we have met – and so unlike the stories about depression and life-long syndroma’s the military personnel have according to the media. Even with a short meeting and really slight foreknowledge I really liked him. A good man he is.

Folwren – Our favourite RPG’er was a way nicer we could have believed (even if the expectations were high)! Despite the differences in metaphysical / religious issues we had a great afternoon with her at the summercamp and really enjoyed our visit there. And it was a great fun to meet the others at the camp as well. Love you, Foley! Really.

Inziladún – Thinking about meeting a cop from Alabama sent shivers to our spine but Inzil turned out to be an easy-going person we enjoyed the company of greatly. It was a short meeting but the food was excellent (fresh from the sea) and it was so good to meet him. Hopefully we have more time the next time. He’s not from the CSI, but he could be…

Mnemosyne – After all the logistical problems we had a nice afternoon with Mnemo – and it was good fun indeed: hanging out at Duke University student’s favourite café, climbing a Magnolia, playing Apples to Apples… (and she won it easily!!!) A nice day out in a good company. She’s just an adorable person not trying to make a number of herself but still being on to it all the time. Just plain lovely.

Rune – Our paths met once again – with the aid and despite the curse of lady Fortuna… He’s as fun and lovable as ever. After meeting with him a few times I like him more and more – even if we never talk politics all others seem to think we would do… Maybe we’ll change that as we meet the next time?

Encaitare – What a wonderful person! All positive, easy and adaptive… It’s just super-cool someone has that positive attitude and openness shared with an interest to know people – and to see what is in their interest. I really love her and praise her tact. Really. Thanks Encai for your company in NY!

[Mnemosyne]

I'll reply in detail more fully... (I think?), but for now I just have to say:

Originally Posted by Nogrod

Boro – A charming guy and a good man. I really appreciated his company and hospitality – and his college-lodging reminded me so much of the times I was in the Uni myself… And really, if this guy is single… with the wits and a general hang of things, what’s wrong with you girls?

He's in Ohio and we're not. :P

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Mnemosyne

He's in Ohio and we're not. :P

Well, go for it! It's not that far!

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by A Little Green

Yay for Agan posting the Paper Telephone, and yay for everybody participating!

I'm just happy that I was able to produce something remotely interesting on such short notice. All those eyes upon me. Pressure!

Originally Posted by A Little Green

If any of you dearies ever consider having a vacation outside the US, you know where to go, eh? (A hint: Finland, Finland, Finland, the country where I quite want to be!)

When I get my European tour on the rails in the future Finland is certainly one of my preferred destinations.

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

One could think that meeting a police investigator from Alabama could be slightly scary, but again, Inziladun wasn't scary at all (well truth be told he's not scary on the 'downs either, at all).

Scary? Me? I'm just eccentric, that's all.

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

He made a lasting impression when he immediately recognised who is who (ok, telling Nogrod from us three girls wasn't probably difficult, but it was quite good he was able to tell which of us was which given that he's not on Facebook) and pronounced our names correctly on the first try. Also, he was very fun to have around and easy to get along with, and I liked him a lot (especially after hearing that he uses his work hours for ww!)

I have to confess that I had a good idea who was who from looking at the BD Photo Page previously.

And as for the last bit....shhh!!!

Originally Posted by Nogrod

Inziladún – Thinking about meeting a cop from Alabama sent shivers to our spine but Inzil turned out to be an easy-going person we enjoyed the company of greatly. It was a short meeting but the food was excellent (fresh from the sea) and it was so good to meet him. Hopefully we have more time the next time. He’s not from the CSI, but he could be…

You all really were a pleasure to meet and spend time with. There don't seem to be any active Downers in my neck of the woods. Suffice it to say that I can't imagine a first-time meeting with members of this exceptional forum to have possibly been more delightful. Thanks for coming round!

[Kath]

The belivability of Denmark over Finland is about the same level as the believability of the Fox News over BBC ...

Excellent! So she'll be coming to England first?

[A Little Green]

Originally Posted by Lommy

On a famous square whose name I forgot in San Fransisco...

Psst... it's Union Square!

Looking at the group photos, I figured that there is a striking similarity between Inzil and Agan if you ignore the difference in skin colour. Is there a family secret I haven't been told?

Originally Posted by Kath

Excellent! So she'll be coming to England first?

Wishful thinking, love. I have a way better solution in mind: she comes to Finland, and you and Rune can come too! Problem solved. I'm a genius.

[Oddwen]

Also -

Originally Posted by Nogrod

Oddwen – A girl every young guy should be wild about!

A subtle nudge the other way or something, eh? Covering all your bases, hmmm?

++NOGROD

(The Matchmaker sounds like a developable WW role, doesn't it?)

[Loslote]

Originally Posted by Oddwen

(The Matchmaker sounds like a developable WW role, doesn't it?)

It absolutely does! Every Night they choose two people to be pm buddies for the next 48 hours or something? ... I want someone to make this role now.

[Boromir88]

Originally Posted by Hilde Bracegirdle

Such a large number of wights so close, and I managed to miss them! I live just a tad north of Boromir.

Really! How come neither of us discovered this earlier? We'll have to rectify this having not met yet if you're up for it.

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Last one of the Geneva-mooters I haven't mentioned is Boro. Now I'm happy to say that I got to talk with him almost enough and that we actually ended up making some kind of siblingly adoption plan... Anyway, it was great to meet Boro because before the Kent-episode I had a certain kind of picture of him and after it a different one, and I was kind of lost what kind of person this guy who I considered my friend was. Turned out he was actually the mixture of the old Boro and the new Boro I had in my head and it made me really happy, because I could finally clearly see who he was and also because I liked this real person a lot, even more than the two persons I had had in my mind before. (Ok, I'm aware this is getting rather in-depth. Won't continue ranting here anymore!) Anyway, to go on my adjective spree, Boro is both calm and funny, and smart and kind. I like him (although I guess I said that already!)

Oh just rant away, I know you want to, because I'm pretty sure we decided you were my big-little sister correct? Scolding me when I misbehave and act childish, but always have an open ear to my few moments of brilliant Dr. Phil-ing or encouragment.

Originally Posted by Nogrod

It was thought of in all love and brotherhood... and in all fun. And in all seriousness.

I mean the good ladies in this world miss a lot letting you go free.

No pressure for you, but to the more beautiful sex here...

Originally Posted by wilwarin538

Not that Boro isn't extremely fantastic and desirable. I just love the way Nog's pushing it.

You two are going to make me tear up...stop it! But seriously, I truly am honored you lot think so well of me to say I would be a worthy catch. Although, you should know Nog that the blame doesn't just go to the opposite sex, I do a fine job with the whole confidence and fear of messing up good thing all by meself.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Well, Agan. That's a very lovely picture, but I think that we need to have another one that goes with it...



We are not fangirls. Sort of.

And I liked this picture of our meet-up too:



From left to right: THE Ka, Aganzir, TGEW, and Lauri.

[Nogrod]

Is there a gene of "Alaskan awesomeness"?

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

Is there a gene of "Alaskan awesomeness"?

Why, yes. Yes there is.

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by TheGreatElvenWarrior

Why, yes. Yes there is.

Looking at the pics it looks like there really is one...

Dury: Don't feel bad about missing us... we had a tremendous time and meeting you would have just being extra-fun. It was sad it never happened, but no can do...

And I do know there are different people inside different nations, it's just the stereotypes one keeps toying about - even if one knows they're just stereotypes...

We need to meet the next time we're in the US., or you're in Europe!

P.S. - Nogrod! Go to bed! You're back in Finn time!

It's called the jet-lag... hard to adapt into another time-zone... well slowly and slowly...

[Durelin]

I'm so very very very times a million sorry that I could not meet you guys. Both sorry that I could not be a bit of a pseudo-hostess in DC and just plain sad that I missed you (of no fault but my own). I am glad you had a good trip and got a good taste of the States as well as meeting a lot of awesome people! I'm sorry you didn't have anyone to greet you in DC

Nog, Nog...there are plenty of quiet Americans, just as there are plenty loud ones! And my very limited as they are ventures to touristy places in the UK and Greece have shown me that many, many different nationalities can be quite loud and obnoxious (and no, not just the tourists!)... Finland must just be extra quiet. Makes me want to visit more.

Once again, sorry I missed you.

P.S. - Nogrod! Go to bed! You're back in Finn time!

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Can I just say we are one darned attractive group of people?

Our brains and personalities don't matter; we're gorgeous!

I wonder if I should admit that I was nervous to meet Nog?

Aganzir, I was extremely excited to meet. I've got a bit of a girl-crush on her, really, and her pure mischievous wickedness delights me. Lommy is such a sweetheart that I was stoked to meet her too, and all of my [albeit limited] interactions with Greenie pointed me toward excitement about her too. I knew I'd like them, though I wasn't sure they'd like me as much. And I really wanted them to like me.

But I was outright worried that Nog wouldn't like me at all!

More specifically, I was worried that our personalities would clash instead of mesh, and that it would be like an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object.

But I made a point of getting some alone time with him as soon as I could, so that I wouldn't chicken out and end up too shy to talk with him later. When he asked about how to get to a grocery store, I offered to navigate since I know Geneva fairly well by now. Within a couple blocks, we were talking effortlessly, teasing each other.

"Beer and bacon? What an American purchase!"

"That's the brake, dear, not the clutch. Are you trying to give us whiplash?"

I began to giggle pretty uncontrollably during our first game of werewolf when without really realizing or planning it, he started arguing about the importance of Day One and I said in passing that they didn't matter. We just sort of looked at each other and grinned.

I thought it funny that Nog, who I was most nervous about meeting, was the one I talked to most! He's an absolute sweetheart, generous and easy-going, witty and intelligent. So easy to get along with. I'm glad to have had my worries banished.

Rune informs me that there's now a competition to see if I'll go to Denmark or Finland first? Let the bribes commence.

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

But I made a point of getting some alone time with him as soon as I could, so that I wouldn't chicken out and end up too shy to talk with him later. When he asked about how to get to a grocery store, I offered to navigate since I know Geneva fairly well by now. Within a couple blocks, we were talking effortlessly, teasing each other.

"Beer and bacon? What an American purchase!"

"That's the brake, dear, not the clutch. Are you trying to give us whiplash?"

That was great fun indeed! (Hey, I learned off from the manual gears in a day or two) And the fact that we purchased the stuff with your ID.! I'm forty+ but we got the beer with your papers... And I must say I did appreciate the easy-going company of yours.

I don't think I was afraid of meeting you but it was one of the interesting moments - just getting into a car with a shopping-trip with you as soon as we arrived... It was a good choice in the end. It seems we both got the precautions out of the way with the humour in our trip and after that it was really easy and fun.

Originally Posted by Fea

Can I just say we are one darned attractive group of people?

You can...

Originally Posted by Fea

I was outright worried that Nog wouldn't like me at all!

And don't you worry, I liked you a lot!

Originally Posted by Fea

Rune informs me that there's now a competition to see if I'll go to Denmark or Finland first? Let the bribes commence.

Do not let Rune's "information" cloud your view - like the "fair and balanced" Fox News which are the most imbalanced I know of - so of course it is Finland! We can offer you both the city-feeling (in Helsinki) and bring you to our summer-cottage (in the middle of nowhere with a lake and a sauna).

No way a Dane could top that offer!

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

I began to giggle pretty uncontrollably during our first game of werewolf when without really realizing or planning it, he started arguing about the importance of Day One and I said in passing that they didn't matter. We just sort of looked at each other and grinned.

Funny you should mention it... that was the most hilarious part of the game that was set for us losing it. I really had fun exchanging those looks - we were so good but sadly it didn't help... But losing can be fun also.

On the next one people should have gathered from our changed attitude that we were not guilty, but who can blame them for not lynching Erika & Chris (and Lommy)?

[satansaloser2005]

Nog, go to bed!

<3

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

Funny you should mention it... that was the most hilarious part of the game that was set for us losing it.

I was trying so hard to figure out who our third [non-existent] wolf was! Wait, was Boro's comment a hint? Hold on, Agan said she's as much a wolf as me... does that mean she knows I'm a wolf and that I didn't see her, and she's telling me? Hang on, Rikae too is saying things that might be clues! WHO IS OUR THIRD WOLF!?!?!?!?!?

[Aganzir]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

It's called the jet-lag... hard to adapt into another time-zone... well slowly and slowly...

If it's of any comfort, my brain refuses to admit I'm back in Finland and so very far away from all the fabulous people I met, and insists on staying up late. Oh wait what do you mean it isn't 11pm?

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

Aganzir, I was extremely excited to meet. I've got a bit of a girl-crush on her, really, and her pure mischievous wickedness delights me.

I was excited to meet you too. As I told you, I was kind of semi-scared of you before meeting you because I could never figure out what you thought of me. And yay thanks for the compliments! Oh and did I forget to mention you were one of the fellow wolves I was talking about?

Originally Posted by Fea

Rune informs me that there's now a competition to see if I'll go to Denmark or Finland first? Let the bribes commence.

You'll get lots of lovely people in Finland while all Denmark can offer you is one Rune!

Hahaha Nog are you comparing Rune to Fox News?

Originally Posted by Fea

does that mean she knows I'm a wolf and that I didn't see her, and she's telling me?

Hey I wouldn't be that mean! If it had been me I would've been waving at you and trying to get your attention!

Originally Posted by Nog

Well, go for it! It's not that far!

Hey matchmaker stop drinking and go to bed!

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Aganzir

Hahaha Nog are you comparing Rune to Fox News?

The belivability of Denmark over Finland is about the same level as the believability of the Fox News over BBC - or any real news-network. Rune is not involved, just the "fair and balanced" facts.

Hey matchmaker stop drinking and go to bed!

Tehee, I'd love to score a new one!