Actually, to be totally honest, being a shy sort, I should say that meeting the Mudcatters I have met in person has always been shocking and disconcerting for a few seconds. Not bad shocking -- just disorienting. I am so used to their existence in cyberspace, that to see them in reality is quite weird for me. I think it is because I get so locked into the way people write. Also I am actually embarrassed about how well we know each other already. It is very weird: sort of like meeting your next door neighbour after you have inadvertantly seen her sunbathing in print or something. Meeting Michael or Davey or Jeri or Susan or whoever has always had the same effect on me. The first time I met Little Neo at one of Rick's concerts -- she didn't introduce herself for a few moments -- I had no idea what this person was talking about (she was making reference to a very recent Mudcat thread), and why she was talking to me. Even when I knew who she was! It took me 10 seconds to connect the two universes. Then it was alright.

On the other hand, one of the great things about the Mudcat is all the anticipation I have about all the great people I have never met, and will meet someday, God willing. But the first few seconds are really, really weird.

yours, Peter T.