Nerve Endings Firing Away

Neither dedicated websites nor any inkling of suspected misdemeanors except for an occasional offhand mention, the Chicago Blog Meet was as perfect as it could get. Discretion was the key as Alpha selectively lured Patrix, Yogustus and Starfest to her lair and attempted to dismember their psyches. But in the end, even the chilly Chicago weather couldn’t keep the warm fuzzy feeling from getting around. I can safely say that Christmas is best celebrated amongst the new friends who seem like your best buddies after couple of hours. It couldn’t get any better when four crazy people, joined only by their love for blogging impulsively decide to shed the cloak of anonymity, only to realize that they share much more in common than plain blogging skills. I usually am at my freakiest nervous best (worst?) when I meet strangers, especially from the uncharted territory of cyberspace. But as I always maintain, the blogdom is an enhanced mature community where your true self is not always easily veiled.

Alpha and Pi were gracious enough to welcome the crazy bunch into their humble home, tastily decorated with a “throw”. The airport welcomes, complete with appropriate placards, were boisterous and bystanders would have definitely mistaken us for some long-lost friends, unmindful of the fact that we were meeting or even seeing each other for the first time. My penances borne fruit when I was mercifully sandwiched between Alpha and Star on our long outdoor drives, making poor Yogu driver jealous.

But frankly, I cannot confidently pinpoint the best moment of the trip. Maybe it was the spiked coffee complemented with the stupendous view from the 96th floor of the Hancock building or maybe it was the nice long walk in the Christmassy pretty Chicago downtown enroute to the Navy Pier or the sense of familiarity of the Devon Desi neighborhood and chancing upon my nemesis, the Tinda or the farewell tall white chocolate shake in a quaint Evanston coffee shop. But then again, I wouldn’t have half enjoyed these sojourns if the company wasn’t right.

The best times however were spent at Alpha’s cozy home having long talks late into the night, cracking silly jokes, reminiscing school/college memories and just playing an absolutely hilarious game of Guesstures. I bet everyone is walking tall because the leg-pulling didn’t spare a soul, not even the King Pi Aragorn.

I selfishly managed to squeeze in a visit to the Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio too but I guess the visit managed to convert the rest although it was a wee bit disappointing for an avowed FLW fan. Lesson No.5367: keep your expectations low, you will walk away happier.

Now for the impressions, Alpha is the sweetest sport I have met on this planet and Yogu proves that humor is an art ought to be practiced only by the worthiest. I always thought of myself as a quick wit but frankly my skills need polishing especially in the company of the elite. Star is the perennial “goat” and the cynosure of all barbs which made her wild eyelids flutter even more wildly. I bet she was itching to get her hands on me and Yogu and beat the crap out of us.

Alpha epitomizes the perfect balance of a sharp-witted female without the unnecessary formality that exists between mere acquaintances and yet playing the perfect host with the perfect southie culinary skills. Alpha couldn’t flaunt her amazing wit (yup, she is funnier in person too) without the silent enduring Pi, who at times had the best answers for questions which left all of us stumped.

I still can’t figure out why Yogu is still single considering his no-vices yet exciting life should draw girls like a moth to a flame. He has the whole Shama-Parwana thing going quite well and me thinks its just a matter of time till he snares his enamored wasp. Star drifted in and out of her chattering self, while soaking up the Chicago sights and “shedding” her inhibitions slowly.

Often blogs can portray a different image of a person but thankfully for me, Alpha, Yogu and Star were as good as it gets. I never felt a stronger connection with people I had never met before and although I am often accused of being an emotional-less bugger, I really felt a void in my life as soon as I walked away from them waving the good-byes to the terminal. But I make a bad display of my true emotions so less said the better.

But guys, you are the best and gosh! Starting my blog must be the best decision I ever made online. You guys not only rock the proverbial boat but the whole damn Spanish Armada.