Sunday 18 October 2009

Are you for real?


The other day I was talking with my elderly neighbour, we were outside working in the gardens just chatting about this and that and I happened to mention on several occasions what had been going on around the world in blogland. She thinks I'm crazy to be running at my age and always worrying about me out on the bike, (I thought I was the queen of worrying, but no, I believe she's got me beat).

I had mentioned injured runners, cyclist's being hit by cars, several friends who had competed in ultra running events, friends training for Ironman Triathlons, some who had already completed an Iron, friends dealing with elderly parents, babies, engagements and divorces.

Then there are the free give-aways of really awesome items that I had won and people posting cool video's of their home and native land(s).

Nodding her grey haired head, she smiled at me and said, but dear, they are not real.

Huh?

Interesting take on the virtual world that is foreign to someone who has grown up throughout world wars, T.V., telephones, cell phones, aircraft and better cars, but she has not accepted the world of communication via computers.

I've met some of you, we've shared laughs, thoughts, hugs and friendships that have continued on even through our computers. Some of you I haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting, but hopefully will one day. You have ALL taught me something, you've shown me parts of the world I would never otherwise get to see, you've taught me new languages, slang and swear words and I got to participate in a running sock review. How great is all of that?!?

You guys are really real to me.

Thanks for the friendship!!


I'm not feeling particularly chatty lately so I'll be taking a little break.



I'll continue to read and catch up with you ~ good luck to all of those competing, cycling, cx-ing and just living life...because,

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

27 comments:

Unknown said...

You are very real to us, too!

Enjoy your haitus, but don't be away too long.

Jo Lynn said...

WHAT? You Canadians! Abandoning us!

Do what you have to do. Take your time. We'll be here for you when you come back. ;)

MarieA said...

Funny about your neighbour's take on cyber friends. My yougnest says the same things. She is convinced that our friend The Blonde is a fat bald guy with an overly hairy chest. She thinks if I end up trying go visit her at wedding time I will end up in a slave ship somewhere or worse because I am not slave material. seriously.
I know where to find you.
talk soon
we will have to compare roofing notes.

Anne said...

Enjoy your break from blogging, but do remember to come back to those who understand friendship knows no boundaries.

Unknown said...

all this time, I thought I *was* real. but now i know better, thanks to your neighbor.

enjoy your bloggy break.

Carolina John said...

You're crazy. I'm quite real. the neighbor is nuts.

enjoy your break!

Anonymous said...

We're not real! People don't really understand blogging. It is amazing how much you can actually go through with people without even meeting them...in person.

Jess said...

It is weird to people who don't blog, but for those of us who do, we know the value of this community!

Enjoy your hiatus!

bluecolnago said...

....plus you get to learn new swear words! :)

enjoy your hiatus!

Marlene said...

Ahaha, silly old lady... they are not real?! We're as real as it gets. ;)

Please don't leave for long. {HUGS}

kilroy occupied these coordinates said...

Are you certain the neighbour is real? I have been to where you live & I remember hallucinating in those parts. Now, I'm not saying she is "all in your head" but I do know of people who have imagined gardens & neighbours & then some ....

Enjoy your hiatus but maybe you could show up after run club one of these days & have a coffee with the gang. I running with the back-of-the-pack half-marathoners again.

Viv said...

You are real to me too! You have no idea how many times I say my friend in Canada...
Enjoy the hiatus my Candian friend

Wes said...

I love that. I'm real, and you can pinch me when we meet to make sure ;-)

Kim said...

We'll be happy to see you when you want to return. Miss you until then.

I AM REAL and you can come visit me anytime you want in Kansas!

Groover said...

I wish it wasn't real. At least what happened last week. LOL Enjoy your little break, girlfriend. Virtual hugs from very real people in Downunder.

Runner Leana said...

I'd like to think that I am real! Even to some friends my age they find the concept of blog buddies a little strange. Oh well, I gain so much inspiration from every single one, including you!

Enjoy your hiatus. I've been feeling like I have less interesting things to say so I've thought about it too... :(

Aka Alice said...

Some of my "virtual friends" are more real that some of the "real people" I know.

Take care of yourself Lily. Enjoy the break!

Shelley said...

I've never met you, but you are a very cool virtual friend..:-)

Mel-2nd Chances said...

this post is so fitting for what i've been living this week! Being in SF for this race, I got to meet Aron and Alisa at the race, and spend time with JoLynn today on the trails! (which, btw, I did say hello to her and Boomer for ya!!) Trust me when I tell you they're real! Enjoy your break...

Sprocketboy said...

We haven't meant even though we are in the same city but you are certainly real to me! And in Spring you and I will do the Gatineau Loop together for sure. This is not an empty threat--I drove to West Virginia to ride with one blogging friend, and flew to Geneva to ride with another!

Anonymous said...

Hi Lily-girl.

Happy Thursday!

love and hugs,
~ b

Anonymous said...

LMAO @ MarieA. I totally blew coffee reading that I am *a fat bald guy with an overly hairy chest.* I had forgotten she thought that of me. tee hee.

~ b

ShirleyPerly said...

I liked this post. Indeed, most of my friends are in my computer these days too. I actually don't have many who are not, it seems. Sad but true ...

Enjoy your hiatus and hope you're back soon!

Bluenoser said...

You do what you need to do L.

From the real.

-B

Alexandra said...

What a great post! I learn so much real stuff through blogging that helps me in the real world where I live life!

Don't stay away too long! Could you at least continue with your "Wordless Wednesday"? It's usually the first thing I look at when I turn my computer on, on Wednesday mornings!

C said...

Enjoy the break. Your fake friends will be here when you return. :)

Judi said...

lol at what xenia said. i have met many of my blogger friends and it IS real!