Last week, I went to L.A. to visit my friend Peajaye. I met him through my other friend Wendi, when she and I guest posted on each other’s blogs back in the good old days when people did that. Anyway, Peajaye and I have been friends since 2008 (which sounds ancient), so I wanted to test the friendship and visit him in L.A.
“Can’t we just Skype?” he asked when I suggested the trip. We are working on a novel together, and after exchanging several dozen drafts and death threats, I thought it would be best if we were in the same, preferably padded, room.
I just can’t get into Skyping, though. For one, I always forget my username. And for another, it seems like a lot of work. I have to find a spot to sit. And talk. Obviously flying to L.A. is a lot more convenient.
Finally, Peajaye exhausted the appeals process offered by our legal system and I booked my flight.
“I don’t understand this,” Mama said. Which was deceptive because “this” implies there is one thing she doesn’t understand, but in reality there were Quite A Few.
“I don’t remember Dostoyevsky flying to California,” she mentioned. “He was a genius and wrote at home.”
“Well, that’s the difference,” I explained patiently. “Geniuses write at home. I, on the other hand, have to travel. As a matter of fact, with my talent level, I’m lucky that I don’t have to travel intergallactically.”
“Where did you meet this person, anyway?” Mama asked over the phone a week before my trip and for some reason wasn’t reassured when I replied “the Internet.”
“What does your husband think about this?” she wanted to know. “Isn’t he worried about you?”
“Hey, are you worried about me going to L.A.?” I asked my husband. He was standing in front of the open refrigerator, as though in a trance.
“No,” he said. “Although I’m worried that our refrigerator doesn’t seem to be as cold as it was before we got the freezer fixed.” To be honest, I’ve been worried about it too. That’s why I wanted to put some miles between me and the freezer.
It was a great trip. We worked on our novel, we talked, we ate the meals that Peajaye prepared.
And I was reminded how important friendship is. And how it can come from anywhere. Even the Internet.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
i love your entries, your life your mom, your fridge/freezer and really–everything.
Yay for internet friends. Some of my best buds in the whole world were found here. 🙂
Love my internet friends – even though many do not understand these strange love.com(I mean blogging) relationships.
I don’t know why Mama was worried about you visiting your internet boyfriend. Isn’t it what we all do?
Do you think the fridge doesn’t feel as cold just because the freezer is setting a new standard now?
“As a matter of fact, with my talent level, I’m lucky that I don’t have to travel intergallactically.â€
*Laugh*
Very sweet. Some of my Internet friends know more about me than my IRL friends and I am thankful for many friendships I’ve met through blogging.
P.S. Wanna guest post on my blog? 😉
Twitter: Mamabirddiaries
October 4, 2013 at 7:49 am
I think we met on the Internet, right? And lucky you, now you can fly to see me too.
Twitter: marta28
October 4, 2013 at 9:24 am
Sounds like an amazing trip, can’t wait to hear about a future intergalactic one! Have you met any friends there?
We met on the Internet and now I can just come over and knock on your door. Except you still haven’t told me your address. Which I’m sure is an oversight.
Glad you had a good time. Did you hit Disneyland?
Twitter: melanieb120
October 4, 2013 at 9:30 pm
Cool. On both accounts: the novel and the friendship.
Oh, and I’m so glad we met on the Internet. I’d rather fly to see you though. I’d get to meet you and my hometown of NYC again.
Can you imagine how it seems to mama? Going to see someone you met on the internet. She handled it very well, when you consider how the poor woman’s prayed while you were gone.