Ah, you got me wrong. I'm not saying that its a bad idea to have a FT convention, but the fact that one-on-one meetings would tend to be strained, just like on blind dates. Some of the people here on FT I know rather well (or at least would like to think so, but most of you (although you post beautifully and eloquently) I don't feel I know at all, and moreover, I know that you don't know me even more. Despite what I wrote, I would probably gladly jump at the opportunity to meet other FT members, although some more than others.

Its not for everybody, you really need to have a strong personality to hit it off with an almost-stranger, as you can see, most of the quiz writers at FT aren't even logged on to the forums ever, and most of the people in the forums don't post that often. The posts I read are usually from the same members, which is a good way to get to know certain people, but others seem to shy away from letting themselves shine in writing.

I have earned heaps of information just being a part of FT, and much more talking with many of the members. All of you are interesting people, and have lots to contribute. But there is also an advantage to being anonymous, as it lets people 'do their thing' without the fear of letting others know who they are. Although I am not shy or have low self-confidence, I know I allow myself to communicate more freely because I am anonymous, and can write posts that would entail replies that would be more difficult to hear in real life (like my previous one - which provoked interesting responses). I'm glad that people disagree with me, although many who would agree probably wouldn't write it down. Heck, most of us don't even use their real name (myself included).

Well, I'm getting acquainted with my new city (baseball here sucks for starters, but hockey is rather good I hear) and don't have any opportunity to meet anybody at the moment :P but I'm open to the possibilities... Great day to all!

--LDV

I don't know about Bruyere, but when we met up it wasn't awkward... Well, beyond me being an hour late due to the trains and missing a bus, but...

I've also met a ton of people who were fans of Phantom of the OPera. Each year, we'd have a 'reunion' party to coincide with the Toronto production's anniversary. When I met the people, it was really cool to put a voice and body to the person (and, in most cases, a face as we only knew each other from email) and I don't think there was any awkwardness.

What satguru said is true - it's hard meeting up with ANYONE. Linkan was just in the area, but we didn't get a chance to meet up because she was on the other side of the city from me and I couldn't get off work. Now imagine that but times how many people want to meet up - making schedules compatible is extremely difficult.

I thought I'd mentioned at one point that the only person I've met so far is LadyMacbeth. I've spoken on the phone to several of you though.
Beth and I met where I worked in France/Monaco, in search of the illusive white chocolate mousse that only the one restaurant there made. They didn't have it that day.
We tried for a lavender creme brulee perhaps, which they occasionally have there, but nothing doing.
The funny thing is that as Monaco is a tiny country that has interlacing roads going through it and horrenduous traffic, the only way to tell people where to go is pick a landmark and tell them to 'let the force be with you'.
I forgot to ask what Beth looked like however, so there I was in front of MacDO waiting, looking for someone who looked American, which isn't hard at that time of the year. I think I probably look like I write, or she'd seen my picture. Don't recall.

Finally we got together.

The most awkward or odd thing, is speaking of people's screennames out loud! It sounds so silly. I mean, good thing most people around us didn't speak English that fluently as if they'd heard us talking about the names on here, they'd think we were crazy.

I do wish she'd had more time to meet my family however. But we did what we could.

I think that communicating via writing is very different from meeting in person however, some people communicate in writing and are pretty much who they say they are.

I will say that one person here who's spoken to me on the phone said that I sound much happier and joyful in person so to speak.

hehehe... Well, what happened to me is that the bus stop my friend told me to get off at for the train station was the wrong one - I ended up at some manufacturing area. Then the bus (which did a little loop) didn't pick me up after I had crossed this busy 4 lane road because he thought that's where he let me off, that's where I wanted to be. So I caught the *next* bus (which, after waiting so long, meant I had to purchase another ticket as my transfer had expired). Finally, got off at the train station (the stop I thought it was, but friend who's from Nice said it was the other stop). However, all the trains to Monaco were PACKED and late. Managed to squeeze onto the first train and eventually even got a seat. Made it to the train station in Monaco.

Got directions from a guy who said 'go up'. Well, i interpreted 'go up' as 'go up to the upper level of the train station and get out there' (train station in Monaco is on a huge hill). Well, I get up there, nothing - it's all residential. walk down the street a ways, see a sign for MacD's... Going the opposite way. Finally find someone on the street and ask him for directions. He told me, but then said "No way you're going ot get there on time".

heh...

So I walked. And walked. And walked. Eventually got near where I knew the place was (had been there before), but couldn't figure out how I got up the hill. Stopped at a car repair shop (there was a guy right near the entrance fixing a car) and this really nice guy told me how (ok, so the elevator going up was across the street).

Finally got there like 30 minutes late and thinking I had missed Bru. But she came around about 10 minutes after I got there.

And I don't remember if it was a lavender creme brulee, but it was a creme brulee none-the-less.

And yeah, saying screennames out loud is weird! Especially when you've been gone for 2 weeks already and the site had a major blow up with a lot of events going on!

I certainly cannot agree either, that meeting one other person from FT would lead to silence!I am leaving today for my second visit to Purple fan in Vancouver. Last time I had the greatest time it is possible , which is why I jumped at the chance to go again.
I met Sypher twice too, and there were certainly no awkward silences.
Of course we have heaps in common at the start, as people have said. We met as members of FT, we emailed and then chatted on MSN (which Bonnie still do, daily). We have become very close friends, and I know that my 10 days in Canada will be full of laughs, interest and sheer fun. This is mainly because of the nature of my hostess, the joy of Vancouver and the people, generous and friendly beyond measure. But a lot is due to the grounding good solid friendship that FT givestoo. I am really excited!

I agree 100% ren. I have met alot of very nice people on here and have formed some very close friendships. I know that if I were to meet the others it would feel like we have known each other for years.
I know from the moment that ren got off the plane on her very first visit we were instantly friends and we never stopped talking and laughing from the moment she arrived till she left.
Oh the surprises we had for her then and we have a few more this time also.
I think in some cases you either "Click" with someone you just met or you don't.
I wouldn't hesitate to have anyone I have met on FT visit me.
I know Sara also met Sue in person and they hit it off right away also.
I would like to go to a convention of FT people. It would be fun.
PF

Personally, I'm a little shyer in 'real life' than on here. Also, because I am quite hard of hearing, face to face meetings tend to be a bit isolating for me. All that said, I think that meetings, especially group meetings, would probably be a lot of fun. The bolder and more talkative ones would carry the rest of us over the first few awkward moments.

That's very interesting to know agony, as I myself am not the "way out there life of the party" so to speak. I tend to sit back and observe most of the time rather than boldly go up to perfect strangers and strike up an instant relationship with them! I would feel very comfy though at a FT gathering because I feel like I almost know you all anyway! I agree that group meetings such as this one would be would be very fun indeed.....especially if we all wore our name tags, I think everyone would feel comfortable instantly don't you think?

And Leo, I am glad you are willing to jump at the opportunity to meet with us. I too am not a shy person but do tend to express myself more freely in written posts as well. I don't post that often here in the forums (as I tend to spend the majority of my life scampering around AFT..) but I do tend to read alot about you all here in the forums and I have found I have gathered a great insight about various different people. Saying this only enforces my opinion of how friendly everyone here is and what a wonderful idea it would be to do something like this. So, what do you say? Big guys upstairs?

Hmmm, it would be funny if I were to wear a name tag reading "LeoDaVinci" and someone would go "Hey Leo", and I'd be like, "huh? you talking to me?" I actually wouldn't realise that I was the subject in question.

Wouldn't that be a riot.

In real life I'd much rather go by my real name, as that is the real me... Anyway, some of you I know not too badly from what I've written back and forth with you, and others do intrigue me from what I've seen of their postings. Its also very good to be noticed, which is one of the reasons we all post.

Anyway, it is all up to the big guy upstairs (and I do mean the landlord).

"Que sera, sera" on one hand, and "carpe diem" on the other, we'll have to make do with the balance.

I am shy around people I'm not sure of...once I'm relaxed I tend to be a bit of a headcase

On the subject of calling people by their screennames, it wouldn't be a problem for me, mainly because it started off as a quasi nickname, and I'd probably be more likely to pay attention to someone screaming "tanzen" than if they were screaming my real name...it's common

So guys? Any "FT Meet Up" plans in the works?

I used to be shy as a child but as I got older I thought I had outgrown it. FT is the only forum that I've been a member of on the internet and I truly enjoy taking the quizzes, playing chain games, reading the other posts and sometimes replying. It wasn't until reading through this post that I became aware that I guess I'm still shy.

I've made joking references to the number of PM's that other members say they receive. Hundreds and hundreds you all talk about, while I've received probably five - and those were replys to my PM's. I tried the chat room for awhile before it became inaccessible to me and had nice conversations with both Leau and ette a few times. Telephone conversations? Nope.

But as for meeting someone from FT? There are a few that I thought would be fun to meet, but I haven't the nerve to "put myself out there" so to speak.

It does sound very exciting meeting up with other Funtrivia members and even as I read along, in my mind I can imagine it to be a great gathering with plenty of chatting, smiling and laughter. But in practice, I'm not sure how it would go for me as I tend to be quite shy around people I've never met.

It's happened before, when I've gone with my family to meet some people, the first moments are the hardest to break through. I don't really feel like being the first to say something and the other person doesn't say anything either so the silence remains (not with my mum though, she can pick up on a topic straightaway.) But slowly the ice breaks and as soon as I get to know the person better, it's time to leave. It's not always like that though. I guess it depends on the person's character.

From what I've read on this board meetings do tend to go well, fantastically even, and by all means, others should be held wherever possible.

Funtrivia is a great site and the only reason for that is because of the great people on it.

I've never met anyone, but I believe Ladymacb and I grew up only about 15 minutes from each other! I have a passport, but no money to travel with!

hi all
i have been fortunate enough to meet two members of my team and i expect to meet still others in the future.
we met at (fishshed? forgot name of restaurant) it was under the manette bridge over in bremerton. one came to pick me up (wheelchair and all) from the vet home here and the other one brought me back. both the meal and the company were exceptional.

i hope to meet still others from my team, especially those who live nearby.

plus i have met two folks online whom i used to know who played trivia on tatertots.
toohiwater a name i imagine you will soon be following in the global challenge game and nevadalady (immortal). i myself was in position number ten in the first game so the ol'
tatertots were not too shabby.

Wow, here's a blast from the past!

I'd better give an update on my old post in this thread. Nearly 3 years have passed since then and I've met quite a few FT-ers. First were a great lunch at Bruyere's place and a wonderful tour through Vegas with Linkan, both while I happened to be in the USA. Then about a year later I spent a lovely weekend at Fringe's house in the UK.
Finally, last summer I spent six weeks with Dalgleish and while I was there we met up with Bertho, Exit10 and Nannanut.

I guess this proves that you don't have to have any FT members living nearby to be able to meet them!

I am, of course, looking forward very much to meeting the famed Ozzies when I arrive in April. What a treat!

I am so looking forward to meeting you too, Ren! And meeting up with the other FTers again too. Should be a hoot!
A couple of us have decided to change the normal meeting venue from a sportsclub in the western suburbs (not that there's anything wrong with that!) to somewhere a little more fitting to a woman of your class.

SpanishLiz, LeoDaVinci and I recently got together for dinner at Ye Olde Spaghetti Factory in Toronto. It was great fun.
Kyleisalive was supposed to call but got hauled into work instead.

Quote:

---

to somewhere a little more fitting to a woman of your class

---

The local clip joint then?!

My only regret about Leau's arrival with her charming grandmother was that the rain that day was so heavy that it reminded me more of the Netherlands than California!

I havent met anyone personally, but I would like to meet my entire team sometime(a couple are really close, so I'm sure that might be in the works). Plus a couple of the old timers...

Not yet, but I do believe my hubby (who doesnt play trivia) knows one of the Wisc. trivia members from some years ago, and we have been invited to his place the next time we are up his way. I couldnt help but send him a trivia mail when I saw where he was from, and I am so glad I did now. A lovely lady from my Team who lives in Arkansas is another I would love to meet. Always talked about digging for diamonds down there LOL...and if we go down, we will no doubt meet her. I already feel like I have known her for years.I got online about 8 years ago and started in Senior Chat. I have met about 70 chatters in person at yearly reunions which are held all over the country, and chatters have attended from Canada, Australia & the UK. These people become just like family, there is a special bond. I am sure the same can be said for FT members as well.~Joanie~

So Ren,

What date should we book the clip joint for?

Ummm, what's a clip joint?