A quickie:
I was sitting in the first class lounge in Chicago recently, dressed in one of my typical androgynous stirrup pants outfit and my suitcase and purse, along with my wife, a close friend and his wife, plus another person we know from the group, all going to the same meeting this year. A fortysomething man was sitting there near us with his twentysomething daughter....at a nearby round table. They were out on a father-daughter rail trip. Both were very friendly, and were interested in our journey, talking with us about our trip, our group and a little bit about its activities.
Our train was soon to board, just as we started to eat our lunches. I was having trouble with a salad. Eating it quickly, with it on my lap, a plastic fork, and out of a flimsy plastic container was not an easy task.. So I asked the two of them if I could join them, and they said "of course." We chatted for a few minutes, as I chowed down. At this point, my memory gets a bit hazy as I was busy trying to finish lunch and not make a mess, instead of trying to remember the discussion.
The man said quietly (out of earshot of his daughter and our other friends) something like "I read your online blog." Well, this is the only blog I have, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. So unless it was a case of mistaken identity, he could be right. To myself, I thought, "OMG here we go again..." Temporarily speechless was the situation...LOL! So I quietly asked if he was interested in "that sort of thing." As I recall, he said something to the effect of "Yes, trains and old cars, and 'that sort of thing'. But my daughter doesn't know - or at least I don't think so."
I was shocked beyond belief to meet someone out of the blue who follows my blog....he must have recognized me from my pictures. But with so many folks (and their ears) nearby, I couldn't explore more. He truly made my day...and probably my month. (If you happen to read this, thanks! I'm glad you spoke up.)
Has this happened to anyone else, particularly when attending an event not related to our "hobby?" Or is it a real rarity out there in the world?
Mandy
It really was a 'small world' event for you to run into someone who recognized you from your blog. He clearly knew it was you because of the reference to trains, old cars and 'that sort of thing'.
ReplyDeleteI hope he writes or comments on this post.
Pat
A very small world, indeed! But nothing is posted yet.
DeleteMandy