Meeting another JUer in Person!

Published on December 7, 2006 By Dodyas In Just Hanging Out

By request...photos of ParaTed2k and the story of how I got to meet one of JU's greatest citizens.

Ted and I met online at another site for bloggers at the beginning of this year and became good friends rather quickly. So when I found out I was going to have a few days layover in Chicago (a few hours from where he lives) during my trip home to the States, he graciously offered to pick me up and house me for a few days.

So on Sunday September 17, 2006 tired and weary from a 9 hour flight, I stepped into the arrivals hall and spied Ted and his daughter waiting there for me. I've met many online buddies over the years and it's always a game of chance. Sometimes you find that the person you got along so well with online is a total jerk in person. Or that you have absolutely nothing to say to each other. But meeting Ted was like reuniting with a long lost friend.

Our first stop was for food at Wendy's. And then a detour in Milwaukee to show his daughter and I some of his old haunts. It was late when we got to Sheboygan, but Ted had one more thing to show me before bed, the lighthouse there on Lake Michigan. I had never before seen a lighthouse in person so this was quite a treat!

The next day we headed out on a walking tour of Sheboygan. We walked all around downtown and around the harbor.

Of course being the overgrown kid that I am, I had to stop and play at the park.

We ended up down by the lighthouse again. Ted took my picture there.

Okay, okay..I know you came here to see pics of Ted, not me! So without further delay...
Ted on the rocks!

Shaken not stirred.

Later that day we played Pirates (a table top trading card game) with Ted's son Craig. And then that night the whole family and I went out to eat at Applebees.

The next day we met up with another blog buddy and had lunch, then took off in the car for more site seeing.

Of course we had to stop at the harbor once more!

Ted made homemade pizza for supper. And his wife and youngest son went and got us all ice cream from Cold Stone! YUM!

Wednesday came much too soon and it was time for me to leave. We got up early that morning and headed out arriving in Milwaukee just as the sun was rising. It was beautiful.

With this pic you can see just how red Ted's hair really is!

Then on to Chicago we went. Heavy traffic caused me to miss my flight, but I was able to get on another just a few hours later. So with one more hug for the road, I was off.

From the minute he enveloped me in a huge bear hug to the minute I waved goodbye to him from the security line three days later Ted and his family made me feel very much at home.

So if you are ever in his neck of the woods, Ted is definitely a guy you want to meet! He's warm and friendly, has a great sense of humor and makes a pretty tasty pizza!

Comments

Shovelheat

on Dec 07, 2006

Dayum, your cute!

(But...sorry, Ted. I a can't say the same about you. You're just not my type...)

Ravenblack

on Dec 07, 2006

What good-feeling post with such warmness. I'm glad for you. It's always nice to finally meet and hug the person who is such a friend online.

Tova7

on Dec 07, 2006

Good to see ya here on JU.

Glad you got to meet Ted (WHO by the way owes me a little sompin

)

I have met a fellow JUer and then also one who posts anon. I hope to meet another in about two weeks.

So far, so good for me. People were EXACTLY who they were on line.

ParaTed2k

on Dec 07, 2006

You left out the part where I drove you out to the middle of the Wisconsin Desert and left you for dead.

That was a fun time, DodyaS! You're only the second cyberbuddy I've met up with (not counting a few more I've talked to on the phone). So far everyone I've met or talked to have been great!

Shovelheat:

Dayum, your cute!

Ain't she though!

(But...sorry, Ted. I a can't say the same about you. You're just not my type...)

Understood, and appreciated. ;~D

Tova:

Glad you got to meet Ted (WHO by the way owes me a little sompin

)

Yeah I do! But I'm working with a friend on a remastering project, so I figured you would enjoy the new CD better! You'll get one of the first ones burned!

Dodyas

on Dec 07, 2006

Dayum, your cute!

Thank you kindly, sir Shovelheat!

Good to see ya here on JU.

Thanks, Tova! It's great to be here!

What good-feeling post with such warmness. I'm glad for you.

Thanks, Ravenblack! It was a lot of fun!

Reply By: ParaTed2kPosted: Thursday, December 07, 2006You left out the part where I drove you out to the middle of the Wisconsin Desert and left you for dead

Oops! Yup and about how I had to hitchike 4000 miles back to civilization aka where they sell Krispy Kreme.

Moderateman

on Dec 07, 2006

Nice to see more ted pics.... if I was inclined that way.. never mind...

YOU on the other hand do ring my old old chimes, my wife colleen says "eyes front mister" heh heh

foreverserenity

on Dec 07, 2006

This is great! The pictures are really good too! Ted, nice! Thx for sharing your adventure Dody!

new-age nomad

on Dec 07, 2006

Girl, you are so sexy. I saw your pictures on some forever's site before this, and had to nominate you for sexiest female. I'm not a lesbian, but I do appreciate beauty.....and jeez, the pictures here are even more beautiful.

Trinitie

dynamaso

on Dec 07, 2006

It is so nice to hear stories like these. I like the idea that online friendships can spill over into real life. It is a pity I live on the other side of the world, though. I would love to meet some of my JU friends.

Dayum, your cute!

I agree with Shovel on all counts.

Dodyas

on Dec 08, 2006

YOU on the other hand do ring my old old chimes, my wife colleen says "eyes front mister" heh heh

ROFL! Well that would work nicely if the eye candy you were staring at were right in front of you.

This is great! The pictures are really good too! Ted, nice! Thx for sharing your adventure Dody!

My pleasure, foreverserenity!

**BLUSH**

I hear ya! I had to travel 5000 miles just to meet Ted! Good thing he was worth it.

Although I was on my way to see my family anyway.

I agree with Shovel on all counts.

Aww, thanks!

crimson

on Dec 08, 2006

what a great article. I've never met anybody from JU, but would love to do so.
You guys looked like you both had a lot of fun.

Dodyas

on Dec 09, 2006

You guys looked like you both had a lot of fun.

We had a blast! Hoping to see Ted and his family again this summer on my next trip home.

InBloom

on Dec 09, 2006

That's awesome...I have never met anyone on JU...who knows maybe someday.

I like Ted's flaming red hair...and I LOVE your dimples! I wish I had some...my niece has some adorable ones, too.

BlueDev

on Dec 11, 2006

Very fun article. Great photos as well!

Dodyas

on Jan 10, 2007

I like Ted's flaming red hair...and I LOVE your dimples! I wish I had some...my niece has some adorable ones, too.

Awww Thanks!

Very fun article. Great photos as well!

Thank you! The trip was even more fun than the article.

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