Amanda, you forgot to tell them it was ELK sushi!
I'm on a motel lobby computer and only have a minute or two, but I want to jump in to say what a great time I had that night. I think the reason we recognized each other immediately -- literally the moment I stepped into the coffee shop -- is that we both look exactly like our avatars. Or I used to, anyway. Amanda showered me with gifts, including a huge box of chocolate-covered cherries, so I am now about 10 pounsd heavier than I was when my avatar photo was taken.
And we had a great time, drinking beer and talking as the spirit of Jake looked down upon us from the bar TV (judging from Barb's espy post, aparently we were lucky the sound was muted). We discussed pretty much every imaginable BetterMost/BBM topic. We gossiped about each and every one of you (in a good way). And Amanda was every bit as charming and thoughtful and fun as her posts here would lead you to believe. After all those wonderful online conversations, it was great to have one in the so-called "real world." She is right -- when you meet a true-blue (and tan) Brokie, it's like you've already skipped the first six or seven steps of getting to know someone and can immediately graduate to a higher level.
The other gifts she gave me, BTW, (wrapped in appropriate blue and tan paper with bluebird accents) included a big bottle of an amber-colored beverage with a two-word name that starts with "Old." We didn't get a chance to pass it back and forth that night, but when I am able pass it back and forth with myself, I will toast Amanda and all the rest of you.
Thanks for the great time, Amanda. I would love to travel around the rest of the country -- the world, in fact -- and meet everybody else. (Or, if you're in Chicago, drop me a line and say if your here.)
Katherine
