Best of 2009 Blog Challenge: Best Social Web Moment

A little over a month ago my dear friend Tashi told me that he had discovered a woman’s blog online and that I had to check it out because the amount of similarities between she and I was outrageous. I did and found some: we both adore cupcakes, practice both yoga and meditation, love Project Runway, are quirky, and find travel to be imperative.

Then a few weeks ago Tashi told me to check out a podcast episode that reminded him of me. (She and a close friend of hers have a podcast together. They also own a yoga studio in Japan together.) So I did. The way she related to the topic was very much like I would. I told Tashi that it was indeed funny how similar we seemed to be. He pointed out that he had been listening to all of their podcasts and that he had found that she spoke in a very similar way to me. I told him it was too bad I had just found out about her now that I’m not living in Boulder (that’s where she lives). I encouraged him to meet up with her (but not to upgrade to the newer version of me just because I’m not there).  He had already befriended her on Twitter and Facebook. I started to follow her on Twitter and read on her blog that she was starting a Blog Challenge and decided to participate. (I’m all for self-reflection.)

That same week Tashi tweeted “@SamAhern… And it just keeps getting weirder. @GwenBell quoted Flight of the Conchords on the ZIS episode I just heard!! You 2: Same mold.” Tashi then told me that Gwen had tweeted him asking for us to be introduced. He told her that it wasn’t possible as I wasn’t in Colorado.

I then befriended her on Facebook. I included a message with my friend request, closing with an open invitation to crash in our guest room if she found herself needing a break by the beach. After accepting my friend request (a week ago) she rapidly sent me a few messages noting the similarities and asking if she and her hubby could indeed take me up on the offer to come stay with us in Costa Rica for one of the two weeks they were hoping to come down (three weeks from then). I ran it past Jim, who agreed. I gave them the green light and the tickets were bought.

I’ve only known about this woman for just over a month. I’ve never met her. We clearly have interests that overlap in places (although I am not half as techy as her and I’m not sure I am fearless enough to karaoke). Tashi pointed out that our similarities could either make it be like two long lost friends finally meeting or if could be a major flop. I’m trying to manifest the former. And if it is a flop. So be it. I still love her blog, the way she thinks, how courageous she is, how she attracts success, and how down to earth she is. And at the very least we can talk Boulder, tea, yoga, Tim Gunn, how to do what you love, and traveling a bit. (I do also hope to sort out what it is she actually does too.)

To read Gwen’s take on these events check out her blog post about it.