I'm going to gush about my friend Ashley so, if hearing about that is not your thing, move along. Thank you.
I attended Ashley's Halloween Party last night and had a blast. Ashley dressed up as Veronica Lake and she nailed it. The resemblance was uncanny, from the slinky lace gown to the peek-a-boo hairstyle.
Before the party, there was buzz on the Internet that Beyoncé might show up. I'm not at liberty to disclose exactly what happened but some of the male guests were told to put a ring on it...
After the party, I was privileged to spend a few hours with Ashley. Our conversations touched on interesting and often serious subjects. We learned more about each other and confirmed that what we already believe is absolutely true.
In George Orwell's allegorical novel "Animal Farm," the official line is that everyone is equal but the startling truth is that some animals "are more equal than others." In my life, Ashley is more equal than others. Since the bud of our friendship, I sensed something special about her. Sure, she's super-intelligent and hysterically funny but I'm talking about something deeper. Ashley has a rare profundity that resonates with me. She's mysterious in the most alluring way. Her appeal is as ineffable as it is intense. Ashley projects wistfulness that borders on dolor so deep you want to hug her and make her happy. Clearly, Ashley stands apart from the crowd. Without trying or even being conscious of it, Ashley emits a strong magnetic pull.
That... and she's fun. Ashley makes me laugh; she makes me smile; she makes me think. I enjoy hearing her thoughts on every subject we discuss.
As thoughtful as she is intriguing, Ashley gave each guest a bag of goodies to take home. Along with tasty cookies packaged in Fall wrapping, mine had a vampiric rubber-ducky and cute skeleton.
Travelling from New York to Minnesota is certainly a big deal but, without hesitation, it was worth it. Close friends deserve your best efforts.
What are you doing for Halloween?
How fun! Too bad you didn't get a shot of Ashley's costume...
ReplyDeleteDebbie
www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com
No photos? Seriously...I'm disappointed : (
ReplyDeletebisous
Suzanne
I am so glad you had a wonderful time and the opportunity to strengthen your bond with Ashley. Clearly you were so smitten you forgot to take photos! ;-)
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
Guys, perhaps I need to explain this... When I meet with people, the foremost concern I have is for their privacy. I never reveal information told to me that's personal or confidential. And I don't take photos just to have something to post online. I enjoy sharing my experiences with you and will be completely candid about myself -- and that's because I consent to such exposure. I don't assume others do unless they tell me so. I never take pictures of anyone without their knowledge and wouldn't put them on the Internet unless they affirmatively say it's okay. That's just how I roll.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I know some people have less of an expectation of privacy in public settings or situations like parties, but that still doesn't trump my concern for their privacy. I'm sorry if the post above doesn't show more pictures but this is my thinking.
Also, while I enjoy sharing my experiences with you, I never view the experiences as mere fodder for my blog. The actual live experiences are primary events; blogging about them is secondary. Some people view and exploit their life's important events as grist for their online mill but I believe that's a critical mistake. With that view, you miss out on unique, never-to-be-repeated moments in life. Blogging is hugely important to me, but my actual life takes precedence over it.
I hope this doesn't sound preachy. I've been thinking about this subject a lot, usually prompted by reading blogs and Facebook postings whose content seems more focused on displaying experiences after-the-fact than savoring them as they occurred. Technology now gives us the opportunity to show our lives to others, but I believe we should remember to value our real lives over our later online descriptions of them.
Well said, Ally. I met with an American blogging friend on Saturday and barely took any photos at all, it just seemed artificial to, just wanted to enjoy her company. the few I took are pretty blurry but I shall still ask her if I decide to post ay all. So glad you has a fab time! X
DeleteI like to think that there is a happy middle ground and it is possible to do both...otherwise I think I'd have to give up my blog completely. Taking a camera out for 5 minutes and then putting it away I don't think lessens my experiences. In fact it allows me to remember a little bit clearer most of the time.
DeleteI will admit that for me it is wonderful to read about the great outfits...but if there isn't a photo then I almost would rather not know just how great they were. Seems like I'm being teased a bit.
That said, we all have out own ways of blogging and this obviously works for you. I will try not to nag you anymore for more photos and respect your decision : )
bisous
Suzanne
I didn't take it as nagging; to the contrary, I *really* appreciate your interest in my life. Thank you for that, Suzanne. I just need to balance my desire to blog about events with the rights and concerns of other people in them. I am very sensitive to that because, at heart, I'm a very sensitive person.
DeleteThis is one of the most thoughtful and lovely things I've read that you've written Ally, and this is on a thoughtful and lovely blog. :D I respect your reasons for blogging and friendship so much.
DeleteThank you, Aya. I appreciate your support.
DeleteSounds like a great party and visit :)
ReplyDeleteIm so glad you had a great trip, your friendships from blogging are truly special and I love hearing about all your blogging catch ups.
ReplyDeleteYay!! I'm super glad you're bloggerfest halloween is turning up pumpkins.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I'm sadly working. Another nine hour slog of a Friday. But, I am gearing up for a Nanowrimo with Meghan!
Sounds like the party was definitely worth traveling for! It's wonderful that you got to connect with someone so wonderful - Ashley sounds like a one-of-a-kind person.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your explanation about privacy and the importance of savoring experiences just as they are, without documenting what's going on for the online audience. I think many people get so caught up in having something to post and cultivating their online identity that they aren't truly present. As much as I enjoy taking photos with my camera, I've realized that the true goal is to develop the ability to deeply observe and be present so that I won't need a photo to remember the moment; I will have it locked in my mind.
For Halloween with my class, we're going to be "burying" tired words like nice and finding more lively synonyms. We'll probably do some holiday-themed math activities, too! I'll also be giving out small treat bags to my students as well as the class I teach for science. Nothing big planned for Halloween night - I am perfectly happy to stay home and eat candy with the family. :)
You get it, Carrie. Thanks for confirming my point.
DeleteHow I wish I could come to that party... You and Ashley are very close to my heart!! So glad you took the initiative, I'm sure Ashley feels the same. Kisses and hugs to both of you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a truly beautiful, kind and eloquent way to describe your dear friend. Who amongst us wouldn't dream of someone speak in such high regard of them?
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
I'm glad your meet ups and trip are going so well. I hope we get to see a picture of your costume.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad your visit with Ashley was as wonderful as you'd hoped it would be! And I understand the point about pictures, while I thought later we should have taken one together at the same time I enjoyed so much more being present in the moment for our visit!
ReplyDeletePictures: Yes, we did forget to take pictures, which is something I will probably regret later, but I was so busy living in the moment, the thought never crossed my mind! Here's your challenge: when you get home, put that costume back on and snap away. Maybe I'll do the same!
ReplyDeleteI totally wasn't expecting this type of post at all. I was preparing myself for something more along the lines of:
- "Homegirl just said she's an introvert, yet she's never shutting the &#%@ up."
- "Was that even a complete sentence or did she just trail off into nothingness….for the fifteenth time tonight?"
- On the same note, "She's been talking for three minutes and still hasn't answered my original question."
- "Shut up about your genealogy project, Ashley. You clearly don't remember a damn thing from it despite devoting two weeks of your life to tracing your roots."
- "Why is she so bad at remembering names? I'd expect this kind of behavior if she actually WAS a 40-year-old half senile man in disguise like I had originally anticipated, but she's not. What gives?"
So glad to hear you felt otherwise! It was SO GREAT meeting you and I'm thrilled you could make it. After knowing you online for so many years, meeting in real life just felt natural. Thank you!!!!
And thank you, buddy. As my character Rick said at the very end of "Casablanca" -- "Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
DeleteI'm going to call you Louie from now on...
Such a fantastic post. I'm so glad that the Halloween party was well worth the trek half way across the country.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how you can form such special and unique connections through blogging with people you would have otherwise never met. There's something to be said about having your own soap box to let your inner self out.
XxMO
madame-ostrich.com
You said it perfectly.
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