Meeting Online Friends in Person

Since so much of what I'm knitting lately has to stay a secret, it's no wonder I haven't been posting as often as I usually do. Once I get a few more projects finished, I will pick up non-book knitting again and be able to show you what's on the needles. But for now, I'll share with you my weekend. Guess who's in town?

That's right: Olga Buraya-Kefelian!

When I found out that she would be staying in Southern California while things get sorted out in Japan (she was living there before the terrible quake), I got in touch with her and we made arrangements to spend the day together on Saturday.

We did some shopping at Knit Culture Studio and went to a button shop a couple doors down that absolutely blew my mind. After, we hung out at the Farmer's Market with my whole family.

I don't even know how we became "online" friends but I'm glad we did. In person, she is exactly as I imagined she'd be. Isn't that so funny? I mean, you get to know someone online and it's a real crap shoot as to how they turn out "in person." And we all know what I'm talking about: Just look at the photos we all use for avatars, Facebook pictures, etc. Of course you'll use a picture that you like or what is a best representation of who you think you are, who you want to look like, etcetera, and if the picture you show is an inanimate object chances are, you're probably hiding something or look like Ernest Borgnine. Not that there is anything wrong with looking like Ernest Borgnine (esp. if you are Ernest Borgnine), but you get my drift. All I'm saying is that avatars and Facebook/Myspace pictures are certainly telling in a backwards sort of way.

In fact, HWWV and I were talking about that very subject yesterday. "The minute I friend someone on Facebook, I stalk all the pictures they post to their wall," he said. "I find it all very interesting, the pictures they choose to share with practical strangers."

"So, you're saying that what they show gives clues to how they want to be perceived?" I asked. "And that based on my avatar, for example, that I want to be thought of as a sex-hungry vixen?"

Then he laughed hysterically.

All that aside, I appreciated very much meeting and spending time with Olga. With her, what you see is what you get. Her personality is wonderful and sweet and her designs are minimalistic and have a definite point of view, of which I am envious. She has a self-published book out called Ori Ami Knits that you can take a look at here. It's available in hardback and digital.

BTW: I've beaten you all to the punch. The answer is "Yes." I have already asked her about that gray slouch cap she's wearing. If the pattern is available, I'll let you know.

ETA: It is a hat called "Wurm" and is a free pattern on Ravelry. Olga used Classic Elite Wool Bamboo.

Comments

[Flossie]

Please do tell about that hat-it's lovely! I just had a while conversation about making friends online with an online friend just yesterday. Its bizarre how natural it feels when you finally see them in the flesh. It almost feels like you're cheating the system a little bit...

[wendy]

Just talked to Olga...Read the update about the hat.

[Margaux]

I know what you mean about seeing what they're like "in real person". I got to meet one of the bloggers I talk to a lot and it was nerve-wracking but we had the best time!! Love that you both got to hang out together - talk about a knitting creative force together!

[Samm]

Thanks! AT the first photo I wanted to know about that hat!! Love it. :)

[pia]

Awww, lucky! We in DC miss Olga's smiling face. Hugs to her!

[Chantal Boucher]

I'm glad for you, because i already got a bad experience about meeting a person i use to write a lot by mail, we were like "friend" and when i met her... gosh... she was so snob, talking about herself all the time... what a deception!! But Olga looks so sweet! I'm not surprised that she is just like that: sweet!
Wendy, you didn't put the right blog on your post. I follow her too. http://olgajazzzy.blogspot.com/

[Jenn Furber]

How cool you've connected!

[Wendy]

I posted a link to her book...But thanks for the blog address.

[Patty]

Beautiful picture of you there Wendy! Glad the day was fab!

[Torque Wrench]

that was an accomplishment of being an online friends although majority of meeting online pals are disappointed most turned out to be the opposite of what they are, that was really great for both of you..

[Seanna Lea]

I love Olga's designs, but I am never sure about whether that visual minimalism works with my not quite so minimalistic body. I always feel like even cute knits look dowdy on me.

I don't like having my photos on Facebook, so most of my photos are either on my blog (for better or worse) or are on my Etsy store. No one needs to know what I look like after a 6 mile run.

[Claudia]

I had to laugh out loud at the last part of your posting because from the moment I clicked on your blog and saw the hat, I wanted to know who, what, where and how? So funny how we think that way.

By the way, I just love your blog - keep up the great work!

[Julie]

That's so funny...the whole time I was reading I was like...wow...great hat! I wonder if I can find a similar pattern.

[Kristen S.]

Wow, I find it very cool that two of my favorite designers were hanging out! I'm almost finished with the body of a Somewhat Cowl in Silky Wool, and wore Olga's Miura cowl every single day this winter, so I might be a cowl groupie of some sort.

[Ellen]

I'm happy for you!

I look like Ernest Borgnine in photos, but not so much in real life ... I think. In real life I look more like Mr Ed, but in a good way, an approachable way.

[Michele]

It's interesting that you speak of the internet as your way of communicaton.... While it is a form for me too, I have many friendships that have started with my job. I'm on the phone a lot, I speak with many people and have been doing so for aprox. 30 yrs. Therefore, it floors me when I meet a voice! Talk about strange, the voice never looks like the person! I think you know what I mean....

[Laura]

It looks like you had such a nice day! That's really neat.
Also, you know us so well. I had to download the pattern and get some Silk Road last night for the Wurm.

[Kathy]

Well now the hat is out of the way, what about those cute glasses?

[balzac]

So glad OlgaJazzy's ok!!! Not to get hysterical or anything, but, what an awful ordeal. At least we get to have her in California. So nice to see the two of you together. And, yeah, awesome hat. Thanks for telling us pattern and yarn.

[Z]

I understand totally, what you mean about meeting people. I used to do that alot years ago. But you couldn't catch me doing that now. I would have to know a person online for a long, long time.

And thank you so much for the information on the hat. I have been wanting to make a slouchy hat for a while now. I kind of got side tracked with this project I am currently working on...but I will get to a slouchy hat eventually.

[gay]

love these photos of the two of you in your stylish trench coats and manicured nails knitting!

[beth]

well that scark you're wearing is to DIE for, and be honest - did you do your own hair, or did you recently go to salon? if you did that yourself I am officially jealous

[beth]

scarf, not scark

[wendy]

Did my own hair. It goes through phases of craptastic and fabulous and there is no phase in between. Oh well.

[top chiropractor jacksonville]

I know what you mean about seeing what they're like "in actual person". I got to satisfy one of the blog owners I discuss to a lot and it was nerve-wracking but we had the best time!! Really like that you both got to dangle out together - discuss a stamp collecting innovative power together!