Perchance, I was reading the Toronto forum on Flickr to see if they’d had a meetup in February yet, and noticed that it was scheduled for the 16th! I decided to go.
This is the first Flickr-based event I’ve attended since Vandigicam: Code Blue on August 4th, the day before David phoned me from the hospital. I flew East, and didn’t attend any Philadelphia or New York Flickr meetups. I went to one Northeast Photography Club meeting, the first week of December.
I wasn’t 100% sure I felt like mingling with strangers (which can make for awkward questions), but I talked myself into going, and asked China if she wanted to come along (which reinforced my commitment to going).
Yes, there were awkward questions and awkward moments. I didn’t have any canned answers prepared to field the inevitable questions (“Why are you moving to Toronto?”), but I kept the emotions mostly in check. I told China I figured I would recognise only one person there, but she spotted a bowler hat, so I went to see if it was Striatic. It was! I met him at the BBQ that Vandigicam threw for him back in July. It seems like several lifetimes ago.
I also introduced myself to Taku/Smaku (and bought his second edition of U&I Magazine), and Rannie/photojunkie. Also spent a lot of time talking to Himy, who was handing out flyers for the Toronto Area Photobloggers event at the Apple Store in Yorkdale. (I told him I’d plug the event here, too.)
I even signed a U&I Magazine that was passed around as a going-away souvenir for JoelF, who’s moving back to Victoria after two years in Toronto. I met him after I signed his book “Best wishes from one British Columbian to another…”
Out of everyone I spoke to, only one person knew about my situation, and I was on the brink of crying when I spoke to her, but I managed to hold it in. I don’t like to cry in public, so there’s always a dilemma for me between staying in because I don’t wish to make a public display of emotion or making myself go out because it means I strengthen my resolve not to cry in public. (I am determined not to fall apart during job interviews.) Then there’s the other dilemma of wishing to be with strangers because they know nothing about me, and wishing to be with friends because they know what’s going on and I don’t have to explain anything. I suppose it’s part of widowhood, this strange dichotomy of feelings. I’d better get used to it.
All things considered, it was a fruitful venture, meeting people whose technique I’d admired and making an effort to socialise. Besides, I told myself, social networking is important when arriving in a new city. Tonight I learned of photography-themed activities I can participate in, other photo groups to join, and everyone was very friendly.
China and I split another pitcher of sangria, too, so I see a pattern forming here… we’ll have to start our own sangria brewery and perfect the recipe, now that we’re officially neighbours. My lease application was finally accepted today!
[Addition: Sunday, Feb 19 - Look! Striatic shot us!]
Uploaded by striatic on 17 Feb ’06, 5.30am EST
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I’m so glad you got out and found a good group of folks to hang out with. It’s so tough moving to a new city; I haven’t done it since the ‘net was in full force and it really is a wonderful vehicle (as you so obviously know) for connecting with people. It has really helped me in visiting new cities, and with all the time I spend on the road.
Congratulations on your new place! Will Hugh have to do anything special to become a Canadian feline?! He’ll have to learn to meow in French?
I hope you have some hot leads on the job front as well – you’ll be a working girl again in no time. I’m glad life is getting a teeny bit better for you!
Yeah Sangria!!!!!!!!!!! It gives me migraines – but so worth it:)
Glad you’ve linked up with the Toronto Flickr group. It will help you put some friendly faces on Toronto. Who knows–one of them could give you a lead to a job.
–Jennifer
I had no read this entry when you posted it, but found it only now… Means that I should be digging your archives more often. To be honest, I too felt awkward knowing about your situation, but tried to give you space and let you get acquainted with other people because I *knew* we’d see each other again. I’ve got that vibe from the first moment I saw you and it has nothing to do with the situation you’re in. I don’t often believe in fate, but fact is that we were supposed to meet last year already, it says something to me. Unfortunately this fate got a sour twist since then, but I hope you will trust me that I will always be here for you, as I was ready to be here for you, back then. Toronto is a much better place when you have friends around. You are welcome in my world.
[...] When I was at the Toronto Flickr meetup at the Red Room last month, I promised the webmaster of Utata.org that I would write David’s testimonial for the website. Utata.org is a site created by the Utata community on Flickr, and David contributed this photo to Utata’s first project last year, the Trains Project, which became a Yahoo Pick of the Day on July 2, 2005. [...]
[...] and this was my third Toronto Flickr meetup! I wasn’t living here yet when I attended February’s at the Red Room, and last month I wasn’t here for even two weeks before the meetup at Gypsy Co-op then went [...]