[redwitch]

I'm lucky that I've had many years experience with online groups (bridge and parenting) and have met many of them in person. It is very rare for someone to be other than who they appear to be online. It really does seem to be a what you see is what you get.

The major difference of this group from the others I have belonged is the political nature. In my bridge group I'm moderator and religion and politics are very off limits. The other is a parenting group and they also have banned political discussions because of the battles. So, we have a better idea where people stand politically and this sometimes can flavor an opinion. (I'm glad I'm liberal enough to not care how people feel on politics ... heck, I even married a diehard Republican!)

I really liked meeting some of the TOTVers at the picture-taking celebration and, obviously, have become true friends with one of that group. I've also been fortunate to meet a couple of others and they've been exactly what I expected.

So far, only one seems to be slightly different from the online persona. Oddly, that person is much nicer in person than I find that person to be here.

So, of the many I have not met, I will admit that are a couple I really would not want to meet but the majority not only would I love to meet but would be proud to have them in my home and call a friend. (How's that for a long, run on sentence?)