Meg's Epic Week Part 5: Maayani

I've met "Internet friends" before in person and there's always that awkward moment of, "What do I say? How do I act?" I admit that as excited as I was about meeting Maayan this week and spending time with her at a Mumford and Sons gig and going on fun adventures, I was also nervous--what if the magic of our Internet- and phone-based friendship didn't translate to "real life?" What if we drove each other completely insane? What if my tendency to gesture with my hands or twist my facial expressions around while I talk was incredibly annoying? What if she had some annoying trait that I just couldn't get around?

We even discussed the general "look, if you need a few minutes away from me, it's fine, we'll just go for a wander separately for a bit" scenario.

So Wednesday night, as I waited at Sacramento Airport, standing on the balls of my feet and almost vibrating with impatience, I wondered just how it would feel to see Maayan emerge from the secure area, and just how we'd get along in person.

We needn't have worried. For the last 48 hours, we have been thick as thieves, pretty much in each others pockets without going bananas. From the first three-minute hug at the airport, complete with squealing and "Oh my God!!" to standing at the end of the concert last night, arms around each others shoulders and near tears from the joy of the music and the cameraderie, it has been like I've always known her.

I'm really, really tired (it's 1:00 in the morning, we've had very little sleep and lots of adventure in 48 hours) and feeling a bit philosophical tonight--perhaps even maudlin--but it made me think about what transpired in the last eight months to bring me to this point. How one song ("Somewhere Only We Know" by Keane) made me go to a gig, which made me a fan, which made me post at a forum, which made me become friends with a lady in New York, which made me find this incredible friendship that finally came crashing into "real life" this week in the most epic and exciting way. We've spoken often about "blaming" Tim for writing the tunes that brought us together and how incredible it is that a band and its music can bring friends together from all over the world.

One of our goals during Maayan's whirlwind visit was to call the other Swimmy's Ladies. We called Sarah (England) first, surprising her into near-silence when she answered that strange number on the caller ID to hear "HI SARAH!!! from two loud voices on the other end of the line. Amanda (Holland) was next; she laughed in delight when she realized we had called her (Maayan has an international calling card). We called Lindsay (Michigan) later in the day, as we waited in line for the gig. It's amazing to me that eight months after first encountering these women on a message board for Keane fans, I want to hear their voices, to meet them, to share things with them. It's the power of music, and a testament to Keane's powerful lyrics and melodies.


Right. I'm so exhausted and euphoric and maudlin and...well, exhausted! It's been one hell of a week and I can't wait to share my pictures, my videos, and my stories. I'll start with a quick teaser and hope that you'll come back soon for more.

In the meantime, Maayan leaves in about 10 hours, and I'll be sad to see her go. We are proof that connections can be made across many miles, and two people can immediately fall into finishing each others' sentences and laughing at the corniest of jokes.

מעיין, אני מבורך להכיר אותך.

(Hebrew: Maayan, I am blessed to know you.)

Sarah (my former colleague from St. Peter's in England and I on Wednesday)

Maayan (with Izzy Swimmy) and Yours Truly (with Cali Swimmy) at the
Epic Gig on Thursday.

Swimmy Madness: "Mom? Is that you?!"

Meghan and I in Santa Barbara on Monday.