THREAD!

There was time, not so long ago, when we were warned: NEVER MEET ANYONE FROM THE INTERNET.

Please enjoy this delightful thread of just how many excellent folks I’ve met from Twitter.

In no particular order...

Firstly, me + @v_m_phil insisted we must BOTH wear our “Toronto vs. Everybody” shirts on our initial meeting about 4 years ago. NERDS.

I wore my Boston Red Sox hat to a Jays/Red Sox game *just* to annoy here.

Last year, I attended her wedding.

Love you, V.

NEXT: The stupendous, formidable, absolute gem @AbeGoldfarb and I have hung out in both NYC + Toronto over the years.

Stellar human, electric performer, all around cool dude.

NEXT: I’ve had the pleasure of hanging with @MyHarmReduction three times on my travels to NYC.

Always hospitable, always kind, always great conversation.

NEXT: Got to hang with @Karnythia on a trip to Chicago a few years ago.

We had a great convo about the differences in racism in the States versus Canada. And, as requested, took me to a dive bar w/ beer - my fave environment!

NEXT: Me and @LR279 had a lovely night chatting like old friends after a few years of being mutuals.

Food + drinks at Nirvana here in Toronto.

NEXT: The lovely and hospitable @red3blog who gave me a tour around Harvard in Boston.

Thank you for your kindness!

NEXT: @gembarrett doesn’t really like having her picture posted so instead I will post a pic of one of our fav pastimes: craft beer!

Gemma and I met IRL, here in Toronto, on my birthday in 2017 and now she’s one of my besties.

NEXT: Had the pleasure of going for a pint at Sweaty Betty’s here in Toronto with @anne_theriault.

We chatted Twitter, feminism, racism, etc.

The absolute weird thing is this: I know the *exact* date of our meeting (Wed Oct 26th, 2016) b/c it was two days before my Dad died.

NEXT: I’ve had the opportunity to hang w/ @Blackamazon in both NYC (with @alexachula + @jazzagold) and in Toronto - pictured here.

Always good times with Sydette!

NEXT: The super rad @DecolonialBlack - we’ve hung out in Buffalo + a few times in Toronto! (And once with @AdityaHarchand!)

The convos are ALWAYS top notch; y’all already know we’re talking about race + racism. LOL! And about his hilarious daughter.

Until next time, William!

NEXT: Me and @riotheatherrr have been mutuals for years + she’s awesome, in general.

We met when I was in Seattle over Christmas holidays in 2016. My beloved Dad just died two months prior. That time was a bit of a blur; I wish I remembered it better.

I’m sorry, Heather.

NEXT: I also got to meet @jiaalin during that same trip to Seattle.

What a gem of a human.

We spent NYE 2016 together in my hotel room, along with her partner; it was perfection + exactly what I needed just two months after my beloved father died suddenly.

NEXT: I also got to meet the awesome @tealscorpion. We are LONGTIME mutuals.

We went to Snoqualmie Falls w/ @jiaalin + went to a @TheBlackTones show w/ @riotheatherrr - and, of course, Starbucks! Duh!

NEXT: I’ve met @Hood_Biologist a couple of times - once in Buffalo and once in Chicago.

He’s so cool, funny, and smart. We obviously talked about race + racism (OBVI!) and I hope we’ll get to hang again soon.

NEXT: I’ve “met” @thecinemadoctor twice - our first hang was a Skype call maybe 5 or 6 yrs ago? And then we met IRL here in Toronto whilst he was presenting at a conference.

Drew is a cool dude and I look forward to hanging again, bud! Hotel desert! *chef’s kiss*

NEXT: OMG! @ztsamudzi and I met when she was in Toronto and she’s the cutest + sweetest!

I cannot remember the year but it was her 25th birthday (like, actually) and we danced.

I hope we’ll hang again soon!

NEXT: Had sushi and perused a used bookstore with @jusmunkaur 2 or 3 years ago here in Toronto.

She had the cutest Polaroid camera - look at how cute we are!

Let me know when you’re back. :)

NEXT: Ah! Had Korean food with @bad_dominicana when she was in Toronto for work! This is us on Yonge Street.

She’s so sweet and nice. Hope to meet you again, friend.

NEXT: Got to hang with @thetrudz in Miami (she took the train in to hang). This is summer of 2016.

We had Italian food and hung out by the waterfront whilst I got eaten alive by mosquitoes! LOL! Longtime mutuals, me and Trudy. (She’s just as pretty IRL!)

NEXT: I’ve also met @CasualCognition from Twitter. I have one picture of us but I know she doesn’t like posting her face online so...

Last time I saw her was my 40th birthday which now feels like it was in the Paleozoic Era. LOL!

NEXT: I’ve met @sophiaphotos IRL, too, but I don’t think I have a selfie of us!

Soph and I met here in Toronto *years* ago, had tea, and made photographs.

Hope we might cross paths again one day but she’s out west so I don’t know!

NEXT: I got to meet @radha_sophia when she saw I was going to be in Cardiff, Wales summer of 2019.

We met in Swansea + drove to The Mumbles (beach) + then back to Swansea for a cream tea.

Hospitality, off the charts! Gutted we didn’t get to hang this past summer.

I’m sure I’ve missed some Tweetups! If I did, my bad!

Anyway, meeting friends from online IRL is super rad.

That’s it.

NEXT: I just saw @daibyday favourite the first post in this thread and instantly felt guilty that I’d forgotten her!

GAH!

We had delicious, gourmet burgers here in Toronto a few years ago now! Until next time!

I NEED EVERYONE TO KNOW THIS THREAD TOOK AN HOUR AND A HALF TO WRITE (and that doesn’t count the hour it took to scroll through 20,000 photos - yes, seriously).

NEXT: The incredible @DrJodiHall and @CWChapter2!!!

I don’t have selfies of us but let me tell you this: These two women are two of the kindest and most generous-of-spirit people I’ve ever met.

My heart grows whenever I think of them. Can’t wait to see each other again!