What Kristin said. I've gone to parties with people I've known "IRL" for years that weren't as comfortable.

Seriously, male and female, all ages…the Buffistas are amazing. There is a kind of beauty that transcends simple face and hair and body, that is pure kinetic energy crackling through each person. You people are vivid. Vivacious. Amazing. I have never felt so lucky to be a part of a group as I did by the end of that night. There is a generosity to the Buffistas, and I’m not just talking about financially or emotionally (though that too was as apparent as it always is). There is a generosity of affection, as well. A willingness to hug and be hugged, to be comfortable enough to smooch away that pesky extra candy or to pile together like a litter of puppies just ‘cause it’s fun. Likewise, there is a respect for boundaries for the people who do not want the physical affection that is without judgment or censure. It just isn’t a phenomenon I have ever seen before, and I adored it.

This is EXACTLY how I felt after my first F2F! (I still do now, every time I get together with Buffistas, but there's something about that initial realization of "These are amazing people and I've never met a group like them before!")

This was my reaction after the first F2F, for the record.

I'm going to quote F. Scott Fitzgerald, and then I'm going to bed. From Tender is the Night:

"I fell in love on the beach," said Rosemary.
"Who with?"
"First with a whole lot of people who looked nice."

I never really understood that line -- about falling in love with a group of people -- until I spent time with Buffistas. It's a beautiful thing.

Brenda, aren't you brendalu on LJ?

t sheepish Um, yes. I forgot about that part. I use that name to log in, but what appears at the top of my screen is brenda m. Why or how I set it up that way, I can't explain, but I really should see if I can figure out how to change it.

eta: And, it's done. Now I can stop confusing people. Thanks, Steph!

(still working on post of doom)

Raquel, you are guuuhh-jous! Also, so cool. I was really sorry we didn't get more of a chance to hang out more.

Repeat that comment for so many other Buffistas.

(going back to post of doom)

Seriously, male and female, all ages…the Buffistas are amazing. There is a kind of beauty that transcends simple face and hair and body, that is pure kinetic energy crackling through each person. You people are vivid. Vivacious. Amazing. I have never felt so lucky to be a part of a group as I did by the end of that night. There is a generosity to the Buffistas, and I’m not just talking about financially or emotionally (though that too was as apparent as it always is). There is a generosity of affection, as well. A willingness to hug and be hugged, to be comfortable enough to smooch away that pesky extra candy or to pile together like a litter of puppies just ‘cause it’s fun. Likewise, there is a respect for boundaries for the people who do not want the physical affection that is without judgment or censure. It just isn’t a phenomenon I have ever seen before, and I adored it.

Yes, this. I adored this. This was why I did not once freak out at the number of people. Because every single time something was hitting my boundaries, or getting close, or just weirding me out, I could step away and no one would say anything about it. Part of what sometimes makes me freak out a bit at parties is a feeling similar to my claustrophobia: being trapped. And I never once felt that, this entire weekend. And it was wonderful. And the energy of the differently-boundaried people partying together was fabulous, as were all the people themselves.

the differently-boundaried people

Hee. I like this term. A *lot.*

Really, going to bed now.

(To bed, to bed, said Sleepyhead; tarry a while, said Slow.)

Must. meet. Astarte and Deena. I'm not above arm-twisting (since it was used to great effectiveness on me).

Laura, it was lovely to meet you as well. Every last freakin' one of you helped in the best way possible, and I'm so grateful. The Buffistas have been the cause of a number of allergy attacks these past few days. Oh, and pics of Brendon in a kilt are hereby requested as soon as they are available.

smonster, your Italian is just fine. You and amyth are the best NC has to offer.

Sean, you are the best. 'Nuff said. It was a joy talking with you, and I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to say good-bye. And you're not broken, but you are most definitely bent.

Vortex, I heart the word "sultry." It oozes all kinds of good stuff, and ironically appropriate to describe the deliciously decadent city of NO.

And a big fat WROD to what Kristin and Raquel said....being comfortable enough to pick on people (it's my way) in the first five minutes rarely happens.

Now I must go through the attendence list so I don't forget anyone. There's so much that still has to be said, even if you don't want to hear it. *snerk*

For those of us trying to keep track (and who are easily confused), here's a list of the LJ names I've been able to find posted in this thread. I hope I didn't miss anyone.

smonsterbite : smonster
wildgreentide : kate P.
la_perkins : Lee
sophiap : Anne W.
mfnlaw: MFNlaw (maria)
larisa57 : Hil R.
fiorituranotte : sj
brenda m (or brendalu? I am confused): brenda m
arliss: Beverly
fatoudust : Liese S.
serasempre : Deena

I'm minim_calibre, even though I didn't get to go and meet shiny new people.

It's brendalu, Deena. You're not the only one who was confused, but Steph stepped in to the rescue, thankfully.

I've fixed that problem, but honestly, I find lj so non-intuitive. This probably isn't the place for it, but if someone wants to come over to Natter and answer some questions, I'd appreciate it.