January 19, 2011
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Houston, We Did Not Have a Problem!
Over the holiday weekend, I was fortunate enough to meet up with some long distance friends in Houston, Texas. FlipGuy31O, Cakalusa, and I picked Houston to meet up this time around because it was cheap, it was the central point for everyone, and so we could visit friends from there that we’ve been meaning to see. The trip was very low key but constantly entertaining and fun. I really just wanted to hang out, talk and laugh with old and new friends, and I sure did all that!
In case you were wondering, pretty much everybody I hung out with in Houston were people I’ve met online. I normally don’t feel the need to say that, but I still hear from some people who have issues with that fact for whatever old fashion beliefs they have on “weird internet people”. They seem to think the right type of friends are the kind you meet “in real life”. While I do have plenty of “real life” friends that are great, my “fake” (as I like to joke around saying) friends are usually as great if not even better in some ways.
Take FlipGuy31O for instance. He’s a guy that I’ve initially met through Xanga back in February 2009 through a contest I was hosting. Since then, we have corresponded many times online and have done a lot of group video chats as a way to keep in touch. In the past 2 years, we have met up in person at 5 different locations (San Diego, San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, and now Houston). In other words, we have made time in our busy schedule to pay for and go on trips just to hang out. Each time, we hung out during the majority of the trip’s duration (usually 3-4 days). During those trips, we have swapped many stories and secrets and have created many inside jokes. Many times he has made me laugh so hard that I had to guzzle down water to soothe my throat. When I was hurt and betrayed by someone one time, he was one of my friends there helping me get through it all at 3:30am.
Yeah, I really hope you understand now why I consider Flip a true friend, period. How him and I, as well as how other people and I, have met does not really matter when determining a friendship. What matters is all that takes place afterward.
Okay, I’m off the soapbox haha. Time for some picture from my trip!
The obligatory group shots:
Outside Rudy’s with (from left to right) Cakalusa, hodtos, FlipGuy31O, BranmacFeabhail, Jeannie_dot_com, and SonyChak (I’ll explain this later)
Can you guess which one is TheTheologiansCafe?? I know I know, it’s like finding Waldo or something, but I’m sure you can find him if you look hard enough.
Miyako Sushi with Jeannie_dot_com, SonyChak, Cakalusa, BranmacFeabhail, DangDatsTracy, blubunni326, and FlipGuy31OJust some random moments from the trip:
Water Wall. So hypnotizing.
It almost looks like we’re a portrait in the museum.
How we improvised heating up the burrito without a microwave. Check out FlipGuy31O’s vlog for more of this!
FLLYYYY LIKE A G6!!!!So, some of you may be wondering why we were carrying around this ugly and pathetic SonyChak‘s picture around Houston with us:
The reason why was because he was suppose to come on the trip with us, but due to lack of funds he was unable to. FlipGuy31O brought this laminated picture of him on the trip as a joke initially, but we all soon took it almost everywhere we went. Laminated SonyChak sure was a fun companion!
Don’t take my word on this. See for yourselves! As you can see, he definitely enjoyed the trip…
….clearly. Feel free to use him as a meme y’all!
Since SonyChak couldn’t make it on this trip, I decided I would go visit him instead. That’s right, I’m doing one more trip, but this time in San Francisco! Bengozen and I will be flying in tomorrow, Jan 20th, and will leave on Monday the 24th. I already talked to most of you Bay Area Xangans, but if I haven’t and you want to meet up let me know.
I’ll see the rest of you all next week! I’ll find some way to catch up on everybody’s posts when I’m done vacationing. Promise!
Comments (134)
aw i wish i was in houston that weekend
i’m originally from there but in dallas for school BOOOOOO but i do see that you did hit up bellaire lol
OH YEAH! XANGA MEETUP YEAH!
ah glad to see you had fun. haha. Have fun on your next trip too. ^_^
<3
I expect some sappy shit you write about me too like you did for Flip after your SF trip.
Sonlay kinda deteriorated over the course of the trip. Must’ve been the jet lag and the alcohol. Woooo!
LOLOL! damn, sonlay, i’m jealous. I wished I was able to tag along too!
looks like you guys had fun!
ahhh
i live so far awayyyyyyy
Weeeeee!
hahahha omg, bringing sonlay’s picture with you everywhere must have been hilarious. looks like you guys had a blast!
LOLLL fly likea g6 HAHAHAHA best thing ever
wait BEN IS COMING ?!
my awesome edit: I misread your bottompart entirely and thenproceeded to ask ben via facebook if he is going to DC.
HAHA
damn.. sonlay’s mad greedy.. sleeping in bed with so many ppl
Had to laugh at Dan being the token white guy. That’s too good… I like how you integrated the pix, thanks for sharing!
Aww… that’s so nice of you to bring Sonlay around and you met great people from the internet. *envy* hahahahaha I remember Jeannie from XZ hehe XD Sonlay looks so good with red lips. It brings out his eyes! so pretty XD hahhahaahaha
Lol! It does look like it was a fun trip. Yay for going on yet another one! =D Hilarious pictures.
A good time was had by all.
We need to do a xanga road trip. Now that would be epic. We would go across the country in a station wagon.
man, wish i could have been there.
@CaKaLusa - @fLiPgUy31O - ~~rAnDoM pRoPz~~~~~~~~
@sugar_mama - Yup yup, twice! I think the next time I visit Texas I’ll go to Austin as well. You go there often?
@ALovingAdversary - I’m sure Ben will take a lot of great pics. Hopefully your tips have helped him out a lot!
@sonychak - Pshh I freakin’ carried a picture of you throughout Houston. Isn’t that enough??
@TheBigShowAtUD - He went a bit crazy on this trip. I’m surprise he doesn’t have any diseases now.
@TheTheologiansCafe - or RV, i would be down if i could get the time + money. it seems to be a problem trying to get both at the same time.
Dan’s not Asian? How could that be? hahahaha….
The pictures with Sonlay looks a bit odd but I’m sure he was very touched and moved by your gesture.
And finally, it’s always good to find and make good friends who have your back. I thought that was the best part of this entry (it’s almost like 2 entries in 1).
@ordinary_gir1 - Wanna tag along my trip in SF? I could maybe find a way to make that happen.
@swtaznxtc90 - You is fool.
@s_h_a_sha - I will find some way to make it to Asia one of these days!
@oxyGENE_08 - ~~rAnDoM pRoPz~~
@xkthily - We had a few odd stares to say the least. It was worth it!
@babychillax - That’s what a hoe does.
oh man, that’s so awesome you guys carried around sonlay’s pic. i think this friendship circle truly has hit critical mass and is an inspiration throughout all of xanga. great post. can’t wait to read everyone else’s stuff. have a safe trip to san fran and give my regards to ben.
@Passionflwr86 - Tokens are important!
@Got_Claws - The red lips are still on the photo! I’ve clean off everything else haha
@nov_way - I’m gonna be all vacation out after SF
@TheTheologiansCafe - Lets make it a RV instead! But yea, like @ionekoa said time could play a big factor there. Now, if only I could hit the lottery…
@ElusiveWords - It was sorta like 2 entries huh? Yeah, I felt like I had to mention how good my friendships I’ve made on here have been.
@Roadlesstaken - haha tips….that boy hasn’t asked me how to take a single photo…just what equipment to buy.
So all the awesomeness will be his.
Your title is so cheesy! Haha, jk.
Glad the Houston meet-up was a success. Sonychak looks like he had the most fun, haha. It reminded me of making Flat Stanley in elementary school.
Great title! Houston is such a gross city…the fact that you managed to have fun there says a lot about you guys!
@ThePrince - I’ll be sure to let Ben know. We are gonna be getting up at 4am tomorrow. Yeesh!
@purplesecrets - Cheesy?! …perfect =D
hahaha your trip looks so fun!!! except i feel bad for the poor guy’s photo.
That looks like SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun!! =)
Alex, I’m so jealous. Damn you. You get to fly around the States and meet awesome people. GAH. This is why I need to move back to the States!
@Roadlesstaken - >:0 also i wish i could go poo.
This made me giggle
@swtaznxtc90 - Look what you just wrote. You have a toilet go!
@airbornerose - @oOo_itsJuJu - we know how to have a good time ^__^
@throughsamseyes - Eventually I need to fly outside the states. Time and money urgh!
@suuperstar - Eh, don’t feel bad. He deserved all of that
@CareyGLY - Apparently we were staying in the good part of Houston haha. I guess we were pretty fortunate!
@Roadlesstaken - LOL
@Roadlesstaken - might need the plunger
Don’t tire yourself out with too much vacationing
Hope you had an awesome time, the pics look like fun…but i didn’t have time to read the post yet…will do soon.
but just wanted to say WB
Glad you had fun
I can see that everyone had a BLAST and that includes SonyChak!!
And as always, Alex C. is so cute! haha
You still broke my heart for not coming to see me! But it’s okay! I forgive you since your post gave me a smile, hhaa.
pure awesomeness
Awesome photos and I’m glad that you had a great time! I wish I had been paid earlier so that I could go
But, if there is another NYC or near-there meet-up in the next few months, then I am totally game for going!
Have a good time in the Bay! (Just came back from CA to 2 feet of snow, so enjoy your time back West!)
Love the Sonlay pics.
Looks like you had a great time, I love that you did this!
Haha, reminds me of my little sister’s Flat Stanley project. Everyone in her class sent Flat Stanleys (a character in a book they read) to different relatives, and the relatives were supposed to take pictures of Flat Stanley doing different things.
I love the pics! looks like yall had a GREAT TIME
& finally I get to see that cafe dude’s face hahah but anyways Chris is ghetto lol (burito heat up thingy)
& aww on flip being a true friend
glad you enjoyed houston! the city is pretty basic to me, but it seems like you still found some fun stuff to do. i’m surprised y’all didn’t visit space center houston lol.
Jealous.
I will most definitely come with you guys next time around.
I miss all the nummy food. <3
Glad you guys had so much fun. =)
Have fun visiting Sonlay!
@BFB1131 - Thank you, although I’m not quite back yet!
@Hinase - @webofsimplicity - ~~rAnDoM pRoPz~~~~~~~ =)
@icapillas - Sonychak probably had the most fun of us all!
@twentyse7enn - Ah, much better comment! I approve
@HelloKitty0809 - Yeah, we ended up pretty much staying in Southwest Houston the entire time. Next time I visit Texas then!
@Cestovatelka - What about a DC area meet?
@Linh_L - Oh I will. Yeah, I heard about that mess in the New England states. Another storm is approaching!
@mycontinuity - I wonder what I’m gonna do with the laminated Sonlay now
@Sunrise_Hope_Joy - I’m glad I went!
@randaness - You’re the second person who mentioned that. I feel like I should have known too!
@hollywoodfever91 - Hey, that’s how we cook back in Asia! j/k
@AmyC0987 - Yeah we were thinking about going, but decided to go to the Museum of Natural Science instead. Ever been to that butterfly center?
@eternal_relevance - It would have been totally awesome had you been able to make it. One of these days we will make it work!
I’ll do anywhere but DC itself.
looks like fun. :] we should meet up again too!
@Roadlesstaken - yeah i’ve been there plenty of times growing up! did you like it?
Y’all abused poor Sonychak…
Also, I’d like to PhotoShop that photo of Caka, but I don’t think he’d like what immediately sprang to mind.
looks like a lot of fun
… i still don’t see dan in the picture though.
@Cestovatelka - haha oh right. NoVA it is!
@HeLLo_Bianca - Are you gonna be in NoVA/DC this weekend? Too bad I won’t be around.
@AmyC0987 - Yep yep! It was cool how the butterfly just flew around all up in your grill haha
@Automaton_Emotion - Oh he will like. Feel free to do so and send it to me privately haha. He won’t get upset I bet.
@unfathomablelove - Oh, he’s the only non-Asian person in that group pic.
@Roadlesstaken - Oh, I dunno about that…
i misss you gays!!
Was it really humid in Houston?
no I was supposed to go last weekend but my friend couldn’t get off work. not sure when we’re gonna come but it’ll probably be within the next month.
seems like you guys had a great time, i should come next time!
fdhaskl fheawl it’s been so long since i’ve had a xanga meet =[ i was supposed to be in NYC at this time, but i had to cancel my trip last minute
YAY! Looks like you had a blast!
Where’s Waldo! Ha! that’s a good one!
HUGS!
alright alex i think my friday is free for u. pretty positively sure. i know david chang theseee is having some clubbing event. have u hit up yosho luvs u and all the other bay area guys like gene and stuff
wow looks like you guys had such a blast!
I like the pic with Dan the best
woooohooooo!!!
Bottom line: I’ve made some wonderful friends through Xanga. Anybody who disses internet friends is a punk. =X
Looks like fun! You sure do travel a lot. Enjoy it! It gets harder with kids. A LOT harder, but still worth it.
@jeannie_dot_com - Visit the east coast girl!
@jia_x3 - Not really, it was around 50s-60s and wet
@HeLLo_Bianca - Cool, just give me a heads up when you do
@Yohkom - It was fun. When’s the next time you’re able to travel?
@Meowmeowkimmaee - It has only been 4-5 months since the last time we met up in CA, so not too bad haha. When are you gonna make the NY trip next time?
@Manbeast - Luvs_u is apparently not in town this weekend. I haven’t asked Yosho, but I wouldn’t mind meeting with him if he wants to hang out. I talked to Gene too. I’ll probably have to pass on the clubbing for this trip haha.
@adamswomanlost - Did you find Dan? Must have took you a lonnnnggg time right?
@bmojsilo - haha because it’s a clear shot of him?
@christao408 - I like your sentiments haha
@ItsWhatEyeKnow - I bet! That’s why I’m taking advantage of my traveling now while I still have the time to.
@morningmoka - Indeed. Find some time to join us one of these days!
@Roadlesstaken - no, its just funny how big he looks compared to the rest of you on that one. To my defense though “fly like a G6″ is pretty awesome animation too. You guys had fun and thats what matters ^_^
@bmojsilo - YEAH, he’s a big guy haha. 6’4 or something.
That was awesome! Looks like you all had a great time! I am stumped, still, on which one was TheTheologiansCafe. I will keep at it!
lol I bet SonyChak felt very loved!
@Living_Truly - I’ll give you a hint; he’s somewhere on the right side of the picture =)
@Keeko1 - He better!
@Roadlesstaken - hahaha i was just kidding
@unfathomablelove - Ah just making sure. I know him and I sorta look alike.
If you’re coming to SF this weekend, you can do Bikram with me. LOL
Just saying…
@pinksoda117 - Haha I’ll keep that in mind, although I don’t have any exercise clothes really. Would you like to meet up for lunch/dinner/etc sometime during my visit?
@Roadlesstaken - Maybe. This weekend is always little hectic, but let me know what you two have planned. If you have a chance on Saturday, you should check out the Farmer’s Market at the Ferry Building. Lots of good fresh food.
I’m happy to see everyone wore their jeans. Good planning, it gives symmetry to the photos.
Dear Alex,
I’m an old guy with lots of “life experience”. This entry literally made me cry. (tears of joy, not sadness.) And I’ve got to go meet a client in a half hour, so I hope the eyes aren’t red, dammit.)
Younger people don’t really make a distinction between “online” and “real” friends, same as txting someone is similar to telephoning, IM’ing, or face to face conversation. I’ve always said “communication is key” and sometimes the “real friends” might not be around when someone needs them. (In my case, most of them died already, so I treasure online friends.)
Dan is physically larger than anyone at the table. Hmmm. Seems fitting though, don’t it. I “recognize” him from the many early XTV airings back in 2007 or 2008.
Taking SonyChak with you is priceless. This is a great entry. I’m sure you and Flipguy have as real a friendship as any two people on the planet, and you possibly wouldn’t have met without first meeting “online” on Xanga.
Sometimes I think I miss out on a lot because I don’t engage in online “chat” or IMing. (I have reasons why I don’t but possibly they are ancient reasons.)
Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool
LOL ! I just realised that you and Cakalusa look fabulous
ahahaw ya sexeh ya Alex 
Oh and.. what do you want cakalusa to be photosoped into?
Awwhhh it looks like you guys had a blast! I want to meet up with some xangan people… we’ll have to plan a meeting session one of these days!
Very cool. I loved what you wrote about online friends. I used to have that attitude, too, until I learned the truth.
That’s awesome! I play Counterstrike and I’ve met a few of my gamer friends in real life. I actually ended up dating one of them for 3 years looong distance GA to CA with back and forth plane trips.
Anywho, none of us play much CS, but a bunch of old clan members stuck with me into COD: Black Ops, Starcraft 2 and all that jazz. We’re more than gamer friends but confide in each other, meet up, etc. At first my IRL (as if the other people aren’t real life LOL) thought I was nuts and that everyone could possibly creepers and what not. I guess it’s a little hard to accept for people who don’t interact with unknowns online. That and society instills a predisposed judgement that online strangers = creeper.
I was judged and criticized especially with “you’re dating a guy you met off a video game”. “I knew you were a gamer chick and all, but i didn’t think it was THAT serious” but w.e some of my “real” friends have met my “fake” (ha) friends and their opinions have changed.
Good post & it gives insight on those who may not understand
lol, u put the plunger on him!
@TheTheologiansCafe - Let me know when that road trip hits Louisville.
I know you guys had fun at the meet up but seriously, Sonlay’s picture everywhere was HILARIOUS!!! I mean, the photos towards to end just shows he took a beating on that trip…LOL… It reminds me of that commercial with the traveling Garden Gnome or maybe I’m thinking of the movie Amelie.
It looks like you guys had a blast off…*ahem* I mean blast! Yay for good times with friends (no matter how you meet!) =D
Wow if TheoDan cut all of his hair off and put on glasses he’d look like his profile pic. Photoshop Cakalusa? What did you have in mind RLT?
@Roadlesstaken - i’m hoping sometime in spring or maybe this coming fall. my credits expire in december, so i must use it sometime this year
Ooh, fun!!! This summer I’ll probably be in Houston again for real, so there should be another meet-up
@Roadlesstaken - my sister goes to school in austin. UT (univ. of tx) is known as one of the top party schools. you’ll def. have fun there
just make sure to hit up 6th street
LOL awesome! I am heading to Texas in July!
You should add up all Xanga related miles you have traveled. I bet the number is super impressive.
haha you guys seem like close friends
it was so much fun meeting you all. hope you have fun in sanfran!
@Roadlesstaken - who knows lol. With my current work schedule, I only work Tues, Weds and Thursdays. I’m on the path that will bring me financial freedom so I can just hop on a plane and go, like when I didn’t let these silly ideas of student loans getting me down lol
wow that looks like a lot of fun hahaha
thanks for commenting, I’ve been out of the xanga game for a while because I thought everyone else was, too…
yeah I’ll be at UMUC this semester at Shady Grove also woo
@Ricardo98 - Jeans are the go to pants to wear, especially on trips!
@baldmike2004 - I gotta say I’m surprise at how much my entry affected you. I’m flattered that it has. I actually don’t really engage in too many online chat/IM as well. I usually only do so when somebody else wants me to.
@fabolousclown - Hmm….use your imagination! Feel free to add something else to the image haha
@suefa_lee - come by to the DC area sometime and you can hang out with Ben and me!
@BooksForMe - I admit I wasn’t so comfortable with the idea initially, but I’m obviously much more open about it nowadays.
@babiipnay7o6 - Thanks for sharing your story! Very interesting to hear.
@Prim_Prim4488 - Since I’m with the real Sonlay this weekend, I’m gonna try to plunger him for real!
@Utoppia@datingish - Yeah, Sonlay’s a gnome alright. One ugly one at that!
@Babieboo_Annie - Haha, nice joke there
@bluepillorredpill - Think of the most obvious photoshop idea. Do that!
@Meowmeowkimmaee - Sweet, hopefully this time we can hang out on the east coast. Make your way down to my area too while you’re at it!
@SerenaDante - That would be cool. I’m thinking next time I go I will also travel to Austin.
@AmeliaHart - Same part of Texas?
@ItIsAllGravy - Ah, if only I could get those mileage reimbursed by Xanga!
@Sadeta - To think, if we hadn’t met on Xanga…
@hodtos - It was great finally meeting you after all these years too Lisa =)
@Yohkom - cool, lets do a weekend meet up sometime soon!
@indoneznbabygurl - UMUC? Or you mean UMBC at Shady Grove?
@Roadlesstaken - hahaha, you can always try writing it off of your taxes. Might not go over well, though.
@Roadlesstaken - ahh everything is tentative, but hopefully that will work out =]
@Roadlesstaken - No Dallas! I’m road-tripping there!
@Roadlesstaken - I will keep that in mind. When I make a trip out there I will let you and Ben know, forsure =) Have lots of fun in SF!!!!
@Roadlesstaken - Alex, I’m a bit of a manic depressive anyway, and sometimes my emotions rule over my intellect. (I’ve written literally dozens of poems on the subject.) I have felt such a “negative power” in the “Xanga force” since my return from hiatus, that I got all gushy inside when confronted with a positive and fun entry such as this. I possibly didn’t make enough time in my comment to state that I’ve always promoted the internet as a forum for positive conversation and communication, yet in my perusal of “top blogs” at any given time, I am faced with negativity. Your blog is a safe warm respite from all that madness, and this particular entry is filled with friendship. Friendship which you foster with your many visits and attempts to reach out. Plus you guys look like you’re having so much damned fun. So given that I’m an old softie at heart, my response isn’t really all that surprising.
Next time you find yourself in the L.A. area (that’s Los Angeles, California, not Louisiana) maybe you can make the time to pay the old bald guy a visit.
Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool
hahaha! glad to see the meet-up was a success. dan looks so tall! and i wonder what people thought about sonychak’s photo :p
LOL It looks like you had a blast. :P Come to NY for the next one and I’ll most certainly be there. :)
@baldmike2004 - Fun was definitely had by all. I’ll be sure to pay you a visit the next time I’m in the LA area!
@eomona - I think some people thought he was a lost child or something haha
@LitlKittyKat - excellent, I’m counting on that!
Forgive me for saying this, but SonyChak, you and Cakalusa all look alike like brothers. Or maybe it’s just the pictures.
@Candilicious_Meanie - Hmm, I guess we could be. I’m the best of the three, obviously =)
Wow what a fun gathering!
Envy, man, envy. <_<
I still think you need to offer Xanga the service of photoshopping their pics with a forehead hickey-plunger thing.
Houston is a great city. Happy to see you enjoyed your time here
Houston’s awesome!! Can I ask, is California worth visiting, for a weekend trip (just for fun and to see the sights) even though I dont own a car? Or is the public transportation not reliable and Cali is so spread out that you def need a car?
The water wall looks pretty awesome. (: I saw the Sonlay pictures on facebook, haha.
“finding waldo” hahaha. XD looks like u guys had a lot of funn.
i like your online friendship story that you shared. very touching.
@Elizabeth_Ho - One of these days I hope I can do a meet up in Asia!
@Coffee_Kaioken - Maybe maybe!
@sleeping_on_the_edgeoftheworld - California is huge and there’s definitely a lot to see there. Where are you coming from? If you visit San Francisco you could probably get away without a car. San Diego and LA might be harder.
@xchinkylaydee - It was it was. Btw, were you in the SF area this weekend?
@pcketfulofsunshine - thanks. I got good friends I’ve made from Xanga.
Nice to see another successful meet up! Looks like you guys had a lot of fun! Lol.
@GodaiTheRonin - Indeed it was!
I didn’t read the entry; I got distracted by the pics … funny! = D
@A_M0DERN_BEAUTY - Haha I have more distracting pics in my newest post now!
@Roadlesstaken - nope. I had lots of hw though. haha
It looks like Chris is trying to “superman” Alex…
@vysion - He was trying to demonstrate the helicopter sex act haha.
So when are you going to do a Florida trip? Hit me up! lolx!
WHATTT?!?!!!?!?!?! BUT I’M FROM HOUSTON?!?!?!?! DANG IT WE SHOULD’VE MET UP! XDDDDDDD
@Lesonja - See, if you hadn’t left Xanga for the past few months you would have saw that I was coming! Now you can’t leave Xanga again, or else stuff like this happens!!
@KenxanderDaGr8 - Oh I just saw this! I’ll most likely be in FL come May if plans work out.
oh man, that’s so awesome you guys carried
around sonlay’s pic. i think this friendship circle truly has hit
critical mass and is an inspiration throughout all of xanga. great post.
can’t wait to read everyone else’s stuff. have a safe trip to san fran
and give my regards to ben.
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