I've had drinks and discussion while gazing at a killer view of Sydney Harbour with Memnoch.
I've had a Cider and great discussion with Donut (son of Donut).
I've stayed with Moiraine and her family, shared fine food fine wine and much conversation, while receiving such generosity from two of the most generous open people I've met.
I've stayed with Stealthy and his wife and seen areas of Scotland I never would have otherwise seen, again having wonderful conversation.
I've stayed with Melusine and Sebastian, and ambled down an Amsterdam canal on a barge in deep discussion with an enthralling individual.
I've played cricket, drunk cider, conversed, watched films, gamed and had a rollicking time with Nick and Slackerboy in Tennesee. I even shot a gun for the first time in my life.
I've conversed on the phone with Cloudy, Wendy and Reeka, and found each wonderful human beings whom I'll eventually meet.
I can wholeheartedly say that the internet was a place where I met people who enriched my life. Where real friendships were forged that would never have been formed otherwise.
With each new person I took the risk that there could have been a negative situation. I was a stranger in a strange land in every case except with Memnoch. However as Stealthy put it. There were plenty of witnesses.
More so than when I went to a new musician friends house today. Meeting new people entails risk. Heck, I met a woman on a plane when I went to England last year, and she invited me to her house to stay. Way more risky than someone you converse with over time online. For her and me.
It worked out fine.