Ok, I shall first mention that tonight was one of most wicked ever! So what actually happened? A lot! j'accuse has been advertising (and other Maltese bloggers) about a bloggers' meet-up at Mellieha. It's a wonderful idea -- a unique opportunity to actually meet up in person with fellow bloggers, whom you probably know better than your neighbours without ever meeting them.

A friend of mine offered to give me a ride to Mellieha when I mentioned the "meeting", a couple of weeks ago. I gladly accepted the offer, of course. Who would refuse a fast ride, having a chat whilst Thom Yorke was kickin it on the cd player. I was quiet nervous on the way fiddling my keys and dropping them a hundred times a minute on the floor. Just as the clock was showing 19:59 we were behind Mellieha's church and by 20:00 the car was in the parking space and the engine turned off. [notice how I'm obsessed with time] I didn't see/recognise anyone from the "blogosphere", I didn't worry too much because I know that I'm always exactly on time and usually I'm the one who arrives first. However with all the nervousness I was asking questions like "Is this Mellieha?", "Is today Saturday 22nd Dec?". and the like. Yes, I was that nervous actually.

After a few minutes, I spotted Claire together with her friend, and after the usual introductory talk, we proceeded to try and check whether the other bloggers have arrived or not, and not long after, we met Sandro Vella and his friend. Then suddenly everyone started to appear out of nowhere. Now, as a group of bloggers, we proceeded to a band club, of which I forgot the name. It's a very nice place indeed. Not what you actually might think a "band club" or "kazin" would look like. I initially thought there would be a couple of 90 year-old men whining how the goverment is stealing every penny they saved up. But fear not, it was more like a "relaxed" type of restaurant where you can have a beer and socialise a bit.

After a while I started getting a grip of the "meeting". After introducing myself to other bloggers, my nervousness levels started to drop, finally! The best part was however when others asked who I am... I could simple answer "Jean Paul", but I'm not really know by my real name, plus there's another blogger who's name is the same - Jean Paul of "F'Rokna", or introduce myself as "ninuhadida" and say it fast as I could so that they don't figure out how lame it is -- but that didn't really work out, and it mostly resulted in giggling after hearing the nickname.

I was disappointed to see that Andre of Confessions of an Atheist didn't make it. I would have loved to have met him and chat a bit. I met MaltaGirl, an interesting newly-wed, whom, although I'm an avid reader of her blog, I didn't know her that well, such as Claire. Of course she couldn't resist not talking about the cat.. and I love the way she "acts" while telling out the stories. Also, I was very glad to meet Sandro Vella -- I love his posts, he doesn't care whether he'll end up in trouble or not, if he wants to mention something, he just mentions it. However, after watching him laugh hard, I was wondering whether I was talking to a civilised human being or with a monkey who has ran off from a zoo [no offense Sandro but that laugh just cracks me up]

Of course the meet-up wouldn't have been the same if Wendy (La Delirante) and Claire didn't attend. They're the closest friend I have on this blog. It was really nice meeting you, it's definitely a lot better talking face to face than through blogs/emails. Hope that we'll be meeting again in the future!

One thing, I always manage to do is create a mess. And, yes, I managed to do just that at the meeting. I spilled half a glass of coke right on my mobile. So don't worry Claire, you didn't make a fool of yourself, I did Another thing before my laptop battery runs out, as you might have noticed [those who attended] my written English shouldn't be compared to my spoken English at all. I don't really feel comfortable at all speaking in English when there's Maltese people around, especially when I'm a bit nervous.

Just as a suggestion. seeing that mostly everybody who attended brought a camera with him, I would strongly suggest uploading all the pictures (I suggest, including the original pic, i.e. full res) you took, on the newly created social meeting place on ning. I forgot the link right now, but most bloggers who attended are already registered, so it shouldn't be a problem.

Anyway I should be leaving now, it's past 2.45 in the morning (who gives a shit anyways, it's Sunday, I get to sleep in) and if mom comes checking on on me she'll probably wake up the whole street. So I shall be hitting "Submit Post" just about now!