A blog meet took place at TGIF at Infinity Mall a few hours ago, and immense enjoyment came. People who earlier knew each other only as blogs now met each other as bloggers. So you’d have two people introducing themselves to each other as Evenstar ^[1] and IdeaSmith ^[2], and boom, by the end of the evening they depart as Pinky and Minky. (Names made up to preserve anonymity.) They once knew the blogs; now they know the persons. It’s a lovely thing, that shift.

Fifteen people turned up at this blog meet, organised ^[3] by the enterprising Sakshi Juneja ^[4], and we had tons of fun — at least that’s the official line, so that people who couldn’t make it feel suitably jealous. I’d met only four of the 14 fellow-attendees before, and only one of them more than once, and had a good time just sitting back and soaking in the conversation. The attendees, more or less in the order of appearance: Zack (not a blogger), me ^[5], Divya ^[6], Sakshi ^[4], Akshay ^[7], Vijayendra ^[8], Ideasmith ^[2], Saket ^[9], Gera ^[10], Anthony ^[11], Parijat ^[12], Selvin ^[13], Piyush ^[14], Evenstar ^[1] and Anupam ^[15].

Typically at such meetings, many separate conversations take place all at once, so my description of the proceedings would be as incomplete as a someone describing Andheri and thinking he’s encapsulated Mumbai. Nevertheless, Andheri was fun. Some bloggy things were discussed, such as maximising Google referrals and moderating comments, neither of which interested me much. Non-bloggy things were also discussed — a battle over reservations took part at the other end of the table (though everyone seemed to be against them) and that conversation mysteriously turned to matters of men and women, with the word ‘virginity’ much bandied about. I strained my ears, but young Gera, whose absence of hair made up for my unruly abundance, kept me distracted with tales of perl and camera lenses and public goods.

There were four ladies present, which is as good a turnout as I’ve seen at any blog meet, and they all possessed immense charm. Evenstar and Ideasmith began a campaign to try to get me to untie my ponytail, though, because they wanted to see if I look like The Undertaker ^[16] with my hair unleashed. Immensely dangerous behaviour, and I made a mental note to be wary of them in future. What would they have asked for next, I wonder, had I acceded to their undoubtedly erotic request.

I had to leave early — just three hours after it all got underway — but not before it was decided that the next meeting shall be at Juhu. One of the gentlemen present proposed that we meet either at Powai or at Powai, but I’m glad to say we managed to overrule him. (He lives in Powai, or in Powai.) Sakshi has promised many freebies at the next blog meet, but none of them is a free laptop, which will no doubt upset Anupam, a huge fan of IIPM. (I kid, I kid; he holds them in almost as much disdain as the Times of India, and I agree with him on both counts.)

And ah, did I mention that Akshay was scheduled to take pictures of the Ramsay Brothers after the meet? The horror!

I’d love to write more about each of the people who came, but the best introduction to them is through their blogs, and I recommend you instantly check them all out. And if you are in Mumbai, and either read or write blogs, come for the next meet. Watch this space.