ANNEMARIE MEETS BRETT:
I can't recall how I first started reading them, but I spent quite a bit of time reading photographer blogs. I loved seeing all the images of people in love. One of the first blogs I had found was [b]ecker, which led me to Jessica Claire. I had a whole slew of blogs that I checked on a daily basis. I'd seen the name David Jay a few times on other people's blogs, but for some reason, on this day, I clicked on a link from one of Jessica's blogs to his blog. From there, he had a link to his MySpace page, which I proceeded to check out. (I can't believe that I am admitting to this part of our story.) So, once on DJ's page....one picture in his "Friends" quickly caught my eye. It was a combination of a cool looking picture and the name "Austin". So, I clicked. On the next page, I saw a fun, obviously nerdy, guy, with a great smile. His page invited me to read his blog, which I proceeded to do.
I read about his family, his hobbies, his nerdy love of Canon cameras, saw a few pictures and videos of his niece, him playing golf, and much more. On February 13, 2008, I got hooked and read the whole thing from the beginning.
After that, for some reason.....I felt compelled to drop him a line to let him know I was there.....as he so kindly requested on his page....."Drop me a line and let me know you were here. Otherwise...have fun stalking me." Funny thing, at this point, I was still a blog stalker, as they say, and I'd never even left a comment on a blog, let alone email a total stranger....even more so, ugh....on MySpace. I would have just sent him a regular email.....but I didn't find his email anywhere. Whether you believe me or not.....while I thought he was cute, that wasn't what compelled me to email him. For some reason, I just felt that I knew we would get along. I didn't really think that much of it as I wrote it. So, I sent him a note. And I waited.
SATURDAY 10 JULY 2010