moosh in indy.

April 13, 2011

I like it when I get emails that say “I think we’d be friends in real life.”

Because I think so too.

I qualify this statement because A) you read something I wrote, weren’t scared away and took time out of your busy life to write me an email. B) There’s very few people that I don’t want to be friends with and C) One can never have enough friends.

The sad trombone part of this story is that when I open my front door I don’t see any of my friends. I have a few here and there around my town…but outside my front door? None. If I needed a cup of sugar? The grocery store clerk is the only one who could help me. My dad lives on a street where they host regular neighborhood get togethers in their driveway, like launching fireworks off the grumpy neighbors sidewalk on the fourth of July or the annual pumpkin carving contest on Halloween.

Everybody knows everybody else and growing up there were always friends to play with and people to talk to. It remains true to this day.

I miss that.

The bigger question I have to ask myself is would I trade a street full of neighborly folks for the neighborhood I have online? I have a friend in New York who sent Addie ballet shoes from Julliard and black and white cookies for me. I have a friend who let us crash in her guest room with almost no notice in Denver. I have plans to eat cherry pie with everyone who lives in Michigan. I also have several Canadian Kit Kat suppliers. I could wake up in almost any city tomorrow morning and have a friend there who knows where the best pastries are. Not to mention I’ve had several friends come through Indy where I had a warm bed and tasty food to offer them.

You know what else I just realized? My friends are googleable.

I can check in on them, keep track of them and they can do the same for me.

The other day I decided I’m going to be basing my opinions and judgments of people on how they felt during the first 15 minutes of the movie “Up.” (these four minutes specifically.)

Based on the answers I got on both facebook and twitter?

We’d get along just fine.

I have a feeling most everybody would get along with everybody if we were simply honest with ourselves and kind to others around us.

And I do hope we get the chance to share pastries someday.

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” -Dr. Seuss (he and I would have been grand friends as well.)

Comments off.

Seeing that STILL (not even the clip!) made my eyes well with tears.

GAH!

Me too. I can’t wait to meet you someday. It’s hard to believe we’re so close and SO far away.

I refuse to watch that video right now. Because I just put on mascara.

Again with the ‘I could have written these very same words’ posting thingy. YOU.

I can’t bring myself to watch that clip because I sob every single time. And then my husband and kids make fun of me (mainly my three year old who rolls her eyes and asks why mom is “freaking out again”).

I think we’d be friends. Next time you come to St Louis, you’ve got a bed in this house of chaos.

So where does “fighting back tears so my kids don’t see Daddy cry and start crying themselves” fit in? I love Up.

Hockeymandad Reply:
April 13th, 2011 at 1:32 pm

For an added tear jerker, if you love Dug, watch the little feature on the DVD called Dug’s Special Mission(?). That one gets to me too…

I’ve forced myself into “real” social circles the last two years to try to conquer my social anxieties and I’ve realized two important things: 1) “Real” people aren’t as scary as I thought, many are a lot like me 2) I wish EVERYONE had a blog so I could learn more about people who I do befriend, I find I’m very impatient with the “real time” it takes to get to know people without blogs.

Wish you lived in our neighborhood!! It would be great to have you and see you more often!

I’m glad we got to be friends BEFORE you found out that I’ve never seen UP — or even wiki’d it to find out what happens.

I’m in the life-raft/boat; all my friends live far far away. But I’m glad to have social media to keep in contact with them, or the 15 years that have passed since I’ve seen some of them would feel worse.

Hoping to stop by for pie soon. Pray for lower gas prices ASAP!

You know what? That scene makes ME choke up, and I don’t choke up at anything.

Oh my goodness, I hadn’t seen that before. So sweet, we should all be so fortunate.

I have seen that movie more times than I can count and that part still gets me every. single. time.

Sweetest movie.

You. ARe completely adorable. And tough. And delightful, just like UP.

Next time you come through Louisville you’ve got a friend for dinner. Or dessert.

Bravo! What a beautiful post.

We would totally be friends IRL if I was in indy. But far away friends are fantastic too.

Friend? If you make it to Boston while I still live here (which, honestly, is hopefully only through August), you and I have a date at Mike’s Pastry for a chocolate-covered ricotta cannoli or two (or three).

After August, pastries and locations TBD.

P.S. Up? Crinkles my heart like a tiny red piece of tissue paper.

I would so be friends with you if I lived in Indy, and not St. Louis! Plan to stop by anytime your in the area, we can go out and snap pictures together!!

I am proud to be a friend of yours.

Oh, I want to put that couple in my pocket and keep them!

That whole movie yanks at my strings. But those four minutes…in the movie theater I nearly hid under my seat so I didn’t look like a total goober in front of my family. Then I realized they all expected it, so whatever (my now 13 year old actually gave me an awe-shucks pat on the shoulder).

The beginning of up was so beautiful to me. It summed up my life (thus far). I married a wonderful guy (we didn’t grow up together) as they did in “Up”, but we are perfect together. We began our quest to have a child in 2000 and had one pregnancy and a miscarriage. I teared up seeing this replayed in the movie. It is a beautiful and honest view of so many couples’ struggles with infertility.

I know that you know this kind of pain too. I know we’d be friends. And if you find yourself in Louisville, KY, you are welcome to visit me or sleep on my couch.

I don’t have a blog for you to get to know me but I would love to meet you for pastries anytime. I am (probably) right around the corner!

We don’t know each other either- but you’re welcome to come eat pastries with me in Milwaukee any time.

Dammit, I knew better than to press play, now I went and ruined my makeup. Although I can cry just *thinking* about that clip–and I positively bawled my eyes out the first time we watched it.

We would so be friends.

I’m a little bitter about Up. I asked a bunch of people if it was OK to take my almost 5 year old to and got a RESOUNDING ‘yes he’ll love it.’ Well. Not only did he spend weeks asking me what happened to their baby, and where’s that boy’s parents, and what happened to his friend, did she DIE MOM?!!?! There’s also the storm scene that had him wrapped around my head. So. Maybe I’d feel differently if I had seen it without my (admittedly very observant and sensitive) child. Kinda feel left out since so many people love this movie!

I cried. Long, drawn out sobs. For about the first 30 minutes of the movie, right there in the theater. Hard enough that my husband asked me if I was ok. Admittedly, I was 5 months pregnant and had a tendency to break down in tears at the drop of a hat, but still. Bawling in the theater.

Can we still be friends?

Awww, my favorite movie, EVER. LOVE it, and your post is so sweet. I couldn’t agree with you more, and you’re as sweet in person as you are online. That, I can testify.

Awww I freaking love you to bits, my dear sweet Casey.
And the movie Up is the sweetest thing ever. Especially the beginning. Makes me cry like a baby every time.

After the first part of up, I tearfully asked my husband if that was the end. Because really, the rest of the movie paled in comparison to the first part. While it would have been somewhat of a sad ending, it would have been world changing if the movie ended right there.

P.S. – I wanted to say “it would have been epic if if ended right there”. But my friends would never say epic and so neither will I.

I loved Up so much that I have the Ellie badge tattoo on my arm.

“I have a feeling most everybody would get along with everybody if we were simply honest with ourselves and kind to others around us.”

YES. This. You are a wise woman, Casey. “Up” makes me BAWL like a baby (and only partially because Carl and Ellie remind me of my Great Grannie & Grandpa). I would be honoured to be part of the Canadian Kit Kat Brigade Backup.

there was ugly, ugly crying when I saw that movie. I scared several children in the theater, i’m sure.

We live in a really nice neighborhood, but we don’t really know anyone on our street. I’m hoping that changes as the weather gets nicer…but we’ve been here for 6 months and haven’t met anyone yet. It’s sad. I wish I had that too.

OMG, UP makes me bawl.

We WOULD be friends. Meeting you at BlogHer last year made me so happy. I love seeing my inernet friends in the flesh. (And giving them uncomfortably long hugs.) I would bring you sugar. And cookies. And probably something fried. If you’re ever in the deep south, you are coming to my house. I’ll take you to the park with the faces in the trees so you can take pictures.

That was my son’s first “in the theater” movie. Why wouldn’t they warn a person on that? Here I am, with my three-year-old, bawling my eyes out in an theater.

“Mom–why are you crying? What’s wrong, Mom? MOOOOOOM.” Sigh.

I also cried at the end of Toy Story 3.

Pixar films are now on my “Don’t View in Public” list.

Also, the Dr. Suess quote? I always, always say what I feel. It gets me in trouble. Sometimes. But you know what? I just deal. And roll on.

Oh, how I’d love to be your friend! I feel like we’ve bonded this year over less-than-enjoyable pregnancies, depression, etc. And if we ever have the opportunity to sit down together and knock back a beer, let’s do it!

Psh, I already consider you my friend. Who cares about that whole meeting face to face thing. Besides, we totally tried that one time when you were in New Mexico but weather intervened.

I still look forward to the day when we do meet up. We shall be the TWO strange, sober, dancing, Mormon, redheads on the floor of a random blog conference.

I’m gonna refuse to watch that video cause I have fancy eye makeup on today.

But I always think to myself… I would be friends with the whole internet cause we all love cupcakes. I mean, really, what’s more awesome than cupcakes?

I’m just meeting some of my new neighbors since moving. I’m nervous since I was so close to my old neighbors… but I’m bringing cookies. Those help, right?

I feel like my heart has been crumpled up into a tiny ball like aluminum foil, but in a good way. Is that ok?

I couldn’t have said it better myself. Lovely post! Love, someone who, on most days, loves my Internet friends more than my IRL friends : /

a) I am so beyond flattered to have made this list.

b) I refuse to watch the video while hormonal.

c) As soon as that baby comes out get thee up north. We will bring out the sunshine for you.

If you ever make it to Seattle, we will get the best chocolate croissants this side of France. For reals.

Beautiful post. I haven’t seen UP but now am sure I’d be in tears.

Come to Vancouver and we’ll go for Hot Chocolate at Trees. My favorite place to people watch and unwind.

HUGS

oof, my heart. now I’m bawling. thanks a lot, casey. sheesh. and was he the only one at her funeral our did he just stay after bc he didn’t know how to go home without her? *sobs*

lalalalala. I’m not watching!

We’ve been in this house 14 years and I find myself in the same boat as you. Sure I’m friendly to people on the street, and they were very kind when we (finally) had V, but there are no neighbourhood get-togethers like I remember my parents having (man they were a 70′s suburban cliche. Well, except with no key parties. God I hope no key parties…anyways.
This is the number one reason I’m so excited to be moving the end of may. The ‘village’ we’re moving too is home to 4 of my knitwits, and another 2 are a stone’s throw away. AND they have kids V’s age. Hubby doesn’t see this as a selling feature…they scare him I think.

Sorry for the blah, blah, blah, the internet is awesome, and you’re welcome to come crash at mine any time.

So here’s the thing, I’m like the only person I know who HASN’T seen the movie UP but I just sobbed like a baby at that clip. I’m assuming that means we are still friends.

I become a crying mess everytime I watch that movie. You are lovely, inside & out. It would be a blessing to have friends like you.

As someone who barely knows my IRL neighbors and from what I know they think we’re weirdos, I can say that I really wish all of my internet friends lived in one neighborhood where we could see each other everyday.

Or at least all in the same city. Or state.

Until then, I have to settle for few and far between in-person meetings and lots of written words in-between.

And that scene in Up? Total sob fest. It’s hard to explain to my kids why I’m all teary at that point.

My husband and I both sob several times during Up…every time we see it. I first saw it in the theatre with a friend and we were both crying. All of the adults in the theatre were sniffling while the kids looked at them like, “What?” I couldn’t even tell my husband about it when I got home without sobbing! He was like, “There’s no way it was that sad.” Until he saw it.

I love them, and I’m heartbroken for them.

I live in Indy (Garfield Park)and would LOVE to have lunch w/you and know you. But I feel like a stalker saying that. Why is it so easy to reach out to people online and so hard to do it in person? If you’re interested in lunch, e-mail me. You should have my address on this comment.

I cry every. single. time. I watch Up with my daughter. Even my friends with no kids have seen it and cry! Great movie.
BTW… we don’t speak to anyone on our street. They are all older with no kids a little wack-a-doodle in my opinion!

Oh my gosh. I loved this post. I might actually cry, though. Which is good, but not. I have a few friends in my area, but my “best” friend who lives down the road and I aren’t really close anymore. So I could go get an egg from someone around the corner, and have, but it’s just not the same. I wish for my network of friends to be all here with me sometimes, just to make life easier and prettier, but like you, I get that having them spread out everywhere is equally (if not more) cool. Thanks for this post. I <3 it. Let's be friends, too, OK?

it’s lovely to know you feel the same way about your readers that we feel about you.
also-that clip brings me the most intense mix on sorrow and joy–love it!

Considering I can’t even get through “Snoopy Come Home” right now, I don’t think I’d survive “Up.”
The good news is that we’re friends already (mostly because I’ve got great taste and you are insanely generous.)

I watched “UP” for the first time with my kids in the gymnasium of my son’s school. Yup. I was a blubbering fool in front of all sorts of strangers. But strangers? I hardly think you and I are. I can’t wait for you to give birth to Mozzi, and introduce her to all of us.

That neighborhood you’re looking for … I have it here. And I’m so sad I have to leave it. I hope to be able to find it again. And I don’t doubt your ability to ‘make’ that neighborhood where you are.

I love Married Life, but I hope you understand I can’t watch now because I’m at work and I will turn into a pile of tears and snot. Also, if you’re ever in Long Beach, CA I know of a delicious french bakery with the yummiest pastries, my treat. Love your blog and so, so excited for Little Mozzi!

I bawled, like a shake your shoulders ugly face cry, when I watched Up (specifically that part). It is something we all need to watch every once in a while, I believe with my whole heart.

Love you, friend.

I’m tearing up in my office and am not even going to bother to get up to close the door.

PS My office (an my home and family) are in Indianapolis.

PPS We could be real life friends – I’m a transplant and always looking for new girlfriends.

PPPS Mozzi and Sprout (my first due in a few weeks) could be friends.

[...] Moosh in Indy, On Internet Friends [...]

This, this is what I want. I have no idea how to find it but I’m not sure I’m willing to give up either. Honestly, it always makes me weep though.

I have never seen UP but that four minute clip just had me sobbing. I know what its like to miscarry and have that be the only pregnancy you ever get to have. I am netflixing Up for tomorrow night I am sure I will probably bawl my eyes out if it is half as emotional as that clip! I hope you are feeling well!

The next time you come to Chicago I’m going to show up with pastries, so please, don’t turn me into a stalker.

I’ve almost sent you that exact email a million times.
We would so be friends in real life.

Stopping by from Brooke’s place at Solitary Insanity! I feel like I could have written this post myself. And “Up”? OMG, I cried my eyes out during the first 15 minutes of that movie! It’s so me and my husband–just love it

How is it that I’ve never seen this movie? I have kids. I love Disney. I cry at Hallmark commercials. I will be seeing it this weekend! My husband thinks it’s odd that I can see myself being friends with people that I don’t “know in real life”. I need more friends

You are just all kinds of awesome. I love your blog, your sense of humor, your warmth–pretty much everything. I wish you so much happiness, and I’m glad I found your blog.

I want to live on your street and if you ever come to Houston we are so totally spending a day together!!

we are already great friends…or so I like to think.

and I bawled my face off during those four minutes.

Bawled. Mah. Face. Off.

I adore this post. While I’m sure I tell you that often, it’s very, very true.

Today? I’m getting on a plane to fly to California to spend six days at my best friends house. My very best friend in this entire world…who I met because of twitter.

I like you so much.

Consider me your Lansing, Michigan friend – you’re welcome to stop by any time!

I cry like a baby. You can’t help but have your heart melt for this sweet little couple having so many tender moments but never getting their dreams.
And I’d love to be your Raleigh, NC friend. But I feel we’re already kind of friends anyway since we’ve emailed back and forth a few times.

Your post ended with my favorite quote ever! I try and remember that when the world gets me down that some people just don’t matter! I love reading your blog, and it was such a comfort to see this quote today…thank you!

Sniff sniff. Love love.

Sidenote. The movie Up changed my friend’s life. She almost said no to an adoption that would have been complicated. But after that movie said yes. LITERALLY, because of THAT movie, her husband and her went home and had a long talk and changed their mind. It’s been the best things she ever did.

i know you have like a million comments and you probably won’t notice this one…but on the off chance…i liked this post a lot. i related. i have cherry pie waiting.

and i’m praying for you…right now…can’t wait to meet her

<3
I forgot to tell you that my husband was in Indy last week. I made him go to Scotty's Brewpub and he agreed that it was the best pulled pork sandwich ever but he was too big of a wuss baby to try the fried pickles even though I said, "WAS I WRONG ABOUT THE SANDWICH? NOOOOOOO. THE PICKLES ARE GOOD."

I miss you – you are a lovely hostess. You fed my belly and gave me a place to sleep. And smiles.
xoxo

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