I never imagined….
For the second time in as many weeks I’ve had someone say “I feel intimidated by the DuToits”.
Good god.
Now, I understand, I’m not a person who is very easily intimidated. You can get me mad, but few things- outside the illness of a family member- cause me fear.
But: having spent some time breaking bread (and cheese!) with the DuToits, I can safely say- these are the decentest, nicest people you will ever met, if you ever get the pleasure to meet them. And a pleasure it is. gracious hosts (they let me show up at their home, and invite a person THEY NEVER MET to come there too) they entertain as if born to do so- without being ostentatious. Their home is comfortable and clean and reflects exactly the kind of personalities they have- complex, reasonably well organized, and chock full. And Kim and Connie are exactly the kind of people you want as friends- they would stand at your shoulder in a crisis, and if they had but two dead rats, they’d offer you one.
Intimidating? No. If you can meet them, do so. You’ll see.
It never ceases to amaze me, the misconceptions people have about “big” bloggers.
For some reason, people think of Kim as a big mean distant kind of guy; never in life bubba.
Then theres me… for some strange reason, I get fan mail. One or two a day usually… nothing compared to Kims couple hundred a day, but seriously, fanmail?
I just don’t get that.
Worse, some of them are amazed when I write them back (I try and write back everybody, but sometimes life interferes).
Did you get a chance to meet Cam Edwards at the Rendezvous Og? Same deal. He’s just a guy, like everybody else; cept maybe a bit nicer, and a bit funnier. Sure, he’s the NRA official news guy (lucky bastard), but he’s still just a guy.
Oh and in case I hadn’t made it clear, Kim and Connie really are about the nicest people on the planet.
Hell, they aren’t even the biggest shocker though. When I tell people that Emperor Misha is a soft spoken, quiet, sensitive, thoughtful guy, they think I’m nuts.
Ditto on Chris’ take on Kim, Connie, and Cam, too.
Great folks all.
I’m fortunate enough to live in Kim’s AO and he’s often available for a trip to the range – sometimes he even brings the Shooting Trail cameras!
Great conversation in between the gunfire to be sure.
Regular folks with damn good kids. How can one possibly be intimidated?
Charmed maybe, but not intimidated.
I can only add to Chris’s comments as well, both about the DuToits and Misha. The Layabout Sailor is a lot of fun to be with as well. When I met Misha, I didn’t read his blog – and after perusing it – wow! Quite the difference. I’ve never met Chris personally, but I’ve sure talked to him a bunch. Another fine individual – a frikkin’ genius.
And Og, I thought it was fascinating to find out what you do for a living, even if it took a butthole to bring it out.
It is very clear I’m in the company of some smart individuals.
I should out myself, as I am one of the two Og alludes to. And, trust me, you guys have got it all wrong.
What intimidates me about Kim is his high-order intelligence, vast knowledge (AND wisdom), and general non-nonsense attitude. In short, he reminds me a LOT of the male role models in my younger days.
But he’s younger than I am and more accomplished. I honestly know I can’t measure up.
Wouldn’t stop me from enjoying his company. He and Connie have a standing invitation to be stood to a meal at the very least should they ever pass through Cincinnati and they know it.
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