Names: Ted Romanosky and Susan Weaver
When and where: Sunday, October 11th at Wickford Harbor
Beverage: hot cider
Last time we met in person: August 2nd, when we went for a sail on our boat
Friends on Facebook: Ted since December 2007, Susan since January 2014
Friends in real life: I’m guessing since 2003-2004, or something along those lines

It appears my project has got off to a very slow start, and I’ve spent the last two weeks in sombre isolation, yet that is not the case. I have actually been quite sociable (for me) and have done things with people on a number of occasions, but they did not meet the requirements I have set, eg. we didn’t share a drink together, we weren’t Facebook friends at the time, no photographic evidence exists. But now I’m back on track! Ted invited us out for a sail on his beautiful schooner Good Fortune and we were quick to accept. Previously I’d only ever been on board at the dock in the dead of winter, so this was very different. I’m not a big sailor: I get nervous (I don’t swim, plus most forms of fun frighten me) and I tend to get seasick, but I must say this was one of the most pleasant and exhilarating boating experiences I’ve ever had, and Ted and Susan took excellent care of us.

Ted was a regular customer when Chris had his store in Wickford, so that’s how we originally met. Over the years we’ve discovered our shared love of the Beatles and music in general. He’s been learning to play bass as I’ve been learning piano, so we’ve also shared our experiences and frustrations of learning to play musical instruments. We met his lovely lady Susan before long, and gradually his friends became our friends and our friends became his friends, which is all very nice.