Meeting The “Real” Dien Rice

In this age of Internet and instant electronic dialogue, we often establish online relationships with other people who share a common interest. Rarely, however, do we ever get the opportunity or time to meet in person, since we may live many miles apart, different towns, states, or divided by the great oceans.

We build a mental image in our minds, (which may be right or wrong), about the people we communicate, share ideas and experiences with. Who are they really? Are they the people we imagine them to be? Do they actually exist? (Yes, I’ve known people who hide behind a false name and a fictitious identity invented solely for an online presence). However, it’s easy to forget that we are actually conversing with a real live breathing human being just like ourselves at some other point in Cyberspace for most of the time.

The thoughts always run through your mind, “What’s this person really like in “real life”? Are they how I imagine them to be on my PC monitor or will I come away with a very different view?

So when the opportunity arises to meet some of the faces behind the web sites, the forums and words we read everyday, there is always a keen sense of excitement. Kind of like unveiling the Wizard of Oz, with a mystery and adventure that adds to the anticipation of meeting in person for the very first time.

Well today, I had the pleasure of meeting the man behind SOW.
Something I have wanted to do for awhile.

Dien happened to be in Melbourne visiting his parents for a few days, down from Sydney, and this presented the perfect opportunity.

An email, a quick phone call, and a date and time was set.

With the Falcon in top gear, one eye on the highway, the other on the road map, I was running a little late for our appointment. I called Dien on the car phone just to reassure him I was only ten minutes away and hadn’t stood him up.

The night before, I revisited Dien’s site, and refreshed my memory on what Dien looked like from the photos, Gordon had taken of him in Ohio.

When I arrived at Dien’s parents’ home in Mulgrave, an exact duplicate of what I had seen in the photos…greeted me….. Quite funny, because he was even wearing the same blue shirt as in Gordon’s photos… We broke the ice and had a chuckle over this uncanny coincidence!

I now know what it must have been like for Dien when he stepped out of that small propeller plane and saw Gordon for the first time in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Like long lost friends, we hit it off immediately.
On the way to the restaurant, we talked about our online ventures and exchanged many ideas. Over a hearty 3 hour lunch, we discussed everything from the US presidential election to future business plans, while we chewed on our tender thick and juicy Australian porterhouse steaks.

Now I must admit, I was nervous, I had my fears of exchanging my humble streetwise knowledge with this highly educated and respected Quantum Physicist. Would we see “eye to eye”? Would we be able to establish a common ground, and view things on the same wave length? Would this highly intelligent, scientific and analytical mind just leave me for dead in philosophical conversation?

Well I can honestly tell you, Dien is the sort of guy you’d feel quite comfortable to invite over to a poker & beer night with the boys.
Dien is really a down to earth guy and radiates the same warm friendly feelings that one gets from reading his posts.
He’s just as nice in real life and has a good sense of humor.

He’s a good listener as well, a trait all wise men have in common, and absorbs everything you say with interest. He’s got some great ideas and very wisely, asks a lot of questions, always learning and willing to accept a different view or angle to a problem.
I can’t help but feel, that Dien will do very well in his own business, offline or online, having recently left the world of academia.

Somehow I also feel, we’ll be involved in some joint venture not to far down the track. I’m a believer, in destiny, and who ever you meet in life, what ever you experience, happens for a reason, not just by mere chance…But for now, I’m just happy I got the opportunity to meet a person I respect, and now have come to know a little better, through my never ending travels in Cyberspace.

Thanks once again Dr. Rice!… We shall meet again soon!

Warmest regards

Ricky Higgs




Sell Your Brain On The Net

Aaahh... Ricky you beat me to the punch! :)

It was great meeting up with Ricky as well, and to discover his "street-wise" sales savvy! :)

Here's the impression I got of Ricky Higgs -- an honest, tell-it-like-it-is guy, someone you can trust, who really knows what he's talking about (and the quality of his ebook shows that)....

Thanks Ricky, I enjoyed meeting over lunch and learning from your wisdom.... Let's do it again some time!

Ricky told me something too.... He said he felt the Sowpub forum had the feeling of a friendly cafe where you could chat with friends about a *wide* range of topics.... I hope we can keep that feeling. :)

I think meeting in real life -- where that's possible, helps to promote that friendly feeling, so you know there are real people behind all these names here.... So I'd encourage everyone to meet with others you've liked in real life where possible! (Within reason of course.)

It's nice to meet those you like online in "real life".... I've found that if you get along online, usually you get along well offline too.... :)

Cheers,

Dien Rice

Nice post Ricky. I wish I was there too.

You have reminded us all that we are dealing with real people. Sure, we all know that but when you are so used to posting and messaging online, it seems so impersonal in many ways.

I for one would like to network with many more online entrepreneurs, whether in person or via icq. I just feel you can learn so much faster by doing so.

If any experienced marketers feel like chatting sometime, just drop me a line on icq. My icq # is 6834623.

Warmest Regards,

Jon Lawrance

Hi Ricky!

Thanks so much for the report of your visit with our dear Dr. Rice! I can visualize the meeting, and once again felt like I was right there!

> Like long lost friends, we hit it off
> immediately.

***I have met several internet friends, and for the most part have been stunned with how quickly we bond in person.

> Now I must admit, I was nervous, I had my
> fears of exchanging my humble streetwise
> knowledge with this highly educated and
> respected Quantum Physicist. Would we see
> “eye to eye”? Would we be able to establish
> a common ground, and view things on the same
> wave length? Would this highly intelligent,
> scientific and analytical mind just leave me
> for dead in philosophical conversation?

****Ricky, I imagine I would feel humble meeting YOU as well! My resume includes textbook rep for a large college textbook publisher. I used to talk to learned folks day after day, many published folks with best sellers under their belt. The ones who were the most enjoyable were the ones who checked their egos at the door and expressed themselves first and foremost as fellow travelers in this magnificent ride called life!

> Well I can honestly tell you, Dien is the
> sort of guy you’d feel quite comfortable to
> invite over to a poker & beer night with
> the boys.

***Are gals allowed, too!? Oh, man! You had to remind me this is the setting where I met my husband?!?! He appreciated I drank beer straight from the bottle and could bluff so well....lol!

> Thanks once again Dr. Rice!… We shall meet
> again soon!
***Personally, I would love to have a SowPub conference. Wouldn't that be a blast?!?!

With Purpose and Passion,

JULIE




Dare to Discover Your Passion