This Sunday sees me going on my first ever blog outing (or ‘blouting’, if you prefer). ‘What’s a blouting?’, I hear you ask as you scoot perilously close to the edge of your sofa. Well, a blouting is where you go out with one of your readers – a total stranger except for the exchange of messages on your blog. And my total stranger, as luck would have it, is called Jānis. How could I not meet him?
It all started back in March when he posted his first message, offering to take me on a little tour around Old Town, where he would also try to explain why Latvians don’t smile as much as they should. Unfortunately, he was living in London at the time and when he came back, I was in Rugby, so we’re only getting around to organising our little blouting now.
Gratuitous shot of Riga
I’m trying not to raise my expectations too much. I’m not hoping for cute – or even coherent. I’m simply hoping that he isn’t armed.
He does sound like a bit of a gentleman though. After I received this comment on my About Me page, he jumped to my defence.
Hey, Linda!
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog. You know what, I have a suggestion for you.
1. Find the local “DEPO” store
2. buy a stool and a rope
3. learn how to tie a noose (if you already don’t)
4. kill yourself
5. ???
6. PROFIT!!
Gentlemen in these parts are about as rare as smiling.
Speaking of smiling, he does use a lot of smiley faces in his messages, so I’m hoping he has a smiley face in person too. Or at least, smilier than the average Latvian. Since most of them permanently look the way I did the first time I tried the local Balzams, that shouldn’t be too difficult to achieve.
Toe-curlingly horrible
However, just in case things go a bit pear-shaped, I’m writing this post so that people know what’s happening. If you don’t hear from me on Monday or Tuesday, call the police and tell them Jānis did it. That should narrow the suspect pool down to 57,681.
Expat Eye on Latvia 
Yes, I was going to ask, is every male in Latvia called Janis?! I’m behind again, so just off to see what happened when you blouted with Janis (not the spider, or the flat guy) hehe, 🙂 Hope you had fun… 🙂
It was good fun! I have a couple of new Janises in the flat. Too knackered to do anything about them at the moment though 😉 There are only around 58,000 Janises…
Oh haha, so yeah it is quite a popular name then! I don’t think I know one single Janis! Eeeugh the flat Janises, heebie jeebies!
They seem to be multiplying 😉
OH NO!! I had my very own encounter with a Janis this morning! Eugh, they definitely seem to multiplying!
I think it’s the cold – they’re all coming in from the yard and then mating 😉 Or whatever spiders do…
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Enjoy your “blouting” (it really does sound like an illness!). Here’s hoping you’ve found the one smiling Latvian!
We’ll find out later tonight!
Good luck! I’m looking forward to reading all about it.
Good luck! I’ve actually met with a couple of people I’ve met via blogging, and must say it was totally worth it 🙂 So hope it works out just fine for you too, and your Janis will be the one witha huge and warm smile 😉
Here’s hoping! 🙂
Here’s to hoping he is young, fun, and handsome as hell!
Damn woman, I said I was trying not to get my hopes up! 🙂
I live in Russia, your worst wont be as good as my best, in this department 🙂
I can well believe that!
Blouting sounds more like some sort of illness than an outing – so for your sake I hope it’s an enjoyable time! 😉
A cross between bloating and gout perhaps 😉 And me too!
HA! . . .Ok have fun . . . I thought you were in Ireland . . . I’m an old man perhaps a bit tainted by walking in land mines myself . . . go men a sai
I’ve walked on my share myself! This seems pretty harmless 😉 I’ll let you know how it goes!
Janis . . . you know you got me to thinking that maybe the world is not quire as bad as I believe it to be . . . I was once a wanderer myself during the hippie days . . . anyways, I will be watching for you from afar . . .
Nice to know and thanks for the follow! I’m a bit of a wanderer myself but unfortunately, my Latvian salary means my far-flung days are over for a while! I have to find adventures closer to home 😉
why does this article raise my hackles? I mean . . . ok I have a daughter who is also a free spirit . . . if she were to nonchalantly tell me she was meeting some dude she did not know for a trip to Latvia? Not good idea . . .
Be careful while tip toeing through the tulips young lady there are land mines in that field also . . .
I’ll be careful! I’m already in Latvia so it’s as simple as walking into Old Town, having a wander around with this guy and maybe a coffee or drink, and then strolling on home again! I’m not sure I’d go out of my way to visit Latvia just to meet some dude! 🙂
Uhhhhmmmmm, some of us are just wondering real casual-like how you’re doing and all ….. (I can’t help it, I’m a mother. I’m expected to say things like ‘its 10:00 in the morning here and I haven’t heard a word. I’m worried sick!’ … Not that I’d ever do that …)
Ha ha, alive and kicking so far! Not meeting him til tomorrow – if it still goes ahead after he reads this post 😉 I haven’t told my own mum about it for exactly this reason 🙂
Blouting… Let’s make this term happen in English. It’s just too good not to use.
Here’s hoping you won’t get axe-murdered!
Umm, thanks? 😉
Agree “blouting” definitely needs to be added to the dictionary!! Good luck & look forward to hear what happens. 🙂
Thanks! Watch this space! 🙂
Blouting! I’ve never heard of this, but it sounds quite interesting. Good luck and enjoy!!
Side note- way to gracefully (and comically) handle a horrible comment from an obviously disturbed person! I can’t believe people take their time to write such things! Also- I agree. There was no pun involved.
Ha ha, yeah, I got a bit of a shock when I first read that comment then had to take a bit of time to figure out how to reply! It takes all kinds I guess 😉 And Blouting is purely my own invention – I felt like it deserves its own term 😉
I’m glad now I saved that obituary I wrote when you offered your services to the human library… there’s nothing worse than a wasted blog post!!!
Aww, you say the sweetest things 😉
…I’m hoping I won’t need to post it, and that he’ll put a smile on your face 🙂
It’s always good to have a backup plan though!
You can count on me!
I just went out for my first ever “blouting” yesterday! I had fun actually. Good luck on yours!
Oh btw, my name is Jhanis but the spelling alone should keep me out of the suspect pool right? 🙂
Yep, you should be safe enough! What a coincidence haha! Glad you enjoyed your blouting – hoping mine is as successful! 🙂
Good luck Expat Eye. It was nice (virtually) knowing you!
In all honesty, he seems like a stand-up guy coming to your aid like that. And I agree with you, there was NO pun in that guy’s second comment…
Ha ha, thanks! And yes, I had no idea what he was trying to be punny about! The first comment left little room for interpretation though 😉 Maybe I’ve found another hero!