Before now poetry has taken notice
Of wars, and what are wars but politics
Transformed from chronic to acute and bloody?
from "Build Soil"
Robert Frost

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Massive Link Spam

(AKA Blogworld Pt. 2)

The night of my last post was the opening party for the blogworld expo. There was a light dinner to be had with conversations yelled over the thumping music. There were awards handed out to the winners of the 2007 Weblog Awards (congratulations to Michael Yon for the Milblog win, and Michael Totten for the Best Middle Eastern blog). Best online comic went to a site near and dear to my (nerdy) heart- XKCD has math and computer jokes, romance, and obscure references. Mouse over the comics for shockingly funny notes hidden within the frame. Best of all, the opening party had an open bar. I managed to match Uncle Jimbo and AWTM drink for drink till we all stumbled home.

The next day was a blur of people and motion made all the more fantastic by my lack of sleep and food and compounded by too much caffeine and a slight touch of hangover. Hey, it's Vegas, right? The only thing I didn't understand is why the restrooms stock a half-standard width toilet paper. Seriously. People come to Vegas to see strippers, not to feel like one!

That night was spent at a so-called tequila bar that for some reason happened to also be the first place I found Guinness and decent whisky in Vegas. We gathered all the milbloggers and associates around (and since the inestimable Steve Green seemed recovered from his last bout with milblogger parties, we invited him along). We weren't long into the night before someone (Uncle Jimbo, if my memory serves) clumsily opened a wallet and "accidently" dropped a challenge coin ringing to the table. T Boggs and I dropped ours, and Major Z followed immediately with his own, and the words "Anyone beat me having one made just for me?". BLACKFIVE's response glittered blue and white on the tabletop- the Seal of the President of the United States.

Jack and Jill Army sat together looking cute and happy to be together again. Speaking of cute, Townhall columnists Mary Katherine Hamm and Katy Favazza stopped in for a few hours. The SpouseBUZZ ladies sat together, trading obscure references and setting someone up teh bomb.
Bill Roggio and Paul Hanusz traded stories with Butterfly Wife. Michael Totten's friend Ali stopped by as well.

I ended up back at the hotel around 5am, following far too many scotches (and a brief history of same from BLACKFIVE) and a few long talks with new friends. I flew out at 8am.

You can sleep when you're dead.

11 comments:

  1. There's no such thing as "far to many scotches". Glad you had a good time.

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  2. Very nice meeting you FINALLY. I think you did a better job keeping up with Jimbo than I....

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  3. Agreed with membrain. No such thing. The history lesson was to help you find what you like. I like the Islays but some find them a bit harsh and smokey.

    It was great meeting you. Keep up the great work here.

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  4. I was so wonderful to meet you. I hope you slept on the plane at least.

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  5. No sleep until death...an old quote suited for those looking for adventure. I swear to God, I almost wish I were a milblogger instead of a reader :) I love AWTM, too.

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  6. I so wish I would have had a reason to attend. It sounds like it was a blast...

    I'm glad Vegas survived The Don... :)

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  7. Wow sounds like an awesome time! Nice meeting so many people irl huh? love the nerdy references too!

    Meg

    ps "Make your time!"

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  8. I am not happy with you right now. I just spent the last hour discovering KXCD and sendign especailly hilarious strips to co-workers who are not half as amused as I am. New diversion! JB

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  9. sounds like an excellent party, TD. Well-earned.

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  10. Glad you enjoyed the trip! Surprised though, that a youngster like you would even have a hangover... ;-)

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  11. Cool story about dropping your coins on the table. I love to hear that!

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