Chartered Excursion -- Recap

It really was The Schiznitzes at Fritz's -- both the people and the food. The Schiznitz, indeed.

1. It's a bit disconcerting to walk into a room of people you've never met before and hear the words, "There she is!" from the back of the room. That's a blogmeet for you -- deja vu all over again. They're all your friends -- some old, some new. You're just seeing their faces and hearing their voices for the first time.
   
2. If you're shy, bloggers won't let you feel awkward for very long. We're noisy. We're nosey. We're opinionated. We have wicked senses of humor. And we want you to like us.
   
3. Not a blogger and still going to a blogmeet? See No. 2 above. Yes. We want you to join us. (Just ask Buckaroo Bonsai, who has been warmly welcomed at two separate blogmeets now!)
   
4. There's never enough time to talk to everyone as much as you want to. (Darn it all, anyway!)
   
5. The drinks will flow and the food will be abundant and delicious.
   
6. The conversations will be fascinating.
   
7. There will be some surprises. There always are.
   
8. You'll be adding names to your blogroll almost as soon as you get home.

So... who did I get to spend some quality time with?

Our wonderful host, T1G. (Ummm, Joe? See No. 2 above. Now do you believe me???) He's the kind of guy you want to shoot the shit and drink brewskies with... all evening long. In fact, the Buckaroo and I are already talking about making the trek back to do just that... and soon.

Contagion (kilted, as promised, and also garbed in his hard won Dr. Phat Tony teeshirt) and Ktreva (unkilted and a decidedly modern maiden -- those pix just don't do her justice). Don't forget, folks -- he's shy. Very shy. ('Scuse me while I sneak out the back door and laugh my ass off, okay?) If we could bottle his energy, we could put OPEC out of business.

Graumagus, who hasn't posted much lately, but is a a real sweetheart. Quiet. Dry, dry sense of humor. (Watch out for the twinkle in his eye, which is hidden behind eyeglasses. Just when you think he's completely serious, you'll be pithily zinged.)

Og. Let's be clear -- I love this guy. How can you not love a guy who can make a long haul trucker blush at the drop of a hat? He's a handsome booger, besides. I'm not kidding.

Richmond, who is drop-dead gorgeous, sweet and genuine. (And she thinks I write funny stuff. She's on my good list forever for that.) This gal can share a room with Moogie, Dana and me at any blogmeet, any time. It would be the best slumber party ever. I don't give much higher compliments than that.

Jake Jacobsen and The Bald Chick -- who also work in the downtown area. They are the keepers of Freedom Folks. Smart, passionate, intense -- da bodathem. We're meeting for cocktails after work some time soon.

Matty O'Blackfive. This was particularly interesting, as Matt really tries to keep his blog focused on the military, not on himself. It was great finally meeting the Man of Mystery, let alone being able to break bread with the man. If you get the chance to meet him, go, go, GO! (He can't continue to be a Man of Mystery if I share his secrets, now can he?)

Blake, who we're lobbying hard to put together a blogmeet that includes a personal tour of Wolf Park -- especially for a Full Moon Howl Night. (Interested? Drop him a note and tell him so!) Another wonderful storyteller... and a hell of a nice guy.

Harvey, of Bad Example fame. I'm afraid I was the bad example last night, and not Harvey, though. That's on the one hand. On the other hand, how can you not love and respect a guy willing to deliver such a sound spanking to one of the blog Pantheon? He's another one whose naughiness kind of sneaks up on you when you least expect it.

So..................... Who didn't I get to spend much time with?

Tammi -- But if she needs some help with that little project we discussed briefly, I'm in!

Teresa -- Another Beantown Betty. Jeeze, I feel bad! She flies across the country for a blogmeet and I get to spend all of about five minutes with her! Next time, Teresa. I promise.

TNT -- The lovely lady that Harvey keeps in love notes. I really do want to get to know the woman who inspires that kind of love and devotion!

Sarah (Harvey's niece) and Talula. Time ran out on the clock. Poop! Next time, for sure, okay?

Buckaroo Bonsai, who chatted with several of the ladies I missed, the bartender, the owners of Fritz's and more. Of course, we did plenty of talking on the way home. (Divide and conquer! That's our strategy.)

The food was great. The conversation was wild. The kilt was... plaid. The sporran was hairy and had balls of steel. Tammi is still paying for forgetting the stained glass thingie in contagions truck. (Stay tuned.) Someone was taking pictures, thank goodness. I'll be glad to see them when they're up. Me? I was too busy gabbing to bother with my camera.

Gah! Just like at the blogmeet, I've run out of time today.

P.S. -- One final note of thanks to Eric, who sponsored the cocktails. You are the best. And we'll return the favor next time we see you.
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One of the discussions that arose was the possibility of persuading Ferdie's Pet Bruce to set up an Illinois... or maybe Midwest... bloggers' community similar to the Cat Lover's Community, both to boost Ecosystem traffic and to make it easier to identify more local bloggers. Whaddaya think, Ferdie? Can you exert your formidable influence?
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