Meet N Greet Part II (in NYC)Apr 03 '06 Write an essay on this topic.
Popular Products in Shoes
The Bottom Line It's over now, but I'm really glad I made it. Thanks EPINIONS!!!!
Meet N Greet 2006 in NYC at the ESPN ZONE (site of the original NYC festivities) was my first MNG in my own backyard. My first ever was in DC last May. This one, so much more convenient for us NY metro area folks turned out to be more heavily attended, had better food and unlike last time, where FUCHE BU and I got lost, I actually made my way (late, of course) to the karaoke fest afterward. Oh, before I forget, someone, can't remember who, asked me if I took leave from Iraq to make this event. I did not, I was already back in the States on emergency leave for my Dad's last days and his passing and was awaiting word whether or not I'll have to return to the war. I do, if only for a short time to break in my replacement. Unlike the May 2005 MNG, I actually managed to arrive early, but was not the earliest. That distinction goes to the Epi staffers, who I met at the door. Right at the door, I met GARRETT and CHRISTAL, who just gets more beautiful by the day. GARRETT asked about cameras, I held mine up and he nodded. I saw the bar starting to get crowded and met FUCHE BU on the way. George, my beacon and guide into the pleasures of the barley malts, led me onward. He also seemed to have a stock of a concoction he brought with him, citing the inadequate "commercial" selections already bottled, chilled and awaiting our determinations. After grabbing the first of many bottled barley malts, I turned to take pictures and who did I cast my eyes upon? Yes, the thief of FUCHE BU's beer in DC and someone who as an officer of the court should be ashamed of her behavior: the indefatigable KRIZZIELIZ. I swung my camera and called out, "hey lawyer lady! Buy me a beer!" She saw me and probably regretted immediately her ill-conceived decision to attend. Maybe not, she actually smiled, even though I knew she really does favor FUCHE BU over guys with "high and tight military haircuts." She did disappoint though and told me to get my own beer. I almost cried..... On the elevator up to our epinions den, I ran into one of my favorite travel-restaurant reviewers, POPSROCKS. I knew what Phil looked like because he posts his photo and after introducing myself, he again expressed his condolences on the recent passing of my father and asked if I had to head back to Iraq? At that moment, I didn't actually know, but an hour or so later, I received a call saying I did. BUMMER........ Moving right along, I met Epinion's newest staffer, TOMIKO, another Californian, new to the site and company and just out of college. She was vivacious, beautiful and interesting and had several of the guys wishing they lived in or near Brisbane (myself included - but dating from Baghdad put a crimp in that idea, so I decided on another beer!!!!!!). BTW, I was not remiss in my photo duties which I had committed to. Then I wondered why when I saw AASHOK, the man who had taken such stunning photos of NYC, its monuments and environs. He had photographed the first NYC MNG and has been a fan of digital photography longer than I have (yes, I finally transitioned when I purchased a Nikon D200 - a review is coming!). Needless to say, I have been a fan of his and we finally met. We switched cameras; I let him shoot with my Nikon and I used his CANON and later compared notes. His toy was lighter than mine and had a higher MP count, but being a CANON, was a little strange for me. I hope the fotos I did take with it were ones ASH approved of....:) I continued to stroll around just in time to hear FUCHE BU tell everyone and anyone who would listen that KRISSIELIZ was carrying his "love child." That George, what a guy.....the epitome of discretion. I also met JO.COM and BRYANCAREY. Jo and I had had something of a minor battle in cyberspace because she is opposed to everything Bush, including Iraq and I'm one of the poor suckers who has to carry out the foreign policy decisions of the administration. I don't have to like or approve of them, but I did raise my hand, take the oath and swear to carry out the orders of the President and the officers appointed over me. Does that mean I like everything I'm asked to do? Not exactly, and over time and through numerous emails and comments, I think Jo and I finally realized that there truly is room at epinions for folks of such divergent views. For the record, I am a conservative with strong libertarian tendencies and I do not believe the decision to invade Iraq when we did was altogether wise or in the ultimate best interests of the United States. It certainly wasn't in the best interests of the 2,300 KIAs or the more than 15,000 WIAs (many of whom are single and multiple amputees). Okay, I said it. And yes, I am one of those conservatives who thinks the war will not redound to our credit. Okay, enough of that.... BRYANCAREY is another of my favorite writers, because like BRUGURU in Atlanta and FUCHE BU, he writes about beer. Unlike yours truly, when it comes to beer, he knows his stuff. Therefore, when Bryan speaks, I listen. I also quaff what he recommends and have NEVER found him to be wrong! Isn't Epinions a wonderful resource? Wanna learn about a beer? Check epinions. Wanna know who likes it? Check in with BRYANCAREY, FUCH BU or BRUGURU. They know. Trust me, they know. Just one thing guys, leave some brew for me for when I return from the Sandbox this next time, okay? SPEEDDEMON is Mike, one of my favorite writers on music. Even if I'm not informed on the selections he posts, I always know that the artist is getting more than a fair shake and that's why Mike's credibility is so renowned. Mike also arranged for our after hours 'partay' and while I was late and got to take some 'interesting photos' I did enjoy myself. Many thanks, Mike, for your friendship and hospitality. DIZZYBINT - another alumnae of the DC Meet N Greet. She asked me how I was, having read about my Dad and my emergency leave. They were the first words she spoke to me, so I found them touching. Like her other MNG forays, she came from Canada to be with us all. How's that for family ties? LORRIE NORRINGTON came up and introduced herself to me after someone (don't know who) told her I was just back from the desert. She seemed quite interested in what was going on over there and did a fairly good job of having me talk about it, even though I wanted to ask her some questions about what our future direction at epinions will be. Despite that, I found her to be refreshingly candid and she told me that shopping.com was quite happy with the epinions community and she raved about the quality of the writing coming off the keyboards of our more prolific writers. So ladies and gentlemen (and you too, George), you heard it here: your hard work, dedication and quality reviews are noticed and appreciated. So keep 'em coming. Even though our room was probably a tad small for the number of folks in attendance, I was able to prove to people, myself included, that I could wander about aimlessly with the best of them. Granted, I had an excuse AND a camera and I click-clicked the shutter whenever I felt like it. I loaned my flash to ANDYMAN who was using his brand spanking new Nikon D50. We compared notes, like me, he had invested in Nikon lenses and chose to stay with them when he converted to digital. He only had the pop-up flash on his camera, so I told him to try mine, another brand-new purchase, the SB-800 strobe (made necessary by the lack of compatibility between the new digital body and my older Nikon strobe units). Later, I checked back with him, asked him how he liked it. His smile said it all..... I would see him again at the post-festivities party. JOUBERT re-introduced himself. We had met the previous May and he had done me the honor of offering a toast for my safe return. Our chat was brief as I was trying to determine if AASHOK, realizing that my NIKON D200 was quite desirable had abandoned his CANON in favor of my newer, but heavier model. He also had to make a plane back to northern Virginia. I hope to re-connect after I return from the desert. TOMBARNES: our expert on hotels. We also re-connected and he passed on some news I had been completely unaware of. Tom, I know I apologized at the time for my lack of current situational awareness, but I'll do so again here. I'm sorry if that one question I asked made you uncomfortable. KRISTINAFH: The legend! I met her for the very first time in May 2005 and here she was again! I thought I was dreaming. But I wasn't and we had a neat, quick conversation that dropped off and magically picked up, without missing a beat about an hour (and 2-3 beers) later. Be careful folks, this lady has great recall; she remembers what people say. My photo duties and the need to eat and stock up on beer consumed much of my time, but I reallyam glad I made it to this Meet N Greet. I hope I can make many more. To my fellow epinion writers who I have yet to meet, I resolve to do so at the next gathering. I wish all of you good health, much happiness and continued success in all your endeavors. I hope that wherever you are, regardless of your views on the international situation, that you will keep all of us in uniform in your thoughts and prayers, so that someday, we'll all be able to come home to our families, friends and neighbors. God bless you all. Paul Connors  |
| Read all comments (28)|Write your own comment |
- Top 500|
Ads by Google
|
