Ever since I listened to the first Ricochet podcast with Peter, Rob and Mark Steyn in early 2010, I began a secret fantasy in my mind.  In my dream world, I would be sitting at a dinner table listening to Peter, Rob and Mark chat while I occasionally piped up with a vapid comment.  Now and then, I could get the guys to laugh.  Rob, however, was a tough nut to crack even in my fantasy world.  Hmmm.

Finally, after 2 years of hoping and daydreaming and fantasizing, I got to see my dream come true.  I got to be a part of a Southern California Ricochet meet up.  Well, part of my dream came true.  Why only part?  That's because over the past two years I found myself wanting to meet and hang out with all of the members and contributors of Ricochet.  Last June's meetup in DC was a blast!  I could not wait to bring the party to my own neighborhood.  The only thing to mar the evening was not getting to see people I had hoped to meet in person (Joe Escalante and Squishy Blue RINO. Joe, you're dead to me now; well... until I get to meet you in person).

Some highlights of the evening, aside from finally getting to meet my internet friends in person, were hearing stories of travels far and wide, listening to political opinions, and hearing stories of bizarre connections.  Case in point, I found out that Brian Watt and I used to live about 2 blocks away from each other.

As promised, here are photos of the evening.  I'm very sensitive to privacy issues, so I won't be tagging people in the photos.  If you are in the photos, feel free to identify yourself, though.  Oh.  Yeah.  Sorry about the captions.  I couldn't resist.

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"What are you having?"  "The risotto looks good."

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"At first Obama wanted to take this much of my religious freedoms..."

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"Hmmm... this post by Paul Rahe is quite detailed, isn't it?"

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"Hee hee hee hee.  They let me come to this party without a Bible.  Hee hee."

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"Great wine, great people, great name tags!"

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"Yes!  A new member as of this morning!"

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"Oh!  You worked for that President Bush."

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"No, Rob.  Newt Gingrich is not The Grinch."

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This is Mr. FeliciaB (The Man).

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"How can you live with yourself for having worked for Schwarzenegger?"

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"And then I had to look Felicia in the eyes and tell her to get a hold of herself.  They're just people, not super heroes."

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"Yeah, 1964 was when we lost the country."

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Oh!  Look at me!  I'm standing between two superheroes!

Comments:


Sunlight
Joined
Dec '10
Sunlight

Oh, wow! This is really cool! How do you get to have a Ricochet Meet-up? Does anyone want to come to New Mexico to have one of these? I'd like to have Peter Robinson, John Yoo, and Richard Epstein... Actually any of the Ricochet folks! They say New Mexico is a swing state this time. Our primary isn't until June. And the way people are moaning, there may not be enough patience to let all of us vote before someone (not the last of us voters) decides the candidates. But our state races are getting to be so interesting. Good people running, including a few conservative judges! I might be able to get some of them to attend a Ricochet Meet-up! Let me know if there's some kind of sign up or application or -? for a Meet-up! Thanks!

FeliciaB
Joined
May '10
FeliciaB
Sunlight: Oh, wow! This is really cool! How do you get to have a Ricochet Meet-up? Does anyone want to come to New Mexico to have one of these? I'd like to have Peter Robinson, John Yoo, and Richard Epstein... Actually any of the Ricochet folks! They say New Mexico is a swing state this time. Our primary isn't until June. And the way people are moaning, there may not be enough patience to let all of us vote before someone (not the last of us voters) decides the candidates. But our state races are getting to be so interesting. Good people running, including a few conservative judges! I might be able to get some of them to attend a Ricochet Meet-up! Let me know if there's some kind of sign up or application or -? for a Meet-up! Thanks! · 1 minute ago

Start posting your interest on the Member Feed.  I do believe ~Paules lives in your neck of the woods.


Joined
Dec '10
BKelley14

Verry, very cool! Manhattan meet-up anyone?

Andrea Ryan
Joined
May '10
Andrea Ryan

Dave Carter

Jimmy Carter: Excellent, Felicia. I love all the photos.

Now, if You'll show Dave Carter how to take/post more than one picture of a Rico meet-up..... · 23 minutes ago

I know!!  I got so caught up in the conversation,...well,..I obviously need more practice.  So we obviously need more meet ups, yes?   · Feb 26 at 6:48pm

Clearly, you just need to bring Felicia.

Rosie
Joined
Feb '11
Rosie

Felicia thank you so much for organizing this event.  I had a wonderful time and am definitely looking forward to future SoCal meetups. 

Richard Stewart
Joined
May '10
Richard Stewart

Indeed, you should reach out to ~Paules.I hail from Albuquerque, but live in Birmingham, AL, now, by the grace of God through gainful employment and the freedom of all US citizens to move about the country freely.I'd say I'm game for a New Mexico meetup but I'm not out there but once or twice a year...Birmingham, anyone? Let me know of you want to collaborate on setting one up. (If not, I may just have to set up a meetup myself...)

merumsal
Joined
Aug '10
merumsal

I had a great time—thanks Felicia for organizing, and everyone there for the good company!

The event was interesting even before I met all of you.  The waiter who led me to our tucked-away meeting place told me, "You're going to be in our sort-of 'secret back room.'"

Del Mar Dave
Joined
Oct '10
Del Mar Dave
Sunlight: Oh, wow! This is really cool! How do you get to have a Ricochet Meet-up? Does anyone want to come to New Mexico to have one of these? ...

I would.  I have family in Espanola, friends in Santa Fe and Cochiti and former (and future?) clients in ABQ.  And I'm coming over Apr 19-22.  Whether then or later, I'd try to make it.

SettlerMom
Joined
Mar '11
SettlerMom

Wow! I'm jealous. Good going, FeliciaB!

Brian Watt
Joined
Jun '10
Brian Watt

Gus Marvinson

Duane Oyen: The guy with the gray beard... is it.... it looks like... Billy Joel!  And no pole dancing?

Boy, I went to the SoCal meeting a year too early, didn't I? · 10 minutes ago

That was me. I can't sing Uptown Girl, but I can bark at the moon. · Feb 26 at 6:45pm

I think I found out why Rob has been growing the beard.

RobLongsOperaDream
Trace
Joined
May '10
Trace Urdan

Rob Long

Trace Urdan: Great pix Felicia... but I have this strange urge to run to the bathroom and shave... · 2 hours ago

Face it, Trace:  you're jealous that I look like a French movie star. · 21 hours ago

frenchstar2
frenchstar1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shall we vote?

FeliciaB
Joined
May '10
FeliciaB
SettlerMom: Wow! I'm jealous. Good going, FeliciaB! · 7 hours ago

I've heard tell there are a few Ricochet members living in Israel.  You should organize one, SettlerMom!


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