Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
My husband Mark and I (along with my Dad!) had the pleasure of attending our very first Ricochet soirée. It was awesome. Organized by Mr. Sisyphus, as I'm now calling him, Lucy Pevensie, Casey Way, Basil Fawlty, Jon in DC, Bunky (who is definitely my favorite lurker ever), Layla and her husband Bo (Happy Anniversary, guys!), Master Horace Sisyphus and GLDIII were in attendance. Lucy gets the award for most distance traveled. Possibly by a factor of five or so.
Midway through our party, we got word from our waitress that Flownover had called the restaurant from his secret bunker location somewhere in the middle of the country and paid for our next round of drinks. So we all ordered really old Scotch and then toasted him.
We had a blast. We talked fly fishing, federal workforce management, the surprisingly visceral hatred between air traffic controllers and pilots, dentistry, adoption, the Anglican Communion, Classical education, crony capitalism, and maybe just a smidge of Presidential politics. (Read: 1.5 hours of presidential politics.)
However, I couldn't get anyone else excited about my suggestion that we leave the soirée and road trip to Indiana to "Occupy Mitch Daniels' lawn."
I tried taking pictures with my phone but failed utterly. Jon in DC rescued us with some on his camera. The first one is a picture I took of people willing to be photographed (the mysterious people are kept mysteriously under wraps or between other Rick O'Sheas) and the second is of Layla and Bo and me (and a giant floating fish).
Great meeting you all and I can't wait to do it again!
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May '10
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
Next time in Philadelphia: Be there or be square.
May '10
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
I can't help noticing from the photos that there's no one there tall and skinny enough to suggest Basil Fawlty.
May '10
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
And naturally, like the unwritten "in bed" at the end of every cookie fortune, there is an unwritten but universally understood addendum to the list of main topics discussed at these gatherings: "and Kennedy, of course".
It's a great burden, this knowledge.
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
Kennedy Smith: And naturally, like the unwritten "in bed" at the end of every cookie fortune, there is an unwritten but universally understood addendum to the list of main topics discussed at these gatherings: "and Kennedy, of course".
It's a great burden, this knowledge. · Oct 15 at 7:50pm
We may have spoken a little bit about other members, contributors and site owners.
Aug '10
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
Oh, I dunno. Perhaps many Richochetoise prefer musing on Kennedy in private to discussing him in public.
Not that I would know anything about that...
Mar '11
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
It's not a visceral hatred, it just an understand that if the pilot screws up, he dies, and if the ATC screws up....... the pilot dies.
Edited on October 16, 2011 at 5:38amNov '10
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
GLDIII
It's not a visceral hatred, it just an understand that if the pilot screws up, he dies, and if the ATC screws up....... the pilot dies. · Oct 15 at 8:37pm
Edited on Oct 15 at 08:38 pm
Can you guess who was the pilot?
Sep '10
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
Kennedy Smith: And naturally, like the unwritten "in bed" at the end of every cookie fortune, there is an unwritten but universally understood addendum to the list of main topics discussed at these gatherings: "and Kennedy, of course".
It's a great burden, this knowledge. · Oct 15 at 7:50pm
We may have spoken a little bit about other members, contributors and site owners. · Oct 15 at 7:53pm
Briefs, not boxers. But thanks for asking.
Nov '10
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
Cheers!
Dec '10
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
The most interesting ATC moment I've experienced was right after Reagan fired the striking ATC union members. Before that happened, flying in New York Center on a good day was rude, obnoxious, arrogant and just plain hostile. Approach Control around LaGuadia and JFK was usually easy and uneventful but interacting with Center had a lot in common with a gang fight.
The first time I flew after Reagan busted the union, I expected everything to be delayed, hassled and frazzled. Instead it was all sweetness, puppies and unicorns - just a bunch of old buddies sitting around swapping stories and having a good old time. At times it was so friendly and sweet, I thought we would all get diabetes.
Going into OHare in Chicago was entirely different from NY Center. Even before the strike, it was always a friendly and no-sweat experience. Later in the evening it was even kind of entertaining. Coming into OHare from the east Center would hand you over to Approach Control with the instruction to "contact Radar Randy" on ...frequency. Radar Randy was a real hoot. He was always in a good mood and was obviously playing the best video game in town.
Edited on October 16, 2011 at 10:11amJul '11
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
I'm toasting to Flownover myself tonight - what a guy!
Mar '11
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
Well, as to the tall part, we are all sitting down and it's hard to see. As to the skinny part, you're quite correct.
Mar '11
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
And thanks once again to Sisyphus for making the effort to organize a most enjoyable afternoon. Great seeing you all! And a special thanks to Flownover. The Stoly was wonderful!
Jun '11
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
Ahh. So nice to be out of the shadows. Such a delightful afternoon. At our end of the table we discussed Civil War submarines, the migrations of peoples to the Americas, the study of economics, Apples, permissions and firewalls. Such a fine bunch of Ricochetiers. Likewise, thanks to Sisyphus and Flownover.
May '10
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
I'm soooo jealous. An evening of conservative Rico conversation and free drinks too? These gatherings get more and more tempting to attend.
How about a Snowbird Soiree in central Florida in February? Pilgrim? You still out there? Think a meetup of Ricoteers in the land of Mickey is long overdue...
Edited on October 16, 2011 at 2:21pmApr '11
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
Sounds awesome. And that flownover, what a classy guy!
Dec '10
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
jetstream: Radar Randy was a real hoot. He was always in a good mood and was obviously playing the best video game in town. · Oct 16 at 12:59am
Edited on Oct 16 at 01:11 am
I could look far and wide without finding a better description of the view from the radar room. The time after the Reagan decision was sheer pleasure. Arguably the best two occupations in the world can be found in the front of an airplane and the dark of a control room. Do not believe anyone that says otherwise. And allow me to set the record straight - that visceral thing just aint true.
Thank you, Flownover, for the manhattan. I hope for an opportunity to respond in kind. Thank you, Sisyphus, for planning, and thanks to Mollie and all the rest for a wonderful afternoon.
May '10
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
The Other Diane: I'm soooo jealous. An evening of conservative Rico conversation and free drinks too? These gatherings get more and more tempting to attend.
How about a Snowbird Soiree in central Florida in February? Pilgrim? You still out there? Think a meetup of Ricoteers in the land of Mickey is long overdue... · Oct 16 at 5:17am
Edited on Oct 16 at 05:21 am
I will be marooned in the West Palm Beach area during February and March. Central FL is not far, so I'm in!!!!
Sorry to miss you all Saturday. My family was supposed to be away until Sunday which would have enabled a CT-to-Springfield roadtrip with the night at Mom and Dad's in McLean. BUT those people with whom I share my house came home Saturday instead.
Emily, Humza and I are planning a Christmas party in New York...
Mar '11
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
I was kicking myself after I left for neglecting to ask you about the PATCO strike! Maybe next time.
Jon in DC
Edited on Oct 16 at 01:11 am
The time after the Reagan decision was sheer pleasure.
Aug '10
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
I'll buy lunch on the Eurodam if anyone is sailing this November ! Now that I am finally in area , I guess I can drive by Kilroy's and see the table where the party happened before they bronze it and send it to Hillsdale for the future Museum of the Conservative Revolution in the 21st Century .