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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Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
PJS
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.
I was wondering what happened to you! Hope you can make a future one.
Sep '10
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
You're obviously a great host, flownover. Let us know who takes you up on this offer!
Nov '10
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
Yes, many thanks, Flownover! I'm a Guinness girl, myself, and so I raised a thick, murky one to you. Yummy! Hope to thank you in person at the next soiree.
It was a lovely time. I thought that we'd be marooned at the end of the table, but we got quality time with both Mollie AND Mark--and even Mollie's dad, who was a delight to meet. Good times!
Jul '10
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
Just a quick note to the Carolina crowd: Don't know what the deal is that Lucy Pevensie had to come all this way north to enjoy a Rico gathering, but she has great stories about interning at a well known political publication. Shame on ya'll!
Dec '10
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
Jon in DC
jetstream:
... 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. ...
Jon, after the strike, the system seemed to work flawlessly and the esprit de corps between ATC and pilots was at a maximum.
BTW, the comments about NY Center before the strike were more than a bit exaggerated, everyone liked to sit around the hangar drinking coffee and telling their latest NY Center war story. Like the time we got 4 route changes within several minutes and then the 5th route change was the original route :-)
I completely agree with you that their is no "visceral" anything between pilots and ATC. I've been flying for very long time and it's always been friendly and cooperative. Especially at night when things would get laid back and casual.
Jun '10
Re: Washington, D.C. Soirée Report: Toasting Flownover
PJS
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!!!! ...
... Emily, Humza and I are planning a Christmas party in New York... · Oct 16 at 1:58pm
Yeah, still around. I'll contact you off-line to keep the Snowbird Soiree idea going. Might be a bigger event than a lunch if we have snow-birds like PJS and Duane coming to town (the town being Orlando). I might even be able to coax Liz Dunn out of her funk to come.
Stale thread but would like to hear more of the NY Christmas Soiree. I will be in the City the first week of December