Well finally I think I am able to write the memoirs of the fabulous Socal Meetup.
For Shirl and I it started with the delightful train ride to Solano Beach, where we were met by Aloha and Sallycat. They spied us first from the top of the station, shouting Diane, Diane, we looked up and there they were. It was later discovered they pointed to the elevator to take us up however we missed that and took the long ramp, finally making it to the top. Hugs all around, lots of ‘it’s really you’, excited words spilling out, ride back to Hotel and then on to Aloha’s apartment.
Aloha’s apartment was so beautiful, like out of the page of a magazine, all terra cotta’s, golds, greens, african, mexican decor all tied together perfectly…and a long balcony across one end of the place where we spent much of the time talking and smoking.
Shirl, Sally and I returned to the hotel to rest and then returned around 5 to Aloha’s. Next to arrive was San Diego Dem, then Cali Scribe, Kamakya and Babaloo, and finally the piece de resistance, Maneegee. Well he was literally mobbed by all of us fems. and hugged with gusto.
On to dinner at a posh restaurant, where it was so loud and noisy we couldn’t hear from one end of the table to the other, so we missed out on some conversations. Back to Aloha’s for a regroup, some talk and then back to hotels for some much needed rest.
Sat morning, Sally, aloha, Shirl and I got together for coffee and breakfast, and lots of chatting and bonding, tears and laughter abounded.
Rest time again for Alhoa, Shirl and I, Sally the intrepid, then embarked on a ocean kyaking adventure, While the others made a trip to Sea World.
We all met again for a barbecue that night, and a good time was had by all, more laughter, hugging, sharing, blogging of course, taking pics., smoking on the balcony, etc. Aloha wanted us to hear this one song, and then started to dance, we all watched entranced as she danced out the song and near the end, San Diego, Sally and I jumped up to join in and it was great, much joy to be and share in the moment.
Soon after that most of us retired for the night, smiles on our faces, joy in our hearts.
Sunday morning we all met briefly for a goodby, group hugs, some tears, some sadness, but happy that we had shared this time together….I don’t think any of of will forget it.
Some observations:
First of all everyone was wonderful to meet in person, so many added dimensions added to the words we already new and much better looking in person.
Aloha, great hostess and lots of fun to be around, is a lot like she sounds, but better in person as everyone was.
Caliscribe, the only way to describe her is cute, she is just the most animated person to talk to and always has a smile on her face.
Sally the no nonsense athlete, hard to imagine she is a controller in real life, seems so opposite of the outdoor girl I saw, but sweet and kind and lots of fun.
Manee, handsome and articulate, his demeanor of a strong and wise man full of fun and laughter.
Kamakya and Bobaloo, and the two delightful young girls (Kamahya’s daughter and friend) with them were so much fun and we were especially impressed with the girls.
San Diego Dem, gorgeous with long brown hair, thought she was 25 but no, a mother of a 20 yr. old.
All in all it was a wonderful weekend I would not have missed and I shall treasure the memories forever.
I still have not edited all the pics, but when I do I will put them on a yahoo photo site for all to view.
Love and hugs to all!!!!
Ok, here it is, the long awaited diary of the meetup…enjoy with us the memories.
What an amazing time it was! And what a dynamic group! It was such utter joy to be with strong, wise, articulate, interesting, informed and loving people. I urge everyone to think of getting involved in a local, or regional area meetup and spend a little time with some of our fellow tribbers. You will be renewed, encouraged and have more fun than you thought possible. You are really going to want to do this!!!
Simply the best.
Hugs to all
Shirl
…I see the cat was amused. <G>.
Sounds like you had a great time!
Yep! That’s how it happened. The amazing thing was the instant bonding that happened and the sense that we all have been here before. Thanks for your wonderful compliments Diane. I love you girlfriend!
Geez I can’t even begin to describe the meeting, sharing and bonding! I’ll need to write a ‘Book of SallyCat’ to go with the ‘Book of Shirl’ to describe the wonderful weekend! There was so much energy and love and instant affinity – it really was a reunion.
Diane and Shirl…two of the most amazing women I’ve ever known. You reach out and touch each of us just by being there! We’ll keep the slumber party stuff as a ‘stays in San Diego’ kind of idea! 😉
Cali Scribe…such short comments on the cafe…and such a wonderful, caring, and animated person in real life! I can here her laugh and see her smile when I read the comments.
Aloha…such an amazing hostess…and an amazing sister! There aren’t words…and I have missed you all week!
Man Eegee…smart, articulate, funny, and a wonderful guy! And definitely a hunk! p.s. I still have the kayak girl’s email!
More about the others in another comment or this will be a diary!
Geez you wonderful ppl, I can not wait till we have ours next. I am in such antisapation of this meet up and getting to know my fellow frogs…I an very glad to hear of your great time. To meet y ou like this is even great. Hugs around to all….
Kamahkya – A bundle of energy and information and insight! A thoughtful and loving mother…she had brought her charming daughter and her daughter’s friend. Bright, super sweet and polite girls…and politically articulate at ages 11ish-12.
Bobaloo – sometimes very quiet – yet very articulate and wise and just delightful! I know we’ll be seeing each other on the ‘dump Pombo’ efforts this summer and I can’t wait!
San Diego Dem – Diane is right – gorgeous with long brown hair – she looks way to young to be the mother of a 20 yr. old! Chatting and emailing and Cheering & Jeering with SDD for over a year and real life is so much better!
Thanks to Aloha for putting up with us and arranging everything. We had a marvellous time…and I’m ready to go back any time!
Aw shucks, SallyCat! Thanks for the kind words. Absolutely everyone there was a pleasure to meet and talk with. I learned so much. Babaloo was a wonderful companion for the 18 hr. trip. She is smart, knowledgeable and very active, all with a nice sense of humor to boot. I really wish I had equal time with everyone else.
BTW: My daughter is getting involved with a school newpaper and really wanted to be a political reporter, but the school forbid her to write about politics. I told her that she could write about it so long as she made it a “human interest” story, rather than a rant about our evil government. She’s contemplating doing a series of interviews in downtown Oakland and asking people what the like and don’t like about the city. I do believe that the meet-up inspired her to some degree. :>)
That is very cool about your daughter. The girls were a delight and a joy to be around. I feel it is imperative we egg these kids on to become involved as early as possible. She is so bright and no doubt will do well. Please keep us posted on any articles she write either here or through email.
Thanks Aloha. To be honest, I was a bit nervous meeting you. After I did, though, all of a sudden all your posts made perfect sense! You are a gem.
I’m actually considering posting a poem (more like a spoken word piece) that she did on being a woman. I thought it would be a nice perspective from a younger voice on the trials of growing up a woman in today’s world. I’ll take another look at it and see if it would be appropriate here.
Nervous? To meet lil ol me? Miss innocense and quiet and shy? LOL. I hope they made sense in a good way? Please share your daughter’s writings here with us. ANd if not here I am sure Village Blue would be a fabulous place for her to write. Keep in touch now ya hear?
Absoultely in a good way! It is no surprise you are a Cancer like me. You are passionate and devoted and if you ever get out of line I know it is because you care and not because you just like to stir up shit. Just remember, if you see the secret code, it is time to step back and take a deep breath. <g> You are truly a Goddess in your own way.
I just posted a diary with my daughter’s poem on women and a bit of confession from yours truly. I hope y’all like it.
Kama, I thought you and Babalou were amazing, dynamic and articulate, each in your own way. It was such a kick to meet you in the person and hear your ideas and share such fun with the two of you and the great young ladies you brought along. The both of you really wrapped yourselves around my heart! And I would take those two young ladies in a heartbeat! I didn’t think there were such lovely, well behaved, enchanting and intelligent young people around any more.
I am reading your words with a new and expanded appreciation of where they come from. . .and who you are.
Loves and hugs,
Shirl
Shirl, you were everything I expected and more. I loved just silently enjoying the beautiful view with you and knowing we were sharing something special. I had so many things I wanted to talk about with you, but somehow just sharing a quiet moment seemed best.
I have included my daughter in everything I do since she was born. Because I am a single mom and my nearest family is 3000 miles away, we operate as a team. I have gotten a lot of grief over the years for this. But, I believe that children are much more sophisticated than people make them out to be. I believe that being honest and straightforward is better than hiding and concealing one’s behavior. I get angry with parents who tell their kids not to do X while hiding that they do X. I see it a lot at Burning Man.
I believe in manners and I made sure my daughter learned respect and manners early. Her friend is my best friend’s daughter and I wouldn’t have brought her if I didn’t also know that she would behave. They are both great kids. They both really care about people and this world and they know that if they treat other people with kindness and respect, they will receive the same in return. You all made that true by treating them with respect and kindness and showed them that adults really believe what they preach. So, thank you, too. Y’all helped me reinforce why common decency is the best way (and yes, without a southern bone in my body, I love y’all).
Hugs,
KamaMama
All I can say is that my face still hurts from smiling and laughing so much. I love each and every one of you!
After being the only gentleman surrounded by such a glorious bevy of ladies, my psychic powers tell me he will have been spoiled rotten the entire time.
I think he is still squeaking from all the hugs. 😉
it may even be a year! 🙂
Everyone had this glowing passion about them that was evident from the moment I walked into Aloha’s awesome homespace. It was empowering to know that I was surrounded by people who care deeply about the world. The dance at the end was the perfect culmination of our time spent together, so much grace and power in the movement.
miss you! Let me know for sure the next time you come out. We did not get nearly enough time to start the Revolution.
What Happens in Del Mar stays in Del Mar! You will have to drug Smokie the cat to get the real dirt.
I bribed him with extra ear scratches before I left!
You people spoiled him rotten and wore him out. he has been sleeping nonstop since your departure.
We’re still discussing ManE, no?
If you’ve been monitoring the late night/early morning cafes lately, you’ll see that I’ve been nocturnal lately. I think it’s cuz I’m still riding the wave from the weekend 🙂
Have not seen the full story, but saw one or two comments (not yours) that suggested some sleep deprivation.
But you must all have had a grand time, down time for recovery to be expected.
LOL…no my cat but probably Manny too!!
Well you spoiled us all with your warm welcome and warmer hugs. It felt like coming home to meet you and just hangout. The snacks and breakfast treats, dinner, and just everything were wonderful.
Hanging out, helping each other write comments, and edit pictures (LOL) was just so fun. I’ve been missing you since I got on the plane.
You were definitely the hostess with the mostest!
Love you bunches!
Stooooooooooop!! my head is too big to start with. I was telling my son all about the weekend and said that I really hadn’t realised how much I missed having a circle of friends. I miss you all dearly. I don’t think I can wait a year for another gathering. We will work on that right? You all have my email so please write often or call. Hugs to all!
…always “cute”, never “sexy”…the spouse will be glad to hear that… 😉
Still recovering, but at least I finally unpacked! Still need to get my picture sizes edited down to manageable levels (for the dial-up crowd), then upload to Photobucket.
Oh, and it was San Diego Zoo, not Sea World, that we visited — here’s a quick preview (and tribute to new front pager Chris):
Took about 80+ pictures, so need to figure out the best of the bunch, and post a link to my Photobucket album for the rest…
I don’t think anyone said anything about “never sexy” Cali. . .As I recall you had Transit workers all a gaga and making with the flirtacious moves during your city area tours. Nope, I wouldn’t think “never sexy” has any place in it at all. It is just that great smile and those impish eyes that makes you so adorable we call you “cute.”
Great pic of the Panda, Cali
Glad you made it home safe and sound, bet the Mr Caliscribe was glad to have you back in his clutches again. We all sure enjoyed being with you.
Hugs
Shirl
Love this wrap up! Thanks for much for the compliments, but I must also point out that Diane herself looks entirely too young to have a daughter near MY age!!
Aloha’s place is gorgeous! I love the colors on her walls. When she makes it up to my place she will see we have similar paint color taste 🙂
visit Eat4Today more often (and get a damn haircut!)
Nah, you’ve got those cheeks women like to pinch. And your face isn’t bad either.
Ass-Deficiency Gene strikes again!
Don’t worry, your face is so cute no one is looking at where your ass is supposed to be. 😉
It’s the baggy t-shirt! You looked great!
Haircut??? no, let it grow…you can be our Aragorn!
SanDiegoDem and I had agreed profile shots were bad…none of us look good sideways!
own one of these. Rim hennaid 😉
Coool!
Manny gets to be our Aragorn…now when his hair gets longer and kind of wavy…
geez it is getting really warm in here!
What am I. Gollum? 🙁
We need to see what the rest of the BT hunks look like…
There are lots of fantasy men out there…are you dark haired like Mr.Darcy look out Maryb just swooned! or blonde like the hunky Legolas from LOTR, or…..!
I have to agree w/ maryb on that. 🙂
the colin firth Mr. D’arcy? (swoon)
With your stately stature, you are most definitely a son of the kings of Rohan.
And behold, your noble steed:
The pics don’t do Manny justice. Oh to be 25 years younger. You would be in deep sh*t young man. And hey, I look like the Michelin Man dancing in that big ol white t shirt so don’t feel bad kiddo. I missed the no ass view. I was too inthralled by your wit and intelligence kiddo.
Hmmm….I missed that part too….
But then again I’ve always been kind of partial to big shoulders and little butts! Isn’t that why we watch football – shoulder pads and tight pants?
There would be a fight on if Manny was older or we were younger….! LOL
Absolutely! He is sexy, intelligent, compassionate, articulate and an all around good person. Can we do a write-in campaign for Preznit? ;>)
photoshopping is in order 🙂
[blushing]
i’m going to be really bummed if it was near me.
what great pics! tho i could only identify eagee and sallycat.
Last weekend…
Don’t worry – there’ll be more…an East Coast one is in the works and a Northern CA (Oakland / East Bay area) is under discussion for May or mid-summer.