The 2009 MilBlog Conference...

In all things that are purely social we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress.
~~~~~Booker T. Washington


My mind is going numb from trying to catch up on all my backlogged reading. So much so that I had to have help getting the pictures downloaded from the storage card to my computer. I had thought that I would try to do the pictures in chronological order, but... Sorry, too much dang work.


Therefore, in no particular order are some shots that I took while attending the 2009 Mil-Blog Conference in Arlington, Virginia. May I say that all the milbloggers I met are much more awesome in person. Not saying that they aren't awesome on their blogs. It's just that meeting everyone is like extending my family across this wonderful country. Whew! Talk about a family reunion. Good times for sure.

While I can put names to quite a few faces, there are several whose names I just didn't catch. If you see someone you recognize and I didn't give their name, feel free to let me know who they are.


David Stanford, editor of Doonesbury "The Sandbox" and ??? Jill?


Mary Ann from Soldiers' Angels~Germany (facing the camera) talking to ??? Boston Maggie and Mrs. G. (I think) facing away from the camera.


Andi (who did the most arduous task of organizing the whole Mil-blog shebang) talking to Chuck Z. Mrs. Borda (JP's wife in the background)


Susan Katz Keating, myself, Eve, and a friend of Eve's whose name I can't recall. I know...terrible person that I am.


CJ Grisham (Soldiers Perspective) asking a question of one of the panel members.


Lisa (in DC), Kathi (Mail Call), and myself having a gabfest after dinner at PF Changs. We had the bestest time eating and talking. Kathi's daughter; April, took the picture.


Tankerbabe (Leta) and me. Meeting the first time, you can't just shake hands, you got to give and get hugs. I love hugs...


Susan (Susan Katz Keating on National Security) and CJ (Soldiers Perspective) schmoozing.


Troy (Bouhammer) and me doing our own schmoozing. His wife, Christine, is super sweet as well.


Carren (Chuck Z's wife) and Greta Perry (Hooah Wife/Kiss my Gumbo). Those two together made me laugh. 2 very special ladies that I had the privledge to meet that first night.


Susan (with back to camera) Sherry and Alex Horton (Army of Dude). Sherry and I talked so much that I missed one complete panel. But it was well worth it. Good thing CJ and Troy video taped the panels.


Elizabeth Newberry (National Museum of Americans at War) Bob Miller (Concrete Bob), and JP(Milblogging). Susan with back to camera. Hmmm, is she trying to tell me something?


These next few pictures I took using my phone. Quality isn't as good, but the battery on my digital camera was kaput!

Greyhawk (Mudville Gazette) moderating the last panel of the conference.


CJ auctioning off a ball cap with a whole hell of a lot of major sports figures signatures with the proceeds going to benefit Soldiers' Angels. I think the last bid was $350. Good job CJ!


Rick Lowe, Matt Bernard and Ricky John. Matt was presented a certificate and 5K check. Great job Matt (American Soldier).


The last panel of the conference....Representatives of Long War Journal, Small Wars Journal and Abu Muqawama. These guys are the heavy thinkers of the military blogging world. You really should check out what they are posting to keep up with all the heavy stuff. Me, eh... I'll stick to those little drops.




And so it goes......

The View From The 8th Floor...

Looking out my window from the 8th floor. It's a beautiful day here in Arlington. Since I got very few hours of sleep earlier this morning, I think I'm going to test out one of the beds for a nap. The plans for tonight are things I don't want to miss. I'll update after I wake and hopefully find everyone.

Friday Funnies...

Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day.
~~~~~Author Unknown



Too much going on in my little world that contributes to the discombobulated feeling I've had for the last few days. The 'blahs' have hit me with what feels like a sucker punch to the solar plexus. I'm hoping that a few laughs will revive the gray matter, and a little lightening of the weight pressing down. I did say "hoping", didn't I?



Monastery of Silence

Sister Mary Katherine entered the Monastery of Silence.

The Priest said, "Sister, this is a silent monastery. You are welcome here as long as you like, but you may not speak until directed to do so."

Sister Mary Katherine lived in the monastery for 2 years before the Priest said to her, "Sister Mary Katherine, you have been here for 2 years. You may speak two words."

Sister Mary Katherine said, "Hard bed."

"I'm sorry to hear that," the Priest said, "We will get you a better bed."

After another 2 years, Sister Mary Katherine was summoned by the Priest. "You may say another two words, Sister Mary Katherine."

"Cold food," said Sister Mary Katherine, and the Priest assured her that the food would be better in the future.

On her 10th anniversary at the monastery, the Priest again called Sister Mary Katherine in to his office. "You may say two words today."

"I quit," said Sister Mary Katherine.

"It's probably best," said the Priest, "You've done nothing but bitch since you got here."
~~~~~

Eve's side of the Story

After three weeks in the Garden of Eden, God came to visit Eve. "So, how is everything going?" inquired God.

"It is all so beautiful, God" she replied. "The sunrises and the sunsets are breathtaking, the smells, the sights, everything is wonderful, but I have just one problem..." "It's these breasts you have given me. The middle one pushes the other two out and I am constantly knocking them with my arms, catching them on branches and snagging them on bushes. They're a real pain."

And Eve went on to tell God that since many other parts of her body came in pairs, such as her limbs, eyes, ears, etc. She felt that having only two breasts might leave her body more 'symmetrically balance'.

"That's a fair point," replied God, "But it was my first shot at this, you know. I gave the animals six breast, so I figured that you needed only half of those, but I see that you are right. I will fix it up right away."

And God reached down, removed the middle breast and tossed it into the bushes.

Three weeks passed and God once again visited Eve in the Garden the Eden.

"Well, Eve, how is my favorite creation?"

"Just fantastic," she replied, "But for one oversight. You see, all the animals are paired off. The ewe has a ram and the cow has her bull. All the animals have a mate except me. I feel so alone..."

God thought for a moment and said, "You know, Eve, you are right. How could I have overlooked this? You do need a mate and I will immediately create a man from a part of you. Let's see... where did I put that useless tit?"

Now, doesn't THAT make more sense than that story about the rib?
~~~~~

Life....According to Maxine

1. Jim Baker and Jimmy Swaggert have written an impressive new book. It's called...
'Ministers Do More Than Lay People'

2. Transvestite: A guy who likes to eat, drink and be Mary.

3. The difference between the Pope and your boss, the Pope only expects you to kiss his ring.

4. My mind works like lightning, one brilliant flash and it's gone.

5. The only time the world beats a path to your door is if you're in the bathroom.

6. I hate sex in the movies. Tried it once. The seat folded up, the drink spilled and that ice, well, it really chilled the mood.

7. It used to be only death and taxes. Now, of course, there's shipping and handling, too.

8. A husband is someone who, after taking the trash out, gives the impression that he just cleaned the whole house.

9. My next house will have no kitchen- just vending machines and a large trash can.

10. A blonde said, "I was worried that my mechanic might try to rip me off. I was relieved when he told me all I needed was turn signal fluid."

11. Definition of a teenager? God's punishment... for enjoying sex.

12. As you slide down the banister of life, May the splinters never point the wrong way.




And so it goes......