Well, having arrived home, I still have no clear idea what to write about this weekend. I don't have enough superlatives to describe it in a way that doesn't sound repetitive. Let me go back and start at the beginning.
Friday night at the pre-cocktail party cocktail party: The sun was beating through the windows into the room we were congregating. A good crowd had gathered. A lot of familiar faces, but some new ones. The pool table nazi was busy making sure nobody set anything down on the pool tables that shouldn't be there. I swear the guy had eyes on top of his baseball cap. I met Sgt Hook! No word on if the pool table nazi will make an appearance in one of Hook's stories.
Friday night official cocktail party: Mingled and smoozed, found Noonan, got hit on by the bartender after which I sent someone else to get me a drink, comforted a Mom, hung out with some angels. The Milbloggies were awarded. And Andi got a clue (bat).
I decided to skip the post cocktail party cocktail party in favor of going to bed since I was due to help with the registration table on Saturday morning. Due to the number of requests for tylenol the next morning, I'm guessing that was a success too.
Saturday morning, registration table. I did manage to peek in through the conference room doors to see the Presidential Address.
(thanks to Gateway Pundit for the video)
Panel I - From the Front: I missed a lot of the first panel since I was still out in the lobby. Later on, Matt asked me how it was, and of course me being an upfront person I said I didn't see most of it. End of conversation. Maybe I should learn to tell a little white lie now and then for social purposes. (Actually somebody else was waiting to talk to him, just a little humor there, folks.)
Panel II - All in the Family: I am so impressed with all of these ladies who shared about their experiences as a spouse or mom of a service member. Although I have not walked in their shoes, I do share their opinions on some things, if only from the standpoint of "because it's the right thing to do". I admire their courage and strength and I am glad to be a part of an organization that can provide support for them too.
The Soldiers' Angels lunch: Great food, great company (Dadmanly & Family, FbL, Chuck & Carren, to name some). The "Golden Laptop" was awarded to the winning team leader from the Valour-IT Milblogging Competition. Even though I had heard the story about how Valour-IT began, I still cry when I hear Chuck tell it from his experience. I came prepared with a pack of kleenex and had to share too. It was announced that the 1,000th laptop in 20 months is to be awarded.
Panel III - Rapid Fire Roundtable: Two words. Hip Waders. Things got a little deep there.
Panel IV - Support, More Than Just a Bumper Sticker: Patti, MaryAnn, Sandra, I love you! You just get the job done.
Other various observations: The Ziegenfii (that's Ziegenfuss, plural) just have to be original with their nametags.
There was more, lots more, but I'm going to publish this now and continue later. In the meantime, go read what others are saying.
5 comments:
I was wondering if you had heard anything on Michael Fay and his blogsite.
He was due to be deployed, I think.
Great write-up, Laurie. I've done nothing else (so far) this morning except read AARs from the conference. While I understand your reasoning for skipping the post-cocktail party party (evidence of you being a thinking adult, ferSURE!!) it seems like you missed quite a blast. At least to hear Lex and friends tell it. Odds are that he or at least one of his co-conspirators hit you up for Tylenol! ;-)
I seriously wish my 'net connection had been fast enough for me to watch the panels...I've read nothing but good stuff about them. It sure sounds like the whole she-bang was worth it! In spades...
Hi Laurie... we did, in fact, meet. I managed to shake your hand at Carpool. I was the guy in a khaki ballcap, Green embassy t-shirt, and big bushy tail.
Ah, yes, I remember now! Buckethead was standing there too maybe? The Buckethead whom will be featured in my next post, or maybe the one after...
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