Live in Oregon? Washington? Close Enough? (Updated and Bumped)

Filed under:Blogging,It's My Life — posted by Anwyn on November 1, 2007 @ 7:24 pm

Updated and bumped for the last time, Thursday 11-1-07.

Update: Okay, folks, it’s time. Let’s gather at McMenamins Kennedy School, Honors Bar, at around 8:00 p.m. Saturday, November 3. Here’s what I look like —————————————>

See you there!

Note: I’ll bump this to the top about once a week until the party.

Let’s all get together. I don’t have a fancy name like Ace-a-Palooza or the Yearly Kops or a fancy location like Karol’s NY blogger parties. What I do have is a decided lack of people I can chat with on even general topics without being afraid they’ll take offense at some opinion of mine. I know there are people all over the blogs that I read who are from Washington or Oregon … so let’s pick a reasonably quiet bar and go hang out.

Upcoming Saturdays are: October 20, October 27, November 3, November 10. Any farther out than that and it won’t be immediate enough to commit to. Possible areas are: Downtown Portland, west-side suburban Portland (Beaverton or Hillsboro), or, if there are more Washingtonians than Oregonians, I’m willing to consider the Vancouver, WA, side of town.

So if this sounds good to you, leave your preferred dates and location ideas in the comments. 1) The more dates you’re open to, the more chance we have of getting the highest number of people; 2) Quiet hangouts preferred! A McMenamin’s in the suburbs is nice and quiet, and yes, I know their service sucks and there’s better beer out there, but quiet enough to talk to each other is my major criteria.

Hope to see you soon!

Update: Probability is running strong for Saturday, November 3, and Portland’s McMenamins Kennedy School, which has the advantage of also being a hotel in case any out-of-towners need to crash instead of driving home. Leave comments about the advisability of the plan. And spread the word!

Update: Saturday, November 3, Kennedy School, 8 p.m. A. Weasel suggests either the Detention bar or the Honors bar. Anybody else got an opinion on that score?

67 comments »

  1. Live in Oregon? Washington? Close Enough? [Anwyn]…

    Live close enough to Portland, Oregon, to want to come to a get-together? Let’s do it. I don’t have a fancy name like Ace-a-Palooza or the Yearly Kops or a fancy location like Karol’s NY blogger parties. What I do……

    Trackback by Ace of Spades HQ — October 12, 2007 @ 11:08 am

  2. Darn, as a Floridian, you’re just a wee bit out of range! Take notes & post ‘em so the rest of us can pipe in later on.

    Later

    Comment by Tater — October 12, 2007 @ 11:23 am

  3. That sounds like fun…sometime in Nov. maybe.

    Comment by A. Weasel — October 12, 2007 @ 11:23 am

  4. I’m in Vancouver and would love to network with fellow clear eyed citizens. Oct 20th is my only black out date. the Clark County Republicans are having a costume party that night.

    I would recommend Benny’s on St Johns St in Vancouver or The Jerusalem Café on Evergreen.

    Comment by Bill — October 12, 2007 @ 11:24 am

  5. C’mon, Tater, the -16 could have you here in … three hours? :)

    Comment by Anwyn — October 12, 2007 @ 11:29 am

  6. Ya got one second-string commenter in Central Oregon that would be down for something in Portland in November. I don’t spend too much time in Moscow on the Willamette so I can’t really recommend any specific place.

    Comment by T.Paine — October 12, 2007 @ 11:29 am

  7. I live here in Portland and would be interested. Oct 27th is of course out the question for any real Oregonian as the Fighting Ducks of the University of Oregon take on the hapless Trojans of USC. The other dates however are satisfactory for this guy. As most of us are likely coming from Portland my suggestion would be to keep it here but in an attempt to encourage our ‘couvian brethren perhaps NE Portland would serve as a healthy compromise. Engaging in conservative discourse under the pierced noses of the NE Portland hipster leftard crowd would add a certain I don’t know what to the event, but definitely not nothing. Kennedy School perhaps?

    Comment by jeff — October 12, 2007 @ 11:31 am

  8. I live in Seattle. Had some major personal life change recently so it could be tough right now but would like to hear when and where just in case.

    Comment by AndrewsDad — October 12, 2007 @ 11:35 am

  9. There is the Elmer’s Restaurant at Jantzen Beach across from PIR (the race track) on I-5.

    Very easy to find, and has a banquet room which is usually available.

    Comment by Bill — October 12, 2007 @ 11:35 am

  10. Blog party in Portland…

    If you like right-leaning blogs, balrogs, and/or grog, and you live up in Oregon or Washington State or Saskatchetoba or, you know, the Northwestern United States, JYB friend and occasional guest blogger Anwyn is planning a get-together for all you……

    Trackback by JunkYardBlog — October 12, 2007 @ 11:36 am

  11. No offense Bill but I’d rather polish Gore’s Nobel Prize in a gimp suit than spend my Saturday night in an Elmers banquet room off I-5. It’s usually available, weird. I think we’re shooting for quiet not depressing.

    Comment by jeff — October 12, 2007 @ 11:45 am

  12. I’m up for it on the 27th, 3rd, or 10th. If we really want quiet we should just grab a case of beer and go sit under the railroad tracks.

    Comment by chad — October 12, 2007 @ 11:54 am

  13. Well Jeff I’ve used the facility many times for club activities and it hasn’t depressed me enough to go Democrat. Maybe my constitution is better than most, but I think we could endure it with the right company. If not, I do have some polish I can lend you. :~)

    The point is, ever bright fun place I can think of will be full and noisy on any Saturday night from pretty early on. Except for maybe Benny’s and The Jerusalem Café in Vancouver where we don’t get quite so bright and fun on Saturday nights. ;~P

    Comment by Bill — October 12, 2007 @ 11:54 am

  14. I would offer up a BBQ at my house, but I have to warn you that I would endevour to get you all intoxicated, hold you over night, and make you help paint the house the next morning after breakfast.

    Hmm, I need some help with the tree pruning t,,,

    Comment by Bill — October 12, 2007 @ 11:58 am

  15. I know people be talking the Portland stuff, but I could pull a Seattle thing any upcoming weekend but Nov 15-18.

    Comment by Ray Midge — October 12, 2007 @ 12:04 pm

  16. I’m going to go ahead and rule out a few things now: No Seattle (though we’d love to have Seattlers come down), no Elmer’s. Kennedy School sounds like a good pick as it is a familiar quantity for anybody who’s ever been to any McMenamin’s.

    Nice to see you all here! Keep the suggestions coming …

    Comment by Anwyn — October 12, 2007 @ 12:07 pm

  17. Gateway Elks Lodge…….Just kidding.

    Comment by A. Weasel — October 12, 2007 @ 12:20 pm

  18. How about the employee break room at Whole Foods? No? Maybe the coffee shop in Powels Books.

    Comment by Bill — October 12, 2007 @ 1:05 pm

  19. I’m kidding in case you haven’t guessed.

    Comment by Bill — October 12, 2007 @ 1:06 pm

  20. I’ll go to Powell’s if it’s on a night when we can heckle Sheehan. Otherwise … no.

    Comment by Anwyn — October 12, 2007 @ 1:15 pm

  21. I would love to go but I am down here in Grants Pass.

    Comment by mikeore — October 12, 2007 @ 1:24 pm

  22. I was so sad when they closed Yankee Pot Roast in Grant’s Pass. What, mikeore, you can’t drive four hours to meet up with a batch of weirdo perfect strangers?? Lightweight!

    Comment by Anwyn — October 12, 2007 @ 1:25 pm

  23. Come on mike, if I make it I’ll be driving in from John Day.

    Comment by A. Weasel — October 12, 2007 @ 2:12 pm

  24. Powell’s Books. Heh. I can smell the patchouli already. Last time I was in Powell’s some goth lesbian wannabe harumphed when I pulled a NASCAR book off a shelf, and scurried off in terror. Probably afraid of my redneck cooties.

    Comment by Scot — October 12, 2007 @ 2:15 pm

  25. BTW, no weekend is any better or worse for me. I live in Eastern Oregon now, and its a 3 hour drive. Unless you all want to come out to Hermiston on the 20th for the big horse sale and some barbecue. Friend of mine has the mobile smoke house, and the pulled pork is amazing!

    Comment by Scot — October 12, 2007 @ 2:18 pm

  26. What? There are Republicans in Portland? Impossible.

    Well I think any of the McMenamins are a good place to meet up. I can’t think of anything good in Vancouver. I’m available at any of the dates Anwyn suggested.

    It would be nice to have friends that are of like mind… I’m into political philosophy (Leo Strauss, etc).

    Comment by Jonathan — October 12, 2007 @ 2:35 pm

  27. Heh, Hermiston and John Day. And here I thought I was in the sticks here in Prineville.

    Comment by T.Paine — October 12, 2007 @ 3:40 pm

  28. I’ve edited more than a few NASCAR books, myself.

    So far I’ve got two blackout marks against Oct. 20 and one against Oct. 27 and several people speaking favorably of November.

    Can anybody who definitely wants to come *not* do Sat. Nov. 3?

    Comment by Anwyn — October 12, 2007 @ 3:58 pm

  29. Hermiston!?
    I am considering buying (as in looking for) investment property just down the road in Boardman because of the new Race Track that is being built there. And to provide even further tie in, apparently most of the money is coming from some NASCAR team owners and it is hoped to become a regular NASCAR stop.

    Nov 3 works fine for me. Is it safe for all 10 of us to be in one location at the same time? Isn’t that pretty much the entire conservative movement here in the PNW?

    Though I will tell you Benny’s Burgers is a super cool place with a Hot Rod motif. Maybe if I can get some of you locals to try and drop by. The owner is a right thinker too.

    Comment by Bill — October 12, 2007 @ 4:13 pm

  30. I’m down in Corvallis; Nov 3 in Portland would be ideal as I will be in Tualatin visiting family.

    Comment by Scott Free — October 12, 2007 @ 4:24 pm

  31. Avoid Nov. 15th is all I ask.

    Comment by Dr. Reo Symes — October 12, 2007 @ 4:38 pm

  32. Ooo Kennedy School. Now that might even bring me all the way from Idaho. Unfortunately the weather is getting a little rough for motorcycling. I still don’t have my own car. Maybe when/if I grow up some day I will.

    Take pictures of the event and post ‘em.

    Comment by Allen — October 12, 2007 @ 5:28 pm

  33. Another from The ‘Couv here. Any of those dates sound fine, and any McMenamins (mmmmmm…hard cider) or other. Doesn’t matter to me. Sounds fun!

    I can think of a couple more bloggers in the Portland area who could be invited, like Michael J. Totten (although he still might be in the ME, not sure) and DANEgerus.

    Comment by cardeblu — October 12, 2007 @ 7:55 pm

  34. Let me know if this comes together. I’m in Portland and would love to be a part of it. Thanks!

    Comment by adam h — October 12, 2007 @ 8:26 pm

  35. If Micheal Totten comes I will buy his drinks and his meal. Hell I’ll pay admision to just sit and talk to the guy.

    Comment by Bill — October 12, 2007 @ 9:08 pm

  36. adam h–as far as I’m concerned this is on; unless anybody can show excellent cause why not, it’ll be Sat. Nov. 3, probably at Kennedy School (again unless somebody can show excellent cause for a different place). I’m afraid I can’t undertake to individually let people know; however, I will bump this post up to the top about once a week until it happens.

    Do spread the word. I notice that if this is just the people who’ve commented, then it will be a bunch of guys … and me … and a bunch of guys. : ) Which is absolutely fine if that’s the way it shakes out, but it occurs to me that could mainly be a result of having advertised it primarily at Ace’s–basically it means either no other NW girls read Ace’s or … that’s probably what it means. So if you know where the NW blogger or blog-commenting girls are to be found … spread the word. To guys *and* girls.

    Comment by Anwyn — October 12, 2007 @ 9:44 pm

  37. “…then it will be a bunch of guys … and me … and a bunch of guys.”

    Anwyn, if I can make it (really want to and most likely will), you will not be the lone XX. My name may be misleading to an extent, but just look at the middle of it. ;)

    Comment by cardeblu — October 12, 2007 @ 10:05 pm

  38. No promises, but if funds are available I will try to bring the Gullybabe and myself up for a visit. We do loves the McMenamins chain!

    Comment by Gullyborg — October 12, 2007 @ 10:13 pm

  39. Ah, apologies cardeblu–my name’s been mistaken for XY before. So long as your last name doesn’t begin with F, if you know what I mean, all should be well. : )

    Gullyborg, welcome. Hope it works out!

    Comment by Anwyn — October 12, 2007 @ 10:18 pm

  40. 03 Nov at the Kennedy school sounds great! Haven’t been out there in years…And the hotel angle is perfect, seeing as how the Ace Lifestyle demands some serious imbibing!

    Comment by EV — October 13, 2007 @ 9:01 am

  41. Nov. 3rd at McMenamin’s Kennedy School. I’ll be there as I will be in town already to help my folks build some raised beds in their garden. Sounds like fun!

    Comment by T.Paine — October 13, 2007 @ 10:15 am

  42. I’ll make an effort to be there as well, Anwyn. Sounds like fun, and since I’m just down the road from you in Salem, the only excuse I have is other appointments that might be paying me. :)

    I’ll bring Red as well, so you won’t be the only gal. hehe

    Comment by wg — October 13, 2007 @ 1:06 pm

  43. If Micheal Totten comes I will buy his drinks and his meal. Hell I’ll pay admision to just sit and talk to the guy.

    Comment by Bill — October 12, 2007 @ 9:08 pm

    You’ll have to fight me for it, Bill. :)

    Comment by wg — October 13, 2007 @ 1:09 pm

  44. I’ll be there. I can haul 5 people with me from Seattle.

    Comment by chad — October 13, 2007 @ 6:54 pm

  45. Anwyn,

    I wish I could get there. Too bad I’m on the East Coast. . . .
    . . . of Japan!
    Is Tater a Viper driver, too?

    Comment by Chris — October 13, 2007 @ 11:29 pm

  46. Are -16s called Vipers now? I thought they were Falcons.

    And yeah, he appears to be by his blogger profile.

    Comment by Anwyn — October 14, 2007 @ 9:34 am

  47. Blog Bash…

    Bloggers in Oregon and Washington: here’s your chance to meet the faces behind the fingers. Anywn’s organizing a blog bash and wants your input on when and where.
    Bookmark to:
    ……

    Trackback by Electric Venom — October 15, 2007 @ 8:13 am

  48. That’s too soon for us. We’ll still be settling in, assuming we’re in Idaho already. Maybe we can catch your next one.

    Comment by sarahk — October 15, 2007 @ 1:33 pm

  49. Sweet! Assuming everybody has a decent time at this one I’m sure we’ll have more. Safe moving to you.

    Comment by Anwyn — October 15, 2007 @ 2:31 pm

  50. Sounds like fun. Wish I could join you all.

    Comment by Slublog — October 15, 2007 @ 6:51 pm

  51. Think twice about this.

    Comment by nk — October 15, 2007 @ 9:39 pm

  52. Pretty sure that guy doesn’t live within driving range, nk, but I appreciate the concern.

    Comment by Anwyn — October 15, 2007 @ 10:15 pm

  53. So, are the times & places set, I’m trying to schedule a OLCC class the same day, & would like to book a room at McMenamins. Also, my wife would love to come to this, huge shock, she doesn’t like politics (no matter how many years you have been together, you learn something new everyday).

    Not trying to be pushy about any of this, I just need to make plans.
    Thanks,
    Chris

    Comment by A. Weasel — October 15, 2007 @ 10:53 pm

  54. Nov. 3, Kennedy School … exact time … ? Eight p.m. work for people? Anybody prefer earlier?

    Comment by Anwyn — October 15, 2007 @ 11:03 pm

  55. Thanks, we will be there.
    Chris

    Comment by A. Weasel — October 15, 2007 @ 11:05 pm

  56. Ummm….I vote for the detention bar or the honors bar. Seems appropriate somehow.

    Comment by A. Weasel — October 15, 2007 @ 11:12 pm

  57. I guess Ybor City is out of the question?

    Comment by docweasel — October 22, 2007 @ 12:20 pm

  58. Regretably I am going to be forced to miss this event. @#%$!!

    I have been summoned to an awards banquet that I had thought I would not be needed at.

    I hope someone will have the foresight to bring a camera and take lots of incrimminating photos so that they can share.

    Comment by Bill — October 25, 2007 @ 8:44 pm

  59. Bill, sorry to hear that. If all goes well no reason why we shouldn’t have another sometime. Maybe we’ll see you then.

    Comment by Anwyn — October 26, 2007 @ 10:36 am

  60. Who all is coming from Seattle

    Comment by chad — October 26, 2007 @ 1:56 pm

  61. *grumble*

    The Fates have decreed otherwise for me, unfortunately…Red and I won’t be there.

    Comment by wg — November 1, 2007 @ 7:44 pm

  62. Sorry to hear that, wg. : (

    Comment by Anwyn — November 1, 2007 @ 8:14 pm

  63. So are we still on it looks like a lot of people are dropping out.

    Comment by chad — November 2, 2007 @ 12:36 pm

  64. I’ll be there. If you guys aren’t, I’ll find somebody else to drink a beer with. : )

    Comment by Anwyn — November 2, 2007 @ 3:04 pm

  65. I’m planning on coming and am trying to talk my husband into coming along, too. Even if he doesn’t, I still will.

    Comment by cardeblu — November 2, 2007 @ 7:30 pm

  66. Anwyn,

    You will be packing heat, won’t you? And have five strong guys also with CWs covering your back?

    Comment by nk — November 3, 2007 @ 12:11 pm

  67. About five, yeah. So many applied for the job that I kind of forget the exact number.

    Comment by Anwyn — November 3, 2007 @ 5:30 pm

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