Moonhowlings will have its second annual Meet Up on Sunday, September 11 @ 1 pm at Mama Mia  in Gainesville.

Hopefully everyone will be able to make it.  Thanks again to Steve Thomas for making the arrangements. 

Last time we got together, we pretty much took over the place and a good time was had by all. 

Steve and I will be your Goto people if you have questions/concerns/etc.  See you there!

Mama Mia

7669 Limestone Drive

Gainesville, Va

78 Thoughts to “Meet Up Time for Moonhowlings”

  1. IVAN

    And the Redskins play when?

    1. Not during our meet up. Steve already checked on it. @Ivan

      Steve and I have been trying to skirt around vacations and Redskins football. The next date was over in October.

  2. Lafayette

    I’m only going if Marin brings the Mrs. and the babies! 😉

  3. Steve, Elena and I all at some point discussed the date of the meet up. We were trying to avoid the Redskins and stay on a Sunday.

    Elena said it best. She said she thought it was a perfect tribute to 9/11 victims have people with such differeing political views as we have on Moonhowlings even want to get together in the same establishment to socialize and that we should go with the date. I think I agree with her.

    The next available date is sometime in October.

  4. I want to spend a special invite to those who we missed last time: Punchak, Mr. and Mrs. Wolverine, Starry, Need to Know, KimS, George Harris, Raymond, Andy, Big Dog, Kelly, Theseus, Slowpoke, Pat.Herve, Raven, Second Alamo, MoM, Red Dawn. Anyone I left out, I will think of it.

    Meanwhile, its early.

    I hope to see all of our friends we met at the last event also.

  5. Lafayette

    Don’t forget RedDawn…we were together in the Alexandria courthouse that morning.

  6. Cindy B

    It’s on my calendar!

  7. Thanks, Lafayette. Anyone else who needs a special invitation because they missed the last one?

  8. Lafayette

    We don’t want to forget “FORGET YOU”. They could perform Forget You w/their words. 🙂

  9. Big Dog

    http://bluevirginia.us/

    FYI -August 2011 blog rankings are out and perhaps you need to check your
    Sitemeter M-H. Seems strange that another local blog is credited
    with over two times more “visits”, but normally has fewer comments
    than Moonhowlings. Know visits and comments aren’t the same, but
    assume there would be a correlation.

  10. Big Dog

    And yes M-H, you are still purple.

  11. @Big Dog, that always happens. I think the books are cooked actually. There are ways to do that.

    Is this where I am supposed to say its quality not quantity?

    I sure hope you will be joining us on the 11th, Big Dog.

  12. Steve Thomas

    Moon-howler :Steve, Elena and I all at some point discussed the date of the meet up. We were trying to avoid the Redskins and stay on a Sunday.
    Elena said it best. She said she thought it was a perfect tribute to 9/11 victims have people with such differeing political views as we have on Moonhowlings even want to get together in the same establishment to socialize and that we should go with the date. I think I agree with her.
    The next available date is sometime in October.

    I agree with Elena’s thoughts on the date. I think we need to take a moments pause, and remember that Republican, Democrat, and Independent, Liberal, Moderate, and Conservative, Muslim, Jew, Christian, Athiest and Agnostic, we are all Americans. We are all Americans that the terrorists want to kill, and the only reason being because we are Americans. We know this to be true, because that is exactly what happened on 9/11/01. So let’s get together, eat some good food, have a few laughs, and save the barbs for the blog…’cause if the steel starts flying again, we’re all going to be in the same foxhole.

  13. Beth and I would come, but we’re going to the game.

    b

  14. Steve Thomas

    Big Dog :And yes M-H, you are still purple.

    Considering the eclectic group of commentors here, “purple” is an apt description. Not sure that sitemeter stats really mean all that much, unless you are selling addspace. But, I can see how satisfaction would result from large hit-totals. Means people are coming here for a reason.

  15. @Steve Thomas
    Cheer Steve Thomas! How right you are.

    And as you and I have discussed, somehow we all temper our comments once we have looked each other in the face and broken bread with our electronic ‘enemy.’

    And yes, I did email Cargo. He was without power and his internet was on the fritz. I emailed him to let him know of the festivities. Hopefully he will come up from Richmond again. We can’t offer big guns or turtles but…. lively discussion.

  16. Steve Thomas

    IVAN :And the Redskins play when?

    Kick-off is at 4:15 PM. Plenty of time to meet, eat, and get home for the game. Or, you can stay and watch it there, as I am sure they’ll have it on.

  17. Emma

    I won’t be able to make it this time. Hope everyone has a great time, and I’ll catch up with you next time. I like the spirit of the gathering you all are discussing–very nice.

    1. Emma, I am very sorry you will not be there. We will hold you to the next time.

  18. Elena

    Steve, I think I owe you a drink, coke or pepsi 🙂

  19. @bruce roemmelt

    I am sorry you won’t be there, Bruce. If something changes (like a huge storm), join us!

    Steve’s friends take great care of our group. You will want to go back on your own.

  20. Morris Davis

    Once Gov. McDonnell awards the contact to the catering company to provide food and drinks at the state’s rest areas we can start holding our meetings at the Manassas Rest Area and Welcome Center.

  21. Lafayette

    LMAO, Mo!! The Rest Areas have been a hot topic with for Moon and me for quite sometime. We could have a picnic and bring our dogs. 🙂

  22. I hope Moe doesn’t get accosted in the restroom. 😈

  23. Lafayette

    @Moon-howler
    Right! Or at Conway Robinson park either. 😉

  24. @moon
    i was on the season ticket waiting list for 26 years and as you might imagine from my political leanings, HOPE is a big part of my mind set.

    We’ll be there in spirit!

    b

  25. Big Dog

    Fund raising idea!?

    Re:BOUNTY ON FOXES
    A bounty of $2.50 each is hereby established on all foxes killed in
    Prince William County , Virginia after the tenth day of January,
    nineteen hundred and fifty-two.
    Any person killing such fox or foxes is hereby declared to be entitled to $2.50
    for each such fox killed upon presenting to the Member of this Board from
    the District in which said fox or foxes is are killed, a sworn statement
    showing when and where such fox or foxes was or were killed, such statement
    to be accompanied by the head and tail of each fox.
    AYES: R.S.Hall, J. Carl Kincheloe, Bradford Lowe, John W. Ellis, J.F. Fick.
    NO: R. B. Gossom

    A TRUE COPY:
    Worth H. Storke, Clerk

    (Manassas Journal Messenger, 1-15-1952)

  26. marinm

    So far the better half and I have this on our schedule. Assuming the babies are cooperating we will be there.

    We only ask that people wash their hands if they want to touch them and not get face to face with them. They have not yet had their 2nd month immunizations and Mia is still considered a preemie. So they can both easily get sick.

    Y’all can check out the tricked out stroller I got us. Future modifications include Kevlar armoring, shotgun rail (his and hers), and smoke generator.

  27. Kelly3406

    I cannot attend due to business travel next Sunday. It would be really nice to put faces with names, so I will definitely try to be there next time. Thank you for putting this together.

  28. Big Dog

    http://www.cartoonbank.com/1993/on-the-internet-nobody-knows-youre-a-dog/invt/106197/

    Ok, but don’t say my nom de blog didn’t warn you. And yes, I have my shots
    and don’t bite, but have been known to snip at radicals of all breeds.

    1. Fabulous cartoon! Glad you will be there, Big Dog.

  29. Emma

    @marinm Now I’m really disappointed I can’t make it. I would have loved to meet those little ones.

  30. Cargosquid

    Can’t make it this time. Other obligations. Sorry. I was looking forward to it.

  31. Cindy B

    You need to wear a t-shirt with that cartoon, Big Dog!

  32. Elena

    sounds like a real gathering, I love it. I will drool over the babies from afar Marinm, my kids are always getting something when school first starts, so I don’t want to take any chances of transmitting some virus 🙁

  33. Cargo, there can’t be anything more important than a Moonhowlings meet up. Can’t you rearrange a few things?

    When is your internet getting fixed?

  34. Big Dog

    http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/09/a-harsh-case-against-obama-and-his-opponents/244512/

    Reading assigment for those in Howler AP.

    (Be sure and also click Mike Lofegren’s essay in Truthout)

  35. Censored bybvbl

    Interesting articles…particularly’s Lofgren’s inside story.

  36. Rick Bentley

    Had a great time at the last one, won’t be able to make this one though.

    1. We are being dissed. Is there a common denominator here? Do we need to chose another weekend?

      @Rick

  37. Elena

    big dog,
    I will have to read this article again to really digest its premise. so far, very interesting and thoughtful, will also have to read the link too. thanks for posting. did you read the http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/the-dysfunctional-republican-party/2011/09/04/gIQAnCIV2J_blog.html?hpid=z4 another good one!

  38. Steve Thomas

    Elena :Steve, I think I owe you a drink, coke or pepsi

    I’m more of a Club Soda guy, and if I am feeling really crazy, a twist of lime!

    1. Have you tried those Deer Park sparkling lemon twist bottles? They are very refreshing. They aren’t even bad if not chilled. @Steve

  39. Rick Bentley

    With me, it’s conflict with NFL week 1. Will be watching the Rams-Eagles game with a friend.

  40. Well Rick, if things change, I will keep a chair ready for you! You will be missed. I was looking forward to having you recommend a few films.

  41. Rick Bentley

    At the risk of going off topic, let me recommend these, which are recent DVD releases :

    Limitless – just a great movie I thought, kind of science-fiction but with broad appeal. This is where Bradley Cooper takes a pill that lets him use a greater peercentage of his mind.

    X-Men First Class (comes out in 2 days) – if you like these Marvel superhero movies, this is a very fun one.

    Insidious – good creepy horror film.

    The Adjustment Bureau – clearly inspired by the hallucinogenic/schizophrenic writings of Philip K. Dick, greatest author of the 20th Century, a headsy movie that you could call science-fiction, about what is or isn’t real.

    1. @Rick, are those guy flicks or does gender matter? I really liked one you recommended last year. Doubt?

      Must a person like science fiction to enjoy those movies? I am not a big fan as a rule. It takes me time to ‘adjust’ with science fiction.

      Don’t worry about going off topic. I asked.

  42. Rick Bentley

    I think Limitless is especially female friendly because Bradley Cooper is so good looking. I wouldn’t say any of those 4 films are especially male-targeted.

    But digging a little deeper away from action and towards drama … one that many people might have missed, that’s been out on DVD and TV for a while is “The Kids are All Right” starring Annette bening and Julianne Moore. It’s a great movie not for any particular singular reason – not the slightly unusual subject matter (lesbian couple’s kids meet their sperm donor) or any particular plot twist. It’s just a beautifully made little movie about characters that are vivid and real and things that are fairly universal if slightly uncomfortable. It’s understated but perfect.

  43. DB

    well though not specifically invited I hope to attend.

    1. I knew had left out people. I apologize. Please, DB, I personally invite you to attend.

  44. Lafayette

    I would very much like to meet DB in person!!

    1. I would like to meet DB also. We have a lot in common.

  45. DB

    Can’t wait to meet you all! See you tomorrow.

  46. Rick, I always appreciate your film suggestions. How many are out on DVD? I tend to wait for that now.

  47. @Rick, I added them to my dvd list at netflix, who I am very angry at.

  48. Dang, not going to make it today. We’re in Hickory, NC headed home from the 31st annual Narrow Gauge Convention, but we’re stopping in Blacksburg to see our son. I didn’t realize, until talking to model railroaders, that Tech is a repository for a lot of rail history. We have a friend who stays with us in Manassas when he comes up to do research at the National Archives for his books about the ET&WNC railroad. Rail fans love the stuff the City of Manassas puts on like the June Railfest, Santa Train, Art Train. I know when we went to Little Rock in 2010 we stopped at anything to do with rail history along the way.

    BTW, right next to the convention hotel is a thriving “Priscilla McCalls Lingerie & Gifts” — kind of like the Walmart of naughty stuff (my old college friend from UNC-G and I decided to investigate). Turns out they are family-owned (there really is a Priscilla McCall), headquartered in Greensboro and have 24 locations throughout the Bible belt (TX, SC, NC and VA). I asked if they had any controversy opening and the manager, a young woman in a pink polo shirt, said no problem. Occasionally someone with a religious tract will come in, but they’re polite and co-exist peacefully in Hickory. Their website mirrors KKs’ with the reassurance they “cater to customers who want to enhance a current relationship or those just wanting to have a fun event.”

    And here I was going to bring you back a few “Surprise Gifts for Him or Her” from their bargain bin of mystery wrapped bags as Moonhowlings raffle gifts this time, instead of Girl Scout cookies. Dang.

  49. Safe trip, Cindy. I want to know what you bought [wink wink]

    Perhaps Hickory, NC is a little naughtier than Manassas? [Never thought I would say THAT; knowing what I know about Hickory.]

  50. Lafayette

    @Rick Bentley
    I’m cetainly going to miss talking with you. Lots going on in the Gainesville District. I sure hope you can make the next one.

Comments are closed.