Dizzy Does D.C.

We left Ontario on Thursday, stopping overnight on the way, and arrived in D.C. early Friday afternoon. After fighting D.C. traffic (because the web site directions we had were wrong) we finally found our hotel, checked in, showered and then I called Doc. Very shortly after we were hugging her and Amy (don't call her a Texan!), chit-chatting like the friends we are while waiting for other miscreants to arrive. First was Brian, someone I've long wanted to meet in person for he was one of the first people on this site I interacted with and we've become firm friends. A while later I was shaking Tom's hand and hugging Mike almost before he had put down his bags. After a very long wait, (he had to iron his shirt,) GG arrived and we headed out for some grub. After a very pleasant meal, we trooped back to Doc's where we held a sort of focus group discussing all things Epinions (and all of you.) Finally, Tom arrived from work and we continued talking until 2 a.m.

Saturday morning dawned bright and far too early. I stumbled to the bathroom, turned on the tap for water to make coffee and nothing happened except a gurgling sound. I tried the hot tap, then the bathtub tap... by this time I was panicking. You see, me without coffee first thing is a very scary sight. Upon calling the front desk I discovered there had been a water main break and half the city was without water. MORE PANIC ENSUED. The hotel managed to get us some bottled water before I went postal, I greedily sucked back coffee and then called Lori. Most of the smelly gang were heading off someplace for showers while Lori, Gene and I headed for the meet early (with hopes to see the secret gift before anyone else.) Arriving at Gordon Biersch, the Epinions banner was proudly displayed from the upstairs balcony. We went up, hugged, met and chatted with GG, Christal, Sarah (with an "h"), Randy and Jeff (the new victim... I mean employee.) [Note to self: his name is Greg, not Jeff. Greg, not Jeff.] Randy may come across like a mischievous little boy but he's tough and ran interference, stopping Doc and I from raiding the boxes (we'll get you back for that.) Before I knew it, (but after I ordered my first glass of wine,) people started arriving and the place filled up. I had great conversation with cuddly George, super nice George, singing Bob, legendary Kristina, stoic Ryan, angelic-voiced Jenny, cutie Bill, exuberant David, not-scary Nancy, the famous Cletta, movie mogul Marcelo..... it was frenetic, tons of fun and I know I missed taking to a few. I forced myself to snack on a few carrot sticks (after all, drinking wine when all you've had that day is coffee really isn't a good plan,) bumped Kristina's drink onto her blouse, mistook Joubert for fuche_bu, (hey, they're both named George,) listened to Bob sing and play guitar, listened to Randy and Sarah make a small speech (Year of the Catalogue!) received a hat and another set of Epi dolls (that makes three sets now,) participated in a group picture, talked with as many people as I could and had a blast. I was deeply disappointed Liz and Drew couldn't make it, but they'd better the next time. Far too soon it was over... but it wasn't really over for some of us.

If you ever go to a meet and greet (and if there's one anywhere near you, I demand you do,) plan to stay for the after party. Us music people plan the best ones and you're guaranteed a great time. A gang of us headed back to Lori's, then we set off to find the karaoke bar Amy had found on the net. The entertainment web site claimed it opened at 5:30 but upon arriving, we discovered the time was actually 9:30. We wandered down the street a ways and ate at a tapas place, chatting the whole time. Lori and I had a tender moment outside, talking about our kids and the Eps members we love and consider to be our kids now, then we headed back to karaoke. The place wasn't fancy and it was empty but we were determined to rock the joint that night. After ordering drinks, David popped the cherry on the mic, followed by Jenny (who has an amazing voice,) Mike, Brian, Amy, Kristen and I forget who else. At one point a bunch of us did The Beatles' Happy Birthday Song for Mike and GG, both of whom I managed to get up and dance (we have evidence!) The booze was flowing in abundance and I was having a blast. I danced, drank, laughed, kissed Amy, sat on Mike's lap, goosed the tomato, cuddled with Brian and eventually attempted walking back to Doc's. (My thanks to Mike for holding my hand so I could actually do that.) We sat up for a bit longer and, even though my hotel was just across the street, I slept on Lori and Tom's floor with four (yes FOUR) cute guys. I vaguely remember leaving a drunken comment on a review and then zonking out to the sound of snoring.

Sunday morning came and Tom, David and Brian had to leave (I do believe I have the highest bid so far for his undies.) It was tough to see them go and I sincerely hope we can get together again soon. Back to sleep for a couple more hours, then I had to go across the street, pack and check out of the hotel. Back to Doc's to look up correct directions out of town, another coffee and then the time I'd been dreading was upon me. I hugged Tom and was almost fine, hugging Amy I started to choke up, Doc made me cry and then I had to deal with Mike. I didn't want to let go of him, I adore that guy. We had an eleven hour drive ahead of us so I forced myself to walk out the door and into the truck. For the next hour and a half I was a basket case and couldn't stop crying.

Chicago was my first of these gatherings, friendships were born there. In D.C. those friendships were cemented into lifelong ones. No, I don't really hate Meet 'n' Greets; I love them. I hate they have to end.

Until the next time -- please let it be soon.