It was so cool to meet DUers -- and to hear, "YOU'RE Bertha Venation?!"

[bertha katzenengel]

I heard that so many times that I started thinking of changing my name back.... We shall see.

I shall forever be known as Bertha, even though it's not my given name. That's fine with me. Bertha Venation was my alter ego long before I joined DU.

I enjoyed the company of so many DUers on Friday night, and I'd like to list the names, but I know I will forget someone and I don't want to step on anyone's toes.

I had to leave early to get home at a decent hour, so I know I missed some of you. I wish that I hadn't.

I'll post my photos later this week. I didn't get too many, though.

:loveya: DU

[ZombieNixon]

1. Why's you change you username?

And what's "katzenengel" mean?

:hi:

[bertha katzenengel]

2. Changed it because the unintended reference to the Griffith film

finally got to me. "Katzenengel" is German for "cat's angel." 08)

[kick-ass-bob]

5. that was unintended?

I thought it was on purpose and you just got tired of it.
:)

:hi:

[bertha katzenengel]

8. Actually, the name is Harvey Fierstein's creation. It's the name of a drag

queen in his play, "Torch Song Trilogy." I don't know what he intended w/ the name -- whether he was making fun of the Griffith film and/or racists, or whether he just found it terribly clever, as I do.

When I first joined DU, of course w/ that name I was believed to be a freeper by a few folks, and to be a racist by many others. It passed quickly, though.

For me, no, I never intended my use of the name to be anything BUT clever. I get a kick out of it. I think it's hilarious. I changed it, though, because I got tired of being asked "why did you base your user name on racism?" :eyes:

:hi: Bob

edit: misspelled Harvey's last name.

[jonnyblitz]

10. i knew of the drag queen and immediately thought of her

the very first time I saw your screename and NEVER thought of the griffith film( which i happened to watch awhile back). I was in DC only on saturday for the march and didn't make any of the parties this weekend. I am not big on hanging out in bars. :hi:

[bertha katzenengel]

12. Neither am I, Jonny...

HATE them, actually. But I would've been hamstrung if I'd missed some of these folks. :hi:

[MissHoneychurch]

3. Katzenengel means cats angel

:)

[bertha katzenengel]

4. Well, hello there!

:hug: How's life on the other side of the Atlantic?

[MissHoneychurch]

6. Life is decent

can't really complain. But I do anyway :)

[LynneSin]

7. Sweetie I was so glad you came

:hug:

Hopefully it won't be such a long time until we meet again!

[bertha katzenengel]

14. Hey, Julie Our Cruise Director . . .

:hi: You rock. Thanks.

There WILL be a party at the Waldorf Cat Haven. Don't know when, but . . . just clear your calendar for, say, the rest of 2005 and all of 2006. ;)

[progmom]

9. hey!!

I was so happy to meet you. You're just as warm and funny and vibrant and beautiful in person as you are online. Definitely a DC high point for me. :hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

13. Oh, stop.

:blush: Maybe it wouldn't have been such a high point if I'd done a fake grab of your *blank* instead of *Blank's*! ;)

My visit to the hotel was THE high point of the evening for me. Meeting you, MissU, NSMA, and JJ was terrific. You are all unforgettable critters (and so is Zuni!).

[progmom]

16. i'm assuming some of those pics won't get posted...

but will you send them to me? :)

[JimmyJazz]

11. It was really great to meet you, too!

:hi:

[bertha katzenengel]

15. Hey, Sweet Pea

:hug: