I'm back from San Diego. Did I miss anything?

[prolesunited]

What an incredible trip! The weather was fabulous and the scenery was amazing. Meeting the San Diego area DUers definitely topped the trip highlights.

I took hundreds (literally) of pictures but haven't had time to sort them out yet. I will over the weekend and post some of the DU gathering, after getting permission of course, as well as some of the trip highlights. I think I took some memorable shots that people may enjoy.

I think we did everything people had recommended, with the exception of Tijuana. In addition to publishing a DU cookbook, a series of travel guides would be a great idea, too.

For as much fun as I had, I did miss my friends at DU and your take on all of the news events that unfolded this past week. I will confess to flipping on CNN occasionally while getting dressed. All I kept thinking about was "What is the DU take on this? What is the truth behind the spin?"

Even though it's cold and snowy in Chicago, it's good to be home and back among friends. :hi:

[lazarus]

1. Howdy

Welcome back to the web! We loved having you here!

[INTELBYTES]

2. Welcome back! Clark is now President Clark and the Democrats...

are back in control of both the house and senate. Al Gore has also been appointed to the Supreme Court. Other than that, you didn't miss much.

[prolesunited]

4. Damn!

I was only gone a week. Am I in the Twilight Zone or what? :shrug:

[underpants]

3. Turns out we were right-W is a puppet and they planned war from day 2

The O'Neill book spells it all out. I finished reading it last night.

Cheney,Rove (actually Harris is portrayed as reigning him in), Condi, and Rummy only tell him what he needs to know. W does come off as someone who has regular concerns about people ("didn't we already give the top a cut with the first tax cut?") but is quickly told what to do. They had the whole thing planned out in advance and only brought O'Neill (a decent man and actual pragmatist and moderate), Powell, and Whitman along only for appearances. All but Powell are gone now.

Great book I would highly recommend it. Not only for the bad things about W's stringpullers but for the style it is written in, if you didn't know the outcome it could be a mystery novel.

Oh and W&Co. are friggin nuts about the moon/mars mission (psst they are doing it on the cheap and leaving unfunded mandates for the future, only $12 BILLION!! proposed for it that's 3months of Iraq spending).

[Khephra]

5. Well, God spoke to me and told me that Falwell was a wanker

But other than that, not much else.

[slackmaster]

6. Glad to hear you are safe and sound

It was indeed a memorable gathering and a fine meal. Other than the mariachis being way too loud.

[ProfessorGAC]

7. Back Into The Cold, Huh?

Glad you had fun; glad you're back.
The Professor

[pmbryant]

8. Great to have you back!

Glad you had such a great time. And I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures once you have time to sort though them.

You did everything people had recommended? Wow. :wow:

:-)

--Peter

[prolesunited]

9. Hmm... Perhaps I better go back and check

Nobody recommended anything unseemly or risque, I hope. ;-)

[lazarus]

10. well

There was tequila. And mariachi.

:evilgrin:

[prolesunited]

11. The margaritas were the best ever

How am I supposed to order them again, NSMA?

And the mariachi music was well... mariachi music. :-(

[pmbryant]

12. Tequila and mariachi

Sounds like you were in San Antonio after all.

:-)

--Peter

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

13. With a shot of Grand Marnier on the side..and mix to your pleasure

And remember...even the shittiest tequila on the planet tastes great if you have the bartender float a bit of grand marnier on top :D

Now...you, Laz and Slack need to get the fuck off it about the mariachis...I PAID those guys to do that...I LOVE 'em.....lotsa mariachis...and make it LOUD!!!!

[prolesunited]

14. Damn, I didn't know that

I would have paid them more to stop. ;-)

:hi:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

20. *snicker*

Thanks for a fun night even you WERE shivering in sunny so cal :D

[Susang]

15. Back in the ice and snow, huh?

Glad you had such a good time! Michael's off to LA for a couple of days for work and I am so jealous.

[prolesunited]

18. Is the thing he talked about at Christmas

starting to pan out? Fingers crossed.

[devilgrrl]

16. Hello proles!!!

:hi:

Good to see that you make it back Chicago safely. Sorry that you have to deal with the cold - man, I don't miss that out here!

Hey Laz and Slackmaster - give it up with Mariachi bashing - it's not that bad in small doses.

[prolesunited]

17. Hi back!

:hi:

Did you get a chance to look at the pics?

Haven't been back long enough for the chill to set in and my memories will keep me warm for at least another week. ;-)

[devilgrrl]

23. Yes, I saw the pics...

and they were Ab Fab! Your other photos are just stunningly gorgeous! Goodness, you are one mighty fine photo-grapher!!! :7

[lazarus]

19. Mariachi

Mariachi is from Lucifer. It's of the devil.

[devilgrrl]

22. No wonder it doesn't sound that bad!

:evilgrin:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

21. Take two "aye yai yai yai's" and call me in the morning

:evilgrin: