Howdy, Johnny! Good to see you again, as always.
I’m sure other Dopers will check in tomorrow–most of the folks are still playing at their hotels and such.
Well, here’s my take. DeathLlama and I arrived a bit late (MapQuest gave us great directions–except for the parking part. Ugh!)–but fortunately, 6:30 is still “fashionably” late!
It was amazing meeting everyone. I’ll try to break down the evening as best I can, pinpointing various conversations…
thinksnow turned me green with envy with his story of going to the Kentucky Derby this year (I believe my exact words were “YOU SUCK!”). He’s from Louisville, heart of Derby country, and I was surprised to hear booze was not allowed brought in to the track. (You can buy all you want there–just can’t bring your own.) Our undaunted thinksnow talked about how he and his buddies smuggled in some good stuff in, I kid you not, ziploc baggies. Well-built and confident (take note, single straight lady Dopers!), he pulled off the kilt thing very well.
I sat next to Cowboy Greg, whom DL and I have met on a few other LA Doper gatherings. As usual, CG was a kick in the pants and told great stories of working for the Beast–er, the Mouse. We met Don, his SO, for the first time. But that doesn’t mean they’re a new couple–apparently they’ve been together 6 years! Whoop! It just Greg that long to convince Don to meet us.
Shayna greeted DL and I almost immediately, and we shared a laugh over the fact we’d both cut our previously very long hair to about chin-length. We met Spiny Norman and chatted with him more after leaving–I didn’t realize, or perhaps didn’t remember, he was from Denmark! They make a great couple, though, and are making this work. Congrats to you both–you’re both great people!
Mercutio sat next to DL for a bit, and impressed us both that he was just 15. What impressed us is not that just that he looks more mature, he acts it. It was a bit weird thinking he’s just a few years older than our students, but at the same time, I thought that was neat–I like meeting people of all ages and it’s always awesome discovering cool people come in all kinds of packages.
It was awesome finally meeting Sassy, Strainger, and Diane–all Dopers I’ve known since the AOL days. They’ve all three been good friends to me throughout the years, so it was fantastic finally meeting them. Oooh, and so many others. Frick! I can just keep on going…
Esprix kept us entertained throughout the night with his less-than-introverted ways–and his big flower! No, I mean really–a big FLOWER! He and I had a fun time singing the “Weeeeeee!” song together. More kudos and thanks to him for making the nametags–and leaving enough blanks that DL and I could have our own. Esprix, I love you, man!
Oh, also–Esprix was walking about taking pictures. He told DL and I no kissing or PDA, so DL, first asking if I was okay with it (of COURSE I was!), reached around and grabbed both of my boobs for the picture. Hee hee! (I was laughing so hard, though, I’m sure it won’t be too flattering a pic!)
Sea Diver wins the best underwear prize–she was wearing a gorgeous metallic thong. I didn’t get to chat with her to learn about it, but the straps peeking above the pants looked way sexy. Tell us about it, dear! …She also came around and gave us body glitter. I wasn’t exposing much skin, but rubbed it where I could.
porcupine, a sweetie from Chicago, was positively warm–and so friendly we felt like we’d known her for years! She teased me for being so covered up (“It’s a DOPEFEST!”), so now I know that next time I need to come in my most exposing items from my wardrobe. But hey, it IS the beach, and cold! (For the visual type: I wore a long-sleeve ribbed shirt, capri pants, and a funky, uh, thingy that was like a large-weave trench-coat-sweater-thing. I wasn’t THAT covered up, was I?)
Edwardina and I had a great chat. Look for her, gang! She joked about her “low” post count of 500, and I suppose when surrounded by the 2000+ club, it may seem that way–but she’s worth remembering! Very friendly and fun–ew talked about the amazingly rare and gorgeous sapphires she sees in her line of work. I hope to see you at more SoCal Dopefests, girl!
pricciar was there, of course, snacking on blue cotton candy that he offered to any passer-bys. He also got the glass full of cherries–a tradition that has followed him at the more recent SoCal Dopefests. No, I didn’t send them Pat, but I know who did! 
Frick, I could go on forever, huh? How’s this: rather than one never-ending-long-ass-post, I’ll stop here and then come back and add more details in shorter posts as I remember them. Phew!
(BTW, I did end up leaving not long after the dinner was over–just too sick to play much more. Blasted sinus infection! I slept the whole drive home! Wish I could’ve stayed…)
More to come, later on… (It was SO FUN!)