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NRaleighLiberal

(59,940 posts)
Mon Sep 24, 2012, 12:22 PM Sep 2012

What's great about local DU meetups and why herding the cats is worth the effort!

So eleven of us met at a restaurant in Durham NC last night....and drank the beverages of our choice (two pints of stout for me!), ordered some food, and spent over three hours immersed in getting to know each other, having great discussions, and generally as far as I can tell enjoying a perfect, early autumn evening. We sat outside and talked and ate and drank and the time flew by. I am (mostlyl!) kidding about the cat herding....it isn't all that tough - and as one other DUer said to me, it worked pretty well this time - pick a night, pick a spot, and show up (kinda like the Kevin Costner line - if you build it...etc!).

So why is it worth it - and I am clearly speaking for myself...others can chip in if they wish to! My wife and I live in a pretty red area. It can feel pretty lonely....and - having been on DU for the last 8 years, you kinda wish you could get to meet some of the people who live near you who post really great things, or get involved with worthwhile discussions. Last night felt great - politically recharging, challenging in ways only good intellectual discussions can be. You end up realizing that there are people that think like you living pretty close by - really nice people, and spending time with them is a pleasure.

So we are now pondering getting together on election night - and hoping those who couldn't make it, didn't see the notice in time, had conflicts, maybe just weren't sure - can join us and make the numbers even bigger.

So I got home, watched the Patriots lose (grrrr.....) - but of course jumped on line and did my usual - spent too much time looking for polling numbers and reading DU posts. But with a few faces and personalities now attached to some of the posters and Tweeters.

What fun! Thanks, local DUers!





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What's great about local DU meetups and why herding the cats is worth the effort! (Original Post) NRaleighLiberal Sep 2012 OP
What a splendid way to spend the evening. Thanks, it's encouraging to all of us. freshwest Sep 2012 #1
So wonderful. I'm sorry I missed it... OneGrassRoot Sep 2012 #2
It's been forever since I've attended a DU meetup here arcane1 Sep 2012 #3
thank you for putting it together! barbtries Sep 2012 #4
back atcha marions ghost Sep 2012 #5
It was fun! nclib Sep 2012 #6
I've been to many a DU meet up tavalon Sep 2012 #7

OneGrassRoot

(22,917 posts)
2. So wonderful. I'm sorry I missed it...
Mon Sep 24, 2012, 12:26 PM
Sep 2012

(I was afraid I'd jinx myself if I committed!)

Sounds like a lovely gathering and, yes, being in a largely red area, it is isolating and lonely much of the time, so meeting with those of like mind to relax and mingle can save our sanity.

I hope to make the next one. Wow, election night -- that sounds like a GREAT idea!



barbtries

(28,702 posts)
4. thank you for putting it together!
Mon Sep 24, 2012, 12:50 PM
Sep 2012

i had a terrific time. it really is great to spend time with like minded people

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