That was fun

As you'd expect, a meeting with readers of this blog led to a discussion of things techie: security and fault analysis, self-driving car failure modes, microbiology and genetics, software and coding, and, well, a lively discussion of cabbages and kings.  It was a blast.

I'd feel bad about all the geekery except that long time readers know what to expect.  If you're new here then that's one thing, but if you've been reading for years than that's on you.  ;-)

Reminder: Dallas area meet up tonight

Any readers in Dallas are invited to a meet-up on Tuesday  evening at the Addison Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, 14999 Montfort Drive.  I'll get there around 7:30 and get a table for the "Borepatch party".

Tuesday evening Dallas meet-up

I fly out today for Dallas for a week.  Any readers in Dallas are invited to a meet-up on Tuesday  evening at the Addison Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, 14999 Montfort Drive.  I'll get there around 7:30 and get a table for the "Borepatch party".

Reader William says they have more beers than you can shake a stick at, which sounds fun.

Anyone want to meet up next week in Dallas?

I'll be in Dallas/Richardson next Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday (including evenings).  Anyone want to meet up for beer and conversation?  Ping me by email (borepatch at gmail) or leave a comment.

Old Warbirds Tour

For those of you in the Washington DC metro area, the Wings Of Freedom Tour is landing today at Frederick (MD) airport:

In the ground tour are a B-17, B-24 and P-51. The Wings of Freedom Tour visits 110 cities a year all over the country. The B-17 is one of only nine in flying condition in the United States. The B-24J is the sole remaining example of its type flying in the world. The P-51 Mustang was awarded the a grand champion award for restoration. Flight experiences are normally scheduled before and after the ground tour times. Continues through Oct. 12

I plan of taking some time off and heading up there to drool all over these things.  For those of you in the area, they are here through Friday although the walk through tours end at noon on Friday (they end at 4:00 today and tomorrow).  Those of you with more cash burning a hole in your pocket than I have can take a ride.  $400 for the B-25, $450 for the B-17 or B-24 and $2200 (!) in the Mustang (the TF-51 two seat trainer version).

Shoot me an email if you plan on coming Friday morning and we can meet up.

Hat tip: The Queen Of The World, who finds awesome stuff.

Any readers in the Washington DC/Rockville area?

Leave a comment if you want to get together. I'm in town until Friday.

Declassified photo of Secret Squirrels from today's meeting

The Secret Squirrels met up for lunch and swapping stories.  We had to follow OPSEC procedure to get an unclassified photo of the gathering.  An NSA-standard black cloth was involved.

What a great time, and I will plan another for 90 days out or so.  Monitor the usual short wave frequencies for notification.  John has a long moustache.  My hovercraft is full of eels.

Atlanta readers: formez vos Battalions!

Tomorrow we have the pleasure of hosting the author, raconteur, and Secret Squirrel Old NFO.  If you're in the area, stop by for what is always a very good time.  The secret squirrels will likely run on the wheel, and nobody does "That reminds me ..." like Old NFO.

Venue: Mac McGee's Irish Pub, Canton St. Roswell GA

Time: 11:30 - 2:00

So far I have confirmation from Differ, Coffeypot, and Charles B. Hodge, and a "definite maybe" from Dirk.  If anyone else wants to drop in let me know so that I can get us a large enough table at the Greatest Pub in the Universe.

Reminder: Blogmeet next Saturday

OldNFO will be in town, which is a great excuse to get together for lunch, conversation, and Secret Squirrel type goings on.  As it turns out, next Saturday is also the 150th anniversary of when General Sherman sent the 400 Roswell women mill workers north to concentration camps.  There will be reenactments, events, and local history.  If you're a New England Yankee (or like Differ, an Old England Yankee), then this is a chance to get an unusual and rarely taught glimpse into American history.

Time: Saturday 12 July, 11:30

Place: Mac McGee's Irish Pub, Canton St Roswell GA

Please leave a comment if you're planning on attending so we can get a big enough table.

Blogmeet with OldNFO

OldNFO is going to be in town for lunch on Saturday, 12 July.  Anyone in the Atlanta area who would like to meet up for lunch is welcome.  Please leave a comment if you're thinking about it so I can arrange a suitable table.

Location: Mac McGee's Irish Pub, Canton St. Roswell

Time: 11:30 until whenever.

Blogmeet, now with moar conspiracy theories!

Last evening's meet up was great fun.  The setting is as spectacular as it was when FOB Borepatch was just down the road:

The conversation was non stop, about guns ('natch), blogging, boats (Cap'n Jan once sailed from Chesapeake Bay to Europe).  And then the topic turned to conspiracy theories.  The crew had a seeming never ending list of goofballs.  Lawrence brought up one of the best - the weird murals in the Denver airport:

He has the scoop at the link.  It involves reptilian aliens, of course.

Reminder: Austin blogmeet Wednesday evening

Venue.

I've heard from:

That Guy
Lawrence Person
Cap'n Jan and Mr. Cap'n Jan
Dwight

If you're in the Austin area, stop by.  Also, please leave a comment so I can get us a big enough table.

Austin Blogmeet next week

Date: Wednesday, May 21

Time: 6:00

Location: Oasis on Lake Travis.  It seems that Uncle Billy's BBQ and Brew Pub (my favorite haunt there) has closed.  But the view from Oasis is the same.

Please leave a comment if you are going to come, and I'll call ahead and make sure that we have a table big enough for the group.

Austin meetup

If you're in the area, pencil in the evening of Wednesday, May 21 out by Lake Travis.  Details to follow.

Who's up for an Austin meetup?

The great thing about working for a videoconferencing company is that you don't have to travel much.  But I've been so successful "exercising influence" the last few weeks that there are now so many balls in the air that something's likely to drop.  It's to the point that I'm pulling together a meeting in 2 or 3 weeks so that we can hash this out face to face.

In Austin.

Who out there is up for an evening meetup?  Date is likely sometime the week of the 19th, probably middle of the week.  Venue is open, although I wouldn't mind meeting out by Lake Travis, out of sentimental reasons (that's where my crib used to be).

In particular, I somehow missed meeting Cap'n Jan out there, and would love to fix that.  Plus it would be cool to link back up with Dwight, Pistolero, Lawrence, and the croud.

Gay or European?

I met up with Differ, kind of by accident.  A pub was involved, as you might imagine, and we both walked in.  He was actually there to meet an old Air Force buddy (call sign CARTMAN), which led to a most enjoyable evening of listening to flying stories.

And stories about NATO pilots, hence the title of this post.  And Cartman has me quasi convinced that the Malaysian Airliner mystery didn't involve an electrical fire, but rather a hijacking.  Hearing the systems described leads me to think that the loss of the transponders and radio didn't happen by a catastrophic failure, because of quintuple (!) redundancies.

Plus, Differ brought his sweet Camaro which did its V-8 thing down Canton street.

I must say that after the last week, this (and last night's meeting with JP) was a cool drink of water on a hot day.  Good times, good conversation, and good company, and not thinking about doctors and recovery plans.

So who's up for a blog meet?  It would be fun to have it at Mulligan's in Marietta.  Ride your bike (or drive your Camaro).  I expect that there are a ton of topics that can be discussed through the filter of "Gay or European?" ...

Leave a comment if you'd be interested, and preferred dates and times (Sunday afternoon sometime that isn't Palm Sunday or Easter?).

Mini blogmeet AAR

Regular readers know that Captain Capitalism was heading through town, and so I met up with him.  I was joined by fellow blogger Differ, an Englishman in Dixie.  Fuller's ESB was enjoyed, as was the conversation.

Your Captain is, as regular readers know, one of the Most Interesting Men in the World.  Differ is another, a man who flew B-17s and while in High School was on not just the rifle team, but the Bren Gun squad (!).

The Internet is a truly wonderful place, where you can meet up with incredibly interesting people who you'd never have been able to meet otherwise.

Blogmeet tonight with Captain Capitalism

Where: Mac McGee's Irish pub, Canton St. in Roswell GA

When: 9:00 PM until whenever

Anyone who is in the area and can make a last minute notice to meet the Captain is invited.  Actually, everyone is invited.

Atlanta meetup with Captain Capitalism this evening

The Captain is en route, ETA this evening.  Anyone wanting to meet up this evening for conversation please pencil this in.  I know this is short notice.

Details to follow.

Local meetup?

Captain Capitalism is heading from the North Pole to warmer climes, and will be driving through ATL.  He may stop off for refreshment and meetup here.  Who's up for a quick impromptu get together (probably) tomorrow?

I'm thinking Mac McGee's pub in Roswell.  Plans will firm up when the Captain has his itinerary locked.