DC Outing Sat 8/25, 4 p.m. Ugly Mug

Our SJ-DC outing was a small one - KJIM, Vombatus and me. Despite the Nats and MLB signage around the entrance to the Ugly Mug, they weren’t even showing the game. Anyway, a good time was had by all, and if your ears are burning, you might want to get yourself checked. Or we were talking about you. One or the other.

 

It was so nice to meet y'all in person! Sorry to those who missed out. I'm here until 9/17, so if there's another, let me know.

 

Good to see an old-fashioned SJ outing thread, even if it was just a handful who made it.

If it was Washington state rather than Washington D.C., maybe I could have joined you.

 

I had a great time meeting you two! Fascinating conversations! The Ugly Mug was great. Unfortunate that we got so rowdy that they kicked us out.

And, I’ve now doubled the number of SJ people that I’ve met in person (the others being Justin Rice from long ago and Spikechiquet and his wife). All have lived to tell about it.

I’m not going to say a whole lot about what we talked about. I like Dyno’s “ears burning” comment!

But I will very much say what I think we all believe: SJ was different at one point, and of course message boards change over time as people come and go. Evolve? Maybe? Devolve? Very much quite possibly, depending on what’s going on. It’s probably become more hostile and vitriolic, partially due to politics from 2000 onward, and partially from key early members leaving or passing.

But I personally think a big part is just a symptom of the Internet and social media in general: what used to be mostly smaller message boards and user groups where a lot of people might have known quite a few of each other, have now been joined by much larger platforms like FB and Twitter, and the level of discourse on those platforms leaves a lot to be desired. And probably some of that has carried over into SJ.

My main point is this: we all know that some of the crap that goes on here at SJ would probably not happen in person, face to face. We all need to try to be more respectful of each other and our differing ideas. Remember there are humans behind these usernames.

To that end, this Outing was fun! We had a great time, shared a lot of ideas and funny stories. We really ought to do more of this kind of thing, because I personally believe it will help make SJ a bit better.

To me, message boards are a way to get to know other fellow human beings, share differing ideas and laughs, and develop new friends and networks. NOT to mistreat one another and behave like assholes.

Anyway, just some random thoughts from VB.

Dyno and KJIM, it was an absolute pleasure. May we all continue our journeys safely, wisely and healthy, and laugh a bit along the way.

Sincerely,
VB

 

Glad y’all had fun! Wish I could’ve been there. I got back into town around 6 and was thinking about trying to see if you were still there, but my wife and I had just traversed eight states and 2,100 miles in 20 hours.

We could try another in the days after Labor Day, if anyone’s up for it.

 

Sorry for your family loss MC.

 

I’m either away or have people in town for just about all of the first three weeks of September but if you get together when I’m around, I’ll come by.

 

I'll be in D.C. in late September, but after KJIM is gone.

 

Thanks, buddy.

The next few weekends are pretty busy, but I have most of the week of Labor Day off if anyone wants to avoid the weekend bar crowds.

 

Wanted to make it. .... couldn't.

If there's a future DC get-together, I'll try again.

 

I hope you can make the next one. I’ve wanted to catch up with you since it’s been a couple of years.

It went well, but I was worried a bit. I notified NOK of where I’d be in advance, just in case I got the SJ Jimmy Hoffa treatment.

 

Wish I could've joined.

Sorry to hear about the death, MC. Hope you and the missus are hanging in there.