Brain Fertilizer

Like I said, pictures won't be up until this evening.

Some other post-bash reports:
Steve of Wadcutter

ZombyBoy

The Libercontrarian (who had this cool Borg-like cellphone attached to his ear)

A Bellandean

Freedom Sight

Darren, the Colorado Conservative

My thoughts? Funny you should ask.
First, the slight-less-than-48-hours I spent there were nothing short of awesome. I can't remember the last time I was in such an intellectually intense environment. I was constantly challenged with Good Ideas and Good Thought from David, from Andy, from all the people I met at the bash (Scott, Darrn, Matt, Steve, Stephen, Jeff, Robin, Ally...) I learned from hearing ideas I had never considered before; I learned from attempting to share my ideas with people bright enough to spot flaws and/or improve each aspect. I learned from watching people interact. I learned from listening to Jeff G. and Stephen G., et al, engage Chris in a uniquely entertaining discussion of the problems with and evils of Bush and the Republicans (at least, that's what I got out of it).

I tried to float and meet people and take pictures and make a few blog entries. I think that might have worked to my detriment, as I didn't get into near as many extensive conversations as I see other people did in the above post-bash reactions. Dang.

Perhaps I was too intimidated to actually share ideas with Jeff G. and Stephen G.? Perhaps I have too little experience in bar gatherings to know how to mingle well?* Perhaps I'm just a social idiot? Probably a little of all of the above.

I did meet lots of cool people, and that will certainly lead to an updated blog-roll and more visits to the people I met. I have to tell you, even if the person doesn't exactly meet your expectations**, knowing the person behind the blog is always better.

Greatest Missed Opportunity to Make a Pun That Probably Would Have Gotten Me In a Great Deal of Trouble:

Stephen Green (holding a pool cue): Wow, Matt! That is the crookedest rack I have ever seen!

Possible response: "To which lady were you referring?"

Regrets:
I intended to buy lots of people more drinks. The 3 times I tried to buy someone a drink, they told me they were drinking water or not drinking or stopping so they could drive home. I could have sworn I bought Zombyboy a drink, at least, but it didn't show up on my tab...
I didn't inflict anyone with a single off-the-cuff pun the entire evening. Or the entire weekend, as I recall. I must be slipping.

Sort-of Embarassments:
I never expected how self-conscious it would make me to have someone whose intelligence and ability I respected as much as Stever of Wadcutter say that he read me regularly.
I never expected how self-conscious it would make me to have one of my original readers/commenters (Matt of Roverpundit fame) be present. When I think of some of the self-important crap I was putting out back then. Well, yeah: the stuff I put out now is still crap, but at least I've done a better (if incomplete) job of taking out the "self-important" part.
I didn't really expect it to bother me so much to hear someone say, "You are much more conservative than I am". I like my beliefs; I've thought long and hard about them, and I think I have good reasons for the conclusions I've reached and the views I advocate. There are a wide range of opinions I respect without actually agreeing with, as well. Someone, despite my attempt to remain independent-minded, I have assimilated the MSM's constant refrain that "conservative" is somehow bad, "moderate" is somehow courageous, and "liberal" is somehow saintly. Bah. No more excuses for my beliefs. Simply put: I advocate what I advocate on the basis of how I've seen the world work. I'm not going to force my views on anyone, but I will continue to try to convince people that a conservative and moral approach to life, as based on accumulated wisdom, is the best way for you to be happy and content, and to help those around you be happy and content. That's my ideology in a nutshell; take it or leave it.

Okay, that's all I can think of right now. I will be adding more as I remember what I wanted to say. Probably new posts rather than updating this one. Please set your bookmarks accordingly.

*I have never before in my life gone to a bar with the intention to drink as much as I wanted. In fact, I've never spent more than 2 hours in a bar before. It has nothing to do with being against alcohol...I have always been too poor to afford it, or too committed to fulfilling another's expectations of family responsibilities to ever just go to a bar and drink. I would normally rather buy the alcohol at a store and invite friends over (the money goes much further that way). I won't say this way is better or worse, but I'm glad I did it this time.

**Perhaps because of the pictures he has posted, I had pictured Zombyboy as younger and much more boyish. Rather, he is...wow. Words fail me. Highly intelligent. Knowledgeable on a huge range of topics. Conscientious. Thoughtful. But you know these things if you read his blog. And maybe that's the point. David is Zombyboy, only more so. More intelligent, more insightful, more knowledgeable. And an excellent host. I'm proud to call him my friend, and our meeting probably cemented a casual friendship into a lifelong collaboration on ideas.