Down the Mississippi

Denny, who came to the death-defying extravaganza, is touring the Mississippi and enjoying perfect top-down days. Go check it out.

Jim's got a new hairdo.

Here's the alcohoroscope for you, and the technicalities.

More blogging shortly.

Technicalities on the BlogFest

Teresa of Technicalities did a wonderful post on the party, Look Ma - There Really IS a New Jersey!

Then we headed off to the Triumph Brewery which was a beautiful place. Getting there was half the fun of the evening. Jimbo with his Tom-Tom insisted we use it even though we had Gregor in the back seat with us and he knew the way. Unfortunately Jim programmed it for finding the hotel. This led us down the road to make a u-turn and after driving back past the hotel parking lot... it wanted another u-turn before we figured out it wasn't right. After he put in the correct coordinates it seemed to work okay - but the bodyguard finally decided it would be better to listen t Gregor so we could get to dinner sometime that night.

Fausta outdid herself planning this shindig and luckily we were able to comport ourselves with a modicum of propriety. As per usual - I got a chance to hang out quite a bit with some people, a little while with others, and only a hello to yet others. Time is never on our side.

Go read the rest.

I thank Teresa for her very kind words, and will like to clarify that I didn't slip her a $20.



Share on Facebook

More on last Saturday's party

My new friends (formerly Friends I Hadn't Met Yet) Jim and Erica have excellent posts and roundup on the party. You know we have a lot in common when you realize they loved my shoes:

in addition to their very kind words.

Apparently this

"...was a higher class of blogemeet than we usually attend."

as Denny put it, even after I bored the heck out of him talking about NJ politics. He had a nice flight drive home.

Alas, the only thing we didn't have a chance to do was for the Elderly Brothers to sing and play:

Of course, this means we have to have another one!


Share on Facebook

A death-defying extravaganza!

Bloggers risking their lives away from their laptops
After reading about the latest hazard, Eric Scheie calls last night's party "a death-defying extravaganza", which as you can see from the above picture clearly it was.

Taking his life in his blogging hands was the fabulous Grouchy Old Cripple who is delightful company, and drove all the way from Hotlanta in his new Beemer - plenty of reason to smile about:

Technicalities's Teresa and Erica, Mr Surly of The Idiom, KateSpot, Coalition of the Swilling, Joated of Points of Compass, Judith of Kesher Talk, Mary of Exit Zero, Suzette, the Baron of Gates of Vienna and Sad Old Goth were also among the daring.

Goth, Joated, Coalition of the Swilling

Goth, Suzette

Eric, Judith
Of course no Princeton bloggers' party would be complete without TigerHawk, who was wearing his newly-designed t-shirt:

But the whole party would not have been possible without the wonderful Jimbo of Parkway Rest Stop, whose support made it all possible.

Thank you, all of you, and send me more pictures!

UPDATE, Monday 7 April
Shamrocketship has the the adult drinks, too!



Share on Facebook

Ready for the party!

The party's tonight and Denny's on his way here. Whoot!

KateSpot, Suzette, Shamrocketship, and TigerHawk are already blogging about it.

I can't wait.



Share on Facebook

Party with a blogger on Saturday night!

Three days from today, we're partying at Triumph Brewery!

Who's coming:
Jim of Parkway Rest Stop, his bodyguard, and son-in-law
TigerHawk
Jazz Shaw
Skye
Rich Davis
Gigglechick
KateSpot
Andrew Hoffer
Classical Values
Kesher Talk
Exit Zero
Joated
Technicalities
Shamrocketship
Gates of Vienna
Grouchy Old Cripple
Mr. Bingley of Coalition of the Swilling
Erica Sherman
Cripes Suzette
Sad Old Goth

On the Facebook page,
Michael VanderGalien, Ali Eteraz, and Audrey Mullen said they're attending,
while Ron Coleman, Eneas Biglione, Dan Riehl, Dan Collins, Robert Stacy McCain, Dr Melissa Clouthier, Michel Gurfinkle, Jane Goodwin, BJ Van Look, Monday Morning Clacker and John Lindner may be attending.

Special thanks to Doug Ross for his support.

Have you made your reservations yet? YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION RIGHT NOW if you haven't.



SPRING BLOG FEST EAST

When: Saturday April 5, 2008
6-11PM

Where: Sky Suite, Triumph Brewing Company
138 Nassau Street
Princeton NJ 08540

Buffet Menu: Hors d'oeuvres
House salad
Organic New York Strip "Prime Rib"
Seared Salmon with Pineapple-Mango Coulis
Tortellini with Tomato Parmesan Sauce
Chocolate covered white cake with peanut butter mousse and strawberry jam

How much: $45 per person, plus CASH BAR

You can make a check payable to Fausta Wertz, PO Box 1589, Princeton NJ 08542-1589, or pay through Paypal:

For more information, click here

Jimbo has a word to the fence sitters: Come to the party!

Jim of Parkway Rest Stop addresses the big questions:
A Message to the Fence Sitters

Yeah, I'm talking to those of you who have given some thought to attending the upcoming Spring BlogFest a/k/a Jersey Blogmeet on April 5th in Princeton, but who haven't yet taken the plunge.

I suspect that you're thinking runs something like the following, to which I will add my commentary, as a veteran of ten blogmeets in five different states:

Jeez, I won't know anyone there.
It may take you all of three minutes to know a dozen people. Bloggers are an exceedingly friendly bunch. After ten minutes, you'll find it hard to get a word in edgewise, because bloggers are not only friendly, they are also loquacious blabbermouths.

Princeton? I've heard of the school (Yeah, it's the one that lost the first intercollegiate football game to Rutgers), but getting there is a pain in the ass.
Car – easy. Princeton sits on Route 1. Trains: They run from various places in Jersey and from Philly and New York. Teresa is making the trek from Massachusetts and the Wiseass Jooette will be schlepping in from the New York Shithole Brooklyn. The Triumph Brewery (the site of the festivities) is walking distance from the station.

A blogger from Georgia and another one from Virginia are coming. It's easy to get here even from Newark airport.

More questions,
What if it's borrrrrring? What if it's borrrrrring? What if I think all the people there are jerks? Will they think I'm a jerk? I have nothing to say to these people. My sock drawer needs arranging on April 5th. Jim has all the answers.

The food's going to be good, Jim will let you touch his great farookin' hair, I'll show off some of my newly-learned tango steps, and Jazz will improvise.

And we won't run out of beer.

What are you waiting for? Make your reservation right now! The restaurant needs to know how many people are coming ahead of time, so the time to make the reservation is right now.

How much: $45 per person, plus CASH BAR

You can make a check payable to Fausta Wertz, PO Box 1589, Princeton NJ 08542-1589, or pay through Paypal:

For more information, click here

Two weeks to Spring Blog Fest East!

Two weeks away from the BlogFest, and you need to make your reservations right now since Triumph Brewery needs to know how many people are attenting.

Updated list of guests: TigerHawk, Jazz Shaw, Skye, Rich Davis, Gigglechick, KateSpot will be there!

From the Facebook page,
Martha Colmenares, EM Zanotti, Michael VanderGalien, Ali Eteraz, and Audrey Mullen said they're attending,
while Ron Coleman, Sean Hackbarth, Eneas Biglione, Dan Riehl, Dan Collins, Robert Stacy McCain, Andrew Hoffer, Dr Melissa Clouthier, Michel Gurfinkle, Judith Weiss, Mary Madigan, Jane Goodwin, BJ Van Look, Monday Morning Clacker and John Lindner may be attending.

All in addition to the bloggers whose payment already has been received,
Paul Budline
Jim of Parkway Rest Stop and his bodyguard
Joated
Technicalities
Shamrocketship
Gates of Vienna
Grouchy Old Cripple
Mr. Bingley of Coalition of the Swilling
Erica Sherman
Cripes Suzette
Sad Old Goth

Special thanks to Doug Ross for his support.

Have you made your reservations yet?



SPRING BLOG FEST EAST

When: Saturday April 5, 2008
6-11PM

Where: Sky Suite, Triumph Brewing Company
138 Nassau Street
Princeton NJ 08540

Buffet Menu: Hors d'oeuvres
House salad
Organic New York Strip "Prime Rib"
Seared Salmon with Pineapple-Mango Coulis
Tortellini with Tomato Parmesan Sauce
Chocolate covered white cake with peanut butter mousse and strawberry jam

How much: $45 per person, plus CASH BAR

You can make a check payable to Fausta Wertz, PO Box 1589, Princeton NJ 08542-1589, or pay through Paypal:

For more information, click here



Questions? Email me faustaw2 "at" gmail "dot" com

Spring BlogFest update

Three weeks away from the BlogFest, an updated list of guests: TigerHawk, Jazz Shaw, Skye, Rich Davis, Gigglechick, KateSpot will be there!

On the Facebook page,
Martha Colmenares, EM Zanotti, Michael VanderGalien, Ali Eteraz, and Audrey Mullen said they're attending,
while Ron Coleman, Sean Hackbarth, Eneas Biglione, Dan Riehl, Dan Collins, Robert Stacy McCain, Andrew Hoffer, Dr Melissa Clouthier, Michel Gurfinkle, Judith Weiss, Mary Madigan, Jane Goodwin, BJ Van Look, Monday Morning Clacker and John Lindner may be attending.

Will Porretto make it?

All in addition to the bloggers whose payment already has been received,
Jim of Parkway Rest Stop and his bodyguard
Joated
Technicalities
Shamrocketship
Gates of Vienna
Grouchy Old Cripple
Mr. Bingley of Coalition of the Swilling
Erica Sherman
Cripes Suzette
Sad Old Goth

Special thanks to Doug Ross for his support.

Have you made your reservations yet?



SPRING BLOG FEST EAST

When: Saturday April 5, 2008
6-11PM

Where: Sky Suite, Triumph Brewing Company
138 Nassau Street
Princeton NJ 08540

Buffet Menu: Hors d'oeuvres
House salad
Organic New York Strip "Prime Rib"
Seared Salmon with Pineapple-Mango Coulis
Tortellini with Tomato Parmesan Sauce
Chocolate covered white cake with peanut butter mousse and strawberry jam

How much: $45 per person, plus CASH BAR

You can make a check payable to Fausta Wertz, PO Box 1589, Princeton NJ 08542-1589, or pay through Paypal:

For more information, click here

Nerdland news today

Washington Doesn’t Sleep Here, and "here" is a house where five bloggers live together.

I thank my lucky stars I don't have to. Blogging can become an echo chamber and living with five (five!) bloggers would certainly make it so.

But that article talks about bloggers' parties. I love a party, and hope y'all can make it to Spring BlogFest East: two parties in one - at Triumph on Saturday night, and possibly (if anyone's up to it) brunch on Sunday morning


Nerd topics (such as The Dune Theory of Democratic Politics, Revised) optional.



Share on Facebook

Spring BlogFest countdown

Four weeks to the day for the BlogFest, a.k.a. Jersey Blogmeet!
Have you made your reservations yet?

SPRING BLOG FEST EAST

When: Saturday April 5, 2008
6-11PM

Where: Sky Suite,

Triumph Brewing Company
138 Nassau Street
Princeton NJ 08540

Buffet Menu: Hors d'oeuvres
House salad
Organic New York Strip "Prime Rib"
Seared Salmon with Pineapple-Mango Coulis
Tortellini with Tomato Parmesan Sauce
Chocolate covered white cake with peanut butter mousse and strawberry jam

How much: $45 per person, plus CASH BAR

You can make a check payable to Fausta Wertz, PO Box 1589, Princeton NJ 08542-1589, or pay through Paypal:

Bloggers who stay overnight in the Princeton area can continue the Blog Fest the next day, Sunday morning April 6, at JB Winberie's Restaurant, 1 Palmer Square East, Princeton, for brunch (not included in the $45 fee for the Triumph Brewery Saturday night buffet).

For more information, click here and here .

Spring BlogFest East: First guest roll!

Bloggers attending
Payment received:
Parkway Rest Stop
Joated
Teresa
Shamrocketship
Gates of Vienna
Grouchy Old Cripple
Mr. Bingley
Erica Sherman
Cripes Suzette
Sad Old Goth
Fausta's blog
Please send me the right link to your blog if I haven't entered it yet.

Others attending:
Jazz Shaw, Ali Eteraz, EM Zanotti, Marta Colmenares, Audrey Mullen, Katespot

Have you made your reservations yet?



SPRING BLOG FEST EAST

When: Saturday April 5, 2008
6-11PM

Where: Sky Suite, Triumph Brewing Company
138 Nassau Street
Princeton NJ 08540

Buffet Menu: Hors d'oeuvres
House salad
Organic New York Strip "Prime Rib"
Seared Salmon with Pineapple-Mango Coulis
Tortellini with Tomato Parmesan Sauce
Chocolate covered white cake with peanut butter mousse and strawberry jam

How much: $45 per person, plus CASH BAR

You can make a check payable to Fausta Wertz, PO Box 1589, Princeton NJ 08542-1589, or pay through Paypal:

For more information, click here

Spring BlogFest East coming soon!

Spring BlogFest East is only five weeks away: Have you made your reservations yet?

(I'll be posting soon a list of the blogs attending)
Parkway Rest Stop and Fausta's Blog cordially invite you to
SPRING BLOG FEST EAST

When: Saturday April 5, 2008
6-11PM

Where: Sky Suite,Triumph Brewing Company
138 Nassau Street
Princeton NJ 08540

Buffet Menu: Hors d'oeuvres
House salad
Organic New York Strip "Prime Rib"
Seared Salmon with Pineapple-Mango Coulis
Tortellini with Tomato Parmesan Sauce
Chocolate covered white cake with peanut butter mousse and strawberry jam

How much: $45 per person, plus CASH BAR

You can make a check payable to Fausta Wertz, PO Box 1589, Princeton NJ 08542-1589, or pay through Paypal:

Please reserve early since the Sky Suite has capacity for only 75 people.

Bloggers who stay overnight in the Princeton area can continue the Blog Fest the next day, Sunday morning April 6, at JB Winberie's Restaurant, 1 Palmer Square East, Princeton, for brunch (not included in the $45 fee for the Triumph Brewery Saturday night buffet).

Accomodations in the Princeton area:
Within walking distance of Triumph Brewery: The Nassau Inn, 10 Palmer Square, Princeton NJ
Three miles from Triumph Brewery: The Palmer Inn 609-716-9100
Courtyard Marriott Princeton 609-716-9100 .

Any questions? Email faustaw "at" yahoo "dot" com

PS, To those of you asking, it's "Spring" BlogFest because if it's a success we might have another one later in the year, and "East" because I don't know of any other in the region, but I may be wrong. If there's another BlogFest in Spring in the East, we might change the name to "Spring BlogFest NJ", or even more specific, "Spring BlogFest Princeton".

How to get to Princeton:
Princeton has its own (small) airport, but you can also fly into Philadelphia and drive into Princeton (apprx. 1 1/2 hr drive), or fly into Newark Airport and take NJ Transit to Princeton Junction and change to the train to Princeton.
NJ Transit runs trains from Philadelphia and New York City. You can also use Amtrak from locations in the East.
For driving directions, here's how to get to Triumph Brewing Co

Spring Blogfest East now taking reservations

Spring Blogfest East a.k.a. Jersey Blogmeet now taking reservations:
When: Saturday April 5, 2008
6-11PM

Where: Sky Suite,Triumph Brewing Company
138 Nassau Street
Princeton NJ 08540

You can pay through paypal, or you can make a $45 check payable to Fausta Wertz, PO Box 1589, Princeton NJ 08542-1589.

Bloggers who stay overnight in the Princeton area can continue the Blog Fest the next day, Sunday morning April 6, at JB Winberie's Restaurant, 1 Palmer Square East, Princeton, for brunch (not included in the $45 fee for the Triumph Brewery Saturday night buffet).

For more information on accomodations and directions, click here.

Now with Paypal, Saturday April 5: Spring Blogfest East (a/k/a Jersey Blogmeet)

Spring BlogFest East a.k.a. Jersey Blogmeet is approaching fast.

When: Saturday April 5, 2008
6-11PM

Where: Sky Suite,Triumph Brewing Company
138 Nassau Street
Princeton NJ 08540

Buffet Menu: Hors d'oeuvres
House salad
Organic New York Strip "Prime Rib"
Seared Salmon with Pineapple-Mango Coulis
Tortellini with Tomato Parmesan Sauce
Chocolate covered white cake with peanut butter mousse and strawberry jam

How much: $45 per person, plus CASH BAR

You can pay through paypal, or you can make a $45 check payable to Fausta Wertz, PO Box 1589, Princeton NJ 08542-1589.

Triumph Brewing Company needs to know ahead of time the number of people attending. Please reserve early since the Sky Suite has capacity for only 75 people.

Bloggers who stay overnight in the Princeton area can continue the Blog Fest the next day, Sunday morning April 6, at JB Winberie's Restaurant, 1 Palmer Square East, Princeton, for brunch (not included in the $45 fee for the Triumph Brewery Saturday night buffet).

For more information please click here.

If you are a blogger and you're attending, please also invite your readers and link here.

Announcing Spring Blog Fest East: Saturday April 5, Triumph Brewery

Parkway Rest Stop and Fausta's Blog cordially invite you to
SPRING BLOG FEST EAST

When: Saturday April 5, 2008
6-11PM

Where: Sky Suite,Triumph Brewing Company
138 Nassau Street
Princeton NJ 08540

Buffet Menu: Hors d'oeuvres
House salad
Organic New York Strip "Prime Rib"
Seared Salmon with Pineapple-Mango Coulis
Tortellini with Tomato Parmesan Sauce
Chocolate covered white cake with peanut butter mousse and strawberry jam

How much: $45 per person, plus CASH BAR

I'm in the process of setting up a paypall account, but in the meantime you can make a check payable to Fausta Wertz, PO Box 1589, Princeton NJ 08542-1589.

Please reserve early since the Sky Suite has capacity for only 75 people.

Bloggers who stay overnight in the Princeton area can continue the Blog Fest the next day, Sunday morning April 6, at JB Winberie's Restaurant, 1 Palmer Square East, Princeton, for brunch (not included in the $45 fee for the Triumph Brewery Saturday night buffet).

Accomodations in the Princeton area:
Within walking distance of Triumph Brewery: The Nassau Inn, 10 Palmer Square, Princeton NJ
Three miles from Triumph Brewery: The Palmer Inn 609-716-9100
Courtyard Marriott Princeton 609-716-9100 .

Any questions? Email faustaw "at" yahoo "dot" com

PS, To those of you asking, it's "Spring" BlogFest because if it's a success we might have another one later in the year, and "East" because I don't know of any other in the region, but I may be wrong. If there's another BlogFest in Spring in the East, we might change the name to "Spring BlogFest NJ", or even more specific, "Spring BlogFest Princeton".

How to get to Princeton:
Princeton has its own (small) airport, but you can also fly into Philadelphia and drive into Princeton (apprx. 1 1/2 hr drive), or fly into Newark Airport and take NJ Transit to Princeton Junction and change to the train to Princeton.
NJ Transit runs trains from Philadelphia and New York City. You can also use Amtrak from locations in the East.
For driving directions, here's how to get to Triumph Brewing Co.

UPDATE, Saturday
Paypal now active: