Short version: Me & Beloved Wife TNT of Smiling Dynamite went to Tennessee over the weekend to attend a blogmeet at Straight White Eric's house. Eat, drink, talk, laugh, sleep, repeat until it's time to go to the airport.

Long version in the extended entry:...

NOTE: Links on the blog's name will go to the blogger's version of events. Source links for the quotes are at the asterisk.

ArmyWifeToddlerMom (aka "Puddin'") - "Martha Stewart, v. Red Hot.0" Army Wife was a frickin' riot to talk to, and she does a "pritty gute MeenahSOtin accent, doncha know." *
On her blog, she's semi-reserved. If you're on her e-mail list, she's somewhat less so. When you meet her in person... it's like she's dancing on the bar at Coyote Ugly. Hold on to your hats, people...

Princess Cat of A Swift Kick and a Band-Aid - "She is one impressive woman. Smart and funny - as well as having the sweetest smile. It was a pleasure, pure and simple." *
How smart IS she? Well, I was able to teach her how to pee standing up, so that should tell you something.

By the way, there's a tickle in the back of my mind telling me that she looks like some famous actress, but I can't quite figure it out. Any ideas?

Matty O'Blackfive (Matty's being tight-lipped about what actually happened, so this link is to his post on the Valor IT Fundraiser) - "Every Single Time I've had the pleasure of spending time around him it is just flat out wonderful. I could listen to this man talk for hours and hours and hours. I can't begin to tell you how honored I feel to call him friend." *
Fortunately, Matty CAN (and DOES) talk for hours and hours and hours. The Blarney Stone has told this man to shut up.

Anyway, I had my very-first-in-a-lifetime shot of moonshine with Matty. Very appropriate.

And for those who don't know, Matty tends to do a lot of name-dropping in conversations (Jim Belushi once told him so, ya know). I'm thinking it'd make a good drinking game - every time Matty drops a name, you have to drink. Last man standing... is probably deaf.

Tammi of Tammi's World - "not only a terrific chick to hang with, she's a good cook too! You can't argue with a woman that wants to cook for this crowd, does it with a smile, and jumps right in to the festivities when she's through. Oh, and watching her run through the parking lot to hug AWTM one last time was just awesome." *
(Some people have to get the last word. Tammi has to get the last hug.)

Boudicca of Boudicca's Voice (1, 2, 3, plus part 4 to be posted later) - "How often does one run into a woman who is stunning, funny as hell and who also happens to be a farookinÂ’ rocket scientist?" *

"Boudicca is a babe!... When women lie about their ages aren't they supposed to take years off instead of adding years on? Boudicca told me she was 40 years old. I call bullshit! She's not a day over 35." *
Actually, she looks closer to 30. Anyway, ask her about being a "bean bag" (although the correct term is "bean babe")

Bou's sister Morrigan (blogless - we'll just see for how long) - "IÂ’ll be damned if she doesnÂ’t look like Sarah Jessica Parker wishes she could look. She and Bou prove that it is possible to hit the jackpot in the genetic lottery more than once. In conversation, they play off each other, making it plain that they truly enjoy each otherÂ’s company, and they unselfishly share that gift with everyone around them." *
Also, she pronounces "y'all" with EXACTLY the same inflection as Bou. It's almost eerie.

That 1 Guy of Drunken Wisdom - there is NOTHING not to love about this man. Sweet, funny, humble and gracious, he is a big man with a big heart... and... he gives good hugs. *
Just don't stand under his nose while he's hugging you.

Redneck of Redneck Ramblings - "Funny, smart, sharp as a whip" *
(I'm sure the author meant that as a compliment, but a whips are actually made of pliable leather, and not really that sharp at all... Anyway, what gets me is that he'd get done cracking wise in that thick Southern accent of his, and then you ask him where he lives - "Ohio". Not QUITE as cognitive-dissonance-provoking as a Korean guy with a Texas accent, but close.)

RSM of When The Smoke Clears - Some people come to blogmeets to tell stories, some people come to listen. As RSM says of himself, "I only hope my quiet nature is interpreted as absorbing the details of the moment, and not due to some aloof character flaw". I know how he feels. I'm more of a writer than a talker myself. Especially considering the crowd of tale-spinners at Eric's house that day. Anyway, it was almost comical having us two "listeners" trying to make talk, both waiting for a story. Ah well. I'll make up for it by pestering him at his blog.

TNT of Smiling Dynamite (too busy going "Oh my GOD! How am I going to write about all of this?" to have written anything about all of this yet) - "A little stick of dynamite... She lifted Harvey right off the ground. Damn girl. I hope you like the new "plank", it is a great move for the triceps. Although yours do not need help." *
She also twirled me around in a circle while she had me in the air, and I'm around 170. Generally, the first thing people say to her is "You're so tiny!" followed by "Holy Crap! Look at those ARMS!". After that it's generally something along the lines of "so... are you HAPPILY married?". Or, if you're Johnny-Oh, it's "Ya know, I could do a little "brake-work" on Harvey's car..."

Johnny-Oh of Closet Extremist (recap postponed due to Nyquil) - "What's not to like about a guy who can strum and sing a John Prine tune folllowed by the hillbilly version of "Gin and Juice," and who can fix elevators? Johnny wears an ever-present grin that makes me think that good nature and a constant smile is a Tennessee Thing." *
What continally blows me away about Johnny-Oh is that his casual look and drawling accent make you underestimate him... for about 3 seconds. At which point he'll say something brilliantly witty that catches you completely off-guard, making you double over with laughter. He's a stealthy one.

Oh, and I'm NOT letting him work on my car...

Sissy of And What Next... - "There were pretty strange creatures in the woods behind Eric's house. Pretty, but... strange." *
Word to my bloggrandchildren - DON'T go changing your hair color & style between meetings. I didn't recognize her and I was SO embarrassed. Anyway, the Viking hat was the award for being the blogger who travelled the farthest to make the blogmeet. From Yuma, Arizona to the heart of Tennessee.

Another helpful hint - NEVER leave yourself signed into your blog at a blogmeet. You never know what'll get posted.

John of Argghhh! - "John has encyclopedic knowledge of weaponry and things military, and the distinguished look to go with it. I fully expect to turn on the TV one day and see him on the History Channel wearing white gloves while demonstrating the features of World War One British firearms." *
Also blessed me with a first-hand re-telling of the "Bayonetting Incident" and "The Knifing"

Beth of She Who Will Be Obeyed! (still collecting her thoughts on the topic, but here's a scene from the airport) - "I had the best time talking to this gal! She has a genuine warmth about her that makes one feel welcome and at ease. I felt like I could talk to her about anything....she has the mind like steel trap and a great laugh! It was a true pleasure meeting her." *
She also handed me some cheering career advice which will be helpful as my job hunt continues. I'm glad she brought it up, because I feel a little awkward about my current situation. She made me feel better. As did John.

By the way, both of these guys took a LOT of pictures. It's always great to have someone taking the time to capture the memories instead of just making them. Can't wait to see the uncensored versions.

Jim of Parkway "Great Farookin' Hair" Rest Stop - A regular renaissance man with his guitar playing, music singing, forensic, chemistry, lawyer, Army, city boy charm. All of that and the accent, and ballroom dance trophies too... I already miss the accent. Please start audio blogging.*
If he can play the guitar like THAT, I *really* hope I get to hear him play drums someday.

Denny of Grouchy Old Cripple - "a great listening ear, fantastic voice, cooking skills, and can serenade the ladies.... Thank you for bringing your guitar, and the kazoo." *
Until Denny, I've never taken the kazoo seriously as a musical insturment. Now I know better.

Also, he needs to change his blog's name to "Cheerful, Cackling Old Cripple".

Zonker of Thunder & Roses - "I had been looking forward to meeting him, thinking that he would be one of those guys you want to hang out with. Well, I've got to tell you, he's not. Nope. The guy pulls ALL of the women! Normally, this is a good thing, as you can pick up stragglers. But with the Master of the Mullet about, the women will settle for nothing less." *
Be sure to ask him about the proper technique for landing on a windshield.

Jason (Eric's blogless friend and regular at the Eagle Glen Social Club pool nights) - "Jason is a good guy. And many thanks to himÂ… as he let this wayward crowd shoot in his backyard. IÂ’m not so sure IÂ’d have been so gutsy!" * (click for the "moonshine incident")
Got to hang with him around the campfire Saturday night. Definitely another reason to make it to a Wednesday night pool shoot someday.

Eric of Straight White Guy - Kind, thoughtful, generous - opened his house to over 20 lunatics and kept them all drunk, fed, and entertained. Plays a mean guitar, scrambles a mean egg, bakes a mean biscuit. Thoughtful, too - first thing he did when I walked up the driveway was play "Mr. Bad Example" for me. Sacrificed the privacy of his penguins to give my wife & I a place to sleep, played some pool, watched some Rat Pack, and even had the strength to give me some one-on-one chat-time after the ladies went to bed on Sunday night. Good times... Good times...
Oh... and he let me borrow some of his spare ellipses...

Fiona (Straight White Wife) - She has no blog, so she got overlooked a bit, but let's be honest... she's the one who made this whole thing possible. If it hadn't been for her, Eric would be just another anonymous lifer Marine. But she took pity on a sad, drunken Jarhead in a Scotland bar, and when faced with the choice of letting him get away or following him across the ocean to a foreign land, she chose to love her man. And through all the ups and downs of their life together, she has stuck by him, indulging his whims ("Let's put a pool table in the garage instead of cars!", "Let's have a score of bloggers tramping through our house all weekend!"), and being the pillar of strength from which he draws his own vigor. It takes a great woman to love a good man - she is thus.

Two personal notes: she has a lilting Scottish accent that gives her voice a honeyed musical quality beyond description. I could listen to her read a grocery list and be enchanted. I've heard lots of Scottish accents in movies, and I now know that they're all tawdry fakes. She's the real deal.

Also, I got a chance to the the video of the Straight White Wedding - she hasn't gained an ounce or aged a day since then.

Eric is a damn... lucky... man.

And I thank them both for letting me share a part of their life last weekend.

Posted by: Harvey at 10:22 AM | Comments (20) | Add Comment
Post contains 2166 words, total size 15 kb.

1 At the risk of you getting an even bigger head, I've gotta say this was a great idea, linking everyone's quotes. It was also lazy as hell! Glad you made it down there.

Posted by: That 1 Guy at November 03, 2005 11:04 AM (erqo/)

2 Hey, I'm ALL about the lazy :-) Meanwhile, this took about 5 hours to throw together. Probably would've been quicker just to make up my own shit :-)

Posted by: Harvey at November 03, 2005 11:11 AM (ubhj8)

3 I absolutely cannot wait to meet all of you people!

Posted by: oddybobo at November 03, 2005 11:30 AM (6Gm0j)

4 .. you survived the wedding video and lived!... great to have you down, Harvey (and Dynamite)... it really was our pleasure...

Posted by: Eric at November 03, 2005 12:23 PM (uHA2j)

5 What? And I wasn't invited? Bah!!

Posted by: Joey at November 03, 2005 07:01 PM (JXgKx)

6 Nicely done, H. Writing those link-rich things is lots of work, and you done good.

Posted by: Jim - PRS at November 03, 2005 08:52 PM (oowdc)

7 "coyote ugly" dancing on the bar? These posts make me sound like "Moms gone wild" videos or something. There was no dancing.

Posted by: armywifetoddlermom at November 03, 2005 09:23 PM (hX6MB)

8 Heheh... I know it had to have taken awhile. Ya did good, though it pains me to say that. And BTW, are you thinking Sandra Bullock/Princess Cat?

Posted by: That 1 Guy at November 04, 2005 12:04 AM (Ax1Tn)

9 T1G - Sandra Bullock... maybe... not sure if that's it, though.

Posted by: Harvey at November 04, 2005 09:25 AM (ubhj8)

10 Ack! I forgot about the 'bean bag'! That was so funny! You done good, oh great blog father. I will be saving my Part IV for Sunday night as I have lower readership on Saturday and Sundays... People gotta know how great y'all are!

Posted by: Bou at November 04, 2005 02:53 PM (5JHEt)

11 Duh Harv. Princess Cat looks like Jennifer Garner (Of TV's "Alias", and the films "Elektra" and "DareDevil".) People needn't wonder why I leaped at the chance to give her a ride to the Airport. GiggityGiggity!

Posted by: Johnny - Oh at November 04, 2005 06:18 PM (aPsUA)

12 Princess Cat: Julia Roberts or maybe Rick Nelson's daughter, the one who played the nun on some terrible TV show. (Apparently I'm either the only one who thinks that, or the only one who know who Rick Nelson is.)

Posted by: Jim - PRS at November 05, 2005 02:14 AM (oowdc)

13 Sutton Foster?

Posted by: That 1 Guy at November 05, 2005 07:57 AM (F6X4/)

14 Garner & Foster... I can see the resemblance now that you mention it, but I didn't know either of them until I looked them up. Jim - Tracy Nelson? A bit of a stretch, but plausible: http://www.tracynelson.com/TracyNelson/albums/TN1974.jpg

Posted by: Harvey at November 05, 2005 02:04 PM (ubhj8)

15 Princess Cat looks like Gina Davis!!!

Posted by: Beth Donovan at November 05, 2005 03:14 PM (9FPYz)

16 I mean Geena Davis - here is a link to a picture of Geena Davis - compare that to our Princess Cat!!

Posted by: Beth at November 05, 2005 03:17 PM (9FPYz)

17 Beth - YES! Geena Davis! Especially this pic: http://badexample.mu.nu/archives/geena cat.jpeg

Posted by: Harvey at November 05, 2005 04:00 PM (ubhj8)

18 yup, she looks just like that picture of Geena Davis. Geena with long dark hair = Princess Cat!

Posted by: Beth at November 05, 2005 04:40 PM (9FPYz)

19 Wow, I forget to come back to the comments for a while and holy crap I'm popular... Thanks for all the compliments! Now if only I had some of their fame or fortune...

Posted by: Princess Cat at November 06, 2005 09:49 AM (D6/0a)

20 Sharp as a dull whip 'eh? Auyucksent? Whut Auycksent? It was very nice to meet both you and Smilin' dynamite, and you're right... You need a brake job. I know, I'm a Redneck. Trust me on this one. They're not workin' right cause they stop you when YOU push the peddle... Well, they are workin' right, but if you ever need a brake job done, let me know first ok?

Posted by: RedNeck at November 11, 2005 09:42 PM (3Z5dW)

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