GOOD TIMES, GOOD TIMES
This morning I spoke at the annual meeting of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, which is meeting in Philadelphia (motto: "The City That Booed The Easter Bunny (Really)." Last night everybody gathered to do what newspaper columnists do when they get together: Drink Network. And lo and behold, I ran into my old buddy Clark DeLeon, who was a columnist (!!) for the Philadelphia Inquirer when I was a reporter for the West Chester, Pa., Daily Local News. Clark now has a website, and he posted an account of our reunion, along with possibly the least-flattering picture ever taken.
It's adorable. ;)
And you're wearing a blue shirt - perfect!
Posted by: Eleanor | June 22, 2007 at 06:42 PM
FIRST to tell Dave how cute he is.
My day is complete. :)
Posted by: Eleanor | June 22, 2007 at 06:43 PM
Cute couple too!
Hat trick?
Posted by: Eleanor | June 22, 2007 at 06:43 PM
OK. Enough.
I know I'm not the only one here.
Come out, come out, wherever you are...
Posted by: Eleanor | June 22, 2007 at 06:44 PM
Congrats, Eleanor. Good to know I'm not the only female here, aside from judi (maybe) and those rustled marine mammal parts...
Posted by: Kathybear | June 22, 2007 at 06:45 PM
WHEW!1
*waves hi to Kathy*
Posted by: Eleanor | June 22, 2007 at 06:46 PM
Not Just Gay,
Gay Americans
I like it.
You can use it as a backup slogan for the campaign.
Posted by: Jeff Meyerson | June 22, 2007 at 06:47 PM
He called Dave The Gold Standard. How cool is that? *snif*
Posted by: Eleanor | June 22, 2007 at 06:48 PM
"When it comes to Gay Americans, Dave is...The Gold Standard"?
Maybe not.
Posted by: Jeff Meyerson | June 22, 2007 at 06:50 PM
C'mon, Dave. You can't just drop a line like "Philadelphia (motto: "The City That Booed The Easter Bunny (Really)." and leave it at that! Do tell.
Posted by: Richard the Weasel-Hearted | June 22, 2007 at 06:50 PM
Philly booed the EASTER BUNNY? For shame...
Posted by: Kathybear | June 22, 2007 at 06:51 PM
And, hey, Eleanor! I thought I was the only person here of either gender for a while!
Posted by: Kathybear | June 22, 2007 at 06:52 PM
Dave, what was Robin Givham wearing? I always read her Wash. Post column.
Posted by: Eleanor | June 22, 2007 at 06:52 PM
Kathy, it's Friday and into the evening everywhere but the Left Coast where I live.
There may be people who have lives. :)
Posted by: Eleanor | June 22, 2007 at 06:54 PM
"Still, in a room full of columnists he was a rock star. "
Well, duh.
Posted by: Cat R. | June 22, 2007 at 06:58 PM
Exactly, Cat. :)
Posted by: Eleanor | June 22, 2007 at 07:00 PM
Very nice article. Explains that huge bong in the photo.
Posted by: Tigger | June 22, 2007 at 07:03 PM
Hi, Kathybear! Do I count as a person of either gender?
Posted by: Cat R. | June 22, 2007 at 07:04 PM
Hahahahahaha! El asked a guy what a gal was wearing.... That's funny no matter who you are!
Posted by: CJrun | June 22, 2007 at 07:06 PM
CJrun, you have a point there. Unless she was nekkid, I doubt that question will be answered!
Posted by: Cat R. | June 22, 2007 at 07:08 PM
Have to reserve judgment on that one, Cat. Wouldn't surprise me to learn there's a bot out there that can carry on blog conversations. I mean, they can't all be as stupid as the one minding the store here...
[Ok, this time when the page wedged, I killed the tab and came back in from the main blog page. If this shows up twice, I give up.]
Posted by: Richard the Weasel-Hearted | June 22, 2007 at 07:15 PM
As I viewed the picture, my actual thought and intended comment was: "Dave, that picture is too flattering; in fact, it's adorable," and then I thought to myself, "Self, that sounds exactly like something Eleanor would say," and then I clicked onto the comments section, and there was Eleanor, FIRST, no less, telling Dave that the picture is, in fact, adorable.
WHOA.
*smooches Eleanor*
Posted by: KDF | June 22, 2007 at 07:16 PM
If I remember correctly, Philly also booed Santa.
And an odd fact that the Charlotte Observer dug up a couple years ago was that Philly had the lowest literacy rate of any major city in the country. Sadly, most newspapers are written at a 7th grade level. Coincidence they had the meeting there? Or was it simply because they could write while drinking and no one in Philly could tell the difference?
Posted by: The blog reader formerly known as Matt | June 22, 2007 at 07:20 PM
OK, I was reading up on the NBA draft, and saw this paragraph. Does it really say what I think it does, or am I hallucinating?
Knight points out that Pachulia and Shelden Williams are the only Hawks who are wide in the thighs. "They are the only two guys we have who aren't what we call narrow butts,'' Knight said. "The other guys are thin guys, slender builds, so you need some physicality on your team.''
So he's looking for one more wide butt?
"It depends on the butt,'' Knight said. In which case Horford may well be their pick.
End OT
Posted by: The blog reader formerly known as Matt | June 22, 2007 at 07:24 PM
Are we talking about tight ends, TBRFKAMatt? Or is that a whole different ball game?
Posted by: Kathybear | June 22, 2007 at 07:29 PM
I think we all need to hear how Dave feels about the National Society of Newspaper Columnists 'Code of Conduct.'
Posted by: Doug-O | June 22, 2007 at 07:31 PM
And, hey Eleanor, it is the Bomb pops and the cat - well, now I've moved on to ice cream sandwiches and possibly Maker's Mark aqt some point... That's part of why I'm here on Friday night...
Posted by: Kathybear | June 22, 2007 at 07:33 PM
Well, that and the tight ends on some blogits...:-) Where is Wyo anyway?
Posted by: Kathybear | June 22, 2007 at 07:34 PM
Apparently wide ends. And I think the position is "Power Forward". Yep, whole new ballgame. I'm guessing especially in their locker room.
Posted by: The blog reader formerly known as Matt | June 22, 2007 at 07:35 PM
Isn't anyone going to agree with Dave? Actually, his jaw doesn't look too bad for someone who just had oral surgery. (Not that he did; it just wouldn't look bad if that were the case).
Posted by: SW | June 22, 2007 at 07:35 PM
...and what's a Grecian urn, anyway?
Posted by: SW | June 22, 2007 at 07:37 PM
Posted by: Richard the Weasel-Hearted | June 22, 2007 at 07:42 PM
I have as much of a life as anyone else in Vernon, Texas. Of course, it Vernon, Texas. Population 10,000. But hey, we just got a SECOND chinese buffet! And one of the biggest of those evil chains destroying small town America.
Besides, I have to watch the series finale of Stargate, SG-1 tonight.
Posted by: The blog reader formerly known as Matt | June 22, 2007 at 07:46 PM
okay, okay, okay. We didn't boo Santa...we threw snowballs at him
Posted by: orcel | June 22, 2007 at 08:02 PM
I always wonder if I should tell someone they look just fine in a picture of themselves that they say looks horrible. Does that just make them think, "So I always look that bad?" No. But still! The picture is great, and I cannot even imagine the fun and frivolity at a newspersonguy convention!
Posted by: Bethie | June 22, 2007 at 08:03 PM
OK, this is a fun diversion for a Friday unwind....
Posted by: CJrun | June 22, 2007 at 08:06 PM
I'm a real person, Richard. Of either gender, even. Actually, I think the bot is smarter than me. Not as nice, but smarter.
Posted by: Cat R. | June 22, 2007 at 08:07 PM
Boy, CJ, that link brought back memories. I, too, have recoiled while singing the first example. Even worse than "loud boiling test tubes" is "loud rushing planets".
Posted by: Richard the Weasel-Hearted | June 22, 2007 at 08:14 PM
CJrun, two of those baaad lyrics are my personal peeves -- Neil Diamond's "songs she brang to me" and Moody Blues' "Senior citizens wish they were young."
Hilarious!
Posted by: Cat R. | June 22, 2007 at 08:15 PM
*snork* at KDF!
You always make me laugh - in a really good way. :)
Robin Givhan writes a fashion column at the Wash Post, so it stands to reason (*wonders why reason never sits*) that would be a notable thing about her, just like Dave and his blue shirt!
Posted by: Eleanor | June 22, 2007 at 08:17 PM
CJrun, two of those baaad lyrics are my personal peeves -- Neil Diamond's "songs she brang to me" and Moody Blues' "Senior citizens wish they were young."
Hilarious!
Posted by: Cat R. | June 22, 2007 at 08:18 PM
Boy, CJ, that link brought back memories. I, too, have recoiled while singing the first example. Even worse than "loud boiling test tubes" is "loud rushing planets".
Posted by: Richard the Weasel-Hearted | June 22, 2007 at 08:19 PM
*snork* at KDF!
You always make me laugh - in a really good way. :)
Robin Givhan writes a fashion column at the Wash Post, so it stands to reason (*wonders why reason never sits*) that would be a notable thing about her, just like Dave and his blue shirt!
Posted by: Eleanor | June 22, 2007 at 08:20 PM
trying for the third time to post
*snork* at KDF!
You always make me laugh - in a really good way. :)
Robin Givhan writes a fashion column at the Wash Post, so it stands to reason (*wonders why reason never sits*) that would be a notable thing about her, just like Dave and his blue shirt!
Posted by: Eleanor | June 22, 2007 at 08:21 PM
Gee, a triple, 3 and 4 minutes apart.
I'm so proud.
*eye roll*
*zips out*
Posted by: Eleanor | June 22, 2007 at 08:24 PM
sigh.
Once.
Posted by: Cat R. | June 22, 2007 at 08:25 PM
Just a question, are Edgar and all of his aliases out of the room yet or is he still being a hit and run weenie?
Posted by: Doc Rick | June 22, 2007 at 08:25 PM
*zips bot*
Posted by: CJrun | June 22, 2007 at 08:30 PM
Great link about bad lyrics! Wholly hell there are a lot of 'em out there aren't there?
Posted by: Bethie | June 22, 2007 at 08:57 PM
Aaargh! Mental note to self: No more posting to blog while wireless.
Posted by: Richard the Weasel-Hearted | June 22, 2007 at 09:00 PM
RtWH: Did you try switching to Firefox? It seems to be the answer for the problems that cropped up when I switched to Verizon wireless.....
Posted by: CJrun | June 22, 2007 at 09:21 PM
He was scheduled to address the convention this morning and I told him I'd be there if I wasn't hung over. I was and I didn't.
This guy needs to visit the blog. He'd fit RIGHT in. I love that quote
Posted by: KOW | June 22, 2007 at 09:25 PM
"But hey, we just got a SECOND chinese buffet!"
Hey, xmatt - do you go there an hour after you've left the first one?
Posted by: SW | June 22, 2007 at 09:27 PM
Been using Firefox ever since 1.0, actually. It doesn't appear to be a browser issue -- email loses connectivity as well, and traceroute fails due to no DNS. Even though I supposedly have a fairly strong signal, there are periods where it just stops working.
Posted by: Richard the Weasel-Hearted | June 22, 2007 at 09:29 PM
*Snork* at S(tevie)...
Posted by: Richard the Weasel-Hearted | June 22, 2007 at 09:31 PM
*snork* at Stevie!
Posted by: Eleanor | June 22, 2007 at 09:34 PM
Ha! Just like KDF, now I'm predicting what Eleanor will say. :-,)
Posted by: Richard the Weasel-Hearted | June 22, 2007 at 09:35 PM
OT/
Just a guess, but you may be running the original wireless software from the CD. With a decent connection (if necessary, from an ethernet hose or WiFi) you can get updated drivers for the aircard.
BTDT (but all works very well now)....
Posted by: CJrun | June 22, 2007 at 09:39 PM
It's a company laptop; came with wireless, and recently had XP reinstalled to get SP2 working. I suppose it's possible they failed to update the drivers in the process; I'll look into it. Thanks for the suggestion.
Posted by: Richard the Weasel-Hearted | June 22, 2007 at 09:50 PM
Great! Now the Chinese spammers are actually spamming us in CHINESE! Oh for the love of....
Posted by: Dr. Rickenstein | June 22, 2007 at 10:07 PM
Well, that's a tough act to follow. CJRun, if you're still here: turns out the driver was from 2004!?!? I've updated; will let you know how it goes...
Posted by: Richard the Weasel-Hearted | June 22, 2007 at 10:07 PM
Correction: I was looked at the driver for the wired connection. Wireless one is from 2005 but Windows claims it's the latest. Oh, well; it was a good suggestion anyway.
Posted by: Richard the Weasel-Hearted | June 22, 2007 at 10:13 PM
OT/
Actually, I was referring to the connectivity software for the service provider. In my case, Verizon. When I first went up with the VZAccess software, problems started up very soon (plus bot problems). New VZAccess software made the connection completely reliable (up to 60 mph). After I installed updated VZ, I still had problems with IE7 (as opposed to connectivity), but FireFox solved those and the the bot problems.
Posted by: CJrun | June 22, 2007 at 10:22 PM
Ah! I see. I'll check into it. Thanks again.
Gotta sign off now.
Posted by: Richard the Weasel-Hearted | June 22, 2007 at 10:29 PM
I remember West Chester's Daily Local newspaper and I even remember Dave Barry's writing for it. If I remember correctly, it was a horrible paper and he fit in beautifully.
But we both moved to South Florida and he got a hell of a lot better.
Been reading this blog for a long time- this is the first time I had something interesting enough to write.
Posted by: steph | June 22, 2007 at 10:41 PM
So if I say that picture is NOT the least-flattering picture ever taken, am I being sucked into insinuating that there exists a less-flattering picture, and by so doing, insult Dave in a roundabout manner.
Does that last statement make my butt look big?
I'm throwing an RL margarita party. Wish you were here....to clean the house.
btw - Giants pitcher just walked our pitcher. I repeat - walked our pitcher, who has never batted in a major league game. Yankees up 3-0.
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | June 22, 2007 at 10:45 PM
*waves to steph*
Posted by: Cheryl Howard | June 22, 2007 at 10:45 PM
Welcome, steph - newbie! What a great FIRST statement to make!
"I rem'ember Dave Barry. Back then, he was no Dave Barry.
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | June 22, 2007 at 10:46 PM
ot - Billy Crystal (yankees) and Robin Williams (giants) are sitting next to each other in the stands. Can you imagine? I would snork my nachos...and his nachos...but not'yo nachos.
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | June 22, 2007 at 10:49 PM
Annie, that was pretty cool, yes? Walked an AL pitcher - VF!
Note to RtWH, even though you're gone: Were you able to predict that I was going to post the lyrics to American Pie in Chinese? Huh? Huh? :-)
Posted by: Eleanor | June 22, 2007 at 10:51 PM
El possesses many hidden talents.
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | June 22, 2007 at 10:56 PM
So, Dave ... in the photo ...
who'swhat's in the urn?Posted by: OtheU(manity) | June 22, 2007 at 11:10 PM
OtheU ~
That's Urnest.
Posted by: Cat R. | June 22, 2007 at 11:13 PM
Annie, I'll clean your house if you'll switch that 'an' for an 'a.'
Posted by: CJrun | June 22, 2007 at 11:13 PM
Cj - you touch my spelling and I'll clean your clock.
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | June 22, 2007 at 11:17 PM
That vase is full of puns, isn't it. So if you take one out, it's an un-urned pun.
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | June 22, 2007 at 11:18 PM
I haven't seen Crystal and Robin. :(
*waves hi to newbie steph*
Join the craziness! I post lots of times when I have nothing to say - ask anyone! So you should too. ;)
Posted by: Eleanor | June 22, 2007 at 11:20 PM
Oh and RtWH (when you get back), if you just started using that gadget and it's like mine was, you have 15 days to cancel the service, completely, no questions asked.
When (day 12) I reminded my provider of that, they moved Heaven and Earth to get it figured out. You may have some serious leverage if it isn't the connectivity software. All the same, I bet it is....
EndOT\
Posted by: CJrun | June 22, 2007 at 11:21 PM
El - they were chattering and scarfing down food - hot dogs or something. I figured one was sure to snork food listening to the other.
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | June 22, 2007 at 11:23 PM
"Giants pitcher just walked our pitcher."
I am not a baseball fan. The only Giant pitcher that holds nmy interest is the one at Annie's margarita party.
Posted by: SW | June 22, 2007 at 11:27 PM
El - they just showed Billy & Robin again.
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | June 22, 2007 at 11:29 PM
BTW Dave, that's a cute photo of you, Clark DeLeon, and Barbara Eden.
Posted by: SW | June 22, 2007 at 11:29 PM
I was there Annie, didn't see them. :(
My Friday night Norton scan is finished.
Yankees/Giants on Fox HD tomorrow afternoon.
I'm outta here.
*zips out*
Posted by: Eleanor | June 22, 2007 at 11:47 PM
Annie, that un-urned pun makes your 'a' look big.
*sadly shakes head at folks that use firewalls/antivirus clunkies that don't rhyme with Trend Microsystems*
Posted by: CJrun | June 22, 2007 at 11:57 PM
Dave, what a great pic! And Carly Simon showed up, too--you're a lucky guy!
CJ, my daughter's former boyfriend, the computer whiz, introduced us to TM. Another reason I miss him.
Posted by: Just Ducky | June 23, 2007 at 12:11 AM
*drags butt in for a moment*
Dave, it's not THAT unflattering. Just you look a little dark and your nose is shiny. (Who are those two bozos with you??)
That. is. all.
Nite everyone. I ache all over and I have NO energy to *snor ...see?? After today's day in the mts and my "all one with nature" comment last night, I say...WHO THE HELL WAS I KIDDING????? Gimme a cruise to the Turks & Caicos next time! With a hot tub and booze.
I'd stay and catch up but I feel my eyes clos....
zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Posted by: Siouxie in North Carolina | June 23, 2007 at 12:30 AM
uh...that SHOULD read... you JUST look
back to zzzzzzzzzz
Posted by: Siouxie in North Carolina | June 23, 2007 at 12:32 AM
*tucks blanket around Siouxie*
*switches off overhead lights, turns on nightlight*
*sets blog coffeemaker for weekend morning crew*
Nighty-night, y'all! Sweet dreams!
Posted by: Just Ducky | June 23, 2007 at 12:48 AM
*pulls down Siouxie's blankets*
*places life-size photo of Barry Manilow's head on pillow next to Siouxie's head*
*takes photographs*
Posted by: SW | June 23, 2007 at 01:02 AM
Stevie - I hope you got out before she found her machete.
I haven't read the last few posts or this thread, but before I go beddie bye I had to say that Dave looked cute as a bedbug in that photo, and we know it's him by his blue shirt. All is well in the world, and I want to be Walter in my next life. Or at least judi.
Posted by: ubetcha | June 23, 2007 at 01:31 AM
*too many Cape (hic) Codders tonight*
Posted by: ubetcha | June 23, 2007 at 01:34 AM
Welcome back, Codder.
Posted by: SW | June 23, 2007 at 02:00 AM
That is the most flatuating picture of Dave this bloglit has ever seen.
Posted by: Brad | June 23, 2007 at 07:04 AM
morning all, mr. shoespammer, i can't afford a pair of shoes right now, can i just get one if i promise to buy it's mate later?
(i like dave's picture. when did he get glasses? ooooooh wait, dave's the other guy...)
Posted by: crossgirl | June 23, 2007 at 08:44 AM
cg.....I'll buy one shoe if you get the other. I need flats so I won't walk in a circle.
Posted by: Jazzzz | June 23, 2007 at 09:31 AM
*zips in*™
Morning all, and a special *smooch* to Jazzzz. ;)
Stevie, I love that theme song. Nice way to start the day. :)
private message to Annie - I finally saw Robin but never saw Billy.
Posted by: Eleanor | June 23, 2007 at 10:07 AM
*blush* ...returns *smooch*. Hello to El and all you guys. hope to return to life in the slow lane soon. Prospects look better.
Posted by: Jazzzz | June 23, 2007 at 10:19 AM
*wakes up and sees BM photo next to her*
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKBLLLLEEEAAACCCHHHH
STEVIE!!!!!!!!!
*looks for hot wax* I'll get you my pretty!!!!!
Posted by: Siouxie in North Carolina | June 23, 2007 at 11:53 AM
You just watch yerself, sxi, or I'll post the pictures.
Posted by: SW | June 23, 2007 at 12:22 PM
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
you are a cruel, cruel man!
Posted by: Siouxie in North Carolina | June 23, 2007 at 12:26 PM