Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

I did not have this on my fuck 2022 bingo card.

Let there be snark.

“Everybody’s entitled to be an idiot.”

The GOP couldn’t organize an orgy in a whorehouse with a fist full of 50s.

This really is a full service blog.

Schmidt just says fuck it, opens a tea shop.

“Jesus paying for the sins of everyone is an insult to those who paid for their own sins.”

Pessimism assures that nothing of any importance will change.

Roe isn’t about choice, it’s about freedom.

Is it irresponsible to speculate? It is irresponsible not to.

I really should read my own blog.

Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace.

Putting aside our relentless self-interest because the moral imperative is crystal clear.

Our job is not to persuade republicans but to defeat them.

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires republicans to act in good faith.

Authoritarian republicans are opposed to freedom for the rest of us.

It’s time for the GOP to dust off that post-2012 autopsy, completely ignore it, and light the party on fire again.

The republican caucus is already covering themselves with something, and it’s not glory.

You cannot shame the shameless.

Conservatism: there are some people the law protects but does not bind and others who the law binds but does not protect.

We are builders in a constant struggle with destroyers. let’s win this.

Technically true, but collectively nonsense

This blog will pay for itself.

You are here: Home / Balloon Juice / Meetups and social events / Open Thread: Chicago Meet-Up Success

Open Thread: Chicago Meet-Up Success

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chicago meetup jan 16

From ever-reliable commentor Satby:

Here’s the best picture from last night’s meet up in Chicago.

Counterclockwise from bottom right it’s Elmo, Eric S, MGB, my exchange daughters Valentina and Qunoot, me (satby) in the red sleeves, ThomasB, and Christopholes. We had lots of fun swapping stories.

Elmo gets to Chicago several times a year, so we’ll plan further out for the next meetup and give people a chance to plan.

Tales of Balloon-Juice glory, increasing global outreach :) !

Reader Interactions

60Comments

  3. 3.

    JPL

    The picture brought a smile to my face, because it looked like you were having so much fun.
    The exchange students are going to have so many stories to tell when they return home.

  6. 6.

    JPL

    @satby: I want to order some soaps, for the company staying here for my son’s wedding. Do you have some things already made up?

  9. 9.

    satby

    @JPL: I do have stock in everything on the website right now, so just let me know what and how many. There’s also enough time (more than a month) to cure new soap too.

  10. 10.

    Mary G

    Sounds great. That’s a good crowd for a meeting scheduled so fast. It’s always nice to have faces to go with nyms. I find I imagine everyone wrong.

  12. 12.

    JPL

    @satby: I need suggestions.. I am not a little cute soap, type of person, but I imagined you figured that out.
    I have seventh generation hand soap near the sink..

  13. 13.

    satby

    And I got to tell the story of my surprise Publisher’s Clearing House win!
    I won $10.
    The universe is just yanking my chain with that one ;)

  16. 16.

    Elmo

    All thanks to Eric for the suggestion and the location. It really was great fun, and a terrific break for me – solo business trips can make for lonely and dull evenings, and this was anything but.

  18. 18.

    satby

    @JPL: I can send you some suggestions and we can work out something that can go with the wedding theme, or even your bathroom motif. Email me at the Etsy site and we’ll figure out something good!

  23. 23.

    Pogonip

    @Elmo: Me too! Who the heck is that old lady who lives in my mirror?

    After the first time a store clerk calls you “Ma’am” and not “Miss,” you’re on borrowed time.

  24. 24.

    JustRuss

    That picture couldn’t have been taken in Chicago. I hear it’s all-crime, all the time, and only a couple of you look like gangsters.

  25. 25.

    JPL

    @satby: Thanks. I’m pretty sure, that I sent you a request. What I’m looking for is bath soaps and maybe a cute gift they can bring home.

  32. 32.

    the Conster, la Citoyenne

    These are my people!!

    Great to see Elmo and satby!

    Meetups are so much fun – but I think New Rules should be every meetup pic has to have green balloons,
    because those are the safe words of my people.

  34. 34.

    satby

    We did have fun, what an interesting bunch of folks. Next time I hope we can have a few more folks, but Eric S picked a nice place and pulled it together really well. Thanks Eric!

  44. 44.

    Eric S.

    That is far, far from the wrist picture I’ve taken. I have no idea how to smile on command.

    Eta worst, not wrist

  46. 46.

    Eric S.

    @MGB: I knew you had a car related nym. MGB? MPG? MPH? I just couldn’t pull it out of the memory banks early this morning.

  51. 51.

    Peale

    Complaining that a letter from my bank marked “tax document enclosed” was instead a marketing mailing. Grrrrrrrrrr.

  57. 57.

    Patricia Kayden

    @satby: That’s more than I’ve ever won.
    Love the photo. All the meet up photos should be put in their own section on BJ.

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