Blogfest 2010

Today started off in a sad note. I attended a celebration of life gathering in honor of Tom McGurk, a very special friend. I wrote about Tom and his untimely death last week, so I won't dwell on it, except to say, "We miss you buddy."

I had a year long obligation to attend the annual bloggers convention, known as "Blogfest." In fact I think it was me that gave it that name. The first two were held here in Bayview at the Captain's Wheel, now closed.

This one was held at the Fort Ground Tavern in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Each year the gathering grows larger. Some are newcomers, some have dropped out or can't show themselves publicly, (they say) then there are those that have been in the game from the start. Not all of us are still in touch, since some ultra-conservatives dropped out, rather than to do battle with the encroaching liberal radical movement. I personally regret that, since balance requires multiple points of view. Still, many of use greeted each other, some as friends, others as welcome newcomers.

The Fort Ground was as always a wonderful host, with discounted pricing, (Someone told them DFO was a cheapskate) and the party was perhaps in full swing. The hit of the party, though, was when a Coeur d'Alene police Sgt. (female) delivered a tray full of cupcakes for the occasion.

Some political subjects were discussed. Councilman Mike found out one of the participants who works for the county, is in charge of assigning addresses to vacant lots. At that news, Mike's eyes lit up with the realization that no longer would he be forced to register tombstones. Now all he has to do is corrupt one lady. That could be a daunting chore, though.

None of the county commissioners attended, perhaps a forerunner of the despairing outlook for the coming election cycle. It would seem that every year brings forth a more successful blogfest than the year preceding. May that always be the case. Sometimes when people get to swinging punches on line they fail to realize that the person they are swinging at is also a real person. These get togethers tend to humanize the process.