Our fourth Los Angeles Kossacks meetup took place at Casey's Irish Pub in beautiful downtown Los Angeles yesterday afternoon. Ten of us ate, drank and talked politics and lots of other things, plus Dante Atkins made a very good case for why we should think very carefully about Eric Garcetti in the mayoral runoff. People came and went throughout the afternoon, mostly because traffic was its usual self and the people who drove, well . . .
So we'll start with our first configuration, probably around 2:45 PM:
Clockwise from the bottom right: Ducktape, Shockwave, me, susans, otoelbc (trust me, he's there), jared the bass player, jakedog42, and Joe Bacon.
More meetup pics, expertly taken by SanFernandoValleyMom (and naturally, we forgot to get a picture of our photographer), below the great orange divider doodle.
The same group, looking from the other end of the table: CSPAN Junkie's hand and phone, jared the bassplayer, jakedog42, Joe Bacon, ducktape, Shockwave, your diarist, susans, otoelbc.
ducktape and Shockwave having a good time.
The charming CSPAN Junkie, enjoying her first LA Kossacks meetup.
Your diarist, in the new orange shirt he bought in Vallejo two weeks ago, looking scruffy. I hope you can tell from the fact that you really can't see much that my beard really IS coming in white.
Finally, Dante Atkins arrived.
Dante Atkins and your diarist getting acquainted.
Shockwave, Dante Arkins, your diarist.
jakedog42, gay CA Democrat, and ducktape listening intently.
Our final group shot: Dante Atkins, your diarist, susans, otoelbc, CSPAN Junkie, jakedog, gay CA Democrat, ducktape, and the back of Shockwave's head.
A good time was had by all, and we're all looking forward to the next meetup in May. Now, since the weather is getting nice again (it was in the 80s yesterday, and I'm not apologizing to anyone in the cold-weather belt for that), it has been suggested that we meet someplace outside, or at least more outside than in a bar several steps down from the street. I have to confess that picking places for meetups is not my forte; for I'd say the last 30 years we were together I had given up making any suggestions to Jim about where we should go because it was easier that way. Hard habit to break, although I'm trying. The only limitation on place is that it has to be near a transit stop, preferably on the Red Line, although the Gold Line can take you to interesting places as well. We haven't picked a date yet either, but I'm thinking May 18. Suggestions in the comment section or by Kosmail.
And especially for you, navajo, here's some food pr0n:
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Guinness beef stew with Irish soda bread.
B.S.A. Burger: applewood-smoked bacon, Swiss cheese, avocado/
On the left, fish and chips, the small portion; on the right, the appetizer-size plate of fried calamari.
Another wonderful afternoon with friends, both old and new. Thank you all, and if you can make it to the next one you'll be welcomed.