A daily series, Connect! Unite! Act! seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups regularly socialize but also get out the vote, support candidates and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers-that-be. Visit us every morning at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time to see how you can get involved. The comment thread is fun and light-hearted, but we're serious about moving the progressive political agenda forward.
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What Are you Simply No Good At?
Everyone's got their skills. It's safe to say that everyone here has some facility in reading and writing or we wouldn't be hanging out on a blog together.
But what have you attempted that you realized you have absolutely no aptitude for? Did you give up and walk away, or persevere and achieve some small bit of competence? Do you think that anyone can learn anything if they put their mind to it, or do you think we're better off honing our natural interests or inherent skills?
In junior high the boys were required to take Shop (wood shop and metal shop) and the girls were required to take Home Economics (cooking and sewing). I figured I could learn either one of those elsewhere and wanted to take Wood Shop but was refused. In retrospect and after a lifetime of injuring myself with all manners of tools this was probably for the best. But I highly resented having to take sewing, which may have accounted for a certain level of stubborn resistance on my part.
Mom and my next older sisters were good at sewing, and there was always a sewing machine in our home. In those days it was far less expensive to buy a pattern and make your own dresses, and mimi2three had become adept at making her own stylish mini-dresses with her babysitting money, including a beautiful junior prom dress. But from the very beginning of the class it was obvious I had trouble conceptualizing spatial relationships.
Our first project was a simple drawstring tote-bag, just like the one in the linked tutorial and fashioned from a single piece of heavy blue cotton fabric. Easy, right? This was to accustom us to simple operation of the school's sewing machines, which from day one had it in for me. Threading the sewing machine was an intricate nightmare, my bobbins got hopelessly knotted and tangled, and the foot pedal had a way of galloping off with me before I was ready, sewing jaggedy lines instead of straight ones.
Worst of all (and I am truly embarrassed to admit this), I could not figure out the drawstring casing. Not once, not twice, but three times I sewed the mouth of that bag shut instead of sewing a loop all the way around it to thread the thick drawstring through. I did get highly accomplished with the seam-ripper, though. I worked on that drawstring bag long after everyone else had moved on to the next project.
The next project was of our own choice, and I found the simplest pattern I could, of an A-line skirt with patch pockets on the front. I expect you can see where this is going. Yes, in attaching the patch pockets to the front panel of the skirt I managed to sew the front of the skirt to the back of the skirt. I took the mangled fabric up to my teacher (it was a lovely apricot color and totally ruined) and remember clearly the look on my teacher's face as she turned it over and over.
"Oh Colleen," she said with infinite sadness. "Whatever are we going to do with you?" What she did with me was supervise my every move until that skirt was finished, and then set me to work on simpler tasks like hemming.
I never did get the hang of sewing and gradually realized this inability extended to all manners of arts and crafts, including ceramics, stained glass, and (sadly) basic woodworking. Did I accept my shortcomings, give up, and move on to things I was actually good at? Call it cowardice or taking the path of least resistance, but that's exactly what I did.
What are you horribly terribly simply no good at?
Latest Updates on Kossack Regional Meet-Up News Can Be Found Below the Orange Group Hug.
Let's Build Communities!
Our team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events.
We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in.
If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
List of All Existing Meatspace Groups
Where the Kogs Are: Index/Directory of the 130+ Localized Daily Kos Groups
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
Silicon Valley Kossacks Protest the KXL Pipeline
at President Obama's Personal Appearance in San Jose
by navajo ♥ for Silicon Valley Kossacks
Glen The Plumber alerted us about 350.org's notice that President Obama was speaking at a fundraiser in Silicon Valley on May 8th. 350.org rallied about 1500 people and the Silicon Valley Kossacks attended. Since it was so last minute only a few of us could attend but we brought our Daily Kos/Connect! Unite! Act! banner to remind President Obama that we helped elect him.
You can join the Silicon Valley Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Glen The Plumber.
SFKossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet for
LeftOfYou and Expat Okie
by navajo ♥ for SFKossacks
On May 13th, the SFKossacks welcomed LeftOfYou and Expat Okie visiting from Chicago. They're here on a cruise up the West Coast after LeftOfYou retired last week from the US Postal system. What a pleasure to meet them and enjoy some quintessential San Francisco cuisine — Chinese deem sum.
We had a wonderful gathering and fantastic food. The bonus for Daily Kos is that LeftOfYou offered to lead a new group for St. Louis, Missouri when he moves there soon. I took him up on that. What a great day! We wished them well as they headed up the coast to Vancouver.
L-R: (front) Lorikeet, dharmasyd, Expat Okie, LeftOfYou, Justice Putnam
(back) jpmassar, citisven, maggiejean, side pocket & navajo
You can join the SFKossacks by sending a Kosmail to navajo.
by Sara R ♥ for Koscadia
Ten, count 'em, ten Koscadians got together for political conversation and trendy food truck cuisine at a food truck pod in Portland. They've reported that everyone in attendance enjoyed it.
L-R: (1) markdd, llbear, PSNPDX (2) markdd (3) Ozsea1 (4) winglion
Please visit Sara R's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can join Koscadia by sending a Kosmail to Sara R.
by randallt ♥ for DKos Asheville
The Asheville Kossacks had another successful meet-up with excellent food supplied and prepared by Gordon20024. There's excellent food pr0n in the diary, btw. Steelergrrl brought tomato plants to give away. randallt handed out large Register to Vote signs along with information handouts on the new North Carolina voting law and a comprehensive guide to obtaining an ID for voting. Asheville Kossacks have been setting the example of GOTV for the rest of us. Kossack cultjake told an informative story on his new work on the precinct level of politics. randallt also made Asheville Kossack nametag lanyards for everyone. I'm impressed with all the ideas he's thought of to Connect, unite and activate his group.
See diary for identities
Please visit randallt's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can join DKos Asheville by sending a Kosmail to randallt.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Saturday, May 31st
LA Kossacks Meet-up with Guest Speaker:
Sandra Fluke, California Senate candidate for the CA-05 Senate district. CA-05 Senate and CA-33 US Congress overlap 50%.
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Casey's Irish Pub
613 S Grand Ave. • Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send susans a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Otoelbc
4. jakedog42
5. Joe Bacon
6. tmservo433
7. SanFernandoValleyMom
8. steeveoh
9. Just Saying
10. Just Saying's friend
11. GleninCA
12. Roman Smith
13. whenwego
14. whenwego's guest
15. Ravenstream
16. Lisa
17. Mr. Lisa
18. BruinKid
19. Ducktape
20. Zwenkau
21. Zwenkau
22. PanoramaCityChick
23. jhb90277
24. Karyn blumenfeld
25. Karyn blumenfeld's guest
26. gmats
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: LA Kossacks rock! Next - Saturday Sandra Fluke and Matt Miller (videos of last meeting)
Saturday, May 31st
Houston Area Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Fadi's Mediterranean Grill
4738 Beechnut Street • Houston
ORGANIZER: Send Chrislove a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Chrislove
2. Bree Davis
3. MarciaJ720
4. cosette
5. Mary
6. Alan
7.
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Maybees:
Mr. cosette
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Latest diary: Houston Area Kossacks: Meet-Up Scheduled for Saturday, May 31
Saturday, May 31st
Motor City Kossacks Traveling Road Show Meet-ups to Prepare as Hosts for NN14
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: The Avenue Café
2021 E. Michigan Ave. • Lansing
ORGANIZER: Send peregrine kate a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. peregrine kate
2. lehman scott
3.
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Maybees:
ProvokingMeaning
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Latest diary: Motor City Kossacks: Next Round of NN14 Prep--Sat 5/31 Lansing, Sun 6/1 in Oak Co.
Sunday, June 1st
Motor City Kossacks Traveling Road Show Meet-ups to Prepare as Hosts for NN14
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Pasquale's
31555 Woodward Ave (13½ Mile) • Royal Oak
ORGANIZER: Send peregrine kate a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. peregrine kate
2. Brainwrap
3. Chem Bob
4. Michele
5. Sharon B.
6. Gregsullmich
7. GwenM
8. Amy L. S.
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Maybees:
ProvokingMeaning
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Latest diary: Motor City Kossacks: Weekend Meet-UpS Reminder -- Location for Sun: Pasquale's in Royal Oak
Wednesday, June 4th
SFKossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet for Regina in a Sears Kit House!
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: TBD
Somewhere close to BART • San Francisco
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. Regina in a Sears Kit House
3. Regina in a Sears Kit House's DH
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, June 14th
Inaugural New Jersey Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Cranberry's Gourmet Cafe
10 Cedar Brook Drive, Cedar Brook Corporate Park • Cranbury
ORGANIZER: Send Avilyn a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Avilyn
2. belinda ridgewood
3. zitherhamster
4. avamontez
5. Christin
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Maybees:
Trosk
profewalt
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Latest diary: First New Jersey Kossacks Meetup!
Sunday, June 22nd
March for Democracy Arrival Rally
Call for a national Constitutional Convention for the sole purpose of proposing an amendment to end big money's corruption of our democracy. Dolores Heurta will be there to speak.
If you can't be there in person please sign this petition.
TIME: 11:00 AM
LOCATION: California State Capitol
1315 10th St • Sacramento
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
Latest diary: Something big is brewing in California
Tuesday, June 24th
NYC Kossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet for Dave in Northridge
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Donburiya
137 East 47th Street (Lex & 3rd) • New York
(Not wheelchair accessible, entrance is 2 steps down)
ORGANIZER: Send sidnora a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. sidnora
2. Dave in Northridge
3. Avilyn
4. plf515
5. followyourbliss
6. MBNYC
7. cohenzee
8. joanbrooker
9. waterstreet2013
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Maybees:
Laura Clawson
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Latest diary: NYC Meetup 6/24: Come Meet Dave in Northridge
Saturday, June 28th
DC Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: TBD
TBD • Washington, DC
ORGANIZER: Send NinthElegy a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. NinthElegy
2. mdmslle
3. webgenie
4. mimi
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
SPECIAL OFFER FROM NETROOTS NATION
FOR READERS OF CONNECT! UNITE! ACT!
You know you want to go but you're procrastinating, right? NN is offering a limited-time offer of $50 off the current registration of $325. Use the special promo code of Connect to get your registration for $275. This offer will be good until May 31st.
This July 17-20, the largest progressive conference of the year will take place in Detroit, MI: the ninth annual Netroots Nation conference. Each year, thousands of online activists, community organizers and progressive leaders come together for four days of panels, trainings, keynotes and fun networking opportunities.
Highlights include:
• A keynote featuring Sen. Elizabeth Warren (and more speakers to be announced soon)
• 80 panels and 40 hands-on training sessions
• A progressive film Screening Series
• A kickoff party sponsored by the Michigan Senate Democrats and the DLCC
• A closing night party sponsored by Alliance for American Manufacturing
• A special Tech Tools Shootout and reception sponsored by Google, New Media Ventures and Netroots Nation
• Annual events including our pub quiz, comedy show and candidate reception and much more!
Wednesday, July 16th
Annual Cheers & Jeers Dinner to Kick-Off NN14, Kossacks Only
TIME: 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Vicente's Cuban Cuisine
1250 Library St • Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to RSVP.
RSVPs:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. smileycreek
4. paradise50
5. side pocket
6. Mrs. side pocket
7. norm
8. maggiejean
9. Shockwave
10. a gilas girl
11. susans
12. Sara R
13. belinda ridgewood
14. sidnora
15. Mr. sidnora
16. thankgodforairamerica
17. brillig
18. mik
19. K1
20. loggersbrat
21. Dave in Northridge
22. 714day
23. NormAl1792
24. texasmom
25. texasdad
26. a gilas girl
27. peregrine kate
28. provokingmeaning
29. justiceputnam
30. tmservo433
31. Mark E Andersen
32. Son of Mark E Andersen
33. winkk
34. theRoaringGirl
35. shermanesq
36. Doggie269
37. shanikka
38. jakedog42
39. ramara
40. skohayes
41. DebtorsPrison
42. gmats
43. Adam Blomeke
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Daily Kos Staff:
1. Markos Moulitsas
2. Susan Gardner
3. Will Rockafellow
4. Meteor Blades
5. Joan McCarter
6. Faith Gardner
7. Laura Clawson
8. Chris Bowers
9. navajo
10. Jen Hayden
11. Elisa Batista
12. Denise Oliver-Velez
44. LuLu
45. Chicklette
46. PerfectStormer
47. 4Freedom
48. DemSign
49. vicki
50. Cedwyn
51. jotter
52. aha aha
53. Dennis Shreefer
54. ohmydem
55. Brainwrap
56. Mrs. Brainwrap
57. Eclectablog aka Chris Savage
58. Anne Savage
59. BlueBarnStormer
60. sandiegodem
61. Pam Miles
62. TexMex
63. linkage
64. 2thanks
65. bunnygirl60
66. binkaroni
67. zenbassoon
68. nomandates
69. thepegster
Maybees: N in Seattle, Turbonerd, winifred3
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Latest diary: Connect! Unite! Act! ATTN: DC, Tucson & Seattle Meet-up Info! +Q: Roll Call, Are You Attending NN14?
Friday, July 18th
Daily Kos Detroit VA Hospital Service Project
Sara R delivers 65 quilts, hand knit scarves and hats, books, 65 teddy bears, hand made greeting cards, and phone cards from the DK Quilt Guild, WAYWO, the Readers & Book Lovers, IGTNT and individual Kossacks to the nursing home at the Detroit VA Hospital. This is a wonderful project that many people can be involved with even if they don't attend the convention. If you care about veterans in a nursing home this is your project. Please volunteer to help.
DELIVERY TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Volunteer Office of the Detroit VA Hospital
4646 John R St. • Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send Sara R a Kosmail to participate in making the gifts and/or deliver them.
RSVPs to help deliver gifts:
1. Sara R
2. NormAl1792
3. Winifred
4. Ninepatch
5. linkage (videographer)
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: DK Quilt Guild: What Inspires You?
Plenary Session Tables during the rest of the Convention
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to have a seat reserved for you in the main ballroom of the convention center for the big events. These table will be there so we can all find each other as a group. The seating is not assigned. You can float from table to table. I'm only counting to see how many tables I need to reserve.
Cheers & Jeers Table:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. brillig
4. mik
5. K1
6. vicki
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Motor City Kossacks:
1. peregrine kate
2. provokingmeaning
3. 4Freedom
4. Brainwrap
5. Mrs. Brainwrap
6. Eclectablog aka Chris Savage
7. 2thanks
8. Sydneyluv
9.
10.
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SFKossacks Table:
1. navajo
2. Meteor Blades
3. smileycreek
4. paradise50
5. side pocket
6. Mrs. side pocket
7. Tim Delaney
8. maggiejean
9. Jeff in CA
10. Mrs. Jeff in CA
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SFKossacks Table II:
1. a gilas girl
2. justiceputnam
3. Dragon5616
4. DebtorsPrison
5. tmservo433
6. shanikka
7. aha aha
8. jotter
9. norm
10.
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Los Angeles Table:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Dave in Northridge
4. gmats
5. 714day
6. jakedog42
7.
8.
9.
10.
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New York Table:
1. sidnora
2. Mr. sidnora
3. belinda ridgewood
4. thankgodforairamerica
5. Denise Oliver-Velez
6. hayden
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Seattle & Portland Table:
1. Lefty Coaster
2. Sara R
3. loggersbrat
4. N in Seattle
5. Cedwyn
6. linkage
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Texas/Oklahoma/New Mexico Table:
1. texasmom
2. texasdad
3. TexMex
4. nomandates
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Maybees:
kjoftherock, angry marmot, boran2, Turbonerd, northerntier, northerntier's SO,
Sunday, July 27th
Phoenix Kossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet for navajo
Event will be potluck, so please sign up here with food, beverages or booze
TIME: 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Mother Mag's Rooftop Terrace
(address given privately to RSVPs) • Downtown Phoenix
ORGANIZER: Send Mother Mags a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Mother Mags
2. navajo
3. Azazello
4. Mrs. Azazello
5. arizonablue
6. Mr. arizonablue
7.
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Maybees:
rasbobbo
DaNang65
drnatrl
dewey of the desert
Mr. dewey of the desert
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Latest diary: Arizona meet-up: Summer potluck with Navajo!
navajo maintains the above event list. Kosmail her if you have any diaries
about your event or if you have changes or additions.
EVERYONE is welcome, tell us what you're working on,
share your show and tell, vent, whatever you want.
This is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.