Forget Boston, come to Miami

[RagingInMiami]

Or at least Ft. Lauderdale for our south Florida meetup. It's much warmer here.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x2829945

[catzies]

1. How was the Calle Ocho Festival last weekend?

:)

[RagingInMiami]

2. Way too crowded

It was the first time I had been there in ten years and like Miami, it has gotten much more crowded. It was a very young and edgy crowd (I never thought I would use such a phrase).

Plus, I'm older and I was sober (unlike the times I would go to the festival back in the day) so it wasn't too enjoyable.

I was there with all my camera gear, which can be too inviting in a place that crowded. But here is a picture I took to give you an idea of what kind of crowd was there.

[catzies]

23. Ay dios mio. Cuidate.

Miami has always had more than its share of outlaws, miscreants, and generally all-around bad and dangerous people.

It's a damn shame, because it's so incredibly beautiful down there.

But then Carl Hiassen wouldn't have anything to write about. :D

[RagingInMiami]

26. Exactly

I love Hiaasen.
To be honest with you, it's not as crazy as it was back in the 80s. But Calle Ocho seemed to draw all the derelicts that are normally scattered throughout the county.

Ever hear of a south Florida writer named James W. Hall? He's my creative writing professor at FIU.

www.jameswhall.com

[catzies]

29. No, I haven't heard of him. But I Googled him; he's a mystery writer

Cool website.

His book of essays, "Hot Damn" looks like something I'd enjoy.

[bobthedrummer]

3. Isn't it humid there year round?

Similar to New Orleans?

[RagingInMiami]

7. New Orleans is much more humid, I discovered when I was there

last August because in Miami, you get a seabreeze. New Orleans and San Antonio and even NY during the summer are humid and stifling. The breeze in Miami makes all the difference.

[bobthedrummer]

14. I prefer the Windy City of Chicago. I like fresh water not oceans.

We do have The Great Lakes as well as the Upper Mississippi Region around here. I also like 4 seasons. But I might visit someday.

[RagingInMiami]

22. We got seasons too

Hurricane season, football season, tourist season

[KitchenWitch]

4. Can I just go to Fort Myers?

and see my Twins in Spring Training!

[RagingInMiami]

10. But you'll be missing our meetup

[KitchenWitch]

12. Oh

I could rent a car and get to Miami, to meetup with fellow DUers! (I really wish I were going to Florida - it is about 20 degrees right now and I could use the warmth).

[RagingInMiami]

24. Think warm thoughts

[tjwmason]

5. Not knowing either place

I'm guessing at this time of year a complete coldness wimp like myself would be better off in Miami.

But it still suffers the other problems of Boston - heck of a long way and still in the land of Bush (we only have the poodle-boy over here).

**Edit 'coz I'm a damn fool who can't spell, think and type all at once.

[RagingInMiami]

9. The four counties in South Florida were all blue during the last election

Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties.

[StopTheMorans]

6. i was just in tampa last week; should have made it to the other coast

btw, LOVED it down there, and the weather was incredible. it sucks being back in snow country :cry:

[RagingInMiami]

8. You should have come down to Miami

We would have partied. Did you hang out in Ybor City?

[StopTheMorans]

13. yep. have been there before, and went once last week (mostly stayed on

clearwater beach though). i'd love to hang in miami sometime. i saw your advice on j-school earlier; could you shoot me some general advice on it if I PMd you? i'm considering going next fall, but don't have any clue if it's for me or not.

[RagingInMiami]

19. Sure

PM me anytime

[StopTheMorans]

21. awesome, thanks Carlos

:7

[RevolutionaryActs]

11. I go where JJ and progmom go.

Sorry, but I'm their flunkey.

[Shananigans]

15. What about me?

Don't I mean anything to you anymore? I mean...I may not have kids and stuff. But I am still a tax paying citizen of these United States of America and I demand a little love! I deserve it! :(

[RevolutionaryActs]

16. Are you going to Boston?

:o

[Shananigans]

17. No. Does that make me a lesser person?

I don't even know where Boston is! ;)

[RevolutionaryActs]

20. LOL! Yes!

:P

[Shananigans]

25. SWEET!

Er...wait...You are so mean to me :(

[RevolutionaryActs]

27. Only because I love you.

:loveya:

[Shananigans]

28. You are one lucky young lady!

Cuz I'd whoop your buttox if I didn't love you back! :)

[RagingInMiami]

18. Bring them down here

You guys won't regret it.

[xmas74]

30. I have never been to Miami!

I've been all over and it's one of the few major US cities that I have never visited.

[Longgrain]

31. Man, I wish I could Raging...if only to meet the King of the

Photography Group...Money's not THAT tight, but airfare and hotel rooms, I'm not even sure I can afford a hotel in Boston right now...

Either way, I wish you and your fellow Floridians luck with your meet up...

:hi:

[RagingInMiami]

32. Well, I'm no king

But we'll be sure to take plenty of photos.

[Misunderestimator]

33. I'd love to come... and I would make the trip, except that...

I will be moving that weekend.

[RagingInMiami]

36. Well if you delayed your trip

It would be the perfect send off.

[Misunderestimator]

37. I would have if I'd known... but everything's set now...

and the money paid... It would have been a perfect send off though. I hope you all have a wonderful time.

[fluffernutter]

34. can i stay with you?

;)

[RagingInMiami]

35. Of course you can

mi casa, tu casa