A funny thing happened last week ~

[freebird1]

~ as I was driving to Boston to finally see some of my new DU friends for the first time I began thinking again about how very lucky I am. I actually have the time to get involved with other people who share some of the same views that I have ~ to make a positive difference in our world.

Last week while I was busily getting ready for my trip and talking about why I was traveling this time. The people in my home town became interested in the Democratic Underground and a few wrote down how to google search for us so they could join. They're all concerned about the problems around us and so we'll have some more New Yorkers joining DU soon.

So ... I've decided to change my user name for the third time since joining DU in December of 2004 as Freebird12004.

Let me introduce myself ~ :hi: I am Joan Alpern.

I've also decided to join the Progressive Democrats of America. I feel that my words will count for more if I'm not speaking as Freebird. So it looks like my Freebird user name is due for a vacation from the web.

[ffm172]

1. Looking forward to talk to you as Joan Alpern

:hug:

[In_The_Wind]

2. thank you my old friend

I'll be over in the other forums more than before ~ but I'll always visit my friends in the lounge.

I just didn't want to confuse other DUers by switching user names again. I thought this introduction might remove any doubt about "what if she's a :yuck: freeper?" ... freebirds combined post total 2318.

[ffm172]

3. I will check out your posts in the other forums

I am sure it will get interesting

[In_The_Wind]

7. I'm still learning

Of course - I'll still be lurking around (as I explained in a thread over the weekend about lurkers) but hanging out in the lounge gave me the practice I needed to jump in other places. :hug:

[ffm172]

8. except they are more scary than the Lounge

expect flame wars and freepers. I wish you good luck and if you need a break ... there is always the Lounge

[In_The_Wind]

12. I've never engaged in flame wars ~ YET ~ or dueled with freepers!

On a thread about what kind of flame warrior are you ~ no big surprise ~ I turned out to be an "Ent". I may need to rest a bit in the comfort of the lounge with my good friends as I groom my branched before the next battle.

I'll need to leave the lounge for a while today ~ I've still got the drive home from Boston ahead of me .... and I'm still sitting here in my :blush: birthday suit chatting with DUers.

[ffm172]

13. DU is addictive as you know

have a save trip home.
Didn't see the thread about "what kind of flame warrior are you". But I am sure I would turn out the same as you

We can chat later again. Latest tomorrow

[In_The_Wind]

15. I keep on tellin ya ~ Some addictions are good !

... and I'm home

[ffm172]

23. DU is definitely a great addiction

has no side affects except spending too much time in front of the computer.

[BlondieK143]

4. Welcome to DU Joan.

:D

[In_The_Wind]

9. Thanks BlondieK

Boston was fun! I'm so happy that we finally met.

****** BlondieK is a great person to share a room with ******

[BlondieK143]

10. Awww, thank you!

Me too! I had a great time hanging out with you! And I'm so glad you don't snore. :)

[In_The_Wind]

14. OK - thats the last one of our secrets that we'll share with the world !

:loveya: Kid ! Big :hug:

psssss .... hey world ...... BlondieK isn't a messy roommate ~ just sayin

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. Joan, have I told you lately that you are gorgeous?

I saw your picture in one of the threads. My only hope is that someday I'll get to meet you! :hi:

[ffm172]

6. get in line

I wanna meet her first :D

[Rhiannon12866]

21. Ever think of coming to a meet-up?

No hurry, since I know you already have plans for a trip, which I am anxious to hear about, but you might consider this, someday.:-)

[In_The_Wind]

11. I plan to make other east coast meet-ups.

I missed the keeper of my heart, Miss Frodo, way too much. So my traveling companion will be back in her favorite place - with me on some of my trips because I'll be out there doin what I like best ~ makin people think.

Will you also be bringing the rest of the Grumpys with you ? :hi:I'm looking forward to meeting you too MrsGrumpy.

... and ... No, you haven't told me lately that I'm gorgeous. Thank you :hug: I'll look for you - especially when the world outside the lounge steps on my toes too much - I'll :hide: with my good friends who do want me around :hug: until y'all kick me out or I'm feeling froggy enough to jump back into the fray again.

[sparky_in_ma]

16. Hi Joan

I'll try to remember the name change. You did tell me you were thinking about it. It was nice meeting you.:pals:

[In_The_Wind]

17. Thank you so much for remembering.

I enjoyed meeting you in Boston.

I'll be lurking in the other forums tomorrow or Thursday. I have a sneaking suspicion that there are going to be several loose ends to be taken care of tonight and tomorrow before I can focus my brain on serious matters.

If you forget that I was Freebird ~ I'll PM you a gentle reminder B-) like I'm Joani to my friends. :hi::hug: and Joan when I'm rolling up my sleeves and gettin down to business.

I guess while Freebird's vacation is just beginning Joan's is over.

[Wapsie B]

18. Welcome Joan.

With open arms, welcome to DU!

:hi::hi::hi::hi::hi::hi:



:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:

[In_The_Wind]

19. I'm happy to be a part of the Democratic Underground.

It's very nice to see an old friend again ~ :hi::hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

20. I found it!

And you can wait to change your sn until Skinner invokes another amnesty period, so you don't lose your post count. I was with you, getting out of the 700 Club, and that was one scary time, Pat Robertson breathing down both our necks! Yikes!
:scared:

And you also have to be careful. I feel safe here, since I have made so many like-minded friends here, but this board is heavily Freeped, by those who are attempting to disrupt or thwart us, so be very careful of how much you reveal, on the board. We are a threat to them and they like to mess with us, especially now.:-(

And I was thinking more about the July thing and wonder if we couldn't turn it into a meet-up? I know some local DUers, not that many, since we're deep in Freeper country, but a few. And I do have friends, and you're bringing yours. Good idea?:shrug:

[In_The_Wind]

22. I understand your concerns

However - I've already taken steps toward my tomorrow's - with no regard to my own post count.

It was fun meeting DUers who came to my rescue while I was in the 700 Club ~ I remember : Drifter, hfojvt, Rhiannon12866, ktowntennesseedem, xmas74, shesemsmom, ih8thegop, AFSCME girl, Glenda, achtung_circus, u4ic, BlondieK143, AngryAmish, GOPBasher.

As far as Freepers go :grr: well - I met some more wonderful like minded people at the Boston :woohoo: meet-up ~ I'm sure we can count on them for help when the :nuke:Freepers come ... ya know sorta like ghost busters "who ya gonna call" DU and maybe some folks at PDA{ I'm sure there must be more than DUers in that new group. BTW ~ have you thought about joining ~ I just did}. I believe my reasons for starting over this time aren't whimsical and that other DUers who have gotten to know and love me will kinda keep an eye on things to help me along this pathway. That is what friends are for ~ to laugh and have a good time with ~ to stand together when the laughter's gone ! I know I can count on the Democratic Underground in good times and in bad.

If you want to turn it into a meet-up ~ Go For It ! Let's make sure we don't conflict with any other DU meet-up dates. We'll need help from others at DU but we can get a gathering going for sure. It doesn't have to be in July but I would still rather plan for a warm month because it's easier for me. So July is a great place to start.

:think: an Albany area meet-up :wow: or have you thought of a better name or place? Woodstock rocks in the summer months ! It's a good location to let your hair down and party or talk bout the changes we need. After all "Woodstock" is all about peace on earth ~ it would be a great place to ban together to bring positive changes from a dream state into fruition. Woodstock isn't freeper land! Lake George is beautiful - but I wouldn't know where to begin to look for everything needed. Like DU friendly restaurants, bars, bed and breakfast places to stay.... and so on. You see I've already been thinking of places for my own community to meet - after all we can do more than one meet-up and there's so much to be done before the next election that I plan to go to many different gatherings of DU.

[Rhiannon12866]

34. I can see you are inspired, my friend! LOL!

I would love to go to one of the Boston meet-ups, since I used to spend time in that lovely city, but I have two dogs. I brought my little guy to the dealer with me when I brought my car in for service, just yesterday!:shrug:

And I remember all too well your journey through the 700 Club and can't imagine you would want to make that perilous journey, again! Somehow, I picture you slogging through the snow, with Pat Robertson hard on your heels! Yikes!
:scared:

And I am well aware that DUers are here for each other and have got your back! But it's not real DUers I'm worried about, but the Freeper disruptors that have descended on us, recently. These are scary times, here!
:scared:

I am also aware of this new message board. It's been pointed out to me, before, but I'm lucky to find the time to keep up with DU, these days!:-)

And I'm not proposing a marathon meet-up, like Boston, but just a casual get-together, like at the concert you mentioned, and the few DUers from around here (and they're not that many) could join us, if they could make it.:shrug:

Anyway, I applaud your enthusiasm, but just be careful out there, okay?!:pals:

[In_The_Wind]

35. just let me know when

I'm sure I can shift plans to meet you and your friends when you're ready. It doesn't matter how many or how few - every voice counts :hug: A casual get-together can feed the heart with the gentleness that everyone needs.

Yes, these are scary times. But I've never once backed down from what I believe in. The most challenging times were back when I worked as an investigator for CPS. Those were the difficult days. Compared to that ... dealing with freepers will be little more than a cake walk.

I'm very lucky to have so many good friends to watch my back. We have parts of our own chosen family spread all over - so I only need to call home for assistance most of the time.

[bettyellen]

24. Joan, it was great to meet you friday......

and to chat saturday.
keep up the volume. we need gals like you on our sode!
:hug:
b

[In_The_Wind]

25. It's taken me a long time to find my voice again

and there's no way to stop me now!

I'm going to bring Miss Frodo on one of my trips to Boston. I'd like for you to meet the keeper of my heart - a whispering - Blue and Gold Macaw.

I would seriously like to talk with you again perhaps in a quite little coffee shop. I have such a hard time understanding people where there is too much background noise. Fortunately I haven't agreed to anything bad because of my hearing loss :scared: yet!

Thanks for being so sweet :hug:

Joani

[bettyellen]

30. hey, you're Joan now!! Congrats! I'll be following your posts....

I know things were kind of lound and crazy, i don't feel like i got to finish a single conversation. but it was great to start so many. :shrug:
what are ya gonna do? keep it up, Joan, mother earth and her babies needs your voice and your inspiration.

[In_The_Wind]

31. You're wonderful bettyellen !

:hug: and the earth needs us all just as we need it !


War leaves such ugly scars on the planet and all of it's inhabitants. I'll be out and about getting local people more involved perhaps even joining DU and PDA. Who knows ? :think: Maybe you'll see a thread started by me asking "Who wants to have a meet-up in Woodstock ?"

:applause:

Kingston is just a little way down the road and it was the first capitol of New York State. There is a beer garden outside a local brewery where you can drink free :beer: samples from 4 to 7 Thursday thru Saturday.

I'd love to show you my hometown ~

:woohoo: :hippie: :party: :truckin: :woohoo:

[bettyellen]

32. i pass by that way on 17 many times from spring to winter.......

i will have to make a pit stop and grab a quieter beer with you sometime.
that would be great!
:toast:

[In_The_Wind]

33. I had no idea !

That's wonderful. Be sure to look for the Buffalo farm off to the right/east side of the Thruway at mile marker 96. They're very impressive wandering around the hillside.

:beer::toast:

[AFSCME girl]

26. Hi Joan!

I found the thread :hi: I'm so glad you guys had a great time in Boston!! :bounce: It's gotta be so cool meeting fellow DU'ers and hanging out together :D I WANNA GO ON THE NEXT TRIP!! :bounce:

Love,
AFSCME Girl

[In_The_Wind]

27. Hi AFSCME girl that sounds like a good idea.

We had a wonderful time! :hi:I'd really like to meet you too:hug:

Getting to know the really nice people that are connected to on-line personalities is always interesting

:loveya:

[progmom]

28. hey there friend!

Really nice to see you here.
:hug:
You rock.

[In_The_Wind]

29. This is great !

It's nice to see you too :hug: :loveya: I'm here and in the New York forum and GD ... but only very carefully when I leave the lounge. :hide:

Thanks for making my trip to Boston better ~ just because You were there !