It took some time to work out all of the details (For instance I had to wait for Putin to lower his head before making a break for it), but finally I was able to work things out and bought my tickets and booked my hotel room just this afternoon.
I am sorry it took so long for me to post this but I was waiting for my daughter, the QUEEN of finding travel deals, to wake up and start working her magic. She did a great job, and I will be flying in on the 28th, staying in a four star hotel, and flying back on the 31st.
I am VERY excited at the prospect of meeting up with any of you that are planning to attend, and would love to arrange a time and place to get together if that is of interest to any of you.
I would also like to hook up (in the platonic sense of course) with anybody who knows the D.C. area well and would be willing to stand in as a tour guide for this "fish out of water."
I have never been to D.C. before so I have a lot to see, like the Smithsonian, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Library of Congress, some guy named Barry Obama, the Pentagon, the place where Glenn Beck cried like a baby during his rally, Arlington Cemetery, and of course retrace the footsteps of Robert Langdon in "The Lost Symbol." And I only have two and a half days.
Oh and I have to go to a rally. (Almost forgot.)
I am purchasing a laptop to bring with me so that I will be able to blog about my experiences and hopefully keep everybody updated on the rally and my experiences as they unfold. So even if you cannot attend I will try to give you a sense of what is taking place and hopefully you will not feel as if you missed out on too much of the fun.
Are you as excited as I am?
Looking forward to your play-by-play!
ReplyDeleteLOL I didn't see that coming! Stay a couple of extra days! Enjoy it! You deserve time off your parent's couch, Lazy Blogger!
ReplyDeleteTalk to AKM. There's a bunch of us from there who are meeting up. Most of us follow you, too, and if you'd like to join in, we'd be glad to have you.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited for you. I'll be going courtesy of Arianna at Huff Post. She is supplying buses for anyone who registers. I may not get to meet you but I'll see you in spirit.
ReplyDeleteNYCgirl
See you there Gryph!
ReplyDeleteAll you have to do is find out where the tour mobile is. Ask when you get to your hotel. When I was younger we paid to get on them and they came around every 15 minutes to all the sites around town. It is really nice and you don't get tired. Enjoy your time. All the sites are free.
ReplyDeleteWoo Hoo Gryph! You will love Washington DC and I hope you will get to go see all the sights. I Look forward to hearing your updates from the rally. Ohhhhh! I'm so excited for you. Will be making a donation to your site to help with expenses. I hope others will.
ReplyDeleteI knew this was going to be your announcement!
That is great news, Gryphen.
ReplyDeleteI will not be there (sadly), but happy travels to you!
YES! And jealous!
ReplyDeleteOn the mudflats forum is a list of flatters attending.
Not moi alas, but can't wait for the reports.
"are you as excited as I am?"
ReplyDeleteYES!!
I am envisioning this pilgrimage as the beginning of -either- the end of the fringes getting the last word (the press already is picking up- a bit- on the 'take it down a notch theme')- or the best concert that I have attended in years!
It is a win- win situation. IMO
I am glad you are taking the plunge!
Can't help with the tour guiding- only have been there once before. But I will say you MUST go to Ben's Chili Bowl for a meal. Cheap great food- and it is the FIRST place Obama visited when he got elected. North side of town, been there for YEARS~~The vanilla shake brought me to my knees :-)EVERYBODY can direct you to where it is located.
Barbara
I'm so excited for you!!! But still... Also, too, I am pea green with envy.
ReplyDeletePea.
Green.
Enjoy to the max. I will be hanging on your every typed word!
Good for you, what an exciting trip! In regard to Restoring Sanity, I would love for you to start a blog about revealing the "Plans" of the Right and exposing them as platforms for big money special interest groups:
ReplyDelete1) Keep the Bush tax cuts (the wealthy benefit) will cost $4 trillion in debt and only helps those making OVER $250,000. They claim it will help small businesses, but only 2% of small businesses make this much and once businesses get more profitable they ship jobs overseas, use tax loopholes and offshore banking accounts, so it's a wasteful benefit that only helps the rich get richer.
2) Privatize Social Security (big insurance & Wall Street benefit) There is no reason to "play" with older adults' lifeline of income, it's a risk they should not have to take. Social Security is a low overhead, streamlined, cost effective program and by privatizing it, people will have to
pay "investment fees" and try to trust Joe Blow to "invest" their money into some sham funds, and the scams would be rampant and
3) Privatize Medicare & Repeal Healthcare Reform (big ins groups, big healthcare groups & big pharma benefit) CEO of Wellpoint made $10 million in 2009, while patient's premiums rose 40%! Healthcare reform has mandated cost controls on premiums, passed law that Medicare pts can now get standard vaccinations covered, like pneumonia and flu shots and is beneficial to all receipients. There are now many rules and regulations designed to prevent Medicare abuse and fraud and the corrupt corporations are fighting against it so they can make greater profits with less oversight.
4) Deny Global Warming/Climate Change (big oil corps benefit) If they can create doubt about a link between harmful emissions from gas-fueled vehicles, they can keep us all "addicted" to oil. Just look how long the Tobacco industry denied the correlation between smoking & cancer!
I really want everyone to ask themselves are these plans the best for most Americans or are they being scammed by the very wealthy who can control the talking points to beneift them?
Remember when the banks were bailed out from going bankrupt and then they still took huge bonuses and went on lavish trips? Let that be a reminder of how the future will be if we let these evil, greedy bastards get their way!
YEY! I'm glad you're coming to the rally. Please post details of where you're meeting other IM peeps - I'd love to hook up (platonically, of course! hah) with you all. :)
ReplyDeleteGryphen, I'll email you.
Excellent! Here's hoping the nation's sanity gets restored. I'll be there in spirit.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the National Cathedral.
ReplyDeleteThere's a stained glass window with a piece of the moonrock in it. And genuine fake catecombs.
I'm looking forward to the live blog but I am waiting for the big announcement that you promised for today.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping you would announce you were going! Put in a good word for the non-crazies here in NM.
ReplyDeleteGryphen, I'm very happy and excited for you. Just to go to DC at any time is terrific but to be there during the 10/30 rally is way beyond wonderful.
ReplyDeleteJefferson Memorial, National Gallery, Lincoln Center, ...
ReplyDeletebut, I know, you really be smoozing out at Camp David.
YEE HA!!! I wanna go, I wanna go too!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to DC! Definitely visit Ben's Chilli Bowl, its right opposite the metro..try the right around tour buses, you can get off and on when you feel like
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Gryphen! I am 90% sure that I will be there, too. Hope there will be a meet-up!
ReplyDeleteSuggestion -- Breakfast/brunch at Kramerbooks and Aftewords Cafe in Dupont Circle is a must-do...don't miss it.
Gryphen,
ReplyDeleteLong time reader, first time commenter. I used to live in DC and would love to give you some tips. Can I email you?
That is SO awesome Gryphen! I would love to go myself so I am very happy for you. Can't wait to see pictures and hear all the details. Have fun and be safe! -Mem
ReplyDeleteaka...Rocky in Texas said...
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to bring your camera!
And some Palin-Bot repellent!
Other than that...
Have fun!!
Do visit the Holocaust Museum. Go to Georgetown.
ReplyDeleteMudflatters are planning to meet up after the rally, and that might be a way to meet like-minded bloggers that follow both of your sites on the 'tubes. I'll be there.
I'm going too! I'll look for you and try to get some great photos for your site! It is going to be an amazing experience!
ReplyDeleteCurrently talking the hubs into driving down to DC, so we may go, also (too)--keep us posted!
ReplyDelete"Are you as excited as I am?"
ReplyDeleteYes, I am! It will also be my first trip to DC and I cannot wait!!
Is Saturday meet-up day?
Gret news! DC is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI am going too and would love to meet up with folks!
The monuments are so impressive and nice, but to get a realistic sense of D.C. go a few blocks farther.
ReplyDeleteOnce you're outside the beltway, make sure you are on the right side of the razorwire.
There's so much great stuff to see--National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian, National Museum of the American Indian--that's just the stuff on the mall, so you'll still be near enough to remember the rally.
ReplyDeleteWish I could be there, happy to know so many are going. Give Jon Steward AND Stephen Colbert my best.
I am so looking forward to your posts from DC! I hope you found a good hotel — DC is a lot of fun! Make sure you do the Smithsonian (free!) and great food at a great price!
ReplyDeleteOT- anyone watch DWTS? Bristol looked so pissed at the close of the show. If the judges are smart they will shut down their email accounts and buy a bullet proof vest.
ReplyDeleteGryph -- I am also-too, sending a little something to help with your expenses for this great trip, or 'what-not'!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time. Hope you get to meet up with all of your readers who will be there, and others, while you are there. Sounds like there will be LOTS of Mud-Pups. Sounds so fun -- wish I were going.
I, like the rest of us, will be anxiously awaiting your posts from DC. :o)
Have fun, take care, and be safe.
Hugs, BJF
Make sure to visit the Holocaust museum if you can.
ReplyDeleteIt's unbelievable and might explain some things you don't understand.
Have a great time and give us a good report.
Oh wish I could go too!!!! So happy to know that you will be there, don't forget your camera as well as your laptop!!!
ReplyDeleteSooooo Coooollll
Hopefully it's a success, unlike the one this past Saturday. Bust!!!
ReplyDeleteOther note: Molly, McKinley and Juanita are in the audience on DWTS tonight. Theyre on camera during Bristol's part.
Soooooooooooo happy for you Grypen!! Will love reading your updates from there and wishing you a fantastic time.
ReplyDeleteYou brightened my evening with this good news....thanks.
Just donated and encourage the rest of you to do the same. I couldn't spare much, but I did donate. Gryph! Hope it helps.....
ReplyDeleteGryph....please stop the moderation and make your blog live. Why not? I just made a donation and asked everyone else to help. Now we have to wait half an hour for that to show up. Why won't you go live?
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited that I'm donating a little something to your trip! Check your PayPal.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if you can change your tickets, you really need to stay more than the two short days -- there is WAYYYY too much to see in that short of a time.
You'll have a blast!
Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteWashington D C is such a wonderful place to visit. There will be so much for you to see with not enough time to take it all in. Trust me, you are going to want to return and spend more time there.
Yes, I am excited ... maybe as excited as you are. I wish I could be there with you. Maybe David Letterman's Mom could accompany you. This is the best thing ever. And like your daughter, mine too is the Queen of travel plans so let yours know if she needs backup. God speed. Namaste. Will so be looking forward to the reporting in.
ReplyDeleteYipee.
ReplyDeleteI going Washington DC also.Hope I can spend a little time with you all.
That was an incredibly lousy Fox Trot. When will she be voted off.
ReplyDeleteHave a great time in DC. Hope to see you there.
This will be my first big rally, I usually avoid them as traffic and everything else is such a mess
Please dump your crappy PC and buy a MacBook Pro.
ReplyDeleteAir and Space Museum--very very kewl.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely stand inside the Lincoln Memorial, and read the words.
Vietnam Memorial is very worthwhile; one cannot really grasp how many died until one starts reading all the names. Be forewarned that you will cry there.
Have a good and safe trip!
Wow! That is great news. Wishing you all the best as you travel and meet a gazillion wonderful libruls.
ReplyDeleteYou have a great sense of humor and I know that you're going to have a fabulous time.
Can't wait to read all about it!
Take us along in spirit, please...
I am so jealous... how long of a layover will you have in Seattle? enough for me to buy you lunch?
ReplyDeleteNamaste!
I am soooo jealous! Juggling the budget here, trying to figure out a way to go...not looking good.
ReplyDeleteI'll be there in spirit with the rest of you, if I can't get there! HUGSSSS!
I'm mostly jealous! And very exited for you. You're going to love DC!
ReplyDeleteI "Knew" this was going to be your announcement! D.C. is so Amazing. High Energy. Getting around is a little bit complicated. I attended a conference years ago. I recommend taking the tour (from your hotel), someone else mentioned, a small van type passenger bus, takes you to see all the buildings you mentioned. Maybe a 90 minute drive (I did it in the evening, very very pleasant!), then you can "see" the lay of the land. THEN, take the subway to the places you want to spend a lot of time at. Wear comfortable shoes. FUN. FUN. FUN.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I find, when I have a short amount of time, I can cover more ground on my own. Without a "companion" you end up talking to and meeting more people. Serendipitous things happen.
Gryphen, This trip will be a trip of a lifetime! There is so much to see and do. When we were there we went non-stop morning to night for 2 1/2 days. Arlington and the Vietnam Memorial are overwhelming. We took the river cruise to Mount Vernon and had lunch - takes up an afternoon, but interesting. Smithsonian - must see.. The Supreme Court, the capital... so much of our nations history right in front of you. Good luck, enjoy the rally and do try and see as much as you can. We will be watching for your updates... $ coming your way.
ReplyDeletedang you could stay with me. I am 30 miles south of DC
ReplyDeleteTake care, enjoy the sites, rally ho... Enjoy your trip, take lots of pictures and send updates every night - that means no partying til the wee hours of the morning. You have to take care of your Immoral family and let us enjoy your trip thru your eyes and words... And, we will worry if we don't hear from you... You really do have a lot of people who care about you and always wish you the best.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said
ReplyDeleteGryph....please stop the moderation and make your blog live. Why not? I just made a donation and asked everyone else to help. Now we have to wait half an hour for that to show up. Why won't you go live?
6:46 PM
It might have something to do with trolls that say horrible things and even make death threats. It's very valiant of Gryphen to protect his readers from that.
It's nice you made a donation but what's 30 minutes or so to not have to deal with nasty trolls?
Great news Gryphen. I'm so envious as I won't be able to be there. So I'll be looking forward to hearing all about it.
BTW there are lots of other bloggers going. How awesome would it be to have a meet up of bloggers from all over the US?
AWESOME , gryph
ReplyDeleteHave a great time and will look forward to hearing about your experiences....enjoy!
Gryph,
ReplyDeleteI am green with envy! If you can possibly stay longer you must! There is soooo much to see and do in DC. The Smithsonian Museums are a must do (and they're free). Pick a couple and then just do them :). Library of Congress is such an incredibly beautiful structure as well as the Supreme Court. Contact your rep and try to catch a tour of Congress. Getting a pass to see the White House is pretty tough but doesnt hurt to try through your rep. And I highly recommend a night tour of the monuments....thats the absolute best way to see them...it'll give you goose bumps!
For a longer trip...a boat ride down the Potomac to Mt. Vernon is a great day trip then have the peanut soup at the Mt. Vernon Inn...mmmmmm!
Hey...even just riding the Metro is fun!
That's terrific G. I am so glad you were able to get away and will be attending the rally.
ReplyDeleteGryphen: I am thrilled for you I know you are one of his greatest fans.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to meet him or maybe President Obama.
You can dream.
ENJOY
I am happy for you, please bring a camera and post lots of pictures.
ReplyDeleteWe're going to the rally and meeting up with some people from other blogs. Let me know if you're interested in joining us during the rally or after.
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled for you!!!! I've only been to DC once, in '05, and I loved it. Make sure you go to the Holocaust Museum, too. And the Wall. I will be sooooo looking forward to your live blogging and updates. Make sure and take lots of pictures of the rally, too.
ReplyDeleteAWESOME what a "surprise" hehehe glad all the plans came together so you can make it - we will be there too - guess I'll have to get some pants too since you're wearing some but I plan on keeping my Harry Potter PJs on underneath LOL
ReplyDeleteHope a bunch of us can meet up - that would be very cool
I can't wait to read your blogging from and about the rally!
ReplyDeleteExcellent surprise, Gryphen! Enjoy the rally.
And I am soooooo jealous!
I spent roughly a week literally running up and down the mall there.
ReplyDeleteSaw Clinton take off from a chopper, but if I went back and could only re-visit one place, it would be The Wall. Take some time. Let it sink in.
Are you assuming you are not on the "No Fly" list?
ReplyDeleteHey Gryph...I live here (well, not in DC proper, but in Northern Virginia), and will be going to the rally with my kids.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone wants to email me, please do virginiavoter4@gmail.com.
Re:Bens Chili Bowl is awesome, but there was a drive by shooting there mid-day last week after a funeral. I go to that area once a month to visit one of my retail accounts and always feel safe, but this certainly isn't Alaska.
Woo hoo!! I can't wait to go and then come home and read all about it!
ReplyDeleteMy sister and I will be there - it's her first time too. We should designate a place for everyone to meet up.
I second the advice about a tour bus - hop on/hop off - they're fabulous!
T
OK! I live right across the river in tony McLean. I can give you a special tour of Newt, Colin, & Antonin's houses. Be happy to show you around.
ReplyDeleteElle Leet
Gryphen- Absolutely thrilled for you! Please, please consider extending your stay for 2-3 days - you won't regret it. Everyone has suggested so many "don't miss" things to see, and everyone is correct. The Vietnam Memorial will be life-changing - bring a hankie. Enjoy the positive energy at the Rally! I'll be there with you in spirit, and we can't wait for your blogs! Godspeed.
ReplyDeleteCool!!
ReplyDeleteSee you thee.
Check our Persephone, goddess of the underworld, on top of the capital building!!
Be careful, Gryph! (whispering) There are black people in DC, and one of them's president.
ReplyDeleteThe holocaust museum is an absolute must. I've been to DC several times and that is always at the top of my list. They have lots of great exhibits that will send chills and make you think. Not sure if they still have the one about the Japanese internment camps that we had on our own US soil, but that one was very eye opening as well.
ReplyDeletebtw - there's a forum on the website: http://forums.thedailyshow.com/?page=ForumView&forum_id=248
ReplyDeleteT
Two places for info on satellite rallies worldwide:
ReplyDeletehttp://forums.thedailyshow.com/?page=ThreadView&thread_id=31094
and
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/pages/Rally-To-Restore-Sanity-Satellite-Rallies/155558444474323?ref=mf
Talk to your senator about getting tickets for a White House tour while there. Just make sure to leave your balloons and throwing stars at the hotel.
ReplyDeleteGryphen go to the FDR memorial! Its a statue of FDR and his little doggy Fala. FDR is an inspiration to the physically disabled and the best presiden this nation has ever had.
ReplyDeleteshould everyone co-ordinate with the folks at mudflats?
ReplyDeletewe should all meet up somewhere.
fawnskin
cool gryphen! I've been to dc tons of times, there are lots of cool things to see. if you've only got a short time don't bother with the pentagon, just go to all the things that are on/near the mall (you will be tired from all the walking even if you only hang out in that area). too bad you can't stay longer.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading about your trip! tell barry I said hi!
Don't let anyone scare you away from Ben's Chili Bowl. Great place. D.C. is phenomenal. Walk through Federal Triangle. You'll think you're in Paris. I'll be there with hubby in tow.
ReplyDeleteD.C. also has the Native American museum and the Museum of African American Art. Don't forget the National Gallery. Ignore Georgetown, but not Adams-Morgan or Dupont Circle. And it's easy to get around. Metro is great, just be prepared for stationary elevators.
ReplyDeleteOops. That should be "stationary escalators."
ReplyDeleteWhere on mudflats is the information about getting together???? I searched the blog but couldn't find anything. I would love to meet up with the folks from Alaska and readers of Alaskan blogs.
ReplyDeleteThe Viet Nam Wall is also a must-see, with hanky in hand.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are getting to go Gryphen - and all the others who plan to as well.
Hop on over to The Mudflats and get on the list if you want to, and read through the messages about meet times, places, etc. The more the merrier!
http://www.themudflats.net/forum/index.php/topic,10670.0.html
GG2C
I can help you with museums and metro stops as I work down there and have for the better part of 20 years.
ReplyDeleteI can tell you which museums to duck into if you need to hit a restroom and don't want to wait in line at a porta-john. But that depends on where they're holding the rally.
M. from MD
I don't know if you have a facebook acct., but you can reach me via this:
http://www.facebook.com/maria.aragon
You really sealed it for me I live in VA and was fighting with myself (will I go no it's to much trouble) now if you and others can travel from sooooo far I can surly take that 1 hour ride on the train, no-one should ever drive in DC during a special event. I'm so excited.
ReplyDelete