I can think of no better way to blog the Nicholas Gruen does Brisvegas grogblogging evening than to do so photographically. But, as you can probably see from the general air of conviviality in the photos, I think it’s fair to say that a very very pleasant evening was had by all! Our guest of honour has been captured for posterity in this snap, which displays the excellence of the paella he enjoyed.
Here’s the grogblog crew. Not a huge turnout, but perhaps that was partly the midweek thing and partly the lack of an ongoing Brissie grogblogging culture. But we could certainly do with more!
From left to right (not in ideological order!), that’s me, my mate Graham Young from On Line Opinion, Barry, Peter, Nick Gruen, and Susan Prior, Editor of OLO, and as she told us, former incumbent of what must be the best job in the world, manager of the malt scotch department at Harrods! Jennifer Marohasy took the photo.
Finally, what could be achieved if there were more of a meeting of the left and right minds over a drink or two? I’m a Fellow of the Centre for Policy Development and Dr Jennifer Marohasy is a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Public Affairs. But the best way to sort out ideological differences is over a very good pinot noir!
You can see the full photographic record of the evening (where else?) on Facebook. Quite seriously, it was an extremely pleasant night - good company, good food and good wine. And good debate! One of the very nicest things about the blogosphere is the way that it facilitates interaction among people who might not otherwise talk and meet and become friends. That’s something I think we can all toast.
Wow, talk about broad-spectrum bloggers. Pity Skepticlawyer couldn’t make it as well, or it would have been practically historic.
The fun never ends in Brisvegas! She’s here on the weekend for a final visit before heading to Oxford and we’re on the grogblogging merry-go-round on Saturday again!
Sounds like a fun night. Definitely more fun than my evening of flat hunting!
One of the very nicest things about the blogosphere is the way that it facilitates interaction among people who might not otherwise talk and meet and become friends. That’s something I think we can all toast.
Seconded. *gulp*
I made a special point of wandering around the malt scotch department at Harrods once. It was almost a religious experience.
The only thing missing is the phone number of the waitress, the one with the beautiful…er…eyes! God, if only I was a decade or two younger.
Bloggers meeting face to face seems rather bizarre. After all, at our keyboards we remain unseen, an invisible force, meaningful echoes coming from faraway. We have mystery, allure…
Yep, I’ll be there Saturday for (another) BrisGrogBlog. Mark will no doubt do a notification post when he’s conscious and verbal
Mark, what happened to your post on John Quiggin and Government as risk manager? I was looking forward to the discussion.
“One of the very nicest things about the blogosphere is the way that it facilitates interaction among people who might not otherwise talk and meet and become friends. That’s something I think we can all toast.
Seconded. *gulp*”
Absolutely one of the best part of blogging is meeting lovely people. And especially lovely people who are just like the lovely people they are on their blogs.
Mark certainly hates getting his photo taken.
Of course, the loveliest bloggers are in Melbourne.
Does this mean we should have a get-together too?
Yes BG - name the time and let David Tiley know and we’ll do it.
Pretty much any time is good for me (except for parts of school holidays, which are a fair way off yet)
skepticlawyer, you are heading to Oxford? You’ll be in my neck of the woods then (I’m in Bristol now). We should do a London based brisgrogblogging at some point…
Absolutely! In fact, I’m staying with my cousin in Edinburgh and going to great chunks of the Edinburgh Festival (she lives in Grassmarket). If you’re in Scotland at any point during August, leave me a message on Facebook and we’ll catch up.
Should have mentioned: my course at Oxford doesn’t start until September 17.
Wow, good luck with the move.
Hi Skeptic Lawyer
Best of luck with the study in the UK - at Oxford. Fantastic. Congrats!
I won’t be able to make drinks Saturday night as I will be in Byron Bay - at the writers festival. But have fun.
And Mark, drinks last night were fun. Thanks for organising it.
Cheers,
“We have mystery, allure…”
Errr, no I don’t think this is true. Nice try.
I’ve just re-ignited my blog (or rescued it from the pits of hell). It’s nice to have a break every two weeks or so or one get very unalluring. I’d be happy to help David T organise the event or at least publicise it.
Is Marohasy kissing you or trying to suck your blood
SL, do you have your snorkel and flippers ready for Oxford?
I’ve heard about the yucky weather… but to be fair I’ll be in Edinburgh for a month and a half before having to turn up in Oxford for my course, so with any sort of luck the floodwaters will have receded. In any case, ‘the other place’ (aka Fen Poly aka Cambridge) is the one that tends to suffer rather badly from wet feet.
Mind you, knowing my travelling luck, I’ll probably turn up in Edinburgh in the middle of a blizzard