Reminder: Tomorrow is "TNG Day at the Beach"
In response to requests for more non-bar TNG events, we are throwing a "Day At The Beach" at P Street Beach. The "beach" is actually a strip of park that borders Rock Creek at P and 23rd, NW, just east of the P Street Bridge. The event will go on from 2 - 5 p.m. tomorrow, the 11th.
Bring anything you would bring for a trip to the park, whether that's your dog, a blanket or a big bag of chips. This is a social event as well, so we'll bring nametags to help you all meet each other. Look for either a tent or a tall pole to mark our location.
If it rains torrentially we will reschedule, but otherwise this is an all-weather event.
14 comments:
Are there any other outings in the works? I can't make it this weekend but I really liked the hiking and rock climbing ideas. Can you post another request for ideas for a future outing?
I kinda with "The New Gay" could get out of the comfort zone of the ghetto just a couple of times. Outdoors is great...but P Street Beach? Ugh. It's like a daytime bar.
Where do you suggest future events like this could be held Mark? Are you going despite the location?
The idea of a 'daytime bar' doesn't sound appealing to me in the least, but it's a park and today seems particulary pleasant so it can't be that bad...Right?
BTW, can my nametag say 'Anonymous'? XD
re: j anthony
"can my nametag say "anonymous"? LOL!! What does "XD" mean?
I did not go today. I just don't have any interest in P Street Beach.
I think it would be best to do a daytime, outdoors thing some distance away to get everyone out of their comfort zone, in a new environment and open to seeing and speaking to each other. From the comments above I see everyone is worried about looking good and acting cool. I am just so bored with all of that and was hoping a daytime, outdoors activity would negate that silly posturing we put up with all the time.
If we are "The New Gay" then lets stop using the same formula and hoping for new results b/c it ain't gonna happen.
addendum...
I'm sure some people went and I'm sure some people had a great time. I'm happy for them.
I just need a bigger world.
XD is an emote. It's like =D only with squinty eyes. ;)
Thanks to the folks at TNG for hosting the day in the park at P Street Beach. It was fun sitting and chatting with everyone, and getting to know some new people. Hope the next one is soon!
Daisy and I had a nice time meeting some of you talented and learned folks yesterday. It's a good thing she isn't as shy as I am. Thanks.
Mark-
re: 'XD', what Anon said, it's a way to express 'LOL'
re: Your other comments, I'm not trying to change your mind, be pugnacious, or anything of the sort but if I got this thing figured correctly, the event wasn't about an "interest in P Street Beach", but an interest in getting to know some possibly like minded folks from this blog.
I wish you had come. There certainly didn't seem to be much concern with acting cool and posing or whatever (I'm fairly uncool and neurotic so I would have noticed), it was a group of more or less random cats sitting on blankets, eating tasty cookies (thanks Greg!), getting to know each other in fits and starts.
The reputation of P Street Beach is certainly off-putting to some people but the idea of 'The New Gay' to an extent-for me-is to redefine those things that make 'gay' the usual stereotype. It's a beautiful public park not overrun with strollers. That's it.
I'm all for a "bigger world" as well but I think one has to work to find it sometimes. So, what do you suggest? Lincoln Park in Capitol Hill is pretty groovy...
re: j anthony
Sounds like you had a good time, that's cool. Who is Daisy?
When I read Zack's post for new event ideas (10/02/08, Belling The Cat: TNG Needs Event Planners) there were some terrific sounding ideas for getting out of the city and into some new environments. I'm not against doing things in town at all; we are fortunate to live in a green city full of beautiful parks.
For me, part of the fun of a daytime, outdoors activity is being someplace where the focus isn't all on us but on the terrain, wildlife and/or nature surrounding us. Sometimes a changed environment distracts us from ourselves just long enough to see and appreciate others. Getting out of our comfort zones allows us to see each other (and ourselves) a little more clearly. The idea of discovering new terrain (literally and socially) together sounded exciting.
Anyway, I thought the idea of doing something together someplace new was a great way to build community and learn about each other.
I like Lincoln Park but was thinking of stuff further afield like Great Falls Park or the C&O Canal Park along the Potomac way out in Maryland. I think the best solution is mix of events both in town and out.
Thanks for the recap. I did like reading your wrap-up.
j anthony - I enjoyed meeting you and Daisy yesterday. It was a very good afternoon all around, I think.
Mark, while I understand where you are coming from, those of us who are introverted need to minimize the challenges of meeting new people, not add to them. Also, suburbanites tend to forget that there some of us who do not drive, ever. The day yesterday was relaxed, and about meeting other people. May I humbly suggest that if you want a hike or something like it to meet new people, the group Adventuring goes on hikes nearly every weekend. I went on one, and it was nice - the mountains were beautiful - but to be honest, I experienced more typical gay DC talk (cough, cough, politics) high up in the Appalachians that day than I did at P Street Beach yesterday. Often things don't turn out the way we expect.
That being said, I'm all for taking long walks around DC provided they are Metro-accessible, which is something I brought up at the park yesterday. And when I want to get out of my comfort zone - at least beyond what I did yesterday, which wasn't the easiest thing for me - I'll go see a therapist or a priest.
Nice meeting you to Kyle (hope I got that right).
Mark- Daisy is my new dog; more precisely she's my 'new to me', 12yo, mostly deaf shelter dog with only 2 teeth--that loves to cuddle.
P Street Beach was a 'new environment' for me as I'd never been there, but I see where you are coming from. If you have time, perhaps you can take the lead on organizing something outside the city limits. As you know, TNG is looking for people to do just that.
I've heard terrific things about Great Falls and wouldn't mind checking it out. I can provide transportation for 3 other people, the only downside is they must listen to whatever the 8-track is bumpin...MGMT anyone? :)
re: j anthony
Daisy sounds like a good dog. Shelter dogs are my favorite. I'm glad you're giving her a good home.
I have a car and if we decide to do something not accessible by Metro I'd be glad to give people rides as well.
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