A daily series, Connect! Unite! Act! seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups regularly socialize but also get out the vote, support candidates and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers-that-be. Visit us every morning at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time to see how you can get involved. The comment thread is fun and light-hearted, but we're serious about moving the progressive political agenda forward.
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What's the Best Advice You Ever Got-- Or Ignored?
I didn't get much parental direction growing up. I tended to learn what not to do by observation and osmosis. So on the occasion that someone did sit me down and give me their two cents worth, I tended to listen. Here's what I learned:
Dad: "Be Kind."
Never could find fault with that one. Too bad he didn't follow his own advice on this one.
and
"It's just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor man."
Was he advising me to be a gold-digger? Not to generalize from the particular, but the wealthy guys I dated (all one of them) turned out to be self-centered egotistical lying dicks. Dad, however, did marry a wealthy woman at the end of his years and he got to drive the new Cadillac he always wanted. So there's that.
I concluded early on that the worst possible situation in life was to be trapped and dependent on a man for money, which freed me up to look for other redeeming qualities. I'm pretty happy with how that turned out.
My brother Richard: "Pay yourself first."
When I got my first real paying job I did what any young southern Californian in the 70's did with newly disposable income. I got a good stereo with rocking speakers. I bought a '64 Volkswagon beetle for $200 and got it painted Basin Street Blue at Earl Scheib's for $29.95 and installed a removable cassette player under the driver's seat. That was when Richard stepped in. Richard had recently returned from traveling about in his hippie VW van, moving wherever he wanted to live and taking temporary jobs. He'd worked as a census taker in Fayetteville, Arkansas, as a bus driver in Tucson, as a Windjammer sailboat builder in Huntington Beach, and as bookstore clerk in Corvallis, Oregon. He knew how to live on very little money and how to always keep his options option.
So he took a look at my paycheck and showed me the payroll tax deductions. From now on, he explained, everyone is going to make a claim on whatever money you make. The government gets the first cut. Then you'll have to pay your rent and utilities and car insurance and gas and food. Then friends will hit you up for loans, and you'll want to buy clothes and eat out and go on trips and all the rest. No matter how much you make you're going to find a way to spend it all. So- always pay yourself first. 10% is a good amount to set aside. Whenever you get money from any source and after the government takes theirs, always sock some of it away before you pay your bills. Pay yourself first.
While I haven't always strictly followed that advice (sometimes unexpected bills nab you) I've tried to keep that mentality. Money goes into savings before it goes into luxuries. I have to count this as probably the best advice I ever got.
Friend of the Family: "You're a long time married and a short time single."
I got engaged at age 19. After 3 years of dating he asked and I said why not? Mom said I was too young, that I would outgrow him in a few years. I ignored this. A shrewd friend of Mom's asked to see my teeny tiny engagement ring. She told me she'd been married to the same man for over 30 years, smiled and said just this one sentence. "Remember: You're a long time married and a short time single." I would have been impervious to a lecture or disapproval, but this cheerful reminder caused me to feel a sick little misgiving every time I looked down at my ring after that. Shortly after I called it off. Very smart lady.
And my parting advice to all of you: "Never, under any circumstances, EVER eat at a restaurant with a giant plastic barnyard animal on the roof."
Trust me on this one.
How about you? Got any advice you took or wisely ignored?
Latest Updates on Kossack Regional Meet-Up News Can Be Found Below the Orange Group Hug.
Let's Build Communities!
Our team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events.
We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in.
If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
List of All Existing Meatspace Groups
Where the Kogs Are: Index/Directory of the 130+ Localized Daily Kos Groups
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
Silicon Valley Kossacks Protest the KXL Pipeline
at President Obama's Personal Appearance in San Jose
by navajo ♥ for Silicon Valley Kossacks
Glen The Plumber alerted us about 350.org's notice that President Obama was speaking at a fundraiser in Silicon Valley on May 8th. 350.org rallied about 1500 people and the Silicon Valley Kossacks attended. Since it was so last minute only a few of us could attend but we brought our Daily Kos/Connect! Unite! Act! banner to remind President Obama that we helped elect him.
You can join the Silicon Valley Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Glen The Plumber.
SFKossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet for
LeftOfYou and Expat Okie
by navajo ♥ for SFKossacks
On May 13th, the SFKossacks welcomed LeftOfYou and Expat Okie visiting from Chicago. They're here on a cruise up the West Coast after LeftOfYou retired last week from the US Postal system. What a pleasure to meet them and enjoy some quintessential San Francisco cuisine — Chinese deem sum.
We had a wonderful gathering and fantastic food. The bonus for Daily Kos is that LeftOfYou offered to lead a new group for St. Louis, Missouri when he moves there soon. I took him up on that. What a great day! We wished them well as they headed up the coast to Vancouver.
L-R: (front) Lorikeet, dharmasyd, Expat Okie, LeftOfYou, Justice Putnam
(back) jpmassar, citisven, maggiejean, side pocket & navajo
You can join the SFKossacks by sending a Kosmail to navajo.
by Sara R ♥ for Koscadia
Ten, count 'em, ten Koscadians got together for political conversation and trendy food truck cuisine at a food truck pod in Portland. They've reported that everyone in attendance enjoyed it.
L-R: (1) markdd, llbear, PSNPDX (2) markdd (3) Ozsea1 (4) winglion
Please visit Sara R's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can join Koscadia by sending a Kosmail to Sara R.
by randallt ♥ for DKos Asheville
The Asheville Kossacks had another successful meet-up with excellent food supplied and prepared by Gordon20024. There's excellent food pr0n in the diary, btw. Steelergrrl brought tomato plants to give away. randallt handed out large Register to Vote signs along with information handouts on the new North Carolina voting law and a comprehensive guide to obtaining an ID for voting. Asheville Kossacks have been setting the example of GOTV for the rest of us. Kossack cultjake told an informative story on his new work on the precinct level of politics. randallt also made Asheville Kossack nametag lanyards for everyone. I'm impressed with all the ideas he's thought of to Connect, unite and activate his group.
See diary for identities
Please visit randallt's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can join DKos Asheville by sending a Kosmail to randallt.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Saturday, May 24th
Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
ORGANIZER: Send John Crapper a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. John Crapper
2. bleeding blue
3. wise piper
4. flamingogirl
5. John Crapper's SO
6. Grey Fedora
7. TBoneApollo
8. N in Seattle
9. momomia
10. momomia's friend
11. Piren
12. Gemina13
13. cinnamon68
14. DOUGIEMAC IN WA
15. NXNW
16. Toymaker
17. LeftyCoaster
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Maybees:
Eagle Keeper
oakroyd
wackoliberal
Penny GC
SirVantes
Regina in a Sears Kit House
Mr. Regina
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Latest diary: Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks - Come Together!
Saturday, May 24th
LA Kossacks Meet-up with Guest Speakers:
Betsy Butler, California Senate candidate
Marianne Williamson, US Congress candidate
Alan Grayson, US Rep., Florida's 9th Dist.
TIME: 3:00 PM
LOCATION: Casey's Irish Pub
613 S Grand Ave. • Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send susans a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Otoelbc
4. Lisa
5. Mr. Lisa
6. Lisa's Guest
7. Dave in Northridge
8. jakedog42
9. SanFernandoValleyMom
10. Zwenkau
11. Ducktape
12. MikeMaloney
13. gmats
14. Roman Smith
15. Chiwere
16. jhb90277
17. hotheadCA
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Maybees:
norm
Brecht
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Latest diary: LA Kossacks welcome Alan Grayson this Saturday
Saturday, May 31st
LA Kossacks Meet-up with Guest Speakers:
Matt Miller, US Congress candidate for CA-33 and Sandra Fluke, California Senate candidate for the CA-05 Senate district. CA-05 Senate and CA-33 US Congress overlap 50%. Both candidates agreed to speak at the same meeting.
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Casey's Irish Pub
613 S Grand Ave. • Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send susans a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Otoelbc
4. jakedog42
5. Joe Bacon
6. tmservo433
7. SanFernandoValleyMom
8. steeveoh
9. Just Saying
10. Just Saying's friend
11. GleninCA
12. Roman Smith
13. whenwego
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Maybees:
Chiwere
Lisa
Ducktape
gmats
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Latest diary: LA Kossacks welcome Alan Grayson this Saturday
Saturday, May 31st
Houston Area Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Fadi's Mediterranean Grill
4738 Beechnut Street • Houston
ORGANIZER: Send Chrislove a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Chrislove
2. Bree Davis
3. MarciaJ720
4. cosette
5. Mary
6. Alan
7.
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Maybees:
Mr. cosette
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Latest diary: Houston Area Kossacks: Meet-Up Scheduled for Saturday, May 31
Saturday, May 31st
Motor City Kossacks Traveling Road Show Meet-ups to Prepare as Hosts for NN14
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: The Avenue Café
2021 E. Michigan Ave. • Lansing
ORGANIZER: Send peregrine kate a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. peregrine kate
2. lehman scott
3.
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Maybees:
ProvokingMeaning
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Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Sunday, June 1st
Motor City Kossacks Traveling Road Show Meet-ups to Prepare as Hosts for NN14
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: TBD
TBD • Oakland County
ORGANIZER: Send peregrine kate a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. peregrine kate
2. Brainwrap
3. Chem Bob
4. Michele
5. Sharon B.
6. Gregsullmich
7. GwenM
8. Amy L. S.
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Maybees:
ProvokingMeaning
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Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, June 14th
Inaugural New Jersey Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Cranberry's Gourmet Cafe
10 Cedar Brook Drive, Cedar Brook Corporate Park • Cranbury
ORGANIZER: Send Avilyn a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Avilyn
2. belinda ridgewood
3. zitherhamster
4. avamontez
3. Christin
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Maybees:
Trosk
profewalt
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Latest diary: First New Jersey Kossacks Meetup!
Sunday, June 22nd
March for Democracy Arrival Rally
Call for a national Constitutional Convention for the sole purpose of proposing an amendment to end big money's corruption of our democracy. Dolores Heurta will be there to speak.
If you can't be there in person please sign this petition.
TIME: 11:00 AM
LOCATION: California State Capitol
1315 10th St • Sacramento
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Shockwave
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Something big is brewing in California
Tuesday, June 24th
NYC Kossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet for Dave in Northridge
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Donburiya
137 East 47th Street (Lex & 3rd) • New York
(Not wheelchair accessible, entrance is 2 steps down)
ORGANIZER: Send sidnora a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. sidnora
2. Dave in Northridge
3. Avilyn
4. plf515
5. followyourbliss
6. MBNYC
7. cohenzee
8. joanbrooker
9. waterstreet2013
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Maybees:
Laura Clawson
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Latest diary: NYC Meetup 6/24: Come Meet Dave in Northridge
Saturday, June 28th
DC Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: TBD
TBD • Washington, DC
ORGANIZER: Send NinthElegy a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. NinthElegy
2. mdmslle
3. webgenie
4. mimi
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
SPECIAL OFFER FROM NETROOTS NATION
FOR READERS OF CONNECT! UNITE! ACT!
You know you want to go but you're procrastinating, right? NN is offering a limited-time offer of $50 off the current registration of $325. Use the special promo code of Connect to get your registration for $275. This offer will be good until May 31st.
This July 17-20, the largest progressive conference of the year will take place in Detroit, MI: the ninth annual Netroots Nation conference. Each year, thousands of online activists, community organizers and progressive leaders come together for four days of panels, trainings, keynotes and fun networking opportunities.
Highlights include:
• A keynote featuring Sen. Elizabeth Warren (and more speakers to be announced soon)
• 80 panels and 40 hands-on training sessions
• A progressive film Screening Series
• A kickoff party sponsored by the Michigan Senate Democrats and the DLCC
• A closing night party sponsored by Alliance for American Manufacturing
• A special Tech Tools Shootout and reception sponsored by Google, New Media Ventures and Netroots Nation
• Annual events including our pub quiz, comedy show and candidate reception and much more!
Wednesday, July 16th
Annual Cheers & Jeers Dinner to Kick-Off NN14, Kossacks Only
TIME: 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Vicente's Cuban Cuisine
1250 Library St • Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to RSVP.
RSVPs:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. smileycreek
4. paradise50
5. side pocket
6. Mrs. side pocket
7. norm
8. maggiejean
9. Shockwave
10. a gilas girl
11. susans
12. Sara R
13. belinda ridgewood
14. sidnora
15. Mr. sidnora
16. thankgodforairamerica
17. brillig
18. mik
19. K1
20. loggersbrat
21. Dave in Northridge
22. 714day
23. NormAl1792
24. texasmom
25. texasdad
26. a gilas girl
27. peregrine kate
28. provokingmeaning
29. justiceputnam
30. tmservo433
31. Mark E Andersen
32. Son of Mark E Andersen
33. winkk
34. theRoaringGirl
35. shermanesq
36. Doggie269
37. shanikka
38. jakedog42
39. ramara
40. skohayes
41. DebtorsPrison
42. gmats
43. Adam Blomeke
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Daily Kos Staff:
1. Markos Moulitsas
2. Susan Gardner
3. Will Rockafellow
4. Meteor Blades
5. Joan McCarter
6. Faith Gardner
7. Laura Clawson
8. Chris Bowers
9. navajo
10. Jen Hayden
11. Elisa Batista
12.
44. LuLu
45. Chicklette
46. PerfectStormer
47. 4Freedom
48. DemSign
49. vicki
50. Cedwyn
51. jotter
52. aha aha
53. Dennis Shreefer
54. ohmydem
55. Brainwrap
56. Mrs. Brainwrap
57. Eclectablog aka Chris Savage
58. Anne Savage
59. BlueBarnStormer
60. sandiegodem
61. Pam Miles
62. TexMex
63. linkage
64. 2thanks
65. bunnygirl60
66. binkaroni
67. zenbassoon
Maybees: N in Seattle, Turbonerd, winifred3, thepegster
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Latest diary: Connect! Unite! Act! ATTN: DC, Tucson & Seattle Meet-up Info! +Q: Roll Call, Are You Attending NN14?
Friday, July 18th
Daily Kos Detroit VA Hospital Service Project
Sara R delivers 65 quilts, hand knit scarves and hats, books, 65 teddy bears, hand made greeting cards, and phone cards from the DK Quilt Guild, WAYWO, the Readers & Book Lovers, IGTNT and individual Kossacks to the nursing home at the Detroit VA Hospital. This is a wonderful project that many people can be involved with even if they don't attend the convention. If you care about veterans in a nursing home this is your project. Please volunteer to help.
DELIVERY TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Volunteer Office of the Detroit VA Hospital
4646 John R St. • Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send Sara R a Kosmail to participate in making the gifts and/or deliver them.
RSVPs to help deliver gifts:
1. Sara R
2. NormAl1792
3. Winifred
4. Ninepatch
5. linkage (videographer)
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: DK Quilt Guild: What Inspires You?
Plenary Session Tables during the rest of the Convention
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to have a seat reserved for you in the main ballroom of the convention center for the big events. These table will be there so we can all find each other as a group. The seating is not assigned. You can float from table to table. I'm only counting to see how many tables I need to reserve.
Cheers & Jeers Table:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. brillig
4. mik
5. K1
6. vicki
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Motor City Kossacks:
1. peregrine kate
2. provokingmeaning
3. 4Freedom
4. Brainwrap
5. Mrs. Brainwrap
6. Eclectablog aka Chris Savage
7. 2thanks
8. Sydneyluv
9.
10.
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SFKossacks Table:
1. navajo
2. Meteor Blades
3. smileycreek
4. paradise50
5. side pocket
6. Mrs. side pocket
7. Tim Delaney
8. maggiejean
9. Jeff in CA
10. Mrs. Jeff in CA
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SFKossacks Table II:
1. a gilas girl
2. justiceputnam
3. Dragon5616
4. DebtorsPrison
5. tmservo433
6. shanikka
7. aha aha
8. jotter
9. norm
10.
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Los Angeles Table:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Dave in Northridge
4. gmats
5. 714day
6. jakedog42
7.
8.
9.
10.
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New York Table:
1. sidnora
2. Mr. sidnora
3. belinda ridgewood
4. thankgodforairamerica
5. Dee Oliver-Velez
6. hayden
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Seattle & Portland Table:
1. Lefty Coaster
2. Sara R
3. loggersbrat
4. N in Seattle
5. Cedwyn
6. linkage
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Texas/Oklahoma/New Mexico Table:
1. texasmom
2. texasdad
3. TexMex
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Maybees:
kjoftherock, angry marmot, boran2, Turbonerd, northerntier, northerntier's SO,
Sunday, July 27th
Phoenix Kossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet for navajo
Event will be potluck, so please sign up here with food, beverages or booze
TIME: 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Mother Mag's Rooftop Terrace
(address given privately to RSVPs) • Downtown Phoenix
ORGANIZER: Send Mother Mags a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Mother Mags
2. navajo
3. Azazello
4. Mrs. Azazello
5.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
navajo maintains the above event list. Kosmail her if you have any diaries
about your event or if you have changes or additions.
EVERYONE is welcome, tell us what you're working on,
share your show and tell, vent, whatever you want.
This is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.