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.
|
What's YOUR hobby?
For more than 15 years, mine was pool. After all, who could resist learning to play the game which turned a young Paul Newman into Fast Eddie Felson in "The Hustler"?
And then gave a young Tom Cruise something to do beside dancing in his white jockeys in "The Color of Money"?
I learned to play in a local tavern, using the banged up and lumpy cue sticks the taverns keep on hand, along with the white hand chalk and the tiny, square blue tip chalk cubes. You can tell if a pool hall cue stick is worth using by laying it down on the felt of the pool table and rolling it. If it bobbles up and down, it's bent and crooked and it won't shoot straight.
Eventually, after playing a few years, I bought my own cue stick, it was a solid maple stick and it cost the princely sum of $27.00, and I used it for nearly ten years. For the last couple of those years, that cue stick paid my rent and the rest of my bills. Seriously, I was a pool shark. I had a partner, because I found rather early on that a girl cannot drop into a pool hall and take up a money game and win more than once. Because you beat those men one time and they quit on you. But if I sharked along with my accomplice here's how it would go:
We would arrive separately, but play on tables in the same area of the tavern. After he (yes, my colleague in Shark was a boy) would entice a couple of guys to start playing for money, they'd usually start wanting to play doubles. My guy would look around and say, "What about her?" We would usually leave that night with at least an extra $50 apiece in our pockets, and once in a while we caught a whale and I made my rent plus some, before heading home. If I played on my own, I was lucky to take home $10 after paying for my beer or soda and the quarters for the pool table.
Then I started dating this guitar player who was cute and talented, but alas, a raging alcoholic. During one of his
rages, he snatched up my cue stick and broke it over his knee. Once he sobered up, he bought me a new cue stick, which I still have to this day. It's a beauty. Custom made by a local artisan, Ironwood and maple, hand lathed and finished with cotton thread ribbing around the handgrip area. It has a 6" brass breaker-bar in the inside, which is where the two pieces of the cue stick screw together. It allows me to use it for breaking the table and shooting. Some sticks just can't handle the force of the break, which was why I got that special brass fitting on it.
I eventually ran two teams, one a Women's League team on Monday nights and the other a River City Mixed Doubles Team. Both were 8-ball leagues. I also played the 9-ball tournament circuit for a couple of years, but it was (in the late 90s anyway) strictly a man's game. But I did come in 3rd place in a few of those tournaments and won the respect of a number of men who had been playing for decades by doing so.
I don't play anymore, but I found my cue stick in the closet a few weeks ago, and I think perhaps it's time to trundle down to the local pool hall and see if I've still got what it takes. Not to be a Shark, my eyes are too old now for that level of play, but just to see if I still get the same feeling. I used to love everything about the game...
The crack of the balls on the break. Seeing the angles of where the ball would travel as I strutted around the table deciding where to shoot next. The quiet which descends upon a tavern when a player of significant skill steps up and runs the table, not once, but all night. The determined tone of my opponent, not yet knowing that I might look like a girl, but I shoot like Fast Eddie, as he says, "Rack 'em".
So tell me, what's your hobby? Other than politics and Daily Kos, that is.
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
Uniting Kansas: Recap of Meetup, Hutchinson (Video)
by tmservo433 ♥ for Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
tmservo433 organized a successful event featuring 3 candidates and a AFL-CIO endorsement.
Despite 100+ degree temperature, and a normal size crowd (about 50/60) the event in Hutchinson quickly went viral, with a few thousand watching the streams online, thanks to agressive sharing, emailing and people encouraging others to spread the live stream of the video.
Please visit
tmservo433's diary for the videos of this event. You can still REC it. You can join
Kansas & Missouri Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to
tmservo433.
Connecting Kansas:
Democrats Unite in Emporia
by tmservo433 ♥ for Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
So our latest hero, tmservo433 provides a great re-cap to the event we promoted here for him.
At the time Paul Davis spoke, I had an in room headcount of 166, which is a heck of a turnout. Sam Brownback couldn't bring in 200 in the Kansas City Metro when Rick Santorum came to town.
Kossacks showed up. Several Kossacks were in the hall, as well as individuals who noticed I still had on my Netroots gear, and were happy to come and tell us how they are working for change in our communities.
tmservo433 is doing great work seeking out Kossacks and moving his state's progressive agenda forward.
Please visit tmservo433's diary for more photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Kansas & Missouri Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to tmservo433.
Los Angeles Kossacks June 28th Meetup Report
by susans ♥ for Los Angeles Kossacks
The Los Angeles Kossacks ranks have increased by 40% in the last few months. New members attended the latest recreational field trip to see the retired space shuttle Endeavour at the California Science Center in Exposition Park near downtown Los Angeles.
Back Row L-R: Vyan, Chiwere, susans, Otoelbc, mommyp00ka, Ducktape
Front Row L-R: Robin, 714day, Little Loner, Moody Loner, jakedog42 and grandaughter, SanFernandoValleyMom
Please visit susans's diary for details on the Space Shuttle. You can still REC it. You can join Los Angeles Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to susans.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast the date of your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Saturday, August 9th
Northern & Central Florida Kossacks Meet-up
with (D) DC Koller who is running for House Representative against Rich Nugent
TIME: 10:00 AM
LOCATION: Vetwife's Home
Kosmail Vetwife for address • Inverness
ORGANIZER: Send Vetwife a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Vetwife
2. Vet
3. Gordon20024
4. nancyjones
5.
|
Maybees: |
Latest diary: Fl Meetup update.. Short diary..lots of Info
Saturday, August 9th
LA Kossacks Meet-up with Meteor Blades and navajo
Regional Planning Session for Potential Southern California Groups
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Guild Restaurant
611 W. 7th St • Downtown Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send susans a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. susans
2. Shockwave
3. navajo
4. Meteor Blades
5. Knucklehead
6. SanFernandoValleyMom
7. Otoelbc
8. Chiwere
9. Vyan
10. 714day
11. Ducktape
12. Mugwump Blues
13. Just Saying
14. Just Saying's friend
15. Panorama City Chick
16. jakedog42
17. Santa Susanna Kid
18. La Gitane
19. Susan from 29
20. gmats
21. Dave in Northridge
22. KatSkahnne
|
Maybees:
Joe Bacon
Bruin Kid
Cany
|
Latest diary: Los Angeles Kossacks June 28th Meetup Report
Sunday, August 10th
Lawrence, Kansas Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Rudy's Pizza
704 Massachusetts St • Lawrence
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2.
3.
|
Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, August 16th
Nashville KosKats Meet-up
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Shipwreck Cove at the Elm Hill Marina
3361 Bell Road • Nashville
ORGANIZER: Send ZenTrainer a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. ZenTrainer
2. Jon Sitzman
3. Sow Hat
4. oh4thelove
|
Maybees:
Patrick is Lucky |
Latest diary: Nashville KosKats Meet-up. August 16th
Saturday, August 16th
DC Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: National Mall
at the Smithsonian Metro stop • Washington DC
ORGANIZER: Send NinthElegy a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. NinthElegy
2.
3.
|
Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, August 23rd
VA/DC/MD Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 12:30 - 4:40 PM
LOCATION: Union Station
Food Court • Washington, DC
ORGANIZER: Send JamieG from Md a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. JamieG from Md
2. mollyd
3. Diana in NoVa
4. NinthElegy
5. mimi
6. STI
7. VeenaS1
8. JanetT in MD
9. webgenie
10. Edward Adams
|
Maybees:
BDA in VA
dadadata
Uncle Cosmo
Tamar
stevenwag
Teacherken (small possibility)
TheOtherMaven
cobart
Elizabeth Amy Miller
|
Latest diary: Union Station MD/DC/VA Meetup, Aug 23rd
Sunday, August 24th
NYC Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington Street (Ludlow) • NYC
ORGANIZER: Send kathny a kosmail to RSVP
RSVPs:
1. kathny
2. belinda ridgewood
3. rubyr
4. joanbrooker
5. mconvente
6. ericlewis0
7. No Exit
8. sidnora
9. gchaucer2
|
Maybees:
BaritoneWoman
jfdunphy
David Nir
Lysis
|
Latest diary: NYC Meetup Sunday August 24 at Spitzer's
Saturday, September 6th
Sacramento Kossacks Meet-up
Potluck with BYOB
TIME: 4:00 - 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Kestrel's home
Address given privately to RSVPs • Sacramento
ORGANIZER: Send cooper888 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tgypsy
2. cooper888
3. gotmooned
4. Kestrel
5. shigeru
6. TrevizOlga
7. paradise50
|
Maybees:
navajo
Meteor Blades
|
Latest diary: Sacramento (area) Kossacks Meetup With Featured Guest!
Join the Sacramento Kossacks Google Group to receive invites for future events.
Saturday, September 6th
Kansas Missouri Kossacks Picnic - Local Candidate Speaks
Meet at the Hays city park to enjoy a free hamburger/hotdog/watermelon feed. Jim Sherow along with other local candidates will be speaking.
TIME: NOON
LOCATION: Municipal Park
1st and Main • Hays, Kansas
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2. Skohays
3.
|
Maybees: |
Latest diary: Major Kansas Events: Your Chance to Change a State
Saturday, September 13th
Pikes Peak Region Kossacks Inaugural Meet-up!
TIME: 6:30 PM
LOCATION: Panera Bread
7344 North Academy Boulevard (general address) or 7351 Atlas Walk Way (mall address) • Colorado Springs
ORGANIZER: Send thanatokephaloides a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. thanatokephaloides
2. tmservo433 (visiting from Kansas)
3.
|
Maybees: |
Latest diary: Our First Meeting: An Announcement
Sunday, October 19th
NYC Kossacks Meet-up with navajo
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington Street (Ludlow) • NYC
ORGANIZER: Send kathny a kosmail to RSVP
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2.
3.
|
Maybees: |
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.