Blogorado: The depression.

Okay, I'm not going to give a play by play of the weekend. Others more eloquent or just plain better at ranting have done that.

I want to say, simply even, thank you.

Thanks to FarmGirl, FarmDad, FarmMom, and Mamaw for hosting us, cooking for us, providing land for a range and things to shoot at, for by far the best chicken fried steak I've had, for putting up with us cantankerous, independently minded blog-type folks. I may have moaned about missing the riding to set up the range, but setting it up was a blast too. You all are the best.

Thanks to you, The Breda, for coming. You took time off from GunNuts:TNG and took the chance on meeting a slew of people you've never seen before, for stepping up and shooting everything we put in your hands, even when I gave you bad advice on shooting stances, but mostly for just being you. You may not admit it, or even understand it, but you're an incredible person and having the chance to meet you in person was truly an honor.

Christina, thanks for coming as well. I know you were worried about being "a total n00b" shooter and, I don't know, embarrassing yourself or something. What you missed is that, one, we all started as new shooters as some point, and two, we're the sort of group that loves coaching people. Give us a new shooter and we were falling all over ourselves to help you have fun and learn about all the different types of guns out there. I hope you had as much fun learning and shooting as we had teaching and demonstrating. And the massages were a great treat.

Alan, what can I say. Great knees. Seriously, it was great seeing you again. You've got one sweet long range AR set up and letting me shoot the M-11 even though I didn't bring any 9mm to speak of was a treat.

Stingray and LabRat, it was really neat to finally meet you both. I could gush about your blog and epic rants, but I wont. I do want to say the real people are so much better than the internet blog. And your beer is worth a loveblog all its own. And watching LabRat do an entire movie with KatyBeth was a highlight of the evening for me.

Speaking of, Ambulance Driver and KatyBeth. It was great seeing you again. And KatyBeth is such a little darling. I am ready to declare that she must accompany you on any blog meets we attend together. And we need to get together more often. Once every 8 months is just not right, dude. I hope the venison is good. That deer gave his all for your taste buds.

Sal, I'm sorry you had to leave early. I hope the kids are better. Next time, all I can say is next time. Don't forget to drop me an email with your contact details either. Don't make me go through FarmGirl to get them. Don't think I wont. And believe me, it won't be pretty if I have to.

Old_NFO. Thanks for swinging by and hauling my big butt and all my junk to the meet. And thanks for bringing some of the most awesome rifles I've ever had the privilege to handle, much less shoot. Next time, we're confiscating your wallet and we'll treat you.

Snarky, you are a hoot! Being a "n00b" shooter didn't stop you from being full of energy and fun. Do not forget to stay in touch. And next time, maybe the munchkin can come along.

Phlegmmy and LawDog. Oh. My. God. When you two showed up and were in the same area as Breda, my head went 'splody. No, srsly! You guys are awesome and just thinking of you two makes my grin go from ear to ear to meeting around the back side of my head.

Gay_Cynic, thanks for travelling from literally, the corner of the US to see us. Putting up with the hassle that is TSA to bring guns means a lot to me. Other people would have looked at that and decided it wasn't worth the trouble or the risk. You grinned and bared it just for the chance to meet us. That means a lot to me. It was an honor and a pleasure and whether you like it or not, I'm including you amongst my friends.

Matt and Johnny. When people say "A giant among men", I want you to know that it's not just your physical height that they're referring too. You are great people and those who don't get the opportunity to meet you are just that much the less for not having that chance.

Finally, to the town of FarmFam. For a little town that resides in a county that doesn't have a stoplight, you allowed us in, made us welcome and didn't bat an eyelash at a bunch of nutty outsiders OC'ing all over the place. That's the way it should be and I thank you for showing us how this country should be.

I wish the weekend could have gone on forever. And everyone I've talked to seems to be as sad about that as I am. I'm calling it post-blogorado depression. I'm afraid the only cure will be to meet again as soon as possible.