I was trying to remember how long it’d been since I [1] last threw an “alt-media” party. The semiannual Minnesota Organization of Bloggers parties were not just a regular feature of our annual calendar, but among the social highlights of my personal calendar during the MOB’s . We did them generally twice a year – but the last one was almost 11 years ago.

At their twice-a-year peak, we drew 120 people; bloggers, blog readers, NARN fans, even some leftybloggers and members of the MSM.

When the NARN celebrated it’s 10th anniversary in 2014, I joked about getting a tenth anniversary party together – but it never happened. Partly because the NARN had evolved from a big group show to 2-3 guys at any given time. Partly because the blogging community that had been such a vital dynamic achievement in the 2000s had been supplanted by social media, and by everyone’s real lives.

Anyway – the last party was 11 years ago.

Jack, Brad and I figured it was high time we fixed that. And Saturday night, at long last we did.

The NARN 20th anniversary party was last Saturday night. Jack, Brad and I, following the formula for responses I remembered from the MOB days, expected maybe 30 people. The total through the door was somewhere north of 60 – with 50 in the room at one point.

“The room” was at Exchange Food and Drink in New Brighton – a great venue with fantastic food and some honest pours. They also expected maybe 30 people (because that’s what I’d told them), so the one water covering the party room was scrambling like Fran Tarkenton (kids, ask your parents). But he pulled it off. I’ll try to be less modest next time – and. if you’re looking for a lovely place for a party, a date or lunch with your co-workers, I recommend 10/10.

Anyway – it was a fantastic time. And I realized how much I missed throwing these kinds of get-togethers. My life has been poorer for lack of them, and it’s not a mistake I’m going to make again. There will be another.

More later!

[1] and my various colleagues, of course – Brian and Chad and the guys way back when, Brad and Jack today.