NRA Convention/2A Blog Bash Wrap-Up

The 2009 NRA Convention and Second Amendment Blog Bash wrapped up yesterday. Everyone who attended undoubtedly has dozens if not hundreds of stories to tell; tales of meeting new people; close encounters with celebrities both in the gunnieverse and online; pictures of new and exciting hardware; and a thousand other really cool things that all make me green with envy that I wasn't able to attend...

First off, some links:

• Chris gives his thoughts on the new Ruger SR556 unveiled at the convention.
• Mike W. has the same kind of luck I do when going to a big event (we'll assume you'll be posting more later, right Mike?)
• Stingray and LabRat tease us with a placeholder (ahem) and tease others with shenanigans.
• Breda had trouble with TSA, loves the media room, meets Cam Edwards, finds a new sight for her Bersa, and falls in love... with a frizzen pan.
• Cowboy Blob gives his late report from the convention.
• N.U.G.U.N. dishes on Day One of the convention; an impromptu blogger meet; photos from the Grassroots Workshop; and the new Ruger SR556.
• Eseell has a quick update, then walks us through the convention day1 by day2a by day2b by day2c by day2d by day3 and ends with lessons learned.
• Danno meets Dick Heller, shoots airguns, and drops names.
• Kevin, that master wordsmith, has posted so much good material about the blog bash that you really just need to go to the main page and read, read, read.
• Alan has pictures of the Ruger SR556, historical firearms, slick AR furniture, an unholy abortion; and also had a Vicious Circle podcast.
• Sebastian also has a metric ton of info about the convention, so go read it all.
• Denise and Sam post about the convention crowd, seminars, the NRA banquet, and have lots of pictures.
• Traction Control has a LOT of really good pictures.
• TD gloats about being in Phoenix and meeting other bloggers.

Everyone, I am supremely jealous. I *WILL* be in Charlotte next year. With any kind of luck, I'll be renting a van and dragging a bunch of East Coast bloggers with me. But in any case, MArooned will be on the list next year. Count on it.

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I'd be lying if I said I was happy about missing the convention and 2A Blog Bash, that's for certain. What I haven't mentioned, though, is that I'd have been equally sad had I made it to the convention, for I would have missed the following events:

• Cub Scout Electronics Recycling Fundraiser - not only would I have missed it, but since I was 50% of the muscle for most of the day, it most likely would not have happened.
• Birthday party for one of my son's friends - this was the little girl that hosted TheBoy's first sleepover; her dad and I go way back, and he actually called me asking me to bring extra fishing poles for the fishing party. Once I got there, I got pressed into service baiting hooks and casting lines.
• My goddaughter's First Communion - mind you, her godmother missed it because of a vacation, so she wouldn't have had either godparent present had I been in Phoenix.

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I'm sad I missed the festivities, but I'm glad I was home for all the other good stuff in my life. I'll wait until next year, when I can plan accordingly...

That is all.