Today is Saturday, March 8, 2025. Well, I did have my group meeting today and there was no need to be nervous since only two people attended. Originally, I was expecting four, so two dropped out for whatever reason. Unfortunately, I had no one’s cell phone number in order to contact them if such an exigency developed. Thus I was on my own at Albert’s Bar on 41st Street.

To get to the designated rendezvous, I left the borough pretty early: around 1:15 or so. I took the E train to 53rd Street and Lexington Avenue and switched to the 6 local downtown train and got off at 42nd Street. I then walked down to 41st, but it was only a little past 1:30, so I ducked into a Le Pain Quotidien for coffee and a croissant. Even downing this repast, I was still early, so I began my search for the bar and found it very easily. It was right off Lexington Avenue. This time I walked to 3rd Avenue and slipped into a CVS where I picked up a bottle of water. I thought I packed everything that I needed for the meeting: notebooks, pens, markers, articles, name tags, etc., but I left bottled water at home.

Soon it was a quarter to 3; I determined it was time to walk to the site and enter and talk to someone about getting a quiet table or room. At that time, I had no idea how many members were really coming. I talked to a bearded chap who informed me that their separate room was already booked. So I just sat down at the circular bar and waited. I think that by 3, I recognized one attendee by his picture on the website. I was correct in assuming he was a member. Here “Stanley” walked through the revolving door and met me by the bar. I shook his hand and introduced myself. I actually put on a name tag before the appointed hour. I was still expecting three more people by then.

Stanley took a seat at the bar and we immediately conversed about the group. Within a half hour or so, we decided to take a booth since no one came through the door to attend the meeting. We were then given menus by the waitress and we told her we were still waiting for others. Checking my phone rather casually, I saw a text from “Paul” who came to my February meeting in Rego Park. He asked if we were still there, and I replied we sure were. He was just a block away and texted me that he was coming. Within a few minutes, I recognized him outside the restaurant, so I walked over to him by the entrance and took him back to the booth.

Thus began this very casual, informal meeting among three individuals. I told both gentlemen that I was going to start by reading the quote from a French senator who aptly captured the zeitgeist of our Dumpian age. I handed out the notebooks that I intended to give to the other attendees. I even distributed the article that I copied yesterday, with suggestions as to how to get more involved. However, the conversation was more casual befitting the number of people attending the meeting, which was fine with me. Eventually, we all ordered something off the menu; I ordered chicken pot pie and so did Stanley. I couldn’t really tell what Paul ordered. I did order coffee – what else?

By 5:15, we exhausted the trove of subjects to be discussed like linking up with other organizations, the things the Orange Blob was doing to wreak American democracy, what we expected to get out of the group, and we even discussed seeing comedy shows. I stated this is a great time to see any comedian because of what is going on right now in this country. Stanley provided some names of YouTube channels we might be interested in.

I discussed having another meeting, but this time in two weeks, on Saturday, March 29. I also asked that they provide feedback as to where we could meet if Albert’s Bar wasn’t deemed satisfactory by them. I must say I had a little trouble hearing both Stanley and Paul because of the large table of revelers in front of us making merry. So this location was definitely not a quiet nook in the restaurant.

That’s it, folks. I wish more people had attended, but Paul commented that what I was doing was all right. He didn’t criticize anything I was doing to get people into the organization. I considered this to be somewhat of a compliment, given his long history of activism. He said that this could take a little longer to get off the ground. I’m just wondering where the other 23 people were hiding. Well, as the old saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day!”

I’m dreading the beginning of DST, which is tomorrow. So don’t forget to move your cocks , er, clocks, ahead, folks.

See you tomorrow – maybe. On the first day of DST, I’m not happy that we have to set the alarm in order to see Elliot’s daughters tomorrow morning since they’re visiting their mother on the Island. Don’t get me wrong, I do love seeing them, but did it have to be the day we lose an hour of sleep and have to get into a car so early? We’re supposed to meet them at 11. Because of that commitment, I will try to get to sleep a little earlier tonight. No more hitting the hay at 2:30 or later. At least not when we move the clocks.

And so it went!