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So I go to this event every two weeks (as every other week it switches to The Redford Grill) where we get together and talk sci-fi. This week it's at the Ram's Horn on Dequendre road just South of 13 Mile. The name stands for Michigan Oakland Wayne Fandom Organization and started out as a convention planning meeting. Much less of that these days and it's just a bunch of old nerds talking sci-fi (when we remember to.) I figure some here may be interested so I thought I'd mention it. Usually goes until at least 9:00 but we've stayed there until Midnight some nights. Hope to see some friends there.

Try to focus on yourself for a little bit. You aren't letting people down. You're just sick. People understand that when they are sick they have a real limited ability to keep up with things.

Goth was declared dead 30+ years ago before it even got started and has been declared so perpetually ever since. Despite that we live in a more 'gothy' goth 'ish' and embracing of the macabre and the outsider society writ broadly any previous time in history. Not nessisarily the exact 'type' of goth Joe Blow naysayer wants, but Joe Blow is never and has never been particularly happy about anything. Look at mainstream entertainment, there are more goth friendly shows/books than there ever has been. (Good or bad) Many of them include clear acceptance of the 'other' the 'outsider' the 'darker' including glbt. Big picture that is a long term win. This cannot be overstated. Despite issues locally (the Arab and black communities have always been reluctant to embrace this culture of mild nillisim, darkness but more key the often implied open-mindedness. It's not a stereotype to say that in general both communities are strongly associated with xenophobia of all types. We just happen to be in a pocket that makes it a bit harder to come together than most other places. Not that it's impossible. It's not. There are plenty of like minded (losely defined since day 1) individuals all over this area.

I just want to state that it is not my intent to embarrass anyone when I steal your food checks from time to time. It is just that I know money can be tight and we only get the chance to meet up once a week. I would much rather people come with the intent to hangout and not with the worry of whether or not they have enough to cover their bill or if they can even eat while they are there. As I have been informed, it is possible that the time will come when I might no longer be able to do it, but until then, I don't mind...it also makes it kinda fun for me, in a way, to see how many I can get away with before I get caught.