Chump-to-Chump Get Togethers, Anyone?

Hi guys,

If you haven’t been to the forums, a number of folks in Chump Nation have started chump meet-ups. If you’d like to join, please sign up and join the ranks. How it generally works is someone starts a group and gives the group an email, or yahoo group to join. And then you get in touch with each other about setting something up.

The chump groups I’m aware of right now are:

• New York City hosted by Rebecca at chumpsNYC@gmail.com
• Washington D.C. area, lead by Datdamnwuf, as a Yahoo group, more information here.
• And I believe Rumblekitty is interested in starting one in Chicago. See her thread on the forum here.

If I’ve missed anyone, please post your info in a comment, so we can get the word out. If you’re unaware of the forum feature, it’s right here on the left sidebar under the search bar — says Log into Forums and then Chump Chat. You need to register to use the site. No biggie. (The links above will not work unless you are registered and logged into the forum.)

Once that’s done, and we have a pretty good idea of what’s what, I’ll make a sidebar box with all this info linked to a permanent page on the blog. Meet a Fellow Chump here! kinda thing.

If you want to remain anonymous, that’s totally cool. It’s one thing to spill your chump guts online among the comfort of strangers. It’s another to have an awkward coffee with someone who knows, that yes, OMG, your ex had a $20K hooker habit.

But I will say this, it is wonderful to meet people IRL who Get It. Who have been through the same shit and you don’t have to explain yourself, because they’ve lived it. And you can joke about it, or use your potty mouth, and no one is going to wonder why you’re not Over It. Chumps tend to be a pretty kind and wonderful bunch (narcs screen for that).

My lawyer husband reminds me to put forth a legal disclaimer that I am not sponsoring such meet-ups, just allowing my site to let you organize amongst yourselves. Please use the same sorts of cautions you would meeting any stranger online. I’m not responsible if one of you turns out to be an axe-wielding monster, or a cheater, or a rambling incoherent bore who only wants to drone on about soil science.

That said, if any of you would like to meet me, I’m going to be at a DC meet-up on Sunday afternoon, May 4. The details of which are being worked out at the yahoo group listed above. Will post more info there once we’ve agreed on a place. This is a chance for you to meet me and say “Gee, is that your real hair?” or “I notice you don’t proofread your articles as carefully as you should. I was distressed to read several dangling modifiers.” or “Where’s your husband?” (At home in Texas, kindly watching the teenager and the dogs while I visit a friend who’s about to be posted overseas.)

So Chumps of the World Unite! Tell me where you are and let’s make a new feature here on this blog. Thanks!