We had another #SoCalSteemit Meetup!

We've been trying to plan at least one Steemit meetup for the SoCal Steemit group every month. For this month @csusbgeochem1 had invited us all to meetup at Big Mama's and Papa's Pizzeria in Eagle Rock, CA. The "Home to the worlds largest pizza"!!

The day came and it was a perfect warm sunny day. I drew up a small sign to identify the group, then I got on my computer and got the address and directions. I had to write it all down as I had just lost my phone a few days earlier and wouldn't be able to look anything up once I left my house. I also messaged @csusbgeochem1 on Discord and told him I'd meet him there. I didn't get a response but it was time to go so I just hit the road and figured I'd see him there.

But then just as I was getting ready to leave I checked my camera... and it wouldn't work! I knew the baterries were getting low and figured they had just died. So I hit the road with the plan of making a quick stop at the Wal-Mart by my house to pick up a small pack of AAA batteries.

Leaving my neighborhood

...Well of course it wasn't quick...

I went around the entire store before realizing all the batteries were at one of the registers. So I hop in line... at this point I already knew I was gonna be a bit late so I was really trying to hurry. I get the batteries, get out to my truck, pop the new batteries in the camera, and... NOTHING!! Ahhhhh! So at this point I assume the camera is totally broke and race back into Wal-Mart to buy a cheap camera. Of course they keep them all locked up so I had to find an employee to help me. Then again through the line and back out to the truck, I pop the batteries in the new camera, go to pop in the SD card and... the new camera only takes the big SD cards and all I had was the little ones!! Double Ahhhhh! I didn't even know they still used the big ones, all the cameras I've had recently have used the small cards. So I had to drive back to my house to get a big SD card. All this really sucked, but I had to have a working camera. Now at this point I knew I was going to be really late. And without my phone I couldn't tell anyone what was going on. I jumped on the 210 freeway and raced out to Eagle Rock as quick as I could. The traffic was not helping!

In traffic on the 210 freeway

Red lights in Eagle Rock, CA

I finally got to the Pizzeria, found a parking spot, put some quarters in the parking meter, and headed inside. Sitting inside I found @zingali, @jnetsworld, @wfmkay, and @kunschj who were there enjoying the delicious pizza! This was my first time meeting all these members in real life. So I introduced myself, apologized for being so late, taped my sign on the table, and then immediately jumped into conversation with my new friends!

From left to right - @zingali, @jnetsworld, @wfmkay, and @kunschj

My SoCal Steemit sign

We talked about Steemit, the SoCal Steemit group, Crypto currencies, and lots of other topics! We talked and talked, and at one point I realized I had been there for over a half hour and hadn't even placed an order yet! That's what happens when you're having fun. I took a look at the menu and ordered a garden salad and a medium veggie pizza. I saw the box they use for their giant pizza... it was HUGE!! I can't believe they make pizzas that big. I got my food and it was absolutely delicious. It's not the cheapest, but definitely excellent quality food. We continued to chat as I ate my food. Everyone was really enjoying the conversations.

The menu

The huge box for their "Giant Sicilian" pizza

Me and my veggie pizza

Mmmmm...

@kunschj's badass anime Steemit shirt!

We hung out chatting for a few hours, but after refilling the parking meters a few times it was eventually time to go. Back home through the freeway traffic on the 210. I had lots of fun meeting everyone, thank you all so much for coming!! I look forward to more meetups in the future, getting to meet more members, and continuing to grow this awesome community!