DrainBamaged and Kossacks in the DC area.

From DrainBamaged by way of Bexley (just for now):

I still can't make a diary.  The one week waiting period ends tomorrow afternoon.  Bexley has graciously given me this space, again.  Thanks,
Bexley :)

Because of the bad weather Saturday night and Sunday morning we decided not to get together.  So, I'm hoping that the weather this weekend is a
little bit better.  I'd like to meet as many members as I can.  All of you Kossacks that are in the Northern Virginia, Maryland, Washington
D.C. area please let me know if you'd like to get together this Saturday or Sunday.  Can you say, "Road Trip?"  Good :) I knew you could. hehehehehe

exley and I are thinking something like a Bob Evans Restaurant, around 2pm until whenever.  If anyone has any suggestions please let Bexley or
me know.  Just keep in mind that it has to be handicap accessible.  I wouldn't mind doing the 'Bar Thing' except I'm not allowed to drink
alcohol because of meds.  Plus, the restrooms in bars aren't exactly known as wheelchair friendly.

To keep everyone updated on the computer, donations, and pledges.  I'm still asking for recommendations from everyone about the computer,
software, and peripherals and the reasons you made those recommendations.  Everyone has been great with the donations and I'm within about $350-400 of being able to being able to purchase the Mac,
printer, and scanner.  Someone is sending me Adobe CS and Macromedia Studio MX and another is sending Microsoft Office for Mac.  And, some Cossacks have pledged stuff like:

Wacom Drawing Tablet
Apple Computer Display
150 Gigabyte External Hard Drive
External DVD/CD Burner (If it will work with a Mac)
Apple Protection Plan/Warranty

I'm holding off on buying the computer though, until those items, especially the computer display, are confirmed.  I don't want to spend
too much money in one area, say ram, and then not have enough left over for a screen.  And vice versa.  Also, Bexley has pretty much taken
charge of overseeing everything.  She lives pretty close to me.  And, in a way, I feel better that a member in good standing of the Daily Kos
is doing this.  It lets everyone, especially KentClark, know that I'm not trying to scam anyone.

If anyone has ideas or suggestions on books to read about computers and software I'd appreciate those as well.  I've ordered the following books online:

Mac OSX, The Missing Manual
Flash for Dummies
Adobe for Dummies
HTML for Dummies

The emails that everyone has been sending are phenomenal, except the two or three buttheads that insist on harrassing me.  (No big deal though, I just blocked their email address.)  I'm sorry if it takes a while to email back.  I don't want to do the 'form letter', I'd rather take the time to write to each of you.  So, as I said, sorry if it
takes a while.  There are over 200 emails letters to return, and I type slow.  I WILL get back to you.   :)

Hope everyone is having a great day,

DrainBamaged