Tag: 2ndF

2nd F meetups are fellowship related where members of the F3RVA community get together for non-workout related meetups (e.g. coffee, events, etc.)

  • Pre-Blast: Inaugural F3RVA Retreat 9/21-9/22

    Pre-Blast: Inaugural F3RVA Retreat 9/21-9/22

    Gentlemen,

    The inaugural F3RVA Retreat is officially on the books, and will be held Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22. Get it on your calendars now. I know this conflicts with weddings, birthdays, college football, lawn mowing, and other sacred events. I’m sorry. I did the best I could, and this is the date that works best. I’m also aware its a few weeks after BRR. Again, sorry. Plan accordingly for this year, and for the same general time frame in 2020 and beyond.

    When: 9/21-9/22. Generally plan to arrive sometime Saturday afternoon and leave by 10:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.

    Where: 400 acre farm in Amelia. T-Claps to Gomer Pyle for arranging the property. I am not going to put the address on this site. If you are in, text me (804-852-0800) and I’ll shoot you the address. For you New Market guys, it’s probably within walking/rucking distance.

    Why: Second F. The design is to have at least one annual overnight event that centers solely around 2nd F. There will not be a workout. If you want to run to the AO, go for it. On second thought, Swirly, Hardywood, Rosie, TYA, forget I said that…

    Details: this will be an overnight camp out on a farm. There will not be a building for sleeping. Bring tents, hammocks, or see me ahead of time if you want to build a Yurt.

    Food & Beverage: Circle K will bring his grill that proudly cooked 10,000 hot dogs at once during the Chicago World’s Fair. More details to follow, but we’ll break down into food and beverage committees. BYOB, etc.

    Cost: There is no planned group overhead. The property has been graciously donated to the cause. I will probably ask each person for $5 or $10 to get the owner a nice gift for their generosity. Food and beverage will be worked out in smaller, more manageable groups.

    This is going to be an awesome event, so – and I can’t believe I’m saying this – no guns.

  • Breaking Bread: Eleven Served Four

    “If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart.” – Unattributed.

    Tonight Kubota and I, along with our 2.0s had the great honor of spending some time with those in need at the Daily Planet. We brought very little, yet received a whole lot. A great meal was shared, and great conversations were had. We could not be more proud of our 2.0s. They showed tremendous service, understanding and compassion for only being 8 and 6 years old.

    YHC was incredibly surprised by the smiles and happiness of these folks, despite their having fallen on hard and uncertain times. On the ride home, Shark bait and I were discussing the lessons of the evening, and Shark bait simply stated that they were all so happy. What a powerful and true observation. We worry far too much about the material things we don’t have. Sharing with these folks tonight was a real reminder of just how lucky we all are, and more importantly, how grateful we all should be.

    During my time with F3, I’ve heard a lot about Breaking Bread. Not until tonight did I realize just how powerful of an experience it truly is. Sign up and go if you haven’t. What little you bring will mean the world to those people, yet somehow you will walk away with the biggest gift – a much needed a timely reminder of just how truly blessed you are.

  • DIY – the Original DTH ShovelFlag!

    For a number of different reasons, there has been some entertaining Mumblechatter among the PAX in regard to YHC’s most superb ShovelFlag, created in preparation for our newest AO, The FORGE, starting 4/4/19. The original design seemed flimsy and labor intensive, so YHC developed a better design – stronger, lighter, and capable of lengthy extension.  For those of you interested in making your own version of the DTH Original, below are the necessary steps…

    Historical Note: YHC’s Flag soared above the United States Capitol on the day of YHC’s Graduation from the Virginia Military Institute (May 14th, 2005). Rah Va Mil!!!

    Step 1 – go to Lowes with ~$45 to purchase the following…

    Badass Shovel: ~$18

    https://m.lowes.com/pd/True-Temper-39-in-Fiberglass-Long-handle-Digging-Shovel/50223625

    Extender Rod: ~$10

    https://m.lowes.com/pd/Mr-LongArm-Twist-Lok-Steel-3-342-ft-to-6-075-ft-Telescoping-Threaded-Extension-Pole/1000524555

    Eye Bolt & Nut:  ~$1 (can be any gauge, but long enough to go through extender rod)

    https://m.lowes.com/pd/National-Hardware-5-16-in-x-3-25-in-Zinc-Plated-Steel-Plain-Eye-Bolt/1000367315

    O-Ring: ~$1

    https://m.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Hawk-Nickel-Plated-O-Ring/999971120

    Spray Paint: ~$5

    https://m.lowes.com/pd/Krylon-Professional-Gloss-Black-Spray-Paint-Actual-Net-Contents-15-oz/1000459705

    American Flag: ~$10 (if you don’t already have one…)

    https://m.lowes.com/pd/Independence-Flag-5-ft-W-x-3-ft-H-American-Flag/1197541

    DIRECTIONS:

    • Remove foam grip on Shovel & plastic grip on Extender (insert Extender into Shovel to confirm perfect fit)
    • Remove all labels (use GooGone)
    • Spray paint Shovel above blade
    • Spray paint Extender’s yellow thread-top
    • Let these items dry fully
    • Drill hole through top of Extender ~1” below plastic threaded top (drill bit should be slighter wider than gauge of EyeBolt)
    • Use manly brute strength and whatever tools on hand to slightly widen opening of Eyebolt, then hook Eye onto Flag’s top rivet hole
    • Similarly separate and widen opening of O-Ring to hook onto Flag’s lowest rivet hole, then tighten O-ring back up (if possible
    • Attach EyeBolt to top end of Extender (if desired, can use a bonding agent to lock nut securely on back end)
    • Slip O-Ring over bottom end of Extender, then extend rod & hand-tighten to keep Flag & O-Ring on Extender rod
    • Insert base of Extender into top of Shovel – only about 1” needed, otherwise difficult to remove
    • Decorate as you see fit, though traditionally an F3 sticker on the Shovel head is recommended at minimum
    • NOTE: Amazon sells excellent Vinyl stickers (white, 1-3” variety) if you would like to have words on the handle
    • Now you’re ready for all things F3! …or at the very least, joining the Breakfast Club extra credit on Saturday mornings! AYE! 

  • December HDHH

    The idea has been batted around and announced in COTs but YHC decided to make it official by posting a Pre-Blast.

    HDHH Wednesday 12/19 at Capital Ale House in Midlothian.  5:30 pm until ?  Come share some Christmas spirit(s) and 2nd F.  No 1st F associated with this one, show up and join in the fun if you can.

    Word is this may conflict with Hardywood’s 2.0 book signing but for those of you crossing the river for that experience, you might as well make your way over for a drink.

  • Breaking Bread with the Kiddos

    YHC and his 2.0’s took several warm pizzas over to Breaking Bread this evening.  My kids were able to help serve dinner while engaging in conversation with some of the residents.  What a beautiful thing to see as a parent coupled with the invaluable experience for the children.  Labrat, thanks for putting this program together, we love it!

    -Slurpee

  • Breaking Bread with 2.0s

    Gumbo and his 2.1 and 2.2 (Redbird and Snare) and two 2.0 friends filled up the Gumbo-mobile with Chicken Fiesta and headed to The Daily Planet to “break bread” with the folks there.  We dished out some delicious rotisserie chicken, rice, salad and, of course, some fried Yuca.  It was a great time.  The 2.0s all took orders, served plates of food, and engaged in great conversation.

    Just like the first time I Q’d Breaking Bread, this is a wonderful opportunity for 2nd F and 3rd F and to meet and share some food and fellowship with some great folks who have hit a rough patch.  One woman tonight got sick and had to have heart surgery.  Throughout the process she was hospitalized for about six weeks and ended up losing her apartment.  Talk about being kicked when you are down.

    It turns out that another couple from Grove Ave Baptist Church came tonight and brought Domino’s pizza, so there was a lot of food to go around, but the Chicken Fiesta was hit.  The patients were extremely thankful – it sounds like last Sunday was quite the opposite – not enough food to really make a meal.  But, they got creative.

    Certainly makes you feel grateful for all the many blessings we have been given.  I encourage any of you who have not posted to a Breaking Bread to look at your calendar and try to block out a few hours on the last Sunday of one of the upcoming months.  So worth it.  You will get more than you give.

    See you in the gloom, brothers.

    No More Gumbo For You!

  • Breaking Bread This Sunday – Looking for 1 or 2 volunteers

    Gents –

    If you have not been to a Breaking Bread, or if you haven’t been back for a while, consider coming with me and my 2.0s this Sunday.

    I have the Q for the upcoming Breaking Bread this Sunday, 8/26.  It is a great 2nd/3rd F opportunity from 5:00/5:15 until about 7:30 p.m. at The Daily Planet (180 East Belt Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23234).  We will be preparing/bringing and serving dinner to patients recovering from illness or injury or surgery in the Medical Respite Program.  I’m looking for a couple volunteers to attend with me and help out.

    Not sure what the menu will be, but if you are able to help out contact me at 804-687-0120 or respond in the comments.

    Thanks!

  • F3 RVA Brew Day and Open House

    F3 RVA Brew Day and Open House

    CANCELLED.

     

    Will reschedule later.

    Lab Rat apologizes…

  • PRE-Blast: HDHH May 16 – Driving Range Anyone?

    Let’s get some swings in before Wilson’s golf tournament and also share some fellowship and beverages…

    Meet at Independence Golf Course between 5:30 and 6:30 (range closes at 6:30) to hit some golf balls on the range (if you want).  Hang out for drinks/food there at Tavern 19 afterwards.  Come get some swings in before Wilson’s golf tourney that Friday.

    No need to RSVP – just show up if you can.

  • ACC Championship

    5 couch potatoes carved out an evening for ACC basketball and the fun fest went something like this…

    COF (Circle of Fat) – All IC – 10 peanut M&Ms, 10 handfuls of Chex Mix, 3 chocolate chip cookies, 1 bowl of popcorn

    ACC Basketball Death Match

    2 UNC fans, 1 UVA fan, 2 neutral fans gutted out the ACC championship game with well-timed grunts, groans, disappointments and excitement.

    Numerama, Namerama, Announcements. (Yes, we did this…)

    NMS

    Spit reached out to YHC and said, “We need to watch this game together.” YHC’s M is out of town so the house was wide open for a gathering. Spit is an avid Tar Heel fan. YHC aligns with UVA since his time on grounds many, many years ago. YHC agreed to the idea with the requirement that some others could join the party. Opus, ChowDAH agreed quickly. Mudface indicated that he had to wiggle (how does Mudface wiggle out of anything?) out of an evening commitment to make it over. Some others were engaged but they turned down the offer in light of other obligations. YHC now knows that he can host a 2nd F gathering on the fly and he will open up the house to a larger crowd in the future.

    The ACC championship game was highly entertaining but the conversation even more entertaining. Numerous comments were made and YHC wished that he had a running log of the ridiculous statements shared along the way. There were multiple references to gas and how “gas pumps” are more than exercises in the gloom. These oftentimes can be used to send a signal to children or dogs…

    UVA pulled out the win and showed why they are a 31-2 team on the season. YHC was grateful that no Hokie fans were in the house because the predictable “we beat you” comments were left outside.

    A request to go to the Barcade in Scott’s Addition came up multiple times. That may be in the (near) future for a 2ndF get-together!

    The Carpenter