It is Monday, Memorial Day post-Gopher State Roundup and I thought I would comment on my first experience on the most talked about event in the Twin Cities recovery community.  To me, it was much ado about nothing.  It is like one of those movies that is hyped up, then when you see it you are somewhat letdown.

The Roundup was really a big mishmash of people walking around snaking on other peoples’ food while checking out members of the opposite sex.  There was a bikers contigent in the front and if you weren’t into bikes, you walked the perimeter of the pool visiting AA Club hospitality suites or took in a speaker and/or meeting.  The two speakers I went to see were lightly attended and even offered someplace for people to stretch out and sleep–presumably for those attending the round the clock  meetings.

I often felt odd going into the hospitality suites because it felt as though you were invading someone’s privacy walking into their rooms.  Some clubs basically had Lil’ Smokies and BBQ sauce in sterno pans on their dressers while they lay on the beds watching CCTV broadcasts of the meetings.  It was kind of trailor.

Although the larger clubs had better accomodations, to me all that hubub took away from the core attraction of the event–speakers and meetings.  I went to my local meeting last night and all I heard about from the men was how much “poontang” was there.  If that’s the conversation that follows the Roundup, then I think they missed their mark.

Maybe it is just me.  I am kind of shy, but not terribly.  I like a hoe-down as much as anyone, but I have a low tolerance for aimlessly meandering people.  This was the state fair in a shoebox without the roasted corn or anything on a stick.  As I walked around to all the club suites, not ONE “greeter” actually introduced themselves and made me feel welcome.

So next year I think I will stick to just going to see the speakers and maybe enjoy it more without the expectation of the “event.”  As for all the meetings, one could go to any number of them around town.  Going to the Roundup for meetings is like going to the MOA so you can hit the Gap.  I’d be interest in anyone else’s opinion, or their experience this year.

2 Responses to “Gopher State Roundup - Review”

Paul opines on: May 26th, 2009 at 7:26 am

My first year that is how i felt.
Even overwhelmed at times.
I really found i had a better experiance
when i got involved in the event.
SO my second year i worked at the ticket booth.
My 3rd and 4th(this year) i was part of the comittee
that lined up speakers for the room to grow meetings.
Each year it got better for me and i got more out of it.
This year as the weekend came to a close i comented on how fast it went
and what a fantastic time i had.

I have never beeen able to shake the food thing though.
I still don’t go into the suites and chow on everybodies food.
For some reason i just don’t feel comfortable.
This year i did get some coffee from one suite.
And some chicken wings from my home group suite.

Like they say “keep coming back”
for me it only gets better.

Paul

Kevin opines on: May 26th, 2009 at 11:04 am

Thanks for the comment Paul! Yeah I was a greeter for my homegroup this year. I agree that it probably gets better as you go along knowing more people. I’ll keep plugging away