Chilling With The Saipan Blogger

After more than two years of exchanging comments on the blogosphere ("cyber-dating" as Angelo called it), I finally got the chance to meet Angelo Villagomez, aka The Saipan Blogger. Angelo is in San Francisco this week to accept the 2008 EPA Environmental Award for Outstanding Achievement in Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Pacific Islands). This is in recognition for his work with Friends of the Monument and the Pew Environmental Group in leading the charge on the creation of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.

Angelo stopped by the CORAL offices where we had a chance to chat. It felt like I was meeting up with an old friend, even though this was the first time we met face to face. Angelo dropped off some Monument literature and I made sure he carted away about 30 pounds of CORAL propaganda.

In recognition that Angelo is working hard on a special diet to get back to his pre-Monument fighting weight, the CORAL crew joined us at a local watering-hole where we filled him with beer and french fries. And we were happy to ensure Angelo had some real beer for a change (sorry Saipan readers, but Bud and PBR are not beer).

Plus, the fastest way to look thinner is to hang around with fat people. Case in point, the photo with me at the top of this post.

Thanks a lot for spending time, Angelo! And congrats again!