PNW Dopers/UnaBoarders....FreUnaBoDopeFest?

[Scotticher]

I submit for your approval the following idea for a gathering. Originally suggested by Saltire and heartily endorsed by the Official PNW Gathering Committee. (That would be me.....;) )

The Fremont Fair......including a visit to the Troll by special request.

The Fremont Fair (http://www.fremontfair.com)

Anyone up for a get-together on Saturday June 21st?

[Flamsterette_X]

Hmm.. looks interesting. But I have NO idea where Fremont is.

Besides, it's the last day of Awana (http://www.awanayouth.com).. Awards Night, yay! :)

(well, it's called an Awards Night.. technically, it's more like an afternoon from 4-ish to 6:30-ish)

Sorry to miss out, though.

F_X

[Denis]

I'm up for it!

[cadolphin]

I wish I could join you! Looks like tons of fun and I know it would be fun to have a fest with Scotticher.

That's Rico's b'day too, and I think it would be great fun to spend it with y'all

I sure hope there will be pictures :D

Have fun everyone!

[Scotticher]

So far we have PT and me, and a pass by Flami and cadolphin, who will be sorely missed.

You may consider this a Monday morn bump for our weekday user's consideration......

Have a good day!

[VenusProbe]

Dang, I gonna miss this one too! Eldest daughter has a soccer tourney in Ore that weekend and her little sisters dance school is having the recital that weekend, she's in all four shows. (where's the proud parent smilie) :D

VP

[Geek Mecha]

Count me and KKBattousai in. :)

[Flamsterette_X]

Yes.. if there's pictures up after this get-together.. I'd like to see them too!

If it weren't for Awana, I'd probably join you.. even though I have no idea how I'd get to Fremont.. wherever THAT is. I'll spare a thought for you while the kids do their thing for everyone. (singing, awards, message.. yup, I know how it goes after three years -- almost -- of it)

F_X

[Krisfer the Cat]

I am 2 for 2 Scotticher... I was there a week earlier last year...
I will be in Washington the week after this year...

I am so consistent it hurts...

I am planning on hitting the Portland Dope in Aug tho

[purrplebear]

Darn. I sure would like to be there, mon Cheri. Alas, 'tis not to be this time. I hope you all have fun up there, and raise a toast to me. I may be hosting my very own AlamoDopefest here during that time.

Oops. There went the cat out of the bag again. Make that two. Heather? Sir Wilbur? Get back here....

Well, I'm off to start the thread inviting everyone to my Alamo City. Ok, ok, it's not my AC, but you know what I mean. :p


:::major hugs to one and all, 'specially Ms Scotti:::

[MsWhatsit]

Erm...

I'm actually going to be IN the Fremont Solstice Parade, so I probably can't make it to a gathering, but if y'all want to see me in full belly-dancing regalia, my belly dancing troupe will be the ones wearing white and green. (I don't know if there are multiple groups of belly dancers in the parade.)

[Scotticher]

Flam hon, all you have to do is bus to B'ham and I'd take you. Next time, I hope. But Awana is such a wonderful thing....you'll do best to join your kids.

VenusProbe Of course, your kids come first. But I hope you can join us in the fall, when we are planning an Underground Tour/dinner after Nymysys and her wonderful husband move here.

Krisfer the Cat....Wow, we have SUCH bad timing! Please do me a favor and let me KNOW when you are going to be here next time? We can arrange things around YOU instead of vice versa!

MsWhatsit...Scotti speaks severely to MsWhatsit Listen, darling....being IN the parade does NOT prevent you from joining us later, now DOES it? Well if it does, we will still be cheering from the sidelines as you prance by. Count on it!!!! :D

We still have to figure out the logistics of this gathering, but once we know who all is coming, we can do that. I expect we will have dinner or lunch or something after the parade, depending on what everyone wants. It turns out that my sister has a family gathering going on that day in Edmonds, but if she isn't going to let me know in a timely manner, I can't be expected to BE there.

We have to visit the troll, too, but I think it is in the general area of the parade and it'll all work out.

So, at this point we have PT, KK, and AudsDarling. And me.

Sounds good so far, but everyone is welcome....where are the rest of you PNW Dopers?

The weather's FINE! Jump in!

[Denis]

May we bring our kids?

No problem if not, just want to make plans.

[herownself]

Sorry, Cervaise and I will be out of town that weekend. But y'all have a great time!

[Aslan of Narnia]

What state/province is this in?

[Maneb]

I'm quite new to these boards, but am definitely interested in attending- I assume more detailed plans will be fleshed out later?
P.S.- the Troll is very easy to find since it is directly underneath the GWM Bridge where it lands above Fremont.

[Ruby]

Seattle, Washington

PNW = Pacific Northwest

[amarinth]

I'm probably going to be in BC that weekend, if I'm not, I'll be there.

[zoogirl]

Can no do, I'm afraid. Some of my family is FINALLY getting together that day. I've got cousins coming that I haven't seen for about ten years.

I would have liked to meet you all and see Scotti again, but I'll have to wait 'til next time. Hopefully Flam can make the next one too!

Hey, MsWhatsit, was your troupe just up here for the Hyack parade in New Westminster? I seem to remember green and white belly dancers. Kid, the Younger was in it with Cadets.

[Sapphire Wolf]

What, there's a Portland Dopefest in August?

Can someone link the details for me, since the hamsters are hating me?

Thanks!

[Sapphire Wolf]

Eh, nevermind. I found it.

Duh duh duh.

[Scotticher]

I've never been to the Fremont Street Fair before.....I assume it would be fun and appropriate for kids? So sure, PT,bring the kids!

We'd love to have you join us, Maneb! Yes, we'll figure out the details by next weekend.....by then I expect we'll know who is coming. But I assume we'll want to meet somewhere before the parade so we don't miss any of the fun.

Sorry the rest of you can't join us.....but please let us know if your plans change.

[Saltire]

Ooops. I told Scotti I'd watch for her to possibly start a thread such as this, and here I didn't notice it for four days. Barring extraordinary events (and this is the month for them in my life), I'll be there.

As far as the fair being OK for kids, I think it's just fine. I've only walked through the booths and performance areas in the past though, I've never made it to the parade. I'm told there have been people there wearing only body paint, and there is a tradition of naked bicycling that the police say they won't allow this year (but some may do it anyway, in protest). So, I guess the parade might hold a surprise or two for the little ones, if they aren't used to excessive skin.

MsWhatsit, are the stories of unclad sun-worship true, or am I a victim of Fremont hyperbole?

[smaft]

Re: naked bicycle messengers- they usually pass down the route a couple times, with the crowd cheering all the way.

A few years back, there was really a stink beforehand about how the police were cracking down on them. One group of people faked it- some wore pseudo-police uniforms, chasing other cyclists wearing flesh-colored body suits with anatomically correct appendages. Everyone laughed at them; the real cyclist-chasing police got booed.

Last time I was at the parade, I'm standing in the crowd on the curb. This guy behind me says, "excuse me," to go onto the street. I step aside, and see his completely bare, un-body-painted rear. In the parade, sure; close enough to touch, I didn't expect!

[Denis]

OK, that seals it.

Naked cyclists are something the Smeglets simply mustsee to be well-rounded citizens! :D

[Kallessa]

Bumping because someone is looking for this and I don't know how to link.

[Cervaise]

This sounds like fun, but as my lovely wife says, we'll be otherwise occupied on the date. Rafting the Skykomish. Or the Methow. Or one of them rivers. Wheee!

[MsWhatsit]

zoogirl: I don't think so. The green/white costumes aren't like, standard attire or anything; they're just what we're wearing for the Solstice Parade. Also, it's not really "my troupe" -- it's just that my instructor has all her interested students do the parade every year. I don't do public performance except for this. :)

Saltire: As others have confirmed, yes, there are indeed nude cyclists. My favorite last year was the guy who did body paint in plaid. Very cool.

If the gathering is at a child-friendly restaurant, then we may stop in to make an appearance, although I am kind of reluctant to confirm for sure, because I don't know how much I'm going to be up for after ~3 hours of belly dancing. So, chalk us up for a definite maybe?

[smaft]

Originally posted by P.T. Smegma
OK, that seals it.

Naked cyclists are something the Smeglets simply mustsee to be well-rounded citizens! :D

Don't forget, too, that there's often a group of Utilikilt (http://www.utilikilt.com/)-wearing guys in the parade who circle up in the middle of the street (facing each other) and lift their kilts to the crowd.

FYI- for those who haven't been to the Solistice parade or otherwise weren't aware, the parade entries cannot include motorized vehicles, animals, and written words. Nothin' but humans and human-power. Kinda neat.

[amarinth]

Originally posted by MsWhatsit
I'm actually going to be IN the Fremont Solstice Parade, so I probably can't make it to a gathering, but if y'all want to see me in full belly-dancing regalia, my belly dancing troupe will be the ones wearing white and green. (I don't know if there are multiple groups of belly dancers in the parade.) Do you teach or take lessons, and if so where/with who?

Thanks.

[MsWhatsit]

Heck no, I don't teach. I've been taking lessons for several months, though, with Delilah (http://www.visionarydance.com). I like the lessons a lot. It's a kick to get together once a week and shake your butt around the room with a handful of other like-minded women.

There are like a million belly dancing classes available in the Seattle area, if Delilah's don't work for you for whatever reason. Just do a Google search on "Seattle belly dance" and you should see a lot of results. I briefly took classes with Zanbaka, another area instructor, while Delilah was on winter hiatus, but didn't like them quite as much -- they felt more regimented, which is probably good for someone who wants to learn a lot of specific moves, but I personally just like dancing.

Feel free to send me email if you want any more info.

[Scotticher]

I should have bumped this before, but we shall now begin the actual planning of this event. Maybe we will pick up some more people along the way.

So, the parade starts at noon and I think we need to meet by 11AM at the earliest. I need some help from people who know the Fremont area.....where should we meet? I am going to park at the Northgate Park'N'Ride and bus to Fremont. (I also need to find out what time the bus picks up there in time to get me to where I need to be, so if anyone has any idea I would appreciate that info. I am a small town lady, and the LAST thing I want to do is to get lost in Seattle....all alone, friendless and shivering with fright.....but I digress :D)

So, anyone have any ideas on the best plan of action?

Looking forward to meeting all of you!

[Saltire]

As far as busing, the most direct trip from Northgate to Fremont is the 5 route. Here's a link to the Saturday schedule. (http://transit.metrokc.gov/tops/bus/schedules/s005_1_.html) You'll be riding from the transit center to 38th and Fremont, which, on the map (http://www.fremontfair.com/frefair03/map.html) of the parade route, is about where the Fair Hotline black box is. It is a short walk from there to the center of the universe.

If you're concerned about getting lost, I'd be happy to meet you at Northgate and bus down with you. Drop me a line if you want me to do so.

As far as a meeting place, I don't know. There are several landmarks in the area. Two that are on the parade route are sculptures: Waiting for the Interurban and the Lenin statue (I don't know if it has an actual title). Perhaps someone more familiar with the parade should pick the spot.

[herownself]

Actually, our rafting plans have fallen through, so Cervaise and I may be able to make it after all.

[Maneb]

Count me in for 11:00 Saturday. I haven't been to the parade for years, though, so I can't help much with meeting place suggestions.

[Scotticher]

Saltire, you are a DOLLFACE! YES yes, a thousand times YES! Please meet me there. I'm such a wuss when it comes to Seattle. Scotti does the happy stork dance, which loses a lot when your legs are this short....

So, pick a sculpture, hon. And that is where we will meet.

And....I am overjoyed that Cervaise and herownself might be joining us! For those who haven't met them, they are just the BEST!

:):):):):):):):):):):):)

[Scotticher]

Oh, and I see that they have food booths at this fair. Should we just eat there...or not? Either way, we need to pick a place to meet after the parade in case MsWhatsit and family decide to join us. Which I hope they DO, since I am dying to meet the MsWhatsitling. And MsWhatsit too, you understand. :)

[Scotticher]

Okay, no one who actually KNOWS anything stepped in, so I am making an executive decision. :D

We will meet at the statue called Waiting For The Interurban at 11AM Saturday. Let's get a final post from everyone who will definitely be coming so we don't miss anyone who runs a little late. Also, please email me at Scotticher@aol.com so I can send you my cell phone number just in case of any late change in plans you might have. I'll also send those of you who don't know me my pic so you will know who to look for.

I figure we can just browse the food booths.....we can decide on the day whether or not we want to have an actual sit-down meal somewhere.

So far, I have on my list:

Definites

P.T. Smegma
Mrs P.T. and the little Putters
AudreyK
KKBattousai
Maneb
Saltire
Scotticher

Possibles:

herownself
Cervaise
MsWhatsit
MrWhatsit and Whatsit Jr
smaft? (I never did get whether you are coming or just helping me out here.....)
amarinth

And if someone could kindly bump this tommorow for the daytime crowd, I'd appreciate it greatly. Oh, and MsW....please email me so I can send you my cellphone number.....if you are up to it after the parade you can call me and we can figure out a place to meet. Otherwise, we'll be on the sidelines cheering you on. :)

Thanks!

Oh, and of course anyone who hasn't seen this before is VERY welcome to join us! The more the merrier.

[Denis]

Howdy all,

Well, The Smeglets, Mrs. Smegma, myself, plus probably two other kiddos will be in attendance. I don't know if I can meet everyone at 11:00 because I have to attend a work-related inservice starting at 8:30. Might make it on time, might not.

I'll email Scotticher for more contact info.

Hope to see you all there!and finally meet some real live Dopers!

[Maneb]

Okay! Meeting at the statue at 11:00 Saturday. I'll probably be there early since I'll be riding the bus all the way from Burien and I don't trust Metro anymore.

[Scotticher]

I think Saltire and I will be there early too....I'll be in touch by email, Maneb. And P.T.......email me with your general time estimate, and we can decide how to handle the rendezvous.

[smaft]

Originally posted by Scotticher

smaft? (I never did get whether you are coming or just helping me out here.....)


Curses! My cunning plan of commitment-avoidance has been spotted. Well, I do intend to go to the fair and hope to make the parade, but really can't say for sure. (Of course, I've managed to bail out on every DopeFest so far, though, so...;))

I would point out, though, the Interurban statue is at the busiest part of the route (where it intersects the vendors' area)- by 11am there'll be buckets o' people there. (Not that it won't work as a meeting place, just as a heads up.) The south side of the street, behind the statue, would probably be the best choice (is that Adobe's building?).

Hmm, I think I've overdone the parentheticals!

[MsWhatsit]

I was going to mention that, too. If you're going to meet at that location, I'd bring a big sign saying "Dopers Meet Here" or something.

**thinks**

OK, probably not that EXACT wording. You know what I mean!

[amarinth]

Especially not that wording at the Fremont Fair.

It doesn't look like I'm leaving town tonight, so I'll try and meet you guys tomorrow (but don't wait for me! The chances of my being there at 11 are slim. I recognize enough of you that I'll try and find you.)

[MsWhatsit]

Saturday! Not tomorrow! It's on Saturday! Tomorrow is Thursday!

Alert! Alert! Repeat!

[Cervaise]

Danger, Will Robinson!

[amarinth]

I really want it to be Friday. A lot...even though I know it isn't, I am acting as if it were. I've been signing all my checks (ok, the one check) 2 days in advance.

The chances of my being anywhere but at my desk tomorrow at 11 are non-existant. The chance of my being at the Parade at 11 on Saturday are better... but not so good that anyone should wait for me.

[Saltire]

Right. I'll make up a poster sometime this week. It won't be huge (maybe 2.5 feet square), but should serve as a rallying point. I'll put the Turkey with Mortarboard logo on it. Should be obscure enough that only we will know what it is, but will blend in well enough among the Fremont weirdness.

[Scotticher]

Originally posted by smaft
The south side of the street, behind the statue, would probably be the best choice (is that Adobe's building?).


If this works better, it's fine with me.....everyone else got that? The meeting place will now be....as noted above.

And amarinth, do you still have my cellphone number? If not, email me. I am thrilled that you might join us. Please PLEASE do!!!!

smaft too.

[TVGuy]

Maybe next time. I've spent the last two weekends in Seattle. I need a rest. :D

[Denis]

AAARRGH!

Just found out yesterday that my work inservice is going to take 6-8 hours instead of the original "oh, a couple hours" I was told!

So.

The earliest I can make it will probably be around 4:30 or even 5:00.

Damn.

Mrs. Smegma, the kiddies, and I will therefore probably head up to Marysville for the Strawberry Festival. Much closer to home.

Sorry, maybe I'll see you next time. :(

[Scotticher]

S'okay, hon.....we'll see you next time. Probably in October, when I plan to introduce our new PNW dopers.....Nymysys and MrNyms to our merry band. Probably with a visit to the Underground Tour....

http://www.seattletravel.com/seattleundergroundtour.html

Oh dear...I lost my "cheat sheet"....so you are going to have to make do with this link. :rolleyes:

[Saltire]

Today, I spent some time at work creating a modest-sized poster based on one of Slug's turkey drawings. Hopefully, we'll all be able to recognize it and rally around.

When Scotti and I arrive at the spot, I hope I'll be able to tape it up on the side of the Quadrant building (which sort of surrounds the plaza) next to where we're waiting. If I can't stick it up, I'll just be holding it.

Looks like the weather will make it tough on the naked people. :D Oh, well: that's life in the Great Northwest.

[Saltire]

One final bump.

The main group will meet south of Waiting for the Interurban, on the plaza rather than on the little island with the sculpture. One of us will have a pasted-together poster of Slug Signorino's turkey-wearing-a-mortarboard drawing, so we can find the right group of weirdoes among the general hoi-polloi.

Others may meet up later, but they must e-mail Scotticher to get her cell number and to make arrangements.

We'll watch the parade, eat at the booths, and visit the Troll. Other than that, we will make decisions after we meet up.

[Scotticher]

Thank you, dear.

Oh, and if anyone thinks they might be able to join us but won't know until tommorow, email me for my cellphone number.

And I have red hair, so just look for the redhead accompanied by a tall guy. 'Course, almost EVERYONE is tall compared to me, so maybe I misspeak. :D