ChiDope 2005

[dropzone]

We haven't had one for a year and some folks think the time has passed but I disagree. We need something to revive interest in this li'l club of ours. I would be pleased to be involved in organizing, sending out personal invitations ;), and such but remember that I am a boring person who has no idea how to have fun (<--True Fact!) so I'll need some help planning and selecting venues and so on. If we divide the labor it should be no big pile of work for any one person.

Questions to ponder:

1. When is a good weekend? Should we wait until Fall when folks are done with vacations and to give people time to plan their travel?
2. Should it be spread over the weekend, including get-togethers on Friday and Saturday nights and touristy things during the day?
3. Anybody know a place that serves food, has a large enough back room, isn't too crowded, and where we haven't already worn out our welcome?


Being a boring and stuffy person, it's easy for me to suggest some groundrules for behavior. Please remember that this is supposed to be fun for everybody, not just a few, so:

1. No trashing any of the venues. It ain't 1968 and we ain't The Who.
2. No illegal drugs. I would've thought this was a no-brainer but it turns out it isn't.
3. No public sex, pretend or real. Okay, MINIMAL public sex. Some people are even more easily offended than I and I refer you back to the "fun for everybody" statement.

[UncleBeer]

Anybody know a place that serves food, has a large enough back room, isn't too crowded, and where we haven't already worn out our welcome?
Tijuana?

[scout1222]

I don't know, Tijuana's kind of crowded, IMHO.

;)

[dropzone]

Tijuana? The Happiest Place on Earth? I was sorta thinking someplace in or around Chicago but it's a thought. But we're brainstorming and in a brainstorming session there are no bad ideas.

[Eva Luna]

Methinks you are going to have some attendance issues...take a look around and see how many ChiDopers as of least year's gathering are still currently enrolled here, and you'll see what I mean.

[BrattiAtti]

Ooh, ooh! Hold it the weekend of August 6 & 7. I'll be in Cedar Rapids, IA and was tentatively planning a day trip to Chicago for the 7th anyway. :)

[Ruby]

I, too, am available in the mid-August to mid-September range. Count me in as a definite maybe.

[Happy Lendervedder]

While I live in Chicago, lately I'm rarely anywhere near Chicago.

But if I'm at home that weekend, I'll definitely engage minimally in some implied public sex with other Dopers.


And might I suggest, one of the days, a bar-b-q/picnic at one of the many lovely beaches in town? Perhaps Montrose Beach?



Happy

[Kyla]

And might I suggest, one of the days, a bar-b-q/picnic at one of the many lovely beaches in town? Perhaps Montrose Beach?


How about Wilson Beach? We can play with the doggies!

Montrose Beach is okay too, though, I guess.

[Man With a Cat]

I wasn't at any previous gatherings, but wanna try and make one this time around. Anywhere sounds good to me, even playing with the doggies!

[Missy2U]

It's tough for me and Mr2U to get downtown - but if anyone feels like stopping in the NW Burbs, let me know...

[WhyNot]

I wasn't at any previous gatherings, but wanna try and make one this time around. Anywhere sounds good to me, even playing with the doggies!
ditto.

Never been to a Dopefest, though. Is it a family friendly sort of affair?

[dropzone]

Is it a family friendly sort of affair?Some of the previous Chicago ones: no, not really, but while that was sometimes part of the fun* it was also a sore point. There is no reason why this one can't be perfectly respectable, like that beach party idea.



* - Elsewhere, they have been described as "drunken frat parties" but I guess drunken frat parties have milded down in recent years because they are more "people talking loudly" than "at least nobody died." There have been momentary exceptions and some people have exagerated those incidents to make them sound more like a scene from a Cecil B DeMille epic than they really were, but you know that the people here have more in common with Napoleon Dynamite than Napoleon Bonaparte. Real "shocking" incident: The zipper on a busty attendee's blouse kept creeping lower. She didn't notice it but the guys did and one took advantage of a whiteboard in the room to chart its progress. Not exactly Penthouse Letters material.

[dropzone]

Methinks you are going to have some attendance issues...take a look around and see how many ChiDopers as of least year's gathering are still currently enrolled here, and you'll see what I mean.Yes, but I know some of the places they hang out so I crossposted there. Plus some people complain about the same old cliques being at these things. It's time to form NEW cliques.

[TopherX]

Meeting at one of Chicago's beaches sounds great to me.

One idea I have for a fun eveing would be getting a group of Chicago dopers and playing Whirlyball. For more site visit:

http://www.whirlyball.com/chicago/chicago.htm

[dropzone]

How about Wilson Beach? We can play with the doggies!

Montrose Beach is okay too, though, I guess.Wait a sec--I thought you were off to the Peace Corps! When's that happening? We could plan around it and maybe make it a "see ya soon!" party.

[dropzone]

One idea I have for a fun eveing would be getting a group of Chicago dopers and playing Whirlyball.There's been one of them within walking distance of my house for about fifteen years and I've never been there. Looks like fun!

[jnglmassiv]

I've always been away at school or overbooked or whatever to have attended previous ChiDope events. Not this year..prolly.

I express interest in a noncommittal sort of way.

[dropzone]

Bumping to keep the momentum, as it is, going.

[eleanorigby]

I'm game.

Minimal public sex really doesn't interest me much (but might be fun to watch!).

My problem is that I work every other weekend (12's) so I would either need advance notice to get the time off or I could not go-and just play like I did (huh?).

Anyhoo, having lived near Chicago for most of my life, I can say with certainty that I know of nowhere to go. Chicago is a place I plug into to see museum exhibits, new shops and the like.

I don't get out much (Jeebus I'm boring).

But whirly-whatever sounds like a blast--and more family oriented, if that is needed. I can go either way.

Apologies if this sounds less than enthusiastic, I am interested, just have a headache at present.

[TopherX]

There's been one of them within walking distance of my house for about fifteen years and I've never been there. Looks like fun!

Whirlyball is a blast! I played with a group of friends a few years ago. The combination of riding in bumper cars while trying to throw a whiffle ball in to a goal is both challenging and fun. When I played we had more than enough people to fill the courts. Those who didn't play, sat in the lounge area drinking their favorite beverage and watched the game.

[interface2x]

There's been one of them within walking distance of my house for about fifteen years and I've never been there. Looks like fun!

Heh, you just told me where you live, dz :D

I could be up for Whirlyball.

[buttonjockey308]

I'm in. Pretty much anywhere, and have mucho suggestions. Closer to fall is better.

[dropzone]

And your mucho suggestions are....

There are a lot of Dopers in the area, as Chi-town is the Dope's home, and there's no reason to not have BOTH a summer Beach Dope A-Go-Go and a fall function. Let's hear some ideas!

[dropzone]

It was nearly falling off the second page but the weekend crowd hasn't checked in so...

Ker-BUMP!

[ParentalAdvisory]

2. No illegal drugs. I would've thought this was a no-brainer but it turns out it isn't.

Too bad I missed the last one then, huh? :cool:

[Nawth Chucka]

As a near-to-Chicago Michigander, I get over there w/ a modicum of frequency. There's a festive event in Wicker Park on July the 30th (http://www.silverwrapper.com/html/05/07303105.html) that I'll be going to mostly because a band I adore will be playing twice there that day. (Okkervil River, check 'em out on jound.com, they literally stopped me in my tracks the first time I heard them.) This is my official suggestion for SummerChiDope '05.

[Kyla]

Wait a sec--I thought you were off to the Peace Corps! When's that happening? We could plan around it and maybe make it a "see ya soon!" party.

It got delayed til some indefinite time in the future. It's what I get for having a gimpy spine, they won't medically clear me until an orthopedic doctor swears that my back isn't going to fall apart while I spent two years in BFE. I probably won't be leaving til at least October or November now. I'm frustrated, but not much I can do. Ever try to convince an organization run by the federal government to change their minds? Yeah, they aren't really tractable.

[dropzone]

...they won't medically clear me until an orthopedic doctor swears that my back isn't going to fall apart while I spent two years in BFE.I'm forgetful.* Which particular part of BFE were they sending you to? As far as I'm concerned it starts on the west shore of Lake Michigan, the west edge of St Charles, the south edge of Chicago Heights, and the north edge of Wheeling. No, I don't get out much.
Ever try to convince an organization run by the federal government to change their minds?Hell, my dad was an appeals judge for Social Security and was a natural for the job. If there's ANYTHING I know it's how hard it is to change the gummint's mind.

Confession: These days when I see your name I think of the old Mothers of Invention song, "Who Needs the Peace Corps?"

So, do we have a quorum? Some former ChiDope organizers have suggested the Gen. Buchalter method of organization, in which one person says, "Ve VILL meet at Wilson Beach on August 7th at 1PM und ve VILL enchoy ourselfs!" In memory of Leon Askin I'm tempted to follow that but we haven't had a lot of suggestions. (Portia, I fear that street fairs make it hard for people to meet and visit with each other, which is the ultimate goal of these things. Since most of us have not met in real life that might be better for a smaller group who already know each other.)

[dropzone]

Bump

[bat312]

Hi Gang,

Never attended in the past, would like to this year. Based on previous events how many people show up?

Beach sounds ok, but what about drinkin? I thought you couldn’t drink legally on most beaches. North Ave. has the Castaways restaurant and volleyball.

Jazz Fest is September 1st – 4th. Maybe we could get our own corner of Grant Park.

Whirlyball sounds fun as well.

-Bat

[dropzone]

Beach sounds ok, but what about drinkin? I thought you couldn’t drink legally on most beaches.A valid (and scary) point, but as I recall the BeachDope A-Go-Go was being discussed as "family friendly" and, while family is one of the primary triggers for drinking, some folks don't think the two mix.

[dropzone]

(That, of course, would not prevent later activities from including judicious, and maybe a little injudicious, imbibing.)

[Nawth Chucka]

while family is one of the primary triggers for drinking...
and vice versa...

I get your point about the street fair; that's the only weekend I was planning to be in town, can we hear some 'ayes' for the 29/30/31 weekend? My schedule's quite flexible for that three day period.

[Cluricaun]

Hmmmm.....There could be considerable interest in the Cluricaun camp if there was a slight negation of the "family friendly" vibe. I'm not hollering out for full fledged Bacchanalian revelry exactly, I'm really just more of a "late night + alcohol" kind of participant. :cool:

[dropzone]

I'm thinking along the lines of beach in the afternoon and bar/dinner at night with maybe Whirlyball in between.

[ArrMatey!]

I will, at this point, announce that I'll go, but then, due to my near-complete terror at being in social situations with folks I don't know well, I will ditch out at the last minute.

Figured I'd just give you the whole story in advance. :(

[Stringer]

I'm certainly interested...I'm probably in the same camp as ArrMatey! and Cluricaun. Drinks early and often would certainly help ease some of the social anxiety. :)

[dropzone]

I will, at this point, announce that I'll go, but then, due to my near-complete terror at being in social situations with folks I don't know well, I will ditch out at the last minute.Look, if I, very much in your boat, can try organizing it the least you can do is show up. Not that I'm likely to show up, but I'll organize the damned thing. :D However, I suspect that, if you are careful, you can bring something stronger than lemonade to Chicago's beaches, especially if it is premixed.

A proactive apology to any of you I've met before but it seems like I haven't: Not entirely due to micahjn's idea of drinking early and often to ease social anxiety I probably don't remember. I cannot ask that you not be offended, I only ask your understand and realize that I was married a full year and a half before I could call my wife by name with any confidence. (It's sad how well served I am by generic nicknames like "hon" and "dude.")

Okay, which beach? Montrose? Wilson? If Wilson, is anybody afraid of dogs? If you are bringing a dog, what are you planning to do with it once we move indoors? And where is a good place indoors? Wild and loud bars should be taken off the table because they are loud and crowded and many comments about previous events note that shy people felt shoved into a corner and ignored and that is real easy to do in popular bars. Does anybody know of a place with a back room we can reserve without having to rent it? How about a bigger pizza joint?

[WhyNot]

Hmmmm.....There could be considerable interest in the Cluricaun camp if there was a slight negation of the "family friendly" vibe. I'm not hollering out for full fledged Bacchanalian revelry exactly, I'm really just more of a "late night + alcohol" kind of participant. :cool:
As the "family friendly" querant, perhaps I should elaborate. I was mostly asking what it was like, not requesting that it be anything in particular.

I do have a 12 year old (well-behaved, polite, grown-ups love him) who can come with or stay home on his own. He doesn't need a babysitter, and so it's no skin off my nose to let him stay home watching Farscape DVDs.

I also have WhyBaby, (http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rhiannon_dreamsnake/detail?.dir=7c59&.dnm=b3ab.jpg&.src=ph) who does need to be by her Mamma. She doesn't much care if you're sloshed out of your gourd, as long as you're not stealing her milk to make pina coladas with. She does, however, need a no-smoking option (not that there can't be smoking anywhere, but we'd need a no-smoking table or corner) because of her lung disease (due to prematurity). She's also very low maintainence and doesn't cry a whit. But, I know some people are still not baby people, and I don't want to bump any noses by bringing her if y'all would rather I didn't. I can always make it next year when she's old enough to stay home with WhyDad.

Bacchanal all you want - I'll even bring some Discordia Juice, but I just need to know if WhyBaby would be welcome. I promise I'll let y'all touch her little baby piggies if you wash your hands! If not, no biggie, I'll meet you all at another time! :D

[dropzone]

I have no problem with babies. I don't even care if they fuss and cry; after three of my own I don't even hear other people's kids.

However, we need to work out where we will meet in the evening. I know nothing about Chicago bars and restaurants and if you people leave the selection to me we'll end up at a Pizza Hut or worse. Let's hear some ideas!

[Nawth Chucka]

Which evening??? Please, *sob*, for the luvvapete, give me a day...

[dropzone]

Saturday, August 6 work for you?

[eleanorigby]

I'll find out on Monday if I am off on 8/6.

I hope so- I wanna meet some of youse! :D

And Whynot--you better bring that baby!

I plump for a pizza place or beach--what about Geno's East? (I know where that is, at least!).

I am directionally challenged at times. Never tell me the X-hundred block of anything......

[dropzone]

what about Geno's East? (I know where that is, at least!).Sounds good. Real good, if one like what they are calling "Chicago-style pizza" these days. If your schedule permits can I ask you to make seservations for (counting poorly) however many we end up with? I know they have a license, even if they don't know how to make pizza. (Note to out of towners: that is said to be our best pizza joint, but I'll argue with anybody about how to best make one)

[eleanorigby]

Um, ok. (Rigby feeling like she is being left with planning the office party when she doesn't even work in an office and is the new recruit so doesn't know the culture and is sure to make major faux pas that end up with her being banned for life from her main time waster and information outlet online.......)

Seriously: if I am to make reservations (and I pray that they are not guaranteed via credit card; I will have to check)--I need a roll call of approximately how many will be there. Date is August 6. Time is ??? (see, I need some help here!) 7pm? Does that sound good?

Geno's East is great pizza, but it is also a destination for tourists and is (or was) always packed on weekends. Dress is casual--but not beach casual. You will need shoes, shirts and pants (for all you pantsless over there in that other thread). Be creative.

When last I was there (why the sentence inversion is appealing to me this morning, I dont' know)--it was booths and benches. There may be a party room, but that may have an extra charge.

Jeebus, I am obsessing. Next step is to get a feel for numbers.

So far I have:

Whynot
eleanorigby
dropzone
Portia
micajhn
arrmatey--you'll be thar or you'll walk the plank, ya landlubber!
Claurican
bat312
buttonjockey308
jinglmasiv

There are more-please dont' be offended if I missed you-just put your name onthe list! Off to do a garden walk now (it lasts 6 hours-how can a garden walk last 6 hours? I fear for my sanity).

[Broomstick]

Methinks you are going to have some attendance issues...take a look around and see how many ChiDopers as of least year's gathering are still currently enrolled here, and you'll see what I mean.
Then again, there are one or three of us ChiDopers who've never attended a ChiDope and might be interested in doing so this year if our schedules allow.

[Broomstick]

My random thoughts on the notion:

I'd prefer an afternoon time, because I would, after all, be coming in from Indiana, most likely on public transportation. So yeah, I'd also like something easily reached by train or bus.

The Giordano's at Prudential Plaze, in addition to be centrally located, will also shove tables together for large groups (my office uses it for parties from time to time). The downside, of course, is that it's easily accessible to tourists and may be crowded.

The beach party idea has a lot of merit, in that the seating arrangements are flexible.

I liked playing Wirlyball the one time I did it, so I'm game for that, too.

I am definitely not interested in loud, crowded bars, or evening get togethers.

[BrattiAtti]

I'm in for August 6th. My sister (age 20) will be joining us. We'll be driving from Cedar Rapids, IA, so I was looking at Chicago's public transportation website yesterday. Is the park & ride system reliable there? Or [clearing throat] would anyone be willing to put us up for the night of the 6th and let us just follow you around like overgrown puppies? Please email me (it's in my profile) if you would be willing to do that.

Please add BrattiAtti, party of two, to the list. :)

[The Big Cheese]

I'm in for August 6th. My sister (age 20) will be joining us. We'll be driving from Cedar Rapids, IA, so I was looking at Chicago's public transportation website yesterday. Is the park & ride system reliable there? Or [clearing throat] would anyone be willing to put us up for the night of the 6th and let us just follow you around like overgrown puppies? Please email me (it's in my profile) if you would be willing to do that.

Please add BrattiAtti, party of two, to the list. :)
The park&ride works great. I parked at Cumberland off i-90 a couple weeks ago and took the train and a bus into Wrigley. Just hope it doesn't get full, we were late getting there and had to wait about 20 minutes (on a wednesday about 1pm) until some spots opened up. Another option is parking in Rockford for free and taking the Van Galder bus, easier but probably more expensive and a slave to their schedule.

I'm an outside possibility for that date, but may be going to Myrtle Bech if my boss ever ok's my time-off request and my mom has room down there. But it's a possibility and I'd be coming form Madison.

[Kyla]

I'll be in California at a wedding on 8/6. Have fun without me. (Yeah, like that's possible!)

[eleanorigby]

broomstick --I like the Giordano's idea.

Geno's East and Giordano's ahve the same type Chicago stuffed pizzas, for those who aren't from around here.

I am all for centrally located. Am off to do some stuff, but will check with Geno's re: cost and party rooms.

but I am liking the Giordan's choice--heck, it's closer to moi.........

[CarnalK]

Total looky-loo here, reminding eleanorigby to count all the kids in her reservation numbers. I noticed you didn't mention it in your list. With a babies and kids along they may give you the party room just to make it easier on everyone. ;)

gl, have fun.

[TwoOnSunday]

I will, at this point, announce that I'll go, but then, due to my near-complete terror at being in social situations with folks I don't know well, I will ditch out at the last minute.

Figured I'd just give you the whole story in advance. :(
Welcome to the Social Anxiety Disorder (notice the acronym is SAD?) club. I have elected myself president. Just have a drink before you leave...artificial bravery. We can hide in opposite corners...together :)

[kidchameleon]

There are more-please dont' be offended if I missed you-just put your name onthe list! Off to do a garden walk now (it lasts 6 hours-how can a garden walk last 6 hours? I fear for my sanity).

Well, I've got nothing planned for the 6th. Yet. :cool:

[Man With a Cat]

Tentatively in for August 6th also. I'll confirm with Bus Wife if (A) she will attend, and (B) I actually can, schedule-wise.

[dropzone]

Um, ok. (Rigby feeling like she is being left with planning the office party when she doesn't even work in an office and is the new recruit so doesn't know the culture and is sure to make major faux pas that end up with her being banned for life from her main time waster and information outlet online.......)No worries, mate. We're a relaxed crowd. If they need a credit card email me.

Campers, how many are truly planning on attending the beach thing? (dropzone conspicuously does not raise his hand) Should we skip that and just hit the pizza joint earlier, say, at 4 or 5PM? We'll miss the crowds then.

[dropzone]

Welcome to the Social Anxiety Disorder (notice the acronym is SAD?) club.I've been to a few of these and Social Anxiety Disorder is is the most common disorder there. We run out of corners to hide in right away so get there early.

[Man With a Cat]

I probably wouldn't be able to do the beach thing, but a late afternoon Giordanos I could.

Whatd'ya mean we'd run out of corners to hide in? I'll reserve one.

[ArrMatey!]

Welcome to the Social Anxiety Disorder (notice the acronym is SAD?) club. I have elected myself president. Just have a drink before you leave...artificial bravery. We can hide in opposite corners...together :)

Great idea!

Wait... I don't drink....

Ah well. I'll see what I can do.

[Stringer]

I probably wouldn't attend a beach activity but late-afternoon pizza sounds like fun.

[dropzone]

bump

[Nawth Chucka]

Mild hijack - I'll be at the Wicker Park festival on Saturday the 30th and that night I'll be over @ Subterranean. Sunday's unscheduled as yet. If any ChiDoper wants to catch up for a bevo or coffee, email me before the 29th, mm-kay?
I'll be driving and thusly will be mobile.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

[ShibbOleth]

Don't know how much of the details you've worked out yet, but if anything happens in September I may be in town (there's a big print industry convention sometime then that I'll probably attend). If ChiDope doesn't happen then I'd still be interested in trying to get a smallish group together for dinner and drinks.

[Man With a Cat]

And now, I find that we have two graduation parties to attend on the 6th.

Crapster.

[dropzone]

broomstick --I like the Giordano's idea.Me, too. How are things coming with the reservations? I'd email you but, like, I can't.

[jnglmassiv]

Things are looking better and better for my attendance. I like anything but am more inclined towards drinks. Food will also be highly thought of.

[BrattiAtti]

2 weeks until, uh, C-D day.

I would like confirmations of plans within the next week so I don't have to worry about it after leaving for vacation. (You all know how you are with your computer; my dad's the same way. I could never actually know how to use a computer... I might give it AIDS or something. :rolleyes: ) Erm, I mean, moving on.

I really like the Giordano's at Prudential Plaza idea. Did you know [tourist mode] that there's a train that goes right to that building??? <snicker> Seriously, I haven't been to Chicago in eight years, and then I was a minor and not permitted to explore. My step-dad says his parents (who live in Alsip) can point us in the right direction to the Blue Island Metra station. From there, we really shouldn't get lost.

According to this schedule (http://metrarail.com/Sched/me/me_mso.shtml) we could leave from Randolph at 7:20pm, get off at Kensington at 7:53pm, get back on the train in Kensington at 8:11 pm, and get back to our car at 8:23pm at Blue Island. Is this correct? Are any of these places very seedy and/or scary? Thanks to any responses.

Yeah, so, you have my vote on the location. I think late afternoon would be a good time (see train schedule above); 4 o'clock-ish would give us all plenty of time to hang without causing me undue stress of trying to figure out my schedule for getting home. What do you all think?

[Broomstick]

I really like the Giordano's at Prudential Plaza idea. Did you know [tourist mode] that there's a train that goes right to that building???
Yes.

In fact, I ride it to work every Monday-Friday.

Actually, there are several train lines that go right to that building. And a number of bus routes go by as well.

According to this schedule (http://metrarail.com/Sched/me/me_mso.shtml) we could leave from Randolph at 7:20pm, get off at Kensington at 7:53pm, get back on the train in Kensington at 8:11 pm, and get back to our car at 8:23pm at Blue Island. Is this correct? Are any of these places very seedy and/or scary? Thanks to any responses.
I wouldn't go wandering around the Kensington area after dark by myself. Stay in the station and travel in a group.

Yeah, so, you have my vote on the location. I think late afternoon would be a good time (see train schedule above); 4 o'clock-ish would give us all plenty of time to hang without causing me undue stress of trying to figure out my schedule for getting home. What do you all think?
I think it's a grand idea, although

We're talking Saturday, August 6, correct?

I'll have to see if I can switch my flight times to Sunday that weekend, I'll get back to you in a few days.

[dropzone]

Yes, Saturday, August 6, at, well, there are worse times to get together than 4PM. It doesn't look like a particularly big crowd so if we want to make plans for after Giordanos at Prudential Plaza throws us out it shouldn't be too difficult.

[5que]

Yes, Saturday, August 6, at, well, there are worse times to get together than 4PM. It doesn't look like a particularly big crowd so if we want to make plans for after Giordanos at Prudential Plaza throws us out it shouldn't be too difficult.Okay, I'm really late seeing this (thanks to unclviny's rant in the Pit and dropzone's reply), but tentatively count me in too. I'm in the way, way north suburbs but will try to get downtown on the 6th.