St Louis area DopeFest anyone?

[Crunchy Frog]

Ok, let's try this again. Anyone want to get together for a DopeFest in or around the St Louis area? I was thinking of doing it the weekend of Jan 12-14, since that's when I have a 4-day weekend.

Anyone interested? Anyone?



Hello?

[Palandine]

Count me in, Crunchy :D

[Crunchy Frog]

So that makes two of us. I'm hoping to see Miss B. Haven check in sometime soon.

Any suggestions where to meet or any preferences on which day?

[Palandine]

Either the 12th or the 13th works well for me.

Boy, from what I've seen there's lots of St. Louis people (SoMoMom springs to mind, but there's others as well) on this MB. Give 'em time to find this notice.

Fox and Hounds
McGurk's
Babe's (cool place in my neighborhood--bonus...it's by Pizza-A-Go-Go)
Tangerine

I'm flexible :)

[Alantus]

If its on the 14th I will be there, working on 12th and 13th.

Alantus

[Alantus]

I should have said, if I don't have a date on the 14th I will be there. I have been trying to schedule a date for the longest time with a young lady, however the weather and our work schedules have not cooperated.

Alantus

[MissBHaven]

I'm good for either the 13th or the 14th. I just have to make arrangements for the kiddies. Atlantus, You can always bring your date... we won't scare her!

Crunchy, how do you like my new sig?

[Alantus]

She's a Mormon, I am not gonna schedule my first date with her to be a dopefest meeting. That would be rolling the dice a bit too much.

Alantus

[Crunchy Frog]

Right now the 13th has 2 votes to only one for the 14th (sorry Alantus, hope you get that date BTW). We'll give this a few more days and see who else chimes in before deciding for sure on the date.

As for the place, I don't know where any of those places are. What are they like and what's to do there? I was thinking along the lines of Dave&Busters or Growlers or something like that.

D&B's has pool table, bar, restaraunt, arcade games.
Growlers is just a place with 131 different beers imported from all over where we could hang out and chat.

Miss B. I like the sig - and you'll be the first virtual SO of mine that I will actually meet!

[Alantus]

If your at Dave & Busters out at Riverport it would be cool. I work in the building across the street. I can drop by for a bit regardless of the night.

Alantus

[Palandine]

Actually, any day is fine for me--just found out we have MLK day off.

Well, if it's going to be a county place, I'd prefer Growler's, although again, I'm flexible. Dave and Buster's is hell and gone from my house in the city, but more than that I've gathered it would be pretty noisy and crowded.

FWIW,

Fox and Hounds is a British-themed pub that is part of the Cheshire Hotel complex and Clayton and McCausland/Skinker.

McGurk's is a wonderful Irish bar in Soulard.

Babe's is just a quiet place with a great bartender. Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name. Southwest city on Ivanhoe.

Tangerine is a martini bar on Washington Ave downtown. Very cool. Also cool just off of Washington is Lo, a nice low-key sake bar.

However, whatever everyone else decides is cool with me.

[kunilou]

Rats! Mrs. Kunilou is having an arthroscope (bad knee) that weekend, precisely because of the holiday and because the Kunilou kids and I will be home to help out. She would have liked to come, too, but it looks like we'll have to take a pass on it.

[sdimbert]

jimbert and I are in Kansas City... no promises, but maybe we'll drive in for the weekend.

[Sophie]

I don't have the next day off and I'd have to drive all night to get home. Otherwise, I'd be there. :(

[Shayna]

:(

[schief2]

Well, cripes, I feel like a bit of a newbie to be going to something as high-falutin' as a Dopefest, but I might be able to truck in from Columbia for one if it was on the 13th or the 15th.

Anyone ever given any thought to an all-MO Dopefest? I know there's Homer and a bunch of other KC-area Dopers we could try to shake out of hiding. It'd have to be centrally located, of course, and I'd the first to volunteer my fair town as the site... ;)

[Crunchy Frog]

I'd be all for a MO-DopeFest, but until some situations change for me, I won't be able to go to one out of town. So far we have 3 definites, and 2 maybes, depending on what day. We really need to pound out which day to do this on, folks. It's seems most of us will be available the 13th. Is that ok with everyone?

(I know Alantus, you can't, but look on the bright side, think positive - you'll get that date on the 14th and not be free anyway. :D)

[DynoSaur]

Er, well, if you don't mind someone nobody knows tagging along, I suppose I'd consider it. I'd need pretty good directions, though, as I'd be driving in from Springfield (IL).

[MissBHaven]

I'll 2nd the 13th and I'm open on the location. I live in West County so everything's about 20-30 min away.

Alantus, Sorry for messing up your name!

kunilou, Bummer! Do you want us to all come to your house instead?! :)

[Crunchy Frog]

Ok, let's do this on the 13th.

Fox and Hounds sounds good to me. Any objections?
Dyno and I will need directions Palandine.

[Palandine]

Can do. It's totally easy to get to, even from Illinois. However, I'm a little bit tied up at the moment; will send the directions as soon as possible.

[MissBHaven]

:) bump :)

[schief2]

Put me down as about 80% likely for the 13th, and I could use some directions coming in on I-70, if Crunchy or one of his St. Louis compatriots could provide them.




and oh yeah....BUMP

[Crunchy Frog]

I-70 will take you straight into the city (and you'll pass about 300 yards from where I work doing it!). As for getting to Fox and Hounds, we're waiting to hear from Palandine for that.

Yep, we're all waiting on you, Pal.

[kunilou]

Originally posted by Miss B. Haven
kunilou, Bummer! Do you want us to all come to your house instead?! :)



I appreciate the sentiment but it won't be necessary. Given the number of pain pills Mrs. Kunilou will have available that weekend, it's quite possible she could have her own Dope Fest.

[groan]

[Crunchy Frog]

Originally posted by kunilou
Given the number of pain pills Mrs. Kunilou will have available that weekend, it's quite possible she could have her own Dope Fest.
In light of this information, can we please come over to your place? Alcohol has a pleasant numbing effect, but it's nothing like alcohol and pills combined!

[Palandine]

Okay, there's a map here: http://st-louis.funtastiktravel.com/St/Louis/hotels/st_louis_3f.html

Coming from the middle of the state on eastbound I-70 (for schief2), you would get on southbound I-270 for about 6 or 8 miles, and then would get on eastbound highway 40 (I-64).

From there (and this is the way the west county people would come too) take 40 east to exit at McCausland (just inside the city limits). Turn left at the bottom of the ramp. Take McCausland under Highway 40 and past Del Taco. Make a left at Clayton Road (2nd set of lights at the interchange, not the set of traffic lights by the Hi-Pointe theater). The Cheshire Inn is pretty much right past the Amoco there with the big horking sign. It's on the left and has a lot of British stuff outside, maybe even the double-decker bus. For those who are looking at the map and might be confused by the street name Skinker, McCausland becomes Skinker after crossing Clayton Road. It's the same thing.

For folks coming from Illinois, take I-55 to the Poplar Street Bridge (the MAJOR bridge over the Missisippi [it's the one just south of the arch]; it carries I-64, I-70, and I-55). Get into a left lane just so you don't have to deal with the merging and exiting folks and you will be on Highway 40/I-64. You will go past the downtown area, a big Anheuser-Busch billboard, Barnes-Jewish hospital and the Science Center (which goes over the highway with a walkway). You're close when you get there. About a mile later (past Hampton Ave.), there'll be an exit for Clayton/Skinker. Take it. Go straight at the light. The Cheshire Inn is pretty much right past the Amoco there with the big horking sign. It's on the left and has a lot of British stuff outside, maybe even the double-decker bus. For those who are looking at the map and might be confused by the street name Skinker, McCausland becomes Skinker after crossing Clayton Road. It's the same thing.

Any questions, just ask.

[Crunchy Frog]

The Cheshire Inn is pretty much right past the Amoco there with the big horking sign.
You said this and I instantly knew exactly where you were talking about.

[Crunchy Frog]

I see, I have a couple days off and everyone just lets this thread sink. Shame on you.

So we have the date and place, what time? 7:00 sound ok?

[DynoSaur]

Ugh. I'll try to get there, but I don't know that I can take dopefests two weekends in a row ;)

(yeah, I'm a wuss, so what?)

[Quadzilla]

Awwwww man... I'm a minor poster, so don't know if I'd be much fun at a Dopefest, but I'd love to come... in fact, I have to be back on campus in Columbia this weekend, but can't leave because I'm doing res-life training. Damn. And I just got approval to have my car with me this semester, too... :(

[schief2]

Originally posted by Crunchy Frog
So we have the date and place, what time? 7:00 sound ok?

I work until 6, so I probably won't be able to get there till around 8 or 8:30 - but don't feel like you have to hold the show up for me, if 7:00 works for everyone else. Far be it from me to stop the rest of you from boozing it up in my absence...

Quadzilla: cool to see another Columbia poster checking in! Too bad it sounds like you can't make it, though. :( I always wondered if there was anyone else from around here on the board...

[Quadzilla]

Yeah, but I'm all about the all-MO Dopefest... MO' Dope... heh-heh... :D

thanks, schief :) I sent you an e-mail earlier tonight, so, to risk a tad of redundancy - good to see another Columbian here, too!

[Palandine]

7:00 is fine with me.

Looking forward to meeting you guys.

[MissBHaven]

~~~;)~~~

Bump... I may be late but I'll be there!

[Crunchy Frog]

A quick bump and another question:

How the hell are we all going to know each other? My pic's on the People Pages, but seeing as I'll be wearing my glasses (have to when driving at night) and have grown a goatee since those pics, I may not be recognizable when compared to that picture, and I don't have any idea what any of you look like.

So Dopers, how will we know who we are? Is there a handshake I haven't been told about?

[Nymysys]

I'll be there if someone wants to come get me from Chi.

::looks over at Dyno::

[Crunchy Frog]

Come on Dyno, you and Nymysys alone in a car for a few hours, sounds like fun to me. Suck it up son and go to 2 DopeFests!

Besides, then I can meet 2 of my virtual wives. :D

[DynoSaur]

I'll think about it...

*ponders driving to Chicago and back twice in two days*

Yeah. Like I said, I'll think about it.

Anyone else from Chicago want to try and convince me to give them a ride to St. Louis, too?

Oh, and Nym, there's no smoking in my car. Can you handle that for the 5+ hours between Chicago and St. Louis, should I decide to do this?

[MissBHaven]

Originally posted by Crunchy Frog
So Dopers, how will we know who we are? Is there a handshake I haven't been told about?

I just thought I'd walk around the bar whispering in people's ears...Hey big boy, I'm Miss B Haven... until someone recognizes me and buys me a drink or two. ;)

Or.... Crunchy, you could wear that red bow you keep promising me. I bet all of your "wives" would show up for that one!!!

[Nymysys]

Dyno, I can handle not smoking. We have to stop for gas/pee breaks sometime, don't we? :D

It's not a neccessity for me to go, but if you're up for it, I would certainly have fun. Chip in for gas and all. Would we have a place to crash, or what's the deal? Will we get to spread dirty motel rumours about us?

[Crunchy Frog]

Originally posted by Miss B. Haven
Or.... Crunchy, you could wear that red bow you keep promising me. I bet all of your "wives" would show up for that one!!!

You know I would love to show up wearing nothing but a big red Christmas bow, but it's been 3 years since I last got my ass kicked and I'm trying to keep the streak alive.

[Nymysys]

Originally posted by Crunchy Frog
You know I would love to show up wearing nothing but a big red Christmas bow, but it's been 3 years since I last got my ass kicked and I'm trying to keep the streak alive.

Shit, I better not show up, then.

[Crunchy Frog]

Originally posted by Nymysys
Originally posted by Crunchy Frog
You know I would love to show up wearing nothing but a big red Christmas bow, but it's been 3 years since I last got my ass kicked and I'm trying to keep the streak alive.

Shit, I better not show up, then.

Of course I'm always willing for a little post-DopeFest modeling. . . ;)

[DynoSaur]

Originally posted by Nymysys
Dyno, I can handle not smoking. We have to stop for gas/pee breaks sometime, don't we? :D

It's not a neccessity for me to go, but if you're up for it, I would certainly have fun. Chip in for gas and all. Would we have a place to crash, or what's the deal? Will we get to spread dirty motel rumours about us?

Well, my car can -probably- get from Chicago to St. Louis on one tank of gas, and -I- wouldn't need a pee break ;)

I'm up for it, provided I can find a way to break the Springfield-to-Chicago-to-St. Louis leg of the journey up a bit. 10 hours of driving pre-fest on Saturday would not put Dyno in a party mood, y'know?

Anyway, we can discuss further later in chat, or email me. That goes for any other Chicago types undecided upon attendance, as well...if enough of you gang up on me, I may feel guilty if I don't help y'all out ;)

At the very least, if one of you Chicago types decides to drive, I can probably fit a small group of you on the floor of my living room to help make your journey easier.

[Nymysys]

Dyno, I'm more than willing to let you crash on my couch (read that as "air mattress") if it will make things easier. Dunno about any other ChiDopers, but things have been way too quiet in my neck of the woods lately. I'm up for it if you are.

[Crunchy Frog]

Ok people, 7:00 Saturday Jan 13th at Foz and Hounds, directions have already been given.

Now then...
How will we know who each other are? I'm am not about to announce a page "Would Miss B Haven please meet Crunchy Frog at the bar?"

[Alantus]

Come on Crunchy, live a little. If you announced a page like that all the women would probably look at you. Anyway, drink one for me.

Alantus

[DynoSaur]

Hey Nym!

We gonna do this or not? Hurry up and let me know so I know whether I have to finish doing my dishes or not ;)

Plus, directions and that sort of thing would be good. Or, I could just wander around Chicago and it's many suburbs randomly.

[MissBHaven]

I've never been to Fox and Hounds but I'm sure we can set up a table with a "reserved for SDMB" sign. What do you think?

[Palandine]

What Miss B. Haven said. I think the easiest thing would be to have a table reserved.

However, if anyone's looking for me, I'll be there pretty early. Shoulder length red-brown hair, blue suede shirt, light tan pants. I should be there pretty early, seeing as how I live a grand total of 2 miles from the Fox and Hounds.

[Nymysys]

Not going to be able to make it, gang. I have effectively four pennies to my name. Unless I met a sugar daddy in the next few hours, I wouldn't be much fun. Regrets to all, and a special smooch for Froggy just cause, and Dyno, who was willing to come pick my sorry ass up. :D

[DynoSaur]

OK, so, I guess I'll be there. Nym-less, sorry to say.

I'll be wearing...how the hell should I know? Whatever I've got that's clean. Jeans and a denim shirt, most likely. Check out the pic on my homepage...I'm apparently fairly easy to recognize from it. (See the one -with- the goatee).

Anyway...see you there. At 7. or so.

[MissBHaven]

...... we can all slap nametags on our asses and stand at the bar.....







:)

[schief2]

My net access has been pretty sporadic this week...but as I said before I will, in all likelihood, be there sometime in the 8-8:30 time frame.

Appearance/clothing/etc.? That's for me to know and you to find out. ;)






(Translation: when you see the same moron wander by your table four times, obviously looking lost, that'll probably be me.)

[DynoSaur]

OK, I'm off as of ten minutes from now.

Big geeky guy (since that worked so well at Chidope), blue jeans, light-brown denim shirt, etc, etc.

Look for one of the guys wandering around looking confused.

[schief2]

I'm about to head home, change, grab some drive-through fast food, and hit the road...see you guys in a few hours.

(woo! My 100th post!)