Were you a Viking?
Another relatively local (and interested) doper checking in. Providing the 5:30-6:00 time frame remains I should be able to make it there from work on Friday.
Having only a passing familiarity with E. Lansing I can’t be much help in planning or ideas, but any of the combinations mentioned (dinner/bar, dinner/ice cream, dinner/more dinner) strike me as fine plans.
Nope. Trojan. Gosh I hope you’re asking me which high school I went to… 
Alistair, I haven’t seen anyone suggest another time. Also, if we’re going to eat at El Az, we probably want to be there earlier rather than later since they don’t take reservations. Here’s some info on El Azteco. We’re planning on going to the Ann St. location in E. Lansing (unless someone has a better suggestion).
GT
I’d recommend the Ann St. location, as well (the alternative being in downtown Lansing). If anyone needs directions, my e-mail’s in my profile. Please put SDMB or something in the subject line (so I know it’s not spam ;)). 5:30-6:00 should work for me. I probably won’t be able to find out about any events that night, until the week before (give or take), but as gardentraveler suggested playing it by ear, I can roll with that. 
Sigh. I move-in that Monday, so making an extra trip the weekend before isn’t really practical. Sorry, guys, but it looks like I’m out.
I really wish I could come, I lived in East Lansing for three years. I was on Highland, just off Michigan Avenue, close to campus.
Any used book fans? Don’t miss Curious Books, in East Lansing. Tell me it’s still there, pleeeeeaaaaaase!!!
Still there. I’ll stop in just for you…
Sorry you can’t be there, TheOnlySaneOne; maybe next time.
GT
Ooh! I have been looking for some good used/rare book stores in the West/Central Michigan area. I will most certainly have to check this one out.
I know several people who are addicted to Curious Books… I’m thinking that we start dinner at 5:30 so that we can try to move on to Curious Books before they close at 8:00?
Other ideas?
GT
The plan, such as it is:
Friday, August 18, 5:30
Dinner at El Azteco, 225 Ann St (right near the little plaza in front of the Marriott in the center of town, near the corner of Ann and M.A.C., just north of Grand River Ave.)
After dinner: stop at Curious Books (depends on time), there’s possibility of music on the plaza, ice cream at Melting Moments, other stops to be improvised (feel free to post updates, Heller)…
Here’s my list of attendees:
LOUNE
lavenderviolet (maybe)
Heller Highwater
gardentraveler
VeryReb
Sparteye
Alistair McCello
Anyone else?
E-mail is in my profile if you want my cell phone number so that we can coordinate and make sure we find each other.
GT
I haven’t really been able to find anything beyond what’s listed here, although it’s quite possible I’ve missed something; like I said upthread, there’s not much going on this weekend.
For anyone coming from out of town, there’re three ramps plus a lot nearby, which I’d recommend for parking. If anyone needs directions, feel free to e-mail me. Otherwise, I’ll see y’all Friday. On preview, any thoughts/suggestions on how to recognize each other?
Well, it looks like there are several little plays going on for the East Lansing Renegade Theater Festival. All nearby and all free, if anyone’s interested. Also, there’s music by the fountain in front of the Marriott starting at 7:30. And we can always wander around. Thanks for the link.
As for recognizing each other: I imagine service hasn’t changed a lot, which means it’s pretty much luck of the draw. I’ll be there right at 5:30 and can tell whoever’s waiting on us that I’m part of the Cecil Adams party. I’ve met VeryReb and she knows at least one additional attendee.
Just sent you an e-mail with more info. (Also sent to LOUNE, Alistair, and lavenderviolet).
See you Friday.
GT
Someone guilt zwieskameit (I think that’s how it’s spelled) into coming along.
Um. That is all for now.
Are you going to honor us with your presence, sir?
GT
Why, I maaaaaaaaaaaay. That is, unless the nurses keep sexually harassing me and lusting over my ass.
True story. Two buildings. It’s the start to a pandemic.
Got that email and sent one to Heller for directions.
I should be able to get there by 5:30 as well assuming decent traffic. See everyone Friday.
Excellent…see you tomorrow!
GT
Just wanted to thank everyone for attending! It was really a fun evening. (Yes, it was wild: food, laughter, books, books, coffee, laughter/interesting discussion.)
Sorry you couldn’t make it LOUNE. I didn’t get your voicemail till I was in East Lansing and then I was running late for dinner; traffic was crazy between Ann Arbor and here.
GT
The traffic you hit could have been overflow from the traffic that would have impaired me.
God dammit, I wanted to go, too. Count me EXTRA jealous of Doper Dinners.
Man, I had the strippers and everything…
Grr!
just checking in to say I had fun. told my husband Snookie later that I’d had dinner w/ some one who was studying the physics of chemistry, and he nodded sagely, like “well, yes, of course”.
told ya. 