I’m coming from Glenview. I get off work at 4:30 but it will take a while to get there in rush hour traffic, probably going to take side streets.
I am aiming at 6:30, but I will probably end up arriving at 7:00.
Looking forward to meeting everyone.
but nervous
Damnit, just found out I have to work till 6, I’ll see ya when I see ya. Save me a seat.
I’m home now, after 3 something hours in an ER. “Giving me trouble”?
Yeah, I blew it to hell, I think I’ll likely be scoped soon. Right now, I have drugs and an ice-brace.
I have a flair for understatement. 
It was wonderful seeing everyone!
I just got home and I had a great time.
There was a camera there, but I don’t think many pictures were taken. Any non-attendees are probably going to have to take our word for it that it was a lot of fun.
I am looking forward to the “real” dopefest at the end of the month even more now.
MBG, I hope you are mobile enough to attend by then.
“Candians”? CANDIANS?!? What do you think, all we do is eat sugary treats? Um, okay, fair cop. 
We had a great time meeting everyone yesterday - it’s great to have some faces to put with names now. Thanks again to BlueKangaroo for organizing it, and thanks to everyone else for coming out on a rainy night.
We have to go explore one-millionth of Chicago now - see all y’alls around! 
I had a lovely time meeting everyone last night, and I’m glad people were able to come out. I’m looking forward to the end of the month!
It was good to see you all, sorry I was a bit distracted. Work has been tough and the rain had me worried, it took forever to get home, I actually stopped at a friends’ house for a while till the rain let up.
Of course it’s nice and clear today…grrr.
Sorry, typo. I meant candyasses. 
I had a great time yesterday evening. Special shout out to BlueKangaroo for the hard work of organizing.
Looking forward to the 31st, too.
Is anyone from the Chicago area looking at/figuring out a place for us to meet? I’m staying a day or three, and am looking at a reasonably priced hotel in Willowbrook, but would stay somewhere else closer to our intended meeting spot if we settle on one quick enough.
Okay, so has the planning for the 31st fest completely fallen through? I may well be moving away for the summer (rather suddenly, though I’ll be back in the fall), and I’m kind of hoping this comes together. But, as I said, I’ve never been to Evanston, so I’m very hesitant to attempt any planning on my own.
The only reason I’m not speaking up again and planning anything is that I have a phobia of being that person who ties the loose ends together and everyone says “Oh, yeah, that’s good, that’ll work” and then behind my back they’re all disgruntled and hate the plan and then the day of either no one shows up 'cause they didn’t like the plan or they do show up and something goes wrong and it’s all my fault 'cause I was the one who made the plan and I feel guilty and literally sick to my stomach all night and can’t enjoy myself even if things go swimmingly because I know secretly everyone hates me.
Uh…was that my outside voice?
Yeah, I have issues.
Fine, you whisper the plan to me, and I’ll take the heat of “making it”. Cool? Then everyone can hate me instead. And, should it come down to hating, I can open my eyes really wide and say, “Oh, I just tried so hard, but I don’t really know the area. Certainly you can forgive me for getting a little befuddled, right?”
We are become one. Those are my thoughts, exactly.
I hope to make it to the 31st thingie.
Okay, so having reread the darn thread, it looks like MikeG might have hit the nail on the head with a bowling dope at Habetler Bowl. Of course, I say this because I know he knows the area well and has good taste in food. Plus, bowling is fun, and it might be easier to wander around and meet & greet through this sort of 'fest rather than at a single huge table.
He says it’s on the Blue Line, which I know from experience runs rather late. That means HazelNutCoffee and I (at least) will not have to skeedaddle early.
So, I count 20 people, plus possibly one for Mr Bus Guy and god knows how many for Mooch. Here’s my tentative list. Please let me know if I’ve missed you, if you’re bringing someone or if you’re dropping out.
dropzone
Missy2U
LifeOnWry
jnglmassiv
MikeG
HazelNutCoffee
ITR champion
The Them
Boyo Jim
Dinsdale
ExTank
Clurican
Eleanorigby
Mooch + some number
WhyNot
GardenTraveler (?)
Mr Rosewater
Millit the Frail
Sarahfeena
Mr Bus Guy (?)
Tomorrow I will call the Habetler Bowl and see what it takes to get a large-ish party in there on a Saturday/Saturday night. If no one objects, I’m making the reservations for 7pm. If someone wants to change it (early or later), that’s fine by me.
If someone objects to the Bowling place, then now’s the time to speak up. If someone else wants to organize, that’s probably better, since I really don’t know WTF’s going on.
KittenBlue, we can maybe work a drink out for you, if you’re interested and willing to come down to the Little Italy part of town. I’ll be packing then, so I don’t want to wander too far away too often, and Little Italy is easy transit for me.
Now THAT’s a take-charge kangaroo!
I think bowling would be fun. I’m terrible at it, mind, so no one wants me on your team, trust me, but it’s fun! And I agree, having a casual atmosphere to mingle and chat would be nice. I was sort of bummed out not to get to talk with some of the Dopers last time just because they were at the other end of the table.
Yeah, my innate personality could be described as “pushy”.
I guess it’s just that I’d like to have something settled. I’d really like to hang out, especially since it looks like I’m going to miss my first Chicago summer, but if it all falls through, then at least I tried.
Of course, I don’t know how bowling compares to a dinner, so if cost is an issue, people again need to speak up.
What kind of food, and what kind of alcohol, can be had at this place?