# Boston Dopefest! or, When the Cat's Away . . . **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 18, 2005, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-dopefest-or-when-the-cats-away/317623 "2005-08-18T18:18:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Weird\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-dopefest-or-when-the-cats-away/317623/1 "2005-08-18T18:18:38Z")
A couple weeks ago, my roommates told me that they’re both going to be out of town for the last weekend in August. Bummer. They’re also my two best friends, and one of them is taking the car, so I’ll basically be hanging around the house by myself all weekend. What to do, what to do . . . why, host a Dopefest, of course! Only problem: I’ve never attended, much less hosted one. Is there a standard format? Would it be considered improper or a bad idea to host it at my house? How many people show up for these things? ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-dopefest-or-when-the-cats-away/317623/2 "2005-08-18T18:54:11Z")
I have never attended, nor hosted, one either. But, my understanding is there’s no official format. Designate a time and a place and plan accordingly. I know one Boston-area doper had one at her house within the last couple of years. I guess if you feel like opening your house to the [del]nut-bars & whack-jobs[/del] intelligent and erudite denizens of this board, that’s your business. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weird\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-dopefest-or-when-the-cats-away/317623/3 "2005-08-25T16:56:44Z")
Alright, well, nothing to spice up the weekend like inviting a bunch of strangers over to one’s house. So! Boston/Massachusetts/New Enland/Whoever wants to show up Dopefest will be held Saturday starting at 5 pm at my house in Arlington, MA (just outside of Boston, accessible by public transit). I will provide chicken and meat-like soybean products for grilling and a limited quantity of beer, everyone else should bring something to eat and/or drink. Significant (and insignificant) others are welcome to join, but our house is not very kid-friendly and I would prefer not to have children over. If you would like to join us (me), e-mail me through the Dope and I’ll give you my address. Please let me know if: 1. you’ll be bringing anyone else 2. you need to know how to get here using public transit 3. Hi, Opal! ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-dopefest-or-when-the-cats-away/317623/4 "2005-08-25T20:38:05Z")
This coming Saturday? Bummer. Probably can’t make it. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-dopefest-or-when-the-cats-away/317623/5 "2005-08-25T22:51:19Z")
This Saturday?! I have to work. And I LIVE in Arlington. I prolly coulda walked over. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![bizzwire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/958977/32.png) [@bizzwire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizzwire)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-dopefest-or-when-the-cats-away/317623/6 "2005-08-26T01:32:06Z")
I’m in Belmont. How do I “e-mail you through the dope”? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weird\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-dopefest-or-when-the-cats-away/317623/7 "2005-08-26T12:59:31Z")
**Motorgirl** , that’s a bummer. We should hang out sometime, though. **bizzwire** , if you click on my username at the top of one of my posts, a menu should drop down. One of the options is “Send e-mail to The Weird One.” Click it, and you can send me an e-mail. I just don’t want to post my e-mail address because I’ve managed to keep this particular address spam-free and I don’t want to risk some web-surfing spam-bots finding it here. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-dopefest-or-when-the-cats-away/317623/8 "2005-08-26T15:31:17Z")
Such short notice! Unfortunately I can’t make it, though usually I’ll take an excuse to head down to Boston. ☹ There are a few ‘usual suspect’-type Bostoners (Bostonians, I guess) who might be around.