I’ve just found out I’m going to be in Chicago on business Monday and Wednesday (but not Tuesday) this coming week, and I wonder if anyone there would like to get together for dinner and/or drinks one of those nights?
I should make clear that my attendance is by no means a sure thing; for one thing, I haven’t had the chance to talk to my boss about the trip, and for all I know I’ll be spending those nights entertaining clients or something. (That seems doubtful.) I suspect that I’ll be able to get away for at least one of the nights I’m there, anyway, and tomorrow (Friday) I’ll be able to say for sure.
I’m also not sure that I’ll have a car; I’ll be staying at the Sheraton Rosemont near the airport, and I should be able to get to anywhere in that neighborhood pretty easily. However, I know nothing about the geography of Chicago (this is my first trip), and for all I know it’s a long jaunt from there to any fun place to go.
So this is just a preliminary feeler, to find out if any Chi-Dopers are remotely interested. Again, I’ll know more tomorrow, and will post as soon as I know anything, but thought I’d put a bug in y’all’s ear now, just in case.
OK, here’s an update: I’ll be in Chicago only one night, which will be Wednesday, Feb. 20. I imagine we’lll be getting in from Bloomington sometime around 6:00, then checking into the hotel, etc. I will be free after that, and when I told my boss I’ve got “some friends” in Chicago and would like to see them that evening, he gladly gave the green light. (I imagine we’ll be sick of each other by then anyway.)
The Hotel is the Sheraton Gateway Suites in Rosemont, apparently pretty close to O’Hare; I believe it’s the “A” on this map, but I had some trouble getting Google maps to locate the address. I’m PMing my cell number to Mike G.
So: Anyone up for dinner in Rosemont that night? I won’t have a car, and I’ll have a fairly early flight out the next morning. I’d imagine most of you will have work/school as well.
Thanks! Actually, I probably will; I just started this job, and we have a lot of clients in the Chicago area, so I suspect I’ll be up there at least a few times a year. Most of the trips either start on a Monday or end on a Friday, so next time I’ll ask the person who books our tickets to stretch mine over the weekend.
Unfortunately, I cannot make it then either, as I’ll be working. But I hope you get a few people, and MikeG is certainly good at where things are and what food tastes wonderful, so that will be good.
Definitely, visit properly sometime. Everyone I’ve met so far is very friendly.
I’m still interested and not too far from Rosemont. I’ll check here for the next 90 minutes or so. I hate the idea of a doper visiting the seat of Straight Dopedness and missing a meetup due to lack of response.
OK, back home safe and sound (and warm!) finally. I’ll be sure and give more advance notice next time I’m heading up that way, and try to make it a longer stay, too.
My impression of Chicago from this trip: Brutal cold, hotels, and conference rooms. I’m sure I can change those notions next time.
Plus I’d be terrified to take the Blue line late at night.