Eek! I’m a little worried that with the earlier start, y’all will be done and gone by the time I can get there. I will call gardentraveler’s cell phone before I leave to make sure the party’s still on, but I suspect I won’t be able to get there until sometime between 7 and 7:30. 
Well, I won’t be there till 6:30, so the party can’t REALLY start until then, anyway! 
I figure the eating and chatting will go on for a while, don’t you think?
Oh, and my other thought was that sometimes it takes a while to get a table at those pizza places, especially with a large group. Then it can take an hour to get the pizza (assuming people are going for the deep-dish).
Well, if YOU’LL promise to wait for me, then I’ll promise to come, just to meet you, Sarahfeena! If everyone else is done, we can get something chocolate for two.
I firmly believe we’ll be there pretty well past 7:30, so come on by!
It’s a deal, WhyNot…I won’t go anywhere until you get there, I promise. Can’t wait! 
Absolutely. Thank you for making me less anxious. (And “thank you” to myself for being courageous enough to speak up about my fears and let someone else fix it. That was surprisingly hard for me!)
Don’t give it a second thought! I am really looking forward to meeting you, and wouldn’t let the opportunity pass me by.
I am the type who gets very anxious when I am meeting people somewhere (not just “strangers,” but groups of friends, or even my husband), and I’m thinking I might be late or get held up…I hate that. It actually made me feel a little better that people are going to come at different times depending on their situations. I’ve been telling myself that no one should get nervous about coming early or late…the goal is to meet up and have fun, not worry about the time!
Arrgh…just stumbled on this thread, and have already made plans (last day at my current company…drinking to ensue locally).
I’d loved to have met all of you. If you’re all curfew-safe, stop by Andy’s Jazz club up north a little (probably a $10 cab ride).
-Cem
Sorry you can’t join us Cem and vertizontal.
I’ve arrived safely in Chicago and am about to venture out to a museum or two. I have to come back here to check in at 3. Should be easy to get to the Big Downtown about the time you get there MBG. I believe thirdwarning, Haze and Scottish Darling are planning to join us. Shibb hasn’t been by here again to say whether he’s still in town.
I figure we’ll just be warming up by 7:30, WhyNot. I’m really looking forward to meeting you too, so you have to join us. I’m not in a rush.
I’ll check this thread again about 3:00.
GT
Is it too late for me to join? I think that makes an unlucky 13 … but I’m pleasant company!
Everyone should join! Everyone!!!111!11!one
Er, Scottish Darling and I might run a bit late. But yeah, we should get to Giordano’s fairly early - the pizza takes nearly an hour to arrive, so those of us who are able to should get there around 6pm, grab a table, and order. Maybe Scottish Darling and I could just go straight to Giordano’s between 5:30-6? (We have a booze appointment later tonight, so we don’t want to start drinking too early ). Anyway, I’ll call you later gardentraveler. Squee!
I agree with HazelNut, Sugar and Spice, there’s always room for one more!!!
I also completely agree with the idea of whoever is there early grabbing a table & ordering…ask the server how many pizzas for 12 or so people (they will probably say 2 large ones if it’s deep dish, I’d imagine…I can only eat one piece of it before I’m stuffed!) Probably a safe bet to order one of them with no toppings, just cheese, in case of any vegetarians or picky people!
Not me. I’ll be arriving at 6:00 and will be leaving promptly at 6:07.
I’m going to Chicago TWICE this month…but not this weekend. I’d join if you could move it to next Friday… Anyone? 
Damn. I’d love to meet all of you (I work just north of Prudential) but I’ve got to go out with my family. Rats!!!
Hmmm. Maybe if I tell them that I have to “work late” and I “missed the train”… Nope. My wife would kill me.
Have a slice for me, folks.
OK, Chicagoland Dopers! You are hereby ordered to search for titles containing Chicago* at least once a week so that you don’t miss this.
You should absolutely join us, sugar and spice! eleanorigby can’t make it, (and Shibb was iffy also), so there should be lots of room.
ifx2, you must stay until at least 6:08!
Off to meet MBG and BusWife.
Big Downtown 4:45, Giordano’s 5:30.
GT
Updates?
Drunk posts?
Pictures?
Anything!?
If I don’t here from anyone in seventeen minutes I am sending out the search party.
:: breaks out spelunking gear, and two weeks worth of fresh water ::
I’m off to Chicago!
nu? where are the pictures and tales of debauchery?