# ChicagoDopes 2000 **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 3, 2000, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769 "2000-04-03T06:14:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Valerieblaise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@Valerieblaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valerieblaise)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2000, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/1 "2000-04-03T06:14:00Z")
Hi. I wanted to start a new thread for a couple of reasons, but I don’t feel like going into them now. 😉 Anyway, here’s the list of the potential attendees; at least as far as I’ve heard via email : Alphagene Android Omni Beefymeg Kat elelle Christi DavidB GLWasteful Jophiel Veb Flypside Gaudere Falcon Random Jeannie boli (?) If anyone is thinking of attending and was not listed, please let me know right away. The next concern I have is what we all want to do. I went to Dave & Buster’s today (essentially a grown-up arcade with a bar) to see if that might be a good place to gather. While I had a lot of fun, it was awfully expensive w/ all the games, and I think that maybe everyone would be too distracted by all the shiny things to actually _gather_. So, my thought here is that maybe we should stick to a bar/restaurant. However, I don’t want to play gathering-dictator, so I need input/opinions from all you guys. Email me or post here, whatever. I also need to know if everyone wants to stay in the same hotel like we did in Springfield. I think it’d be fun, since we could hang out after the bars close, but it’s up to you guys. I’m planning to get a hotel room downtown so that I don’t have to drive home anyway, but I’d like to make sure I don’t book anything across town from everyone else. * * * You’re a penny in the tip jar of life But you’re shiny and you’re mine -the Judybats ---
**Author:** ![Shadowfox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Shadowfox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shadowfox)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2000, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/2 "2000-04-03T14:20:00Z")
## I know I already stated several times that I’m not planning on attending, but after listening to Cristi beg me to come to Chicago with her and also the fact that her hubby told me that he doesn’t want her going by herself, but that he would okay the trip if I accompanied her, I’m finding it hard to resist. It is still dependent on whether the funds will be available for the trip, but I guess you can add me to the list as a “maybe”. Shadowfox “The dead have risen, and they’re voting Republican!” - Bart Simpson ---
**Author:** ![Andy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aeb1de/32.png) [@Andy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2000, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/3 "2000-04-03T14:32:00Z")
I think ChiDopeMM should be the official acronym. ---
**Author:** ![Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/57b2e6/32.png) [@Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2000, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/4 "2000-04-03T16:36:00Z")
> [@](#): > > I think that maybe everyone would be too distracted by all the shiny things to actually gather. > > So, my thought here is that maybe we should stick to a bar/restaurant. However, I don’t want to play gathering-dictator, so I need input/opinions from all you guys. Email me or post here, whatever. Agree. ---
**Author:** ![Jeannie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@Jeannie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeannie)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2000, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/5 "2000-04-04T01:07:00Z")
I don’t care where we gather. As for the hotel, I’m not sure. I live in Brookfield, so I don’t need to stay over in the city. But after you’ve chosen a hotel, if the price is okay, then maybe Mr. Jeannie and I will stay. BTW, stupid question here: What are all your names? I have this weird mental image of us sitting around saying things like, “So, Falcon, what’s new?” and “Hey Beefymeg, how are you?” Anyway, I’m so excited that I’ll be meeting you guys! * * * I never hate myself in the morning. I sleep till noon. –Sig line courtesy of Wally 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2000, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/6 "2000-04-04T01:09:00Z")
Actually, I am UncleBeer; it’s even on my answering machine. My nephew named me about 10 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Jeannie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@Jeannie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeannie)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2000, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/7 "2000-04-04T01:36:00Z")
Are you going, UncleBeer? I didn’t see your name on the list. I told my husband that we may be meeting a guy named UncleBeer in a month or so. I can’t even describe the look I received. I’m sure he’s as anxious as I am. 🙂 * * * I never hate myself in the morning. I sleep till noon. –Sig line courtesy of Wally 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2000, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/8 "2000-04-04T01:38:00Z")
Jeannie, oddly enough, thats pretty close to how it has worked out for our meetings. The Screennames tend to be the prefered method of speaking, it becomes the goofy hook that makes you feel silly. It can be a bit silly, and you’ll pick up the real names after a while, and most of the regular chatters tend to know each others realnames, but rest assured we will get funny looks from the normal people in the bar :). Hey, you thought we were gonna be an erudite reserved group? Anyways, I’d like to add the question: Do you think it would be best to be in a region with alot of bars, so that changing venues will be easy? Keep in mind that Saturday nights in Chicago tend to be quite crowded, and planning ahead is critical. Bars tucked away in the neighborhoods tend to be much less crowded, but you typically are SOL when it comes to barhopping with a large group (cabs/cars/parking). So, we’ll need to establish some priorities so us Chicago bargoers can narrow down the options. ---
**Author:** ![Falcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/49beb7/32.png) [@Falcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falcon)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2000, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/9 "2000-04-04T02:09:00Z")
Okay…few things. One, I’d prefer to be just in a bar or something so we all con talk. Two, yes, I think it would rock to all be in the same hotel again… And finally, yeah, I typically go by Falcon at these things. Then again, I just got back from a sci-fi convention where everyone called me Hawk all weekend, so I’m used to it. And V, Sassy’s missing from the list of people interested in coming. * * * Winner, SDMB’s Biggest FEMALE Chat Addict (Happy, Jophiel?) “Only two things that’ll soothe my soul - cold beer and remote control.” ---
**Author:** ![Valerieblaise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@Valerieblaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valerieblaise)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2000, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/10 "2000-04-04T02:58:00Z")
Eh, I can’t believe I forgot Unclebeer! OK, I’ve gotten a couple more emails, so here’s the newest list: Unclebeer Sassy Shadowfox Alphagene Android Omni Beefymeg Kat elelle Christi DavidB GLWasteful Jophiel Veb Flypside Gaudere Falcon Random Jeannie Mr. Jeannie (?) boli (?) OK, so besides all that, if someone is bringing a spouse or what-have-you, please let me know about that so I can keep an accurate count just in case we need to make reservations somewhere. I tend to think that bar-hopping with such a large group of people (and so many from out of town) would be difficult and annoying. I think we have to find some place where we can hang out all night… We may HAVE to make reservations for such a large group on a Saturday night. I think an out-of-the-way bar would be a lot better, also. ---
**Author:** ![Kricket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f14d63/32.png) [@Kricket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kricket)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2000, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/11 "2000-04-04T05:19:00Z")
## Let me know the date and the time and I will be there. My sister-in-law lives in Elmhurst, and not knowing my way around terribly much, I have yet to know if I will be needing a room or not. As for the name thing, I have been known as Kricket for about five years now thanks to one of my best friends. I even used to have it on my tickets at work. (I was a server) ## Mistress Kricket Are you stuck on stupid? ---
**Author:** ![Shadowfox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Shadowfox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shadowfox)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2000, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/12 "2000-04-04T13:04:00Z")
## Oops! Val, I forgot to mention that if I do end up attending, my husband will be coming along too. He doesn’t read the MB, but I love him anyway 🙂 Shadowfox “The dead have risen, and they’re voting Republican!” - Bart Simpson ---
**Author:** ![Flypsyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@Flypsyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flypsyde)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2000, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/13 "2000-04-04T13:27:00Z")
> [@](#): > > What are all your names? I have this weird mental image of us sitting around saying things like, “So, Falcon, what’s new?” and “Hey Beefymeg, how are you?” Grand High Poobah would be favorite for me, thanks. * * * Battles are won in nuance. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2000, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/14 "2000-04-04T14:56:00Z")
Val - please add me as a “maybe”. Thanks. * * * I gather rain… ---
**Author:** ![Falcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/49beb7/32.png) [@Falcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falcon)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2000, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/15 "2000-04-04T15:32:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Flypsyde: > \*\* Grand High Poobah would be favorite for me, thanks.\*\* Flyp, you WISH. Grand High Poobah? After seeing that CD collection? Nah… _grinning, ducking, and running like hell_ * * * Homepage: [www.tiercel.com](http://www.tiercel.com) Occupation: Culling slow moving vermin Location: The wild blue yonder. Interests: Thermals, updrafts, downdrafts, air currents in general. (Profile by UncleBeer.) ---
**Author:** ![beefymeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@beefymeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beefymeg)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2000, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/16 "2000-04-04T16:15:00Z")
> [@](#): > > “Hey Beefymeg, how are you?” Actually, Jeannie, my name is Meg. And sorry to disappoint, but I’m not all that beefy. Oh, and my sister’s name is Jeannie! * * * “Well, I guess this means the fun’s over.” -Gus Mc Crae “It may be over, but it sure wasn’t fun.” - Woodrow Call ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2000, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/17 "2000-04-04T21:56:00Z")
Upgrade my status from a “maybe” to a “probably,” please! Also, I shall be attending _sans_ husband. Hey Shadowfox–wanna carpool? I’ll kick in for gas & snacks! Hell, I’ll even get you an oil change. My husband totally freaked at the idea of me driving by myself. All I know is that I wanna go to this one sooooo baaaaad, I’ll do damn near anything to get there. (stop thinking that, you deves. I won’t go _that_ far!) * * * Cristi, Slayer of Peeps I made my husband join a bridge club. He jumps next Tuesday. (title & sig courtesy of UncleBeer and WallyM7!) ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2000, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/18 "2000-04-04T21:59:00Z")
> [@](#): > > My husband totally freaked at the idea of me driving by myself. All I know is that I wanna go to this one sooooo baaaaad, I’ll do damn near anything to get there. That must have been an interesting conversation on the ride home Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![Jeannie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@Jeannie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeannie)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2000, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/19 "2000-04-04T23:52:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Actually, Jeannie, my name is Meg. And sorry to disappoint, but I’m not all that beefy. > > Oh, and my sister’s name is Jeannie! > > \*\* Oh, that’s too weird. My sister’s name is Megan. Hey, wait a sec… Oh, nevermind, she doesn’t have internet access. * * * I never hate myself in the morning. I sleep till noon. –Sig line courtesy of Wally 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2000, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769/20 "2000-04-05T01:47:00Z")
UncleBeer: Yeah it was, in fact. But it wasn’t like you think. My husband really is a great guy. But when I broached the subject of me going to this particular fest, he got a bit edgy. After three days of discussing this, he has managed to convince me that his only real concern is for my personal physical safety (unaccompanied female + Chicago = instant death). Although it did take a while, I managed to convince him that a)I won’t do anything stupid, b)I PROMISE I won’t do anything stupid, and c)I F\*\*\*\*\*\* won’t DO anything STUPID, OKAY??? And so, I will more than likely be in Chicago. * * * Cristi, Slayer of Peeps I made my husband join a bridge club. He jumps next Tuesday. (title & sig courtesy of UncleBeer and WallyM7!) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicagodopes-2000/15769.md?page=2)