Well, I’ll forego the obvious answer and just say I already admitted in this thread that I’m a moaner. More info than that is TMI for now. 
Not only does it beg the question… if Porcupine gets lucky, it could provide the once-and-for-all definitive answer!
Well, I’m sure some of you will be thrilled to hear that I’m jet-setting to a housewarming party in Chicago for the weekend of October 21st. Therefore, if you have the Chicago Dopefest then, I’ll be able to swing by and have a nice CHEAP glass of beer.
Val, let me know.
Well hell, that settles it. We need the obligatory New Yorker there, so the 21st it is! 
Not likely in Chicago. One company maintains 85% of the alcohol distribution in Illinois. That near monopoly combined with Chicago taxes and what not means there is really no such thing as CHEAP beer (or any booze for that matter) in Chicago. I’ll be happy to buy you a beer but I’m afraid if I start with you then I have to buy beer for everyone and my pocketbook isn’t quite up to that unfortunately.
Porcupine
Given your post in the other thread on how Porcupine acts while making love (and given how you look) you should have no problem finding an ‘ummmm friend’. Indeed, if other Dopers read this thread you’ll have them flying in from all over the country and maybe even some foreign countries to boot. Valerie? Drop? Maybe we’ll need a convention hall for this one!
Alas I can’t be one of the teeming millions in this case (Mrs. Jeff_42 would take serious exception to my participation in this aspect) but I’m looking forward to starting a pool on who could be the lucky guy (or gal if you swing that way…covering my bases here just in case)!
BTW…Any word on a Mini-Dopefest? I’m still game. Hell, I’m game for one of those every weekend when work and/or family don’t interfere. With or without y’all I’m out there somewhere anyway lifting one (or two…) in your honor. Say the word and join me and the missus. That goes for out-of-towners too. If you miss the big Dopefest by a week or two say the word and perhaps we can hook-up a few people to show you the fun side of Chicago.
Did I just lecture a New Yorker on the price of beer?
Sorry about that…
::Note to self…READ THE POSTS BEFORE YOU POST::
I was in New York and they actually had computerized pouring taps! The bastard machine would snick the spout shut after exactly one shot had been poured and they STILL charged $5 for the drink (some crap well liquor to boot). The bartenders hated it cuz they couldn’t pour a tall drink for a good customer if they wanted to.
At least your $5 in Chicago will get you a STIFF drink (usually) and/or a good beer (i.e. non-Miller, non-Budweiser product).
Well, I’m definitely looking for an “ummm, friend” that is male. That would be a necessary but not sufficent condition. Maybe somebody from the elite clique? 
We hit Green Mill at the first ChiDope. I wouldn’t mind going there again, as long as we aren’t right by the front door again. That particular spot is crowded as hell, even if there’s nobody standing around. The front ain’t really set up for a large group. Didn’t get to see the back, though. Wherever we go is fine with me…hell, AFAIC, we can just stay at the hotel all night and hang.
Saxface, DO show up. Uke was at the first ChiDope, Alpha at the second…it’s like, tradition or something, we need a New Yorker at every Chi gig.
All dates are cool with me, but I’ll email ya anyway, Val.
So, we’re making it a weekly thing?
And that’s not (only) meant sarcastically. I’ve had worse ideas.
Chris, we HAD to be by the front door so Andy could bolt out there when the need for “fresh air” hit him. Any further back in the bar and we might’ve had problems.
Well, the 21st takes me off the list for the Official ChiDope this time, as I just found out that’ll be when my sister’s up and we’ll be taking her out for her birthday. If anyone is still planning a Mini-dopefest on the 7th or the 14th, though, let me know.
Well…maybe not every week but as far as I’m concerned it never hurts to broaden your circle of drinking buddies. Of course, it’s possible that after meeting me you may decide you can’t stand the sight of me (or I can’t stand the sight of you). Still, I doubt that’d be the case. Anyway, no one has ever accused me of having to twist my arm to go out for a beer so keep it in mind.
Well, if the latest ChiDopeFest (or whatever it’s called) is a success (whatever that means), I’d be up for a standing fest once a month or so (with the same caveat you made, Jeff_42 - providing people can stand being in each other’s company :)). I really wouldn’t mind expanding my social circle a bit. Usually I do this by switching jobs, but I like where I’m working now so I need another alternative.
I have been dying for a Chicago dopefest, however October is the biggest month for Conventions in Chicago. We should just forget about the 21st because that’s the Chicago Marathon and good f*cking luck trying to find a hotel room. (I tried, believe me. My sister is getting married)
As for a venue:
JoyBlue on Irving Park and Sheffield (sp?) They have 3 ‘rooms’ the farthest one has couches, chairs and stuff.
No way could we fit into Guthries.
Also, to start off the evening (or end it) there is always
Brew & View at the Vic if there are no concerts.
Just a suggestion.
Crap, I forgot about the Chicago marathon. I tried getting hotel rooms at a TON of downtown hotels (a long time ago), and they were all booked.
I don’t know how the suburbs will be, but there is nothing downtown.
If you guys can pull together something for the 14th I think I can make it. I’m more interested in maybe having lunch and drinks with a few people than having some Roman orgy though. Is it possible that some of the people with kids and those under 21 would like to get togther for a PG meeting in the afternoon, and then those inclined can progress to the suburban shidig as it’s getting underway? (I’m not trying to step on anyone’s toes or cramp the usual style of these things, but it seems like earlier on a lot of the younger posters were feeling excluded.)
Voguevixen, in her mass email Valerieblaise suggested an earlier meal-meeting to a) make sure all the drinkers have something in their bellies before the evening festivities get going and b) make sure the teenaged dopers are included. I think it’s a great idea, and I for one am super-psyched to hang with Tiggeril!
I’m still open on the 7th.
Something more PG on the 14th could be nice. And I could bring my daughter.
Nobody with an ounce of brains stays in the burbs if they’re planning to be in a marathon downtown, so things could be better out here.
It drives me crazy if people are left out because of scheduling problems.
Everybody post a Saturday or Saturdays that work for them.
After a couple of days of voting, we’ll count 'em in this thread, set it in stone and go!
Voting runs to (let’s not start a debate on THAT) this Friday, October 12, at 11:59 p.m. Central time (a nod to the Chicagoans).
You can vote for more than one if more than one is good for you, but the highest Saturday total should then be the one.
(Or, tell the Michiganian to shut up and continue with several pages of hemming and hawing.)
Ready … set… GO!
Oct. 14
Oct. 28
Um, Milo? Hi. Many of the people have already emailed votes to me. I’m taking care of it. It’s a lot easier to do it that way than to wade through this thread as it grows to 87 pages.