# Come to the very first Albany and Albany area Dopefest! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 3, 2005, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849 "2005-01-03T16:55:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2005, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/1 "2005-01-03T16:55:40Z")
OK, we talked about this last year (!) in [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=291983)thread. At the time I had nine Dopers, 10 including myself, express an interest. Here is the list (don’t think I forgot you): **sj2 bouv Exgineer jeffb little nemo taxi78cab realitychuck nuttybunny rackman** And possibly \*\*racinchiki \*\*. If you are all still interested, I thought we could get together on a Saturday afternoon, maybe **January 22nd** with a snow/alternate date of January 29. We would meet at \*\*1 PM at the Albany Institute of Natural History & Art \*\* (I think that’s its full name). Spend a couple of hours there, and then hit Jillian’s, or we can plan something else on the spur of the moment. That way, I figure we have something to do, something to talk about, and an easy way to fly away if we all hate each other or something. Spouses & significant others are welcome, of course. Here is my e-mail: [elenia25@yahoo.com](mailto:elenia25@yahoo.com). E-mail me if you like! We can discuss it via e-mail. Any takers? ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2005, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/2 "2005-01-03T17:11:56Z")
Not me - I moved to Texas in '03. ---
**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:** [January 3, 2005, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/3 "2005-01-03T17:15:45Z")
I might be interested for the 22nd… I very well may be down at my dad’s in Beacon that weekend anyway. If it’s the 29th I think I’m out, since that’s my birthday! Anyway, count me a tenative ‘yes’. I’ve never actually been ‘in’ Albany, just through it. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2005, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/4 "2005-01-03T17:21:29Z")
> [@racinchikki](#): > > Not me - I moved to Texas in '03. Oh, sorry. Someone mentioned you in the other thread, and I didn’t want you to feel left out. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![taxi78cab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47c2d/32.png) [@taxi78cab](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taxi78cab)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2005, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/5 "2005-01-03T18:02:02Z")
Count me in! Either date is ok right now. (I think! I need to keep a better appointment calendar.) ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2005, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/6 "2005-01-03T19:18:03Z")
Hey, “Capital Area” – you don’t want the Schenectadyites, Renssalaerwyckans, and Trojans (well, **you** make an adjective from Troy!) to feel left out. …or the Cohoesitarians either. Speaking of which, IIRC **Reality Chuck** is in Schenectady, and I don’t recall him posting often in MPSIMS – somebody might shoot him an e-mail to make sure he’s aware of plans. ---
**Author:** ![Exgineer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Exgineer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exgineer)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2005, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/7 "2005-01-03T19:22:10Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > (well, **you** make an adjective from Troy!) to feel left out. Troylets. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/8 "2005-01-03T19:57:26Z")
Only if they drive a Cresida. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2005, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/9 "2005-01-03T21:13:09Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Hey, “Capital Area” – you don’t want the Schenectadyites, Renssalaerwyckans, and Trojans (well, **you** make an adjective from Troy!) to feel left out. I know - I tried to think of a good one, as one might even be coming from Saranac Lake. Instead, I put Albany since I myself am from Latham (well, Watervliet really) and I figured I’m calling myself an Albany Doper too. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2005, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/10 "2005-01-04T01:21:41Z")
We have, or had, active and valuable members who are “college kids” from Saranac Lake (I think - NCCC) and Plattsburgh. AFAIK **Funnee Farmer** no longer is a member, but he was from Cooperstown. ISTM that there was at least one person from Glens Falls as well. ---
**Author:** ![Exgineer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Exgineer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exgineer)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2005, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/11 "2005-01-04T01:45:18Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I myself am from Latham (well, Watervliet really) and I figured I’m calling myself an Albany Doper too. Whew. At least it’s not Cohoes. Just so you know, Latham (but not Loudonville) and Menands are both incorporated villages in the Town of Colonie, but Watervliet is an incorporated city in the County of Albany. Just sayin’. Actually, I’m not all that sure about Latham. That might just be a Postal Area, like Loudonville. Back on topic: I think I see a couple of flaws in The Plan. The Museum of History and Art is up on Washington near the state and county offices, and there’s no parking space. After consulting a phonebook, I note that Jillian’s is way down on North Pearl, where there is also no parking whatsoever. It’s also kind of a long walk. Granted, we’re talking about daytime on a Saturday, but I anticipate an enormous PITA for all attendees, which can’t be conducive to an avuncular mood. Ignore that last bit; let’s just say that we’ll probably all be grumpy. May I suggest an alternative? As far as I know, parking at the Plaza is free and open to the public on weekends, and it’s close to the State Museum. If we want to go to a pub afterwards there are a couple right there on Madison (I think) or we could just follow the enclosed and covered walkways down to Pearl and get to Jillian’s or one of the other six hundred bars down there without exposing ourselves to the elements. Jillians has video games, right? What? I grew up here. We also need some means of identifying each other, to be sure that we’re in the right group and haven’t left anybody out. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2005, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/12 "2005-01-04T04:28:15Z")
I’m currently scheduled to be off on the 22nd so that should work for me. Even if my schedule changes I’ll probably still be able to make it. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2005, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/13 "2005-01-04T15:01:56Z")
> [@Exgineer](#): > > Whew. At least it’s not Cohoes. Just so you know, Latham (but not Loudonville) and Menands are both incorporated villages in the Town of Colonie, but Watervliet is an incorporated city in the County of Albany. Just sayin’. Actually, I’m not all that sure about Latham. That might just be a Postal Area, like Loudonville. > > Back on topic: I think I see a couple of flaws in The Plan. > > The Museum of History and Art is up on Washington near the state and county offices, and there’s no parking space. After consulting a phonebook, I note that Jillian’s is way down on North Pearl, where there is also no parking whatsoever. It’s also kind of a long walk. Granted, we’re talking about daytime on a Saturday, but I anticipate an enormous PITA for all attendees, which can’t be conducive to an avuncular mood. Ignore that last bit; let’s just say that we’ll probably all be grumpy. > > May I suggest an alternative? As far as I know, parking at the Plaza is free and open to the public on weekends, and it’s close to the State Museum. If we want to go to a pub afterwards there are a couple right there on Madison (I think) or we could just follow the enclosed and covered walkways down to Pearl and get to Jillian’s or one of the other six hundred bars down there without exposing ourselves to the elements. > > Jillians has video games, right? > > What? I grew up here. > > We also need some means of identifying each other, to be sure that we’re in the right group and haven’t left anybody out. See, that’s why i hired you. Your pay is…a beer, on me. OK, change in The Plan. We park at the Plaza. Exgineer, can you come up with directions once we get these people into the city? I am not very good at giving directions. Yes, Jillian’s has video games. And I actually knew I was in the County of Albany, but I border on Cohoes and I don’t go that way. 😃 Yuck. How can we identify each other? Should we all agree to carry something? An umbrella? A balloon? Or maybe I’ll make a sign that says “SDMB” in big letters and wave it around and embarras the heck out of everybody. ---
**Author:** ![taxi78cab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47c2d/32.png) [@taxi78cab](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taxi78cab)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2005, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/14 "2005-01-04T15:49:04Z")
> [@Exgineer](#): > > Whew. At least it’s not Cohoes. Just so you know, Latham (but not Loudonville) and Menands are both incorporated villages in the Town of Colonie, but Watervliet is an incorporated city in the County of Albany. Just sayin’. Actually, I’m not all that sure about Latham. That might just be a Postal Area, like Loudonville. Latham is just a Postal Area, not an incorporated village. From the annals of useless trivia that is my brain. **Anaamika** , could I request that we not all carry balloons? I have a very strong case of ligyrophobia - fear of loud noises - and it extends as far as being afraid of balloons popping. Yes, I am serious, I’m terrified of balloons. Not something I admit terribly often, but considering the other things I’ve said on this board, it’s hardly the most embarrassing thing one could learn about me. 😉 Anything else that doesn’t make noise would be find for identifying each other. Thanks! (Although if it’s a rainy day and everyone’s carrying an umbrella, that wouldn’t work so well. I personally like the idea of Anaamika carrying a big sign. 😛 ) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2005, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/15 "2005-01-04T18:02:28Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Speaking of which, IIRC **Reality Chuck** is in Schenectady, and I don’t recall him posting often in MPSIMS – somebody might shoot him an e-mail to make sure he’s aware of plans. I spotted the thread. Not sure if I can make it, but I’ll see. ---
**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:** [January 4, 2005, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/16 "2005-01-04T18:55:16Z")
A sign could work. Once, for a Boston fest, we identified eachother by wearing tin-foil hats. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2005, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/17 "2005-01-04T20:42:10Z")
Two long-standing Dopefest traditions that may help you: 1. When making reservations, list the event as “the Adams party” or “the Adams family reunion” – reference of course being to **Cecil**. When arriving, ask the greeter for whichever name is chosen. 2. “Hi, My Name Is \_\_\_\_” nametags, which are filled out with both SDMB nick and what the person wants to be addressed by in real life (Yelling across the room, “Hey, **Truly a Jackass** , come over here – **Notorious Slut** wants to meet you,” usually has less-than-pleasant effects! :D) ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2005, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/18 "2005-01-04T20:54:41Z")
I wil try to make it. As said, I’m not really that close to Albany, but it’s also not too far that I can’t drive down for a weekend. And seeing as I spent four years of my life in that area, I do like to go back. I’m even willing to pick up people who might be on the way, or are close by. This all hinges on me having a car before then, though. I shoudl be getting some paperwork this week to get a loan, so hopefully next week I will have it. And if not, well then I have another week after that to get it. ---
**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:** [January 4, 2005, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/19 "2005-01-04T21:24:18Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > I wil try to make it. As said, I’m not really that close to Albany, but it’s also not too far that I can’t drive down for a weekend. And seeing as I spent four years of my life in that area, I do like to go back. > > I’m even willing to pick up people who might be on the way, or are close by. This all hinges on me having a car before then, though. I shoudl be getting some paperwork this week to get a loan, so hopefully next week I will have it. And if not, well then I have another week after that to get it. Where are you relative to exits on 87? I could even pick _you_ up on my way down, if you needed a ride. ---
**Author:** ![Exgineer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Exgineer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exgineer)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2005, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849/20 "2005-01-04T22:09:41Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > Where are you relative to exits on 87? Take a map of New York, locate the Adirondack State Park, and put your finger down in the middle of it. Odds are you’re pointing at Saranac Lake. In other words, he’s not real close to anything. I hope he can make it though; we can commiserate about the beatings we took at the 'Tute. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-the-very-first-albany-and-albany-area-dopefest/282849.md?page=2)