Ok, I’d be glad to make nametags, or at least bring them with markers & stuff. I just thought people hated them.
Making a list & checking it twice, then I will try to e-mail anyone who expressed an interest and hasn’t seen this thread.
And I’ll carry a sign! taxi78cab, there is absolutely no reason to carry balloons in the Albany freezing weather anyway, chances are they’ll all pop at once as soon as we enter a warm building, and then we’ll have some trouble.
So if we park in Empire Plaza, there are signs to the concourse level. If you can get to the concourse level there is a giant McDonalds down there. We could all meet in the cafeteria of the McDonalds, how does that sound? It won’t be that busy on Saturday.
Please note that you have to (now) pass security checkpoints to enter the concourse. They’ll search your bags, and make you go through a scanner, so no handguns please.
Look for a post this week, detailing directions and a review of where we plan to meet, time, etc.
There are security checkpoints to get into the concourse now? Maybe I should check to see if the open parking thing is still true (I haven’t actually done it for a few years).
Since it looks like there will be fewer than a dozen of us I don’t see nametags being necessary.
Probably not, I’m exit 30. Then again, if you’re taking the Grand Isle ferry over to Plattsburg and then getting on the northway, then yes, it’s almost on the way. But if yuo’re going south in VT first then heading west to pick it up, then I am probably out of the way.
I checked on the free parking thing, that is still valid on the weekends. Last time I was in the Plaza was last July, on a Friday. And they had security checkpoints.
On January 22nd, 2005, we are having our very first Albany & Capital Region Dopefest.
We are meeting at 1 PM at the Empire State Plaza. I’ll e-mail directions to as many as I can find although **rackman ** doesn’t have an e-mail on the boards and **nuttybunny ** seems to no longer be around.
Park in the Visitors Parking Area and follow the signs to the Concourse. There are security checkpoints. Meet us at the McDonald’s on the concourse, it’s impossible to miss.
I have long dark curly hair, will be wearing a black coat. And I’ll carry a sign.
If anyone sees **rackman ** post, could you direct him to this thread? Thanks!
And one last question: does anyone have a cell phone to which they don’t mind sharing the number to? I don’t have a cell, I’m afraid, and I’m worried about people getting lost/just confused. Albany isn’t the most straightforward place in the world, unfortunately.
Just to let folks know, since Anaamika mistook my posts here for intent to attend, I cannot handle the 600-mile winter-weather drive to get there; my participation in this thread has been out of having been part of past Dopefests and knowledge of Upstate generally and the Capital Area in particular. I do hope to connect with NYS Dopers in warmer weather when I visit up north, though.
I tried to do a search on you, but I didn’t put a space in between, so it didn’t come up! I’m glad you and clayton_e can make it! I’ll put you on The List.
I’m all excited. I get very little social contact with other people, and it will be nice to be back in the Albany area for a weekend. And you’ve never lived until you’ve been on the roof of the Empire State Plaza. I had a job where I was doing some work there, and hey, this stairwell is unlocked…hey, it ends after a couple floors…hey, this door that says roof is open.
I know people like to marvel at being on the topof tall buildings in a city, but being in a tall building in a small city which then has lots of rural areas around it is a lot different. It’s like being on a mountain, cause you get a great view of hills, forests, rivers, lakes, etc…
Oh, and one more thing: it looks like it’s going to be cold, so bundle up! We won’t be outside a lot, since you can walk around underground pretty easily, but at some point we will have to face the weather.
So, due to exciting events last weekend, I don’t think I’ll be in Albany this weekend. What events you ask? Oh, not much, just a head-on (though not direct, fortunately) collision with an oncoming vehicle on Friday morning.
So, I lost my car in the accident (nobody was hurt, fortunately), and am driving a rental, but I don’t think I can take it on joy rides to Albany and back.
Sorry about pulling out last-minute; I’ll definitely be up for more NY events when I get my own transportation again.
Anaamika, as you may have realized by now, the email in my profile is not current. (The last time I tried to update my email address I lost all access to my account and had to drive to NYC to ask Ukelele Ike to restore it.) Please email me directions at MKing99@optonline.net or post them here.
I’m sorry you won’t be able to make it, but I’m really glad you didn’t get hurt. Take care of business, and don’t mind us.
I’m sure Anaamika will see this, Little Nemo, but if you don’t hear from her shoot me an email telling me what general direction you’re coming from (south, right?) and I’ll send you comprehensive directions that will lead you right to the door. And my cell #, just in case.
