# Cranky's-visit-to-Toronto mini-Fest. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 11, 2002, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452 "2002-05-11T06:04:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2002, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/1 "2002-05-11T06:04:33Z")
In [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=103317), **CrankyAsAnOldMan** made it known that: > [@](#): > > I’m going to a conference the first week of June in Toronto. Wanna meet? So, we did it for **KimKatt** , let’s do it for Cranky. And this time, no dead soldiers left behind (right **Globetrotter**?). My business trip is delayed until the end of June, so I’ll be there. Anybody else? Up to you now, Cranky, to let us know the best dates and times. 🙂 ---
**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:** [May 11, 2002, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/2 "2002-05-11T17:07:24Z")
This is very possible. The sooner I get definite dates, the more certain it will be. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2002, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/3 "2002-05-11T23:25:34Z")
As someone who has attended a few dopefests with Cranky, I have one thing to say: Do it! Cranky is a pile of fun. ---
**Author:** ![Mnementh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/898d66/32.png) [@Mnementh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mnementh)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2002, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/4 "2002-05-12T03:14:33Z")
Sounds good to me. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2002, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/5 "2002-05-14T05:11:20Z")
A bump here. And the information that I’ll be off the week on Monday and Tuesday, so these days would be the most convenient for me. Getting the weekend off would be the most difficult at this point, but I realize that’s probably what other people will have off. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2002, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/6 "2002-05-14T15:12:41Z")
Hey! I’m up for meeting… the more Dopers and DopeFests the better! [sub]\*…besides, They said I had to. If I didn’t, They’d do the same things that They did to Phil. You remember Phil… the one that vanished that day, and no-one ever did find out why… \*[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2002, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/7 "2002-05-16T05:23:29Z")
Cranky? Gonna fill us in? ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2002, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/8 "2002-05-16T16:32:13Z")
Ooh! Thanks for the email nudge!! Okay, I’ll be arriving Sunday afternoon, leaving Wednesday. So Sunday night, Monday night, or Tuesday night are our best bets (The 2nd, 3rd, or 4th). As of now I’m unaware of any conference events at night I care overmuch about going to, so you guys can settle on the best night out of those three and I’ll go along. Brynda is kind, but please, lower your expectations. I’m snoozingly boring. We’ll probably talk about my cat or my child for awhile, until you guys start looking for the exits and inventing pressing engagements that just cropped up. ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2002, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/9 "2002-05-17T22:43:30Z")
My preference would be for the Monday evening. I’ll be able to duck out of work for dinner, although I’ll have to head back to the office afterwards (sigh). Where is the conference, Cranky? Once we know that, we can better plan a location. ---
**Author:** ![Booker57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Booker57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Booker57)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/10 "2002-05-19T01:43:33Z")
Tell me where to be, and I will be there wearing a green boa;) ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/11 "2002-05-19T15:48:49Z")
A green boa? Alright, I guess we’d better make it somewhere that that will seem normal. If **Booker57** is male, we’d better make it the Ghetto. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/12 "2002-05-20T14:08:26Z")
He is male and I sent him the boa myself. Heh. Let’s see, where _is_ this flipping conference? Oh. There we go. The Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. But you know, I can cab it places, too, if you’ve got better area in mind. Next question: Should I get tickets to the Tuesday night ball game against the Devil Rays? They’re offering group-rate tickets. I’m not a HUGE baseball game, but I’ve never been to the Skydome. I mean, to see an actual game. I’ve been there as, like, a dopey American tourist. ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/13 "2002-05-20T15:59:27Z")
Damn… looks like I left the 😃 off the end of my “joke.” Sigh. Sorry 'bout that Booker. The Sheraton puts us towards the south end of downtown (Queen & University area). It just so happens that my office is a few blocks due west from there, so I’m going to vote we stick to that area. That narrows us down to about a billion restaurants, since that’s on the edge of the Theatre District. Therefore, let me list my recommendations and see what everyone likes (or counter-recommends):[ul][li]Filet of Sole - Not surprisingly, a seafood restaurant. Personally, I’m not a fan of seafood at all, but I know from recent experience that there are items I can order there. The decor is sort of tacky, but it’s a pretty cool place. Downstairs is a bar called the Whistling Oyster, for those smokers who need to sneak away. :)[_][Il Fornello](http://www.ilfornello.com/) - Italian (d’uh!) with pretty good thin-crust, brick oven made pizza, and decent pasta. Il Fornello is a small chain of 10 restaurants in the Toronto area.[_][Joe Badali’s](http://toronto.com/E/V/TORON/0012/50/17/) - A slightly more upscale Italian restaurant than Il Fornello, with excellant food.[\*][Fred’s Not Here](http://www.fredsnothere.com) - This vote comes from **theotherangel** who calls this restaurant’s eclectic menu “craving stuff.” The menu has venison, Thai, steak, pasta and a few surprises. Downstairs is a bar called the Red Tomato, for those who need a smoke break. (Same owners as Filet of Sole.)[/ul]Let’s pick a restaurant, and I’ll make a reservation under “SDMB” so that we can all meet there. Any time constraints, Cranky? Should we make it a touch later than usual so that nothing from the conference interferes (keeping in mind that on a Monday, many establishments in the Theatre District close at 10:00 PM)? If “early” is okay, I’d suggest 7:00 PM, otherwise 8:00 PM.[/li] With regard to the baseball game, I’d suggest that you go ahead and get the tickets. The SkyDome is definitely a worthwhile experience, even if the Jays have fallen short of being a decent team once again. Personally, I doubt I’ll be able to make it given my schedule, but I suspect you’ll find other takers amongst the Toronto Dopers if you want company. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/14 "2002-05-20T16:08:22Z")
Seven is fine. I’ve got a reception from 5-7 pm but my SOP is to go at 5:15 and stay for 15 minutes before my smile muscles get exhausted. So seven is fine. Today is my last day to purchase tickets at the group rate ($18 US). Supposedly good seats. If anyone wants to go with me, I’ll purchase some extras. ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/15 "2002-05-20T16:59:32Z")
Checking out [the Jays’ website](http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/tor/ticketing/tor_ticketing_singlegame.jsp?club_context=tor), I notice that the price you give is about the same as the second most expensive seat ($18 US is more than $27 CAD). I doubt any section will be sold out these days, so _my_ recommendation is that you wait until game day to pick up tickets; that way, you can be surer of getting the right number. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/16 "2002-05-20T18:58:46Z")
The website for the conference claims “Best seats in the park” whatever the hell that means, as I know they don’t mean in a skybox. I am still tempted to get the group-rate seats because they are in a section with other attendees from my conference. That way if no Doper wants to tag along, I can still hang out with other people I know. I strongly suspect that I will be able to scrounge up more tickets from other conference attendees if needed, or dump mine if not, so I’ll just buy, say, three. Worse comes to worst I’m out a little cashola. There have been worse tragedies to befall me. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/17 "2002-05-21T14:33:30Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by CrankAsAnOldMan_ > **Worse comes to worst I’m out a little cashola. There have been worse tragedies to befall me.** Especially since **UncleBeer** is exhorting everyone to send you $100. 🙂 Given a lack of other votes, I’m going to arbitrarily choose Joe Badali’s as the meeting spot (7:00 PM on Monday, June 3, reservation will be under “SDMB”). So far, we’ve got the following attendees:[ul][_]Cranky[_]Little Nemo (since we picked one of his days off)[_]Mnem[_]Sunspace[_]Booker57 (with or without green boa)[_]Me[/ul]Anyone else? I’m just looking for numbers for the reservation. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/18 "2002-05-21T15:01:47Z")
Dang… don’t pay attentoin to this thread for a couple of days, and see what happens! I would have voted for Fred’s Not Here, but Joe Badali’s it is! \ 7PM… 3 June. Looks like I’ll have to miss another [get-together](http://esperanto.ca/toronto/), but what the hey, it’s not anything official. I’ll do it for the SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2002, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/19 "2002-05-22T14:19:53Z")
A bump, lest any Toronto Dopers missed this. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2002, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452/20 "2002-05-22T15:28:26Z")
Kay-O. I’m at kzaruba@umich.edu. I won’t have access to email once I go up to Canada on Sunday, but I am sure we’ll get this all hammered out before then. Well, actually, it _is_ all hammered out. 7 pm, Joe Badali’s, Monday night. I’ll be the dumpy-looking dishwater blond, about 5’ 7". Oh, and since I’m American, you’ll recognize me by the handgun I’ll be waving around. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crankys-visit-to-toronto-mini-fest/108452.md?page=2)