I’ll post about the Zettefest in that thread -
As for the 30th, I’ll be there if my parents leave before then. They are coming in for Thanksgiving and right now I don’t know if they’ll be leaving the morning of the 30th or waiting until the 31st. They’re retired so they pretty much make up their schedule depending on their mood 
Mr. romansperson will also be coming with me if the chess tournament he’s running that day is finished in time, which it probably will be.
Directions are simple, Ultrafilter (and others coming in from out of town).
Take US 64 (or US 264, which merges into it a few miles from where we live) into Raleigh. Take the Beltline (I-440) around Raleigh – I recommend using the Outer Beltline, a mile or two farther but easier to negotiate, which would be a right off 64 westbound. Follow this about 12 miles to its junction with I-40 and continue straight on US 1 (which has joined it) as I-440 exits to join I-40. The next exit after the 40/440 interchange ones is that for Walnut Street; turn right; the Olive Garden is perhaps 1/2 mile down that road, on your left at the junction with Nottingham Road.
Coming in from either direction on I-40, exit at I-440/US-1 interchange, which I believe is Exit 292, bearing south on US-1 and immediately exit for Walnut Street (see above).
We’ll have to look it up Poly, I thought it was 293 A.
Now I have to go up there and look!! 
Yes! Tark and me and our offspring will be there to wreak havoc on poor aenea’s household. I still don’t know when we’ll be there exactly. What place was decided upon as the final destination, and are they reasonably affordable?
w00t, I get to meet more Raleigh Dopers! And see aenea and her little aeneon.
KERBUMP
This is still on for tomorrow, right? RIGHT?
w00t?
Anyone? HALLO???
I’m sure it’s still on.
At least, I hope so - I just reserved a motel room down there for tomorrow night.
Do we have a reservation at the Olive Garden for a particular time? Last I saw was “7-7:30ish”.
I’m not going to be able to make it, again. I’m a little paranoid about driving back home on Sunday–the trip from northern Virginia to the outer banks took twice as long as it should have–so I’m going back up on Saturday.
I really am going to make it down for a Raleighdope one of these days. Maybe something in the spring?
You bet it’s on!
I’ll be at the restaraunt around 7, will make sure of the table and stuff. I’ll try to bring a little table card marked “SDMB” so you can find us, and make sure the hostess knows to bring lost people back to us.
Oh bloody hell.
Not only do I see this the day before (at a time when I’d like to meet people because I’m feeling oddly sociable) but I also have to be SICK as well. Rassafrassin’ healthy people who don’t have nephews with colds…
Spaz,
We are having another, looser event on the 14th here in Raleigh.
If you are feeling better, why not try and make that one?
I think Tygr and I will be there.
With or without the cub?
With the cub if you guys can handle it. She usually does good in public. Hopefully that won’t change tonight.
Bring her - I’d love to see her, and I’ll bet I’m not the only one.
I’m just about to head out the door - see you when I get there! I might be at the Olive Garden a little early; if any of you get there early too, look for me in the bar. My pic’s in the SD People Pages.
And back again, less than a day later.
It was great to see y’all again - Polycarp, Skulldigger, Smooth Operator, aenea, Fretful Porpentine, Hamadryad, Tygr, Jkayla - and it was a pleasure to meet Dogbutler for the first time. The Tygr Cub is adorable, and Smoothie’s daughter Michelle is a charming young woman. It was well worth the 10-hour round trip.
But I think it’s time for a nap.
We enjoyed seeing and visiting with you again to RT. Michelle had a great time and wants to be just like aenea and Hama. LOL!
:eek:
Oh you poor THING!!!
I’m sorry Smooth, truly. I’ll try and tone it down if we meet again, really.
Other than doing possible permanent harm to Smooth’s offspring, I had a GREAT time.
Thank you all for coming out to dinner!
The pleasure was mine. I was so glad I got to sit close enough to you so we could talk.
Well, who can blame her? They’re both cooler than Cool Whip. But Michelle will always have a good bit of her mother in her, and that should prevent any damage from being irreparable.
Hey, I’ve always known that the biggest drawback to being southern born and raised was that we southern women don’t always stand up for ourselves. If she wants to be more like the two of you, I say “Go for it.” I can think of lots worse roll models. Now, can I send her to you for lessons?
[QUOTE]
Originally posted by RTFirefly
The pleasure was mine. I was so glad I got to sit close enough to you so we could talk.
[QUOTE]
Me too. The biggest problem I see with dopefests is that unless you change chairs every so often, you never get to talk to all the people there. Maybe we should start having a Mad Hatters dopefests. After an hour, every other person has to move down two chairs.
That would keep the waiters on their toes,too! I’m glad I went,it is nice to have faces to go with the names I see every day.