# FloriDopers - Shall we give me a going away party? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 19, 2004, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081 "2004-02-19T22:16:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/1 "2004-02-19T22:16:06Z")
In case you haven’t been diligent enough to follow my life in minute detail, I’ve sold my house and gotten a job so I can live with my husband in Maryland. Yay! I expect to be gone by the end of May, rarely to return. I will be back from time to time if my daughter holds to her plans to stay in Florida. However, I will no longer be a resident. So, who’s up for a DopeFest? I’d gladly host one here, but Jacksonville is pretty far away from everyone else, so that doesn’t work. I don’t mind driving to a more central location, but that means someone else needs to suggest a venue because I don’t know too much about places outside of my little corner of the state. I’m not all that keen on restaurants and would love to do a picnic in a park or something like that. And either of the last two weekends in April would probably be the best time weatherwise and personal-wise. I hereby open the floor (thread?) for comment and suggestions. Who’s interested? Who has suggestions of when and where? Is there a brave soul who might consider having a houseful of Dopers? Yes, I know that last one is a lot to expect, but weirder things have happened. I’m tossing this out and I’ll give it one bump in the next day or two before letting the whole thing die. But I’m giving you all a perfectly valid excuse to party with me before I become a MAD. Stand up and be counted! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/2 "2004-02-19T22:26:10Z")
Incidentally, non-Floridians are welcome, too. Even **swampbear**!! :D:D:p ---
**Author:** ![misstee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@misstee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misstee)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/3 "2004-02-19T22:38:34Z")
Non-Florida resident here- I will follow this thread to see when a fest is planned. We are planning to move to Florida this summer, and someone has to scout out a house,etc. So maybe I could plan a trip down there around a dopefest. If is ok with you Florida dopers. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/4 "2004-02-19T22:42:57Z")
Well, it’s my party and it’s OK with me! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/5 "2004-02-19T23:31:38Z")
**FCM** , could you have it in Orlando and somehow tie it in with some of the PerfectChild[sup]TM[/sup]'s new school stuff at UCF? It’s about as central as your going to get in that weird shaped state. I’m mostly in Florida from mid-March on, although I will have a few trips out, so hopefully I can make it. We’ll really miss you (once we meet you)! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/6 "2004-02-20T00:15:32Z")
I won’t be getting the kid into her apartment till after May 21, but Orlando-ish is doable as long as it’s an afternoon and not a night gathering. Which works with my picnic plan. And if no one wants to picnic, I’ll meet you for lunch or something, **Shibb** - **Rue** told me I _have_ to meet you! Heck, the way things are going, meeting you will be about as close as I get to meeting him! ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/7 "2004-02-20T00:28:09Z")
I will do my best to be there. If it’s on a weekend, then there is a 75% chance I’ll be there!! If I have drill that weekend, though, I wont be able to attend. Hopefully I’ll be able to go. I’ve never been to a Dopefest with more than a half dozen people. I’ve missed four weddings because of the Army, I’d hate to start missing Dopefests too. Picnic sounds kick ass to me. Picnic means like BBQ and outdoor games n stuff, right? It doesn’t mean Basket and checkered blanket, right? Hell, either way, Im there. But it will have to be a HUGE blanket to fit all the dopers. 😃 Are theme parks out of the question? So, you’re leaving your daughter here? Who will look after her? She’s about my age, isn’t she?? he he he he ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/8 "2004-02-20T00:55:29Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > I’ve missed four weddings because of the Army, I’d hate to start missing Dopefests too. You shouldn’t be upset; getting married isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Plus it sounds like the Army saved you a ton on alimony. That’s better than GEICO! **FCM** , maybe you should bring **Swampie** down to meet **Bear\_Nenno**. That oughta keep him away from your daughter! I kind of picture **FairyChatMom** as more the Babette’s Feast sort, with a nice checkered tablecloth, woven baskets with fine china, duck confit and a nice Beaujolais with cold potato salad and fruit salad. She’ll be wearing her pearls, of course. Or we could get take out from Sonny’s and a keg of bear.\* Oh, and afternoons are fine for me, as long as it’s on a weekend. \*Total Freudian slip there so I thought I’d leave it in. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/9 "2004-02-20T01:32:14Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > Are theme parks out of the question? > > So, you’re leaving your daughter here? Who will look after her? She’s about my age, isn’t she?? he he he he I’m not interested in going to any theme parks - I’d just like a get together where we can talk and hang out and relax. As for my daughter, she’s going to be a freshman at UCF and I’m already trying to pimp her out to **Jonathan Chance** ’s brothers. You’ll have to stand in line. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/10 "2004-02-20T01:37:32Z")
Pearls, **Shibb**?? You mean like June Cleaver pearls, with or without frilly apron? Um, no, that ain’t me! I’m jeans and T-shirt and sneaks - BBQ on a picnic table works good. I don’t do beer myself, but I’m not like militantly anti-beer. As for bear, well, I’ve met **swampy** - he’s ok! And definitely a Sat or Sun afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/11 "2004-02-20T02:16:12Z")
I volunteer to find a picnic spot. Don’t expect me to cook anything, though. The fire department and poison control center were quite adamant that I stay out of the kitchen from now on ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/12 "2004-02-20T02:27:32Z")
Never met Dopers, but would be all for a picnic in Orlando on a weekend (or even anywhere else on the I-4 corridor or Melbourne area.) Oddly enough, the next few months are also the busy month for get-togethers in my _other_ online group…and i am far from a social butterfly. Why can’t everyone just coordinate with each other so I’m not bored outta my skull half the year 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/13 "2004-02-20T11:00:55Z")
OK, here are the dates I propose - we need to pick one. At the moment, all of them work for me. Sat April 17 Sun April 18 Sat April 24 Sun April 25 The site needs to have parking and potty facilities as well as tables under trees or in a pavillion if possible. OK, tables aren’t necessary, since we can bring our own chairs or blankets or whatever. A grill would be nice, too, so we can do burgers or whatever. Or we can just brown bag it - as far as I’m concerned, it’s about the socializing more than the actual menu. So, **dutchboy** , can you find a place that fits that bill? I can’t remember the park where we held OrlanDope - if **ivylass** finds this thread, maybe she’ll remember. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/14 "2004-02-20T13:15:01Z")
One of the Saturdays would work good for me. Orlando would be cool also. It’s a little over five hours to drive so not bad. I vote for a nice state like park with a pavillion and a grill. **Shibb** I could make all kinds of comments about a bear keg and tapping it and such, but this is not the proper thread to do so. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![OneYogini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b9e5f3/32.png) [@OneYogini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneYogini)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/15 "2004-02-20T14:11:30Z")
YAY!! A Florida Dopefest - holy cow!! It will be my first…count me in!!! Let me know where, when and what to bring!! I’ll check back later… 😃 Yogini ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/16 "2004-02-20T14:38:50Z")
AFAIK all of those dates work for me at this point, so I should be in. **Swampbear** , make sure you hold those comments until we meet in person. - Shibb, who is definitely not “bearish”\* \*Not that there’s anything wrong with that. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/17 "2004-02-20T17:24:24Z")
OK, then, let’s firm things up a bit. What’s the overall feeling about Sat April 24, starting noonish or so, at a picnic site to be named later. What say we bring our own beverage and main course - whether it’s something to toss on the grill or a PB&J sammich, and also bring something else to share. I’ll have a cooler full of ice and I’ll bring paper napkins and cups for all. So, yea, nay, or other suggestions? It’s 2 months away, so there’s still tons of time to plan. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/18 "2004-02-21T01:00:06Z")
Fairy, count me in for the Sat. 24. At least… so far. As the last time, though, I may need a ride there and back. But I’m not that bad a companion, right? ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/19 "2004-02-21T01:03:35Z")
Shouldn’t be a prob, **KG**. Do you recall where it was we went last time?? ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/20 "2004-02-21T02:19:40Z")
April 24th is awesome for me!! Picnic with a table and a roof sounds great. Especially if it’s a pavillian… I HATE trees, the concrete will comfort me! **Jonathan Chances** huh?? HA! You haven’t met _me_ yet. 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081.md?page=2)