well, it’s certain, I can’t go. I have a funeral to attend in Oakland county at 2 pm. I wouldn’t have been able to spend any $$ anyhow, but I thought maybe I’d head there just to be socialable, but looks like I can’t. Sorry. I don’t really hate A squared, really. I’ve been there before and liked it, I’m not really seriously avoiding it.
Sorry to hear that, wring! (((((wring)))))
I will be bringing my cell phone with me. So, if anyone wants the number, just in case you get lost or something, drop an email to the flintdope box and I’ll send it on to you.
Good morning, intrepid travellers!
Everyone armed with everything they’ll need for a successful outing today? Hehehe…Dopers on Foot, roaming as a pack…in public…anyone else think this is gonna be exceptionally cool? 
See everyone there!
…and we had a great time.
I got off to a very rough start this morning, and I wish to express my eternal gratitude to mrblue92 for a) listening to me bitch, b) not leaving without me, and c) not saying anything about the condition of my house and my car.
I was running late, but I called Cranky to let her know we were on the way. We still ended up being later than I thought we would be, though. Everyone else was already at the mall. As we approached center court, I spied Shadowfox, and at that moment, my cell phone rang. It was Cranky (who had gone to a pay phone), wondering where we were. I thought for a second about telling her that we hadn’t left yet, but then I thought it might just be funnier if I told her that we were in fact there. We had a good laugh.
Brynda and Cranky were our official Herders. I tried to get Brynda to run around behind us and bark, but no dice. mrblue was our official Point of Reference, because he’s quite tall and easy to spot in a crowd.
Shadowfox brought along her 13-year-old (14 next week, IIRC) son, and I had my 13-year-old daughter. Those two hit it off instantly–and I DO mean instantly. They were exchanging email addresses by the time we got on the shuttle. I thought it was very sweet.
The Fair itself was just as I thought it would be–sort of. Hot and crowded, as it always is. But it has gotten MUCH bigger over the years. It’s always been big, but now it’s positively huge. The first thing we hit was the food. Mmmmmm, good stuff. We made a few emergency plans, like where to meet in case of separation, and off we went.
And here I’ll take a break. My fingers are tired, and the Rugrats All Growed Up special is coming on. Perhaps one of the other attendees could pick up the story from here…
…soon after that, we found ourselves surrounded by a crowd wearing leather and lace. Suddenly, there were fifty naked people parachuting in. It was then that we realized we had taken the “wrong” bus (yea right, Cranky) and wound up at the Ann Arbor Tart Fair.
Everyone had a good laugh, and we were on our merry way to the Art Fair. That is until…
…I noticed a whole lot of people who looked strangely…yellow. Some had spiked hair. Some had no hair. Some had very tall blue hair. Oh no, we’d taken the bus to the Ann Arbor Bart Fair…
Good thing you weren’t at the Ann Arbor Fart fair. Smells awful & every time someone lights a cigarette they self immolate…
[sub]OK I’ll leave now…[/sub]
Carina! Good to hear from you. You were discussed yesterday.
Don’t worry, it was all good. When are you going to be moving here (IIRC it was August, but I don’t remember if there was a specific date mentioned)? We’d like to organize a little “welcome to the neighborhood” party for you. Also, if you need any help moving, we might be able to do that, too, because we’ll use any reason for a party.
Yay, parties!!
I’ve got the truck rented for August 20th, & should be rolling in to Grand Blanc on the 22nd, with two very cranky caged cats, two dogs, three vehicles and three tired drivers.
I wouldn’t think of asking people I’ve never met IRL to help me move but you are so sweet to offer! I’ll definitely be up for a doper party once the dust settles, though.
Wish I could have made it to the art fair, sounds like you guys had fun…we have the annual Cherry Creek arts festival here in Denver, I love going to fairs & festivals & such.
A correction to **Persephone’s **post: I was just a junior herder at best; my main contribution was not getting lost myself. Cranky was the top dog. 
Major thanks to Cranky for keeping us organized, giving us an air-conditioned place to refresh and regroup, and for knowing where all the food was. I heartily recommend her to any group of dopers wandering about aimlessly.
I’ll bet my left ventricle everyone but us is sick of this thread and is no longer reading, but who cares?
I’d like to recognize the brave Doper souls who endured the crowds and heat with me:
Persephone Always her sweet, agreeable, humorous self. Who cares if she’s late–it’s such a treat when she gets there!
Brynda Classed our menagerie up near-immeasurably with a gorgeous hat. I also appreciate her art taste.
BunnyGirl Shared sweet potato fries & witticisms, and had a knack for seeing really cool things out of the corner of her eye which we would have missed.
Juniper200 Best-accessorized by the end of the fair, and funny as hell as usual. Can spot a sheep at 50 yards.
Shadowfox Trouper award for putting up with our meanderings despite blisters from an unkind shoe!!
MrBlue92 Good god, hand this man a medal! He put up with our hen party, became a human marker (thanks to his height) in the crowds, and even stuck it out for a long day despite not feeling 100%.
I had a great time, folks. Thanks for coming to Ann Arbor!!
[sub]hey Cranky Chopped liver reporting in. I’m still reading the thread even tho’ I wasn’t able to go. Tell away![/sub]
Art is heavy, but I think it will be worth it come Christmas. I wound up being dragged to the white trash/goth/heavily tattooed wedding anyway, but I was able to wear my gorgeous art/jewelery and Super Bargain Designer Dress[sup]TM[/sup] (ask for it by name!) and I was so hip that I had difficulty seeing over my pelvis.
I had big fun! We should try this again next year!
Oh no, Juniper! Not the wedding! So, any food fights? Screaming matches? Line dancing?
And did everyone think that that necklace, that Gift of the Accessory Gods (this thing truly is beautiful, and looks utterly perfect on Juniper), was as great as we thought it was?
No fair! Y’all have computers at home to post from…I had to wait until Monday when I got to work.
But, it’s all good. Had a wonderful time. Much thanks to Cranky for loaning us the use of her office for the a/c and the potty.
My SIL loved the piece I bought her for her birthday.
I’m craving another one of those Godiva strawberries, Juniper!
My personal favorite of the weekend was watching Shadowfox’s son put the moves to Persephone’s daughter! :cue up Sade’s Smooth Operator:
Ah, young love. 
I think mrblue now knows more about jewelry than he probably ever had a desire to. I think we stopped (and made him stop) at every jewelry booth they had!
Resolution for next year: bring more money!!
Persephone: It was one of those weddings where the crowd screams for the bride and groom to smear cake all over each other. The bride’s necklace was broken and her hair and makeup were destroyed in the ensuing melee. It was like something out of Springer. And yes, there was line dancing. ::shudder:: So much line dancing…
And my gorgeous necklace was the hit of the evening, thank you so much for asking!
Bunny: Strawberries gooooood. Weigh ins baaaaddd.
A medal’s not necessary, though I admit I’d be very curious what would be on it… Really, you “hens” were no problem at all. Honey-glazed chicken is quite tasty, actually. 
I’ve been told I have very good taste in jewelry, as a matter of fact. Of course, I don’t buy any for myself and there’s no one to really buy for (don’t get any ideas), so that particular skill usually goes to waste.
On the other hand, I made you guys stop at almost every photography and painting booth, so we’re even.
Side note: If I actually drank coffee, I’d want that 1950’s style flying-saucer service set. That was very cool.
Ann Arbor doper checking in – I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to join y’all at Art fair sat. Sounds like you had a great time. Unfortunately I was prepping my horsie for a horse show on Sunday and had to do barn chores as well – all of which took me until aproximately 8 pm to finish. Hope to meet some dopers IRL sometime soon, though!