Spit, I’m actually from Gainesville, Fl. I’m in Boone for school @ Appalachian State. Despite my origins in the so-flat-I’m-tempted-to-believe-in-a-flat-earth city of G-ville, I’m a big fan of the mountains up here. 
If we’re going to meet at a restaraunt or something, I’d prefer something native to Knoxville instead of some chain like Olive Garden. If we’re in a new city, we should try a new restaraunt instead of something we can get at home.
I have a few questions:
-
Again, how are the cops in Knoxville? I only have a part time job and don’t have the money to afford insurance. If stopped, I am totally screwed.
-
This is going to sound stupid but will this be a one night thing? The reason I’m asking is 'cause I’d like to have a few drinks but I don’t trust myself to drive home even a little buzzed and I don’t really want to get a motel for one night either.
-
This’ll be on a weekend, right? I can handle a Saturday or even a Sunday easily but the week proper’s totally out of the question. The date isn’t an issue to me otherwise.
Aesiron, sorry - I missed your cop question yesterday. Honestly, I don’t know how the Knoxville cops are. I’ve never been stopped by them, though you do have to watch out for the troopers on 75 around Cleveland.
Likely a one-night thing. I’m not opposed to putting someone up on my sofa if needed. (it’s a small place. And, you promise you’re not an axe murderer, right?) I also have floor space if more people need the space and want to bring a sleeping bag/blanket & pillow. I do not, however, give my my bed for anyone. 
Weekends are a definite - I think they just tend to work better for everyone (at least that’s how it usually works - keeps people from being worried about having to make it to work the next day).
You say Cleveland’s worse in your experience? Okay, I can handle that then. I’ve never been stopped here in town.
And I might take you up on your sofa offer. Thanks.
I’ve never spent a huge amount of time in Cleveland, so I can’t really say whether they’re worse here or not.
And I’m still needing reassurance that you’re not an axe murderer.
I don’t know if I could get off for the weekend of June 21. I want in a bookstore and that’s the release date of the new Harry Potter.
Morelin(Ryujin’s GF)
An axe murderer? I can safely assure you that I’m not an axe murderer. 
-er I WORK in a bookstore
Morelin, those dates aren’t set - just trying to get an idea of when people are available and what dates are good for everyone.
My classes end next week and I’m done with finals/end of spring semester stuff May 9, after which I’m basically free until June 2. But not everyone has that availability.
So if anyone wants to toss potential dates out here, that works too.
My schedule’s pretty flexible, though meeting a bunch of strange people in the backwoods of TN is disturbing. First person with a banjo gets it!
I don’t get here very often these days but something compelled me to check and I find a Dopefest in the works! Woo-hoo!
I would love to come but I warn you–my presence means no one will show. I swear, the largest Dopefest I have ever attended included myself and I believe…four other Dopers. And that was my first one!
I’m just over an hour from Knoxville but I’m not very familiar with the area since I have the worst sense of direction on the planet.
Weekends are good with me–I’m off most of them. I’ll keep tabs on the thread. Being that I have a small baby with immune system issues, I can’t put anyone up at my place but anyone coming from Western NC or anywhere else east of me is welcome to meet up with me and carpool the rest of the way.
Hey, Zette, if you’re reading this…you up for it?
Hey Aesiron- No insurance & drinking…Not a good idea.
I’ll split the cab fare with ya.
[sub]And you can always use the “My state doesn’t require proof of insurance” line.[/sub]
Tennessee does require proof of insurance though. Bah.
I hope Lsura’s couch is comfy.
I’m IN!!! 
K’ville cops are pretty easy. Nice thing about them is that 4-5 of them crowd in on every call, meaning less cars for the patrolling.
Keep within 10% of the speed limit and use your signal and you shall be fine. Oh! Make sure your head/taillights work, and that you are wearing your seatbelt - they WILL pull you over for not wearing your seatbelt.
Well, if we look at June 28, it looks like we’ll be competing with the VA/MD/NC fest that Jonathan Chance started a thread on. I’m not planning on heading to that one anyway, but I don’t want to leave anyone out who would like to do both.
Any thoughts?
JohnT, we’re going to need your input on where this should be. I know you’ve been here far longer than I have. Downtownish (what with some coming from the N/NE and some from the S) might be the way to go - that way no one has to go all the way through town if they don’t want to.
Depending on when it is, DanielWithrow and I might be able to make it over the mountains.
Welcome to western NC, Ludo! Glad to have ya!
hey, i’m up for it.
but i normally work friday and saturdays. you guys could always come into my restaraunt.
it’s the giant panda. slightly dead, but the food is good. so is the bar.
(okay, slight advertising there. but i’m about to go to germany and i’m broke. it’s still good though.)
Originally posted by burundi
Thank you very much! I’m in love with the area, and I hope to stick around long after I graduate.
North Carolina? What’s good about North Carolina?
If this gathering happens in July or later, there’s a chance I might be able to make it down; I’d been thinking of heading down to SW VA one weekend in July or August to bike the Virginia Creeper Trail, which I used to ride pretty frequently when I was a Bristol resident. I’d still be less than likely to be able to make it, so don’t change the date on my account.