# LA Area DOPEFEST - Come Meet EuroDoper, Spiny Norman! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 9, 2001, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322 "2001-04-09T04:58:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/81 "2001-04-25T10:37:30Z")
Eh, I’ll just leave the sign at home. It’s helpful near the beginning, but eventually, it just got to be a nuisance. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/82 "2001-04-25T12:55:51Z")
Do you have a **NO FATHERJOHN ZONE** sign? ---
**Author:** ![Monster104](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Monster104](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monster104)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/83 "2001-04-25T13:59:04Z")
Hey, **Johnny** , they had a segment on the news yesterday about environment nuts who went around putting bumper stickers onto SUVs, saying something like “We’re Changing the Environment!”. Sounds like our good buddy at work… **domina** , what time should we expect you to arrive? ---
**Author:** ![domina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/96bed5/32.png) [@domina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/domina)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/84 "2001-04-25T16:25:17Z")
Traffic Gods be willing, around 6:15. I saw you at the October Dopefest, and I don’t think you look scary or like a mutant potato. I haven’t seen your brother, but I think I can handle you guys. After all, my handle is short for what my (male) coworkers used to call me…😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/85 "2001-04-25T19:08:27Z")
:mad:[insert much profanity here]:mad: I seem to have come down with a weird head coldish type thing from (at least) one of my coworkers. I may or may not be contagious (I’m not coughing or sneezing, anyway), but my attendance is pretty much going to be based on the effectiveness and non-drowsyness of my cold medication. Seeing as how the pills I have are making me woozy, I wouldn’t bet on my making it there (even if I do make the attempt). ☹ ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/86 "2001-04-25T21:49:23Z")
I won’t be there. I just had an unexpected expense and I just can’t afford to eat out right now. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/87 "2001-04-25T22:00:21Z")
::waves to the crowd:: Hello everyone! As my sweetheart says, we’ve been having a glorious time. This morning we went on a beautiful (and very romantic) [sunrise hot air balloon ride](http://www.greatamericanballoon.com/text3.html#Temecula) above the Temecula wine country. Absolutely spectacular. And we’re really looking forward to meeting everyone tonight. I’ll have my darts all polished up and ready to go (I’m assuming an English Pub will have dart boards, no?). Thank you all for the well wishes. I wish every one of you could be joining us tonight. We really need to plan a World-Wide Dopefest! KK, I’m so sorry to hear you’re not feeling well. I’m not worried about getting a cold, so if your meds don’t make you too drowsy to drive, I sure hope you’ll find you’re able to make it. We’ll be there at around 7:00 - can’t wait!! * * * Jeg elsker dig, Thomas ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/88 "2001-04-25T22:05:08Z")
Aw **jab** , please don’t let that stop you. I can’t speak for everyone, of course, but I know Thomas and I won’t mind one bit pitching in for you to have some fish and chips. The pleasure of your company would be more than worth a couple of bucks! Please do come!! ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/89 "2001-04-25T22:32:07Z")
Well, it’s hot, so I probably won’t wear my big, scary Matrix/Theatre Person jacket. But we’ll see just how scary I am, 'specially when I start shouting “McCloud?!?” and “Cum bubble!!” RE: Eating… I’m probably just gonna grab an appetizer, myself (I’ve been eating a lot lately, and my poundage has increased a few notches). C’mon, Jab, I’ve yelled and screamed at you before, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be pals!! I promise I’ll make nice!! ---
**Author:** ![bashere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bashere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bashere)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/90 "2001-04-26T00:03:43Z")
It looks like I may get out of work at a reasonable hour - Spiny, can a lurker buy you a beer? ---
**Author:** ![Spiny\_Norman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Spiny\_Norman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiny_Norman)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/91 "2001-04-26T00:30:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bashere \* > \*\* > It looks like I may get out of work at a reasonable hour - Spiny, can a lurker buy you a beer? > > \*\* **bashere** , I’m not known for my tendency to turn down beer! Seriously, I’d be happy to meet you and if you can make it, by all means show up. And **jab** , what **Shayna** (hi Sweetie) says goes for me as well. Do try to be there, we’ll figure something out. S. Norman ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/92 "2001-04-26T01:03:21Z")
I’m not comfortable accepting charity. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/93 "2001-04-26T01:14:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Spiny Norman \* > **I’m not known for my tendency to turn down beer!** I think we have a contender for _“Understatement of the Decade”_ right there. 😉 Have fun, y’all! I wish I was there, trying to keep up with Mr. Normans beer swilling antics. As it is, that’ll have to wait for a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Heloise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e36b37/32.png) [@Heloise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heloise)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/94 "2001-04-26T02:03:57Z")
I’m late! I’m late! But I’m on my way! Don’t get too far started without me! ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/95 "2001-04-26T07:11:37Z")
I guess I’m the first one back! Well, everyone, I took a good deal of pictures, and a couple of video clips (although I don’t know how well those’d turn out… bad sound and bad lighting, I would think). I was sitting next to Johnny L.A., and across from Shayna, Spiny Norman, and Heloise (all four of whom I would consider excellent company). Mercutio and Pricciar came down and chatted with me every now and then. A billion thank-yous to Domina for giving me and my brother a ride. I’ll love 'er forever because of that. Unfortunately, Javamaven and her SO had to leave early, but it was fun to meet the two of them and chat a bit. All in all, 'twas a good time. Good food, good fun, good company. I should have the pictures uploaded by the end of the week, but given my procrastinatory nature… don’t count on it! ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/96 "2001-04-26T08:22:35Z")
I had a great time. What an excellent place to have a dopefest, they were accomadating for a group of our size, and it wasn’t overly loud in any way so I could hear everyone talk and they could hear me. I met a few folks I haven’t seen on the board much. Mostly because, I have taken a kinda long unintended absence from the place. Not for any specific reason, just life got in the way, with **Monster** and **Merc’s** urging I am going to come back and check in more often again. I hope they were urging me to come back and not to stay away. **Icarus** was a kinda quiet guy, but when he talked it was to say something take the table down hilarious. Ok, the table was never taken down, but he did say funny stuff. **JohnnyLA** - the picker outer of the place. What an excellent choice. The fish and chips were as good as he said. I have met him before so I don’t have any witty observations to make about him, but it was good to see him again, and we got to celebrate with him, so that was good. **Merc** and I drove over to the place together. The trip to the restaraunt itself was an adventure involving strangers, storeowners and dogs who barked and frightened me. I will let him tell the story, because my version is probably totally different than his, and then we would have two versions, and no ghost to give the third and final version. Suffice it to say, we had fun finding the place before the fest even started. When we got to the place the hostess was leading us back to the small bar to wait for everyone and this lady whom I have never met calls my name. I just ignored it thinking it was just my imagination, because I didn’t recognize her. Then she said it again, and I realized it must be someone I have met before and I don’t recognize her. So, I thought fast and put out my hand and said “Hi, Judy, I haven’t seen you since high school!” But, it wasn’t Judy. It was lovely **JavaMaven** , whom I haven’t met before, she just recognized me from my people pages picture. She was accompanied by **JustPlainBrian** , who is not yet a doper, but someday he aspires to become one. These guys were great dining partners, and I was glad to have them next to me. They told some funny stories, and we had a great conversation. **Shayna** and **Spiny** What a cute couple! They were caught kissing a few times throughout the meal, and we had to pour water on them to break it all up. Well, we didn’t have to do that. But, it seemed like the fun thing to do. **bashere** , stayed for a short short time. I didn’t get a chance to talk to him at all. He drove a motorcycle, which apparently was impressive, because Johnny and Spiny went out to look at it. I took their absence as a chance to finish their unwatched beers. Frankly, I think I got the better end of that deal. It was great to see **Heloise** again, I only talked to her for a short time, but she was as lovely and bubbly as ever. Plus she wore these supercool heart glasses. We got to celebrate **Monster104’s** 18th birthday. We sang him happy birthday and he got free desert type stuff from the place. Noone ever gave him his 18 punches, though. Now that he is 18, I figured it would be a good chance to start pimping him out, but he didn’t seem to like that idea. **Spoofe** was the official photographer. And he got some great shots of everyone. Although, he made me look much more evil than I really am. I mean, how can someone as cute and cuddly as me look so evil. Geez. Ok. I have talked to much. I had a great time. Thanks to everyone. Especially to **Mercutio** , without his cajoling, I probably wouldn’t have gone, and I am glad I did. He is a cool guy, with a million great stories, which makes him a welcome passenger in my car. pat ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/97 "2001-04-26T08:25:45Z")
Everytime I type one of these long ass things up I forget something or someone. I should actually read what I type sometime, I might learn something. **domina** , I guess because she was in the other table zone (we decided that the table was in two zones, divided by the candles.) I didn’t get a chance to talk to her as much. But she did have that cherry popping reference that brought **Monster104** to a laughing fit that lasted for a long time. For that she should get extra special birthday kudos. pat ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/98 "2001-04-26T10:00:15Z")
> [@](#): > > Although, he made me look much more evil than I really am. Hey, watch it pal… I made you look like a friggin’ saint compared to how you really are. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/99 "2001-04-26T10:28:37Z")
so you guys had the whole “smootchy woothcy at the table” thing as well? We had that to contend with, so L\_C had to take the table away!! (loooong story!) Great to hear you all enjoyed yourselves! I really want to make it out there sometime! (as well as Utah and Boston and about 100 other places I said I’d visit!!). ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322/100 "2001-04-26T13:14:44Z")
I’ve slept for almost six hours, but I’m still tired. I guess I showed up around 19:30. I hit the pub first to make sure no one was in the wrong part of the place, then headed to the hostess and asked for a mob. She said I could look around, and I asked if the Cecil Adams party was there. She pointed me in the right direction, a table under the scowling visage of Winston Churchhill. **Mercutio** , **Monster104** , **SPOOFE** , **pricciar** , **JavaMaven** and her SO **Just Plain Brian** (I suggested he register as **Brian Damage** ), **Icarus** , **bashere** , and of course **Shayna** and **Spiny Norman** were there. After the introductions I passed my helmet to **Spiny** so he could stow it in the corner. (I rode the Yamaha so I wouldn’t have to pay for parking.) **bashere** was glad to see “the other Seca II pilot” and he, **Spiny** and I chatted about bikes a little. **bashere** recently bought the yellow Ducati I was drooling over when I parked. He and **Spiny** went out to look at it and I went along. **bashere** had to leave early (his wife didn’t know he was there – I told him to tell her he got lost) and when he fired up the Duc I wanted to excuse myself and find a restroom for a few minutes… Ducatis have the sweetest sounding engines! When **Spiny** and I returned to the pub, the gang had grown with the addition of **Domina** and **Heloise** (the H is silent). Fortunately, **SPOOFE** didn’t spit in my Guinness while I was away. General conversation ensued. There were jabs flying at me (no, not **jab1** ) from both ends of the table, but I was talking with the lovely and captivating **Domina** so I didn’t hear them. I decided that **Mercutio** needed to be killed, but he was out of reach and I couldn’t think of how to do it without causing a scene. **Shayna** insisted that I make a french fry pirate ship for her, but I didn’t know if there would be any toothpicks available for the mast. (Fortunately **SPOOFE** provided one later and I was able to make a one-masted square-rigger.) **SPOOFE** socked me for making the bad pun about someone vomiting on **Spiny’s** Ducati, and I socked him back on general principle. Pretty **Heloise** has a wonderful smile, and cool heart-shaped glasses. She had a pile of bovine skeletal structure with musculature attached, treated with fire and tomato extract. I’ll have to try the ribs next time, as they really looked good! **pricciar** wore his traditional Elmo shirt. **Mercutio** brought a “No fatherjohn zone – Score!!” sign. **SPOOFE** can add it to his "NO-"sign collection. I didn’t get much chance to talk with **Merutio** , **JavaMaven** , **Brian** , **Icarus** , **pricciar** or **Monster**. With so many wonderful people it’s sometimes hard to talk with everyone. Conversation was easier at Ye Olde King’s Head than at other Dopefests I’ve attended. (By the way: do So. Cal. Dopers have more shindigs than other Dopers? They seem to happen with some frequency.) Nobody had to shout. YOKH is my favourite pub. Lots of eye candy (photos and painting on the walls) and the food is good. **Domina** had the poached cod, with looked a little suspicious, but the only poached fish I’m used to is salmon. She said it was “dilly”. IMO, YOKH makes the best fish’n’chips I’ve ever had. Nice crunchy batter that soaks up a lot of vinegar! Mmmm! Yeah, I know I said I was going to have the bangers’n’mash this time, and I almost did, but the fish’n’chips proved irresistable! I told people I could almost finish the “queen size”, but I guess **pricciar** didn’t get the word. I didn’t notice if he finished his king-size order. **Brian** told him the proper way to eat the fish is with lots of vinegar (or maybe he said a little vinegar, and I said lots). **pricciar** tried it and said, “It’s an acquired taste.” **Brian** said, “Yeah, it is.” **SPOOFE** took some photos, and I can’t wait to see them. I hope my mug didn’t crack his lens! There was one other photographer: One of the Ye Olde King’s Head staff, who snapped a pic of **Monster**. They presented him with the photo in an birthday card from the pub. Many thanx to **Shayna** for setting the whole thing up! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-area-dopefest-come-meet-eurodoper-spiny-norman/61322.md?page=6)