How 'bout if I just don’t exhale? Seriously though, if my smoking bothers you, I’d be more than happy to step outside.
What do I believe in? Not much that isn’t explained by logic and scientific experiment. And, you better believe, I want to see the logic and the laboratory equipment.
–P.J. O’Rourke–
Unc -
Like I said…it doesn’t bother me. I have plenty of friends who smoke, and I’ve learned to deal with it. Besides, how could you deprive us of your company for even a second??? 
“You are sweet, kind, and considerate… Like a grown up boy scout with tits!” - Brian, aka SDMB’s one and only Satan.
Well, things are moving along just swimmingly! Maybe David’s on to something-should we move the initial meeting time up, grab some dinner, and then go for drinks? It looks as though everyone is coming in either Friday or Saturday afternoon, so an early evening dinner may not be out of the question. Personally, it makes little difference to me either way. An early dinner gives the option of letting people with real responsibilities (like David) and the non-drinkers (if any) the chance to hang out with us and then take off if they don’t want to hit a drinking establishment.
I’ll work on directions for everyone, and please, post back here with any questions. I think we’re going to D’Arcy’s for lunch in my office today, so I’ll take a closer look at the place as far as seating capacity.
He weathered a firestorm of agony and did not break.
And while Yori raged against his unbending
courage, we took Kyuden Hiruma back.
His loss is great, but so is the gift his suffering brought.
-Yakamo’s Funeral
I think we need to get people’s schedules before we assign times. Those who come Friday or early Saturday may want to go on the Lincoln site tour. Let’s see: Lincoln’s home, Lincoln’s tomb, Lincoln’s law office, Lincoln’s church pew, Lincoln’s logs, etc. Or maybe not. Depends on your tastes.
Hmmmm… I’m thinking I’ll probably get into town around 3 or 4 Saturday afternoon, if that helps anyone.
“I’ll tell you a secret, baby - maybe you can’t do better - gotta settle for second best” - the Judybats
Well, add me to the list of potential attendees. I have spoken to Chris about riding together, so if you all are lucky, you might get us both.
If I do come, most likely it will be mid-to-late afternoon on Saturday.
Flyp, will you send me an email when you have all the details? Thanks.
Well, hell. All we need to do now is talk Gaudere & Jophiel into this. That would cover nearly all the Chicago contingent.
Ok, I’m talked into it. (Gee, am I easy or what? No, wait, that’s not what I meant!) Actually I’ve been lurking the this thread for a while. Sounds like we’re going to have a good gathering.
“It’s like I always said…there’s nothing an agnostic can’t do if he really doesn’t know whether he believes in anything or not” --Monty Python, “The Meaning of Life”
I’m being lured into becoming Spiffled…
Not to take away from whoever the hell is taking charge of this gathering, but let me make sure I know what to expect:
The relatively confirmed attendees are:
well, Me
Flypsyde
David B
rastahomie
Falcon
Auraseer
UncleBeer
lovelee
Gaudere?
And the Maybe’s:
Chris CTP
boli
Omni
elelle?
This gathering sounds fanTABulous. I think that this might be the biggest SDMB meeting thus far, if everyone actually shows up.
I’m just nutshelling everything said so far. The chances of me not showing up are slimmish, but I don’t want to end up all Auraseer’d in a strange town, either. 
“I’ll tell you a secret, baby - maybe you can’t do better - gotta settle for second best” - the Judybats
Ok, so Chris sits down next to me, puts her arm around me, and with a big smile I suddenly find myself in a ‘car-salesman talking to his boss’ conversation where she proceeds to kiss my ass and attempts to make the deal of the lifetime if she gets to go to this meeting.
“Wow! Spider-Man! Are you really friends with the X-men?”
"Not since Cyclops tried to use my viewmaster."
(Marvel Team Up #1)
Uh, no. I promise I won’t bring my sword. Really. You have no need to bring yours. Or your iron neck collar. No reason at all…
Jeez. I appear to have scared everybody away…
Sorry guys, but I was in Chicago for work Thursday and Friday. Vall did a nice job with the list, so I won’t bother putting another together.
Consensus seems to be for an early dinner, say 6 or half past, followed by cocktails and scintillating conversation. The bars here don’t really start jumping until 10:30 (that’s when the little hand is on the 10 and the big hand is on the 6, Omni) at the earliest. I think this will give those who don’t wish to carouse with us plenty of time to enjoy our themselves and our company before we go forth and sin.
And as for drinking, I will sacrifice myself on the altar of sobriety (well, not really sacrifice, just lop off a few fingers) and stay unpolluted enough to get you good folks back to your hotels. Just one of the many services we here a Flyp Guided Tours provide for our valued customers…(we also provide wet-naps for those buxom ladies unfortunate enough to be caught on a tour with Omni).
Again, if there are any question, concerns, suggestions, answers, educated guesses, sexual propositions or cash donations, please post here or email me.
He weathered a firestorm of agony and did not break.
And while Yori raged against his unbending
courage, we took Kyuden Hiruma back.
His loss is great, but so is the gift his suffering brought.
-Yakamo’s Funeral
Oh, and I appear to be one up again, Omni. Who says those 090-level math classes don’t pay off?
As I indicated before, if people get here earlier than 6, or the night before, or whatever, I can probably help play tour guide if they’re interested in Lincoln sites and stuff. Heck, I’ve been thru Lincoln’s Home so many times, I can probably do the tour myself. And I had one of the funniest experiences ever in Lincoln’s Tomb.
Although my SD membership has kinda lapsed recently (damn boss)…i’ma tempted…howsabout if I promise to <strike>not</strike> get as shit-faced as at the Chicago meet :). Put me down as a 50/50…i’ve never been to Springfield…so this Lincoln guy, are the cars <italic>that good?</italic>
Android, my old automaton. How ya been, man? Off causing soccer riots, no, doubt. Oops, I mean football, dammit.
What do I believe in? Not much that can’t be proven by logic and scientific experiment, and you better believe, I want to see the logic and laboratory equipment. --P.J. O’Rourke–
Of course Uncy Beer…that and waiting for Mr Lucas to make some female droids
Andy Bro, weren’t you a Cyberdyne (read: James Cameron) creation, you don’t want to inbreed with any Lucas driods. Hope to see you there. And we expect no less than drunken Andy.
Flyp my boy, well put, but you’re not backpedalling out of this little challenge you’ve put to me by being the “designated driver”. We can get a cab, and don’t worry, I’ll do the dialing as to not disturb you from your state of unconsciousness. Sorry Saluki boy, the Illini take this round.