Dagnabbit. I’m another wage-slave living in SF, working on the 'nince, just off The 101.
You know, I just decided that I could attend after all. I’d take a long lunch and stay late.
So I mosey over to my Outlook calendar to see how clear my schedule is. I HAVE 7 FRICKIN MEETINGS that day. No way I can rearrange things enough to be able to attend. Crap.
So are you coming or what??!?!
Obfus – I’m getting really tired of all these “work” excuses. How bad must Ham feel that no one is willing to quit their jobs for her??? 
God, Kyla, you schmuck, how could you not go?! What crappy excuse is this “plane” crap?!
I, on the other hand, should be attending. Count me in as BARTing to meet VV. And I’m gonna need a parent/guardian (I’m 18). This isn’t 100% sure, but I did request the day off, and I haven’t been turned down once yet.
By the way, I’m the “Troy McClure” that VV was talking about. I’ve yet to change my SDMB username.
Vogue, you KNOW you’re counting the days to hear more sad stories from the bartender!
Currently, it looks like I can’t go as we have a “meeting” that day, but I continue to plot. Do you think folks will be there as late as 6 or 7?
I’m THERE!!!
I’ll try to get the nanny, but I may have to bring the kid (she’s 19 months, you can teach her swear words for fun).
She’ll inhibit my drinking, but it’ll be a good time to invite you all to my 30th b-day bash. See here: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=34318
GaWd, if you’re in need of a ride, I’ll get ya there!
Thanks Sue…I’ll keep you and everyone else up to date on my status of attendance.
You do know this cuts into my very much needed bedtime, don’t you? 
-Sam
OK, let’s see who we have so far:
Hamadryad and her friends,
Me, who is picking up:
SeaDiver* and
jjtm/TroyMcClure and possibly:
Oldscratch?
Sue Duhnym (whoo-hoo!) who will be picking up:
GaWd
possibly:
Narlie and
Danielinthewolvesden**
waiting to hear still from:
PsyCat90
tradesilicon
Lawmill
sliv
Anyone else interested? The more the merrier!
*Girlfriend, I already went back to see him on Saturday, lol…he told me to come back on Thursday if you’re interested in joining me? Hee hee!
**Daniel, I’m not sure if I’ll still be there, as I’m old and tire easily, but I’m sure most of the others probably will be, and if anyone else wants to come later you’re more than welcome to see who has stayed. I only picked an early time because it’s less crowded and I assumed Ham would prolly have jetlag, lol.
I’d love to go, but I’m exiled in cube-land. Stock options are a cruel and demanding mistress. Woe!
I am ready to be there! Yahoo!
GaWd, do you still need a ride?
I actually do have to bring the ToddlerNym, I forgot that the Nanny starts school again tomorrow, but she’ll be cool for lunch.
Yup, still on…I started a thread earlier today but it’s lost in time already, lol.
I’ll try to be there early to meet folks in the lobby-ish area, then we’ll be in the Grand Dining Room for lunch. I’ll go get a mylar balloon so any latecomers can pick us out.
See everyone tomorrow!
CHeck oyur E-mail Sue
-Sam
Damn…I coulda made this one…'cept it is now 11:45 AM, and it’d take me about 90 minutes to get there…shit…wish I’d seen this earlier.
Have fun, folks!
ToddlerNym had a bad night, fell off a chair this morning and had a meltdown. I finally got her to nap, sorry am not going to be able to make it.
Tried calling for “StraightDope” party to buy a round of drinks and no such luck. Will try again and hope to get a hostess that isn’t such an idiot.
Sorry guys.
Got out of my meeting early, got there about 2:30, could not find anybody, and every worker was doing the "Sgt Shultz’ routine. I hope you were not all there and I missed you. sigh.
Finally talked to a manager and faxed my credit card (both sides) to him so I could buy you all a drink.
He called 45 minutes later after searching in vain for the “StraightDope/Cecil” party. He even paged you. I told him to look for a really blond chick and a helium balloon, but no go.
Sorry I missed you guys AND was unable to buy you a round.
I can’t believe it! We were there until like 7:30 you guys! (Totally didn’t hear a page, but I confess we weren’t listed as the "Cecil/Straight Dope party) And yes we were in the main dining room with a fish balloon, and yes we were the only large group there all the damn day. (We did move over to the midway around 3:30 I think. STILL WITH THE BALLOON THOUGH!) Well, thanks for the thought though Sue and Dan, we’ll be sure to catch you on the next one! (SeaDiver took many many pix with her new digital camera, I’m sure they’ll be up by tomorrow!)
umm, V V, there were LOTS of balloons, and you said nothing about a FISH balloon. And I asked the waitstaff there, and they insisted there had been no large party there for a couple of hours (i guessed around 6-8). I was there at 2:30, & prob saw you and walked right past. Arrrggg!!! The staff was VERY unhelpful. They did say up at the front desk that they had paged a “straight dope party”, but no-one responded, just a while before, so i assumed you all had left. sigh.
I was about to post and say I would show up, and then I realized that August 24 was yesterday. Wish I’d seen it earlier.