I could do lunch, potentially (I’m a grad student, but not an astrophysicist). Dinner/beer/bowling is also doable. I will watch this thread to see what happens.
Cold, yes. I hate cold.
Excellent! The more the merrier…
Not so excellent about the cold… Oh well. Someone tell me San Francisco is warmer?
OK, San Francisco is warmer. You shouldn’t need head-to-toe down like you will here. 
Luckily, I have lots of spare cold-weather stuff, and I am guessing we are more or less the same size if you haven’t changed much since the last time I saw you.
That’s good. Head-to-toe down isn’t such a flattering look on me… 
Excellent… I think I may need it… UK cold weather is a hell of a lot nicer than Chicago cold weather… 
I also had to miss the last ChiFest, I was gimping along on a bad knee. So, cross fingers, but I ought to make it.
“bumpity bump”
Sooooo, what’s happening here?
We still on the 20th? It’s creeping up.
And as of now, it looks just ordinary cold. Around 30 during the day, maybe 15 at night.
Hrm. Depends where. My ‘drive into the city’ phobia is acting up, especially with all the new ‘you must pay eleventy zillion dollars for a half hour’ parking meter costs (thank you, city.)
I have the time open, but… Well, check above for my ‘chickening out’ warning.
Dog show that weekend - not to be missed!
Yep, still on for the 20th! Was just looking for this thread to bump it!
So, place = the Hopleaf, time =? What’s good for people??
The “eleventy zillion dollars” for the meter is only for the Loop. In Andersonville, it’s only half a zillon dollars. Heck, if you’re determined you may even find free parking on a side street.
Time? Well, figure no earlier than, oh, 7 pm - got to give me time to get home, change, grab the car, and head back out again.
I’m have tentative plans unfortunately, but if they fall through, I’m in! on a different note…
Not to throw a wrench in this, but I frequent the Hopleaf. The chances of waiting less than 1.5 hours for a table after 7 on a Friday night? Nil. If you are going there, go early, go late, don’t go between the hours of 6 and 9. You’ll be lucky to get standing room at the bar.
That… doesn’t sound good. 
Sure I can’t convince y’all you wanna come out to the suburbs? 
(Especially as I have to be up at 6 the next morning. >.< )
So long as the 'burbs are towards where Eva lives, then sure…
Depends on which directional 'burbs you’re talking…
Glad someone bumped this! I forgot to subscribe, and haven’t been on in days.
I’m still interested in attending, but can only do places that are readily accessible at whatever hours by public transit.
Ergh. Maybe I should just withdraw. I’m the one who’s starting to get inflexible about time and place, and my social anxiety is acting up like you wouldn’t believe.
See, told ya it’d happen.
Just saw this thread. I’m always interested in meets.
Hopleaf is, IMO, poorly suited for a Dopefest-type meeting. It’s become incredibly popular, the waits are long and it has always been sort of a small space. The staff is notoriously gruff won’t appreciate any lingering and other group.
Naturally, I’m partial to my neighborhood bowling alley: Habtler but we already went there last time.
I’m in! I agree that Hopleaf is always packed…will they take reservations? I’ve never tried. I’m in the general vicinity though and can make a suggestion or two in the same area. The Edgewater Lounge is nothing special, but the food’s yummy, the service is nice, and they’ve got great beer. They are usually quite accommodating to groups–I’ve been there with birthday parties and post-theater gatherings, and it’s always cool. Just a thought!
I’d have you all over to my apartment, but it would probably be too crowded and might weird out my husband.
Near north burbs.
Really, I just suggested the Hopleaf because I used to live in the neighborhood and they have good food, and decent stuff to drink besides beer, and can be reached by public transportation; I basically never go out to bars except when a band is playing. So other ideas are welcome. My one request is that they have decent food and something to drink besides beer, which I can’t stand. (Many bar-type places have wine, but it tastes like tree bark. Cider would be OK, but I’m not much of a drinker of the hard stuff.)
Things are now looking less-likely, and not for reasons of my anxieties. I had to go to the hospital today, and will likely need to go back tomorrow or the next day. Intestinal bleeding = no fun. I may be laid up for a bit, not sure.
Y’all have fun without me.