I’m so sad I moved away from Chicago before I could attend a true ChiDope. I am so, so sad. I was mere blocks away from the jarbaby for swo long, but never knew her.
I am so sad.
Ere long,
austen (Kate)
I cruised by Black Rock today just to set the location in my mind, and it turns out I used to live around the corner from the place. In 1990.
If I can convince myself it isn’t too cold, I should be there tonight.
'sup y’all.
It was nice meeting you all last night. Thanks for not hurting me.
Why were we never introduced? I’m sorry we didn’t get to talk more.
Piccys up at: http://www.triorb.com/pix/chidopejan2004.html Nice to see y’all. 
A few more photos here.
There appears to be a major problem with the board these last few days. Some of the posts that I’m sure were in this thread, have been mysteriously deleted. I’ll try and recapture them, because I’m positive they must have been somewhere in this thread. Here are the missing posts:
“Where was Hamlet?”
“Why, O, Why didn’t Hamlet make it to mini-Chidope?”
“It’s been tough on all of us that Hamlet couldn’t make it, but please try and go on with your life.”
Those must have been accidently deleted with the new format and all.
I do apologize, for I had every intention of making it to Resi’s and Black Rock. I probably could have been persuaded to hit Big Chick’s too (I had a blast last time I was there.) However, I was too drunk to make it.
Now, I know there is a huge amount of confusion right now. TOO DRUNK?? FOR CHIDOPE??? THAT’S LIKE BEING TOO SMART FOR MENSA OR TOO DEAD FOR A BURIAL!!!
But I was. And I am kicking myself for having missed what seemed to be a bitchin’ good time. I hope you all had fun.
Although as my head hit the pillow (and the room finally stopped spinning), I swear I heard the sound of sackcloth being rent, ashes being put on, and wailing and gnashing of teeth. It sounded like it was coming from Black Rock.
Just out of curiousity, who the hell was this guy talking to MikeG?
No freaking idea. I was wondering the same thing.
Hamlet, I refuse to say whether your absence was noted or not until you give me a damn good reason for not being there. ::folds arms expectantly::
Ah. Just some Random Drunk. And speaking of Random Drunks, where was Random? Did he have make lame excuse earlier in this thread that I missed?
Not a Random Drunk, I think that was Chairman Pow, yet another newbie Doper on his first Dopefest. He left rather abruptly and I apologize for forgetting his name whover he is!
Nope. Chairman Pow was taller. And skinnier. And wasn’t drinking. And wore glasses. And didn’t make it to Black Rock. The guy on the top left of this photo is Chairman Pow.
To do this, I will have to take you on a little trip. A trip to a horrible and disgusting place. My head. Here’s my thought process from Saturday.
4:30 a.m. - Why won’t my kid sleep through the frickin’ night?
6:30 a.m. - Why won’t my other kid sleep in on weekends?
7:00 - 12:00 - Boring day to day living thoughts. Except at 11:34 when, while walking from my kids play room, where they were watching Aladdin, I glanced down and saw a old People Magazine and wondered how Elizabeth Hurley would look in Jasmine’s bra-top and puffy pants. That was kinda interesting. But of no relevance here.
12:30 p.m. Yippee. My kids are both napping. Now I get to clean the house!!!
1:00 p.m The reason I’m cleaning is in a scant 2 hours, I get to go out drinking with a buddy of mine who is in Chicago for Saturday. We’ll meet up at 3:00 p.m. at Dave and Busters. I better not drive, so I’ll be taking the el. I’ll double check the address for Resi’s and Black Rock and see how close to the el they are for me. This should be a great day.
2:10 p.m. Why is this guy in the seat next to me on the el wearing shorts? Nutcase.
3:00 p.m. It’s not too cold out, I’ll be fine walking tonight. It sure should be fun.
3:01 p.m. There’s my buddy. Want a beer.
3:01:30sec. My God, I love beer.
3:05 p.m. I reaaaaaalllllllly love beer.
3:08 p.m. I reaaaaallllly, reeaaaallllllly love beer.
4:30 p.m. Good thing I’m not driving anywhere.
6:00 p.m. How have I lost that much money playing Golden Tee? Goddamn this Dave and Busters is expensive. Jerks. Now I gotta go get something to eat and more money. Jerks. Bah!!!
6:30 p.m. Hey. Lettsssss hit Timothy O’Tooles. Beer = Good. Food = Good. I have another hour or so to blow.
7:30 p.m. Hey, I’m winni’ money. Gottagopissohshitwhattimeisitokishouldgetgoingbutyouwannadoashottocelebrateyournewraiseokyourpayingyeahillbefinenoworriesihopethatigethomeok.
8:00 p.m. OK, pull yourself together, man!!! You’ve got places to go, people to see. Ilikebbbbeeeeeererrrrrrr.Just the sound of it, BEEEERRRRRR. It’s like a big hug. BBBEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRR. Wait, you idiot. Get some food in you and get going!!!
8:30 p.m. Look, buddy of mine. I know you’re in town, but I want to get going.
9:00 BBEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR
10:00 p.m. I can still make it to Black Rock. Lesseeee here. Oh, here’s the red line. I’ll just jump on this and get off at Fullerton and get on the brown line and see everybody and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
10:30 Granville? Granville? FUCK!!!
11:00 p.m. Thank God I’m not dead. I’m home though.
6:00 a.m. the next morning. - I wish I was dead.
All in all, poor planning, poor judgment and poor execution. I’m sure that you guys got ALL the planning done for the spring Chidope and there is no need for further planning get togethers, but maybe, just maybe, there is some minor detail that needs to get hashed out and I’ll make it for drinks. Or lunch.
Doper 1: Where was Hamlet? Why wasn’t he at the Mini ChiDope?
Doper 2: Who?
Doper 1: Hamlet!
Doper 2: Tall, strapping, good looking fellow who is funny, smart, and hung like a horse?
Doper 1: No, that’s Zanshin, you idiot.
Doper 2: Oh. No idea.
Doper 1: Oh well.
Well, maybe a baby horse…
Psst: I was Doper 2.
Hamlet, I’m truly sorry you couldn’t make it, but thrilled that you got drunk anyway. Rest assured you’re on my “dopers I like to swear at drunkenly”.
His name was Dan and he reads the boards but isn’t registered. So he was actually there for the Dopefest but isn’t technically a Doper.