Monterey Dopefest Has Been Consummated!

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I don’t have the Official Notes (which were taken by Doobieous, I think) but in attendance were Doob, Purple Crackwhore, Handy, me, Voguevixen & her husband, who left before Sassy & SO, Democritus, Psycat, DirtyDevil, and StoryTyler could show up.

We met at El Toritos on Cannery Row in Monterey, where we had a lovely view of the bay, much margarita, and a nice waitress who didn’t kick us out til we had been there for six hours.

Can’t wait for June’s North Bay Wine Tasting excursion. (“Where can we go margarita tasting?”)

~Harborina

“This is my sandbox. I’m not allowed to go in the deep end. That’s where I saw the leprechauns.”

2

Yeah I took notes down, but since our tables were set up in a row, it was hard for me to get everything down, so this is a group effort people, add things that I have forgotten.

I was the first person to get there. I actually thought I was late (took me 25 minutes to get there instead of my usual 15). I actually missed the entrance to the parking garage, and had to circle around. I thought i’d be late. I must say, I was a bit nervous about the day, since i had never met any of them in person.

I arrived sometime around 12 pm, and asked for a table to be set up. So, i’m sitting at this table anxiously waiting for the others to come in, and Handy shows up first. Since Handy didn’t have an interpreter, he and I wrote notes. After handy showed up, PurpleCrackwhore walks in (yup, she was wearing purple). She sits down and we three start to talk and write notes. I think she got there around 12:30 or so.

Us three waited for maybe 20 more minutes or so before Kyla, Vogue Vixen, and husband come in. So, we start talking about various things, like some of you (I wont say who, but it wasnt anything bad :)), and how much of a bitch traffic was this weekend (president’s day and all). We also started to wonder when everyone else was going to arrive. So, we sat, chatted, and had lunch (basically, they’re not here, we’re hungry, they can order later). As we ate we also discussed many things, I was busy chowing down on a beef taco and cheese enchilada to catch it all.

We all talked for a while, and then I mentioned to the others again that if Dem doesn’t show I will NEVER let him live it down (sup meng!).Soon, Vix and her hubby had to go. IIRC, it was to the Aquarium. So, after Vix and husband left, Sassy and Sal come in. The conversation then went into the reason behind PCW’s screen name. We were a little worried about discussing it too loudly since the restaurant had lots of kids there. Again, the conversation turns to how late Dem, Psy, Tyler, and Dirty Devil were.

Soo about 3:00 or so, the rest FINALLY show. They had some lame excuse about not seeing us in the restaurant (kidding guys). They had been sitting at the bar for a half hour before they finally spotted us. Of course they all had ordered drinks, naturally Dem and DD had beers, the ladies ordered a pitcher of Maragrita’s (IIRC). I of course had a coke. PCW ordered iced tea i think, and then a couple of beers. Sassy had coffee, and I’m not too sure what the others had (they can say later).

Again, we started to chat about stuff going on with the board, phaedrus (who sent me a letter. yay), and some of the more uh…noticeable posters. Basically we are all MPSIMS people (some said they didn’t like the pit too much, I said I liked it).

Since the seating was odd, it was easy to break off into smaller conversations, so I didn’t get all of what was talked about down. StoryTyler had the great idea of mixing up seats so we weren’t segregated by who we came in with. Dirty Devil was quite adamant about his like for certain posters all through the night.

I also got distracted around 5:45 pm and forgot to take more notes (sorry!), but I was deep in conversation with the likes of Dem, DD, and many others :). Psy mentioned how beautiful she thought it was here, and how much she liked it (it was about in the 70’s today).

Towards the end of the meeting, we decided that we should probably leave, since someone (who will not be named :)), was getting a little too rowdy and also we thought we might have over stayed our welcome (we were there from about 12 - 7 pm). The waitress we had was wonderful, I have to give her kudos for putting up with us for 7 hours.

So, we all headed out to the parking lot. We exchanged hugs, and words of goodbye. Those of us still around tomorrow are going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium (www.mbayaq.com)to look at fishes.

Overall, everyone was pretty cool, and about the same as I thought they might be. I felt quite at home with them all. Each and every one were easy to talk to, and laid back. It was a great time and I had a blast. I think this is the most fun i’ve had in about 6 months or so. Those of you who didn’t show or couldn’t make it missed out.

Anyway, so that’s the story. If those of you who were there have anything to add, by all means do so.

It’s worth the risk of burning, to have a second chance…

3

Yes, that pretty much sums it up. I came in a little later than Barry [Doob], who took off his black sweatshirt so I wasn’t sure it was him.

I brought a notepad, as did a few others & I though, wow, everyone wants to talk to me! Actually, they brought them to take meeting notes. Nuts. Me & Barry talked a bit.

PCW came in next. Our chairs were like on the floor so we were all sitting really low. Then some more people came in so I started to talk to PCW A LOT. She was funny. That was going pretty well & then Sal decided to sit next to me. Sal is mighty aggressive & he has been writing a book on deaf people since the 60’s so who better to talk to about that? We went on with that for a long time.

Then they decided to play musical chairs, but I couldn’t hear the music, so thats not really fair, so I landed betwixt DD & his best friend & Kyla & Sal. Of course, we were having a lot more fun than the other side of the table. lol.

Then I looked at DD’s watch and I thought for sure it said 5:30, [must have been an hour fast, eh?] so I went to work. But by then everyone was having quite a few beers & margarita’s so I can only imagine what happened after then…

“Men are like parking spaces, the available ones are handicapped.”

4

**the Crackwhore Viewpoint. **

I came in late… thinking that it would only take me 45 mins to get to Monterey. Major blonde moment tho… coz it has always taken me 1 1/2 hours to get to there before…

So I get to the restaurant and I tell the hostess I am with the Straightdope Group. She looks at me a bit oddly and say, “They’re to the left, at the back.” I head down the aisle and I see this large crowd of people at the end and think, “Gee these people look nothing like their photos.” Then Doob and Handy wave me down from another table and I think to myself, “Phew! Almost went up to a strange group of people and introduced myself as PurpleCrackwhore!”

It pretty much went as Doob said, but I feel the need to elaborate on each character present. I use the term character because it fits rather nicely.

Doobious … OMG is he ever a sweetheart! I know this from talking to him in chat and all, but the whole night he was just too cool. Definitely a hottie also. ::makes a mental note to include him in the SD calendar next year::

Handy … a bit on the quiet side… but man the man can write… I think I saw the paper smoldering a bit at a couple points. Makes me wish I had confiscated the notes so I could use them for blackmail purposes!

VogueVixen … beautiful lady. I didn’t get much chance to speak with her as she was farther down the table but one thing I remember is she has a great smile… might have something to do with where she works tho. Her hubby was rather quite. So there is nothing I can really add to that, altho he was a babe too.

Kyla … OMG can that woman talk! For someone so young (and I mean that in a nice way) she has a great deal of experiences and wisdom to pass along. I loved just listening to the passion she has in whatever she was talking about. Like totally girl!

Sassy … What a fun lady! I said to myself, “She is just way too cool… I can bet she is a fountain frolicker!” She definitely has a side to her that I didn’t catch on the board. You are a true Scorpio Twinny!

Sal … Sass’s SO, and future newbie to the board. Not at all what I expected… and an artist type to boot. He seems like a fun person, altho he got pretty quiet after I explained my crackwhore name. It might have scared him off, or it could have been that he was so in to the small novel he and Handy were writing while the rest of us were chatting on about everyone at SD.

Psycat … Democritus’ surprise guest… like we all didn’t know right? The lady is truly as beautiful inside as she is on the outside. It’s no wonder our chat ho has fallen in love. She has great taste in purple nail polish too which made me think right away this girl could live in Cali easily. Psy?? I could help you out with any moving plans. =)

Democritus … well what can I say about him. Since we had already met and shared a few beers and stories, I knew exactly what to expect from him… No naked fountain frolicking whatsoever!

Dirt(y) Devil… I don’t care what you don’t remember hon… you are never gonna live down what you told me… heheh. Not even your threats to kick my ass, coz I now know your weak spot =) You are way too cute when you are bombed.

and the piesta resistance…
Story Tyler …Mere words would not do this writer justice. She is… how can I put this… incredible. Yep… there is just something about a woman that can discuss cock size with someone she has just met that makes me think, “This woman could be my life long friend.” Sorry hon… had to throw that in…needed the sexual element to the story plot. =)

All in all it was a fantastic way to spend a Saturday! Great people, great food, and enough blackmail information to keep me in crack for at least a week! =)

I really try to be good but it just isn’t in my nature!

5

For the record, we were there by 12:30, so we weren’t THAT late. Kyla even hitch-hiked to get to where we were picking her up on time. That’s what I call dedication! She even put up with having to listen to ELO for the ride down (LOL) not that she stopped talking long enough to hear it (Just teasin’ Kyla!)

Handy, I did bring my notepad so we could talk, unfortunately the seating arrangement wasn’t too conducive to it. I was relaying some questions through PCW, though…don’t know if you realised that or not.

So sorry I had to miss meeting PsyCat and seeing old pals who were late, but hubby was being bored out of his mind (he ended up driving me all over looking at golf courses – so I guess we’re even, lol) and I felt odd being the only one drinking (what’s up with that?!) Was great to finally meet PCW, Handy and Doob, though.

Our next meeting must have a round table or something so we don’t all get grouped off into mini-meetings, lol.

BTW, I had the “Pink Cadillac” Margarita. Very tasty! :wink:

Please pardon our dust while we make improvements to our sig line!

6

So, you consummated the meeting? Who had sex on the table (consummation)?

I sold my soul to Satan for a dollar. I got it in the mail.

7

What a GREAT time!! I can only hope the rest of you Dopes out there have as much fun in your meetings as we’ve had in ours.

I’m sorry we missed some of the fun - DD had various other demands on his time this weekend, so we got a late start and had to come back early on Sunday (we had to skip the aquarium and, I’m sure, much more silliness with the gang - someone gonna give us a report?), but the few hours we had together on Saturday were entirely too much fun. (I’m almost afraid to see the pictures… I didn’t get on the table and dance, did I?) :wink:

I’ve come to realize that, although these meetings bring together people who already have similar interests and senses of humor (so how could we NOT get along?), we also bring to the table our own individual insights, personalities, experiences, and quirks (Who ME?! I have no quirks!), which add a wonderfully rich, spicy broth to the mix. Honestly, I feel like I’ve just sampled one of everything from a big smorgasboard of interesting and exotic foods from around the world. I LOVED learning more about all of you, almost felt like I should lick my fingers to better savor each of your “flavors” - and what better way to do it than over a table full of food and drink and laughter? I’m still smiling!

It’s like meeing lifelong friends for the first time… at least, I felt instantly and completely at ease with everyone there. I’d like to sincerely thank you all for making this a(nother) really terrific and memorable adventure.

PCW - I’m totally blushing! But you know, our “simpatico” didn’t just come from me… you’re pretty incredible yourself, my dear!

P.S. to Psycat - I do hope you can come back again soon. You’re a lovely, warm, witty lady and Dem’s a damned lucky guy… (I’m pretty sure he knows this). I don’t care what anyone says, you ARE a “pussycat”…

Next stop - Wine Tasting in June? I’m THERE!

StoryTyler
“Not everybody does it, but everybody should.”

8

Update:

Me, Dem, and Psy ended up going to the aquarium. I had gotten there a few minutes after Dem and Psy went looking to see if anyone was there. I think it was somewhere around 12 that I finally saw them in the loading area. We unfortunately didnt see Sassy or Sal there. We also got a picture each in, dem got me, and psy sitting on the bench, and then I got one of the cute couple sitting together too.

So, anyway we dedcided to go wait in line. The line was so damn long too, it stretched from the entrance all the way up the street. The wait wasn’t long though. In line we spotted a guy wearing a fierce mullet, and a nifty t-shirt (dem can explain it).

So, finally we pay for our tickets, and go inside. The place was hot humid and crowded. What we get for going on a holiday weekend. We saw the sights, such as the sea otters getting fed, the Shark tank, the Kelp forest tank (3 stories high), and the Outer Bay tank, which had a 13 x 54 foot long window, where you could see sea turtles, bluefin tuna, sunfish, sharks, barracuda, and other fishes (there’s more but you can read more about the places in the aquarium at: www.mbayaq.com. We also spotted another fierce mullet inside too.

We weren’t too talkative, kind of just enjoying eachothers presences (although, it was so damn noisy there anyway). Dem and psy are so damn cool. They looked all cute n stuff holding hands as they walked ;). We were going to grab something to eat, but those tourists filled all the restaurants, and the storm was blowing in so we decided to part ways. I think Dem and Psy may be just now getting back to Santa Rosa as I type this out. I sure hope they got home safe.

Anyway, that was our day at the Aquarium.

It’s worth the risk of burning, to have a second chance…

9

Note to self:

DO NOT consummate any business dealings with Surgoshan.

Sounds like a good time and a great turnout!

10

Holy Crapcakes! I’ve been away from the MB too damn long! Missed another damn meeting.
Sounds like you all had fun. Keep me posted.

JMcC, San Francisco, JJM’s page from the Bay
If I were beaned with a fastball, fling my limp, lifeless body to first, cause, dammit, I earned it!

11

“consumated…hot, spicy broth…humid atmosphere…simpatico”…" Whoosh! This was some get-together!

Carry on…(bad choice of words),
Veb

12

You forgot the “licking fingers” part. :wink:

<font size=1>I’m so bad!</font size=1>

StoryTyler
“Not everybody does it, but everybody should.”

13

Three words: Awesome, awesome, awesome! Once again, I am just totally impressed by the calibre of people I have met here. Many of us had met already at the SF meeting and it was great reconnecting with old friends as well as getting to meet Doob and Handy in person this time. To comment on the occasion without including a bit of prelude seems strange to me, so let me back up a bit.

Psy flew into San Fran Friday morning and it was like reuniting with someone I have always known. She walked off the plane and into my arms, and the rest is history. I’ll leave it at that for now so as not to hijack the thread :wink: We headed down from Santa Rosa early Sat and ran into multiple runs of bumper to bumper stop and go traffic, which put us a couple hours behind schedule. When we finally got there, we ran into Tyler and DD looking confused and not able to find the rest of the Dopers. Those two were, as always, ultimately fun to be around. We decided to have drinks anyway and eventually found our fellows in the back of the restaurant.

Unfortunately, Vix and her husband had left already. Sal was intriguing as ever and impressed me once again with his wide knowledge base and intent discussion. He has been instructed to register very soon. Sassy’s commentary was as hilarious as I remember from the SF meeting and she lives up to her namesake quite well, I might add. Purp was, well what can I say… This Crackwhore’s got style and class. She was already deep into it when I got there and, aside from checking to see if she was really wearing those fishnets, we didn’t get to discuss much because of the table arrangement and the din of DD’s beligerence ::ducking:: Kyla was as determined to debate as ever, but, as the alcohol was flowing like water, the conversation never got too deep and was always riddled with jokes and merriment. Unfortunately, I only got to talk to Handy for all of 5 seconds, as DD was hogging up the notepad with his own issues for most of the time we were there. And, what can I say about Doob? He is more witty and charming in person than he is here. Monterey and the aquarium, and I know I speak for Psy on this as well, would not have been anywhere near as complete without Doob’s incredible knowledge of the aquarium, the local history and keen mullet-sighting ability. Thanks bro.

I will try to post pictures within the next couple of days. Can’t wait to see you all in June! Remember, In vino, veritas! That’s why we’re all here right?

What I tell you three times is true.
The Hunting of the Snark.
Lewis Carroll

14

Well, they could have found us if they had looked around more. But, Tyler was looking for a baloon :), and I had none. I kind of thought the big ass grouping of tables and chairs would have been clue enough (aww, you know i’m just messin with ya’s)

Yes, those two were a riot, especially how DD pretty much loves all the posters most love to hate :). Tyler is a kick, I didnt get to talk to her too much though. Ahh well, there’s always next time. I think I talked to DD for about a half hour or so, DD, i think the entire restaurant could hear you that night lol. It was interesting, and thanks for all the compliments!

Yes, shame, I would have liked to have gotten to talk to her more. But, it was still great to get to meet her… I also loved the hair color!

Yes, Sal is a very intriguing guy, and interesting to talk to. He basically was writing a novel in notes to Handy there! Sassy also does live up to her namesake, and shares my disdain for culture vultures!

Heh, I have to give her props for putting up with DD’s “threats” that he was going to beat her up ducking, not to mention other things. She’s fun to be with, and wore lots of purple.

I didn’t get to chat with Kyla much either. Next time however, i’ll try to sit next to her so I can chat. Kyla is quite a talker, and was very chatty even when she had just woken up. It’s a good thing, she’s sure to keep conversations going, and interesting too. Oh, and the alcohol wasn’t flowing, it was raging like a river among the four of you :).

Well, I got to chat with Handy for a bit before the others got there, actually we were writing notes back and forth. It was actually a nice change of pace, but I hope my handwriting wasn’t too bad :).

You know, I feel the same way about you, you’re exactly how I figured you would be, great company, and cool as hell (that shirt you wore saturday was rad dude!). Psy is quite cool, I haven’t seen or talked to her too much here or on chat (she often has connection problems it seems in chat), but, I think she’s a wonderful person. You two were great company at the aquarium. It was great showing you two around, and I had a blast.

If you need a tour guide for Monterey in the future, i’m yer man :). Oh, also I hope I didn’t forget anyone here!

It’s worth the risk of burning, to have a second chance…

15

OMG! How could we have left out the additions to our party… The prissy prom queen and her entourage sitting at the table next to ours. I mean, they might have well been in our group, because they pretty much could hear everything we talked about. My only regret… I didn’t get a pic of Sassy snatching the tiara off of her head so we could play keep away with it!

I really try to be good but it just isn’t in my nature!

16

“So, you consummated the meeting? Who had sex on the table”

Just ST’s graphic finger display of ‘L.A.’

I don’t know where she got that sign, but it’s been known as the correct sign to use for LA…

The kids behind us were cute. Trying to act all adult & such. Did Sassy really try for the Tiara?

17

Belligerent? Rowdy? Loud? Me? Ok, Ok, I had **A LOT[b/] to drink and got a little out of hand. Please accept my humble apologies. I didn’t mean what I said if it was bad, and I meant every word of what I said if it was good. I’m not going to break everything down (mostly because I don’t remember a whole hell of a lot of it!), but here’s what I have to say about the folks that I’d never met before:

PCW, you are WAY too cool. I’m not exactly sure what “secrets” I told you, but I hope they were good and juicy

http://204.95.48.199/ubb/wink.gif

. And I would **NEVER[b/], EVER harm a hair on your beautiful little head (did I really threaten to “kick your ass”? Boy, I must have told you some pretty damn good secrets if I did that!). Most people just ignore me when I get to that loud, obnoxious stage (which is pretty much all the time

http://204.95.48.199/ubb/wink.gif

). I hope I didn’t offend you with my carrying on. I really had fun talking to you. I usually need to be taken with a large grain of salt (ask Dem, he’s known me for almost 20 years). I have many opinions and sometimes I think that the whole damn world should listen to them. Thanks for listening, or at least pretending to

http://204.95.48.199/ubb/smile.gif

.

Doob, you are one very awesome guy! I don’t care what Dem says

http://204.95.48.199/ubb/wink.gif

. I wish I could have talked to you more (or at least talked to you more coherently). And my apologies to you, too, if I was a little loud and overbearing. When I’m having fun I can get a bit carried away. Take it as a strange kind of compliment.

Handy, I really enjoyed writing back and forth with you. I’ve read most of your stuff on the board since I joined and I always wondered what you were like IRL. I was very impressed with you! And hey, the one good thing about being deaf is that you didn’t have to listen to me as I got louder and louder and louder. I’m sure many other people in the restaurant wished they couldn’t hear me, either.

Overall, I had a really great time. I just hope I didn’t spoil anyone else’s fun. OK, I’m done apologizing for my raucous behavior. Please e-mail me if you all have any specific complaints (or, for PCW, if you have figured out a price for the blackmailing you’re planning). Next time, ice tea and water for me (yeah, right!).

18

Belligerent? Rowdy? Loud? Me? Ok, Ok, I had **A LOT[b/] to drink and got a little out of hand. Please accept my humble apologies. I didn’t mean what I said if it was bad, and I meant every word of what I said if it was good. I’m not going to break everything down (mostly because I don’t remember a whole hell of a lot of it!), but here’s what I have to say about the folks that I’d never met before:

PCW, you are WAY too cool. I’m not exactly sure what “secrets” I told you, but I hope they were good and juicy

http://204.95.48.199/ubb/wink.gif

. And I would **NEVER[b/], EVER harm a hair on your beautiful little head (did I really threaten to “kick your ass”? Boy, I must have told you some pretty damn good secrets if I did that!). Most people just ignore me when I get to that loud, obnoxious stage (which is pretty much all the time

http://204.95.48.199/ubb/wink.gif

). I hope I didn’t offend you with my carrying on. I really had fun talking to you. I usually need to be taken with a large grain of salt (ask Dem, he’s known me for almost 20 years). I have many opinions and sometimes I think that the whole damn world should listen to them. Thanks for listening, or at least pretending to

http://204.95.48.199/ubb/smile.gif

.

Doob, you are one very awesome guy! I don’t care what Dem says

http://204.95.48.199/ubb/wink.gif

. I wish I could have talked to you more (or at least talked to you more coherently). And my apologies to you, too, if I was a little loud and overbearing. When I’m having fun I can get a bit carried away. Take it as a strange kind of compliment.

Handy, I really enjoyed writing back and forth with you. I’ve read most of your stuff on the board since I joined and I always wondered what you were like IRL. I was very impressed with you! And hey, the one good thing about being deaf is that you didn’t have to listen to me as I got louder and louder and louder. I’m sure many other people in the restaurant wished they couldn’t hear me, either.

Overall, I had a really great time. I just hope I didn’t spoil anyone else’s fun. OK, I’m done apologizing for my raucous behavior. Please e-mail me if you all have any specific complaints (or, for PCW, if you have figured out a price for the blackmailing you’re planning). Next time, ice tea and water for me.

19

No apologies are necessary from my point of view Dirt Devil. You kept me amused for many hours. If Iced Tea is going to chill you out… then I think I will have to give ya beer by IV!

I really try to be good but it just isn’t in my nature!

20

PCW, next time we can ask the bartender to slip DD non-alcoholic beer instead! heehee.

I said I was going to work & more than half the people clapped. That caught me by surprise, too. They used to clap for Beethovan too, but he couldn’t hear it either, but his eyes told him what his ears could not.