Dang, I was hoping to meet one or both Dip Doper Bens at this one (both Wikkit and Omniscient are online Dippers). So count two disappointments already, Ben.
Zoltarb, I hope you want to make money off me for babysitting duties and not by naked jello wrestling, 'cause I will kick your @$$, son!
And that Shibb guy is pretty generous, not only offering his home for the after party but chartering a jet down from O’Hare. Hope he wins the lottery soon to pay for it.
Took me two reads to spot it, but I’m sure we can dislike each other later. 
I’ll definitely come to the next one, to stab Shib in person if nothing else. I might be able to make it for a weekend in the fall, perhaps we can do a minidope.
Hey, can I bring a friend with me to The Grafton who’s not a Doper but who’s head is filled with useless knowledge?
Definitely, niblet_head. We will convert your friend.
Ha! No Spam for you! Or, Spam for you! Whatever. It’s not even 10 a.m. and I’ve already been up for 5 hours.
Hey, Judith, someone said we sort of look alike! Let’s switch name tags and fuck with everyone’s head. 
Tibs
Right on! Especially Gundy’s. By the way, my local watering hole has Woodchuck Pear Cider on tap. I may have one this evening.
It will take a minimum of effort, I assure you.
And to go with camel eyeballs, or whatever the heck it is that Eva Luna is making, Gundy has graciously agreeded to loan me the use of her kitchen to make spanikopita. Just like your mom makes - or would if she were Greek.
Just think of it as a slightly exotic lamb stew on rice pilaff.
**Gundy, ** that brings up a good point. I’ll probably do most of the prep and preliminary stages in my own kitchen, but can I do the final steaming of the rice and other components at your place? That way I can time it better, so the food is ready around the same time people arrive and are ready to eat. I’ll bring my own pot and everything, and I promise to behave.
Of course, Eva. I will have my shit together by this evening and will e-mail alla y’all with directions and stuff. I’ll be home by mid-afternoon, so while I don’t expect people to start arriving until later, y’all can plan to come over as early as four. My underpants may still be lying on the floor, though, so be forewarned.
Judith, now I’ll have to pick up some pear cider for Friday.
:waits for Tibs to make comment about underpants staying on the floor the entire time:
Ok, so. I’ve only gotten notification from a few folks that are interested in going to the Wild Goose, but I’m going there anyway because it’s affordable and I like it. It’s about four blocks from the Grafton, so anyone who joins us there we can all walk up to the ‘main party’ together.
Saturday Eve: 5:30 or 6:00 ish (I’ll probably be there at 5:30)
Where: The Wild Goose at the corner of lincoln and cullom in Chicago
Who: All invited
What: great food great drinks, a pool table, a good juke box, darts, golden tee.
See ya there…I can’t possibly keep up with this thread so whoever shows, shows. I look forward to chidope
Since I’ll be wandering aimlessly in the city, with only a hotel room for company… you can sign me up for pretty much everything.
Whom are you talking to, SmackFu?
I’d comment but since I know I’m the resident husband for a weekend, I’d probably end up 1) getting a look and 2) having to do the laundry.
Tibs.
Damn, I was trying to avoid reading the whole thread to see who I had to respond to. Let’s see… your offer of a Friday event is much appreciated, if I can get to your place from the hotel using public transportation. jarbabyj, since dinner sounds both good and necessary. Kyla, cause me Mum said I just had to go to the Field Museum if I went to Chicago.
I think that covers it for now.
I stopped by the Grafton last night and confirmed everything for next Saturday. I’ve told the owner that we’re unlikely to be ordering many meals, but that many of us will be ordering appetizers. If that’s wrong, please let me know. (25 meal orders all at once would overwhelm the kitchen if there’s no advance warning.)
As far as tabs, I recommend having several, divided by table or area, closed out as needed. That seems fairest to everyone. Anyone have any other thoughts on this? (One monster tab seems likely to be a pain in the ass/unfair to some.)
Looking forward to it! Anyone who has any Grafton-related questions, let me know. (I did note the parking was tighter than I expected on a Thursday. If the lot across the street is full, and on-street parking is tight, try side streets west of Lincoln. Also note that parking lot is really two lots, with the one in back being slightly more expensive.)
For those with parking concerns, I suggest checking out the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce website. There’s a map that shows parking lots close by.
Also, I agree with Random that running several tabs (instead of one big one) is probably the best approach.
But… but… but… if we don’t do a monster tab, no one can take a pic of it for the web page like we have before.
J/K of course. Whatever you guys think is the easiest. We actually are going to make a run back to the 'burbs to take the puppers for a walk after the Field Museum, have dinner out this way, then see if we can join the gang for a drink at the Goose before heading out to the Grafton. 'Tizers are a definite there for us (curry chips are on the menu, I hope), as are drinks of course.