# New England Dopefest **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 10, 2016, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519 "2016-09-10T13:44:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/1 "2016-09-10T13:44:55Z")
Yesterday I had lunch (aka, the smallest and most exclusive Dopefest) with the always-charming **Robot Arm** , and we were talking about getting together the motley crew that is the Boston Doper contingent. I know **Waltzes With Cacti** was also interested. Typically these things are a bitch to plan. Everyone has busy lives, and we all start talking about what dates won’t work, and then pretty soon it dies on the vine. I suggest we pick a date and an activity and go. Some ideas that have been part of my conversations with the others: [ol] [li]An Escape Room[/li][li]A rock wall climbing place[/li][li]A simple restaurant/pub gathering[/li][/ol] Open to other ideas as well. How about we shoot for mid-October (selfishly picking that because I’m on crutches now but won’t be then)? Chime in with ideas and offers to help plan, ok? Hope to see you Boston Dopers soon. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/2 "2016-09-10T13:57:02Z")
I’d like to attend. A simple restaurant/pub makes the most sense for me, certainly rock wall climbing is out of the question. Finding the time will be difficult but I think I can get there. It would be easier for me to do this on a weekday evening, I could go up to my office in the day and wouldn’t want to leave until traffic died down anyway. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/3 "2016-09-10T14:16:56Z")
I’d like to see some of the people behind the names, but weekends are better for me. I live near Lowell and, well, distance is an issue. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/4 "2016-09-10T15:12:44Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > I’d like to see some of the people behind the names, but weekends are better for me. I live near Lowell and, well, distance is an issue. I could do weekends. Distance is an issue for me as well though. ---
**Author:** ![Fleetwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fleetwood/32/271_2.png) [@Fleetwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fleetwood)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/5 "2016-09-10T15:33:13Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > I’d like to see some of the people behind the names, but weekends are better for me. I live near Lowell and, well, distance is an issue. > [@TriPolar](#): > > I could do weekends. Distance is an issue for me as well though. MBTA Commuter Rail covers both Lowell and Providence making Boston an ideal spot. ---
**Author:** ![Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90ced4/32.png) [@Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waltzes_with_Cacti)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/6 "2016-09-10T16:02:17Z")
Oh boy! My first Dopefest! I can’t wait. 🙂 I’m happy to go along with the majority. I couldn’t do wall climbing. My 65th birthday was yesterday. But if that’s what people want, why I’ll be happy to sit at the bottom holding your jacket and bag and cheering you on. ---
**Author:** ![F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c89c15/32.png) [@F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.Pu-du-he-pa-as)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/7 "2016-09-10T16:14:52Z")
Husband/fellow doper **oft wears hats** and I definitely up for that, and we are both planning to be in town mid-October, so that works for us! We can do both weeknights and weekends. For a place to meet, may I suggest [Brooklyn Boulders](http://brooklynboulders.com/somerville/) in Somerville, followed by food/beer at one of the many nearby and excellent bars? Brooklyn Boulders is a rock climbing gym, and **oft wears hats** and I are members there. It’s easy walking distance from the Porter Square T/commuter rail station, and there’s non-permit street parking nearby, so transportation shouldn’t be a big issue. There are a number of great bars within walking distance, so we could decamp afterwards for food/beer, and the people who aren’t interested in climbing could join up at that point. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/8 "2016-09-10T16:46:32Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > Yesterday I had lunch (aka, the smallest and most exclusive Dopefest) with the always-charming **Robot Arm** , and we were talking about getting together the motley crew that is the Boston Doper contingent. I know **Waltzes With Cacti** was also interested. Always a pleasure to see you. Thanks for starting the thread. I’ll be there, or course, just as soon as we figure out where ‘there’ is. > [@F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](#): > > For a place to meet, may I suggest [Brooklyn Boulders](http://brooklynboulders.com/somerville/) in Somerville, followed by food/beer at one of the many nearby and excellent bars? Brooklyn Boulders is a rock climbing gym, and **oft wears hats** and I are members there. It’s easy walking distance from the Porter Square T/commuter rail station, and there’s non-permit street parking nearby, so transportation shouldn’t be a big issue. There are a number of great bars within walking distance, so we could decamp afterwards for food/beer, and the people who aren’t interested in climbing could join up at that point. That could work. Looks like a little more than a half-mile from Porter, but not a bad walk if you’re gonna go rock climbing, I suppose. Does Christopher’s in Porter Square still make a good burger? There’s also R.F. O’Sullivan & Son on Beacon; smaller, so might be tougher getting a table. ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/9 "2016-09-10T17:16:00Z")
As with every other Dopefest, my work schedule gets in the way unless we come to a firm date early enough so I can ask for it off. That said, it’s easier for me to ask for a weekday/night off than a weekend day. I’m near the T so getting in/out wouldn’t be an issue. **pbbth** hasn’t been around here in awhile, but she’ll be tickled pink for a Dopefest! I’ll point her to this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/10 "2016-09-10T17:17:35Z")
I may be able to bring a lapsed doper along as well. ---
**Author:** ![F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c89c15/32.png) [@F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.Pu-du-he-pa-as)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/11 "2016-09-10T17:21:59Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > That could work. Looks like a little more than a half-mile from Porter, but not a bad walk if you’re gonna go rock climbing, I suppose. Yeah, I don’t think it’s a bad walk, but I think there’s a bus that goes down Somerville Ave, too. > [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Does Christopher’s in Porter Square still make a good burger? There’s also R.F. O’Sullivan & Son on Beacon; smaller, so might be tougher getting a table. Never tried Christopher’s. There’s Aeronaut right next door, but that tends to be loud, crowded, and not have food. We usually go to one of the places in Union Square, but **oft wears hats** can fill everyone in on that, since he’s the main beer drinker. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/12 "2016-09-10T17:40:59Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I may be able to bring a lapsed doper along as well. He or she will have to go through Doper Confession if that’s the case. It seems like we have the beginnings of a plan. This was easier than I thought, although I know it’s still going to end up leaving a few people out. That’s why I hate being the planner. How does Saturday, October 15th sound? I don’t know that I’ll be able to climbing then, but I will be able to get there. Just saw that **kiz** needs a weekday. How many people need weekday vs weekend? ETA: I like the idea of Christopher’s, as that will be easier for those on public transportation. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/13 "2016-09-10T18:48:10Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > How does Saturday, October 15th sound? I don’t know that I’ll be able to climbing then, but I will be able to get there. That’s my anniversary, not going to happen for me. ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/14 "2016-09-10T20:02:39Z")
As much as I’d like to try rock climbing, my knees would never forgive me. Food/drink sounds good. It’s been awhile since I’ve been in the Porter Sq. area. I have no idea if Christopher’s is still around. Week night vs. weekend? TriPolar has already nixed Lorene’s suggestion. What say everyone else? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/15 "2016-09-10T20:27:28Z")
> [@kiz](#): > > Week night vs. weekend? TriPolar has already nixed Lorene’s suggestion. What say everyone else? I haven’t signed up for my fall curling leagues yet. That’ll probably be two weekday evenings a week, but I don’t know which ones yet. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/16 "2016-09-10T20:32:49Z")
> [@kiz](#): > > Week night vs. weekend? TriPolar has already nixed Lorene’s suggestion. What say everyone else? I’m not nixing the suggestion, I just can’t do it that night. My knees won’t climb rock walls either, but I’d come along and watch on another night. If I can’t make it, I can’t make it, I don’t want to stand in the way of anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/17 "2016-09-10T20:51:59Z")
How about this—we plan a restaurant/pub evening and use that time together to determine if some subset of that group wants to go rock climb another day? I don’t want perfection to be the enemy of good, here. Tuesday the 18th of October, in the after-work hours? ETA: I stand a better chance of making an after-work thing, now that I really look at the calendar. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/18 "2016-09-10T21:42:15Z")
Tuesday, Oct. 18th should work for me. ---
**Author:** ![F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c89c15/32.png) [@F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.Pu-du-he-pa-as)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/19 "2016-09-10T21:47:54Z")
Oh yeah, if we’re doing weeknights, I can’t do Monday nights. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519/20 "2016-09-10T21:51:27Z")
> [@F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](#): > > Oh yeah, if we’re doing weeknights, I can’t do Monday nights. I can’t either. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-dopefest/765519.md?page=2)