# NYC MegaDopefest Weekend -- Jan 16-19 -- Post if and when you'll be here. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 30, 2003, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678 "2003-12-30T02:12:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/61 "2004-01-06T14:45:37Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by E-Sabbath_ > I’m in on the comic walk. How many are coming? I’m trying to figure out if we can get a game of something after dinner… I don’t drink. Well that could be interesting. Of course, I _do_ drink. A lot. But it’s never stopped me before! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![OxyMoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9a140/32.png) [@OxyMoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OxyMoron)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/62 "2004-01-06T14:54:44Z")
“Still waiting to hear from?” **Billdo** , you slay me! But all right, I’ll make my official post: I and the **OxyBF** are in for all three days. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/63 "2004-01-06T15:23:29Z")
I \<3 **OxyBF**. I want to hug him and kiss him and wish he was straight when I was still fixated on Sting. ---
**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/64 "2004-01-06T16:12:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bouv \* > \*\*Honestly, I think I could do alright without a place to crash, bums live on the street, why can’t I? It will be fun! \*\* I hope you do find a place to stay, **bouv**. Have you ever been to NYC? I don’t mean to be a party pooper, but it’s a pretty expensive place to visit. I’m guessing that I’ll easily spend $100 a day, not including lodgings. And that’s not being extravagant. Of course, it’s possible do it more cheaply than that, but you’ll might not be able to do all the planned activites. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/65 "2004-01-06T16:18:59Z")
Jane D’Oh is coming? Whoa! I wanted to go before, and now i REALLY want to go!! ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/66 "2004-01-06T16:31:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by vix \* > \*\*I hope you do find a place to stay, **bouv**. > > Have you ever been to NYC? I don’t mean to be a party pooper, but it’s a pretty expensive place to visit. I’m guessing that I’ll easily spend $100 a day, not including lodgings. And that’s not being extravagant. Of course, it’s possible do it more cheaply than that, but you’ll might not be able to do all the planned activites. ☹ \*\* It **can** be done, though. I spent less than $120 at last year’s 'Fest. I barely drank (1.5 of those tiny Rolling Rocks) Friday night and didn’t drink on Saturday. Saturday’s breakfast was only about $6. Had lunch at Time Square Appleby’s\* - we split the tab 4 ways, no arguing about who had what, and it was about $14. Dinner was about $15. All-day subway cards are, what, $4? $5? Spent all afternoon wandering Central Park and window-shopping in Times Square. Carpooled - light travel expenses. Crashed on someone’s floor - no charge for sleeping. I’m going to be on an even tighter budget this year, but I still intend to have a good time. Even if I do end up playing “Eye of Argon” and chipping in for the booze. As long as I have $20 left at the end so I know I can get home from **weirdnorth** and **gingerofthedave** ’s, I’m golden. - I had a nasty UTI, and I stated to the people I was with that I was willing to pay $10 for a cup of coffee (I didn’t) if it meant I’d have access to a clean bathroom. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/67 "2004-01-06T16:38:12Z")
**buov** How about a dorm bed at the Star Hotel? $22/night? [http://www.ny.com/nyc-cgi-bin/frame?url=http://www.starhotelny.com&frame=/frame/hotels.html](http://www.ny.com/nyc-cgi-bin/frame?url=http://www.starhotelny.com&frame=/frame/hotels.html) If you needed to, you could maybe bum $1 from a few dopers to cover any shortfall if you don’t have the cash on you? I’d be willing to kick in $5, and I’m not even going… ---
**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/68 "2004-01-06T16:38:59Z")
I hear you, Hama. You can do it for cheap **and** have a great time, no question. I lived in NYC for three years, and I was always finding excellent free things to do. I just worry when I see people planning to come who may not realize what it means to spend an inexpensive weekend in the city. You have to do free stuff, you have to not drink much, you have to watch your food budget extra-carefully, etc. Anyway, I’m glad you’re coming again, and I’m looking forward to seeing you! ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/69 "2004-01-06T16:42:47Z")
I meant to say…but I agree that doing it _cheaply_ involves giving up some of the organized group activities. I hate it when I forget something I was going to say when I posted because I’m too busy posting. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/70 "2004-01-06T16:47:17Z")
I might do sunday as well. I’m also willing to have someone crash at my place over the three days, or so, depending on who it is, but I live in Pleasantville, a bit north of the city. About an hour’s train ride. Not hard to get there, though, right near the train. Again, gamer preferred, might as well show off my collection. 🙂 Gorgon Heap, so what do you want to play? I can support virtually any system, but it does involve some minor prepwork. (I’d suggest either D&D or one of the clicky-based wargames, myself. Or 40K) If you don’t know how to play, I’ll be glad to teach. ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/71 "2004-01-06T17:15:28Z")
D&D is great, but I’m certainly not making any promises. While I’d love the opportunity to play, a DopeFest is really my best chance to see friends and relax. Rather more of a social thing than gaming. ---
**Author:** ![OxyMoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9a140/32.png) [@OxyMoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OxyMoron)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/72 "2004-01-06T17:22:31Z")
This is one of the things that’s a real problem for organizers: we’re trying very hard to come up with things that are cheap, but New York cheap and rest-of-the-country cheap are very, very different things. So with that in mind: **Budget for the Zoltarb/Oxy Saturday-in-Brooklyn Tour** **Total: about $25** Lunch @ [Juniors](http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/7330896?cslink=search_name_noncust): $20 (possibly cheaper if you stick to breakfasty stuff & cheesecake); [Transit Museum](http://www.transitmuseumstore.com/) Admissions: $5.00, no student discounts. Brooklyn Bridge Walk: Free. The current schedule (subject to possible change) is to meet at Junior’s at 12:00, then go to the Transit Museum by about 1:45. Please feel free just to meet us at the museum! I’ll post directions as we get closer to the date. Cheers - Oxy ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/73 "2004-01-06T17:34:14Z")
Oh, sure, no stress, or anything. Just a “thing to do” based off the ‘comic walk’ thought. ---
**Author:** ![OxyMoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9a140/32.png) [@OxyMoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OxyMoron)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/74 "2004-01-06T17:55:19Z")
And, Gentle Dopers, a brief reminder ;): **BUDGET FOR TIPS. _GOOD_ TIPS. Large groups are always hard on servers, and as a general rule large groups are even more work in New York than anywhere else.** For a big group here, 20-25% is standard. That’s more than other places, we know. It has happened on occasion that people did _not_ budget adequately for tips. That effectively requires everyone else to subsidize these folks. **Which is very, very, very Not Cool.** We want everyone to have a good time, but we want to have a good time too - and we go to these places the rest of the year, too. Thank you for your kind attention to this matter. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/75 "2004-01-06T18:25:33Z")
I thought 20% was standard most places these days, big group or not. But your point is well taken, **Oxy**. BTW, what’s the tax rate on restaurant meals in NYC these days? It’s a good idea for folks to have the complete tax-and-tip add-on in mind when the check’s going around. ---
**Author:** ![lurkernomore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@lurkernomore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurkernomore)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/76 "2004-01-06T18:46:03Z")
Well, I had hoped to make it Friday, but it appears that option has been taken from me, so unless things change, mark me out. Perhaps one of the Thursday gatherings, if they are revived. ---
**Author:** ![Jane\_D\_oh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/839c29/32.png) [@Jane\_D\_oh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jane_D_oh)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/77 "2004-01-06T18:49:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrankyAsAnOldMan \* > \*\*Jane D’Oh is coming? > > Whoa! I wanted to go before, and now i REALLY want to go!! \*\* And I would love for you to be there, since, ya know, you still have not seen the safari pictures. (any excuse to pack them, ya know) ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/78 "2004-01-06T19:03:31Z")
You know, I was wondering about that just the other week, **lurker**. I understand how hectic things are during the holidays and there’s no real reason what with the Fest, but I hope somebody can get the monthly/bi-monthly Dinners going again. I miss those. ---
**Author:** ![OxyMoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9a140/32.png) [@OxyMoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OxyMoron)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/79 "2004-01-06T19:05:01Z")
I knew you were my kind of people, **RT** :)! It’s somewhere around 8.5%. It was 8.25, but I think it went up to 8.375. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2004, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678/80 "2004-01-06T19:46:18Z")
**Oxy** , if I were _really_ your kind of people, **OxyBF** would have to watch his back! 😉 So after people total up the prices of the things they ordered, they should plan on adding another ~30% on top of that to cover tax and tip. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-megadopefest-weekend-jan-16-19-post-if-and-when-youll-be-here/221678.md?page=5)