We’ll understand if you can’t make it. The important thing is for you to get feeling better. Otherwise, we’ll catch you the next time, ok?
I can’t make it tonight but think I’m ready to give it a try at a future dinner if another newbie non-drinker wouldn’t be too much trouble.
Tonight’s dinner was only a short walk from work, but I am out of town.:smack:
Well guys, just got back and want y’all to know that I ha a blast. I don’t normally feel at ease when I’m surrounded by people I don’t know but you definitely made me feel at ease…well either that or I had already had to pull out some courage walking around asking perfect strangers if the words “Straight Dope” mean anything to them :D. I’m looking forward to the next get-together (don’t worry Frank, “I’ll try” is just my standard reponse to a question. It means yes most of the time).
As a sad preamble to our proposed/failed meeting, I do not have internet access while on the road. I left home on Tuesday morning planning to meet on Friday with all of you, worked in Philly during the week and arrived at Monks shortly before 6. After a few Hoegaarden Whites, I determined that the game book had been changed, and I was not on the copy list, hence my return home, sans Dopermeets.
Is there a working method-perhaps outdoormanbeatdrum that some folks in my position might know of last minute strategical adjustments?
Reach me, and I’ll meet you-honest.
I seem to have returned to one of my long time problems, a nocturnal activity cycle.
I didn’t even wake up til 7 pm.
Hopefully, I’ll have this straightened out before the next gathering.
Very fun time, gang! As I said, I’ve got a conflict for two weeks from now, but look forward to the one after that. So Meros, remember, skip the white elephants next time, bring 'em the time after.
watcher, any newbie of any flavor is welcome any time. And we’re planning on being in the same area in two weeks. The plan is to meet at Fado. Usual 6:30 time (though I’m wondering if we should switch to 7? I know some people have a distance to travel. I’ll let y’all decide.)
danceswithcats, you came this close to a pitting for not showing up again, you know. (tdc, moi, Verrain and I were talking about it after we left. ;)) As it is, you can be excused this time. Do you have my cell number? You’re always welcome to give me a call to make sure everything is still on as you know it.
DocCathode, we were there until 9. Shoulda come down anyway.
I’ve got to agree with Meros and twickster. It was a great time, with very easy going, fun people. twickster and rc helped make the night with puzzle books, bookmarks and white elephants. I’ve never come home from any Dope gathering with this much stuff. Just keep in mind, Verrain and I are still weeding out our apartment, so we will have lots of goodies to bring in a couple of weeks! 
The 3 hours we were there just seemed to pass quickly. I wish I’d moved to the other end of the table to chat with Meros, Cleophus, tdc and moi more. I’ll have to sit at that end of the table next time!
I feel so hurt. 
Oh, Frank, you can come too…
Thanks to everyone who brought the goodies and much tsking and sadness for those who weren’t able to make it.
Everyone was superinteresting and funny, as Dopers are wont to be, but twickster outshined them all. (Whoa. My flattery levels are still WAY up! :D)
I definitely enjoyed changing things up at the end o’ the eve, getting the perspective of the other end of the table and (attempting to) usurp Frank’s spot. Also, tdc, gotta love him…but I spend most of my waking hours with the fellah. I went out Friday night to see new folx.
Lookin’ forward to seein’ y’all again in two weeks!
I, for one, had a faboo time. Sorry, danceswithcats, I was looking forward to meeting you. Maybe we need a PhillyDope phone tree so we can make sure eveybody knows the score ahead of time.
Meros, 'twas a pleasure to meet you and you hardly seemed shy at all. Likewise, Cleophus was a pleasant addtion and I stand in awe at his collection of GeekTools. 
It was great to meet you all and I tremble in acti-
-pation of our next meeting. Cheers , all.
tdc
Ain’t nothing like a good Rocky reference.
Don’t forget Meros and his 17" PowerBook!
I should have the pictures I took online by next week. I’ll be away, so it may not happen until the following.
I had a wonderful time, and I look forward to coming to another one. Unfortunately, that probably won’t be for a few weeks.
good food, good conversation, good people, good loot!
i’ll miss the next one.
Your phone number, TruePisces has gone to the land of lost left sox along with my phormer cell phone. An email contact with data would be welcome, as those stone tablets are soo hard to carry around…
Uh, moi, y’all cleaned me out of bookmarks – you can let it go now.
Forget next week for the photos! I went and one-houred the roll from last night and here they are! If you want a print (though the pictures came out a little disappointing), send me an email.
Yeah, I personally can never get enough pictures of myself looking like the undead.
(Just kidding, sweetie – thanks for posting!)
Thanks Cleophus it would make sense that right after I left the restaurant I figured out why my flash wasn’t working. Oh well… thanks for the shots
PS-Your Newton wipes the floor with my 17" PB any day when it comes to pure geeky coolness.
Bah! I shall outgeek you both with my tablet pc-equipped with then cutting edge Windows 3.2 !!!
It would be cooler still if I could get it to work consistently. Or if it had a floppy drive. Or any method to transfer files besides the WinConnect program I can never get to work.
But still, the touchscreen is at least 4 times the size of a Newton and I feel like Dr McCoy every time I use the thing.