So I ended up leaving Louisville around 1 an, making great time, arrived in Toledo, exactly 300.1 miles, 4 hours later. From here, time sort of got goobered up. I stopped in at a friends to check on potential sleeping arrangements. Turns out, she was planning on heading to Cleveland, but wanted to wait for me, since we rarely get to see each other. Suddenly, it’s well after 8 and I’m late for the Fest. Reluctantly, I take my leave, still not knowing where I was going to sleep that night, but making a few calls while driving.
Arriving in AA, and eventually at the restaurant, I figured I was set. About three feet from the door I realized two things:
- everyone had probably been seated long ago, and
- I had no idea what anyone looked like.
- Hi, Opal!
So I try the host and hostess’. They truly were clueless. Not that I gave them much to work with: “I’m looking for a group of about 10-20 people, under the name Persephone, Lazarus or The Straight Dope. Talk about blank stares. Imagine a couple of kids in their late teens looking at you like you just sprouted a third head and you’ve about got it.
Trying a different tack, I wander around the place to find to my horror that there are quite a few large groups of people. Seeing that one table had a lot of kids in attendance, I gave them a pass. Another, though, they had a few balloons, signaling, to me at least, that they might be trying to get “people who aren’t sure who they are supposed to be looking for”s’ attention. Nope, but at least I got the three-head look again.:rolleyes:
Finally, a bus-er took pity on me and wandered from table to table, asking if any of them were in any way related to “The Straight Dope.” SUCCESS! I arrived almost 10 minutes after walking through the door.
After meeting and almost immediately forgetting everyone’s real name [sub]sorry, but it’s one of those things[/sub](except LL, who shares his name with me, making it easy), I settled in and got some food and vino.
I’m so glad I wasn’t the only one that hadn’t (and hasn’t) read anything from JDT. I’m also glad I could share the joy that was Peace 
Mr. BunnyGirl did a commendable job of tolerating us, being a non-Doper and all, so again, kudos to him.
I managed to blind people a few times while snapping a picture or six. Discussion of some great flame threads came and went. Discussion of the various ailments seemingly common to Dopers came and went. Discussion of peoples first post and first thread submissions came and went. Discussion of home, actual home, home of record and where you would be staying tonight came and went.
Suddenly, it was 11:30, and it was time to go. One last picture, a group one in dim lighting but good nonetheless, and people began to take their leave.
The snow had been falling the whole time, the wind blowing and swirling it around in crystalline patterns that would have been lovely if we weren’t facing substantial drives.
After driving, in total, almost six hours, my first Dopefest was over in just over two (due in no small part to my late arrival). Declining the exceedingly kind offer to sleep on a couch that “might not be the most sanitary, but it’s there” ;), I turned South again and rolled back to Toledo. About twenty minutes out, I happened across an old buddy that I used to work with and found lodging <and there was much rejoicing!>
Thanks, Michigan Dopers, for the great, though short, time. Glad to hear everyone made it home safe. I’d like to renew my offer for an Ohio Dopefest and your are all formally invited. Happy New Year!
