I don’t think we have a room discount because I was never really sure how many people we’d have. I would imagine there are plenty of rooms left over - I will call again on Monday and see if I can get them to take a little offa the top for us. 
I’m so glad you’re coming, yojimboguy!
Tibs.
Hey, yojimboguy, it’ll be good to see you again! We’re taking the ol’ Amtrak down there, so we will not be partaking of your kind offer of a ride, but thank you just the same.
Tibs, you’ve got the nicest set of entendres I’ve ever seen.
yojimboguy I’m up for a car pool Saturday AM. (Especially if it’s your car not mine) Just let me know how early AM, K?
I guess I better call and make my room reservation now. I’ve been procrastinating just a little bit.
I’ll be there… er, here. Sounds like most of it isn’t starting 'til Saturday late afternoon, which is good, 'cus I’m busy in the early afternoon.
Jane, Great! Where can we hook up? Is there some commuter line you could ride west on, and I could pick you up at the end? Just trying to figure out how not to dive too deeply into Chi, and stay as far west as possible… but I’ll come in as far as necessary.
Timing… is Springfield about 3 hours south of you? If so, I’d figure on getting to you about noonish, so we could make it to some 4 PM thing.
Send me an e-mail. Easiest to meet at the hotel. I’ll be there when the bus is there (Pick your time). I think we are more like 4 - 4 1/2 hrs away.
Man, you, me in a car, with my 17 rolls of film from my most recent vacation, it’ll be fun
Uh, you didn’t mention anything about vacation pics… Ya know, my car is due for it’s first major servicing. Unlike most other vehicles, this inolves removing the engine and shipping it to Japan, in that American mechanics are too lazy and stupid to fix it… I would really love to see your pics, but the engine warning light is lit… 
Oh hell, what’s a little breakdown in the road in central Illinois? If you promise to lock your pics out of accessability in the trunk (just like transporting liquor and weapons), we got a deal!
I’ll send you email. Now I’m thinkin 11ish would be a good pickup time.
Deal! See ya then!!
(It is waaay tooo early on a Sunday.)
Off to watch the Bears lose.
yojimboguy, thanks for the ride offer, but I’m actually heading down Friday after work.
Would anyone like to join UncleBeer and me for a late dinner on Friday - probably 8-ish?
Tibs, I’m going to email you with my cell-phone number - you might want consider creating a cell-phone list and distribute it to folks so we can all get in touch if needed.
Porcupine, I would love to join both you and UncleBeer for dinner on Friday.
And the cell phone number list sounds great. Anyone who wants on the list, e-mail me.
Tibs.
Tibs, I already sent you my cell number. Toss it on the list.
Bleach for washing eyeballs may be had for USD 10/dl.
Hey! You’re Benjamin Harrison.
Oh yeah. Akats, you’re coming in Friday, right? Will you be joining us for dinner?
Benjamin Harrison?! You take that back! I’m Grover Cleveland!
And I will be joining you for dinner; I’m happy to have the opportunity to dine with you all.
Ok, Saturday morning I’m gonna drive down from Madison along I90. I’ll pick up Jane D’oh right near O’hare airport about 11 AM, and we’ll head south on I55.
We’ll be heading back north Sunday around noon.
If anybody needs a ride, either direction, snd isn’t too far off this route, I still have a couple of seats.
Oh yeah, Jane and I are about an hour-and-a-half apart on our guestimates on driving from O’hare to Springfield. Tibs, assuming I basically stick to the speed limit, what’s your guess on travel time?
Yojimboguy, I’d say O’hare is about 200 miles from Springfield. I normally estimate between 3 hours and 3 hours fifteen minutes.
I called and left a message for the manager at Sleep Inn and will call again today.
I have today off of work (go vote!). YOU BE ENVIOUS NOW!
Tibs.
Gundy asked about timing of some things. Here’s a rough breakdown:
Friday evening, dinner - so far, I have on my list: Porcupine, UncleBeer, moi, Tygre and Katsu going to dinner. Anyone else within 50 miles is obligated to come. Then we’ll probably go to my place to kick back and rest up for the next day.
Saturday - this is open. Breakfast, maybe more time at my place, early dinner at D’arcy’s, more folks arriving, then out and about on the town. There are plenty of laid back bars that we can take over. I have a few great ones in mind. Whee!
Tibs.
Where’s Friday night dinner? Or did I miss that part? Don’t want to miss y’all.
