Just in case the “Sarasota” bit was throwing you off, we’re having a get together to meet up with the debonair Swampbear this coming Saturday. It’s the chance of a lifetime, really. Many unfortunate folks never have the chance to meet Swampy in the flesh. Hmm, that just sounds wrong.
Anyway, the plan in it’s current state is to meet up at M. J. Barleyhopper’s in Ybor City -
I’ve been kinda disappointed with not getting response in my thread, so maybe this will help. Shibb disregard the email I sent ya. This sounds like a fun place. Come on Tampa area dopers (and others) let’s have us a dopefest!
I made reservations at a Hampton Inn that’s right by Ybor City according to them. Tomorrow I will be traveling to Sarasota, meeting up with my cohort and beginning work. YEEHAA! My chances to sneak in and see if anybody’s interested will be limited but I will from time to time.
So who’s all planning on being there for this shindig? If I’m not busy I’ll try to find a ride up there.
-foxy
Swampy, don’t take it personally. We Bay Areas are an apathetic bunch… Giving this a bump and a provisional RSVP for Saturday night… I should be able to make it.
Foxy, shoot me an e-mail and I’d probably be able to give you a ride, if you’re interested.
Love to see ya Bambi. Hope you can make it. Oh well, if it just ends up Shibb and me, I’m sure he will entertain me well. 
I should be able to get there, at least for a while. I’ll be wearing the Biltmore Clock pinned to my lapel.
I may be in downtown Tampa during the day today but I’m not sure I’ll be able to a) get a ride there, or b) be back in time to catch a ride with you.
I’ll give you a call later if I have anything more concrete in mind though.
-foxy
ladyfoxfyre here’s hopin’ you can make it. The King of Soup coolness! Looking forward to meeting ya.
I checked the place out last night. I mean, I had to have dinner and all. It’s a great place. Good Cuban sammich. And beer. Why, I didn’t even get back to my hotel room til almost nine p.m.! Something about the big city just makes me go wild.
I’m really looking forward to seeing anybody who shows up tonight. I’ll be the fat guy with the gray beard in a blue plaid sorta shirt, jeans and sneaks. Or a yellow/orange tshirt that says Panama City Beach, shorts and sneaks. Depends on if I change what I’m wearing right now or not.
Where’s your Easter Seals cap? 
This time I’m going for the “Do I Look Like You Thought I Would” method. I envision dopers going up to complete strangers all over the bar sayin’ “That you swampy?” It’ll be fun!
Ok, actually, Shibb knows what I look like.
Oh, phooey.
Looks like I won’t be making the trip after all.
Sorry I won’t get to say hello. Have a cup of soup for me.
boy, this seemed like a big flop.
I live near Tampa and have been waiting for a doperfest for some time now.
Is this still on for tonite? I need an excuse to get out and meet people.
Come on, dmatsch. You can make our (apparent) trio a foursome.
Yeah come on dmatsch. I’m about to leave and walk down. Shibb called a bit ago and is working his way on over. I’m wearing a blue shirt and kakhi shorts with sneaks. Also, I’m the fat fella with the gray beard. Come out and play!
So, how did it go?
Did you folks have fun? Isn’t **Swampy ** just a hoot?
Frankly, I’m jealous. I’m hoping that he’ll be able to head back up to Seattle again so we can do another Swampfest. We had so much fun the last time he was here!
Twas fun. Swampbear, Bambi, King of Soup, Lucretia and Bluesman all made it. I imagine Swampy is still on his way home, so I’m just going to say it was a good time and let him post the details.
I love meeting any new Dopers, but I’ve especially wanted to meet swampy.
I told him I’d provide beer and cookies if he came to Kansas. But no burly men, those I want for myself. He’ll have to provide his own!
I’ve also tried saying that we could go Phred watching, but so far his work hasn’t brought him within shouting distance of Topeka.
One day Baker, one day. I promise. Maybe. Sorta. Ok.
I’m hoooooooooooome!!! Ok, I’ve been home a couple hours now. I had to get “welcomed” home first. And unpack. And start laundry.
I had a blast! It was great meeting everybody. M.J. Barleyhopper’s is a good place but you have to guess what they have on their menu from what we could figure out. I ordered a ton o’ hot wings and tried my best to get everybody to eat 'em all up. They almost all got eaten. Course, other people ordered food to eat too. Well, most everybody actually ordered dinner. Much merriment was made. Beer and mojitos were drunk. Then Shibb and I hit the town. We went to two, count 'em two, bars and had drinks. We walked around Ybor City for a while and talked and talked and talked. Why, I do believe it was almost midnight when we said goodbye! We’re party animals me and Shibb.
PSST! Shibb, remember that bar we kinda figured was one of those kind of bars? It is. I did a little research on my way back to the hotel.
I suspected you might a had to stop in there. Professional courtesy and all. I trust you behaved yourself.