Personally, I don’t explain it to my friends of family. I’m visiting friends. That’s all they need to know. 
And nah, this trip isn’t sick. This is my third time seeing some of these people. Now, me driving 14 hours to Springfield. THAT was sick. (Love ya, Flyp! Honest!)
Four days left, and it looks like I’m a go.
I’m driving down, about 6.5 hours. Could probably chop a couple of hours off that, but there’s some big lake in the way that I have to drive around.
I’ll be kind of winging it on the room, however. The credit cards were chopped up a while ago. There has to be a homeless shelter in the area somewhere where I can sleep off my drunk, anyway.
Milo,
Here’s a few places that might accomodate you. 
Cool! I think that one’s by Wrigley Field!
If I break my refrigerator box down to fit it into the car, is it hard to get its structural integrity back?
Just bring a roll of duct tape and you’ll have no problem with the fridgy box. You can even use it to weatherproof it if needed. No rain in the forcast, but it’s supposed to be in the 40s Saturday night.
Hey Milo, you could always sleep in the lobby with Omni and Falcon 
ow…hey, stop hitting me!
I’m not hitting you, hon! Have you seen their pictures??? I could think of worse things than sharing a bed with Omni and Milo…
Well, I have plenty of room at my place. Maybe Omni and Milo can stay with me.
We have a place, a time, and we’re pretty much set. All I need is an accurate head count for the restaurant. Everyone that is coming HAS to email me. Thanks!
Is anyone else coming from the Twin Cities area? I’ll be driving down alone and would be perfectly willing to pick someone up on the way.
As far as why I’m willing to make the trip, I have very few friends in Minnesota (been here 3 years now) and the ones I have are busy folks who I rarely see. I’m desperately looking for a decent job back east (Baltimore preferably) where I’m loved and respected. Meanwhile, you guys have been good for conversation which is the best human contact I get, other than on vacation.
Some warnings (You can get all this info about me from various threads) I’m loud. I talk a lot. I’m arrogant. To balance that- My ego is not fragile like some arrogant people so don’t hesitate to criticise me and just tell me to shut up if I cut into your conversation too often (I’ll do my best).
I wish I had a decent electronic picture of myself. I have access to scanners here at the office but I never think to bring in a photo. I’m male, 34 yrs., 6’2", 210 lbs., a little more torso than leg, short brown hair, blue eyes, clean shaven, prefer dockers to jeans but prefer chucks to any other shoe (unfortunately chucks and dockers do NOT go together so I have to alternate my preferences), my voice is very deep. You should be able to pick me out of a crowd with that much. I’ll be meeting Valerie at the hotel anyway, but you’ll know who I am when you see me this way.
How many people will be meeting y’all for the first time? Mostly I am reading that you’ve met at least one or two other dopers. Am I the only complete newbie to this?
You’re not the only newbie, VileOrb! Never fear. I know Valerie (we actually went scouting locations this weekend and last night - the bowling alley/bar ROCKS!) but I’ve never met anyone else in person.
Nope, i’m a newbie too (Loooong time lurker tho)
I’m looking forward to it!
Vile Orb,
I’ll be a complete Newbie at the Chicago Dopefest, too! I have gone to several NY fests, but this will be my first one not on home turf.
I’m looking forward to meeting everyone!
Let’s all buy Val’s drinks Saturday night for doing such a super job on organizing.
If anyone is interested in pre-game alcohol, I’ll be buying in the hotel bar from about 5:30 on. C’mon in and let yer rich Uncle set ya up.
VileOrb I have never met any Dopers IRL either, plus I’m a relative newbie to the board. I am also loud and obnoxious, especially after a couple of drinks.
UncleBeer, I’m there. How can I pass up early drinks?
I’ll be there Unc
By the way, my name is David but I answer to Vile just as much because I have a bunch of friends in Bmore who call me that.
See ya.
You know I’ll be there, Unc. Would I pass up a chance to have someone ELSE buy my drinks??
Oh, and as for names…my name is Amy, but I do answer to Falcon (and any variations thereof).
I guess I should have specified Saturday evening. I just remembered a few of you are coming in on Friday. I’m sorry but Friday you’re on your own.
See ya at 5:30, Unc. If the party starts at 7:00 I don’t have nearly as good an excuse to skip my niece’s party.
How do I explain it to my wife and family? I don’t. Which is why I won’t be joining you this weekend. Sob. My loss. Lucky me, I’m going to a baby shower Sat eve. Whoopee!