Hey guys - I’m still coming and so is the boyfriend*. I hope you don’t think I’ve abandoned y’all since I haven’t made a list or called anyone yet. Things got a little hectic the past couple days.
Thanks for jumping on it Sylkyn!
I’ve looked as well and can’t find what it is called. Worst case senario: we all show up and they don’t have room for us and we end up at the Mellow Mushroom.
***Sauron ** - you won’t be the only boy! If it gets too estrogen filled you guys can sit around and talk about jock itch and prostates or something.
No biggie. I’m very in touch with my feminine side, so we can discuss all sorts of relationship problems and how guys are idiots. On the flip side, I’m into sports and such, so I can talk baseball, football and basketball with your boyfriend, if he’s not into touchy-feelie stuff.
Basically, I’m a two-for-one dinner guest.
I’m concerned over this Mill/Grill problem, though. We need to set up a definite backup meeting spot if this doesn’t work out. Otherwise, folks won’t know where to go.
Well, if y’all can figure out where you’re gonna be, you might be joined by a couple of recently-transplanted Atlantans. We were going to go to SC to fetch our cat this weekend–he’s been having a little visit with Grandma and Grandpa until we got settled–but the in-laws have invited us for Easter, so rather than drive out there two weekends in a row, it looks like we’re free this weekend.
And to clarify for those who may not know, Geobabe’s “we” includes me, a guy. I do have a deep rooted need to watch ten guys running around a basketball court Saturday evening, does this place have a large television, and would you all excuse me from conversation for two hours?
Um, hello? I’ll be watching the game too!
Sheesh.
Well, why don’t we meet outside the Mill/Grill? They have an outside eating area as well. If it turns out they can’t handle us, or we needed reservations, we can literally walk right across the street to Mellow Mushroom, like Rez mentioned. They have damn good pizza and pasta, anyway. I think they have a TV over there, too, while I don’t think the M/G does. Didn’t used to, anyway.
The address Nocturne found up further in the thread is correct for the Grill. The location hasn’t changed, but evidently the phone number has.
…and while I’m thinking of it, Geobabe and UncleBill. The Mill is also right across the way from the Fountain that sits in the middle of the road. It’s a big sculpture with animals sitting around a ram who is reading to them. (Been a bone of controversy around here for eons… :rolleyes: )
But if you’re there on the corner of 20th Street South, you’ll be right at The Mill. In Southside it’s ok to ask people if they’re Dopers, because, well…most of 'em are. Maybe not our kind, but well…let’s just say they wouldn’t be put off or anything. 
List of attendees (definites and maybes, anyway):
**Sylkyn
VampyChick (possibly)
Geobabe
UncleBill
Rez
Rez’s boyfriend
Sauron
Aries28
Nightingale
XJetgirlX
verbenabeast
DeVena
Zah Kree
Nocturne
UnwrittenNocturne
**
Big crowd! And at least four guys in the mix.
YAY! Geobabe and Uncle Bill are coming too! 
So the plan is to meet outside at the fountain at 7:00 on Saturday?
I can’t wait to meet all of you.
That sounds like an even better plan, Aries28. The fountain at 7! If I DO find out the name of this elusive restaurant (it’s become a mission by now…) I’ll book reservations for 15.
Thank you for the list, Nocturne! Saves me a little time.
If anyone needs directions, please feel free to email me. This is really going to be a hoot!
Sounds good to me! I am going to have a hard time switching from your SD name to your real one so forgive me if I do refer to you as **VampyChick ** and **Sylkyn ** all night long.
The fountain at 7:00? Cool. We’ll find a place with a TV for you **Geobabe ** and UncleBill!
I look forward to meeting all of you - any my friends will be so glad too so that I will finally shut up about this. 
I must emphasize the importance of the TV–Bill is a Dukie. That game starts at around 9, and I think he’ll be OK with missing the first game, just as long as we can catch the really important one.
Oh, and can anyone recommend a hotel in the area? We most likely won’t be wanting to drive back to GA that late.
You guys are more than welcome to stay with us. I will say that we live about 40 minutes outside of Bham though in Alabaster if that is too much of a drive.
We have to call it an early night…we will probably need to head home around 8:30/9:00ish.
Oops…we are more like 20/25 minutes outside of Bham.
If you feel unable to trek to Alabaster, Geobabe, the Radisson is about 2 blocks down the street on 20th and 8th. 808 20th Street South, Birmingham, Alabama to be exact. (205) 933-9000. (I bet there’s a toll-free number somewhere, but it’s not listed in this telephone book.)
There are also several other hotels nearby, but that one sprang most readily to mind.
That is a good choice. Very central to everything.
Ok, try as I might, I had no luck finding out the name of that place to make any reservations. I’m thinking we meet at the Fountain (I have no idea why I capitalize that word…I just do it automatically in my head) and either head over to MM or any of the other 200 restaurants in Southside within walking distance. If worse comes to worse, we can always load up and do a little caravan over to Homewood.
Can y’all tell I am really up about this?? I don’t think I’ve posted this often since I’ve been on the boards!
Also, any of y’all that need my cell/Nextel number, just email me. I’ve already emailed it to Aries28, unless she can’t access her email from home.
See y’all tomorrow at seven! I’ll be the bottle blond, no doubt in distressed jeans (really distressed if I’m wearing them) and light blue bell-sleeved blouse.
Now watch me totally change what I’m gonna wear and y’all just leave me sitting. Good thing I know what Noccy looks like! She won’t be able to escape me!
On further discussion, we’ve decided we really ought to stay home this weekend. I got all excited about there being a Dopefest within driving distance–we tried for two years to organize a Miami 'fest and it fell flat every time–but we still have a lot of unpacking and straightening to do, and it would behoove us to stay and get it done.
Sorry 'bout that. Next time, though, we’re totally there!
I hate to hear that, but hopefully next BamaDope (BEFORE the end of the millenium!) you two can make it.
If you change your mind, though, you know where we’ll be.
I’m in!
Um…I’m not very Birmingham-friendly. Can someone send me driving directions? I’m coming from Jasper.