Guilt schmilt. Pear cider!
Ahhh. Pear cider. I forgot about that. Oh well, one can’t hurt me . . .
see you there
Dear All,
We regret to inform you that your son or daughter HAMLET is unable to attend tonights festivities. Rest assured his attendance is mandated elsewhere and is for the good of the county, state, city, and his own marriage.
Sincerely,
George W. Bush
Well, if Hamlet’s not going to be there…
Don’t be such a nelly, Random. Have you ever HAD a pear cider?
D’ya mean I’m gonna be all alone with all these gorgeous Chicago-type Doper wimmin?
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeexcellent. My plans have come to fruition.
Okay, I know this is gonna sound mega-lame, but could you guys help talk me up to this? I’m a Chi-area doper, and obviously a bit of a newbie, but… Well, I’m terminally shy, especially about crowds. I’d love to come and meet some of you fine people, but while that’s easy to say while I’m here safely behind a monitor and keyboard, I know I’ll panic when the actual time comes. And when I panic… I get very very quiet. I often stop talking completely, and then I get more panicky cos I figure everyone thinks I’m a weirdo for not talking… sigh.
So yeah, I’d love to meet you all, but… I dunno if I can actually get myself to do it. Help!
Wow…wow…WOW! I could have written that. I swear I’m not kidding. I’m EXACTLY the same way! It’s the reason I’ve never been to a Chi Dope Fest, even though I’ve lived in Chicago for 13 years and have read about several gatherings.
I can’t talk you up to it, because I’m where you are. Sorry. I’d say we could hide in a corner and be quiet together, but I might bore the hell out of you and you might not want to be seen with me. I am a :wally 
As I appear to be the first of the delegates to wake, make a bloody mary (Mmmm… Horseradish!), and stumble to a keyboard, I’ll take a crack at a review of Black Rock.
Nice place. Decent beer selection, cider on tap, friendly staff and great jukebox. Back room has a bar, two Judith Prietht-approved couches and ample space fo 40-80 people.
At this point, I am contractually obligated to state that Gundy’s never-ending yammerings last week about Black Rock’s assets were correct, and we should have listened to her. The place is great, and I would have said so even before the apple cider wet T-shirt event.
Black Rock is 2-3 blocks from the Addison stop on the Brown line, and a short cab or bus ride from the Addison stops on the Blue or Red lines. (Walking from those latter stops would be a bit of a hike, but doable.)
Terms are amzingly good for a non-dive bar. We were quoted packages of $20 and $25 per person for 3 hours. The $25 option includes everything (including top shelf liquor) except shots. The extra $5 gets you so much more that it isn’t even worth talking about the $20 package. 40 person minimum. After the 3 hours, the room opens to the public. Credit card holds the room, with $100 cancellation fee.
Everybody else there seemed to like the place, too, but I’ll let them speak for themselves.
ArrrMatey, Equipoise, I don’t know if this will actually make you feel better or not (it may scare you off more), but I always make a point of looking for new faces in the crowd and saying hello, and chatting for a few minutes (ask Gundy - I bothered her at her first ChiDope). I’m sure other dopers do the same. And there are a number of regulars who aren’t exactly big talkers [sub]UncleBeer[/sub] and no one has kicked them out yet. Also, there are plenty of loud obnoxious people that can be made fun of for being weirdos, so no one will even both you. 
So by all means, COME!
To both Equipoise and ArrrMatey (great username, BTW)…
Dopers are some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met. I met some of the Chicago area dopers last year for the first time myself and was a little nervous about it… but within five minutes, we were all chattering like long-lost friends. Dopers as a whole are friendly as hell and know what it’s like to be a newb - I guarantee if you show up for a Dope event, people will work overtime to make you feel welcome!
Scouting at the Black Rock was fantastic last night – the back room would work out perfectly for a ChiDope gathering. Two fireplaces, some comfy couches, a pool table, our own private bar… I think we may have found our spot, kids.
At this point, I will simply sit back in my wet pants and nod once affirmingly.
Okay, no I won’t. Cast my vote for Black Rock! I told ya I told ya I told ya!
ArrrMatey & Equipoise: GO. I swear to you, you will not regret it. I have stated in other threads that I am extremely shy in large groups, and tend to sort of stake out a patch on the wall and smile mildly. My first Dopefest was last year’s ChiDope and I nearly talked myself out of attending that one (as I did every one before that, though I wanted to go). Even though I only really talked to a handful of people, I didn’t feel weird or uncomfortable. Porcupine will most certainly go out of her way to talk to you (she’s nice that way) and now that I know to look for you…so will I. Mwahahahaha. Since you’re in town, maybe you can talk porc into trying out one of the ChiDope Lunches again? This way you can meet a few people in a non-crowd, non-drinking environment before the big event.
If nothing else you can seek me out and the three of us can sit in a corner and play tiddlywinks or something.
Don’t feel shy. Last night, I drove out to the Black Rock from the NW Suburbs. I didn’t recognize anyone, so I had a beer, bought a pack of smokes, and went home.
sigh
You were there, Mr. C? boli told me you were coming but I didn’t know who to look for. I’m sorry we missed you!
Damn, I wish I could have made it MrC! I’d have recognized you! I need to check out Black Rock, but I’m super broke till the 1st so it will be after then.
Semi-tall guy with patches of grey hair, black leather jacket, gray and black rugby shirt, standing near the bar drinking a Sierra nevada and having a smoke right about 8:45-9 PM 
Sorry, Mr. C – I didn’t see you. Hopefully I can make up for it and buy you another Sierra Nevada at the next gathering.
All I can say is I was distracted by the “who’s the hottest Rolling Stone” conversation (which is much like debating who the sexiest Golden Girl is). <shudder>
At least we didn’t say Ron Wood. Ha ha, wood.
Mr. C, you should have just walked towards the back repeating “Gotcha ya!”
Cool! We can be all quiet together. N’stuff.
Well, you all talked me into it. I’ll be there with bells on.
Okay, no bells, but I’ll definately wear pants!