Chicago DU Gathering -- Sunday, Sept. 5

[prolesunited]

Well, it's time to finalize plans for the Chicago DU gathering. The thread that started it all is here.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=1510880&mesg_id=1510880

It seemed like the consensus is for Moody's. If the weather cooperates, we'll be outside in the beer garden. If not, we can hang out inside.

Here's the scoop on Moody's:
Moody's Pub
5910 N. Broadway
773-275-2696

The splendid beer garden is why folks flock to this old-time Rogers Park pub in the spring and summer. The two-tiered space has scores of tables and benches, three waterfalls, wall-crawling ivy, and bit of moonlight peeking through giant silver maple trees towering above. It's romantic here. And tables are large enough to fit groups of friends or families.
http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/barsandclubs/26991,0...

We can start at 2 p.m. and go until whenever. If past is prologue, that usually means by about 8, although most do have the next day off for Labor Day, so who knows. People can stop by whenever. If you're concerned about showing up and nobody being there, PM me and I'll give you my cell phone number.

We already have quite a lineup of people saying that they'll be there, including:
myself, Blue-Jay, Susang, mkuhl, greatauntoftriplets, Tweedtheatre, No2W2004, terrya, ProfessorGAC, antiwarwarrior, steviet_2003, forradalom, wndycty, rchsod

Possibilities include:
XNASA, GinaMaria, Bluzmann57, eyesroll, whoisalhedges

So, how could you pass such a good time with such a fun and eclectic group of DUers. As an added bonus, I am even bring PARTY FAVORS for everyone who shows up (provided they are delivered on schedule).

I know there's several DUers who haven't made it to one of these yet. Now is the time! I don't know anyone who has come to a gathering and been sorry they showed up. PM me if you need any more info.

Hope to see everyone there!!! :bounce: :toast: :bounce: :toast:

[terrya]

1. I WILL be there!

See you guys at Moody's! :-)

:toast:

[prolesunited]

2. OK, no excuses

We're close enough to come drag you out of your apartment. :hi:

[terrya]

3. That won't be necessary, proles!

Moody's...new friends and good food and drink...what's NOT to like!

:-)

[iconoclastic cat]

4. I hope it's not freakin' snowing by then!

This goofy Chicago weather is driving me absolutely nuts.

I'm going to have to put myself in the "maybe" category. I really love Moody's, and I really want to go the the 9/5 meetup. However, I may have prior commitments, and I won't know if I can make it until 9/3.

But believe me, I want to go! Mmmmm...Moody's sangria...

I have a feeling that the circumstances that would prohibit my attendance will not occur--I'm sorry for being so cryptic, but there is some personal information that I do not ever share on any boards, under any circumstances. Let me just say this: Shrub's economy has, in many ways, virtually guaranteed my attendance at the DU meetup.

Out of curiousity, what time do most of the DUers show up? I was also wondering how I'll know the group when I get there--do we have a secret handshake?

[greatauntoftriplets]

7. Judging from the cast of characters who plan to be there....

we will be the eclectic group aged from mid-50s (yours truly) to not old enough to order booze (antiwarwarrior).

If we are outside, I will be wearing a red baseball cap from the Brewster Store. Does that help?

[terrya]

9. That helps.

I'll look for you there. :-)

[nickgutierrez]

16. I can't be the only one...

can I?

;)

[greatauntoftriplets]

5. Great!!!

I am happy that some new faces will be there, as well as the familiar ones.

Let's hope it is a day like this.

:toast:

[greatauntoftriplets]

6. Moody's is forewarned that we will invade.

They don't really take reservations, and my friend said just show up and they'll accommodate us somewhere. She knows to expect a minimum of...say...12 - 15 and will schedule around that.

And a reminder to all: Bring cash. No credit cards allowed. The bank down the street has an ATM, as does the Dominick's store a couple blocks away.

Oh, and my friend is disappointed that she won't be working there that day, but out where she lives in the wilds of McHenry County.

[prolesunited]

18. Thank you so much

for taking care of that. We all appreciate it. Hope the weather is nice, and it sounds like we may have our best turnout yet. :bounce:

[greatauntoftriplets]

20. I was happy to do it.

Having seen the week's weather forecast, we are due a sunny Labor Day weekend after what they say are days and days with rain.

[Susang]

21. So, what are you girls gonna wear?

Don't want to end up in the same outfit you know! ;-)

Sorry, I was just trying to find something clever to bump the thread with. I figured wardrobe coordination would work. }(

[greatauntoftriplets]

22. Sackcloth and ashes.

A very clever bump.

:thumbsup:

[prolesunited]

23. Depends on the weather

Which has been so crazy lately. I have my doubts that it will be warm enough to wear shorts. Perhaps we should start a new thread in the Lounge to build anticipation and excitement?

Maybe you could promise to wear that same outfit you wore in the photo shoot?

[Susang]

24. That was kind of where I was going with that thought

I was wondering if anyone was going to remember. ;-)

Strangely enough, the bustier probably won't fit anymore, if I even still have it. Even though the photo is 5 years old, I actually weigh less now than when I took that picture thanks to an excellent doctor and the miracle of modern pharmacology. I'm hoping to be able to wear my size 5 Gunne Sax prom dress by the 5th if this keeps up! :D

[greatauntoftriplets]

25. Photo shoot? I missed that one.

Not sure yet if I will wear winter or summer sackcloth and ashes. Today, definitely summer.

[prolesunited]

26. You missed it! How could you have?

She's a smokin' hottie and posted the pic to prove it.

Maybe she'll post it again to solicit more interest for our little shindig.

[greatauntoftriplets]

27. If she posted in at some wee hour of the morning (say, 10 p.m. for me)

I was wrapped in the arms of Morpheus and completely missed it.

[No2W2004]

8. I will be there

See y'all soon!

[The Magistrate]

10. This Will Teach Me, Ma'am

To frequent the lounge more often. Someone had, fortunately, tipped me about the plan by a private note a little while ago.

I will endeavor to attend, though the women will demand to trim my beard for the occassion....

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[prolesunited]

12. Certainly didn't mean to leave you out

There is a link on the front page as well. It certainly is difficult to herd cats. :-) Hope to see you there.

[madrchsod]

11. moody`s has a 9.4 rating

and really good burgers..cool. looks like a done deal. our son and his girlfriend have a small-i mean small- place in oakpark so we`ll be in town over the weekend.. we will see ya all at moodys...

[Robbien]

13. Great to have found the thread. Hope

there is room for one more.

Moody's and a bunch of liberals, you can't get better than that!

[prolesunited]

15. ALWAYS room for one more!

Or two or three or four...

Glad you can make it. It will be nice to see you again. :-)

[Robbien]

19. Thanks for sending the PM otherwise I wouldn't know to go

looking for a thread.

It will be good to see you again and meeting some new to me DU faces.

[greatauntoftriplets]

14. My lurker friend will join us too, if...

...she and her sister don't take their mother to Michigan to visit relatives that week. Depends on how the mother feels, she has had several serious health problems lately.

[Susang]

17. Back to the top with you!

Let the countdown begin! :-)

Exactly 13 days til fun day! :party:

[never cry wolf]

28. I invited a softball buddy

Until semi-recently I had no idea of his political preferences, but was dubious. Buzz haircut, workout freak, 40 something, but after some comments on our fantasy football message board I sent him a link to one of Will's essays. His reply was "WILL PITT FOR PRESIDENT!"

I have tried to get this irishman to join DU, and I imagine he lurks, but my lure to the DU meetup was "dontcha want to meet some liberal women?" (He has never been married, I just threw this in to entice and DU liberal women looking, he's a nice guy, good looking, "different" ((you have to know timmy))and maybe we can get him more involved.)

Anyway, see y'all sunday!

On Edit: Anyone know if Moodys has wi-fi or any other internet access? I can bring my laptop and we can "go live" on DU.

[greatauntoftriplets]

29. Sorry....

No internet connection, Moody's is low tech. By all means, bring your friend. I am way too old for him (and very interested in another Irishman), but who knows who will be there?

I have friends who connect to the internet through their cell phones. No clue how it is done, but if you can figure it out....

[never cry wolf]

30. My laptop is sposed to be able to do that

But I have no idea how to make it happen. Both my cell phone and laptop are infrared enabled and I am sposed to be able to connect but I am my own IT guy, meaning problems.

I was able to connect to wi-fi at the hotel I was at a couple of nights ago while taking my son to school (after their details enabling instructions) and when I got back, my laptop connected to the internet even tho my DSL was off, picking up some local busines' wireless signal. If there's a Starbuck's or McD's or someone else with wi-fi near Moody's I may be able to connect.

Anyway, maybe there will be some DUer with more savy than I there. I'll bring it and try.

[prolesunited]

31. How did this get so far down the page?

Anyone else interested? Friends are welcome.

[madrchsod]

32. our son and girlfriend from oak park

may join us-they know the transit system...i have asked posters from chicago if they are going to moody`s..maybe it will be a large turnout...

[greatauntoftriplets]

33. The Tribune's weekend weather forecast does not look promising...

So we party inside vs. out.

[bluestateguy]

34. Can I attend this event?

I will be in Chicago for a convention (I live in Austin) and I will be staying at the Sheraton on 301 East North Water Street. Is Moody's a convenient subway ride away? I'd like to meet some of the Chicago DUers if you will have me.

[greatauntoftriplets]

35. Yes, join us.

If you can find the Grand Avenue subway station -- several blocks west and a little bit to the north of the Sheraton at Grand and State -- take the Red Line north to Thorndale. Exit the station and walk west to Broadway 1/2 block away. Look to your left and you will see Moody's on the west side of Broadway and a couple doors south from Thorndale.

[prolesunited]

38. Sure, the more the merrier

Looking forward to meeting you. See you Sunday. :hi:

[ProfessorGAC]

36. Confirming!

I have a charity bowlathon, on the south side, that morning. So, i'll be half way there. I should be done by about 1 or 1:15. I'll head straight up there!

This worked out really well! See everybody this Sunday.
The Professor

[apnu]

37. Why is this not in the IL forums?

or is it buried?

[prolesunited]

39. We're not hiding it

There's a link on the home page, but I did just cross post in the Illinois forum. It just didn't occur to me, so thanks for pointing it out.

So, do you think you can make it? Sounds like we're going to have a record turn out.

[apnu]

40. I might be able to make it.

I have to see what Mrs. Apnu has to say or do.

[chiburb]

41. Count me in! n/t

[prolesunited]

42. Great!

And you're bringing a friend, right?

[prolesunited]

43. Great news!

The party favors have arrived!!! :bounce:

See you all Sunday. PM me if you want a cell phone number.

[greatauntoftriplets]

44. Ooooohhhhh!

You do things right.

See you Sunday. I know where it is. ;)

[Radical Activist]

45. I'll be there after 5

unless I get tied down volunteering for Kerry.
This should be interesting.

[greatauntoftriplets]

46. Talked to my friend at Moody's today....

She won't be working tomorrow but since she does the scheduling, she is planning to have the person who normally starts at 3 come in early so there will be 3 waitstaff on duty at the time.

[grace0418]

47. Brand new to the forum

Wow, I just joined this forum today and I find this link. I live in Lincoln Square and frequent Moodys with some regularity. I guess I'd feel a little silly attending tomorrow since I haven't been around here for more than an hour, but I will definitely attend future events. It's just so good to find other cool liberals! Yay!

[Robbien]

48. Attend it, why not? Most of us do not know one another.

Some do, but many do not.

You will feel welcomed. All liberal/progressive gatherings are friendly places.

If you are free, please come.

[Susang]

49. Please feel free to join us

We don't bite......much! }(

[grace0418]

50. You're so nice!

Now I really wish I could go, even if I am feeling a bit shy. But alas, my brother is in town and I will be hanging with him and my nephew tomorrow. Maybe I'll try to bring him! He's a total liberal. Do they let little kids sit in the beer garden?

Anyway, thanks for the warm welcome. Finally, some people who think like me!

[Susang]

51. Kids are welcome at Moody's

Hope you can make it, certainly understand it if you can't. :-)

[greatauntoftriplets]

52. Yes, please join us.

The garden is very kid friendly. It has a couple of fountains that the triplets (who are nearly 4) love.

[Susang]

53. 6:38 AM???

You get up that early? I better not see you nodding off this afternoon! }(

[greatauntoftriplets]

54. Hey, I slept in late today!

I won't nod off this afternoon. However, by about 10 p.m.......

[grace0418]

57. Sorry I wasn't able to make it

But I have a feeling that I'll be hanging around this forum a lot so I'll be sure to stop by in the future. Thanks again for the gracious invite!

[Hailtothechimp]

55. Sorry I missed it.

I love Moody's too. I had tickets to the Seurat exhibit at the Art Institute, and then I had to go out to Lincolnshire, so it didn't work out for me. Must be why I never RSVP'ed. Anyway, hope it was fun, and I hope to make it to one of these down the road.

[greatauntoftriplets]

56. We had a great time, lots of people there.

So great a time that we are planning to do them 4 times a year -- next in November.

Pleased stay tuned for announcements.

[iconoclastic cat]

58. My excuse for not showing up: The unthinkable actually happened!

Yes, that's right, the one and only excuse that I had for not going to Moody's actually came to pass: I found a job. I was hired on Friday afternoon, worked all day Saturday, and I had so much other stuff to do to prepare for Tuesday that I could not even leave the house.

I promise to go to the next one!

Actually, I have to hit the sack right now--I have to be up at a quarter to five. Not that I'm complaining; I don't think I've ever been happier to get up so early five days a week.

Anyway, I'll definitely be at the next one. I promise. Nothing will get in my way! Nothing!