Chicagoland FOFCers Get-together (aka NERDFEST '07) - Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007 - DONE!

[Neon_Chaos]

I hate the agency that books my company's flights.

It took 24 hours to get us to Honolulu via Tokyo.

It'll take another 24 to get to Chicago via LA due to the long wait time in-between flights.

At least I've already gone through immigration, so that's done.

Anyway, after 14 years, I'm finally back in the US. :)

[cartman]

Woot! And I thought my flight from Dallas to Frankfurt to Johannesburg was brutal... :)

There are lots of Italian beef sandwiches and Vienna hot dogs waiting once you land in the Windy City. Good luck finding balut, though... :D

[terpkristin]

um, welcome back? ;) :)

sounds like a brutal trip, though.

/tk

[Barkeep49]

Neon how long are you in Chicago for and would you be interested in meeting FOFC'ers?

[Passacaglia]

Neon how long are you in Chicago for and would you be interested in meeting FOFC'ers?

+1

[Neon_Chaos]

Just arrived! Woot! Hey Barkeep, I'll be staying in Tinley Park, actually. I'm sure I'm available during the weekends, I'll be here until November.

[Coffee Warlord]

Just arrived! Woot! Hey Barkeep, I'll be staying in Tinley Park, actually. I'm sure I'm available during the weekends, I'll be here until November.

Then there's no excuse for us not arranging a get-together.

[Barkeep49]

I agree. Of course my weekends fill up fairly quickly, so I would love for us to pick a date sooner rather than later so I can plan ahead.

[Neon_Chaos]

Sweet. Sweet. Give me a week or so to get my bearings and adjust. :) I'm currently looking for an apartment around Tinley Park, right now I'm staying in a hotel/inn.

[flere-imsaho]

Then there's no excuse for us not arranging a get-together.

Yar. Especially as I'm no longer flying to SF each week.

I agree. Of course my weekends fill up fairly quickly, so I would love for us to pick a date sooner rather than later so I can plan ahead.

Ditto. My calendar's already pretty full through September.

[hoopsguy]

I'm up for a get-together as well if/when we nail down a date.

[Neon_Chaos]

Can someone give me an estimate of how much you guys would spend on food for a week for two people, if you were going to cook?

[Passacaglia]

If you cook absolutely every meal? I guess a lot of it depends on what kind of food you "cook" and all. I'll throw out $100 as an estimate, with probably a little more for the first few weeks to buy spices and other ingredients that you'll just use every so often.

[Neon_Chaos]

If you cook absolutely every meal? I guess a lot of it depends on what kind of food you "cook" and all. I'll throw out $100 as an estimate, with probably a little more for the first few weeks to buy spices and other ingredients that you'll just use every so often.

we're looking to keep it as simple as possible to cut costs. mostly fried food probably.

[Barkeep49]

Ok I'm going to throw out the date of October 7th. What do people think of that?

[Sgran]

Tinley Park, eh? I was just in Homewood for two and a half weeks (i live in hungary now). 100 bucks for two people sounds a bit right unless you go completely budget (Ramen noodles are what, a buck a pop?).
By the way, if you don't have insurance, get some, pronto! My daughter got appendicitis and it had to come out. (she's fine). Go ahead, people, take a guess at the bill. Try 16 grand. That's one operation and 3 nights at St. James in Olympia Fields. We were smart and bought travel insurance. They say they'll pay, but we'll be holding our breath until it's final. Great care, but wow.

[Passacaglia]

You can get Ramen noodles for 10 cents. 20 if you're not looking for sales.

And October 7 should work for me.

[Neon_Chaos]

I do have insurance.

And Oct. 7th should work fine. I'm sure the Company would have exhausted all the tours of Chicago by then. :)

[hoopsguy]

Cool, will start laying the groundwork for October 7th.

That is a Sunday - hmmm, during football season.

[Passacaglia]

Bears are in Green Bay that day, but it's a night game.

[Mr. Wednesday]

I wouldn't expect to be out of South Bend that weekend, and SB to Chicago is an easy trip. If it's not something running late in the evening, I should be able to take the train there and back.

[Neon_Chaos]

Looks like it's two more weeks for me in a hotel. The company is trying to look for a short-term lease (3 months) on a condo around here. I can't take much of all this eating out. Ugh.

And I never expected the weather to be this hot. It's like I never left the Philippines. Does it cool down around late August?

[Barkeep49]

This has been a warmer and sunnier than average summer, I would say. Don't worry you'll have plenty of time to experience fall and winter in the next 3 months.

[flere-imsaho]

Yeah, it's been more crappy than normal recently (weather wise).

[Neon_Chaos]

Caught the Rush concert here in Tinley park over the weekend.

Alright, I've been to Navy Pier, Woodfield Mall, and Six Flags over the weekends during the past month or so.

Do we have a list of people for the FOFC get-together on Oct. 7?

[Warhammer]

Holy crap, I just got through staying at the Fairfield in Tinley Pary...

[hoopsguy]

I'm looking very in for 10/7.

[Neon_Chaos]

Seems like my calendar is clear for October 7 too.

[Mr. Wednesday]

I think I'd be good for 10/7.

[Coffee Warlord]

I'm unfortunately busy that weekend. Paintball game.

Unless the weather sucks, in which case I'm in.

[cartman]

if it wasn't Texas-OU game that weekend, I would have tried to make it up there.

[hoopsguy]

So are we planning to get together to watch football the afternoon of the 7th? If so, sports bar or someone's place?

[PurdueBrad]

Wow, didn't realize how many of you guys are from the area. DeKalb, IL here.

[Mr. Wednesday]

I'm not sure halfway across IN counts as "from the area"... :)

[Lathum]

I'm not sure halfway across IN counts as "from the area"... :)

I plan on making the trip up from Cincinnati

[Neon_Chaos]

Sweet looks like it's going to be a good get-together.

[Passacaglia]

I'm still in.

[Neuqua]

I should be in as well.

[flere-imsaho]

I'm out, unfortunately. My wife leaves that evening for a week+ business trip and she'd kill me if I spent our last few hours together somewhere else.

[Coffee Warlord]

By the way flere.

I STILL have yet to get you tracked down for the pint I offered to buy you.

Jerk. :)

[Neuqua]

Is this going to be an evening thing? or an afternoon get together? Just trying to get my schedule set.

[JeeberD]

I plan on making the trip up from Cincinnati

Dammit! I would make the trip up there just to get the beer that Lathum owes me, but I'm going to be in Abilene that weekend...

[cartman]

Dammit! I would make the trip up there just to get the beer that Lathum owes me, but I'm going to be in Abilene that weekend...

Why would you go all the way to Chicago for a Miller Lite? :)

[JeeberD]

Good point... :D

[Lathum]

:mad:

[Lathum]

Can we start thinking about where we are gonna go?

I'm not picky about time or place but I am gonna get a hotel room for Sunday night and I need to know where to look.

[Passacaglia]

Any place is good with me. Should we head out toward's NC, since he might not know the area that well? I don't know of anything around there.

[Neon_Chaos]

I'm in the Southern Suburbs, Tinley Park.

I could venture into the city via the Metra. Will need to go home before nightfall though, unless someone has a car and will be going that way back.

[hoopsguy]

Sports bars - do you want to go to one of the biggest ones or one with more of a neighborhood feel? Are there any people who live in the city and have a decent pulse for good places to watch a game these days? It has probably been about ten years since I lived downtown and did that from time to time.

[Neon_Chaos]

Well, there is a Buffalo Wild Wings right in front of my condo...

:D

[Barkeep49]

I'm still good for Oct 7. I'd be in favor of an afternoon thing watching football games. It sounds like we're going to be large enough that a bar might make sense, especially as it would allow us to watch several games. Not really being a bar person I can not suggest any in the city nor could I suggest any in the southern/western suburbs where it sounds like most of these FOFC people are concentrated. So in other words I'm hoping someone else might be willing to take the initiative. Might also be helpful to have a list of Chicago people so we could formally extend them an invitation.

[Barkeep49]

Sports bars - do you want to go to one of the biggest ones or one with more of a neighborhood feel? Are there any people who live in the city and have a decent pulse for good places to watch a game these days? It has probably been about ten years since I lived downtown and did that from time to time.
I'd want one, as mentioned above, that would let us watch multiple games but would be more in favor of a neighborhoody type place as I think our group would less likely to be one of a horde.

[Neon_Chaos]

Just throwing it out as an idea.
<nobr></nobr>
Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar
7301 183rd St, Tinley Park, IL
(708) 444-2223

They've got a ton of TVs all around, beer, wings, games, etc.

[Lathum]

Buffalo wild wings works for me.

[Coffee Warlord]

Funny, there's one across the street from me too. :)

[Passacaglia]

That works for me, I think. 183rd sounds like quite a hike from the city, but I'll live.

[hoopsguy]

I'm OK with BW3, although I like Warlord's location a lot better :)

Seriously, with other people coming in from out of state I suppose I can drive to the south burbs.

[Lathum]

I'm OK with BW3, although I like Warlord's location a lot better :)

Seriously, with other people coming in from out of state I suppose I can drive to the south burbs.

yeah

[Passacaglia]

Google maps says that will take 41 minutes -- not too bad, assuming there's no traffic. If anyone needs a ride, let me know.

[Coffee Warlord]

I like my location a lot better too. :)

[Barkeep49]

I get an hour. Yikes. Anyhow I'm still planning on being there.

[Neon_Chaos]

Google maps says that will take 41 minutes -- not too bad, assuming there's no traffic. If anyone needs a ride, let me know.

If we're doing CW's place, I will need a ride.

But it's nicer over here. :P

[Mr. Wednesday]

Tinley Park is convenient enough for me to drive to. (Not so convenient for me to train to, I think I'd pretty much have to drive.)

[Lathum]

OK, so I mapquested Tinley Park and just want to make sure I have the correct spot. It looks like it is just south of Chicago near Joliet.

Can someone confirm this is the correct area?

If so it will take me about 4 hours to get up there so if I leave at 9:00 I should get there right around game time.

[Lathum]

dola- Can anyone suggest a nice hotel close by. It looks like there is a La Quinta but they can be hit or miss.

[hoopsguy]

OK, so I mapquested Tinley Park and just want to make sure I have the correct spot. It looks like it is just south of Chicago near Joliet.

Can someone confirm this is the correct area?

If so it will take me about 4 hours to get up there so if I leave at 9:00 I should get there right around game time.

Quite a ways to Joliet, but it is south of Chicago.

[Neon_Chaos]

dola- Can anyone suggest a nice hotel close by. It looks like there is a La Quinta but they can be hit or miss.

There's a La Quinta, yeah, I stayed there for three weeks before they got us the condo. There's a Holiday Inn and a Sleep Inn as well.

[Barkeep49]

OK, so I mapquested Tinley Park and just want to make sure I have the correct spot. It looks like it is just south of Chicago near Joliet.

Can someone confirm this is the correct area?

If so it will take me about 4 hours to get up there so if I leave at 9:00 I should get there right around game time.
I would check out construction. Mapquest tells me an hour but I'll have to go through 1 major and one semi-major highway construction project to get there.

[Neon_Chaos]

Alrighty. We are one week away, guys. Do we have a confirmation list?

Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007

Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar
7301 183rd St, Tinley Park, IL

The bar opens at 11 AM on Sundays. I think Lathum is going to be there pretty early.

If you guys want to pass by the condo before hitting the BWW, since it's close by, PM me.

[hoopsguy]

I'm in, should be there sometime around 11:30.

[Lathum]

Actualy I may not make it.

I have to go to NJ for a funeral. As of right now it looks like we are going from Thursday-Saturday and as long as I'm not to tired I still plan on making it up.

Would anyone mind PMing me their phone number in case I get lost, etc...

[Passacaglia]

I sent you mine, but I don't know the area that well as others going would -- just the highways and stuff.

Hope you can make it!

I'll shoot for 11:30, too.

[Cringer]

Hope you boys don't forget to talk about how great Rex Grossman and Cedric Benson are. :P

[Neon_Chaos]

Hope you boys don't forget to talk about how great Rex Grossman and Cedric Benson are. :P

We are going to wallow in our own misery, and then watch as the Bears win 9 in a row.

[Coffee Warlord]

I'm not playing paintball this coming weekend, so I may make it.

[Mr. Wednesday]

I should be there.

[Barkeep49]

I too am planning on being there whatever time the gods of the construction will me to arrive.

[Neon_Chaos]

Tentative List:

Neon_Chaos
hoopsguy
Lathum
Barkeep
Mr. Wednesday
Coffee Warlord
Passacaglia


I have a feeling we're going to get tossed out just because of sheer awesome geekness.

[Lathum]

Tentative List:

Neon_Chaos
hoopsguy
Lathum
Barkeep
Mr. Wednesday
Coffee Warlord
Passacaglia


I have a feeling we're going to get tossed out just because of sheer awesome geekness.

speak for yourself!!

I should be pretty close to a definate unless I am super tired from the events of tis week but I will man up!!

[Mr. Wednesday]

Possibly stupid question: how do we identify one another?

[Neon_Chaos]

We must wear

"I AM NEON CHAOS"

"I AM HOOPSGUY"

"I AM MR. WEDNESDAY"

shirts.

[hoopsguy]

I'm thinking no on that suggestion.

I'll wear my throwback Marino jersey - I'm guessing there won't be too many of those in the place.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Hmm. I don't think I have one of those. :)

edit: "I AM MR. WEDNESDAY" shirt. But I don't have a throwback Marino jersey either. :)

[JeeberD]

Dare I say...Penguin Hats?

[Neon_Chaos]

Well, if you're going early, you can drop by the condo first so we can meet up.

[Mr. Wednesday]

What's "early" vs. "not early"? :)

[Neon_Chaos]

Well, if you're there before 11, we can meet up.

[Mr. Wednesday]

I'm thinking something noon-ish (CDT) is probably about right for me. That would have me leaving here around 11:30-ish (EDT).

[Passacaglia]

I actually have a shirt that says "I AM HOOPSGUY" -- unfortunately, it's with the dirty laundry.

[hoopsguy]

VOTE PASSACAGLIA

[Lathum]

I'll be dressed like a werewolf

[Neon_Chaos]

Are we going to call each other by our board names?

Because there in no way in hell I'm saying PASSACAGLIA out loud in a bar.






:D

[Lathum]

nametags.

[Passacaglia]

When I say I'm "Aaron" you'll know I'm Passacaglia.

As for what I'll be wearing...I dunno yet...

[JeeberD]

MOTHERFUCKING PENGUIN HATS! :mad:

AND I WANT PICTURES, DAMMIT!!!

[Mr. Wednesday]

If somebody actually called me by my board name, I'm not sure I'd realize I was being addressed. :)

[Barkeep49]

I've been using Barkeep as my online pseudonym for 13+ years now so I'm pretty sure I would at least look if someone said Barkeep or BK. I'll be in a yet to be determined polo shirt and khaki pants.

[MrBug708]

MOTHERFUCKING PENGUIN HATS! :mad:

AND I WANT PICTURES, DAMMIT!!!

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/j_ekugPKqFw"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/j_ekugPKqFw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

[Lathum]

LIGHTINING BOLT LIGHTINING BOLT

[Passacaglia]

Okay -- I think I'll be wearing an Italia soccer t-shirt.

[Mr. Wednesday]

I think if I wear a Rangers shirt (Glasgow FC, not New York hockey nor Texas baseball), that should be pretty distinctive. Solid blue, with white trim and logos.

[Neon_Chaos]

Probably a grey North Carolina shirt.

Of course, I'll probably be the only asian in the bar.

:)

[Lathum]

Hey guys, leaving now.

If anyone remembers if they have wifi if they could grab a table near an outlet, no big deal if not.


Also I'll be wearing a blue Brandon Jacobs Giants jersey.

[Neon_Chaos]

Nice meet guys. Like Lathum said, it's good to put faces on the names. Glad to have met everyone that came. Pics to come. :D

[Neon_Chaos]

Pardon the bluriness, I wasn't able to set the camera up properly.

Lathum, poker player extraordinaire:
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/6021/picture004yh8.th.jpg (http://img222.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture004yh8.jpg)

Hoopsguy and Mr. Wednesday, obviously bored out by Lathum's remarkable Poker skills:
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/9559/picture001nb8.th.jpg (http://img222.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture001nb8.jpg)

Pass and Neon baffled by a Lathum poker move:
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/9125/picture006sv1.th.jpg (http://img257.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture006sv1.jpg)

Pass and Neon amazed by a Lathum poker move:
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/5701/picture005qp6.th.jpg (http://img514.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture005qp6.jpg)

Heads-up poker between two dangerous werewolf minds:
http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/7425/picture007tu8.th.jpg (http://img229.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture007tu8.jpg)

From left to right - Passacaglia, Neon_Chaos, Lathum, Hoopsguy, Mr. Wednesday, and Barkeep (who would like to remain anonymous, due to personal reasons):
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/6361/picture003af1.th.jpg (http://img297.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture003af1.jpg)


(http://img257.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture003ws7.jpg)

[Lathum]

lol @ barkeep's pix

[Passacaglia]

Just got back. Good times!

[hoopsguy]

I feel bad for Lathum if he actually plays poker professionally :) He kept blabbing on about variance, getting his money in while ahead, and all that other jibberish that is usually part of a bad beat story.

Great seeing everyone today. I can't remember meeting people to watch football and seeing less football than today, but it was nice putting faces with some of the names I see every day.

[Barkeep49]

I had a good time as well. It was great that Mr. W and Lathum came in from out of state. I'm glad we pulled this off. I just want to know WTF happened to Coffee "My paint ball game got canceled" Warlord.

[Lathum]

I feel bad for Lathum if he actually plays poker professionally :) He kept blabbing on about variance, getting his money in while ahead, and all that other jibberish that is usually part of a bad beat story.

Great seeing everyone today. I can't remember meeting people to watch football and seeing less football than today, but it was nice putting faces with some of the names I see every day.

yet I get all in ahead against you....

[Neon_Chaos]

Let's just not forget who ran the most improbably upset hands to win the very first poker game. :D

[Neon_Chaos]

Of course, me getting knocked out 1st during the next 2 games shows my prowess in playing poker. :P

[Mr. Wednesday]

I made it back to the Bend safely.

I had a great time hanging out with all of you. It'll be nice to be able to put faces to handles in a future werewolf game. :)

Who won the final tournament?

[Lathum]

I made it back to the Bend safely.

I had a great time hanging out with all of you. It'll be nice to be able to put faces to handles in a future werewolf game. :)

Who won the final tournament?

the lucky guy

[hoopsguy]

Mister "King-Nine, I call" - Passacaglia.

[Coffee Warlord]

I had a good time as well. It was great that Mr. W and Lathum came in from out of state. I'm glad we pulled this off. I just want to know WTF happened to Coffee "My paint ball game got canceled" Warlord.

My paintball game didn't get canceled, I didn't go due to my knee injury a couple weeks ago.

However, my cold also did not get canceled. I figured people wouldn't appreciate me throwing snot all over the place.

Sucks. We'll have to try and schedule another one of these.

[Lathum]

I like snot

[Passacaglia]

Mister "King-Nine, I call" - Passacaglia.

Is that bad? :eek:

[Lathum]

Is that bad? :eek:

yes

[Barkeep49]

Is that bad? :eek:
I dunno. As I was not the one being called, I was able to be amused at Lathum's reaction.

[Barkeep49]

Also, upon further reflection, 49.5 is a way better over/under for Boston this season. I didn't give them enough credit when I said 45.

[Neon_Chaos]

Ugh. Those wings are not doing me wonders right now.

And the CHI-GB game is close, too... :)

[Neon_Chaos]

Imagine if we all stuck for the Bears game.






:D

[Lathum]

Imagine if we all stuck for the Bears game.






:D

we would have been sleeping

[Passacaglia]

yes

Well then, it's payback for all that pocket kings drama!

A lot of that hand was a blur. Like I said, I thought you had nothing, but the fact that your nothing was better than my nothing probably meant I shouldn't have even been in that far.

Your comment about me making the same bet and having the same body language on my two good hands was interesting, though. My thought process was pretty much the same for both hands -- try to bet just enough to keep people in. I don't know what the body language would have been, but I don't really play enough to worry about that stuff.

[Passacaglia]

we would have been sleeping

And the new waitress would have been even more pissed at us!

[Neon_Chaos]

And the new waitress would have been even more pissed at us!

I know.

She was visibly irritated.

[BYU 14]

Pardon the bluriness, I wasn't able to set the camera up properly.

From left to right - Passacaglia, Neon_Chaos, Lathum, Hoopsguy, Mr. Wednesday, and Barkeep (who would like to remain anonymous, due to personal reasons):
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/6361/picture003af1.th.jpg (http://img297.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture003af1.jpg)


(http://img257.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture003ws7.jpg)

Dammit Barkeep, who is rolling back prices at Wal-Mart while you're playing Poker?

[Coffee Warlord]

I know.

She was visibly irritated.

Whaddid you guys do to her?

[Neon_Chaos]

Whaddid you guys do to her?

Well, if you had been there, you'd know. :cool:

[Passacaglia]

Whaddid you guys do to her?

She was just mad that hoopsguy took off almost as soon as her shift started.

[Mr. Wednesday]

When I was still there, the issue would have been that we were taking up two tables (with the place starting to get busy) and not ordering much of anything.

[Neon_Chaos]

It just dawned on me that hoopsguy bears an uncanny resemblance to Sean Bean. :)

http://images.askmen.com/men/celeb_profiles_entertainment/pictures/sean_bean/sean_bean.jpg

[Barkeep49]

I don't see the resemblance at all.

[Neon_Chaos]

I don't see the resemblance at all.

Fine. Never mind. It was worth a shot. :)

[Joe]

That picture of Barkeep looks like HA. Any relation?

[Barkeep49]

That picture of Barkeep looks like HA. Any relation?
If HA knew who I was I predict he'd be more insulted than I am. But as he doesn't I will be the one to take offense at that remark.

[hoopsguy]

I've never heard that comparison either, although I think I might own that shirt.

The one that recently amused me was Robert Patrick - don't think I look that much like him either, but my buddies have had a lot of fun dropping Terminator 2 lines on me over the last couple of months since I shared that story.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Robert Patrick, I can't see.
That picture of Sean Bean, I can see.

[dervack]

I think hoopsguy looks a bit like MMA Josh Barnett.

[Neon_Chaos]

Oh, guys, this is the movie I was talking about.

The one where Bill Murray was the gangster, and DeNiro was the meek cop.

Mad Dog And Glory (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Dog_and_Glory)

[Subby]

You people look totally normal. I never would have guessed you were having a nerdfest! ;)

[Neon_Chaos]

Well, my 3 months here in Chicago comes to an end this Saturday.

I'll be flying to San Francisco, and then I'm spending one week with my grandma and aunts in San Jose. After that, it's back to the Philippines.

I definitely had fun meeting everyone, probably for the first and last time. :)

I certainly enjoyed my stay, taking in the sights and sounds of Chicago. Hopefully, this won't be my last trip to the United States.

:cool: