ATTN! Calling all Clarkies and WesPACians coming to Chicago for YearlyKos!
Submitted by Dormaphaea on July 22, 2007 - 1:17pm.
Events
Hey! Everybody!
It's a party!
A shin-dig!
A hoot'n'nanny! (with a whole lotta hoot and just a little bit of nanny.)
Settle down, settle down. We're having a nice, casual, get together here in Chicago. All Wes and WesPAC supporters are cordially invited to join in - or anyone of the political blogging persuasion who just wants to hang out for a couple of hours and enjoy the company of Clarkies.
Where? You ask, breathlessly.
Upstairs at Grace O'Malleys.
1416 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago
A mere hop, skip and a jump from McCormick Place.
When? (Oooh, can't wait!)
Friday, August 3, 2007 6PM to 9PM
How much? (It cost's money? My hotel bill has already pushed me over the edge to financial ruin!) Fear not! Everyone is completely welcome, regardless! We're asking for $20 per person, just to cover the room/food costs - but if you're balancing a budget, just get an email to me (dorma4clark at wildeyejames dot com) and we'll add you to the list.
Appetizer buffet, cash bar, Clark chat, lots o' laughter and hugs all around!
RSVP today! (PayPal enabled.) Space is limited!
This event is in no way sponsored by WesPAC. All cash collected goes to footin' the bill.
Any resemblance between this gathering and a well planned and executed event will be completely coincidental.
Hope to See You There!!!
That'll only be $10 to mingle in the spirit form!
Spirits eat so little anyways-- ;D
I'll be there DORMA dear and thank you so much for doing this! Appreciate it. Put me down as one (mr in la can't come to Ykos this year)
And um... you will let us know in advance if it's a costume theme? Wink...
You Have Mail-
in spirit. Sure wish I could be there. Just don't have the $$ this summer. As it is, I'm trying to help an Iraqi dentist (blogger who runs last of iraqis) get some dental supplies over there for his clinic. I'm checking with some organizations to see how to do it and not get into trouble with DHS. I sure wouldn't want Chertoff on my case or Gonzo. Good thing I've thought through the two fruits thing just in case.
This is what convinced me to go: the chance to be with Clarkies. I'm not kidding.
Dorma, put Mr & Ms Z on the list. I'll e-mail you tomorrow. At this moment I'm packing to go camping.
You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.--J. V. Marley
chicken or fish? 
I'll be there!!!
Wes Clark: Soldier, Scholar, Statesman.
Sent my RSVP via PayPal, Dorma.
"Some of them put on their cowboy boots and put their feet up on the desk." -Wes Clark
...that I can't make it. Count me in the spirit club. I sent some dog tags, though, for those who don't yet have one. My friend and colleague Lee Joseph (look for JoeColo on the CCN as soon as his wait time passes) will have them.
These legs aren't quite up for air travel yet. They're working on it, but aren't there, yet.
Yesterday was another meeting (state party central committee) of the one at which I broke my right leg. The state chair recognized me to welcome me back to the fold, so I said, "Well, I don't know how long it took you folks to get home from our March 3 meeting, but it took me 46 days. But I did learn a couple of things. The Democrats definitely have a leg up on the Republicans, because they don't have a leg to stand on. But I want to remind all our office-holders, legislators, and people in Congress that if they don't stand for something, they're likely to fall for anything."
By the way, at yesterday's meeting in Pueblo, the Dems voted to move its precinct caucuses from March 18 to February 5, joining the rest of the Western Hemisphere to make 2/5 "Tsunami Tuesday."
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Don't settle for less.
Make America All It Can Be!
They just keep piling on. I wish they would just all cool it and move everyone back to a more lovely Springtime Primary.
Like I just said to mad4clark, we'll have to have these kinds of parties more often. They're too far and few between anyway.
We signed up for two, but not sure whether hubby can be there or not.
Proud to be an American.
I so hoped I could be there but there is no frackin way.
Looking forward to lots of FHAs. ;)
People want leadership......and in the absence of leadership, they will listen to anyone who walks up to the microphone.
Lewis Rothschild, in "American President"
That's where I picked up Frack. I know it can't be Scrubs, because that Dr. uses Frick.
We'll just have to do these parties more often. They're too far and few between, anyway.
I picked it up from MarKOS. He must be the BSG fan ;)
People want leadership......and in the absence of leadership, they will listen to anyone who walks up to the microphone.
Lewis Rothschild, in "American President"
we have to wait til frackin' OCT. for the next season to start?!
(I miss the old seasons when everything started in September, and summer tv was nothing but reruns and baseball!)
;-)
"Our public servants work for us - we don't work for them. We have an obligation, as citizens of this country, to always remember that - and to never let them forget it." - DeadMessengers
Wes had the best party last year with the best red wine & most fun. I mean, I know Mark Warner had a chocolate fountain but it was milk chocolate. And that's just wrong.
The Stratosphere was a phenom, but I left my heart at the Hard Rock Casino Cafe.
Count me in for two will do the paypal thing tomorrow. And thanks for organizing- it sounds perfect:)
What a neat reunion it will be for some & new friends for others.
I wish everyone here could be there in person also.
I'll be in FL thinking of you. Looking forward to the FULL report :).
The General gets it right.
Competence--What a concept!
Demokitty and I will be there. I'll follow through on your instructions before the day is out. We are really looking forward to this! Than you for putting so much effort into this to make sure that it really happens.
I can't make it. I'd probably bring the coolness factor down a notch or two if I were able to make it though. Hope you all have fun.
I wish you were joining us!
No coolness meters at this event - we're all just gonna putter around in geek glasses and discuss high-falutin' academic type stuff and forget to raise our pinkies when we drink our beer.
Here's a not-so-hypothetical, not purely theoretical, too-close-to-home question:
Can one be 60 and still cool? Especially if he/she has to use a cane to walk around?
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Don't settle for less.
Make America All It Can Be!
Some of the coolest people I know are over 70, so you're just a whippersnapper, a spring chicken, a mere bud on the rose.
Besides, isn't 60 supposed to be the new 40, and 50 the new 30, and so on and on -- although I'm not sure where that reasoning leaves the poor 20 year olds. ;)
And canes -- well, they are very debonair. But you must call it a walking stick, and you've got to have an attitude about it -- a "tude" as it's called -- you know, like you've just stepped out of "My Fair Lady" and told someone they need to move their blooming arse. ;)
Or maybe, act like you're Fred Astaire, and you've just finished dancing the big scene in "Top Hat."
And finally, lest we forget. Wes Clark is over 60, and older than you are, and NOBODY IS COOLER THAN WES CLARK. ;)
...than ME, than ME!!! One of my great pet peeves. It's not "than I."
Basic grammar, I is subject, me is object, as in the predicate. Your bad, indeed!
I'm the grammar nazi.
Wes Clark: Soldier, Scholar, Statesman.
HA! Both of you are wrong gramatically.
"Than" is NOT a preposition. It is a conjunction, introducing a dependent clause. In this case, the verb in the dependent clause is understood. The full correct sentence would be
I forgot that Wes is older than I [am].
Some purists would also add that something else is understood, as in:
I forgot that Wes is older than I [am old].
Sorry, but you tried to nail me on something that's one of MY bugaboos.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Don't settle for less.
Make America All It Can Be!
...and still be cool. <Insert nerd emoticon>
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Don't settle for less.
Make America All It Can Be!
Guess I went off half-cocked. (Bob Dole wishes he could go off half-cocked-sorry DB). When I see "I" at the end of a sentence it's usually incorrect and I get crazy. Glad you straightened that out for the grammar nazi and I.
Wes Clark: Soldier, Scholar, Statesman.
"Glad you straightened that out for the grammar nazi [sic] and I [sic].
I needed that, Arky. Tucker was in the process of completely dissing the lady from The Nation.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Don't settle for less.
Make America All It Can Be!
Someone with medium-long dark hair, maybe 35-40 years old.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Don't settle for less.
Make America All It Can Be!
You better not listen to the purist because I think he just told you to call yourself old. ;)
I did what I do so often; I'm sure that my first answer (in my head) is correct, but I don't speak out! (Was TERRIBLE in school contests!)
Whenever I hear someone use "ME," I say 'I,' to myself! And I could NEVER give the reason, as you've done! But who in the world would ever say that 'than' is a conjunction????
I wouldn't want to be in your shoes. You forgot that Wes is over 60, and you've been issued a citation by the grammar nazi.
You're in big trouble, Mr. Cool. ;)
I'd be more like the monster in "Young Dr. Frankenstein" doing "Putting on the Ritz."
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Don't settle for less.
Make America All It Can Be!
let me slightly alter my comment above -
NOBODY IS COOLER THAN WES CLARK AND DONJO. ;)
"Impeachment is NOT a Constitutional crisis. Impeachment is the CURE for a Constitutional crisis." -- John Nichols, July 14, 2007
Just wanted to say when I logged on and saw Dormaphea's enthusiasm, etc. I thought I'd missed s.t. BIG! ;-)
I think my heart stopped for a nanosecond. LOL!
I like red wine AND milk chocolate. Guess it's a good thing I won't be there! I might go wacky and embarass meself! :-)
(start warming up, y'all ;)Aw man... Forget my clients. With the stress of waiting for the general to make a decision, I could use some consoling "group therapy" of my own. :-)
Behavior is relative to the situation - no? So if um, the situation dictates that we burst into an overjoyed and frenetic underwear dance, would that still be considered 'behaving?' It would, after all, be a type of behavior...
Seriously - I'm asking. ;-)
I wasn't offended, but flattered by your reply. By noticing me you gave me an oppertunity to speak out, therefor I thank you. If I gave you the impression as if you offended me, then I hereby apologise to you profoundly because you didn't.
OK. Here's some info on public trans for McCormick, as well as getting to our little hoopla.
First of all, here are two links which will be invaluable:
Rail Map:
http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/rail/rail.html
Trip Planner:
http://tripsweb.rtachicago.com/
Remember - grab yourself a visitor pass for the CTA when you get to the airport. If you're taking the train into town, you'll be able to grab a pass at the station there. 1,3,5, and 7 day passes are available at $5, $9, $12 and $18 respectively. You can also pick these up at any currency exchange.
Info here: http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/fares.html
Some folks have asked about the BLUE LINE TRAIN, which comes in from O'Hare. Plan for time; due to construction, there are 'slow zones' which seem to pop up intermittently,
and almost on purpose, like they know you have to be somewhere. Argh. Anyhow, Know that if you're using that line to get to a flight on your way outta town. Same for
the ORANGE LINE, which runs to and from Midway. Check out the link to the system map (above) for where to catch/disembark the train. Email me if you have questions.
Here's a couple of handy ways to get to McCormick Place.
If you're near Michigan Avenue:
CTA BUS # 3 KING DRIVE SOUTHBOUND
To McCormick. Believe me, you'll know it when you're there.
Or, you can jump on a CTA RED LINE TRAIN (underground):
RED LINE - SOUTHBOUND
Get off at CERMACK/CHINATOWN stop (and I believe at this point, you're back above ground)
Get on the (which stops at that station)
CTA BUS # 21 CERMAK EASTBOUND
to McCormick. Stops at the same place as the #3.
For getting back to the loop (downtown) or near north side (which is downtown NORTH of the river)I recommend using the #3 KING DRIVE BUS NORTHBOUND and skipping the train.
For later evening getting around, I have to say, take cabs whenever possible. The CTA is doing a lot of upgrading work this summer (and we're watching our fares soar accordingly...) and travel can be interrupted or slow going during the evening hours.
Getting to Grace O'Malleys:
From McCormick, there's always that cab option - load up with a bunch, and it's only a couple bucks apiece - it's really not that far. Or get on the bus - there's two options:
# 3 KING DRIVE NORTHBOUND or # 4 COTTAGE GROVE NORTHBOUND
Take either one to 14th and Michigan, get off and walk half a block SOUTH on the west side of the street. There's a bit of construction going on, but Grace OMalleys is there,
just beyond it!
If you're driving, there's $5 valet parking available.
If you're coming in from your hotel, or the north side, the #3 KING DRIVE BUS still applies.
If you're in the loop, or coming in by train from points north or south, hie thee to the corner of JACKSON & DEARBORN (if traveling on BLUE / RED / PURPLE / BROWN RAIL lines, disembark at JACKSON.) Look for CTA bus sign that has the #1 INDIANA HYDE PARK SOUTHBOUND. Get on that
bus. It goes down Jackson, turns left onto Michigan. Just get off at 14th and Michigan, and it's the half-block south shuffle to get to Grace O'Malleys, and the warm embrace of
your buddies.
Email me with questions. I will have none of you lost, and leave none behind.
Sadly, I do not drive (I'm a coward) or else I would gladly spend the weekend shuttling Clarkies about hither and yon. The best I can do is offer my phone number, and instant access to information. Email me, I'll send it to you.
dorma4clark at wildeyejames dot com
Pardon me, dear lass; but at Gra'cieee's 
,
will you Clarksters be dance'in to the "Appalachian shin-dig" 
or the "Hawaiian hoopla"? 
...Cause me'thinks that Ms in LA's "Malibu Mamba"
will be truly shake up Chicago. ;)
I simply don't have the right outfit for ANY of those hoop-de-doos.
Well, I do have my old sheeple costume from Halloween 04...that might work for the Appalachian shin-dig...or even the Rocky Mountain HootnNanny. But it's gonna be too darn hot to wear that old thing...let alone clog dance in the dern thing.
I think at this point it may be the Phoenix Four Step I may be doing.
I am TRYING to get to Chicago.
It aint easy... : )
unfortunately, Dorma. Hope you all have a terrific time though...and someone pleeeeaaaassssseeee blog it!
"Our public servants work for us - we don't work for them. We have an obligation, as citizens of this country, to always remember that - and to never let them forget it." - DeadMessengers
and Josh+ maybe with you actually; I told him y'all would be there!
Have GREAT times!
"in spirit!"
Can't wait to hear all about it!