I'm still in, I know there's a Mefi meetup the day before but I was gonna bank on the mudpuppie one.

We need a place and set time to meet people!

Don't make me pick!

Yuh huh!

Again, i get into O'Hare around 2 on Monday. Tell me when/where to meet you and I'll be there. (Please factor my abilities to transport luggage on public transit.)

Didn't realize there was a meetup on the day before.

I'm pretty sure you meant:

(Please factor my abilities to transport Specklet on public transit.)

I do have an enormous suitcase that you could probably fit into if you squnched up, dearie.

Hey, I just remembered I had a dream about you last night!

*blushes*

Hoo boy! And it was a blusher?? Nice!

*nods and blushes pinker*

I think we were planning on the Hop Leaf around 6 or 6:30. Does that work for people?

Hrm. Except it's not easily accessible by public transportation. Mud, maybe I can pick you up somewhere. You're staying with me3, right? Maybe we can arrange a luggage dropoff.

A pick-up would be great, goat. Just tell me where to go and how to get there. (I keep saying this, hoping someone will actually do it.)

As for staying in Chicago, turns out my family will already be in IN and can pick me up at the train station should I make it out of Chicago that night. Doesn't really matter to me -- if me3's offer is still open, I'll just play it by ear.

All depends on how much fun we're having, I guess, and when the last South Shore runs.

Oh, and did I mention *blushes and grins and blushes some more* ?

hey, if there's transport, put me on the peace train

Sorry, away from computer. Yes, the couch offer's still open.

Hopleaf! 7:30! In the back!

I'll even call ahead for the big table (I know the manager.)

Oooo...that doesn't work so well for me. Can we meet somewhere closer to downtown/more accessible by public transit? (I work downtown, my car will not be nearby.)

Now that I think of it, I can't really drive up there. The missus will have the car, and I shouldn't drive after my beer limit anyway (which is pitifully low). Downtown would be better for me too. And for mud, since she'll have some time to kill between when her flight lands and whenever we can start entertaining her (I should be free around 4 or 4:30, so I'll gladly take the first shift).

So who knows a good bar downtown?

Umm the Billy Goat?

Or the Coq D'Or at the Drake?

I love drinking at the Drake, it's dark and moody and the second beer after prohibition was ended was served there. or was it the first beer? Either way I love that fucking place. And trust me, it's as casual as you want it to be there.

The bar has a fancy looking website

and please to note, in 1925 a couple of blowhards tried to rob the Drake and were gunned down outside! So we can drink up and go ghost hunting!

I'd be OK with the Billy Goat or the Coq D'Or. A couple more options:

- Trader Vic's @ the Palmer House
- Rockit

Oooh, I'll go for Billy Goat...it's right across the street from my work. ; )

mudpuppie - has anyone helped you out with directions yet? If we do something in the Loop or downtown (which the latter suggestions are) it's real easy. I think you'll just have to hop on the train and go into the city.

Once we nail down a place I'll give you some directions and a link to a public transportation site that could get you from any point A to B in case you change your plans. I'll also try to give you a few suggestions of nearby places to kill 2 hours since I think you might have some time to kill. Now that we're doing something in the city I'm probably going to be taking a commuter train in from the suburbs and will most likley be in the neighborhood early too.

But first, where? I love Trader Vics. If you're into a dark kitchy tiki bar with tropical drinks it's the place to go. Billy Goat is cheap and no frills (outisde of it's Chicago heritage), but not a bad place to meet people. I've never been to Rockit or Coq D'Or, but they both look cool.

Who actually decides where we go? Somebody has to pick a place. As much as I love Trader Vics and would like to try the other two suggestions, I think Billy Goat might be the best place if we're just looking to have a few drinks (not much in beer selection) at a resonable price and chat. It's definitely the "slumming it" choice of the 4 suggestions.

Billy Goat works for me. I'm planning on meeting mud in the afternoon around 4-ish. Does anyone know if you can still check bags at Union Station? The map shows a locker area, but I don't know if it's still there.

Updated meetup thread here. Since mudpuppie has a hotel now she should be able to check the bag(s) there.