Yeah, the quote feature is hit or miss today.
Lola: It would be great if you could join us in Chicago.
I was dragged, kicking and screaming, into the computer age in 2002. We may have first met on the old Abuzz thread. Perhaps not. But you joined A2K in Oct 2002 and I signed up about 5 weeks later (member #179 or so). I have loved it from day one and in those early days we told some good stories. And perhaps we still do.
You kind of drifted away but now you seem to be back. Please think seriously about meeting us in Chicago. Thanks. Johnboy
Lola -- I second that. It would be great to finally meet you. You were the first person on A2K I made a connection with, and I've always been sorry we didn't meet when you lived in Dallas.
Several of us (OccomBill, mac11 and myself) are staying at the Days Inn Lincoln Park. C.I. is splurging at the Millennium Knickerbocker. Walter is staying at the Essex Inn, and Osso will be at the Downtown Travelodge. There are links for these hotels if you want to comb this thread, but it would probably be faster to google it.
Please come! And bring that handsome Mountie with you! You are two of my favorites around here, and always have been.
Yes, yes Lola... come and bring Sergeant Preston with you!
I'll bring you in for subsequent meetings, Eva, but as a closer I work alone. :wink:
Ooh! Subsequent meetings! I love subsequent meetings! <shivers>
<LOL>
It's going to be such fun to see the two of you finally meet!
Thanks guys for the encouragement. But we're still a maybe. It all depends on whether or not we can get responsible coverage for the store, which is possible but not yet a sure thing. We have to make up our minds pretty quickly however because it grows more expensive as time passes. I'll let you know.
Come on, Lola. Please come to Chicago.
A couple pictures of the party room I just found.
(trying to sway the undecided vote)
Just two more weeks.
Looking good, Sublime!
Hope you make it, Lola and Bernie!!
It should do the trick osso.
Can any of the attendees make use of that piano?
I have a really stupid question, but I'm going to post it anyway.
I need to figure out what kind of clothes to pack. Here in the South, we can and do go everywhere in jeans, but I understand that may not fly in Chicago. Especially not in the evenings? So...what would be appropriate for Duke of Perth and/or blues club afterward?
And please, don't say "anything you want," I need a hint here. I don't want to have to pack half my closet.
Also...what is the weather usually like in Chicago in early May? It's already in the 70s and 80s here, but should I pack a jacket or sweater for evening?
(I'd really appreciate it if some of the women would reply. I know this isn't a big issue for you guys, but it's more complicated for us.)
The weather here is unpredictable, a sweater or jacket at night might be a good idea. Don't worry that is the only advice on wardrobe I will offer.
A popular saying in Chicago is "if you don't like the weather, wait ten minutes."
Eva-
I'm sure one of those slinky floor length shiny green frocks with a split up the side up to navel height and with high heels and red painted toe peepers would be quite satisfactory.
I feel sure that if the temperature falls below what you deem comfortable one of the gents will do the decent thing. I know I would if I was called upon.
Eva, I'm planning to wear jeans and sneakers mostly. Casual pants and clogs at most. I'm a casual sort of a girl, but feel free to be more dressed up than me if you'd like.
Yeah, it's summer here now - highs in the 90s. It's hard to go back to winter at this point! According to weather.com, Chicago is having highs in the 60s and lows in the upper 40s now. (Yes, that's winter weather for Houston.) There's a 10 day forecast, so you can pinpoint it better after Tuesday or thereabouts.
Oh, and that is not a stupid question in my book.
Hey, upper 60's is unseasonably warm for us right now! I'm taking the top of my Jeep off tomorrow.
Chicago is a kind of weird amalgam... it's definitely a big city and you can see people as dressed-up and stylish as in NYC or London or Paris... but it does have a generally more laid-back vibe. And there are always people who are coming in for the night from surrounding suburbs.
Definitely pack a jacket or sweater for evening -- you might not need it, but chances are you will, and it's unpleasant to be without.
Jeans should be fine though, depending somewhat on what you wear them with. (Well, ANYTHING would be fine, really, but you specified you don't want a general answer...) In terms of blending, jeans with black would probably do. Maybe one thing that's especially catchy/ stylish -- your shoes, or handbag, or shirt, or whatever.
I'm trying to think what out of my current wardrobe I'd wear that night if I were going -- probably a cotton sleeveless sundress, full skirt + below-knee length, black with a subtle blue and gray leaf print on it, jean jacket (to wear or carry according to weather), and highish-heel black shoes.
Again though, really and truly, whatever is fine. One time I went out with a big group of people after a play that some of them were in and they ran the gamut -- College logo sweats to couture. Nobody batted an eyelash.
I'm from California. Dressup means I remember earrings with my jeans.
A jacket or sweater is an excellent idea. Remember, the official temperature for Chicago is taken at O'Hare Airport, which is pretty much in the suburbs. Near the lakefront, with the wind blowing in from the east, it can be 10-20 degrees colder. So when the weatherman says its 70 degrees in Chicago, it might actually be 50 near the lake. Also, don't forget to pack an umbrella.
And unless you're going to the symphony or the opera, jeans are perfectly acceptable. Like osso suggests, if you want to dress up, wear earrings.
I am available as style consultant, at my usual fee.
Don't wear fur, in case Mrs McCartney is on your bus.
