I want to come!

Excellent, Spud! This is going to be fun...

Ooooh! The Seattle party is going to rock!

Yah sure you betcha it is, Lonnie! We might have to declare it a holiday.

Stellaa, Stellaa, Stellaa...that was so long ago, we've been to Nirvana and back again ;) The beer is even better (or so I'm told), we have Patagonia now too (Patagucci) and REI is not just a store, it's a destination resort. Climbing walls and waterfalls. Come back!

I can be there!

Woo-hoo, Freaky! It's a party now. Start shining your footholes, everyone.

Stellaa - what a great time to work for the City, back when they actually got things done ;) Yes, Elliott Bay Books is still there, with a wonderfully upgraded cafe and bakery downstairs (yum) and the Harvard Exit is still going strong. No more free tea in the lobby, but still rumored to have a ghost upstairs from when it was a women's club. And still one of the best places in town to see a movie...

Count me in. Email me more details because I might miss a post.

Great, Roger! Will keep you posted as the details emerge for sure...

This is a party that sounds like fun. Short notice tho...I'm wondering if any other Vancouver folk might like to make the trip. I'm not keen on driving down alone, and our dollar is worth about .75 cents south of the border. Would be nice to share gas etc. I'm attending a workshop Saturday and Sunday so would have to leave Friday.

Anyone?

count me in! Downtown or on a bus route would make it easiest for me, but something tells me I'll get there no matter where we decide... : )

And Stellaa, all those places are still here. Come see.

Anywhere in Seattle area is fine for me.

I so want to come but logistics out here in the wilderness are tricky.

I'll be there. Will there be cake?
I'm bringing the party hats :)

Okay, I'm thinking someplace near the Market will be easiest for everyone to get to. I'll do some research..

Emma, I hope some other Vancouverites join in...or maybe some Bellingham'ers?

Ablonde, how can we help get you here?

I could drive to Bainbridge and take the ferry, that'll land me right at Pike Place, have to look at the map and see how long that takes, but the worst is the drive home, in the dark. The roads out here are scary in the dark, there are many creatures lurking about, big ones. Elk and deer are as common as bunny rabbits in a cabbage patch.

Sorry guys already have my Thursday booked. Going to the U to hear an Egyptology lecture and then with the in-laws to The Brooklyn for dinner.

Damn, I hate missing it.

Unless I can chopper in I don't think it'll work.

Does it have to be during the big commute? And what happened to the idea of the Tulip Festival?

Love these parties! Love the gorgeous picture of Seattle and your banner is wonderful.
Wish I could come!!!

Thanks for dropping in everyone -

John - drat, we'll miss you!

Susanne - this event was inspired by the party that Kerry/OS is organizing in NY for the anniversary. So the cocktail hour seemed most appropriate and when most people were likely to be able to come based on work schedules. Same with the Seattle location - I think more people can come if we have it here (chime in if that's wrong everyone!) I love the idea of meeting in La Conner...but maybe later in the season, when the tulips are actually out...;)

Thanks, Steph - you're always welcome here!

Well I guess I will wait. The time of day can turn that into 6 hours in the car, and I don't like that much time in the car. Have fun ya'll!

We could all have drinks with John's inlaws at the Brooklyn.

I was thinking the same thing about the Brooklyn. We could sit in the corner and make faces at him :)

ablonde, what about an overnight stay? Then home in the daylight?

Suzanne, brave the traffic just this once? : )

How about someplace near the Brooklyn, so John could pretend to head for the bathroom and could duck out for a moment? Or heck, John, just bring everyone along...

Maybe we could get a group rate and go to Manhattan?

Deven and nutkin - the Brookly is a class joint. So naturally, I think it's highly appropriate that we sit there making faces at each other. I've got to drive, otherwise we could get shamefully legless and make faces at each other. Just don't put your faces up against he window and do the Jackie Coogan starving waif number - I'd melt (into helpless giggles).

It's at the SE corner of University and 2nd Ave. kittycorner from SAM.

Okay, how about we start at a place near the Market. Then we go over the Brooklyn and make John do some fancy explaining to his in-laws ;)

Where to go: the Pink Door, the Virginia Inn, or Il Bistro?
What time: 5:30 to 7 or 6 to 8?

Tell me what sounds good to you (post here or PM me), we'll decide by tomorrow. Freaky will break any ties.

I have only been to the Pink Door and loved it but I'm up for whatever the consensus is. Where is the Brooklyn? Anytime is good for me also. I'll go along with the crowd. RF

I vote the pink door then a short walk to the Brooklyn.

I would start at the Brooklyn but raw oysters don't go with cake. Hmm let me think about that....nope, definitely not.

Um, just to help you find me - I look just like my avatar.

Reservations are for 8:30.

Y'all just let me know. The ape has been the The Brooklyn a lot. I think she's sort of lushy. I've never been to The Pink Door, but that sounds like it would go with my hair.

That settles it, the Pink Door is it! It's also oddly appropriate that it's on Post Alley. ;)

I've added the details and link to the website with directions above. If anyone has any questions ask away or PM me. Now all we have to do is hope the sun lasts (uh-oh, I didn't say that out loud, did I?) See you there!

I'd like to be there but I won't be able to. To far for me to travel, to much pain. Maybe next time. :)

We'll miss you, Ric, and raise a glass in your honor.

For everyone else, especially any fence-sitters out there, I'm happy to inform you that there will be cake! (All you non-Northwesterners, there's still time to get a plane ticket. But hurry.)

A definite maybe!

Hope you can make it, Risa!

Can I come? I'm new and haven't posted much but have stalking love for all the Seattle (NW) writers.

Of course! Come on down, Leezie, the more the merrier. We hope you will seriously consider making the transition from stalker to talker, though ;) See you there!

We had a splendid time in Seattle, with Nutkin, T&D, SeattleK8, LeeziePeezie, Roger, and the inimitable Freaky Troll. My pictures didn't turn out so I hope someone else has evidence of the cake-smashing. (I think Ablonde has subpoenaed them. But don't worry Freaky, we've got your back...) Thanks to everyone who came. See you next time!

sounded like fun :)

Why do I see Freaky Troll in every photo?

Hmm. You say you see her everywhere...sounds like you're falling in love, Steve...or, it's time to talk to a doctor. Oh, wait...