Dates are pretty much confirmed. Mom is booking rooms for us and was wondering what part of town we should stay. Thought I'd open the floor as you (and my friend Monica) are my main motivators for spending time.

What do you guys fancy doing anyway? I'm down with chillin' & beers? I have a sense the Cap'n may be open to a viewing of Jerry Springer: The Opera at his place if he got clearance with the Mrs, but it's just an idea. Am open to ideas.

If you are a Bed & Breakfast-type, may I suggest a lovely little place just out of town -- in Middleton -- called The Parsonage?

Lovely hosts.
Delicious breakfasts.
Only about 10 minutes from downtown Mad-Town.

But if yer planning on drunken debauchery, it would be best to stay in-town, methinks.

I am. But mom... not so much. Thanks for the tip.

Hey!
I don't know your mom!
I assume nothing.

Dude.... She's his mom.

Who's to say she doesn't party?
And I was not implying anything incestous.
Didn't even think of that until your post.
Weirdo.

You still havn't denied that you were hitting on his mom.

That's what I meant, anyway.

Sketchy is a must see.

RECOGNIZE!

Cap'N is on his way back from J'ville FL today. I'm in North Caolina/ATL and will be back on Sat.

We'll firgure everything out when we get back. This is good news!

I'll be in the CHI over the weekend, but Chowgurt might be around.

edit - oh, I was thinking March, April may be doable.

18 & 19 = Tuesday and Wednesday

Ok, I have a small school engagement on that tuesday from 4-6:30, otherwise I'm available. And count us in for movie viewing.

As to places to stay, there are also a few nice b+b's here in town. If you're up for spending some bucks, the poshest, most beautiful option is the Mansion Hill Inn (at www.mansionhillinn.com). Old, beautiful mansion on the highest point downtown, bout 2 blocks from the capitol... if you have the $, well worth it.

If not, then I very, VERY strongly recommend the Hotel Ruby Marie (www.rubymarie.com). This is on the corner of downtown closest to our street, and is walkable to State Street etc. It's over 100 years old, was recently renovated, and is gorgeous. It has character, a view of the lake, nice staff, is not too pricey, and has free beer in your room (Bitburger).

By that time it'll be warm here (I fucking hope), so options should definately include going to the Memorial Union at the end of state street and getting some pitchers. It's on the lake, but I guess there won't be any live music since it ain't gonna be friday or saturday. But still... it's beautiful.

Yeah, I might be around.
It'd be great to meet the famous Sketch!
Who's organizing this shindig? Cap'n?

I'm thinking movie night here one night, and Memorial Union the other night, if it fits his schedule. I await Sketchy's input.

You guys pretty much dictate my schedule. I'll pass along the Ruby Marie info to my mom. Sounds perfect. Thanks, Kyle! We might even be around for Thursday. Definitely will be around for a few days.

the ruby marie's pretty pricey, but the location's good. some others around the capitol squre area are the inn on the park and the concourse hotel.

How's the hotel attached to the Essen Haus? Is that too far away?

That's where I stayed for part of the time when I was up there for the Cap'n's wedding. No problems at all, but that place is fucking haunted.

...that's the Ruby Marie.

It may be too cold for the Union sketchy, and it may not. We'll play that one by ear. There's plenty else to do. So is your mom... cool... and stuff?

Hey Kyle,
don't they rent out rooms at the Union? I thought that they had a hotel of some sort there right above the bookstore.

the ruby marie is top notch- it's where my parents stay when they're in town. the only complaint i've ever heard is that it can get kind of noisy on the street, so try to get an inner room.

i'll be up for whatever plans there are, if you all will have me. especially beer at the terrace if it's nice enough.

when does 'concerts on the square' start?

also, i think it'd be fun to grill out.

Yeah, but in her own way. Very chill. She doesn't drink and will either opt out (or leave early) of any group activities. She's all ready seen Jerry Springer: The Opera live, but a pre-movie grill-out may be her style, weather permitting.