A DC farewell to our semi-aquatic overlord

[Guest Raidne]

Apologies for the short notice, but we're pulling the DC crew together to send off the Otter before he ships out to what is, happily, no longer the most dangerous war front on the globe.

Any place suggestions? I'm feeling maybe the Brick again, or there's a couple great divey bars off the Capitol South exit I was at a few weekends ago. I was totally blown away by the fact that one of them had ski ball in the bar, but admittedly, I was also pretty tipsy by then, so I may lack some objectivity on its awesomeness.

I'd say we shoot for getting things started at 7pm?

[Inigima]

I will be attempting to make this. Gonna try to take Friday off -- since I have work, and I get off work right around rush hour, the alternative is trying to get into DC at one of the worst times possible. Anyone fancy meeting up a bit early?

[Arlingzen Bill]

Oddly I seem to be free... will try.

[Ocean of Notions]

I will be attempting to make this. Gonna try to take Friday off -- since I have work, and I get off work right around rush hour, the alternative is trying to get into DC at one of the worst times possible. Anyone fancy meeting up a bit early?

I'll see what I can do.

[Tyrellius]

We should have synchronized shots at around 20h00 your time for all our chatters all over the globe imo. What is JR's poison of choice?

[Guest Raidne]

Ini, I will see about getting off work early. Probably a good idea, since I'm not sure how late I'll be able to be out.

[S John]

Sorry I've taken this long to show up. The last three days have been.... hectic. I have a huge list of things to do and likely not enough time to do it. But, I will be present and accounted for on Friday!

I will definitely have to go into work for a few hours, but I'll probably be high-tailing it out of there at my earliest convenience. Should be able to get out by 4 at the latest unless somebody springs something on me unexpectedly. And if they do spring something I'll just be like '..... dude'. So all that said, I should be able to go home and get cleaned up and ready to go out by dinner time.

As far as what we do.... well.. I dont care. If there is beer and the ability to have conversation then I am happy. I am neither a picky eater nor a picky drinker. I would prefer to avoid super noisy places, but other than that... I'm game. I'm happy to be the excuse to get together, but it ain't all about me, so if anyone really wants to do something then lets do it.

[Guest Raidne]

Okay, in that case, if nobody has transportation objections, I suggest we shake it up and venture into the southeast for a bar crawl down Pennsylvania Avenue, starting at Capitol Lounge off the Capitol South metro stop on the orange line and make our way over to the Eastern Market metro stop. That little half mile stretch, I've learned, is just jam-packed with fun, down-to-earth, and reasonably priced pubs. And yes, one of them has ski ball, and it will be played.

But, I know a lot of people prefer stuff off the red line, so if it's too much hassle, we'll think of something else. But I guarantee maximum fun on this strip of Pennsylvania, I swear it. And also, it's not that kind of southeast DC, it's still Capitol Hill. I'll vouch for its safety as long as we stay along Pennsylvania. IMO, it's safer than the U Street.

I'll post a rough schedule after 5pm if nobody objects.

[Fez]

Like I posted in the other DC thread, I'm sorta an anonymous old-timer on the board (I was around for the pornwars, the zorse, and the LADL, if anyone remembers those), but I recently moved down to Arlington and wanted to get to know people on the board better. So if there's no objections, I'd totally be down for coming out for this.

[Elrostar]

The dread ORANGE Line? Oh man... That means changing metros and everything...

And it means missing out on Russia House. I had thought that going by there would be a required stop before sending John off to Iraq. He's got to be left with fond memories of our nation's capital, right?

Not to mention the Fast Eddie's ending to the night?

Or is the deal about the change of venue really about the fact that Raids can't hold her vodka? :)

[Guest Raidne]

Please, Raids can't hold her anything. Although that was a particularly tragic night. Me, Russia House, and tragedy get together, so far, every two out of three times I go there. We can definitely go there though, if that's the vote.

Any other thoughts from anyone? If it's just Dan I'm sticking with the original plan because he just wants to oggle the waitresses.

[Elrostar]

Please, Raids can't hold her anything. Although that was a particularly tragic night. Me, Russia House, and tragedy get together, so far, every two out of three times I go there. We can definitely go there though, if that's the vote.

Any other thoughts from anyone? If it's just Dan I'm sticking with the original plan because he just wants to oggle the waitresses.

I'm not denying that I like the view there. But I'm also extremely partial to their drinks.

I'm just suggesting that we go there so that our Otter can get in some quality ogling before he heads off to Iraq. It's really a self-sacrificing suggestion on my part. And one, I might add for the record, which is fully supported by Beth.

[Guest Raidne]

Okay. I'll still wait for more votes so I can get a good idea of how many other people want to pay twice as much as they should for their drinks. :)

ETA: Really I'm waiting for Rob and to hear what his situation is. If he's coming and heading back to Baltimore that same night, then clearly we will stick to the red line.

[S John]

I'm down for a SE bar crawl. I have never gone out over there at night time, so lets do it. Worst case scenario is that we take a taxi somewhere else, right? Also I believe that Ini is planning on crashing with me tomorrow night, so thats not an issue.

And Fez: These things are prety much open affairs. Once we nail down a time and starting place feel free to pop in to meet some people and have some drinks. If you want I can PM you my cell #.

[Inigima]

Waiting for confirmation from John, but it looks like I'm driving into the city and staying overnight at his place. Thanks for taking my situation into account, though, Raids.

I don't have a strong preference but I may be parking near your place, and then driving John and me back to his place at the end of the night, in which case I won't be drinking much. I'm still down for a pub crawl if everyone wants to, but personally I tend to like to pick a place and stay there, which also makes it easier for people to float in and out as schedules require. Also, I don't really do strip joints, so not much interest in Fast Eddie's.

TW is also wondering where she should go -- there was some discussion of parking at the Silver Spring metro (Red Line), but I think parking is an issue until after 5:00 and she's looking to be in after that. Currently I'm suggesting she do something similar to what I'm doing. Others more knowledgeable should definitely chime in.

EDIT: Raids, we should talk about dinner?

EDIT the 2nd: Raids, when are you leaving work?

[Guest Raidne]

Alrighty then. Here's the itinerary, unless we want to start earlier? Or alternatively, I'd be happy to grab dinner somewhere first before all this stuff gets started.

7pm Capitol Lounge (right off the Capitol South metro stop on the Orange Line)

8:30pm: Hawk and Dove

10:00pm: Tune Inn

11:30pm: The Pour House

Sound good? They're all within, like, .3 miles from each other, so it's a pretty easy bar crawl. I'm stoked - I've only been to this part of DC twice, but I loved it so much we've started trying to find an apartment over there. Dress as casually as you want, or not, everything goes.

And damn it, one of these bars has ski ball, I SWEAR it. And I'm going to find it.

[Ocean of Notions]

'Still trying to figure out other logistics, but I think dinner is of paramount importance. I'm not a real person if I'm kept hungry for too long and I know I'll be hungry (since I'm hungry every other hour).

[Fez]

Sent you a PM John. At least, I think I did, haven't really done that before either. Possibly it didn't work and instead vanished into the void.

[Elrostar]

A SE crawl sounds good to me. Beth and I are up for learning about the wonders of new neighborhoods of bars, certainly.

And I thought you were going to move out to us, Raids? I feel so.... betrayed! Do Beth and I need to move into the district now, or what? Although, I suppose there are circumstances under which I can see that happening, given recent changes in my career path... I'll tell you about it tomorrow.

[Inigima]

So, uh. Logistics for tomorrow? When are the early contingent meeting? (Looks like TW will be at McPherson Square around 5:30ish, I will endeavor to do the same?) Where are those of us who want food eating? Do I have a confirmed place to sleep?