Well, it's that time of year again. Various members of pr.com will be in Chicago on the weekend of November 18th-19th. If anyone would like to join us for dinner, we are planning on the 18th.

Let me just point out that those of us who will be in Chicago are some of the coolest people ever. If you don't have dinner with us, you are definitely missing out. We rock.

This is not a gathering. I repeat, not a gathering. However, if anyone wants to spend the day in Chicago and then meet us cool people for dinner, they are more than welcome to.

Let me just point out that those of us who will be in Chicago are some of the coolest people ever...

Sounds good. I'm in... :thumbsup:

Just one request. Last year at dinner, I had to sit at the dork table. Could I sit with the cool people this year???? :2:

Sounds good. I'm in... :thumbsup:

Just one request. Last year at dinner, I had to sit at the dork table. Could I sit with the cool people this year???? :2:


I'm trying to remember if I was sitting next to you.....

I sat with both of you, so obviously that's where you were!

I'm probably in...

may i ask why some people will be in chicago that particular weekend ? also where is this meeting of the "cool people" being held ? very good possibility me and the wife may take a trip down there for this "cool people dinner"

Can't make it. Too far of a drive.

Oh come on. If I can fly in, so can you.

Can't make it. Too far of a drive.


Hmmm, I think if I could drive from the Indy area, you could drive from the "burbs" Seb. I just may have to make this trip :)
The question is what to do with the doggy? She doesn't like it when I vanish like that and tends to tear things up.

JS

Can't make it. Too far of a drive.

Not a problem. We'll come to you. Now, I just have to remember to pack that baseball bat... :D

I sat with both of you, so obviously that's where you were!...

Hmmm, now that I think of it, we were all at the dork table. Seems we all only became cool during this past year... :cool:

may i ask why some people will be in chicago that particular weekend ? also where is this meeting of the "cool people" being held?

Well, I was trying to keep it under wraps, but if you must know, the Asylum Steve Amazing Technicolor Photographic Road Show and Psycho-Babble Rap Symposium (where of course, Henry the Horse dances the waltz!) will be in town that weekend.

As to where we'll end up meeting and eating, hah...you obviously don't know us. We have no clue. We usually run around the city making frantic cell calls for hours to try to find each other, then wander around together aimlessly until we finally discover one of the few eating establishments in Chicago that doesn't know any of us from past years.

If we're lucky, we get through the meal without being thrown out of the joint... :thumbsup:

And if you're really lucky, we may even pause briefly on the street to present the famed and fabulous plastic tiara crown to this year's SELF PORTRAIT QUEEN (or King). It's a ceremony with all the splendor and pagentry of a ROYAL WEDDING...:ihih:

But I don't even like baseball...

But I don't even like baseball...

That's ok. I invented a new game... :D

Sounds fun! Can't wait to try it. :)

And if you're really lucky, we may even pause briefly on the street to present the famed and fabulous plastic tiara crown to this year's SELF PORTRAIT QUEEN (or King).

Well, that's not going to work. I'm not going to be anywhere near Chicago that weekend. You'll have to mail it to me.

Well, that's not going to work. I'm not going to be anywhere near Chicago that weekend. You'll have to mail it to me.

...the bylaws for the ISOSP (International Society of Self Portraitists) clearly state that one of the requirements for the newly crowned King or Queen is to be present at the, er presentation ceremony, which Adina informs me is being held this year in Chicago that weekend.

Wow, who knew... :D

Furthermore, in the event that the newly crowned aforementioned King or Queen cannot, blah blah, blah, fullfill their rightful duties as newly crowned aforementioned King or Queen, yada yada yada, the...ah, RUNNER-UP then rightfully and justifiably assumes the title. Etc., etc., etc...

Uh, Adina informed me of that, too... :ihih:

Look at the bright side. You still have time to book a flight and room for the weekend. Heck, we'll even let you have dinner with us...

Now, whether you'll get to sit with the cool people is another matter altogether... :p

We rock.


Yeah? How do you rock? Like AC-DC or like the Grateful Dead? Please be specific. This is very important.

Yeah? How do you rock? Like AC-DC or like the Grateful Dead? Please be specific. This is very important.

Like AC-DC and the Grateful Dead all rolled into one! That's how cool we are!

may i ask why some people will be in chicago that particular weekend ? also where is this meeting of the "cool people" being held ? very good possibility me and the wife may take a trip down there for this "cool people dinner"


Because we're damn cool! In fact, we're so cool, that a reservation at dinner goes for $100, you can send payment to me, I take checks or credit cards, or small unmarked bill.

...the bylaws for the ISOSP (International Society of Self Portraitists) clearly state that one of the requirements for the newly crowned King or Queen is to be present at the, er presentation ceremony, which Adina informs me is being held this year in Chicago that weekend.

Wow, who knew... :D

Furthermore, in the event that the newly crowned aforementioned King or Queen cannot, blah blah, blah, fullfill their rightful duties as newly crowned aforementioned King or Queen, yada yada yada, the...ah, RUNNER-UP then rightfully and justifiably assumes the title. Etc., etc., etc...

Uh, Adina informed me of that, too... :ihih:

Look at the bright side. You still have time to book a flight and room for the weekend. Heck, we'll even let you have dinner with us...

Now, whether you'll get to sit with the cool people is another matter altogether... :p

What Steve said.

Judging will be based on the most recent sp thread.

Sorry, the Grateful Dead don't rock.

...the bylaws for the ISOSP (International Society of Self Portraitists) clearly state that one of the requirements for the newly crowned King or Queen is to be present at the, er presentation ceremony, which Adina informs me is being held this year in Chicago that weekend.

Wow, who knew... :D

Furthermore, in the event that the newly crowned aforementioned King or Queen cannot, blah blah, blah, fullfill their rightful duties as newly crowned aforementioned King or Queen, yada yada yada, the...ah, RUNNER-UP then rightfully and justifiably assumes the title. Etc., etc., etc...

Uh, Adina informed me of that, too... :ihih:

Look at the bright side. You still have time to book a flight and room for the weekend. Heck, we'll even let you have dinner with us...

Now, whether you'll get to sit with the cool people is another matter altogether... :p

Um... like I said, I can't be there, so you'll have to mail it to me :D

Or, you all could just come and present it to me here in Phoenix! :aureola:

Sorry, the Grateful Dead don't rock.

Exactly! They are the sleepiest band ever. Only band that can make Jumping Jack Flash sound like a lullaby.

But as long as you can rock some AC-DC, I approve :p

Judging will be based on the most recent sp thread.

Uh-oh, did I even post in that?

But as long as you can rock some AC-DC, I approve :p

I tried learning the intro to Thunderstruck once.

It was hard.

Oooh, I think I can be there!

But this isn't a gathering, it's just din-din? Are we supposed to make a din?

So you're saying we're not going to wander around the city making cellphone calls trying to find each other? We're just going to wander around to different restaurants and hope to stumble across each other instead? No bike shop? No Navy Pier? No fire hydrants?

No bike shop? No Navy Pier? No fire hydrants?

Well, if we can find a fantastic exhibtion of stained glass, that might change things, but otherwise, I'm trying to line up fashion shoots for the days I'm there, so my time will be limited.

Of course y'all are welcome to wander around aimlessly on your own to your heart's content! :crazy:

It would be cool if you could make it... :cool:

Or, you all could just come and present it to me here in Phoenix! :aureola:

I thought a trip to Arizona was voted against in another thread ??? :eek:

No fire hydrants?

they have indoor plumbing in chicago .. no need to use the fire hydrants ..... :thumbsup:

I talked it over with the Mrs. and she said if I want to go and don't have anything else that tops the priority list... ( I know .. I know .. I told her the cool people will be there ) but she said it sounds like fun .. sounds like we would be wandering around aimlessly with the camera ...

anyone know when they do the lighting on michigan ave. ????

anyone know when they do the lighting on michigan ave. ????

Not sure on Michigan Ave, but the Christmas tree at the Daily Center is usually the day after Thanksgiving.

I don't think I've ever hung out with cool people.

anyone know when they do the lighting on michigan ave. ????

I didn't know this when I booked my trip, but the Mag Mile Lighting Fest is Saturday of that weekend:

http://www.themagnificentmile.com/SeasonalEvents/fall/default.cfm

Might make a cool side trip for anyone that wants to hang after dinner... :thumbsup:

thanks for the info ... for that reason alone I believe me and the boss will be there ...

I think that I can make it, first I hvae to check with the boss to make sure nothing else is going on.

I don't think I've ever hung out with cool people.


Me neither.

I think I could make it a point to go home that weekend....even though I will be going home the following week.

so ummmmmmm yeah ... we are less than a week from the big dinner... anyone know what the itinerary is ? when? where ?

i know it was stated that the group usually wanders around calling on cell phones ... well do we have to randomly dial cell phone #'s hoping to reach someone in the group ??? :idea:

so ummmmmmm yeah ... we are less than a week from the big dinner... anyone know what the itinerary is ? when? where ?

Well, if you expect a specific time and a place, I kind of doubt that is going to happen. Yet. I was only slightly exaggerating when I mentioned the wandering around calling each other.

That's the Chicago way... :D

Seriously, the only reason we're getting together is because I'm heading into town, and I'll be doing fashion shoots both Saturday and Sunday. Sebastian and Adina are usually the "point people" for Chicago, and one or both of them will be assisting me Saturday.

Obviously, I can't say exactly when we'll be finished, and evening plans sort of revolve around that.

Best thing to do is email me or Seb, and we'll pass along our cell numbers. I'll be staying at the Hotel Monaco on N. Wabash, so my best guess is we'll all be meeting there.

Er, around dinner time... :D

Hey Steve!

I'll be down Sunday for sure.

Let's plan to meet back at the Hotel Monaco (Saturday) at 6 to head to dinner. I've got a session that morning, so that will give me time to get down there. If I stay over, I'll be there for dinner. Otherwise I'll be down Sunday morning.

Anyone who wants to gather to take photos during the day, or to just hang out, speak up, and you guys can coordinate. We usually meet at the hotel, and then head out from there.

Amy and I have decided to hang out around here together this weekend, so we won't be joining all you cool folks. Hope everyone has fun!!!

we won't be joining all you cool folks. Hope everyone has fun...

Well, now that we know you won't be there, we probably will... :D

I'M KIDDING! I'M KIDDING! :p

Seriously, I was looking forward to seeing you again, Michael. Ah, newlyweds...:ihih:

You'll be missed... :cool:

Yeah, I can't make it either :( . Sat. I have football, and Sunday I have to go to Lebanon In and meet the Indiana RC 4x4 folks and also pick up a spare engine for the ole 79 RC (Ram Charger) so I have a spare and can blow up the one in it with worrying how I'm gonna replace it.

JS

If anyone is interested in exploring the city on foot this weekend, check out the National Geographic Travelers Magazine's Walks of a Lifetime podcast. (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/podcasts/) There is a 15 minute podcast that covers some of the highlights of Chicago. Worth a listen if you have time before you make the trip this weekend.

You guys are a bunch of sissys.

:D

I am 99% sure we will be there ... plan on checking out the area ... and with the festivities going on for the lighting ceremony they have live ice sculpting and a bunch of other stuff ... just going to play it as it comes ... see if we can't find something interesting to shoot ... just have some fun and meet some goofs for diner around 6 i guess ....:aureola:

Well, I'm almost done packing my lingerie for the trip...

Uh, before you even begin to form that disturbing image in your mind, know that the lingerie is for some young, beautiful, svelte women models to wear in our shoot Sunday in Chicago (good seats still available). :ihih:

Hmmm, I see Michael is quickly having second thoughts about missing the get together this weekend... :arf:

Just a final word to any and all interested in the dinner Saturday night. The SOFT plan as of now is to meet at the Hotel Monaco (where I'll be staying - 225 North Wabash 312-960-8500) around 6pm. Hang around and be obnoxious enough, and someone will notice you eventually.

To be ensconced more deeply in "the Loop" (ah Windy City humor - I love it!), email either me or Sebastian soon and give us your mobile phone number. Also, any time after Friday afternoon, you can leave messages for me at the hotel (last name HLAVAC - all hail Bohemia!).

And to answer a question that has come up a few times: dress for this soiree is most definitely casual...

So, wish me luck on my urban adventure and endevor to create the ultimate fashion photo, and I look forward to seeing old friends again and meeting new ones... :thumbsup:

I hope you all have a great time.There are two charity gigs I've been committed to for much to long to bypass. That's why I haven't chimed in before now.

There's one small note:

This is the weekend, starting Saturday evening at 4pm I believe, of the Disney themed parade up Michigan Avenue ending at Water Tower Place. Large crowds expected. People carving ice, cooking food, the American Girl people will be out in force, LEGO is having a participatory event somewhere near the original Water Tower as well as in the mall.

Oh the humanity of it all!

The Millenium Park Cafe is a fine dining experience these days if you do not already know.
The head chef is a former protege of Charlie Trotter. $30-50 gets you some of the finest eats money can buy this side of the Hudson and East of Vegas.

Waiting on a full report. I'll be sipping something out of plastic glasses.

Hey, did you guys meet already? How did it go? Any pics?

Hey, did you guys meet already? How did it go? Any pics?

Actually, none of us brought cameras.

Actually, none of us brought cameras.

Shocking truth? Or tricky Sebastonian sarcasm? :D

Shocking truth. We're just to darn cool.

Shocking truth. We're just to darn cool.
:thumbsup:

Me and the Mrs. had a great time. Sorry for me being so quiet. By far the norm for me, but I had worked friday night and got maybe 2 hours of sleep sat morning. After we ate I got quite tired and was seeing double. I barely remember getting back to the interstate. Next time I will be in better shape. Really wanted to stay a while longer but my body wasn't letting that happen :mad2:

For your failure to take a single photograph of each other despite the fact that at least 4 of you were united in the name of photography (see articles of punitive motion, section 543221) ... you hereby lose sticky status!

I hope AS at least took a shot during his fashion shoot?

Actually, none of us brought cameras.

I thought you were carrying around that disposable camera......





ohhh wait that was your canon :D