DU Gathering for Southern California

[Doug Decker]

It would be my pleasure to again host a gathering for all Southern California DUers and any others who may be able to travel here.

As you may remember, we had a great group on June 30, 2002 and I got to meet many of you in person.

Last year, I was unable to host the event.

I would like to start an annual tradition of getting together and would appreciate input on picking a date. The weather around July 4th is usually very nice (and predictable). Be sure to bring swim suits so you can enjoy the pool.

To get the ball rolling, I would like to propose June 27, 2004, Sunday as a possible date, although this is tentative and depends on getting the maximum attendance.

Please post your thoughts to this thread so we can develop a consensus for a possible date.

Thanks. :hi:

[goclark]

1. Sounds great..

Where do you live?

[villager]

2. Yeah, yup...

...but where in SoCal?

[Doug Decker]

3. I'm in the Valley...

when we get a guest list, I'll e-mail or PM all participants with the address and mapquest details.

What about the date? Is that good?

Additional information - 1PM seems to be a good time to start on Sunday (or we could do a Saturday) so we can spend the afternoon eating, swimming and talking.

Does that sound good?

I'm looking forward to meeting everyone.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. 27th works for me

So I can come up and help you prepare. :hi:

[Doug Decker]

5. You are such a sweetie...

Thanks for the offer to help. I would love it!

:hi:

[lazarus]

6. This far out

The 27th is fine for me. I don't make plans more than a week or more in advance, though.

Oh, include Haele, and, quite likely, our daughter, since you have a pool.

[Doug Decker]

7. Definitely, bring your daughter...

I was so sorry you and your family couldn't attend in 2002 as I was looking forward to meeting you.

I'm starting the scheduling process so early because some people may go away during the summer months. Also, I will need the time to prepare.

This is gonna be fun!

[villager]

10. "Where were you last night?"

"That was so long ago, I don't remember."

"What are you doing tonight?"

"I never make plans that far ahead."

--Bogart, Casablanca

Your post reminded me... Looking forward to the 27th, glad to hear it's kid-friendly...!

[lazarus]

18. Man, I need to watch that

Ever have a classic film you just never got around to seeing?

I finally saw Rashomon the other night. Now I need to add Casablanca to the list, I had forgotten I haven't seen it before.

Weird, huh?

I've been to DU Gatherings on both coasts (I think I'm the only one to do that, actually). I've been to two Southeast Gatherings, and one SoCal Gathering, and haven't seen any kids yet. But then, they've always been out at restaurants, and the kids would be bored to tears.

If his yard is big enough, we also have a croquet set we can bring to entertain the kid(s) and adults. :D

[villager]

30. well, I still need to see "Rashomon..."

See what we'll have to discuss over a beer come June?

[ronnykmarshall]

8. Sound good to me

We are on vacation, but will be back home that sunday.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

9. kick

[Doug Decker]

11. I'm going to go out on a limb...

and ask Admin to post a notice for this date on the Home page. This seems to be a good response to move to the next step.

Thanks to all of you who responded so quickly to my post.

:hi:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

12. I think there will be a good turnout

Do we want to do the main courses and have others bring side dishes? You can taste my ribs then :D

[Doug Decker]

13. That would be great...

Last time we had salmon and steak, so we may need to come up with new entrees.

Any suggestions?

I can't wait to taste your ribs!!!! :evilgrin:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

14. well with that AWESOME BBQ'er of yours

We can make baby backs, tri tip (which I can marinate the day before) and a scrumptious grilled halibut with grilled marinated veggies...everyone else brings everything else..OK?

(it's not expensive...Costco has all of it very reasonable)

If it works for you, I might even come up the night before

[lazarus]

19. Heh

I do an awesome leg of lamb, btw. I'll be happy to take care of a great deal of the cooking, what I can, actually. Me and Teena can kibbitz on this.

[Doug Decker]

23. You guys are the BEST!...

Cooking is not my strong suit. Lamb sounds heavenly. I'm best at eating and talking, hahaha.

[Doug Decker]

20. That sounds wonderful...

My mouth is already watering.

Come up the night before - that's great! More hands to help. I've just finished painting the guest room.

Tbanks for all the tasty suggestions.

[Misinformed01]

22. Oh. My. God.

BBQ in California???

Please. We have a guest room. Or at least let me mail you some sauce!

[Doug Decker]

25. Definitely, would enjoy the sauce...

but it might be easier to supply the recipe! You know, give a man a fish...

Thanks for your kind post. :hi:

PS - Are you in California?

[Misinformed01]

26. NC

Do you want tomatoe based sauce, or vinegar?

Steph

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

27. we want you here in June to show us all how :-)

[Snow]

15. Sounds like fun......I'll try to make it.

even if NSMA gets mad at me for what I just posted on the antidepressant thread (just kidding...)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

17. LOL

Hope you make it and correcting my errors does not make me mad :D

[Snow]

24. I'll post this here if you don't mind

because the other thread is really cluttered and this is just for NSMA...
I found that study I was thinking of:
-snip-
Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1992;108(1-2):60-6. Related Articles, Links
Abbott FV, Etienne P, Franklin KB, Morgan MJ, Sewitch MJ, Young SN.
Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

The effects of depletion of the serotonin precursor, L-tryptophan, on the threshold and tolerance to cold pressor pain, and the analgesic effect of morphine (10 mg intramuscularly), were tested in a double blind trial on human volunteers. Effects on mood were also assessed using the Profile of Mood States and the Addiction Research Center Inventory (ARCI) Scales. To deplete tryptophan, subjects were fed a tryptophan-deficient amino acid mixture 4.5 h before morphine was administered. Controls received the mixture with tryptophan, which is equivalent to a nutritionally balanced protein. The tryptophan-deficient meal reduced plasma tryptophan more than 70% but had no effect on threshold or tolerance to cold pressor pain. After morphine, tolerance to cold pressor pain increased in controls. Tryptophan depletion abolished this analgesic effect. Pain threshold was not altered by morphine. In subjects with normal tryptophan, the analgesic effect of morphine was predicted by the level of plasma morphine-6-glucuronide, but not by the level of morphine. Morphine increased scores on the LSD scale of the ARCI, but had no effect on other measures of mood. Tryptophan depletion also failed to alter mood in these subjects, who had unusually low depression scores before tryptophan depletion.
-snip-
weird, eh? Amazing what we don't know. WHy the world is a fun place.

[devilgrrl]

16. Hey! Can I come?

That Sunday I should be free - you never know if all my nutty friends are going camping that weekend. Keep us posted.

[Doug Decker]

21. Definitely, would love to meet you...

and your friends.

:hi:

[Doug Decker]

28. Kick for the evening crowd...

I've been pleased by the response so far.

:hi:

[Harrumph]

29. I think I might drop up from Mexico....

I could come to Riverside on Sat and spend night at my parents and meetup with you all on Sun or whichever day you choose.
I can bring the Kahlua! :toast:

[Doug Decker]

31. That would be wonderful...

If you can, I hope you will plan to attend.

:toast:

[Lindsey]

32. I'm there...

Hey Doug! - I've been really wanting to connect with you guys but have never been able to make any of the gatherings. I'll mark 6/27 on my calendar.:-)

[Lindsey]

33. OH NO!!!

I can't believe this. I just looked at 6/27 and I'm having friends in from Tx. that weekend. I've been very apprehensive about getting together with them because one of them is right wing repub (so you can imagine how I feel about that). I know it's impossible to find a date that works for everyone...but if the date changes or if I decide not to get together with these folks..I'd love to come.

[Doug Decker]

34. I'm so disappointed...

and I will keep you posted it the date changes. I guess you don't want to bring them along?

:hi:

[Lindsey]

35. LOL...

I could tell them we're going to a party and not tell them anything else. Not THAT would be a hoot!

[David Zephyr]

36. Count Me In.

June 27th works for us. Thanks for putting this together, Doug, and for placing the event enough in the future so that my calendar is clear.

We're happy to bring food and/or beverages. PM my inbox anytime to let me know what you need so we can help out.

It will be great fun hanging out with everyone and NSMA!

David & Carlos

[Doug Decker]

45. Consider yourself counted...

I may take you up on the offer of help, closer to the date.

:hi:

[Jack_Dawson]

37. Where in SoCal?

I'm in SD. Would love to hang with fellow smart people. Will Ashcroft be monitoring us?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

39. San Fernando Valley

[radwriter0555]

41. the VALLEY???????

I don't go to the "valley". The valley SCARES me.

How deep into the valley are we tawking here?

Ikea I can handle; the studios... ventura blvd....

the rest of it makes me NOIVIS.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

43. you're there then

[Doug Decker]

46. It's really not as bad as people think...

just on the south side of Encino.

[DBoon]

60. Like totally!

Grody to the max!

[Doug Decker]

63. Correction- north side

Sometimes I don't know which way is up.

:hi:

[Jack_Dawson]

42. Can we go to a porn shoot?

:toast:

[Doug Decker]

48. Go to one?

You're in one! That's valley humor. :hi:

[Doug Decker]

47. I think we can safely assume he is monitoring...

EVERYTHING!

:hi:

[Presidentcokedupfratboy]

38. Sure, I'd like to come.

If I can make it that day I would be stoked to attend.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

40. Bo good to see you again

did you buy a place yet?

[Presidentcokedupfratboy]

57. didn't buy a place yet....

I'm still saving up for the downpayment. I did get a good credit report from a mortgage lender, though.

[Doug Decker]

44. I'm so thrilled with the response...

I think we'll have a good turnout.

[DBoon]

49. Will mark my calendar too

try to make it this time

[PlanetBev]

50. Count me in again, Doug

I really enjoyed your last get together. I'll be there again with my infamous deviled eggs, and will bring two other DU'ers from Ventura County.

[Doug Decker]

53. I'm so glad you can attend....

it will be great to see you again, and your friends. The deviled eggs were a BIG hit, thanks.

:hi:

[Doug Decker]

55. Great, I've added you to the llist....

:hi:

[nini]

51. I'm a tentative...

I may be in Italy!!! but not sure yet.

[Doug Decker]

54. I'm jealous...

I love Italy. I think Venice is the most beautiful place I've ever seen. But I hope you can attend so I can meet you.

:hi:

[MoonGod]

52. June 27 is quite a ways off, but pencil me in...

... even though I've mostly been absent or lurking for the past year or so, I'd still love to meet the local DUers.

I'm a full-time student right now without a real job, so I have no apparent commitments on any given day during the summer. Of course, a lot can happen between now and the end of June.

Anyway, thanks for offering to host!

[Doug Decker]

56. I've been unable to attend other events, also...

I can relate.

Looking forward to meeting you. :hi:

[Emillereid]

58. I was thinking of organizing something -- sooner

a restaurant or pot-luck or something. Is there any interest in doing something sooner for LA DUers or just wait for June?

Regardless, count me in for the June event. I live to the west of the Valley in the Agoura area and can also help. Let me know what you need.

[xxqqqzme]

59. sounds great

count me in. The '02' get 2gether was terrific.

[Doug Decker]

64. Wonderful...

It will great to see you again.

:hi:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

61. kick

[truthseeker1]

62. Not sure about that date yet but...

we usually go to Montana around the 4th for a couple of weeks, but it's not set in stone. I'll see if we can go earlier or later. Depends on when the family reunions, etc. are planned.

Would love to get together with fellow DUers again! Sounds like a good plan, Doug.

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Doug Decker]

65. I hope the timing works out...

I'm looking forward to meeting you!

:hi:

[Doug Decker]

66. To everyone who has responded...

I have tried to reply to each of you on this thread, but if I have missed anyone, please accept my apologies. It was not intentional, I promise you.

If you are undecided, please reply to this thread at least 3 days prior to the event (by June 24), so I have time to PM the directions.

I'm looking forward to a great afternoon.

Please, anyone who wants to, bring a swim suit so you can enjoy the pool.

[Star]

67. Hi, Doug

I'll be there, too, with rozf.

[Doug Decker]

68. That's wonderful...

I can't wait to see you again! :hi:

[tishaLA]

69. Well, I think I can be there

especially now that NSMA said she'd like to break bread with me. I'll have to wear my smart clothes. Maybe even bring along a pair of glasses.

[puerco-bellies]

70. I'll be comming up from the O.C. anyone need a ride?

I'm in Tustin but could meet up any where between here and the valley.

[nolabels]

71. On any Sunday, its all good here

Ink me in, Saturday or weekdays are more difficult, but I am willing to sacrifice anything (Just kidding)

Really though if you need any kind helpers with anything let us know, the Inland Empire (Riverside) is ways away, so kind of like to help make it the best in anyway possible if needed. :kick: