I'll be there!! (hand raised)

Queen Elizabeth: The only purpose for the RSVP is to give Rosebud and me an idea of how many will be there, i.e. if we should arrange for the private room. We will warmly accept all comers with or without an RSVP.

I'll be there unless a paying gig comes my way at the last moment.

I can't be there (I'm coming up the following week!) but hope there is a thread on it later that day.

Book says its attending even if it has to take the bookmobile. Shy me is having a panic attack.

RtSO: You can't possibly be any shyer than I. Bite the proverbial bullet with me. Heck, it's 10 bucks for bottomless mimosas and bloodies!

I really wish I could come and meet everyone. I will be at the next one, hopfully there will be a next one. Have fun and have a mimosa for me.

Pooh. I'll be sleeping at that time since I'm on the night shift that weekend.

Next get together.

Once again, the Sandbox shows that all the early memorization of Miss Manners is paying dividends. That's the good news. The bad news: there are more 'respectfully declines' than acceptances. At this rate a small booth at the back will hold those attending. (Well the good news there is the gathering will be small enough not to scare me away. Now all you clever members know that if you want to keep me away, make it BIG.)

So far, based on this thread and an earlier one, there 5 yeas (me, Rosebud, RtSO, Alan and Susan) and
5 respectfully declines. I'm hoping for at least a dozen attendees for this first get together. And, yes, maybe we can organize a second one for weeknight to make up for those who had to miss because of weekend obligations.

I wonder if Gailor is free on Saturday? And you'd think Sam Sessa would pop in since he's off the hook (this time) for hosting a deck party. ROFL

I will be there, and looking forward to meeting the other sandbox members. Sorry that not everyone can make it :-(

Another 'regretfully decline' from Florida -- we were in town last week.

Rob in PCB -- still trying to figure out where you are.

I plan to be there with my long-suffering husband by my side. RtSO, please accompany Book!

No, thank you. I'm much easier to deal with pixellated .

I'd love to come along, but I've only commented once. Is there a minimum prior comment quantity required to attend? :)

According to Special Rule on Contribution or Submission for Attendance at any Official or Un-official Gathering, Party, Get Together, or Drink Fest of the Sandbox, Section 47, Chapter 83, Part III, Subsection B3xii, Line 22-24 (version VII dated 27-8-07) 'Admission to any Gathering of the Sandbox shall be limited (unless an exception is granted, upon application in proper form) to any reader who has submitted a comment a minimum of once, or in the alternative, thought (even in passing) about making a comment ...' So, Kat, it does appear that you have met the minimum submission requirement for the Sandbox gathering: COME ON DOWN.

I have another committment on Saturday but if at all possible I am going to try to at least stop by.

I so wish I could come to meet the regulars...and for brunch at Kooper's. Unfortunately, I'll be tearing up the Thomas the Train Engine show/ride/exhibit (honestly, I'm not even sure what it is) at the B&O Museum.

Next one!

Kat, please come if you feel you belong in this particular sandbox! I don't think we're very big on rules and minimum requirements, except a certain baseline of civility.

Ms. Regina and Ms. Pollard, other commitments are a pain. I've just realised this week that the Met is broadcasting to a theatre (not so) near you. [Plug for really nice shows, if you love opera, or want to be introduced at a decent price] And the encore on Sunday is only showing out of state (Tysons Corner closest and my passport is not current.) Life is just not fair.

I'm planning on being there (assuming that I survive the Bagel-fuls taste test).

I'm among those with other Saturday morning commitments. Darn it! But if the next sandbox session is set for a weeknight, count me in.

RtSO - How very "by the Book" of you to remind Kat of Robert's Rules of Order (and I include all of us Robs/Roberts in that). However, does your other post mean that you will be eschewing the Sandbox Gig in favor of the piped-in operacast?

As of this writing, kids, we have 8 yeas, 1 maybe, and 8 respectfully declineds. Not bad and it's only Tuesday. Waiting to hear from Mr. Sessa.

Can't quite make it from Atlanta, but I'll be there in spirit.

ACK!!! I wasn't keeping up with the party and didn't know it was rescheduled. Now I've gone and made plans for this Saturday. *le sigh* And I love Kooper's, they have my favorite single malt.

Will ponder if plans can be rearranged and then update.

Can't quite make it from Atlanta

Makes me think we won't be a very 'Large' group (yea, I know married name and all that, but the pun won't work if I'm too by Book).

Although my soul may well burn in Hell, the Sandbox will, in all likelihood, trump live opera. (Oh that seems so wrong.)

Although my soul may well burn in Hell, the Sandbox will, in all likelihood, trump live opera. (Oh that seems so wrong.)

You'll have to come, RtSO, or Book will be telling all kinds of tales on you.

The only way you'll get me there is if you say my name three times, like in Beetlejuice.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=uXn-uu18TDc

Seriously though I might be at JMU visiting my little sister Rachel.

I'll have my secretary check my schedule and post a reply as soon as possible.

(In case you're wondering, I dictate these comments to my secretary, who types them into the 'post a comment' box).

Don't believe anything Book says: its all stories.

Sam: I'm not falling for that old trick again. The first - and last - time I said the B name three times, I ended up dressed like Sylvia Sidney for Halloween, complete with smoke coming out of my slit neck. God only knows what would happen if I said your name three times.

It's OK, Piano Rob. I said it and nothing happe

We should all make nametags so we can identify each other. Although, on second thought...

Yes, I've had those second thoughts as well, Susan. Maybe we should all carry props. We'll know RtSO by his Book. Maybe I'll carry cream puffs.

Will Hal VoR be there?

Sorry missing it- Back in PA and in my sister-on-law wedding

Will Hal VoR be there?

No, like Lissa, "I'm much easier to deal with pixellated". :-)

I'm an introverted feline person, and all of you extroverted canine people are scary.

And even if I did have the nerve to come, I have two gigs this weekend and don't have time.

Well, I guess it would be too obvious if I carried a rose.

I have to go to a wedding. Hal, you could always go and lurk. No one would know it was you! Unless, of course you had to jump in to be the voice of reason. I hope I can make it to the next one, and I hope Hal can too.

Rose, no. Christmas tree sled ornament.

Rosebud - You had me doing a spit take with my coffee when I read your post about Sessa's name three times and you apparently poofed away from your keyboard to ether hell. I'm glad you're back.

Lioness - Remember that there is a readily available pic of Hal with his mandolin on the Web.

As I type this at 0815 Wednesday, I count 8 yeas and 2 maybes (with Sessa a so-so [not so-and-so]). If the guest list remains under 12-18, I suggest that we reserve a table. Friday morning I will call to make the reservation and it will be under the name SANDBOX. That way we won't need props or name tags; we'll just join the table and introduce ourselves.

FYI - I will probably be there well before 1130 because of my need to take a #3 bus to connect with a #21 - and, yes, I'll be wearing a MKE Brewers ballcap that I will remove at table.

This is going to be great and I expect to be laughing aplenty as I do here in the Sandbox. Sure wish the Queen could join us.

I'd love to come, but I have some interesting and fun work to do for the NFL Draft. A bloody would kick start the day though....

Next time, count me in.

I would love to come and meet all the other colorful bloggers I've come to know and love reading, but I will be at the Shock Trauma gala Saturday night.

I'll be looking forward to reading the posts after the get together!

Hal, who says we are all extroverted canine people? Can't you tell I'm quite shy and introverted and very much a feline type? ^^

Shock Trauma gala? That sounds a lot more exciting than it probably actually is...

Good morning, Sandbox. As of this writing we have 9 folks ready to brunch tomorrow: Rosebud, Alan, Susan, Dahlink (and husband), RtSO, Kat and hmpstead. There are two or three maybes. Unless we hear from other members of the sociey, I shall call Kooper's and reserve a table for twelve under the name Sandbox. Don't forget: the meeting begins at 1130AM.

Oops - I forgot to list myself - 'duh' on me, or would that be "d'oh!"

Sandboxers: The reservations have been made for tomorrow, Saturday, April 26, 1130AM, Kooper's Tavern (address above). The reservation is for 12 (twelve) individuals but if more show up I'm sure there'll be room. Tell the host/ess that the reservation is under the name SANDBOX. Bring digital things to snap pics for the Queen.

Party Plans Alert

Just saying Hi so this will get into the most recent comments group so all interested parties can see the party plans.

Rosebud - It's up to u to chair the first meeting of the Sandbox in public. I am off to Richmond VA for a piano (imagine that) gig. I hope and trust that plans will be in motion for the next meeting.

Gosh, I wish I could be with all of you!

Well, I was there, with Long Suffering Husband, but there was no sign of my virtual twin Rosebud. Sniff! It was nice getting to meet Kat, Robert from Cross Keys, Robert the Single One (and Book, of course), Mr. Old Fart (who was hard to miss with his t-shirt that said "That's Mr. Old Fart to you," and Brave hmpstd, who carried an empty box of those "bagelful-of-its."

Rosebud, you got some 'splainin' to do!

I am so sorry for missing our first meetup today! I just got home from being at GBMC all night with my daughter and granddaughter. My granddaughter had a high fever yesterday evening and had a seizure at about 11:30 last night.

Her temperature is down now and she seems to be fine and they sent them home.

Please forgive me for missing meeting all of you.

See other threads: If you are to believe the parents of small children, we don't like them[small children] (except with a nice sauce.) So, a sick child is not an excuse for missing a meeting. High fever, seizure, so?

Book ask that I add that it had a wonderful time, finally getting to eat with someone other than me. It seems the others are better companions.

[Book better be careful, it can become a circulating library copy, easily.]

Rosebud, I'm so sorry about your granddaughter--very scary. But we missed you!

Rosebud, I'm glad to hear that your granddaughter seems to be better now. We went through febrile seizures with our (then) infant son, and it can be daunting and scary. He's 35 now and doesn't seem much the worse for it.

We'll see you at the next meeting.

My daughter and I were exhausted. My granddaughter, or the other hand was running around and full of energy all day yesterday. Completely back to normal.

And, thanks everyone, for your kind words and thoughts.

will there be a report of the party forthcoming? pics? a review of Kooper's brunch? stories of outrageous Book antics?

Rosebud, glad to read that your granddaughter seems to be recovering well.