We can't let all those east coasters beat us out. One of the many things Texans are best at is getting together to shoot the breeze.

Here's the question: Are any of you interested in a get together. I think it would be interesting to meet some of you face-to-face. We might even be able to arrange some extra-interest item. (I just finished reading a post about Howard Garrett - don't know if he might be available. But someone like that is what I had in mind.)

I see it as some saturday or sunday and some bar-b-que joint. Time and place to be deterimned.

I'll watch the answers for interest. If you are interested, let me know what large city you are nearest so that I can sort of rough out where would be the most central point. Myself - Ft. Worth.

Opinions on place (city and Bar-b-que joint) are welcome.

And I guess we might as well let any of you Oakies out there come on down if you want to (somebody has to bear the brunt of all the jokes - so we'd really appreciate it if at least *one* Oakie would show up. We'll draw you a map and furnish you with a passport and probably even buy your lunch.)

While we're being so neighborly we might allow a few Cajuns too. Although I for one ain't gonna try to feed no Cajuns. Tried that once and like to went broke.

If any of you would rather reply privately, I can be reached at: ol_grey_bear@yahoo.com

Anyway, whatchall think?

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), April 29, 1999

Answers

BTW, I'd like to do it pretty soon before it gets too hot, say, some time in May.

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), April 29, 1999.

Greybear,

I think that would be great, but alas I am an Okie now, but I used to live in the great state of TEXAS. Don't mess with TEXAS.

I'm in OKC, so it would have to be a detailed map, as I only know San Antonio, and that is a little far for me for a weekend trip.

When you find out something, post here and I will see what the work schedule looks like. We almost have to die to even get a day off now, do to our schedules for Y2K. Don't even ask about the rollover.

-- (cannot-say@this.time), April 29, 1999.

Greybear,

One suggestion: Cowtown in Ft. Worth....

--- got calf fries?

or Sundance Square - can't remember b-b-q place but there's a nice one on some corner there.

Of course, Angeleno's has the best bbq but it's not open that late or is that, uh, well, nice.

Another idea but probably not too practical is Cowboy Hall of Fame in OKC. They have a great buffet and meeting rooms but most of exhibit of tack and memorabilia will not be on display until they get redesigning an old Western town replica - sometime in June or July. We went this last weekend. Husband was disappointed because they didn't have enough saddles & spurs but I loved the paintings.

-- texan (bullseye@ranch.com), April 29, 1999.

texan,

Can't do Angelos - period.

Every time I go in there I eat myself into a coma.

Foatwoath is good (I grew up within a mile of Exchange and in my younger and stupider years was throw out of almost ever bar there at one time or another).

I would like to see what might be more central to all that are interested and could show up.

You didn't give me an area where you're from.

Sure hope we can get some of the Pollys to show up - that would make for a lively lunch.

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), April 29, 1999.

Greybear,

Correction: "Angelo's" not Angeleno's (a great Mexican restaurant in Flower Mound)

Location: Sherman or N. Dallas area

-- texan (bullseye@ranch.com), April 29, 1999.

DO IT! Greybear, good for you! BigDog, Puddintame, The Hungarian and I really did have a good time meeting each other and it's VERY good for the soul and intellect to be able to sit around and BS without measuring words or whispering! (Except for BigDog, who's an Easterner, the rest of us are Mid-Atlanteans/South-Easterners.)

Hint: choose as a venue a business hotel where the coffee shop or restaurant is practically empty after about 9 a.m. Then the staff doesn't mind you lingering over breakfast and lots of pots of coffee. (Check to make sure there's no Shriner's Convention or anything!) Plus you have comfortable chairs or booths (okay, Puddintame, so you got that seat with the springs gone, 'swhat happens to the last to arrive!) and surroundings a bit more conducive to chatting than, say, the decor at the usual fast-food or breakfast place.

Okay, so you said BBQ joint--see if they have a private room for y'all to meet in. Doesn't do to have a bunch of DGI's eavesdropping, and you know what the odds are. . . As for feeding Cajuns, absolutely right! But try to keep them in drink and you'll never recover your financial stability.

Really, y'all, make an effort to do this. You'll be so glad you did. And what about those in other areas?

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), April 29, 1999.

Though once I called Plano home, alas I find myself much too distant to attend.

I'll consider myself to be with y'all there in spirit.

I'd appreciate an appropriate toast of decibel crushing flatulence to be an honor of acknowlegement of all us legume lovers that cannot be with you all there.

I shall Rrrriiipp one here for y'all on the occassion of your event.

...I got no dog to blame...just chickens.

SALUTE!!

-- INVAR (gundark@sw.nete), April 29, 1999.

Greybear...

There are a couple of places here in Austin that are worth considering...for bbq, the "Salt Lick" ...for an all nighter, Katz's deli...and there is all kind's of good Tex-Mex

Houston or Dallas areas would work, also...

Texas Terri...

-- Texas Terri (DeepInTheHeart@Texas.com), April 29, 1999.

Hi Greybear! I can tell you're in NORTH Texas!! :-) It was 93 here today.

I would love to join the party! Problem with May, though. We are getting ready to leave for a 3 week vacation. Heading to Banff, Canada! :-) Will be going to Oklahoma in July, though. (Family reunion at Robber's cave for you Okies who know where that is.)

I will keep an eye on this thread to see what transpires. Hoping to get to talk to Robert Cook here in Houston right before we take off. He will be in Houston all next week on business. :-)

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), April 29, 1999.

Though I still have Texas tags on my bus, I don't live there anymore (*sob*).

However, I think I have the most fair place for you to meet - my old stomping ground TERLINGUA!

It's far away from EVERYBODY! And is very nice this time of year. Though in June, you can fry an egg in your refrigerator. If you go there, meet a La Kiva, it's built underground, and a nice place to ruminate.

Jolly for Texas

-- Jollyprez (jolly@prez.com), April 29, 1999.

I'm on the same horse as Texas Terry. I would do Austin. Katz's or one of those micro-beer joints in downtown Austin. Copper tank or anywhere in the area. I'll buy the first pitcher of pale ale.

Sincerely, Feller

-- Feller (feller@wanna.help), April 29, 1999.

Yall pick the spot and the day, I'll do my best to be there. Be coming from Longview.

-- Nikoli Krushev (doomsday@y2000.com), April 29, 1999.

Greybear - sounds great! Would even get this long time lurker out to meet y'all. Commin' from North of Cow Town but driving further is not a problem. You pick it and I'll try to be there.

Jim

-- Jim (jimed@chatter.com), April 29, 1999.

Great idea! I vote for Austin, but Ft. Worth is possible. I'm sort of in between - in the middle of nowhere. May won't work for me, though. Taking maybe my last vacation and have lots of weekend commitments. If I can't come, I'll be thinking of y'all.

-- ben (benalurker@usa.net), April 29, 1999.

I like Texas Terri's idea at the Salt Lick, it's located more toward the middle (the good part) of the state.

Does DFW have any worthwhile BBQ brisket? Isn't Dallas in a dry county?

-- Mike T. (anita_martini@hotmail.com), April 29, 1999.

Mrs Driver and I are SERIOUSLY considering the possibility of "poppin' down to Holtam" to see her step-dad (err he's the guy she calls dad.....ooops) as I guess he has asked the family to come down before he shuffles off the coil, so to speak. The brother in law lives near the lake in Holtam. If you folks set a time and a place that someone can get to without driving for a week (understand now, I DO drive for a living and consider Cleveland to Pittsburg to be a couple hour jaunt), we might be able to schedule something to do a couple birds with one stone.

Just include real detailed instructions, as the bride DOES navigate fairly well, for a ***loc (fill in your own choice Middle European ethnic slurrable), but it's gotta be real clear. Her husband, OTOH, just starts out and sez, "Got a map, how hard can it be?" LOL

Chuck, a night driver

-- chuck, a Night Driver (rienzoo@en.com), April 29, 1999.

Ok, I'm sure you'd get support for this...

How about a tailgate party in one of the parking lots on the SMU campus?

Been gone too long (TJ68)

~C~

-- Critt Jarvis (middleground@critt.com), April 30, 1999.

Greybear, In Denton...30 miles from FT.Worth...but Austin is OK too. We have other friends there we could see at the same time. Would love to meet some of the faces that go with the voices. And I think ole Git is right it would be good for all of us. Don't have a vacation planned yet so May or June is OK...although if you go for June we should try the first half...by mid June, you know it'll be a sweat box!

-- Shelia (Shelia@a.com), April 30, 1999.

correction: I meant I'm in Denton...Ft.Worth or Austin would be good.

-- Shelia (Shelia@a.com), April 30, 1999.

Hey, if you guys show up in Fort Worth I'll come have a visit with everybody, I'm pretty close to there. Let us know Greybear.

PJ in TX

-- PJ Gaenir (fire@firedocs.com), April 30, 1999.

Real happy to see all y'alls responses. But, I think I may have made a strategic error. Texas may be too big for all of us to get together at once. I didn't think there were that many of us here.

We might have to do this MORE than once ! ! !

Looks like we might be able to have a North Texas AND a South (ok - central) Texas. Lets see how it shakes out. I'll keep collecting comments for another day or so.

And to correct the understanding about THE rib joint in Ft. Worth, it is Angelos. Ben there since Hitler was a corporal and I ain' t never heard anybody who would (out in public) disagree that it's the best rib joint in town. They usually have to hose me down when I'm done. One time back in my hungry years (when I did real work for a living) it took 3 pickups just to haul off the bones when I left.

-----------------------

Responses to Individuals:

Chuck - When are you planning your trip?

Jollyprez - You're right Terlingua IS the home of the spirit of eating in Texas (for y'all that don't know, it's the home of THE chilli cookoff in THE chilli state)

Mike T. - Dallas - a dry county? Only in spirit, son, only in spirit.

Critt - A tailgate party would suit me just fine. I'd prefer some place where we could at least set out under the trees. As some wag once said: there's only two kinds that like to eat outdoors: dogs and Texans. I fear the SMU campus may have gone a little to upscale for this ol country boy. How about the shady shores of one of the lakes?

INVAR - Rest assured that no barbeque meal is complete without the requisite beans. We'll be loaded and ready to fire a salute to you. I will take it as a personal chalange to practice up.

Gala - It was 93 degrees today ! Like I said, I'd like to do it before it gets hot. On the other hand there is something to be said for a good hot (say 106 or 108) day when you can set in the shade of Mesquite trees and pull on a Dos Equies with lime and salt. You are more or less forced to drink pretty steady just to keep up with the perspiration. (Only, of course, when I have a designated driver.) Throw in some chili and the necessity level approaches an emergency.

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), April 30, 1999.

Live in OKC, might take you up on that free lunch. Ft. Worth-Dallas is good for me. You call it, I'll be there.

-- Paladin (HaveGun@Will.Travel), April 30, 1999.

Greybear, any chance to have a Houston get-together?

-- Buffalo Bob (buff@hal.com), April 30, 1999.

I can do both the big D and Austin..... Hey! Come out to my place at Lake Travis. Great big waterfront park w/massive BBQ pits - tease: caught a 2 lb black bass last Saturday - and a good playground if'n ya got kiddos.

-- Lisa (lisa@work.now), April 30, 1999.

Count me in, Greybear. I'm in East Texas, but Dallas is just a coupla hours away.

-- Vic (Roadrunneris@compliant.com), April 30, 1999.

Greybear,

Fantastic idea! Ft. Worth would be excellent for me as I live about 85 miles west of you. I would like to be able to put faces with all of the familiar names. What fun! Nothing like a bunch of Texans getting together to "shoot the breeze". May or June is fine except for the fourth weekend of the month when hubby has drill. I want him to meet ya'll too. Keep us posted.

-- Sharon (sking@drought-ridden.com), April 30, 1999.

Hey Greybear,

Sounds like a winner to me! I'm in the Panhandle of Texas and Ft. Worth would be the easiest for me to reach, but I'm an ol' Austin gal and will be glad to make that one too. Just firm up the dates pretty soon, cuz I'll be making other traveling plans for the summer and dont want to miss this "get-together".

-- Cary Mc from Tx (Caretha@compuserve.com), April 30, 1999.

Hello All! I am in SW Oklahoma and could make it to Ft. Worth.... if I can find someone to take care of my baby chicks, which are now 1 week old. Late May to Mid June would be best for me. Hope it works out!!

-- jeanne (jeanne@hurry.now), April 30, 1999.

I'm in Dallas and can do a Fort Worth meeting.

-- Tod (muhgi@yahoo.com), April 30, 1999.

Will be in Houston Sunday (late) through midday Friday - need to get back here to setup another jazz concert for the high school late Friday. Otherwise have no evening appointments or meetings scheduled.

Can't promise anything about reliability of reading email while there, but we (the guy I'm traveling with) will try to get msg's using the regular account nbr below. (I've been testing software too long to believe anything will work as expected first time - particularly at a remote site on unknown software in a new hookup!) so until I see it actually happen, I don't believe it....but one can always hope for success.)

Try to schedule supper someplace; or several suppers; or a couple of lunches, a few suppers, one or two breakfasts....heck, I've always said I'm skinny, but I never said I wasn't hungry.

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), April 30, 1999.

Gayla,

I can't make Houston this week, could you grab the ball on this week?

To All,

It looks like we have a date for one North Texas meeting. I got private email from a couple in Florida who are coming through N TX on the weekend of May 22nd. They are going to stop off in East TX to see Nicoli and also have communicated with someone else in OK.

Looks like it might be a good time. So I think we'll try to get together somewhere up here for at least those who could make that. Lets call the place as somewhere north of I-20 and east of I-35 for now and narrow it down in a couple of days.

For all those who could make a North Texas meet on the weekend of May 22nd, would a Sat or Sun be better? I'll post the final spot here on this thread AND send it privately to all who send me email at ol_grey_bear@yahoo.com

BTW, Gayla, I owe you an appology. When you said it was 93 where you were I sort of mocked you when I alluded to the fact that that was not really all that hot. After re-reading you post I realized that you are in Houston. If it's already 93 in Houston there is only one thing for you to do - FLEE FOR YOU LIFE. I've been in Houston when it's double 95 (95 degrees and 95 percent humidity). I know and sympathize. I'm convinced that the climate in Houston was one of Gods jokes that didn't quite come off and that he never really intended humans to live there. FLEE before it's too late. I appologize most sincerly for my lack of understanding and sensitivity.

- Greybear

-- Got Sensitivity Training?

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), April 30, 1999.

That's OK, Greybear! I didn't take it the wrong way, and it does get a LOT hotter here in the summer! :-)

Got ice cubes???

PS- Robert, I sent you an email!!!

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), April 30, 1999.

Put me down as preferring the Dallas-Ft.Worth area or east of there. I live in Marshall, TX

Gerald

-- Gerald R. Cox (grcox@internetwork.net), April 30, 1999.

Pop to the top for one more round.

Then we'll decide tomorrow on the exact spot.

Still haven't heard any opinions on Sat or Sun.

Will probably go with Sat if no objections.

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), May 01, 1999.

Sat. May 22nd is fine with me.

-- Paladin (HaveGun@Will.Travel), May 03, 1999.

OK, everybody. May 22 it is.

I've got a few spots picked and want to go check out the facilities this week to make sure they are acceptable, open the correct hours, can produce coffee by the gallon, have unpealable paint on the walls, etc.

Will pos the exact spot in a few days.

I haven't got and exact count yet but it looks like we may have as many a 16-18 folks.

Already got a chance to meet face to face with one of you guys. PJ and hubby met with me and MommaBear yesterday afternoon and had a great time.

Looking forward to meeting the rest of you.

-Greybear

-- Got Caffeine?

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), May 03, 1999.

Sorry if I have caused some confusion here. I thought this thread had dropped into the archives. Anyway, I have started a new thread with the directions to the place to meet. The title starts the same as this one ...Calling All Texans.

Check out the directions and hope to see all of you there. If anyone needs anything else drop me a note at ol)grey_bear@yahoo.com.

At my present success rate (since I couldn't find this thread earlier) I better go back and print out my own instructions so I can find the BBQ joint!

-Greybear

--Got Powers of Observation (like, can you find your own threads?, what a duff!)

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), May 04, 1999.