posted
His royal Bobfulness, Doctor Scopatz, is going to be in our neck of the woods for the express purpose of visiting my wife and child. I get to attend, as well. And Mama and Mooselet figured if they'd be opening it up to riff-raff like me, then all Hatrackers should be welcome.
Thus, we're gonna schedule another Shinda, and we're hoping many of you can make the trek. Camarillo is north and/or west of L.A., depending on one's specific location, and it's anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours away. We're targetting Saturday the 18th of October (sorry, rivka), but if nobody can make it then we might be able to shift it to the 19th instead.
We don't have a waterslide, but I'm willing to clear out the mess in the garage and level the pool table, and we can make housing available for people who would rather spend the night than drive home. The bar is fairly well-stocked, though not as organized as some, and I don't know how to make Gentlemandove's "Secret Schnockering Fruit Punch." We'll try to make something other than alcohol available, too.
So can anyone make it, or do we get Bob all to ourselves? As you can see, it's a win-win for us.
--Pop
[Edit -- thread title.]
[ September 25, 2003, 11:01 PM: Message edited by: Papa Moose ]
Posts: 6213 | Registered: May 2001
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posted
Pop...I will try my best to make it. Darn it, things just keep coming up and I keep just missing the So-Cal get-togethers. But I can do Camarillo (as you said in another thread, it's really just a hop, skip, and a jump from me), I need to get away, the weather will be cooler (we can only hope, although I know through experience how hot it can get in your neck of the woods in October) and I've got nothing else planned for that weekend. Additionally, I'll make sure the for-emergencies-only credit card can handle a tank of gas or so for the trip. (This is an emergency, isn't it? Just nod politely and say yes .)
Posts: 2454 | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Rivka, sorry you won't be able to make it. Littlemiss, I hope you will be able to make it. Of course, I'm still hoping there's something to make it to. Where's the crew? C'mon, folks, don't make Bob feel bad....
posted
Okay guys, I think that there's somewhere around 73% chance I can be at this one.
For those of you who care (if indeed there is any), I'm still here (In NY) because I decided to clear up some legal issues. It was supposed to take a week tops, but now a month later and theres been very little progress.
But, if I am here much longer, I will leave anyway, legal system be damned.
So, baring a nuclear strike, severe head injury, or an act of God (my ex-girlfriend), I will be out there in time for this get together.
Posts: 5656 | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
Pop...Just keep the thread visible. They'll all wake up and realize that it is Bob we're talking about here. Not to mention, of course, you and Mama and the Mooselet.
I mean, it is Thursday, after all - the day the average person just zones out for a bit as a hard week comes to an end.
posted
Usually I say I'll try to go to these things but end up not being able to come, but those two days I actually already know. My brother's getting married on the 18th and I have to give a talk/presentation on the 19th.
Sorry to miss Bob, but I do hope to see everybody else in Pasadena.
Posts: 1894 | Registered: Aug 2000
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posted
Bumping to front page, and status update. All information subject to change.
Mark your calendars. "Shinda V -- The Search for Bob" is gonna be on Saturday the 18th of October at "The House of Squirrel and Moose", let's say we'll start at 1-2ish, but show up when you like. We'll have lots of snack food, a pretty decently-stocked bar, and an assortment of soft drinks (nothing like Ladydove's assortment, though). If you want beer, bring it, because if we get it it sits in our house forever.
We figured we could grill burgers and/or hot dogs for dinner if folks like, but that's certainly flexible. Housing arrangements can be provided for anyone who needs to stay the night (after some number of people those arrangements involve the word "floor" though). Children under eleven eat free!
Chris, I'm still waiting on your answer. I hope as many people as possible can make it. I can't even hope to be anywhere near as welcoming and congenial a host as Ladydove, but she'll be here, too, so it's ok. She'll make you feel comfortable.
There's a rumor that OSC himself may attend this Shinda. However, I just started the rumor myself, right now, and I don't think it has any real basis in fact (though he and any family members would certainly be welcome if they happen to be in the SoCal area at the time, hint hint -- you can even have the king-size bed).
If anyone attending has particular dietary needs or requests, let us know and we will do our best to accomodate you.
I know there are SoCal'ers who have not spoken up, and have not attended any Shindae in the past. Please know that you are more than welcome. As we get closer to the date, I can send directions to all who have expressed interest.
posted
Can I eat with the utensils that Alvin used on his visit?
By the way, when Alvin visited Moose and Squirrel, did he bring the rest of the Chipmunks?
THEODORE!!!!
Anyway, I'm very excited. My only dietary requirement is having diet soda there. I'm not picky about brands, just so long as it isn't TAB.
And, for that matter, I can bring stuff. I don't show up to people's houses without bringing SOMETHING, so you might as well tell me what it is you would want me to contribute. Desert? Wine? Croutons? You name it!
use the new e-mail: bscopatz@data-nexus.com
I haven't changed it on the profile yet...I hope to have my new personal one up and running soon and I'll keep you posted.
Posts: 22497 | Registered: Sep 2000
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quote:By the way, when Alvin visited Moose and Squirrel, did he bring the rest of the Chipmunks?
THEODORE!!!!
I used to drive by a place called the Chipmunk Ranch every day on the way to school. I never realized, until I ran on on to a Trivial Pursuit question about it, that the ranch had actually been owned by Ross Bagdasarian (sp?) (AKA David Seville), who created those Chipmunks. I mean, it makes sense - he was from Fresno, after all, but I had never made the connection before that.
Besides creating Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, Bagdasarian also played the Songwriter in "Rear Window". He was a cousin of writer William Saroyan, also a Fresno native. The two of them wrote the song "Come On-a My House", Rosemary Clooney's signature song.
None of this has anything to do with the gala at the Moose house on the 18th. But I saw your comment, Bob, and the trivia just started flowing out of my poor, allergy-addled brain, and I had to share. Posts: 2454 | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Ok, today was Mama Squirrel's baby shower, so the house is relatively clean (because we cleaned up for the party -- we didn't put the guests to work or anything). You'd think a crowd of women would be able to mess the place up again, but no. It's still presentable. Hopefully we'll be able to keep that up for two more weeks, at which time we hope to see as many Hatrackers as possible. And even if the place has gotten messed up, we still won't put you to work.
Bob, we don't require you to bring anything, but if you do, please bring anything other than candles. I'm all for dessert as an option, if that works with your travel schedule and planning abilities, but you honestly don't need to bring a thing. And for diet drinks, we always seem to have root beer and Dr. Pepper available -- is either of those acceptable? If you want something else, let us know. And anyone else please feel free as well.
Saxon -- I thought that seemed the most appropriate pluralization. Or at least the most fun.
posted
Bump for recognition purposes, but things are looking a bit grim. So far, Bob is the only one from whom I have a definite. Well, a definite yes, anyway. Plenty of people giving a definite no.
posted
If people want to switch to Sunday, I can flip-flop my weekend plans. I need one day in Laguna Beach with my best friend from grade school on...then one day in Moose country.
Whatever works!!!
Or, I'll just have fun with Moose & Squirrel & offspring!
I even tried to find an Orthodox Jewish community in walking distance. There isn't one -- not even a little one. Any other weekend, I'd take a hotel room nearby and walk, but Sunday is Simchas Torah -- once a year holiday, and I really need to be near a synagogue for Sunday morning.
Any other week, I'd be jumping up and down at the idea of switching it to Sunday.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
rivka, if we forcibly stuff you in a car and DRIVE you to the synagogue, does that still violate the rules???
Just a thought.
Well...okay...I just like the idea of forcibly tying people up and dumping them in front of religious institutions. But if I can help you out at the same time, it's kind of a win-win situation...
posted
I haven't received your e-mail, but I'll send you my info nonetheless.
As to the party -- is anyone coming? Or should we just plan to hang with Bob for the day? We'd love for people to be here (though we're not forcing anyone), but we don't want to plan snacks and dinner for a bunch of people and end up force-feeding it all to Bob.
It's not too late for us to alter our plans to have it Sunday -- heck, I can wangle the date change into an inability to do yardwork that weekend, which is a definite plus in my book -- but I don't know if it's too late for Bob. He probably told me in the e-mail. Will that net us more folk anyway?
Well, here's what happened. The "best friend from grade school" and I finally connected. He's out of town UNTIL the 19th (Sunday) so that's the first possible day to see him
Since it is also the LAST possible day to see him according to my schedule (I have to be in Santa Barbara with family on Monday), there was no alternative but to allocate the 19th to him.
The plan, so far, is to drive from San Fran to Santa Barbara on the 17th. Get to Moose & Squirrel's house on the 18th. Play all day.
Sometime that night (and it can actually be late), I'll drive to Laguna Niguel and spend that night there.
(I was assuming that I wasn't going to spend the night at the Moose Lodge...)
So, that's the story.
How's all day on the 18th sound?
Papa Moose -- we could actually meet at Sambo's. I practically grew up there. It was our hang out after "jamming" until the wee hours. That one by the Beach is pretty amazing, and was the scene of many an escapade that ought not be mentioned on a family forum such as this. Suffice it to say that fake English accents used to be worth something in Santa Barbara.
I also ended my bachelor party at that Sambo's!!!
:yikes:
Anyway, let's figure out what time we can connect up and where.
I'm leaving for Stone Mountain, GA in the morning, but will be able to retrieve e-mails and I printed out your phone number. I'll send you mine (if I haven't already...)
(By the way, it does appear that very few others will be joining us. I'm sorry I won't get to meet you all this trip, but I'm sure we'll have other opportunities in the future.)
And if you ARE going to make it to Moose's, you'd better tell him soon!!! We're going to make plans that don't include anyone and then it'll be like "hey, what're you doing here? Did you make a reservation???" And it'll be like "there's not enough food!" And then it'll be like "hey, let's all go to Sambo's!!!"
posted
Im sorry Papa Moose but i wont be able to make it. I got put in chargte of diricting my wards part of a road show and we need to practice on saturday.
posted
Well...sit back and listen a spell as I weave the tale of my visit to the Inn of the Moose & Squirrel. It was one of those beautiful fall days that can only be found on the coast of Southern California. Things just seem a little brighter here, you know? I was driving along wondering what possessed me to do the trip from San Jose to Camarillo in one fell swoop, and also to stop off in Santa Barbara for a too-heavy lunch.
I was also a man on a mission. The mission was to find a jar of salsa worthy of whatever chips Papa Moose might have lying around at the Inn. I followed the secret directions and then drove a ways to the South looking for an open store that wasn't affected by the California grocery strike. Finally found a place and bought some brand-name salsa and Queso dip then back-tracked North to get to the street served by the Inn.
I was pulling the necessary bags out of the trunk when I felt that strange feeling you get when you get strange feelings. Was someone watching me? I turned to see a giant moose -- at least I think it was a moose, and a very pregnant squirrel holding a mooselet. It was a weird moment. I had my "unmentionables" sticking out of my suitcase and a digital camera hanging from my hand. I thought I'd never get all this junk into the Inn. Then the moose came up and actually spoke to me!!!
"You must be Bob," said the Moose.
"Say 'Hi Bob,'" Mama Squirrel said to Mooselet in a low stage whisper.
"Hi Bob!!!!!" Mooselet said with about as much enthusiasm as a New York Yankees home crowd had when they beat Boston earlier in the week.
I felt loved. And wanted. And not in that bad sense that makes you hide your tattoos and other distinguishing marks. I was home.
The Inn is located in an enchanted cul-de-sac just a stone's catapult-style launch from the main N/S artery in town. But if you didn't know the place was here, you'd never find it. That's part of the enchantment.
Moose and Squirrel are the perfect hosts. And I do mean perfect. They have enough computers available so all present can play Solitaire or get on Hatrack. They have lots and lots of toys to play with, as long as you are over 2 years old. They know how to bake and serve a fine chocolate cake. They have a choice of guest rooms.
I opted for the "nursery." This is where the new baby is supposed to go, when he is not going in his diapers. Or rather, when he's not sleeping in the drawer of his Mama's desk at the office where she works when she isn't at home preparing for the arrival of important guests at the Inn.
Now, there is another room they could put you up in. It has a huge barn door for an entrance. That's because it is, basically, a barn. Except that instead of animals, the room contains lots of exercise equipment and a snow shovel. The two are equally used.
There are no windows.
This is where they held old Aunty Tilde whenver she would have one of her "spells."
I was glad to have the nursery. Even if I did get crib sheets on my bed...this was the place for me.
After dumping the luggage, we grabbed the kid and hitched the team to the family mini-wagon. Headed on down to a "Texas" themed restaurant. The theme involves, mainly, large food. Really really large food.
Back at the Inn, we scarfed down some chocolate cake -- homemade.
Caramel frosting.
Okay, so I found from the staff that this cake was made by Mama Squirrel from a recipe she got either from her neighbor Betty Crocker or from the forest-dweller, Duncan Hines.
At any rate, the cake was wonderful. I had it with a couple of scoops of premium vanilla.
Then we all slept. I snored. Mooselet slept through banging his head into the wall 3x!!!
When we all awoke, it was time for some heartfelt "till I see you again's" and some "here have a bunch of stuff for breakfast"
The basics of the visit are as follows:
Bob- too sleepy for words, but overall I'd give the visit a ten out of ten. We never did open the jars of salsa and queso sauce.
Mama Squirrel is the gold standard in raising children.
Mooselet learned to say "Hatrack" before he could say "cookie" or "box cutter." Yes, he IS that smart.
Mooselet was feeling much more like himself when I got there. He's got LOTS of energy and he wasn't slowed down one bit as a result of his various surgeries and "snipping."
That's really about it. The cake was expertly decorated with the following: Shinda V.
posted
Well, it ain't over yet, since Mooselet and I are meeting Bob for breakfast this morning (yes, Sambo's), but Bob, being the humble reserved man we all know and love, did leave out a couple of things.
He brought a gift for Mooselet as well -- a small stuffed lion, possibly named Cliff. Mooselet loves him, and we'll try to get a photo of one of the many times he hugs and/or kisses the lion.
The other thing that Mooselet really loved was Bob. I mean, everyone who has met Mooselet knows what a dear (not deer!) he is, and that he takes pretty well to everyone, but I have never seen him so quick to adore a guest. He was climbing in Bob's lap, asking Bob to read books for him, and quite frequently grabbing the sides of Bob's face, pulling him near, and giving him big kisses and hugs.
The main time spent was simply chatting, and it was wonderful. Bob is as gracious in person as he is at Hatrack, and we had a wonderful afternoon and evening spending time with him. Bob, you're welcome back any time, and if the new baby still needs the nursery, well there's always Aunt Tilde's room (and where did you come up with that name?), or you can sleep on the pool table. Though it's still not leveled, but it's probably close enough that you won't roll off.
posted
I never did find out which room Alvin stayed in...
I also neglected to mention that Moose & Squirrel are brilliant conversationalists and I really look forward to meeting Moose this morning when I've actually had some sleep and can think straight.
The lion in question is from the makers of Cliff notes. I didn't know they made stuffed animals...It's really cool.
I didn't really believe them when they said that Mooselet treated me like I was special. He's such a sweet little guy, I just assumed that he's like that all the time.
He'll get to meet my mom today and I'll bet he drops me like a smelly rag. My mom & kids...they just love her.
Where did I get Aunt Tilde? Dude, you practically YELL in your sleep!
"No, woman! Get back in the BARN!!! Posts: 22497 | Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
I'm glad you all are having good times. I had hoped to get down there last Saturday, but...remember the comment about my emergency credit card? Well, thanks to the soon-to-depart Governor Gray (Davis, of course), I had to put $250 on it to pay my horribly inflated car registration , as other funds were not available. Thus, no gas money was available, and here I was stuck at home instead of meeting the Mooses and Bob the Great.
Posts: 2454 | Registered: Jan 2003
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