CARAVAN

Alright. Here is it if you are interested:

I am leaving before you all tomorrow so I won't actually be there so I'm simply proposing this as a possibility.

Meet up at Rohs Street at 5 in the p.m. It is roughly a three hour drive. If you speed like I do (of course you do) then it will take you just under those three hours. The party starts at 8.

5ish + 3ish = 8! It's like magic!

You can leave from Rohs Street together and thus alleviate any anxiety anyone might have had about if they are, in fact, going the right way.

Sleeping conditions are on Dan's parent's floor so don't bother with tents (I will still bring the 7 man tent should anyone chose to brave it). DO bring sleeping bags and folding chairs and beer (or pop if you don't drink)!

As for Sunday, I don't care when you all chose to leave. That is your choice. There are however a number of people who expressed an interest is leaving early Sunday. These include the McEnany's (7am), Jenny T., and Rachel Robitz. Others have been less clear on times so you all get to work it out amongst yourselves.

I think just about everyone who expressed an interest in coming has my cell phone so feel free to call me should you have any questions. You can also call Dan if you wish.

See you in the middle of a cow pasture.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

I've driven this little leg a number of times and if you need to stop for gas, might I suggest exits 69 and/or 131 (south and north of Columbus, respetively). I'm pretty sure one is a Pilot station and the other a Flying J (haven't a clue which is at which exit) but they tend to have the cheapest gas around.

Now, this isn't entirely infallible but, generally, it does hold true.

DIRECTIONS

I gave up on getting directions from Drew and have thus resorted to Dan who literally lives 2 seconds away from smelly Drew.

And here they be:

- 71 N to Rt 95 - EXIT 151 (Mt Gilead / Fredericktown)

- Turn RIGHT onto Rt 95

- Follow Rt 95 THRU Chesterville and THRU Fredericktown (about 10 miles)

- At the stoplight in Fredericktown, stay STRAIGHT onto E Sandusky St

- E Sandusky St turns into Mt Vernon Ave

- Turn LEFT onto Montgomery Rd (about 1/2 mile from the light)

- Follow Montgomery Rd until it dead ends

- Turn RIGHT onto Old Mansfield Rd

Drew's address is 16169 Old Mansfield Road. It is a cow farm. You will pass nearly his entire farm before you reach his driveway. On your left and right will be fields (I believe of corn or wheat). You will pass a RED barn on your RIGHT and will see a WHITE barn sitting further back.

JUST before the line of trees starts on the RIGHT you will notice a driveway (on the RIGHT). This is Drew's driveway. Turn (RIGHT) onto it. (NOTE: The line of trees start sooner on the LEFT than they do on the RIGHT. Concern yourself with the RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD)

As for parking. There are numerous grassy areas in which to park. DO NOT BLOCK THE DRIVEWAY and don't be a dick and park somebody in because IF you block Rusty (or someone else) in, rather than kindly ask you to move your car he will use his to move it for you.

If you get there after the fire has started simply find your way down the path (there are tire tracks from the tractor) to the LEFT of the house, thru the gates and down to the fire. If you get there early to set up tents... you might want to talk to Drew about where to set them up. Drew is tall and freaking skinny and he has a blond floppy mohawk strip of hair. He thinks he's cool. OH! And a lip ring. And glasses. (Is anyone actually INTERESTED in the tents? I've found four so far. Please let me know by commenting on here)

LADIES!!! This is a F-A-R-M. We will be in a field that is commonly occupied by C-O-W-S. Do yourself a favor and do not wear nice shoes. You will simply ruin them and you may fall and as much as that would delight me and others, it just isn't wise and this party is GOING to be fun, damnit.

That is all.

CORRECTION

Apparently, I was wrong. Knox County isn't dry. It's Fredericktown that is so you will be able to stop at any of the gas stations once you get off 71N (except the Duke) and buy beer.

Also, it looks as if Dan's parents WILL allow people to crash on their floor and conveniently, Dan's parents are within walking distance up the street of Drew's farm so no worries about drinking and driving.

IF you would still like to camp since it's looking like a lot of people are still planning on coming to this event it was recommended that you get to the farm a bit early so you can set up the tent while it is still light outside.

Not to sound like mother. It's just a suggestion. I don't really give a crap if you're setting up a tent at 3am after having been drinking all night. Hell, I'm rather encouraging of it since then I'll get to point and laugh at your dumb ass.

DAN D'S GOING AWAY PARTY - UPDATE 1

Hi kids. The Man Friend kindly pointed out the slight issue of where y'all were going to sleep after this shindig is all said and done because Drew is kind enough to offer us a field, but crashing at his place is NOT an option. Dan's parents MIGHT be up for it but I've yet to speak to Dan about the issue so DO NOT QUOTE ME ON THAT.

Another option is camping it and I've already contacted Christina Jo to see if borrowing her seven man tent is an option (I can't imagine that it wouldn't be). If anyone else knows anyone who owns a tent/has one themselves, I would love to borrow it for the occassion. With regards to the seven man tent, I guess the first seven people who ask me about it get it?

ALSO, this party is BOYB and Knox County is a D-R-Y county. While it is perfectly legal to drink inside county limits, you cannot purchase alcohol within those same county limits so either buy it here and bring it up or buy it at some pit stop on the way up. (Yes, I realize I've previously stated that there would already be beer there but that beer will be lovingly provided by you because I can only afford so much and the Man Friend is generous but even that is too much for him. So, sorry and if that changes your status then you are totally lame and if not, you are totally cool and rock on.)


LIST OF THINGS TO CONSIDER:
- Do you have a tent? Do you know someone with a tent? Do you have a sleeping bag? BRING THEM!!!

- Buy your beer here and bring it with you.

- I will be driving up after work on Saturday (I get off at 3:30 and will be leaving sometime Sunday late afternoon if someone wants to ride with me).

- If you have a folding chair, BRING IT! The real draw of this party is Dan and the burning of a couch. We're pretty much going to hang out and watch things light on fire. I wouldn't burn smores on this fire seeing how it is a couch but maybe we can provide something else like that. Also, another draw for you city slickers is the fact that you can see every freaking star in the sky. Trust me on this. It made it very difficult to walk up the hill last time because I was too busy checking out the Milky Way.


Seriously folks, if this is too much of a pain, I understand but it is for Dan and I feel way more comfortable asking it of all of you FOR HIM than I would if it were any other person. At the same time, I still want enough people interested to make this worth our while to pull it all together so just tell me you're still interested/absolutely for sure coming come hell or high water/or if this is just a bit too much for you and you're going to kindly back out.

That's it for now. There will, without a doubt, be another update later but I will try to warn you about it via Facebook.

GOING AWAY PARTY INVITATION

Hi kids. I'm trying to think of brilliant ways to spread the word about Dan D.'s Going Away Party/Couch Roast to be held at Drew's farm and the narcissistic part of me thinks enough of you read this blog for it to make any resemblance of an impact.

What: Dan D's Going Away Party/Couch Roast
When: September 23, 2006
Time: 8, I guess.
Where: Drew's farm. It's far away. I know this. But we can't burn stuff in the city and there will be beer and it IS for Dan. D-A-N. You all know and love this guy. He's so worth a car trip. And he'll be up there anyway.
Why: The man is leaving for TWO WHOLE YEARS to save orphans and widows in Guatamala. The least he deserves is your attendance at some party. There will be beer. And maybe hotdogs. Everybody loves hotdogs. And fire. There will definately be fire. And a couch. In the fire. How cool is that? Definately cool enough for you city slickers to drive 3 hours. Definately.

(And there will actually be a couch this time or Rusty get's shot with the potato gun... which may happen anyway.)