FUNDAY (June 19 @ Saginaw) update for you Michiganians

[5thGenDemocrat]

Johhny's annual FUNDAY party is set for June 19 at the house here in Saginaw.
I'm buying the beer and the food and giving free tours of "Social Embarrassment" aka THE BUS, a 1963 International Harvester school bus/motor home absent from the FUNDAY parties since 1999. There will be twelve hours of pre-recorded music (FUNDAY Radio) and a really cool souvenir booklet/game day program you can take home with you.
The sig line below will give you an idea of just some of the DUers who have made the party in the past two years (this is the tenth annual event) and I would hope they'd all give glowing reviews of the soiree.
I hope you all can make it. Any questions can be handled on this thread, so fire away! And those who need an exact address should DUmail me -- though we'll be leaking more info as we go.
Just mark the date on your calendars for now.
John
It is now 54 days, 21 hours and 23 minutes to FUNDAY.

[midem]

1. What is this "funday"?

I have been active in the Saginaw area in the past and this is the first I have heard of the funday event. I must admit I am intrigued though. Is it a political event? Is it a Democratic event? I have so many questions I don't know where to begin.

[MSchreader]

3. FUNDAY is ... well ... a fun day!

FUNDAY attracts folks of all political persuasions -- from Republican to Socialist (e.g., me). It's an all-day event where people can get together and enjoy themselves for a day. While it's not a political event per se, there are always political discussions taking place. Just come on down on June 19 and you'll see why FUNDAY is such a big deal.

Martin
(veteran of eight --
soon to be nine -- FUNDAYs)

[TahitiNut]

2. How about for us Michiganders?

:silly:

[5thGenDemocrat]

4. Now, TN

You know we're destined to forever engage in this argument as to whether "-ganian" or "-gander" is correct. I think it's unsolvable (the Detroit News, IIRC, uses "-ganian" while the Freep uses "-gander"), though I personally prefer the former.
You just make sure to clear the old sked so as to get here. And PM me with your street address, so we can ship you one of the 16-page flyers we've (MSchreader above included) put together for the tenth anniversary event. They are full-color and quite wonderful.
I'll make sure to check the thread more often. I've had it up for several days and it is just now beginning to get hit. I like this forum for announcing the FUNDAY details -- I don't have to burp up on all the "important" threads which make up the Lounge this way.
John
For those counting, it is now 49 days, 23 hours and 13 minutes to FUNDAY.
Thanks, Marty, for doing a better job of following this thread and responding than I have up to now. Nifty sig line, BTW -- yours?

[MSchreader]

5. Me, personally, I'm a Michigoose

After all, what's good for the ... oh, nevermind. The joke sucked anyway.

"Thanks, Marty, for doing a better job of following this thread and responding than I have up to now."

Eh, no problem. Since I'm up at night, I'm able to do a lot more low-noise surfing.

"Nifty sig line, BTW -- yours?"

Sorta. It's an adaptation of an old quote from Trotsky that I think is quite appropriate. My alternate sig is from Orwell: "That rifle hanging on the wall of the working-class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there."

Martin

[TahitiNut]

6. The state motto makes the argument moot.

The Michigan state motto is: "If you see a pleasant peninsula, look about you."

In other words, "... take a gander."

I rest my case.

We're Michiganders.

[shugah]

7. funday is great fun!

the fam and i had a great time last year. altho not a political event, there's politics if ya want 'em. obviously it was great to meet fellow DUers, and talk face to face about the same things we type here on DU. it was also fun to chat with attendees of a more conservative bent - i can't say argue with, because in real life, as in cyber life, right wingers don't really have an argument, per se ;-) - but John's conservative buds are actually good guys, and they hugged me when we were leaving.

at funday last year, i helped place a rock in what will eventually be a very nice rock garden (needs lot's of work!), suffered a little shock when i realized that people still smoke stuff that isn't cigarettes, conversed on topics from fashion to rain forests, learned a little bit about saginaw, and met a bright and vibrant young man who refreshed me with his passion for his beliefs (he scorned the label "liberal" but that's okay!)

and, of course, ate, drank, and made merry.

glowing review indeed! 5***** stars for funday.

[5thGenDemocrat]

8. So -- it's safe to say you're coming again this year?

1) I'll need your address (DUmail me) so I can send along the BIG BIG full-color, 16-page invitation w/photos and comics. There's even a MSchreader poster in real Russian. It'll be off the presses by late this weekend, if everything goes right.
2) We can arrange accomodations for you and yours for the night -- skip the early exit and stay for FUNDAY...AFTER DARK! And feel free to stuff a couple extra buddies into the car and bring 'em along -- I'm buying.
Hope to see you here. Polly says "hi."
John
It is now 46 days, 10 hours and seven minutes to FUNDAY. It's our tenth anniversary!!

[shugah]

18. alas *sigh* ...but i would still like the colour invite w/comics!

:hi: Polly! i will miss you this year. i will also miss helping place a rock in the rock garden. :-(

we can't make it this year, but will be there in spirit.

[5thGenDemocrat]

19. I hope it's nothing Andy said

Alternate plans? What could be more important than FUNDAY? Well, have a grand Saturday, and we're getting some more invites printed up. We'll be sure to send you one (make sure we have your street address).
John (and Polly)
It is now 17 days, one hour to FUNDAY.

[davsand]

9. I had to venture in to the Michigan forum just to praise FunDay!

Sorry, gang, I'm one of those FIB's (If you don't know what it means just ask anybody from Wisconsin about us folks from Illinois! THEY will tell you what FIB means.) However, I have a decided adoration for John and his gatherings. He is a host extraordinaire!

I've done two FunDays so far, and I have never left one hungry or disappointed (sober either--and I am NOT gonna talk about my husband passing out in a car in front of John's house two years ago!) Shoot, last year, "Andy the right winger" even let me drive his bitchin Camaro, so I can personally attest to the warmth and kindness of all of John's friends on Funday.

If I can drag my sad carcass in from Illinois, you good folks up there residing in state have NO excuse NOT to attend the event of the season!

See you there!

Laura

[5thGenDemocrat]

10. At FUNDAY VII (2001)

We were doing an after-party walkaround and found an overlooked guest asleep with his head in a trashcan. Pookie from across the street woke him up and told him he had to go.
We have THE BUS back this year, which has three bunks suitable for sleeping on board. We're presuming you'll be back overnighting at Annie's, however. Like I said, bring a carload of your closest buddies.
John
It is now 34 days, 13 hours and 12 minutes to FUNDAY. We're all looking forward to seeing you again.

[VolcanoJen]

11. Kickin' for your to-the-south Buckeye Friends!!!

:dem:

[5thGenDemocrat]

12. Hi Jen

Don't forget to DUmail me your address so I can send you an invite and directions to the party. Hoping to see you here.
John
It is now 30 days, 14 hours and 55 minutes to FUNDAY. Way too late to call it off now.

[undergroundrailroad]

13. Kick down to FUNDAY!

:kick:

[5thGenDemocrat]

14. I hope you can make the party, UGRR

Don't forget that we can arrange overnight accomodations for anyone who can get here (that even goes for Detroiters, etc -- we really DON'T want you driving home afterwards, for obvious reasons).
John
It is now just 27 days, 23 hours and 30 minutes to FUNDAY. DUmail me if you want directions.

[5thGenDemocrat]

15. One week bump

It is now 19 days, 23 hours and six minutes to FUNDAY. Still not too late to get those reservations in!!
John
Where DOES the time go?

[davsand]

16. I got my invite!

I about DIED laughing! WELL DONE!!! You guys must have had a great time making that--it shows!

Thanks!!!


Laura

[5thGenDemocrat]

17. Dave and Chip and Marty and I

are all journalists. It's what we do. What made the difference was having Dave do the graphics work (he volunteered because this is the tenth anniversary edition).
Though he has a BA in journalism from Central Michigan (and another in music), Dave has worked as a graphics artist for the last 20 years. It surely does show, doesn't it?
The Russian poster from Marty Schreader is a hoot, too. I've known three people who read, write and speak Russian and Marty is one of them.
I write words and do silly cartoons. I can take 900 words to explain how to turn on a light switch (incl the history of light switches, possible light switch colors to handle all your modern light switch needs, why people use light switches, etc etc etc).
Chip is a radio journalist by trade, but works for the daily newspaper in Greenville, MI today. He also spent six weeks or so putting together FUNDAY RADIO -- and it's the best one we've ever had.
Polly and I and the rest of us are looking forward to seeing you soon, Laura. Like I said, pick up a carload (incl Kheph at Indianapolis if he wants to come).
John
It is now 19 days, 19 hours and 17 minutes to FUNDAY.

[TahitiNut]

20. Well, with 1 day to go, it looks like a 90% chance I'll infest Funday

... with my opinionated, corpulent, Birkenstock-shod presence. It'll involve driving my pervertible top-down for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, mostly up I-75, and dealing with Michigan's Motoring Morons in their fat, stupid gas hogs. Genetically predispositioned to avoid asking directions, I'll take the Invitation and my Yahoo! map and venture forth. As an abstainer, I'll probably pack a 6-pack of 24-oz Vernors. I figure if I leave here around noon, I might stumble upon the gathering before dark.

So, who's gonna be there and when? Hmmmm???

[5thGenDemocrat]

21. Well, we'll be here certainly

Write this down:
North on I-75 to exit 150 (I-675 north).
Take I-675 north about three miles to Exit 3 (Davenport Ave/M-58). This is a tricky exit, so SLOW DOWN before you enter it.
At the bottom of the exit, you will see two stop lights about 150 feet apart. Take a left at the second one onto SB North Michigan Avenue.
Follow N Michigan about eight blocks. On the right you will pass Bliss Park, on the left you'll pass three fast-food joints.
The second street beyond Bliss Park is Eleanor Avenue. Hang a right onto Eleanor. We're the third house on the right in the second block.

So far, Notadmblnd, Mrs Grumpy, MSchreader (and whoever he's bringing) and Davsand (from Illinois) are expected to be here. There'll probably be a few others as well. Looking forward to meeting you, TN.
John (and Polly)
It is now 21 hours 37 minutes to FUNDAY.

[TahitiNut]

22. You have to type more slowly if I'm gonna write it down, John.

:evilgrin: (I'm naturally blonde.)

So, I shouldn't take the HollandAve/M-46 exit, go west on Holland/Remington 3.3 mi, turn right on Fayette and left on Eleanor? :dunce:

Hell, I'll probably get lost at least five times just on I-75. :silly:
(As long as they're blond.)

[5thGenDemocrat]

23. Yes, that would work, too

Take your pick. We'll have the beer chilling and the hot dogs grilling.
John
If you are going to take your route, cross the river (on the Holland Bridge). Michigan will be the first stop light you see, Fayette is the first street beyond that. See you then.
It is now 18 hours 36 minutes to FUNDAY.

[TahitiNut]

24. It's Today!

:party:

[TahitiNut]

25. Thanks for a terrific day, 5th!

Funday was a noteworthy bash and one of the more 'eclectic' gatherings it's been my pleasure to attend. Your hospitality and generosity of spirit is to be commended and treasured, my friend. It's been more than 40 years since I've been to/through Saginaw and the tippy-toe down memory lane was fun. We had a "California day" in Michigan yesterday, with nearly clear, blue skies, temperatures in the high 60's/low 70's, low humidity and gentle breezes -- all in all a rare and beautiful day in Michigan, one that deserved to be celebrated in the outdoors.

[5thGenDemocrat]

26. Sixty 2004 FUNDAY photos of varying quality

Are now available at www.davehorton.org -- right there where it says "sixty pictures." Tell me the last two digits of the photo and I'll tell you what you're looking at.
You could also try the FUNDAY site at http://www.iserv.net/%7Echip-b/funday/newpage.htm for a few other pics and some more information.
John (and Polly)
It is now 362 days one minute to FUNDAY XI.

[davsand]

27. Oh--you have no idea how bummed I am!

Gawd, I wanted to be there SO BAD!! Saturday was a day of huge depression for me. I went a full year with no job and suddenly--I not only have a job, but it is demanded that I start work the WED before FunDay...

OK-- we can deal with that, we can DEAL with the fact that Kev has to be in Cleveland--but what just killed all chances of me getting there was my mom getting sick. Suddenly, I had NO place for my kid to go and stay.

It was like every possible thing conspired to keep me home.

The pics look great, and it looks like the usual Herbst fiesta. I'm sorry I had to miss it. Here's to next year!

Laura

[TahitiNut]

28. Wow! What a great looking shirt! That guy must have excellent taste!

And here's one of the most beautiful young women I met that day ...