Lit-togethers...

[matriarch]

Well that's my problem...it is a couple hours flight away and I don't really care to fly(unless it is for someone I am VERY close to)...driving over long distances is a little tiresome too...Florida is easy cause that is where I am...call me lazy if you will

*remembering two 10 hour flights to and from Texas, just so I could spend two days with Min. *

If you really want something..........................

 

[deathlynx]

*remembering two 10 hour flights to and from Texas, just so I could spend two days with Min. *
If you really want something..........................

She'll fly for Des though

 

[MrsDeathlynx]

I like the idea of one in the northeast, upstate NY or even in western MA. Would be interested in one further away but financially we just can't do it. Personally I would like to see early summer, 2008 of course. Personally I think seeing who would be interested in helping to rent a cabin or something like that would be a cool option, that way people wouldn't have to worry about running around the hotel, would also save some on expenses for those that don't have that much money to spend. Hell even if it was just camping I think that would be cool, then again do we really want a bunch of litizens around a fire...? lol

 

[deathlynx]

Hell even if it was just camping I think that would be cool, then again do we really want a bunch of litizens around a fire...? lol

In a word? YES! lol

Magica and I have discussed renting a cabin or house for the week for a Northeast Lit-together next year...Again, could help those with financial troubles since they'd only need to pitch in for transportation (assuming a few people can help to cover the cost of the housing)...

Camping is a cool concept we hadn't considered, though the question there would be making sure everyone had camping gear and could deal with sleeping on the hard ground (with cots as the best alternative)...

The other nice thing about either concept is that some of us could cook and save money on the meal budget...Yes, I'm willing to volunteer for that duty for at least a dinner and breakfast (I've learned to make omlettes )...

 

[MrsDeathlynx]

Slyc Willie said that he likes the idea of renting a cabin and doing that, cause then he can roam around nekkie outside but still has an excuse to keep on his socks and shoes, lol.

 

[MrsDeathlynx]

Don't forget about air matresses, those are inexpensive and can work wonders for those that can't sleep on the hard ground, myself being one of them.

 

[S-Des]

In a word? YES! lol

Magica and I have discussed renting a cabin or house for the week for a Northeast Lit-together next year...Again, could help those with financial troubles since they'd only need to pitch in for transportation (assuming a few people can help to cover the cost of the housing)...

Camping is a cool concept we hadn't considered, though the question there would be making sure everyone had camping gear and could deal with sleeping on the hard ground (with cots as the best alternative)...

The other nice thing about either concept is that some of us could cook and save money on the meal budget...Yes, I'm willing to volunteer for that duty for at least a dinner and breakfast (I've learned to make omlettes )...

Well, you're welcome to do it, but I couldn't come (not that one person's opinion should make much of a difference, but you don't know how many others you'll run into). I have a bad back and sleeping in a hotel bed is bad enough. I literally would be crippled if I spent the night on an air mattress (I'm not exaggerating...ask Kiten, she's seen it). My guess is that there are a number of people who'd love to do it, but you'll find a number of ones who couldn't (unless it was a really nice cabin with quality beds). Privacy would be an enormous issue since a number of people require their own rooms (there were at least 2 at the Chicago Lit Together) for health reasons (apnea and such). Just keep in mind everyone when you plan something...then do whatever will work best for the most people.

 

[MrsDeathlynx]

Well the only reason why we were suggesting things like that is because of the whole money issue, for people that can't afford hotels it would be a way to save money. Like if it involved a hotel and flying DL and I wouldn't be able to go. *shrugs*

Don't get me wrong, I do understand, I wouldn't be in the best of conditions after sleeping on an air matress myself. We'd have to see who was interested and such before a final decision was made.

 

[S-Des]

Well the only reason why we were suggesting things like that is because of the whole money issue, for people that can't afford hotels it would be a way to save money. Like if it involved a hotel and flying DL and I wouldn't be able to go. *shrugs*

Don't get me wrong, I do understand, I wouldn't be in the best of conditions after sleeping on an air matress myself. We'd have to see who was interested and such before a final decision was made.

Not saying you shouldn't do it, just keep in mind how many people might get excluded. Sarahh got a hotel price of $59/night for all the rooms, which included 2 large beds (so it was only $30/person, assuming no one wanted to double up...or more ). I think a Lit-Together camping excursion would be very cool...I was just saying that it will not be for everyone.

 

[deathlynx]

Completely understandable about the back issues, that's why I mentioned it...I knew there would be some who couldn't do that...As for a cabin, the the idea is a cabin or house or the like, so rooms would deffinately be available...I'd make sure of that myself

I know from some personal experience that hotels up this way tend to be expensive (generally starting at $100/night) but deals might be made there too...

And don't sell yourself short Des...You're an important enough person to swing a vote...You might not do it against overwhelming odds, but if people kinda wanted to do it and you couldn't make it, vs. being fine and you can make it, we'd go the later route

 

[TheeGoatPig]

In a word? YES! lol

Magica and I have discussed renting a cabin or house for the week for a Northeast Lit-together next year...Again, could help those with financial troubles since they'd only need to pitch in for transportation (assuming a few people can help to cover the cost of the housing)...

Camping is a cool concept we hadn't considered, though the question there would be making sure everyone had camping gear and could deal with sleeping on the hard ground (with cots as the best alternative)...

The other nice thing about either concept is that some of us could cook and save money on the meal budget...Yes, I'm willing to volunteer for that duty for at least a dinner and breakfast (I've learned to make omlettes )...

I wouldn't show up to a camping out lit-together either. I've done the camping hting a few times, and I'm just not a fan of it. I'll only sleep on the ground if I have to for survival at this point.

 

[cantdog]

Completely understandable about the back issues, that's why I mentioned it...I knew there would be some who couldn't do that...As for a cabin, the the idea is a cabin or house or the like, so rooms would deffinately be available...I'd make sure of that myself

I know from some personal experience that hotels up this way tend to be expensive (generally starting at $100/night) but deals might be made there too...

Having a group, it becomes fairly easy to make a low group rate happen, most places. Are you considering the Adirondack park? Maybe Lake Placid? Maybe just a cheap hotel in Herkimer or Watertown? These places each have their drawbacks.

If you want a place with a selection of toy stores, and enough shopping so that most anything would be somewhere close by in town (and Lake Placid or Herkimer really don't have very much) maybe Syracuse. At least two big colleges there, and toy stores, too. During graduation, they are booked pretty full, but the rest of the year there are so many rooms available that a group rate can be had in one of the hotels.

You'd still be stuck hanging out in each other's rooms unless you can locate a comfortable place with seating around a table.

 

[deathlynx]

Well, at the moment we'd been thinking Mass or the Albany area...Springfield MA would be a pretty central location, but there's no major airport there (to the best of my knowledge) so it would mean people flying in to either Boston or Albany...Lake Placid and Syracuse are a little far for New Englanders...Although as the crow flies Lake Placid isn't that bad, you pretty much can't go straight across...To quote us New Englanders. . . "Ya cahnt get they-ah from he-ah!"

 

[kiten69]

I'm thinking that it doesn't matter when you have it, there will always be reasons not to. You just have to pick a date and go with it regardless of what is happeneing. Just pick a time and let everything else happen.

And with that said, the date for the Florida get together is going to be...

October 12 - 14, 2007

It will be hosted at a hotel on International Drive. Des and I have stayed in that area both times he has come down. There are tons of things to do, nightclubs for dancing, live bands and such. That area is only about 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport, so no long drives for those flying in. If you are interested in attending post here and send me a PM. As soon as I get an idea of how many may be attending I will start looking at hotel options in the area.


kiten

 

[cantdog]

Well, at the moment we'd been thinking Mass or the Albany area...Springfield MA would be a pretty central location, but there's no major airport there (to the best of my knowledge) so it would mean people flying in to either Boston or Albany...Lake Placid and Syracuse are a little far for New Englanders...Although as the crow flies Lake Placid isn't that bad, you pretty much can't go straight across...To quote us New Englanders. . . "Ya cahnt get they-ah from he-ah!"

Seven and a half hours from central Maine to Syracuse by car. Boring interstate the whole way.

We left Gardiner by two or two-thirty. We had first to get some lunch into her, and she wanted to stop at a grocery store for cat food (for the ferret) and a few other things. After a little poking around of that sort we drove straight through for the rest of the day’s travel, if you don’t count bathroom stops and eating in one of those odious food court things on the Interstate.

I had booked a room in a hotel in Syracuse where they didn’t mind small pets. Syracuse, New York, that is-- a place with which I have some history, good and bad. Syracuse was the goal; we went there directly, leaving the Interstate only to gas up or something. Most of the trip was in darkness, of course, since it was late November and we hadn’t begun to move until so late in the day. Without scenery, you just put your head down and bull. I was mostly going eighty and better, I suppose.

She and the ferret took naps quite a bit of the time. Sleeping passengers always challenge me to drive as smoothly as I can, not to wake them or jostle them. The highway became a black hypnotic tunnel, a video game in which cars and trucks came up before me as patterns of red lights in order that I could pass them, drifting or accelerating smoothly into their midst and clear again.

MapQuest gives eight and a half hours and 543 miles for the trip to Syracuse

 

[cantdog]

Syracuse is a NUGLY town, man. They don't believe in pineapple on a pizza. It's rundown neighborhoods and malls strung in a loose set of beads across one of the most frustrating interstates, the Dewey Throughway.

But it realy isn't about museums and galleries. It's a reachable location to meet friends. I have to drive through Springfield, unless I'm taking Route 2, to get there, so for me Springfield is much much easier. If you want merely to have New Englanders, stick to Springfield, sure. But I thought you were trying to reach out to our benighted (non-New England) brethren to the south. Hell, Torontonians can drive to Syracuse.

 

[EHawkins]

That's my problem too. Too far away. Maeve tried to get interest up for one in Memphis, but not enough people bit.

That's too bad I'm moving to Memphis fairly soon...

*waves bye to the North*

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

And with that said, the date for the Florida get together is going to be...

It will be hosted at a hotel on International Drive.

I've stayed on International Drive twice its very cool...right in the middle of everything

i wish i could come

 

[kiten69]

I've stayed on International Drive twice its very cool...right in the middle of everything

i wish i could come

It is a fun place...wish you could come too.

 

[MagicaPractica]

In a word? YES! lol

Camping is a cool concept we hadn't considered, though the question there would be making sure everyone had camping gear and could deal with sleeping on the hard ground (with cots as the best alternative)...

NOOOOOOO camping!!! Sorry, I like my creature comforts. At least a damn bathroom.

 

[MagicaPractica]

You'd still be stuck hanging out in each other's rooms unless you can locate a comfortable place with seating around a table.

Dinosaur Barbeque here we come!

My vote is still for Massachusettes. I kinda want to go somewhere somewhat new.

 

[deathlynx]

That's three definative votes against camping...I'd say people have certainly spoken

If you want merely to have New Englanders, stick to Springfield, sure. But I thought you were trying to reach out to our benighted (non-New England) brethren to the south. Hell, Torontonians can drive to Syracuse.

Well, that's why I was thinking Springfield or Albany over something like Boston...Albany especially is central, has an airport (albeit small), plenty of culture if desired, isn't too expensive, is still relatively* close, and I know the area...From the Maine/NH Atlantic coast it's only about 3-1/2 hours...

*Having come from a New England family, I know there's something in the psychology that says "once you leave New England you're a million miles away" LoL...We could have moved to Bah Habbah Maine and my family would have been more likely to visit than when we briefly lived in the Albany area...And I'll admit to having a bit of the mentality myself

 

[cantdog]

That's three definative votes against camping...I'd say people have certainly spoken

Well, that's why I was thinking Springfield or Albany over something like Boston...Albany especially is central, has an airport (albeit small), plenty of culture if desired, isn't too expensive, is still relatively* close, and I know the area...From the Maine/NH Atlantic coast it's only about 3-1/2 hours...

*Having come from a New England family, I know there's something in the psychology that says "once you leave New England you're a million miles away" LoL...We could have moved to Bah Habbah Maine and my family would have been more likely to visit than when we briefly lived in the Albany area...And I'll admit to having a bit of the mentality myself

I am made acutely uncomfortable by your 'mentality' remarks. They also don't seem to have much to do with the rest of the discussion.

Camping is out. My wife likes to say that the outdoor situation is the only time she could ever understand penis envy-- except for outhouses. Those seats are cold.

Boston has a hub airport, one that tons of carriers fly to. Therefore, we might easily entertain a Brit, a German, a New Zealander, a girl from New Mexico, or a guy from L.A., if we were in Boston. Accommodations in Boston are expensive, but the T runs out quite a way. When I go to Boston, I can stay in Danvers or Saugus or Revere, where the hotels are much cheaper, and just ride the T to get to town. Shuttles from Logan to the T terminus are running constantly, and one could take the T out to Danvers, for example, as easily as one could ride it intown to Southie.

It isn't necessary to be in Boston itself, in other words, to have a Boston meet.

But I can certainly do Lowell, Chelmsford, Springfield, or anywhere like that, myself. I just think it cuts back on the ability of distant folk to fly in. What month are we talkin'?

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

I'd love to come to this one too, but yeah, no way am I camping.

 

[cantdog]

I'd love to come to this one too, but yeah, no way am I camping.

Yeah. You are certainly not alone in this. Camping out never does draw in the crowds. Those of us who know and love the woods can certainly plan a camping excursion while we are there, for later.

I should like to point out that the T goes to Lowell, which, while not exactly Springfield, is certainly out toward that direction. Lowell has the amazing dark Satanic mills and a culture of folkie bars. Plus Lowellhenge, an attraction few have seen. Lowellhenge is a henge entirely surrounded by water, specifically the canal.