The Gathering: 2004
- MissTeja
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The Gathering: 2004
I wanted to post this. I know most may be thinking, "Um, a bit early for this, isn't it Tej?" I don't think so, though. Due to the fall-through of the Gathering 2003, and it pretty much ending up just becoming a culmunation of GenCon and various mini-gatherings, I think it might be wise to start the process early. Next summer will be upon us before we realize and some early planning can help ensure a successful Gathering for nex year. Plus, it will give us abundant time to guarantee reservations, predict costs, and schedule vacaton time. So, if we use our time wisely enough, I really think that we can make it one hell of a gathering. I've even been toying with a few ideas of fundraisers of a special nature that could be possible to have with such a spread-out community. I will post more of that when I have more information. So, providing you all do not think I'm suffering from a bout of insanity for posting this so early, do any of you have any brainstorm ideas for the Gathering 2004?
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- Jestyr
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I say schedule it in Indianapolis for a few days before or after GenCon itself - before would most likely be better. Almost all Gathering attendees would be going to GenCon anyway, so they'll all be heading to Indy. The hotels aren't that expensive; with four to a room you wind up paying $40 a night or less. It's a good time and situation for a gathering, and it'll improve the GenCon experience too (since we won't all be trying to cram a pseudo-gathering into a gaming event). Plus it means those of us who have stuff to do at GenCon other than socialize (the Shadowrun Tourney; working booths; game company meetings) don't miss out on seeing everyone.
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Jeff Hauze: Wow. I think Jestyr just fucking kicked my ass.
Jeff Hauze: Wow. I think Jestyr just fucking kicked my ass.
- Thorn
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Not too early for planning, for the record - this makes sense, I say.
I think Jes's idea is a good one. Unless we're able to find a similar resort-y situation to Hayes, where our living costs will be eensy if we go there, just staying in Indy makes the most sense. Besides, from the little wandering I did, it seems an interesting burg to go exploring in.
I think Jes's idea is a good one. Unless we're able to find a similar resort-y situation to Hayes, where our living costs will be eensy if we go there, just staying in Indy makes the most sense. Besides, from the little wandering I did, it seems an interesting burg to go exploring in.
_<font color=red size=2>Just wait until I finish knitting this row.</font>
Exploring? We know where the bar is, what more do we need?Besides, from the little wandering I did, it seems an interesting burg to go exploring in.
Great idea. I love it. At least the before part. Before DrinkCon is best.I say schedule it in Indianapolis for a few days before or after DrinkCon itself -
Embassy Suites baby!!!The hotels aren't that expensive; with four to a room you wind up paying $40 a night or less
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- Anguirel
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From the lots of wandering I did in the month or so I was there outside of GenCon, it is a very nice city and well worth wandering. I can also do a little research on possible semi-close places for a Gathering, though I highly recommend we all just go to MooCow's and sleep there for a week and then carpool the short jaunt from Chicago to Indy. It's probably cheaper to fly to Chicago anyways. And MooCow won't mind as long as we keep him to drunk to notice. Besides, then we could go do Drunken 'Drekker Whirley Ball and use the Battle Tech simulators.Thorn wrote:Besides, from the little wandering I did, it seems an interesting burg to go exploring in.
complete. dirty. whore.
_Patience said: Ang, you are truly a font of varied and useful information.
IRC Fun:
<Reika> What a glorious way to die.
<Jackal> What are you, Klingon?
<Reika> Worse, a paladin.
<Jackal> We're all fucked.
_Patience said: Ang, you are truly a font of varied and useful information.
IRC Fun:
<Reika> What a glorious way to die.
<Jackal> What are you, Klingon?
<Reika> Worse, a paladin.
<Jackal> We're all fucked.
"Hey, why are all you people in my house?" "Have another shot" "Oh thanks. Now I was asking..." "Have another shot" *Repeat until many shots later* "Now what was it I was gonna ask someone?" "I think it was something about the rum..."And MooCow won't mind as long as we keep him to drunk to notice.
God, that would be fun. I think we have a plan. Except for the "everyone crash at Moo's place" part.Besides, then we could go do Drunken 'Drekker Whirley Ball and use the Battle Tech simulators.
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Cain is a Whore
Instant Cash is a Slut
- Jestyr
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Nah. I vote we stay in downtown Indy itself, preferably the hotel(s) we'll be staying in for GenCon - er, DrinkCon. That way we don't have to move our asses out of one location and into another, nor do we have to worry about carpooling or anything else. Sides which, if we stay at the Embassy Suites for the Gathering, the amount of money we'll save on booze will make up for the cost of staying in a hotel anyway.Anguirel wrote:I can also do a little research on possible semi-close places for a Gathering
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Jeff Hauze: Wow. I think Jestyr just fucking kicked my ass.
Jeff Hauze: Wow. I think Jestyr just fucking kicked my ass.
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN"Tragedy strikes Gathering 2009 when the Embassy Suites finally wise up and cut off free drinks!"
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Cain is a Whore
Instant Cash is a Slut
Cain is a Whore
Instant Cash is a Slut
Well, great idea, unfortunatly same as last year, we're about 8 months too early for me to have any sort of commitment to going or not, I just don't have the money or the stability to be planning anything right now, heck Christmas plans are still real shaky.
That said, we have money in the bank so to speak if people want it used for gathering purposes. My only input as far as location would be trying to find a house or something fairly close to downtown, as GC will book all the hotels and with their silly housing thing, means there is about zero chance for us to get a block of rooms as a Bulldrek group. Heck, there is probably a very low chance of getting the same rooms for a week beforehand once Gencon allows you to pick a hotel. I don't know if that's feasible or cheaper if people start figuring drinks into account, but worth checking.
There's nothing saying we can't hop in a couple of cars and head to Chicago for a day anyways, its only about 3 hours (3 long boring hours where there exists but one McDonalds for anything of note, but only 3 hours)
That said, we have money in the bank so to speak if people want it used for gathering purposes. My only input as far as location would be trying to find a house or something fairly close to downtown, as GC will book all the hotels and with their silly housing thing, means there is about zero chance for us to get a block of rooms as a Bulldrek group. Heck, there is probably a very low chance of getting the same rooms for a week beforehand once Gencon allows you to pick a hotel. I don't know if that's feasible or cheaper if people start figuring drinks into account, but worth checking.
There's nothing saying we can't hop in a couple of cars and head to Chicago for a day anyways, its only about 3 hours (3 long boring hours where there exists but one McDonalds for anything of note, but only 3 hours)
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- MissTeja
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Same here. I assumed as much with many folks. I just thought some early brain-storming for the who-what-where bit couldn't hurt too much.Wildfire wrote:Well, great idea, unfortunatly same as last year, we're about 8 months too early for me to have any sort of commitment to going or not, I just don't have the money or the stability to be planning anything right now, heck Christmas plans are still real shaky.
To the entire world, you may be one single person, but to one person, you may be the entire world.
I disagree. I had /zero/ trouble booking three rooms in the Embassy Suites last year. Indy is nothing like Milwaukee was. Sure you still gotta be on the ball, but if you are ready to go when reservations open, you'll have no problem.My only input as far as location would be trying to find a house or something fairly close to downtown, as GC will book all the hotels and with their silly housing thing, means there is about zero chance for us to get a block of rooms as a Bulldrek group.
I also suspect there won't be a big problem reserving rooms before hand. Why couldn't we keep the same rooms? They don't assign rooms until the morning of, so as long as we talk to someone when we get there, it shouldn't be a problem. "Hi we have room X reserved under Person X for the first part of the week. We also have a reservation for Person Y for this weekend. Can we just ensure that Person Y gets Room X? Thanks."
The only thing to keep in mind is room assignments are done at like 4am. Someone just has to be on the phone at 4am to get it done. No prob. I'll take care of it. I'm ussually up then anyways.
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Cain is a Whore
Instant Cash is a Slut
- Instant Cash
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If most people will be there for over 6 days you might want to look into extended stay hotels. Kara and I stayed in one that was $300 for 7 days.
Much more cost effective and you also get a fridge to store any liquor and a microwave to heat up leftovers in the morning.
Much more cost effective and you also get a fridge to store any liquor and a microwave to heat up leftovers in the morning.
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-Big Jim
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- Jestyr
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If GC is 19-22 August, we'd probably want to look at the Gathering being from Saturday 14 August to Wednesday 18th.
Booking the hotel won't be a problem, Wild - as far as I know, GenCon doesn't block out any of the hotels *before* the con, because virtually no-one arrives for it before the Wednesday anyway. So booking for the Saturday through Tuesday nights should be easy as pie. I just did a search on EmbassySuites.com for 14-18 August and there were rooms available. So, we're all good.
And, to be honest, given the fact that the Embassy Suites are cheap and we're going to be saving quite a lot in alcohol costs, I'd say that even if we find somewhere "resorty" to stay, the hotel would still be comparable in cost and way ahead in convenience.
Booking the hotel won't be a problem, Wild - as far as I know, GenCon doesn't block out any of the hotels *before* the con, because virtually no-one arrives for it before the Wednesday anyway. So booking for the Saturday through Tuesday nights should be easy as pie. I just did a search on EmbassySuites.com for 14-18 August and there were rooms available. So, we're all good.
And, to be honest, given the fact that the Embassy Suites are cheap and we're going to be saving quite a lot in alcohol costs, I'd say that even if we find somewhere "resorty" to stay, the hotel would still be comparable in cost and way ahead in convenience.
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Jeff Hauze: Wow. I think Jestyr just fucking kicked my ass.
Jeff Hauze: Wow. I think Jestyr just fucking kicked my ass.
Never went through GC's room thing, so didn't know how far in advance the open, if GC's housing committee set the rooms, or just said to the hotel 'you have X number of rooms booked' or what. If you guys want to commit to hotel then, I'd actually suggest seeing what suites and business rooms they have that might come under the GC housing so as to not switch rooms, a little more space for hanging around or a little more space for those of us who most certainly can't afford a 4 way split on a hotel room for a week would be good
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- Patience
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Yes, head to Chicago! Then I can hitch a ride back with you all and be part of the DRINKING!Wildfire wrote:There's nothing saying we can't hop in a couple of cars and head to Chicago for a day anyways, its only about 3 hours (3 long boring hours where there exists but one McDonalds for anything of note, but only 3 hours)
oh, such drinking.
(Unless Jim or Moo is heading down that way, in which case, never mind. )
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<b>Thorn said:</b> Patience really does rock!!
<b>CykoSpin said:</b> Every time I see Patience (that is, a post by Patience), I think of the Iron Maiden song "Can I Play With Madness". I don't really know why, though; for whatever reason, I just do.
<b>Thorn said:</b> Patience really does rock!!
<b>CykoSpin said:</b> Every time I see Patience (that is, a post by Patience), I think of the Iron Maiden song "Can I Play With Madness". I don't really know why, though; for whatever reason, I just do.
Miss DrinkCon?!?! Giant Space Hamsters couldn't keep me away!I don't think you have to worry about Moo not going
Damn straight he better make it. We need him to keep the rest of us alive. He's like responsible and shit.And if Jim doesn't we'll be very cross with him.
Oh sure, just invite yourself along.Unless Jim or Moo is heading down that way, in which case, never mind.
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Cain is a Whore
Instant Cash is a Slut
Cain is a Whore
Instant Cash is a Slut
Well, lets put it this way. When the rest of us were stumbling drunk (Steve, Nex, Kawaii), falling out of chairs (Moo), trying to investigate steam grates in the middle of the street (Flak), puking (Toon), etc etc, Jim was just heavily buzzed. And playing "Herd the Bulldrekkers".Really? I figured he was just trying to fool us.
Thus, compared to the rest of us, he's responsible. Now that I think about it, that isn't really saying much.
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Cain is a Whore
Instant Cash is a Slut
Cain is a Whore
Instant Cash is a Slut
I just looked at my own post, and read that in the same context as "Miss America" or "Miss World" or something. That's what we need next year, a "Miss DrinkCon". It'll get awarded to the drunkest person each night, to be worn the next night. Actually being a "Miss" is, of course, optional.Miss DrinkCon?!?!
*MooCow starts practicing his acceptance speech*
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- Instant Cash
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Images of a beer tab crown come to mind, though I don't think many beers actually have those tabs anymore.MooCow wrote:It'll get awarded to the drunkest person each night, to be worn the next night. Actually being a "Miss" is, of course, optional.
10:41 Kai: Ohayou minna
10:42 Adam: ENGLISH MOTHERFUCKER!
10:44 Kai: Fuck off, how's that? ;P
10:45 Adam: Much better.
- FlakJacket
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Exactly! Spend a couple hours or so get nicely buzzed and just socialising in the early evening - for nothing no less - and that still then leaves you the option of either getting something to eat, and thus sobering up, or carry on with the consumption of alcohol with the meal and get totally rat arsed by the end of the night.
And Sade, if you add the tag
before your signature in your profile, but change the [ and ] to < and >, you get the little divider bar that seperates it from the main text.
And Sade, if you add the tag
before your signature in your profile, but change the [ and ] to < and >, you get the little divider bar that seperates it from the main text.
The 86 Rules of Boozing
75. Beer makes you mellow, champagne makes you silly, wine makes you dramatic, tequila makes you felonious.
75. Beer makes you mellow, champagne makes you silly, wine makes you dramatic, tequila makes you felonious.
- Salvation122
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- Patience
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Damn skippy. I learn quickly.MooCow wrote:Oh sure, just invite yourself along.Unless Jim or Moo is heading down that way, in which case, never mind.
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<b>Thorn said:</b> Patience really does rock!!
<b>CykoSpin said:</b> Every time I see Patience (that is, a post by Patience), I think of the Iron Maiden song "Can I Play With Madness". I don't really know why, though; for whatever reason, I just do.
<b>Thorn said:</b> Patience really does rock!!
<b>CykoSpin said:</b> Every time I see Patience (that is, a post by Patience), I think of the Iron Maiden song "Can I Play With Madness". I don't really know why, though; for whatever reason, I just do.
- Instant Cash
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Actually I am still baulkiing at the whole $150 a night thing.Sade wrote:First off you say "freaks" like it's a bad thing!Instant Cash wrote:Wow, you all sure have a sick fasination with embassy huh?
freaks
And secondly ... Embassy is Fuckin Yoda man! It allows for a much needed start for the night of debauchery!
I want to shoot one of these Church kids and ask them "Where is your god now!"
-Big Jim
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- Anguirel
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I know there are a few hotels dedicated to long-term stays right next to that area, mainly for the State Legislature (which should be out of session at the time, meaning those places will be looking for business). IIRC, the ones my aunt recommended were just north of the State House, which itself was just north of the Convention Ceneter. Which, granted, is a slightly longer walk than from the Embassy Suites, but it's also a prettier walk. I'll likely end up staying with my aunt again if I go, but if anyone is less interested in drinking or more interested in long-term stays and lower costs I can try to get names and numbers for the closest ones.Instant Cash wrote:If most people will be there for over 6 days you might want to look into extended stay hotels. Kara and I stayed in one that was $300 for 7 days.
Sidenote: Given their relative placement, I think they'd be really close to the Zoo, the IMAX theater, the canal and a few parks, all of which could be fun places to visit.
complete. dirty. whore.
_Patience said: Ang, you are truly a font of varied and useful information.
IRC Fun:
<Reika> What a glorious way to die.
<Jackal> What are you, Klingon?
<Reika> Worse, a paladin.
<Jackal> We're all fucked.
_Patience said: Ang, you are truly a font of varied and useful information.
IRC Fun:
<Reika> What a glorious way to die.
<Jackal> What are you, Klingon?
<Reika> Worse, a paladin.
<Jackal> We're all fucked.
- Jestyr
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Well, that's for a suite - one bedroom with a queen-sized (or king-sized?) bed, and one living room with a foldaway sofa/bed and a couple of arm chairs. You can fit four people into a suite without too many problems - it's not spacious, but it's better than the four-people-to-a-*room* that GenCon attendees usually do. It certainly wouldn't be any more crowded than we all were at Hayes.Instant Cash wrote:baulking at the whole $150 a night thing.
So with four people in the suite you're looking at less than $40 a night.
I mean, our other alternative is to see if we can find somewhere as cheap as Hayes was, and book that - or book Hayes itself, in fact. However, that means we need a number of committed attendees who have *paid their money* by early 2004, and gee, we saw how well that worked last time, didn't we?
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Jeff Hauze: Wow. I think Jestyr just fucking kicked my ass.
Jeff Hauze: Wow. I think Jestyr just fucking kicked my ass.
Heh, $280 for a week isn't exactly my idea of cheap either
Ang, I'd definity be interested in efficiency costs, I don't think I could possibly drink enough to make up the monetary difference if an entire effeciency is $300 for the week versus $280 a week for one bed spot in a room.
Ang, I'd definity be interested in efficiency costs, I don't think I could possibly drink enough to make up the monetary difference if an entire effeciency is $300 for the week versus $280 a week for one bed spot in a room.
_
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Well, here's my suggestion: start researching, and researching hard, right now. We looked for places in the area before, so we should have a start. A resort would be nice, definitely, because it allows us "noise-space," our own area where we can be loud-ish without getting shushed by the hotel staff, and without bothering people around us. So let's see if we can't find one, and move from there. There's always the hotel, if there just isn't a resort we like or can afford.
[edit: I'm not saying this idly, either; I have access to AAA information that isn't public, so I'll be getting with them this week to see what I can turn up.]
[edit: I'm not saying this idly, either; I have access to AAA information that isn't public, so I'll be getting with them this week to see what I can turn up.]
- Jestyr
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Well, I'd say that - unless you're not planning in staying in a hotel for GenCon - it's not really accurate to include GenCon night costs in your calculations. If we're talking about just the Gathering, it'd be four nights, $160. Still not brilliant, I agree, but given the prices for resorts that we saw last year when trying to organize Gathering 2003, it's the same sort of order of magnitude.Wildfire wrote:Heh, $280 for a week isn't exactly my idea of cheap either
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Jeff Hauze: Wow. I think Jestyr just fucking kicked my ass.
Jeff Hauze: Wow. I think Jestyr just fucking kicked my ass.
Well, no, in the interest of wanting to hang out with the rest of you nuts, I'm willing to go a little more expensive, but honestly if I treated GC as any other con and not semi-Gathering? Cheap hotel, 7-9 people, bring it under $75 for the event for room.
But there's no guarentees I'll even be there, I'd just like a chance for it to be a little more affordable, and a little more accesible for anyone wanting to visit for a day or two, hotels don't much like people hanging out in their lobbies all day.
But there's no guarentees I'll even be there, I'd just like a chance for it to be a little more affordable, and a little more accesible for anyone wanting to visit for a day or two, hotels don't much like people hanging out in their lobbies all day.
10:41 Kai: Ohayou minna
10:42 Adam: ENGLISH MOTHERFUCKER!
10:44 Kai: Fuck off, how's that? ;P
10:45 Adam: Much better.
- Instant Cash
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I don't drink? Shit! Why didn't anyone tell me this? My liver would be much happier.Sade wrote: Oh yeah your the non-drinking cash aren’t you? I guess you don't see the savings
I understand the rate thing isn't /that/ bad, but that is if you split it with 4 people.
In my room it will more than likely be me and Jaded. I love you all dearly, but I would rather not lock you out of the room for long periods of time. And no, you can't join.
I want to shoot one of these Church kids and ask them "Where is your god now!"
-Big Jim
-Big Jim
well then who the fuck is the cash that doesn't drink? Cali-boy does, you do ... is there another one? Or did you just not drink one night and I was too drunk to interpret your reason for not drinking ... either way. your situation is special! are there other people who have Spousal-like limbs?
by the way love the sig ... it was a great speach
by the way love the sig ... it was a great speach