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Just Out of Curiosity....
....how many of you would be willing and able and interested in doing a real, live meet-up in Chicago next summer? Like at a hotel where we could all have a big dinner and party and stuff? And maybe hang out for a weekend and split off into touring and sightseeing and/or discussions on topics of the day?
Just curious, cuz several of us already have it in mind and want to see how big a group would be interested. All on board, please comment. Thanks!
Just curious, cuz several of us already have it in mind and want to see how big a group would be interested. All on board, please comment. Thanks!
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My kind of town!
July 12, 2009 8:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bring Angie.
July 12, 2009 9:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sure! She's never been to ChiTown!
July 12, 2009 9:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Comment!!
July 12, 2009 9:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I sign up - no hesitation!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 12, 2009 9:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
East of the Missippi in summer holds little appeal to this Rocky Mountain man. How about Denver/Boulder?
July 12, 2009 9:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Could we do Denver as our Second Annual Meet-Up? You betcha!
July 12, 2009 9:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
And also, we could make it early summer....early, early summer....
July 12, 2009 9:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Makes it easier for me... I am already there. But I am from the Chicago area so I can go either way. Seems many have rallied around Chicago for a first attempt. I am in either way. Should be fun!
July 13, 2009 3:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why wait til next summer?
No surprise that good ideas often occur simultaneously... I sent DD an email earlier today in which I asked if, in his opinion, he and many of you would consider renting a big seaside house for one or two weeks for the purpose of talking, writing, arguing,collaborating, brainstorming as well as cooking,loafing, sightseeing and just being together. Coffee on the porch in the morning, lunch wherever, and supper whenever so long as it can be enjoyed ensemble.
Any takers for the last two weeks in July, or, the last two weeks in August?
July 12, 2009 9:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
It sounds LOVELY, and I so wish that I could, Wendy, but my vacation days this year are dwindling. And it would take a lot for some of us to do something that soon, I fear. But, gosh, I would be there if I could. You make it sound so engaging.
July 12, 2009 9:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Egad that sounds nice, but I have a bathroom to rebuild.
July 12, 2009 9:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm for it! Always wanted to go to Chicago. Of course it depends on what is happening in my life. (Like my son going in to the army) and other stuff -- but yeah -- I would like to do it.
Charlottesville is another nice venue, if anyone is interested -- lots of places to stay, and beautiful. I can actually bed down at least 12 people!
July 12, 2009 9:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, my stepgrandson just shipped out to the Marines.
July 12, 2009 9:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Cool, CVille, then we'll count you in for next summer.
My best to you and yours in the meantime, luvvie.
July 12, 2009 9:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I used to go to the Aspen Design Conference in June (before it was apparently renamed the Aspen Idea Conference). It was really inspiring, and lots of fun. And that was with strangers, for the most part. Y'all do not seem to be strangers, however strange we may be as individuals.
July 12, 2009 9:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Comment!!!
July 12, 2009 9:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Cool!!!!!!!
July 12, 2009 9:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, sign me up for next summer ,LisB, wherever the consensus dictates.
July 13, 2009 8:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Who knows what my life will look like by then, but I'd LOVE to come! With enough lead time, I'm pretty sure I could swing it!
July 13, 2009 1:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
LisB, you amaze me sometimes.
MY CALENDAR IS CLEAR.
July 13, 2009 1:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Only if we can be sure to have a big sit down at one of Chicagos notable and most awesome pizza places. It has been a long time since I've had a genuine deep dish. Just thinking of it brings back memories and makes my mouth water. Taking in a show at Second City would be a treat too. Especially for a bunch of libs. I'm tentaively on board but realistically can't plan that far in advance.
July 13, 2009 6:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
What would it cost to have Palin speak at this, I'm wondering? ;)
July 13, 2009 8:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
ACK!
July 13, 2009 8:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
ACK -- Alaska Conserves Karibou; the Palin people were glad for that sentiment and the best wasy to lock this in is:
1) THey'll negotiate the fee with you, that's no poblem, you just pay it a month in advance and she'll be there.
2) That's the fee, but there is also the matter of expensive clothing for her, 1) to prepare for the speech, and 2) to deliver it.
3) Key is that you or some do-gooder will remain title to the gladrags, and they are not for Sarah, but merely irrevocably lent to her in perpetuity.
4) If press starts sniping over this, she retains the option of "returning" the clothing to you and blaming the media for setting her up as a victim. If she returns the clothing, you to say that you got back every thread of it, in beautiful condition, and thanks. But you probably won't see the returned goods, she'll probably just transfer title to one of her husband's front companies and you can claim it as charity and she'll double up on the chain.
July 13, 2009 5:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
No thanks. The US isn't a free country as long as Bu$h, Cheney, Addington, Yoo and the rest of the repuglican crew of tyrants and traitors are not rounded up and sentenced to long prison terms.
July 13, 2009 8:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
I have a hiking trip in Argentina planned for next summer, but I could be pursuaded otherwise!
July 13, 2009 8:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
While you're there, be sure to drive the (two) miles and miles of scenic coastal road (recently renamed "Avenida de Sanford"). I think it takes about five days to drive the length of it. ;)
July 13, 2009 6:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
GFTOOH
Argentina? Is that code for an Appalachian Trail experience? And you would give that up? Maybe for the best, eh?
July 13, 2009 8:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is GTFOOH here consistent with pearl wearing dames?
July 13, 2009 9:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Do chesty blondes have a monopoly on expressions such as that?
Oh, THAT was secist. LOL. Read Clearthinker today. Good times!!!
July 13, 2009 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's just the angle that makes me look like Jessica Rabbit in Second Life. Can't help it.
July 13, 2009 3:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Possible...
July 13, 2009 9:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sounds awesome! We are a definitley a maybe.
Susan suggests the Bahamas, though :P
July 13, 2009 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
definitely, too
July 13, 2009 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
I would love a get together here in Chicago. But I know my time will be limited. 2010 is a big election year and I'll be spending a lot of time helping Scott Harper (IL-13) get to Washington.
July 13, 2009 10:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Understood, Mark. As we get things firmed up, I'll post more about it, and perhaps we can try to work around your schedule. Good luck!
July 13, 2009 11:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yay! I'm so pleased by the responses so far. This is so cool! Synchronicity and I are going to look into possible venues and dates and keep y'all posted. Thanks for the great feedback.
July 13, 2009 11:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'll be there. Not to sleep... but I'll commute!
Keep me posted. Peace to all.
July 13, 2009 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
TheraP, I didn't know you lived in the 'hood!
Somehow I got the impression you were one of them east coast libruls. Ha!
-- ARG
July 13, 2009 6:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd love to come, but have trouble planning even a month ahead of time. Great idea!!
July 13, 2009 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I suffer from Terminal Planning Disorder compounded by a lack of/or disinterest in organizational skills. It would be a crap shoot if I'd actually make it to such a gathering.
July 13, 2009 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's terminal?! Say it ain't so, Miguel... I knew planning was unhealthy. Hence avoid it. I'm always up for a crap-shoot - how about we say VEGAS!!!
July 13, 2009 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's only terminal if I keep trying to prearrange my life pugsley. Not much of a chance of that so, Bellagio here we come! Last one there's a rotten AIG!
July 13, 2009 9:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I lived in Chitown from 1959 to 1963. I'd love a return visit. Here's another possibility--if there's a Campaign for America's Future conference in DC maybe some of us could meet up for it. OR there are other things which might provide an opportunity--a fair number of political/social conscience events happen summers...and if we tacked onto one of those the heavy lifting organization-wise would be handled by them. Netroots nation is one. I'll check my list of others if anyone is interested in this approach.
M
p.s. I anyone doesn't mind accommodations which are cheap if not elegant--many colleges host conferences of all sizes in summer...I know one which is waterfront. :-D
July 13, 2009 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Awesome suggestions, amike. Thanks so much, I never even thought about that.
July 13, 2009 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Count me in. I've never spent time in Chi, just flown over.
July 13, 2009 2:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm definitely in, this is a great idea.
July 13, 2009 2:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm all for it. It's about 1.5 hours to downtown Chicago for me. Count me in!
July 13, 2009 4:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yay! The list keeps growing!! FYI, spouses/significant others are very, very welcome. Please chime in if you plan to bring someone so I can get the headcount straight.
Thanks again, everybody, this is GREAT!
WOO HOO!! Operation Meet-Up is a hit!
July 13, 2009 5:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am most definitely interested, especially since I already live here (in the suburbs). Summers get very busy, though, so it would be best to set things up as far in advance as possible.
-- ARG
July 13, 2009 5:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Any chance I could meet fake-Sinbad?
July 13, 2009 5:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!! Welcome back, Prop! Haven't seen you in the longest time!! If you can find fake-Sinbad, by all means, let's invite him.
July 13, 2009 6:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I want to meet IDIOTIC!
This is Excellent NEWS
July 13, 2009 6:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chicago's a pretty convenient choice. If at all possible, I might humbly suggest a venue/central hotel near Midway, rather than O'Hare. (That's somewhat personal; I hate O'Hare with the passion of a thousand blazing suns - or, slightly less than Hartsfield Jackson in Atlanta.)
In any event, I will likely be knee-deep in graduate studies next summer, and therefore unable to attend. But it's (yet another) wonderful idea.
July 13, 2009 6:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Consideration should be given to the Cubs schedule, and the possibility of group tix or even a rooftop gathering. (And if possible, we should schedule a day like yesterday, when the weather will be perfect.)
-- ARG
July 13, 2009 6:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chicago is lovely in the summer, except when it rains or is sleeting in June. You can get here from anywhere relatively cheaply. All airlines go thru Chicago Midway or O'Hare. I'm about a half hour away by car and the same by train if it's an express.
I have a friend who works at U of IL Chicago. I just emailed her to see if they might be willing to put folks up cheap in dorm rooms. No answer yet but it's worth a shot. It's right by Greektown where "My Big Fat Greek Weddding" was shot and the Roditis flows like wine (it is wine) and the flaming saganaki is greeted with cheers of Oopa!
If anybody wants to do something political we can spend a evening phonebanking or a Saturday canvassing for Harper out here in the burbs. You haven't lived until you've met a real live Illinois wingnut and listened to them deny global warming while trying to stifle a guffaw and then wished them a nice day - knowing full well you've probably just ruined it for them. It will give Judy Biggert at least one well deserved sleepless night hearing Democrats with funny accents were in the district working for her opponent.
July 13, 2009 6:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
My friend Kim repsonded:
The Meetings and Conferences # at UIC is 312-413-5040. This is the info re: summer housing http://www.uic.edu/depts/meetings/summer.shtml. It will be cheaper than a hotel, but I do not know if it is "cheap". Also, another cheap place is the Hostel International near the Auditorium Theater: http://www.hichicago.org/.
July 13, 2009 6:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mark, this is great! Thanks so much for this information. Synch and I will get on it.
And, yeah, I'll bet a lot of people will want to do or talk politics while we're all there, so your idea of helping out with a campaign while we have all of us gathered in one place is a good one. Others who just want to sight-see are free to do that as well.
Just to have us all under one roof for a big dinner and party will be awesome -- all of us for a long weekend splitting off into groups is great too.
Again, thanks for this. I really appreciate it.
July 13, 2009 6:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anything I can do to help Lis.
July 13, 2009 6:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Has anyone approached Josh about this? I mean, I think he should have some say-so, no? What would be the fun if he and, say, Eric Kleefield (who I think is wonderful) can't come?
July 13, 2009 6:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's in the works, yes. Josh and his staff members are definitely being invited.
July 13, 2009 8:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Count Sleepinj and myself in. It will be fun. Looking forward to it:)
July 13, 2009 10:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Same here, Joan! :)
July 13, 2009 10:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Definite maybe!
July 14, 2009 2:04 PM | Reply | Permalink