Vegas Baby!

[Sugar Beats]

I seem to recall FA saying she is taking a trip to Vegas. I also recall 'sticks' suggesting a little AR get together of sorts. I don't remember exactly when FA said she's going to Vegas, but I thought she may have said April. FA, please tell us again when you are traveling.

Why not get together in Vegas while FA is there? It's def. not a bad idea. I can drive and be there in about 4-5 hours. I think I've seen a few of you are in AZ, CA and well GM, can't you bring wifey out for a trip? It would be fun. Sticks can travel, I know he can take the time, if he wants to, and Richie, you are kinda in the middle.

If everyone can't gather or get to Vegas then why not plan one event on the West Coast & another on the East (later in the year) and see who makes it where?

Just a thought. I'm up for a Vegas trip. My sister in law lives outside Vegas and so I could grab her (she's a party animal!) and go meet up with FA. I guess whoever else wants to show, can. :thumbsup:

Whatcha guys think bout' it???

[bobsticks]

No thanks. I've already been given a subpoena this week.

[kexodusc]

Kex + Vegas = :( :( :(

[Ajani]

And the next get together could be in the Caribbean!!! St. Kitts is a good place for an AR get together...

[bobsticks]

And the next get together could be in the Caribbean!!! St. Kitts is a good place for an AR get together...

If that offer is still good next year I might be seriously tempted to take you up on it.

[GMichael]

Now you're talkin'!

[JSE]

Kex + Vegas = :( :( :(


I'll second that one. Upon my return, I needed several days for my Blood Alcohol Level to drop back into the legal range from my last trip in March.

But..........I am game for taking over Ajani's house for a few days. What't the worst that could happen if we all knocked on his door one day and said, "We're Here"!

I'll be in the Keys again for about 7 days in July, I could always steer the boat further south!

[ForeverAutumn]

St. Kitts could work with enough notice to save some sheckels. Or we could go on an AR Carribean cruise! How fun would that be?!

I have a brother who's a travel agent. He organized a cruise for an on-line Euchre league that he plays in. He could do something similar for us.

[kexodusc]

How many bones does a cruise in the Caribbean set a guy back these days?

And am I spelling Caribbean wrong or are you guys?

I'll be in Chicago in late April..any Ar.com folk 'round them parts?

[bobsticks]

I'll be in Chicago in late April..any Ar.com folk 'round them parts?

As it gets closer gimme a shout. Chi-town ain't nothing but a thang...but if memory serves me I may be in Florida the last week of April.

[ForeverAutumn]

How many bones does a cruise in the Caribbean set a guy back these days?

And am I spelling Caribbean wrong or are you guys?

I'll be in Chicago in late April..any Ar.com folk 'round them parts?


Oops! One ar, two bees. My mistake.

The price of a cruise depends on many factors. Time of year, itinerary, cabin type and location. You can get a cruise pretty cheap if you don't mind an inside cabin on a lower deck. The nice thing about a cruise is that it includes all your meals. But booze'll cost you. And if you want to do any shore excursions, that'll add to the cost too. But with a little research you can often book things on your own for less than the ship will charge. Hubby and I did a cruise two years ago and we only paid for one shore excursion in Grand Cayman. Otherwise we just wandered around the ports on our own.

With the economy in the tank, there may be some good cruise deals this year. The ship's gotta sail whether there's 100% occupancy or only 50%. They'd rather fill the ship at half the price than sail empty.

[JSE]

How many bones does a cruise in the Caribbean set a guy back these days?

And am I spelling Caribbean wrong or are you guys?

I'll be in Chicago in late April..any Ar.com folk 'round them parts?


A coworker just booked a 7 day cruise for just over $600/person. But, that's out of Galveston just south Houston. Not sure about prices out of Miami.

[ForeverAutumn]

What about something like this (http://www.redtag.ca/cruises/royal-majesty.php?id=100898)? Four nights in Florida and Bahamas. Out of Miami. Click on the tab for "other dates". There's some great prices in Oct/Nov of 2009. It's hurricane season, but what are the odds of getting hit?

[JSE]

It's hurricane season, but what are the odds of getting hit?

La La La La La La La La, I can't hear you............

Yep, we're now doomed! :nono:

[bobsticks]

What about something like this (http://www.redtag.ca/cruises/royal-majesty.php?id=100898)? Four nights in Florida and Bahamas. Out of Miami. Click on the tab for "other dates". There's some great prices in Oct/Nov of 2009.

Looks good, very good.

As for that other thing that you may...or may not...have said, I need you trace a circle and a swastika on the nearest flat surface, put your fist to your heart, and under your breath mutter, "Criss-cross, baby's ass, Nazi Love Curse". Seriously. JoSE's right, you can't mess with this stuff.

---superstickious

[GMichael]

Looks good, very good.

As for that other thing that you may...or may not...have said, I need you trace a circle and a swastika on the nearest flat surface, put your fist to your heart, and under your breath mutter, "Criss-cross, baby's ass, Nazi Love Curse". Seriously. JoSE's right, you can't mess with this stuff.

---superstickious

Everyone must remember to fly first class too. It's worth it.

[JSE]

Looks good, very good.

As for that other thing that you may...or may not...have said, I need you trace a circle and a swastika on the nearest flat surface, put your fist to your heart, and under your breath mutter, "Criss-cross, baby's ass, Nazi Love Curse". Seriously. JoSE's right, you can't mess with this stuff.

---superstickious


The peanut butter!!!!! You forgot to mention the peanut butter!!!! You have to have 1/2 cup of peanut butter shove in your mouth when your muttering!

Whew, that was close. :eek6:

[Rich-n-Texas]

My sister and I drove to Vegas a couple of years ago. Took us ONE day just to get across the border into NM. :eek6:

I'm planning to see friends and family this summer up in NJ; a friend has a house in Seaside Heights (Jersey shore), so that's where I'll probably be. I'm SURE nobody wants to meet me there, but I'll tell ya what, there's clubs and bars on every street corner! :thumbsup:

[GMichael]

My sister and I drove to Vegas a couple of years ago. Took us ONE day just to get across the border into NM. :eek6:

I'm planning to see friends and family this summer up in NJ; a friend has a house in Seaside Heights (Jersey shore), so that's where I'll probably be. I'm SURE nobody wants to meet me there, but I'll tell ya what, there's clubs and bars on every street corner! :thumbsup:

I've been there. This little town is like a min-spring break all summer long. But if you really want to score, you need to be in a black Mustang.

[Sugar Beats]

but I'll tell ya what, there's clubs and bars on every street corner! :thumbsup:


That sounds fun.

[kexodusc]

Everyone must remember to fly first class too. It's worth it.
Well, since you put it like that..

Geez, I'm gonna have to have a chat with my boss. To keep costs down, when we fly I seem to always get coach next to Ms Self-righteous vegetarian and Mr. VIP-bluetooth headset on a plane guy.
Was that a real shot, or a Photoshopped jobber? Kinda makes you think...I guarantee you some fat suit would have Kex's ass hanging off his seat on the raft.

[GMichael]

Well, since you put it like that..

Geez, I'm gonna have to have a chat with my boss. To keep costs down, when we fly I seem to always get coach next to Ms Self-righteous vegetarian and Mr. VIP-bluetooth headset on a plane guy.
Was that a real shot, or a Photoshopped jobber? Kinda makes you think...I guarantee you some fat suit would Kex's ass hanging off his seat on the raft.

I always sit between, fat, unclean, slob guy who falls asleep and leans on me, and Mom with 7 screeming kids kicking my seat behind me.

Not sure where the pic came from. Got it from the local radio station's website.

[Sugar Beats]

I always sit between, fat, unclean, slob guy who falls asleep and leans on me, and Mom with 7 screeming kids kicking my seat behind me.


Hey that's funny, I always meet very interesting people @ the airport and on planes.

Once (a long time ago) I met this guy and he was stopping in Chicago and I had a layover there, so I met his friends and we fooled them all by saying that we had gotten hitched before I had to head to my connecting flight. It was fun.

It seems I always end up talking w/ the person next to me for the whole duration of the flight.

And by the way, GM, I've been the mom w/ the screaming kid a time or two and that SUCKS!

[GMichael]

Hey that's funny, I always meet very interesting people @ the airport and on planes.

Once (a long time ago) I met this guy and he was stopping in Chicago and I had a layover there, so I met his friends and we fooled them all by saying that we had gotten hitched before I had to head to my connecting flight. It was fun.

It seems I always end up talking w/ the person next to me for the whole duration of the flight.

And by the way, GM, I've been the mom w/ the screaming kid a time or two and that SUCKS!
I can understand that kids are not adults and sometimes run amuck. I never blame parents of crying babies, or who at least try to control their kids. What I don't like is when mom doesn't say anything to them and just takes a nap while I'm left to be the one to deal with them.

[kexodusc]

I always sit between, fat, unclean, slob guy who falls asleep and leans on me, and Mom with 7 screeming kids kicking my seat behind me.

Not sure where the pic came from. Got it from the local radio station's website.
Yeah but I bet he doesn't try to make you feel guilty for eating that ****ty roast beef sandwich...As for the kids, been there...some brilliant stewardess thought it wise to give the 4 year old next to me some fruit punch. I didn't like that suit anyway.

[Sugar Beats]

I can understand that kids are not adults and sometimes run amuck. I never blame parents of crying babies, or who at least try to control their kids. What I don't like is when mom doesn't say anything to them and just takes a nap while I'm left to be the one to deal with them.


Totally understand and I hear ya! I don't like that either. At least I try to calm my kids down. Luckily it's only happened like twice. Once when my oldest was a baby so that was like 12 yrs. ago, then w/ Jack-Jack, who just wanted to run up and down the aisle!

[GMichael]

Yeah but I bet he doesn't try to make you feel guilty for eating that ****ty roast beef sandwich...As for the kids, been there...some brilliant stewardess thought it wise to give the 4 year old next to me some fruit punch. I didn't like that suit anyway.

Deal. Strangers don't have much luck making me feel guilty. I'd open up the sandwitch and pull the meat off to eat it in front of her. I don't like pompus guy with the BT set on though. That bugs me. Still seems like a fair trade to me though. A little variety is good.:thumbsup:

Nice stewardess. Maybe your foot should have slipped out into the isle as she went bye next time.

[ForeverAutumn]

I'm usually the pretentious SOB in first class. :dita:

At least when it's on the company's dime and the flight is longer than two hours. :thumbsup:

[GMichael]

Totally understand and I hear ya! I don't like that either. At least I try to calm my kids down. Luckily it's only happened like twice. Once when my oldest was a baby so that was like 12 yrs. ago, then w/ Jack-Jack, who just wanted to run up and down the aisle!
Good mom. If it's only happened twice, then that tells me that you taught them manners at home so they would behave in public. Too many times I see kids going crazy and their parents act like they don't even see them. If I ever acted like that in public my dad would take me by the arm and drag me to the car and off to home we would go. Once there I'd be in some serious doo-doo. They didn't call him Red just for his hair.:eek6:

[GMichael]

I'm usually the pretentious SOB in first class. :dita:

At least when it's on the company's dime and the flight is longer than two hours. :thumbsup:

First class? Sure. Pretentious? I don't beleve you.

[kexodusc]

I'm usually the pretentious SOB in first class. :dita:

At least when it's on the company's dime and the flight is longer than two hours. :thumbsup:
Pffft, you Upper Canadians. :rolleyes5:

[Sugar Beats]

If I ever acted like that in public my dad would take me by the arm and drag me to the car and off to home we would go. Once there I'd be in some serious doo-doo. They didn't call him Red just for his hair.:eek6:

Your dad and my dad sound very much alike my friend. Except you didn't mention if any profanities would be a flyin'! My dad could run his mouth (in that regard) w/ the best of em'! I bet you ain't never heard some of the words I did growing up!

[bobsticks]

Anyone up for Chicago in September?

...Thinkin' bout the 10th through the 14th and there may be surprise guests...

[thekid]

Everyone must remember to fly first class too. It's worth it.

LOL!!!!!!!:p :p :p

I am going to print out your pix and use it to convince my boss I should be allowed to travel 1st class.

[ForeverAutumn]

Anyone up for Chicago in September?

...Thinkin' bout the 10th through the 14th and there may be surprise guests...

There's a slim possibility that might be possible.

[bobsticks]

There's a slim possibility that might be possible.

This needs to happen. I feel strongly that an AR Convention would be most appropriate. I'm scheduling accomodations at the Palmer House...

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/CHIPHHH-The-Palmer-House-Hilton-Illinois/index.do

[ForeverAutumn]

This needs to happen. I feel strongly that an AR Convention would be most appropriate. I'm scheduling accomodations at the Palmer House...

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/CHIPHHH-The-Palmer-House-Hilton-Illinois/index.do

Nice hotel there, but at $300 a night way out of my price range! Is there a Travelodge nearby?

[audio amateur]

Hey, what's happened to what's her face?

[Bernd]

Nice hotel there, but at $300 a night way out of my price range! Is there a Travelodge nearby?

An AR gathering in the Windy City, that sounds good.

I would only require a clean, decent; and in the words of Dale Cooper, reeeeeasonably priced Room. Just something to get a good nights sleep in order to be fresh for the next day, it doesn’t have to be high priced or fancy – I am a man of simple pleasures!:yesnod:

[bobsticks]

Nice hotel there, but at $300 a night way out of my price range! Is there a Travelodge nearby?

The last time I was there the rooms were about a buck-seventy, much more reasonable given the downtown location. Lemme make some calls, I don't know if I'm on some kind of a comp list or not.

In any case, it's not a dealbreaker...I'm willing to go with the flow. 'm taking a few days off this week and should have time to do some research. Hell, I might even drive up there to do some "on sight recon".

[JohnMichael]

Anyone up for Chicago in September?

...Thinkin' bout the 10th through the 14th and there may be surprise guests...



If the sale of the condo happens I will be in attendance.

[ForeverAutumn]

If the sale of the condo happens I will be in attendance.

Can I help you find a buyer? :wink5:

Hey Sticky Boy, any luck getting a better rate at that there hotel you recommend? By coincidence, my assistant is going to Chicago as a guest of the Hilton chain and staying at Palmer House this weekend. I asked her try to swing a deal for me. :)

[JohnMichael]

Can I help you find a buyer? :wink5:





It is under contract and I am trying to not get excited unil the check is in my hand.

[bobsticks]

Hey Sticky Boy, any luck getting a better rate at that there hotel you recommend? By coincidence, my assistant is going to Chicago as a guest of the Hilton chain and staying at Palmer House this weekend. I asked her try to swing a deal for me. :)


Actually I did some searching the other day and found a few possible alternatives, all of which were kinder on the pocketbook. Some were in unacceptable locations and a few have made it to the second-round cuts. I wanna ask some more questions and we have the time to get it right...

[JohnMichael]

This needs to happen. I feel strongly that an AR Convention would be most appropriate. I'm scheduling accomodations at the Palmer House...

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/CHIPHHH-The-Palmer-House-Hilton-Illinois/index.do



Bobsticks what a beautiful place to stay. If I am coming that is where I would like to rest my body after a great evening of conversation and refreshments.

[bobsticks]

Well, the Vegas thang clearly never happened but the Chicago AR Summit for 2009 is in the books...can't speak for everyone but a good time was had by this character...good food, excellent accomodations, fantastic accomodations...

Forever Autumn is as lovely and thoughtful as her online personna suggests...John Michael is classy and warm and gracious...and Swish is, well...Swish...

He really is as liberal as his online Al Gore-personae would suggest...all night long, "blah,blah,blah...infotainment superhighway...blah,blah,blah...robbed in Florida..."

Great time and I'm glad I got to join in. Gracias mi amigos...

[JohnMichael]

First I must thank bobsticks for picking the perfect hotel and weekend. I have no idea how you changed the weather from the predicted rain to warm and blue skies but I appreciate it. What a beautiful weekend. Glad you made it and thanks again for everything.

ForeverAutumn is as bobsticks already said lovely and thoughtful. Now when I look at modern art I will think of FA. I also enjoyed meeting your husband and speaking with him. I declare him a lucky man. Now if we are ever in Chicago again we can walk directly to an Italian restaurant and not take the detour.

Swish kept the entertainment levels high. I am still trying to remember all the jokes you told. I am glad you and your wife attended the event. Next time we all get together when I say do not rely on me for directions I mean do not rely on me for directions.

Chicago is an incredible city. Buddy Guy's Legends was a great place for dinner and music. Lots of good food and company, many laughs and very animated conversation. Where do I sign up for next year?

[bobsticks]

First I must thank bobsticks for picking the perfect hotel and weekend. I have no idea how you changed the weather from the predicted rain to warm and blue skies but I appreciate it. What a beautiful weekend. Glad you made it and thanks again for everything.

That's how I roll...

I was never more glad to see any collection of peeps as I was to meet y'all in the lobby...and the ensuing meal and libations...good times, good times my friend. My one regret is that i didn't have more time to spend with the crew. A more "neutral" city next time may have better results.

In the end, it was the best evening I've had this annum...even with Swish...curmudgeonly, old bastard...

[ForeverAutumn]

That's how I roll...

I was never more glad to see any collection of peeps as I was to meet y'all in the lobby...and the ensuing meal and libations...good times, good times my friend. My one regret is that i didn't have more time to spend with the crew. A more "neutral" city next time may have better results.

In the end, it was the best evening I've had this annum...even with Swish...curmudgeonly, old bastard...

There you go again, eh. ;)

We also had a great time. And it was fabulous to meet those I hadn't met and see again those that I had. Mark, thanks again for the hospitality. I was hoping to make it up to you... perhaps the next time.

John, you are just a lovely man. I can't say enough good about you. You are as warm and wonderful in person as you have always been to me on-line.

Swish and his current spouse were a blast. This was my second time meeting them and I have no doubt that there will be a third.

Chicago was a great choice. We had never been there, but I'm pretty sure that we'll be back. What a fabulous city.

The only downside to this trip was our return flight. Scheduled to leave at 3:55 we sat around the airport for hours to finally take off at 6:40. What a wasted afternoon that could have been spent touring the city some more. Oh well, better to wait for a safe aircraft then take one that maintainence won't clear for take-off.

[bobsticks]

There you go again, eh. ;)

We also had a great time. And it was fabulous to meet those I hadn't met and see again those that I had. Mark, thanks again for the hospitality. I was hoping to make it up to you... perhaps the next time.

There's absolutely no need to make anything up to me...I just regret trying to work three days of socializing into one night of FUBAR'd scheduling...but every moment was precious...what a dinner...I'm sure the "Print Convention" didn't offer a livelier group of characters.

John Michael brought this up, so I'm stealing his thunder, but wasn't nice to meet a crew of folks from the internet and find them (largely) normal?