2004 AAR-CON/Meeting

[coz1]

As you may know, I had the pleasure of having a few cups of coffee with Director this previous weekend, and we had quite a nice discussion about a ton of different subjects. One of those was a lament that we could not gather more people together for such. However, this does not have to remain this way.

There was an attempt made back in late 2002/early 2003 to get together for a convention in Toronto, headed up by our tireless worker, MrT. Unfortunately, that fell through due to perceived lack of interest. I also wonder if perhaps it did not attempt to do too much. What Director and I had in mind was more of a simple get together. Dinner, drinks, perhaps a trip to some local landmark and even some MP gaming if a place can be found to do such.

Looking at the fun time folks had in Lille, it certainly must be possible to bring something like this together. So, let's start thinking about a North American version.

Some things to think about:

When:
August 20th - 22nd, 2004

Where:
Washington, D.C.

In order to assist with planning and to show we are serious about this, I thought I might provide a rough sketch of what to expect out of the weekend:

First, Director and I have found a good place of lodging that is both close to a metro stop and in an appropriate price range for most of us - Best Western Key Bridge. It's rate is approx. $76/night and it is across the street from the Rosslyn stop in Arlington (or close to it.)

As for the schedule (and remember, this is loose and subject to change at the whim of those coming):

Friday: Arrive and schedule a meet between 6pm and 8pm (to allow most folks to get into town.) I would think the bar or lobby of the Hyatt down the street would be appropriate for this. From there, we will go to dinner and basically have a good night of fun and cheer.

Sat: Morning breakfast, either at the hotel or in town. Schedule a meet around 10 or 11am at Union Station in DC. From there, we will go about walking around DC, taking in the monuments, museums, etc. (Pretty much free) Break for lunch and resume. We thought it might be nice to take a trolley tour that evening at 7:30pm ($30 per person). It lasts for around 2 1/2 hours and then we could have a late dinner. If so, it might be best to head back to the hotel, shower, change clothes, rest, etc. and then meet back at Union Station by 7pm for the tour. After dinner, we could most likely head back to the hotel and either turn in, or for those interested, head over to the Hyatt bar (or some other) for some late night drinks.

Sunday: Meet at breakfast (place to be determined) and head out to Manasses for a battlefield tour (Cost $3 per person). We might try to fit in Fredericksburg as well on the way back. That should most likely take up most of the morning and some of the afternoon, depending on when people needed to leave. Some might need to leave then, or stay and leave Monday morning - to be decided later.

Total Cost (for 2 nights lodging, nightime tour and battlefield tour): $185.00
Metro fare: $1.25 per ride (cards can be bought at stations)
Dinners and Drinks: Cost hard to figure, but prices most likely comparable, if not slightly higher than the rest of the East Coast at least.

Hope that helps with your planning, and please remember to try and confirm by August 9th. There is no reason that you should HAVE to stay at the same hotel the rest of us do, and if you find one cheaper and accessable to a metro stop, feel free to tell us about it. It would be nice to all stay in a central location if possible.

Further, if you have alternate suggestions for activities, restaurants, bars, tours, etc. feel free to say so. The above planning is only an outline.

************************************

Post has been edited as of 8/4/04 to reflect decisions already made. See above for changes.

As of right now, those that have confirmed are:
coz1
Director
Stroph1
MrT (99.99999999% sure) Edit: MrT

Those that have expressed interest but have not yet confirmed:
Machiavellian
Gaijin de Moscu
Henry v. Keiper
TheArchDuke
Memnon

[Judge]

Nice idea coz. If had a million dollars in my account or lived in North America I would definitely have said yes but with a wedding coming up that will dry me to the bones I am afraid my answer is negative. Great idea though.

On the other hand if someone would like to come to Stockholm …perhaps a meeting with Johan in the Paradox building could convince people to come (not that I guarantee he would approve of this idea though but a bunch of beers might make wonders)

[jwolf]

I can definitely come if it's in the Chicago area. But my family is going to the west coast for two weeks next month and that will pretty well exhaust our vacation budget. So I think it's a real longshot that I could travel to one of the other cities, but it would be really nice, I have to admit. Come to think of it, my wife has taken occasional weekend trips for Christian women's conferences, so I wouldn't be out of line if I tried to do something similar. Hmmmmmmmm........

By the way, hotels right in downtown Chicago are VERY expensive. Prices are more moderate in the suburbs, especially to the south, but care must be taken in the location. Also Chicago can be hot in the summer, although if you're thinking about Atlanta ... Well, people live there, so it can't be too bad, right coz1?

[Hajji Giray I]

I wish I were older... *sighs and plunges into depression* ...can't even drive yet

[LordLeto]

Roadtrip! Maybe.

Heat wont be a issue for me. I live in San Antonio, and work as a lifeguard(outside in the sun 6-8 hours a day), tough this year we've been keeping realitivly cool. Iirc we havnt even broken 90 yet. Yes thats cool for this time of year in San Antonio.

Though money and transportation might. I have several thousand saved up(and will have close to two more by the end of the season), but I sorta ear marked that for collage. Have to get over my personal stingieness.

[coz1]

Well Lord Leto, we don't want to break your college bank - that is surely more important than a meeting. One would hope, at least.

Perhaps the best thing to do at this point is to ask who is interested in general and if so, where do you live? Keep in mind that it will be somewhere in North America. But if we have a majority of folks that are interested coming from the northeast, let's say, it would be silly to stage it in the south or out west.

Edit - list of folks interested moved to first post

[Stroph1]

I would be interested in DC. The others are probably too far with the baby this summer.

[Valdemar]

I'm sadly not likely to attend anything... but pray tell about your meeting with Director, I had heard nothing off that, what about an AAR?


Sytass made an AAR in OT, when he came and visited me here along with Tracid and kurtbrian.... its somewhere with pics and all

V

EDIT: Here: http://www.europa-universalis.com/fo...d.php?t=144633

[Alexandru H.]

I think this is the effect of those non-alchoolic bevarages you had with Director, coz1. New threads, new initiatives...

Seriously, I would love to come. But this year is reserved for European travelling (the Hungarian rock festival at Szeged) so don't hope you'll get your "big meeting" spoiled by my "optimism"...

PS... and try to drink more alchool, man... you're turning into Coolidge

[coz1]

V, sad to say but there isn't that much to tell - we sat and drank coffee and talked about the state of things, both AARland-wise and just in general. Now if this bigger meeting comes off, now that's something to write about.

And Alexandru - it was too early to drink beer - rest assured had the meet taken place later, milk and cookies would certainly have been consumed.

[Machiavellian]

I would be interested, though depending how things pan out in the next month will decide how far I am willing to travel, if at all. I live in the NYC area, which I was surprised wasn't mentioned as a possibility, though I do admit the city can be intimidating and extremely expensive/overpriced.

EDIT: I also like the idea of an AAR meeting / or perhaps just a time when people might be able to meet up in a chatroom of some sort or another and discuss.

[coz1]

Price was exactly my concern with New York. Otherwise, it would have been listed as well. We were trying to think of bigger cities but not too big. Chicago was even a stretch, but I used to live there and know it fairly well so it was included.

Edit - Besides, you cannot smoke inside the bars and restaurants in NY and that simply will not do for me, I am afraid. The Big Apple is one of my favorite cities, but they lost my tourist dollar when Nurse Bloomberg got his stoopid law passed.

[Amric]

Well, Indianapolis does a LOT of conventions every year, and is even cheaper than Chicago...but that is just my two cents worth...doubt I could do much attending since I work on Saturdays all day and couldn't possibly get off work since I am still so new to my job...

[Director]

coz1 and I just had so much fun sitting and chatting that we thought others would enjoy it too. Those four cities were listed because they're accessible for coz1 and myself, but the floor is certainly open for suggestions.

I've had some good times in the NY area and wouldn't mind going back, but hotels in the city are expensive. DC is easily accessible from Boston, NY and Philadelphia.

Let's kick this around for a few more weeks before we settle on a plan or give it up.


Val, neither of us took any notes (or photos) so there won't be an after action report. I did stop on my way home for great Mexican food and a frosty cold Dos Equis... hope that helps you (it did me).

[Voshkod]

If it ends up in DC, I might be able to show up. No promises, though; it's going to be a long summer here, and I'm likely to be pretty busy at work.

[Director]

There is a thread in the OT concerning a get-together in Ohio/Kentucky for the week of June 30th.

[Anibal]

Good luck for you all on the convention/meeting/etc you're planning. I want to see pictures

[coz1]

There is a thread in the OT concerning a get-together in Ohio/Kentucky for the week of June 30th.

Seems Lille started a trend. I hear the OT meeting is scheduled for the middle of the week. I'd have to pass if it is not on a weekend.

[Alexandru H.]

I propose to host an AARCON in Siberia... He He, don't worry about flight costs, we know russian and ukrainian mobsters...

[coz1]

Just giving this a bump. It seems that DC seems to be the more popular destination, but as of now we only have 7 interested that may be able to come, and some of those are dependent on where it is.

Anyone else?