Okay, while I might not be able to make it this year (work and life and all), I had an absolute blast at the last one and think it'd be a real pity if we didn't manage to turn such a fun event into something annual.
We've got about 7 months between now and when we held it last time. If we make a decision within the next 2, that should cover most things.
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Decision A)
Where do we all want to have it? No suggestions from me to kick things off. Anywhere folks want to toss out is good, just make sure you'd be willing to drive/fly there. THere was a few votes for texan cave runs last gathering (Mostly me) so texas folks, you got a heads up if you can provide such! =p
Anyhow... let's aim to get out a good group of possible places of interests over the next week or so and then narrow down from there.
Remember, if it's not suggested, it won't be in mind to coordinate. That means if you guys on the west coast want it over there this year, you better tell us where over there is good.
A good winning place will have about 4 days worth of activities that can easily be done in groups of 5 or larger. Hiking is a clear win as are most outdoors things. Themeparks might be good. I know everyone had a fair deal of fun cave hiking. Having stuff that we can swap 'hot day, cool day' deal is also good to help make it better for everyone.
I think that's it.
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For short attention folks:
Objective: Suggest places for the gathering.
If it ends up being in Texas, depending on what city you have it in, I'd be willing to help out getting things orginized. I can't actually put anyone up in my house (as I live with family), but I can help find hotels, things to do, places to eat and visit, ect.
Edit: If it's held in the Dallas area, that is. >.> Don't know shit about the other cities, really. Can toss suggestions, though, from general knowledge.
As a rule, I would rather it not held at anyone's personal dwelling. There's a lot of reasons for this, but the main one is that it's supposed to be vacationish and it's not very good if we leave someonee with a miserable cleanup job following a rush going through.
In the same city? Sure, that means we have a guide, but not in someone's home.
Additionally, people, please format all suggestions as:
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Suggested Place:
Dallas, Texas
Fort Montegomary, Albama
etc.
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This is so that those of us who are reading can easily discern what's being suggested and when a later list is made, it takes 2 minutes rather than a half hour.
Dracos
Dallas all the way! Going to Six Flags or Hurricane Harbor would be fun. I need to look into great places to eat...
Suggested Places:
Dallas, Tx
Houston, Tx
Corpus Christi, Tx
Selfish, all being in Texas, I know, but hey, I get sick of traveling >.>
So do I! but this was fun enough last year to be worth it.
Dracos
Texas would be awesome, especially Houston. XD
I'll probably still go next year though, regardless of where it's held. Texas would be -highly- preferred though.
I'd have to look up what there's to do around Houston though, if we want to have it here. The suggestion Six Flags isn't an option in Houston since Astroworld was closed, and that's about the only 'hang out' place I can think of off the top of my head. ^_^;
Out of curiosity, is the plan to rent a place to sleep/hang out at, or just everyone staying in same hotel (which is what I believe was done this year)?
Texas would indeed be awesome. I might actually be able to make it!
Quote from: "MercForHire"Texas would be awesome, especially Houston. XD
I'll probably still go next year though, regardless of where it's held. Texas would be -highly- preferred though.
I'd have to look up what there's to do around Houston though, if we want to have it here. The suggestion Six Flags isn't an option in Houston since Astroworld was closed, and that's about the only 'hang out' place I can think of off the top of my head. ^_^;
Out of curiosity, is the plan to rent a place to sleep/hang out at, or just everyone staying in same hotel (which is what I believe was done this year)?
The same hotel was done last year and that worked really nicely. I'm not hooked on any though if it's not one hotel, someone needs to step up and be the front for renting the place. I might, I dunno.
Anyhow, I encourage everyone to try and sell where they'd want to go. It makes it easier for everyone if they don't just see a group of places but also why the gathering should be there and how everyone will enjoy themselves there. That way we get the best places to consider!
Dracos
I recommend Austin - no bias here!
Seriously, though. While there's not a lot *in Austin*, it's centrally located so it's got fairly easy access to a lot of other things on a day-trip level. Neither Dallas nor Houston is all that far away, and there are any number of amusement parks in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, or cities between (like New Braunfels, which has the best waterpark anywhere, hands down).
For the nature lovers, the Hill Country is just west of town - Enchanted Rock, which is a granite dome like Stone Mountain in Georgia, is about an hour and a half west of town and has some good hiking. For those that don't want to travel, the Barton Creek greenbelt right here in town has some good hiking trails as well.
And not that I think a lot of people here are big on that, but Austin's got a very active nightclub and music scene.
For historical interest (if that's your bag) you've got the state capitol and Texas State History Museum downtown, and the Alamo's only about an hour away in San Antonio.
So there's my pitch. =P
To be fair (and help folks brag about why we should go to place X), we took a day trip halfway through virginia during the harpers ferry one to see the caves. An hour or two of driving shouldn't detract from being part of an areas awesome.
Dracos
*Thread Revive*
Anything on this? Is it still Texas as leading state for the gathering? >_>
The new year is almost upon us! =D
Yes it is. Thanks Merc. Was meaning to get this moving more, but as predicted, I've been buried under work.
For fair reason, we'll be having it in austin texas this year. More information will come likely after I chat with hal and consider scheduling. Votes on timeline should come now and noisely.
Dracos
I apologize that this has been so delayed. Things have gotten slightly more complicated but we're still planning to handle things in Texas. Merc, drop me a line when you get a chance.
Dracos
Merc is helping me out at the moment. We hope to have an answer on when we'll be having this soon and more details with that.
Dracos
Okay, sorry for all the delays this year... we've got it hammered out finally though...
Too Long/ Can't be bothered to read
Destination: Austin
Duration: July, 12th to 15th, 2007
Hotel: The Drury Hotels (http://www.druryhotels.com/properties/austinnorth.cfm)
Main contact: Merc, 405-413-0858
General Summary
We're having it in Austin, Texas. Merc, being totally awesome, has stepped up to be the point of contact/organizer for the event. The Gathering will run from July 12th (arrival date) to the 15th/16th (departure date). Some might note that this overlaps with the VGL Concert date. We're hoping to have a trip out there one (or both) of those days, so folks, you might want to Buy tickets (http://www.videogameslive.com/index.php?s=home). Austin is near quite a bit and we'll be working like last year where if you want to do something, just ask.
Phone Information
Like before, we'll be putting together a list of numbers so folks can reach each other. If you're going, please put your number in this thread (or im me or merc privately with it) so that everyone can use phones to coordinate on the trip.
Merc's Phone Number: 405-413-0858 : Do not call unless it's relevent to SRGathering. =)
Hotel Information
We'll all be staying at The Drury Hotels (http://www.druryhotels.com/properties/austinnorth.cfm) this time which should run you 90 a night with AAA and 100 without and includes what supposedly is: a nice place to stay, free internet, free breakfast, and free happy hour. We encourage as before folks to share rooms, since it makes it cheaper for everyone. When you call to reserve, request if possible that your room be placed near Mario Chiock's room as you're part of a group. This way hopefully everyone's in the same area of the hotel and it makes it easier.
Possible Adventure Plans
Okay, obviously there's the VG Live (http://www.videogameslive.com/index.php?s=home) concert to go to. there's also Schlitterbahn (http://www.schlitterbahn.com/) (san antonio waterpark), Six Flags (http://www.sixflags.com/parks/fiestatexas/) (san antonio). There's more stuff which our local experts, Merc, Hal, and Iddy can go into.
There's also Sea world (http://austin.citysearch.com/profile/10132984/san_antonio_tx/sea_world_san_antonio.html) and hal suggests that there's a better Six Flags to go to in arlington.
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Please post. I'm not going to add anyone who hasn't poked me.
Headcount:
Merc
Dracos
Halbarad
Please also ring in here if you're intending to go so that we can start to get a headcount and know if we're going to need stuff for such.
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Yeah, I intend to get there. Just got to work it out with whoever employees me. I'll be up for sharing a room once I get that approval.
phone: 786-338-1439.
On buying tickets for the Video Games Live concert:
You can get a 10% discount by having a group of 10 or more buying tickets together.
If we have less than 10 people interested, you can also buy them through me since I can get that 10% discount as a corporate discount from my company, rather than as a group discount (Hal did this last year when we both went to the concert).
It's probably good to try to order in one go so we can get as many people sitting nearby rather than all over the place.
Will be there assuming my work situation at that point allows me time for all the days off (it's a bit wonky at times right now).
No need for a hotel for me, at least. Go living in town. VG Live is good, although if we're going to Six Flags I recommend Arlington over San Antonio - Fiesta Texas isn't BAD, but it's not GOOD either. However there's also a Sea World in SA which is better.
Passing my thesis proposal notwithstanding, I still don't think I'll be able to make it this year, as I'm pretty much maxing out my vacations so I can spend them with my girlfriend. (unless I can convince her to go to Texas o_O)
CONVINCE HER! =D
Dracos
Me and Trunky could definately come to the Six Flags in Arlington if y'all are going on a Sunday. Maybe even Sea World!....I love Sea World ;.;
I just haven't talked to him yet about it...
Come to the whole thing! =)
Dracos
Dang, looks like I won't be able to make it this year.
Aww :\
Dracos
Now that I have an employer, I can see if I can get those days off. BUt such a small turnout so far? :\
Dracos
If Six Flags on Sunday, me and Trunky can go.
And that's about it :(
:(
Dracos
So...anybody else planning to come? About a month and a half away now.
Anyone else considering it, please ring in.
Additionally, I'd like to thank Merc again for being awesome about being host for this, even if the turnout is looking small. Might make for an excellent short tour to see VG concert at least.
Dracos
Well, as far as I know, this is cancelled given nobody's really posted they'll be coming unless they're already from Texas or Drac, and I vaguely recall that Drac already bailed given the turnout. Figured I'd post something in case someone decided to buy plane tickets and "surprise" others and end up with the big surprise on his/her own. Maybe next year, I suppose.