amonkie

As finances are a concern for people.. something to keep in mind. During Spring Break, plane ticket prices go WAY up, unless they are bought early.

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Ustwo

Its too early for me to plan that far ahead, so either is possible.

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Toaster126

Sounds like fun. I can drive for that.

Who wants to lend me their floor in Chicago?

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SiN

voted for both, because afaik either is doable.

I am totally planning on going, already looking forward to it

Most likely bringing the bf with (who *is* a tfp-er, just a new one )

not sure how we'd get there yet ... but i'm certain we'd need some cheap accomodations.
we're both small, woudn't take up too much space

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shesus

SiNi, our place is cheap...it's free even. I don't think jj would mind if you guys crashed here.

The red couch isn't taken yet
Oh yea and we have an air matress and a futon. We can easily sleep 5 people in our place.

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Toaster126

I'd like to reserve a space then, Shesus, if you still have spaces open. PM sent.

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"The question isn't who is going to let me, it's who is going to stop me." (Ayn Rand)
"The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers." (M. Scott Peck)

kylie

ok even thou i have spring break i still probbaly have to work in the weekend. but i will try to find someone if possiblely sub me i hope i can find someone to do that . weekend means sat or sunday ?
both are ok with me since i will be in chicago anyway love to go heheheh but i am not 21 yet find something to do for me ! please lol i have 6 more months to wait on

Konichiwaneko

once you guys get a date, I can book my ticket. I love getting free flights

__________________

raeanna74

I must amend my vote. I did not consider the babysitter possibilities before voting. It seems Dei37's parents will be free the weekend of March 18-19th. This does not mean that we could not make it on the second weekend but it will take more work to find a sitter for that one.

As long as we can plan this long in advance she SHOULD not have any trouble at all. We are looking forward to getting to meet some of you in person.

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cellophanedeity

So, I took a peek at my bank account.

Unless I make a whole lot of money before then, I can't make it to either weekend.

SecretMethod70

Alright, the poll has been open for nearly 3 weeks and the votes are in! With the exception of just one person (sorry ruggerp11, hope you can still make it!), everyone who voted for the second weekend also voted for the first, bringing the vote count, effectively, to 13-1 for the weekend of March 18-19! (You can see this by clicking on any of the links for the number of votes in the poll if you've voted since I made it an open poll.)

Now it's time to move on to the other details. Who will definitely be there, who wants to make it but needs to carpool, etc. Also, what will we do?! If anyone has suggestions on good locations to meet and hang out, now is the time to start letting us know. There are many different ways in which we can do this, and that's why we're having the discussion now, 3 months in advance, so that we can explore many ideas.

So, I'll start off by saying that onodrim and I will definitely be there. As for where to meet....that's going to take a bit more thought

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shesus

Yea! I can't wait until March now. I'll start looking for affordable places to go and things to do.

As for a meeting place, we are right in the middle of downtown. We can secure a guest suite for about $125 a night and it sleeps 4 people, but if people don't mind crashing on the floor, it could sleep more. This is cheaper than a hotel for the most part and can be split up affordably. JJ and I also have room for 4+ people although SiNi has already requested the red couch

I know that a couple people have asked already so jj and I will decide later who will crash here. We have a futon and an air matress. You can PM me if you are interested in the suite or our place.

Ideas are super and fun times are had in Chicago. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.

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onodrim

As far as things to do, I rounded up a few possible dinner options ranging in type of food and price. They all are generally friendly to big groups and a lively social environment. Rather than describe each one myself in detail, here are the websites, take a look for yourselves. I'm definently not trying to say these are the only options, there is so much more of course! Just wanted to get a feel out for what people are maybe looking for.

http://www.fogodechao.com/
http://www.cafeiberico.com/
http://www.maggianos.com/
http://www.sopranosrestaurant.com/

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-Carl Sagan

SiN

and as far as i know, i'mma still planning on using it, so keep my spot reserved, please

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shesus

Ono, all of those with the exception of Soprano's are within walking distance from our apartment. That's very cool. I like any type of food with the exception of Inidan and sushi...I know I'm a weirdo. So we will let the visitor's decide once we get the tentative list
There are also other steakhouses closer to us if that's the consensus of the group. Some other places that could be an option too. I hope I don't overload the choices here

Ben Pao: http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/d...0,753299.venue
Rock Bottom: http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/d...,7770251.venue
The Kerryman: http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/d...,3970316.venue

Oh and SiNi, I put the no reservation sign up for the red couch

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Whatever did happen to your soul?
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SecretMethod70

http://www.blendchicago.com/fogodechao.html
A review of Fogo De Chao because I've always found it to be an intriguing place. On one hand, it may be a bit pricey for some people (including ono and I) at about $50 per person for dinner. On the other hand, if you read the review you'll understand why - it's all the meat you can eat!!!

EDIT: Because I was apparently not clear, I don't really think this place would be a good idea A Bit expensive for a meetup. I forget which one it is, but shesus suggested a place below that sounds like it might be good. Decent prices, pool tables, etc.

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Le temps détruit tout

"Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling

VitaminH

Since it's a good 3 months away I can't really say what I'll be doing right then, but school pending there's no reason I won't be there considering in live in the dang city an all

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NoSoup

Although I can't say for certain quite yet, I would be very interested in meeting up with you guys face to face.

I am located in Green Bay, WI - so if anyone needed a ride, I'll probably be taking I-43 South to I-94 East. If you aren't too far off the beaten path, I'd be happy to pick you up. However, a warning - my car is pretty damn small, so if you have a ton of luggage, it probably won't fit. Also, although my car technically seats four, anyone sitting in the backseat would likely be very uncomfortable, so if more than one person wants to come that'd be fine, but don't say I didn't warn you

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Just in case you were wondering...

shesus

OK, I thought I'd make a preliminary guest list:

Spectre, SecretMethod, Onodrim, Toaster, JumpinJesus, KonichiwaNeko, Toaster

Possibly: SiNi, Analog, Tecoyah, VitaminH, NoSoup

If anyone else is interested PM me and let me know your plans. It's going to be on the weekend of March 18. Hope to hear from you soon....
Also, SiNi, Amonkie, and KonichiwaNeko are the only ones I know of staying here. Let me know if you need a place to crash...

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Whatever did happen to your soul?
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Toaster126

Everyone should note Shesus is so excited to be meeting me she put my name twice.

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"The question isn't who is going to let me, it's who is going to stop me." (Ayn Rand)
"The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers." (M. Scott Peck)

shesus

Oops. Actually one of those was supposed to be amonkie, but due to multi-tasking (aka chatting) I must have made the error. Not that I'm not excited to meet you.

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Whatever did happen to your soul?
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spectre

True, but I got top billing.

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No goddamn slave
I will be different" ~ Machine Head

Sweetpea

Okay, i'm tenatively in.

woot, i can't believe i'm going to fly halfway across the country to meet people... but what the heck, you're all so damn cool

trying to see if we can still crash on shesus's and j.j's couch

sweetpea

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Konichiwaneko

if bear hug sweetpea is going, I'll ask the crush if she wants to go and meet you guys I'm still in.

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Sweetpea

holy crap! you must, i insist. we'll be nice to her i promise... we won't tease her too much

yeah! i'm looking forward to finally meeting you Koni!

sweetpea

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Sweetpea

Thanks to the lovely Shesus and J.J. for letting us crash at their place... (two of the nicest people in the world!)

I'm coming ! so excited, can't wait to meet all of you!!!



sweetpea

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onodrim

Looking forward to meeting you too sweetpea.

I know shesus tried to start this a few posts ago, but it would really be helpful to get an accurate count of who is coming, who is not, etc.

From both the poll and thread this is who I have as yes atm:
amonkie
analog
asaris
JumpinJesus
kylie
Latch
maleficent
onodrim
reanna74
SecretMethod70
shesus
SiN plus 1
spectre
Toaster126
Konichiwaneko
VitaminH
NoSoup
sweetpea plus 1
and a maybe for UsTwo.

So - please reply and say one way or the other. And also if you still need car pooling, a place to stay, advice on how to get here, etc.

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"The world is so exquisite with so much love and moral depth, that there is no reason to deceive ourselves with pretty stories for which there’s little good evidence. Far better it seems to me, in our vulnerability, is to look death in the eye and to be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides"
-Carl Sagan

Sweetpea

You are the second beautiful woman to have told me that today

Also... it's sweetpea plus 1

sweetpea

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Toaster126

I'm still looking to make plans for a place to stay so if anyone wants to discuss that with me, feel free to PM me.

__________________
"The question isn't who is going to let me, it's who is going to stop me." (Ayn Rand)
"The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers." (M. Scott Peck)

spectre

We have a good group coming. Can't wait.

__________________
"Fuck these chains
No goddamn slave
I will be different" ~ Machine Head

asaris

Looking forward to meeting you all; it sounds like fun!

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"The Germans believe that power must reveal itself in hardness and cruelty and then submit themselves gladly and with admiration[...]. They do not believe readily that there is power in meekness and calm."

-- Friedrich Nietzsche

Sweetpea

Okay, well, i just bought my airline ticket... spent an arm and a leg... and they also asked for my first-born child ... however... it's just money and i'll make more

I'm showing up on friday afternoon and i'm so thrilled to be able to meet all of you who are coming!


sweetpea
sweetpea

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Konichiwaneko

Sweety, where do you fly from? And what time are you getting in.

I'll probably be getting a car and flying into midway so if you guys need a ride I don't mind. I'm about to book my flight also.

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Sweetpea

We're getting in at 1:45pm C. time ... and yeah, we can ride with you if it'll save J.J and Shesus from picking us up

sweetpea

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shesus

Sweetpea, you're going to look kind of funny missing an arm and a leg, but I'm glad that you can make it.

And if neko can pick you up that's fine, but we really wouldn't mind the trip if necessary.

What a birthday weekend I'm going to have I get to spend it with some of my favorite TFPers.

I feel special

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Whatever did happen to your soul?
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Sweetpea

Yes indeedy, thanks for reminding me... you Need to tell us what you want for your birthday!

sweetpea

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Konichiwaneko

Silly Shesus you are special. In a non mental way. argh...that was meant as a compliment!

Anyways. Sure thing. Actually Sweety is it O'hare or Midway you are flying into? Airtran only flies into Midway so if that's the case then SheShe will have to pick you up.

I'll be renting something that can break through the ghetto of the midway area...while also stopping at a 7eleven for some random item.

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Sweetpea

drat. i'm flying into O'hare :/ so Shesus, you'll have to pick us up puullleaaasseeeee

sweetpea

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SecretMethod70

hey now, onodrim or I can meet people at airports too. I'm pretty sure I'll be free then.

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Le temps détruit tout

"Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling

Sweetpea

okay, let me rephrase and i was just going off what shesus said, i didn't know anyone else was free... getting picked up would be great, doesn't matter who and i'll buy you lunch

sweetpea

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Having a Pet Will Change Your Life!
Looking for a great pet?! Click Here!
"I am the Type of Person Who Can Get Away With A lot, Simply Because I Don't Ask Permission for the Privilege of Being Myself"