Well, what about the midwest? (Indiana to Utah, Dakota to Texas)

[the phantom]

Sophia, nice to have you. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Brinniel, best of luck begging. I hope you convince them. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Eressie Ailin, don't worry, [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] we'll consider every date. I just thought August was a good place to start because of all the people that had it available. In a week or two, I might PM everyone on this thread and ask for a complete summer schedule, listing every possible day they could meet, and we may find that some little two day window like July 2-3 just happens to work for everyone.


who?---------------August works?-----dates?

the phantom-------------YES---------1-6/11-24
alaklondewen------------YES-----------1-19
alphaelin-----------------NO
lord of dor-lomin---------YES---------1-7/11-24?
eressie ailin---------------NO
sophia-------------------YES---------1-23
tigerlily------------------YES---------1-31
Lady Bain----------------YES---------11-24


Location?---------YES----NO

1) Milwaukee-------5------1
2) Chicago---------6------1
3) St Louis---------5------2
4) Nashville--------2------3
5) Kansas City-----3------3
6) Oklahoma City---3------4
7) Indianapolis-----6------0
8) Omaha----------3------4
9) Austin----------1------3
10) Dallas---------2------3

(if you see members of this thread that haven't voted yet, point them in this direction)

[ March 26, 2003: Message edited by: the phantom ]

[lord of dor-lomin]

I notice you have a question mark by my availability because I never gave exact dates. You can go ahead and get rid of it, the dates you have listed for me are right on.

[the phantom]

Lord of dor-lomin, the next time I post an update, the ? will be gone.

And it looks like we won't be able to get it in Omaha. It's down 4 to 3. Too bad. Milwuakee, Chicago, and Indianapolis aren't too far though.

[Eressië Ailin]

Sorry guys! I can't come to Oklahoma City or Kansas City! [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

[the phantom]

Eressie, the tally will be ammended next time I post it. No biggie. (plus, it looks like those aren't the favorite spots anyway)

[the phantom]

Hello, Aerandir. I'm glad to see another face on the thread! Go ahead and reply to the dates and time question (found on the page before).

[the phantom]

Okay. Just to let everyone know, if I have time this weekend I'm going to start the PM campaign.

So watch your e-mail! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[Brinniel]

I gave up on dragging my family to Texas after my parents complained it would be to hot.

So now I'm going for Chicago. The only problem is when I told my mom I wanted to go to Chicago, she responded, "Chicago?! And what would you do there? It's just a big city." Unfortunately, I could not answer her as I do not know much about the city. Perhaps you guys could give me a list of all the things one could do in Chicago during August that would convince my family to vacation there. Then I can try to convince them to let me spend an extra day and meet all of you, if at all possible.

[Gwindor]

My vote is chicago, as that is the only place that I will be able to go this summer.

Brinnel -- There is plenty to do in Chicago! I can't name anything special off the top of my head, but check out these links. they should give your parents a good argument [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Tourism/ http://www.chicago.il.org/

if you are really interested, I suggest checking out a local travel agent and getting some pamphlets. Doing that might be less overwhelming!

-Gwindor

[Gwindor]

My vote is chicago, as that is the only place I will be able to go this summer. As for dates, any weekend should be good for me.

Brinnel -- There is plenty to do in Chicago! I can't name anything special off the top of my head, but check out these links. they should give your parents a good argument [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Tourism/ http://www.chicago.il.org/

if you are really interested, I suggest checking out a local travel agent and getting some pamphlets. Doing that might be less overwhelming!

-Gwindor

[ April 06, 2003: Message edited by: Gwindor ]

[ArwenBaggins]

August works for me, but I don't know exact dates yet

1) Milwaukee- NO
2) Chicago- NO
3) St Louis- YES
4) Nashville- YES
5) Kansas City- YES
6) Oklahoma City- NO
7) Indianapolis- YES
8) Omaha- NO
9) Austin- NO
10) Dallas- NO

[Bulelainwen]

1) Milwaukee no
2) Chicago maybe
3) St Louis no
4) Nashville no
5) Kansas City no
6) Oklahoma City no
7) Indianapolis no
8) Omaha no
9) Austin maybe
10) Dallas maybe

I can't give out a definite yes because it all depends on what my parents feel like doing since they do have to drive me there. I can meet anytime, except June 20-July 15 because thats when I am going to Europe (yay!!), August probably would be best.

[the phantom]

As far as times go, many of the pms I'm getting have not included dates because they are not known yet. Once I have some more, I'll post an update on those.

These are the updated location totals. (some people have voted or changed votes via pm)

Location----------YES----NO

1) Milwaukee-------5------4
2) Chicago---------7------3
3) St Louis---------6------4
4) Nashville--------3------5
5) Kansas City-----3------5
6) Oklahoma City---2------6
7) Indianapolis-----7------2
8) Omaha----------3------7
9) Austin----------1------4
10) Dallas---------3------4

Make sure and vote if you haven't. I'll do another pm campaign this weekend.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

WhooHoo! Chicago and Indy are winning! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] those are the two I'd be most likely to get to!

[Liriodendron]

I could easily do Indpls. Anytime! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] I live an hour away, so anytime in Indpls is good. I couldn't really go anywhere else, my family wouldn't "understand"! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] I hardly know anyone anyway, so it doesn't really matter, but if you have it at Indy, I'll show up!
[img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

[ April 21, 2003: Message edited by: Liriodendron ]

[Lindolirian]

Anytime in July, but I'm booked the rest of the summer, and I can only make it in Indianapolis.

[Lady_Báin]

hmmmm..... well it's almost may so any concrete dates would be awesome!!!!

[alaklondewen]

I believe this thread went a bit stale, so you think setting the date could liven things back up? [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[the phantom]

Yes, maybe that will encourage those who haven't sent me their availability yet to hurry up.

I'll take a look at what we have so far and then make a proposal via PM (probably tomorrow).

I'm going to list people that I need exact dates or locations from, or possibly both. If you did give both to me but I list you anyway, just tell me I made a mistake. If you can't give me concrete info now, just give me your best guess or tell me that you don't know.

Jesse
Alphaelin
Brinniel
Kalimac

Here's people that told me they didn't know exact dates before. Please let me know if you do know them now (or if you still don't).

Tigerlily Gamgee
Eressie Ailin

[ May 17, 2003: Message edited by: the phantom ]

[Vardamar]

All I can say is that if you set a date and a location...Ill do my best to be there...scouts honor. [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

[the phantom]

Okay, Vardamar, you are officially off the list.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Phantom- I can do any date in August, up till the 23rd, Chicago or Indianapolis work the best for me... but anywhere you go I'll do my best to be there! I'm really excited about this [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] so we'd better try to make it happen!

Sophia

[Arafangwen]

I've been told numerose times by my parents that you are all serial killers and just want to meet me so you can kidnap me and ritualy sacrifice my blood mixed with that of a rabbit..... I'm way off track here. I'm in Texas and would love to meet you all but for the afore mentioned reasons, seriously doubt I will ever meet anyone in my entire lifespan [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] . I shall be with you though, in spirit [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] . Have fun!

[the phantom]

but anywhere you go I'll do my best to be there!

That's the spirit!

I'm really excited about this [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] so we'd better try to make it happen!

I, too, am very excited about this. Expect the first date and location proposal sometime this weekend. I'll try to make it a good one.

I've been told numerose times by my parents that you are all serial killers and just want to meet me so you can kidnap me and ritualy sacrifice my blood mixed with that of a rabbit

Ha ha! That just gave me a really funny thought. What if every last person who showed up at the meeting was a pyscho kidnapper. They get there and they're all like "What?! We're all psycho kidnappers?! Isn't there at least one normal person to kidnap?!!"

(well, I think that sounds funny, maybe I'm just odd)

But seriously, don't worry people. Once a location is set, a local of that area will find us a nice public place (like a Burger King, a hotel lobby, ect) to meet in. And as I've said before, if your parents like Tolkien bring them along. The more the merrier.

[Vardamar]

as for me...

1) Milwaukee- NO
2) Chicago- YES
3) St Louis- NO
4) Nashville- NO
5) Kansas City- NO
6) Oklahoma City- NO
7) Indianapolis- YES
8) Omaha- NO
9) Austin- NO
10) Dallas- NO

as for times, I still need to get my syllabus for the fall...that is if it happens in august...

Ill edit this...Chicago is also a go for me.

[ May 16, 2003: Message edited by: Vardamar ]

[Arafangwen]

Ha ha! That just gave me a really funny thought. What if every last person who showed up at the meeting was a pyscho kidnapper. They get there and they're all like "What?! We're all psycho kidnappers?! Isn't there at least one normal person to kidnap?!!"
(well, I think that sounds funny, maybe I'm just odd)

LOL! *dies* *again* That would be great! Can I be one?! If any of you end up in Austin, PM me ok? [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[the phantom]

Okay you guys, time for some fun!

I want everyone to try to think of some neat, enjoyable, silly, or Tolkienish things that we can do while we're together this summer.

For instance, when we first meet nobody tell their name and we all fill out a card where we guess who everyone is before introductions are made.

Or maybe we could visit a costume shop and dress up as characters (and take pictures of course) and maybe even act out scenes from the movie and record them.

Maybe we could each make up some quizzes from LOTR (book and movie), Silmarillion, and The Hobbit and administer them to the rest of the group and see how people do (and have prizes for the winners of course such as everyone else buying their dinner that evening).

Or perhaps we could fix some Middle Earth food?

Anyway, those are just some quick ideas. Tell me what you think of those and try to come up with some other ideas.

PS (check your PMs and respond to the date proposal if you haven't done that yet)

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

For instance, when we first meet nobody tell their name and we all fill out a card where we guess who everyone is before introductions are made.

This would be hard, as many of us seen pictures. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] I'm fairly certain I'd recognize at least Alak and Lindolirian from their pics (unless they've changed a lot).

Or maybe we could visit a costume shop and dress up as characters (and take pictures of course)

This sounds fun... as does this:

Or perhaps we could fix some Middle Earth food?

Raefindel posted a recipe for Lembas in N&N! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Sophia

[manaratowen]

ok, i realize i read this a bit too late, but alak just told me about it...lol... indy or chi town sound great, any time in august is good for me, except the weekend of the 17th, as i have b-day plans.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

May we have a small update, please, Mr. Phantom, sir... As I'm currently planning to go wherever there are Barrowdowners this summer even if I have to walk. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Hmm... just worries me when the thread goes stale, as I *really* want to meet you all.

Sophia

[Liriodendron]

I have the dates of July 25, 26, and/or 27 as the current selections, from pm, from Phantom. (in Indpls) I would like to do any of those fun things....one question, is anyone planning on attending this Midwest get-together an older adult? At 47, will I be the only old person there? Just wondering. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] What type of place to meet? I imagine when it gets right down to it, there won't be all that many of us. A restaurant, hotel/motel, park, place of interest such as a museum or zoo? Just curious.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Hm, Liriodendron... the next person to your age that I know for sure is planning to go is early twenties... *cringes* that's not really that old. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[Liriodendron]

Oh oh! Well, darn! Odd gal out again. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

[the phantom]

Age means nothing to me, Liriodendron. A couple of the coolest, most interesting people I've known are both in their seventies, and you're not nearly that old.

At this point, I'm waiting for more votes (yes or no). I'm going to try a slightly different date and see if I get the same response. I imagine I will, because pretty much the only people responding to my PMs all have the same general window open. It's the maybes (people that I think can attend, but haven't said so yet) that I'm concerned with.

We might be going to a resturaunt, hotel/motel, park, and a musuem. I'm up for pretty much anything. Come up with more ideas for activities and locations and tell us about them.

[Iarwain]

Greetings fellow Midwesterners, I'm a Chicagoan!

Iarwain

[the phantom]

Hello, Iarwain. It's nice to see you here. Would you be interested in joining us this summer for our little get together?

[Iarwain]

Sadly, (but surely) impossible. I thought that for future years I should just put forward my name and affirm my location.

Oh well,
Iarwain

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

[img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] Aw, sad, Iarwain. We'll look for you in future years then. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Sophia

[Meoshi]

St. Paul resident here...

[alaklondewen]

Our date is coming up soon...we still need to hear some suggestions for activities. We will want to stick to public places and inexpensive endeavors I'm sure.

Let's get this thread back in motion! I'm looking forward to meeting everyone.