Interested in a Washington State Litogether?

[Chicklet]

hey i'd probably come, depending on when... i drive up to seattle pretty regularly lately to screw a guy that doesn't really like me

 

[cowboyjoe37]

I would I live in vancouver washington

I think it would be fun

 

[SweetErika]

Great! Check back, and we'll keep you posted.

 

[Doctor Joe]

Hi Chicklet and cowboyjoe I think this just may come together..

Sweet Erika.....thanks for keeping tabs on the thread and the idea.....are you headed east to the Yakima valley this month for some wine did I read?

 

[SweetErika]

Sweet Erika.....thanks for keeping tabs on the thread and the idea.....are you headed east to the Yakima valley this month for some wine did I read?

Yep, we'll head to Richland sometime between Christmas and New Years. and maybe hit some of the wineries that are open then.

 

[Doctor Joe]

Yep, we'll head to Richland sometime between Christmas and New Years. and maybe hit some of the wineries that are open then.

That's always a fun thing to do. Do you have any wines or labels that you like more than others? any favorites? (Love your AV too, BTW)

 

[eudaemonia]

Seattle in the Spring sounds great.

BTW, the person who's unsure of his/her vehicle condition, the Amtrak Cascades is very affordable (~equal to $ of gas from Portland) and takes you right into King St. station in downtown Seattle.

 

[SweetErika]

That's always a fun thing to do. Do you have any wines or labels that you like more than others? any favorites? (Love your AV too, BTW)

I answered you here in the roll call thread, so things are a bit easier to keep track of if we need to go back through this one.

 

[SweetErika]

Is this idea fizzling out, guys and gals? Do you know any others in the area who haven't been by, and may be interested?

I looked through some of the other states' litogether threads the other day, and there are tons of great ideas and things we can start to consider. Perhaps we could start to think about and suggest on topics like:

-Months that are ideal

-Location(s)

-Activities

-More structured or less structured?
Some states get a count of who's coming, and try to get in the same hotels, create itineraries, and kind of stick together for days and weekends. Others plan to meet at a restaurant, and then break up or go to a club or something afterwards, and everyone's responsible for their own arrangements.

-Privacy.
Some areas publish meeting locations and times. For safety reasons, others have one or two people only give them out via PM.

Thoughts?

 

[Doctor Joe]

I don't know if it's fizzling or just on the back burner with the holidays here. I bet we get more thread activity when everyone has a few days off or after New Year's when we can plan ahead a bit. I'm for meeting when the weather is better for those of us who may have to travel...like Spring or summer?

 

[SweetErika]

I don't know if it's fizzling or just on the back burner with the holidays here. I bet we get more thread activity when everyone has a few days off or after New Year's when we can plan ahead a bit. I'm for meeting when the weather is better for those of us who may have to travel...like Spring or summer?

I suspected it's the holidays, and am having trouble keeping up myself!

Spring or summer is definitely best, but I saw some people voice opinions about certain months being better or worse in other threads, so I thought it might be a topic to discuss. I know some who are interested have travel plans for specific months, and there are always holidays as well. I got the impression planning early as we're doing is really key to attendance/success, and hope we can find a time that works for just about everyone.

 

[HouseToy]

I'll skip voting.. since I don't actually live in WA state anymore. I grew up there ... and mostly lived there for 25 years. Depending on timing.. I'd meet you all just for fun and to say hi. I travel back home (Olympia) a few times a year. I can shift my schedule given a little notice.

And, it would be nice to have a place to go grab a drink and chat for a while.. instead of being trapped with family all the time

 

[SweetErika]

I'll skip voting.. since I don't actually live in WA state anymore. I grew up there ... and mostly lived there for 25 years. Depending on timing.. I'd meet you all just for fun and to say hi. I travel back home (Olympia) a few times a year. I can shift my schedule given a little notice.

And, it would be nice to have a place to go grab a drink and chat for a while.. instead of being trapped with family all the time

Thanks for dropping in, HouseToy! As much as I love spending time with my family, I know what you mean, and it's nice to mix it up a little. Whenever this is, we'll definitely give lots of notice, so hopefully you'll be able to make it.

I think we're probably going to use the poll as a starting contact list in the future for ease. So if you don't vote, stay in touch with this thread (you don't want to rely on my memory these days ).

 

[HouseToy]

I subscribed... so I'll be in touch even if I am 3500 miles away and headed to miami for a week in January. I'll be thinking about all my Rusty WA state friends as I relax in the pool beside the beach.

 

[bikerbob39]

count me in

A get together sounds like fun, hope I can make it

 

[uhhyeahh]

hey i'd probably come, depending on when... i drive up to seattle pretty regularly lately to screw a guy that doesn't really like me

You could come see me, I'd like you!

 

[p_dig]

Great idea. Count me in. It will be fun to get together with others from around the Pacific Northwest.

 

[SweetErika]

Great idea. Count me in. It will be fun to get together with others from around the Pacific Northwest.

Wonderful! It'll be nice to meet another northern neighbor. Hmmm... I'll deem it extra nice if you bring me some HobNobs.


I hope the holidays were lovely, and 2006 is off to a smooth start for all! Perhaps we can begin to discuss ideas to get this gathering off the ground? Everyone's input is sorely needed and greatly appreciated!

 

[Kaito_Shinshi]

I'll come down...Not to far, where in WA? Lemme know

 

[SweetErika]

I'll come down...Not to far, where in WA? Lemme know

We've been talking about somewhere in the Greater Seattle area because it's fairly central, but certainly need some discussion and suggestions on locations.

 

[Kaito_Shinshi]

We've been talking about somewhere in the Greater Seattle area because it's fairly central, but certainly need some discussion and suggestions on locations.

Well I like the idea of Seattle...it's nice and easy to get to. I'll keep an eye on this thread

 

[p_dig]

Wonderful! It'll be nice to meet another northern neighbor. Hmmm... I'll deem it extra nice if you bring me some HobNobs.


I hope the holidays were lovely, and 2006 is off to a smooth start for all! Perhaps we can begin to discuss ideas to get this gathering off the ground? Everyone's input is sorely needed and greatly appreciated!

Erika, let me know if you have any more requests. I'll bring those for sure.

What type of venue do you think would be ideal? How is the poll looking? If you want to send me a private message, feel free. I do a lot of weekend trips around Seattle so I could suggest some ideas.

 

[SweetErika]

Well I like the idea of Seattle...it's nice and easy to get to. I'll keep an eye on this thread

Great, and please feel free to jump in the discussion of logistics as well!

Erika, let me know if you have any more requests. I'll bring those for sure.

What type of venue do you think would be ideal? How is the poll looking? If you want to send me a private message, feel free. I do a lot of weekend trips around Seattle so I could suggest some ideas.

Awww...that's a sweet offer! Hopefully I'll make it to Vancouver and replenish my cookie supply in the next couple of months, but may take you up on it if the plans go awry.


I'm not sure on the venue, but would love to hear your ideas! Some of the other groups have met at a restaurant in the afternoon, stayed until 7 or 8, then proceeded to go to a bar/club or break up in smaller groups. Others have held them in hotel meeting/ballrooms (and even had vendors like toy stores), or created an agenda for an entire weekend. We could do something similar to any of these or completely different... it all depends on what sounds best and how much planning/work we want to put into this.

Right now the poll stands at 31: 27 attendees (though there are a few more who aren't sure/haven't voted, those who haven't found this thread, and significant others) and 4 who are willing to help in a larger capacity. I think we'll get a better number once we narrow down dates and plans.

I'd really like to get opinions on privacy/safety now as well. We can either make the location(s) public, or a couple of us can only give them via PM (this may help reduce weirdos, stalkers, and exes). I think we're fine discussing possible locations in this thread, but do we want to publicize a final decision?

 

[p_dig]

Very good ideas. You really have me thinking. How does the rest of group feel about this.. do we want to get a hotel meeting room and get some toy vendors to join along? I'm okay with what the concensus goes by.

But I think a restaurant in the city (not too formal) would give us the best chance to actually talk and get to know one another. The atmosphere in this type of restaurant only helps spread the positive vibes.. something I don't think we'd accomplish the same way in a meeting room. Following our cocktails and dinner, we can move on to relax at a bar or club. We'll most likely be in the city anyway =) Very nice!

I'm definitely game for dinner and staying around town overnight.. and even for the whole weekend. If we can set the date for a Saturday, that would be best for me. I can either get to Seattle on Friday after the office.. or drive Saturday morning.

Location and event details are best communicated via email or PM.. for the reasons you stated. We'd like to keep the list down to the members who have rsvp'd and their friends/significant others. Should be a good group and we don't want the ex's and stalkers to ruin a fun evening.

 

[SweetErika]

Very good ideas. You really have me thinking. How does the rest of group feel about this.. do we want to get a hotel meeting room and get some toy vendors to join along? I'm okay with what the concensus goes by.

But I think a restaurant in the city (not too formal) would give us the best chance to actually talk and get to know one another. The atmosphere in this type of restaurant only helps spread the positive vibes.. something I don't think we'd accomplish the same way in a meeting room. Following our cocktails and dinner, we can move on to relax at a bar or club. We'll most likely be in the city anyway =) Very nice!

I'm definitely game for dinner and staying around town overnight.. and even for the whole weekend. If we can set the date for a Saturday, that would be best for me. I can either get to Seattle on Friday after the office.. or drive Saturday morning.

Location and event details are best communicated via email or PM.. for the reasons you stated. We'd like to keep the list down to the members who have rsvp'd and their friends/significant others. Should be a good group and we don't want the ex's and stalkers to ruin a fun evening.

Thank you so much for your input, p_dig! And welcome to Lit! I think I've said it before, but I think this will be far better if everyone contributes ideas and discussion, rather than just one or a few making all of the decisions. Plus, I'm not really the Event Planner type, so while I'm happy to coordinate, I definitely need help!

I agree regarding the restaurant, privacy, and Saturday. I've gone through most of the past Litogether threads, and took those from the various Texas city and state groups. They've had many successful events, so these ideas seem very solid, simple, and may be best for us too.

I know it's only January, guys, but I'm really eager to get going on this because we're talking about peak wedding/anniversary/tourist/event season and reservations for just about anything we do. I'm concerned waiting too much will leave us with few or pretty undesireable options for a fairly large group, so there's some urgency here.