I'd prefer either 9-1 or 8:30-12:30. Thanks for being flexible, Deb. I hear your concerns as well, and I appreciate your worry for everyone's safety.

It's been too long since the LA F2F for me to remember what time we started the party and I'm not a real big drinker of the alcohol so I have no opinion to voice on this one.

Yep, either time slot is okay - but be warned, assuming I'm still on my own feet, I will be standing there prepared to physically hogtie anyone who thinks about driving sozzled.

And Kristin, I'm flexible, but the whole "we're all adults" thing? No. The guy who forced me off highway 1 and broke 37 bones and killed my goddaughter was in his forties and a stone drunk. So, yeah, there's a few issues on this one.

There has never been a single alcohol-related incident at any of the previous 4 Proms, and there is no reason to think we'll start with this one. At all.

I'm going to put up a poll about the open bar timing. I think that's the best way to gauge when people will be wanting it.

There has never been a single alcohol-related incident at any of the previous 4 Proms, and there is no reason to think we'll start with this one. At all.

Oh, I wasn't expecting one. I tend toward the early preventive mode, which tends to make damned sure there aren't.

Besides, Laura's guarding the other door...

And yep - poll is good. So long as we let Lilibeth know, I can't imagine there would be any problems either way. Let's get a consensus.

Open bar poll

Results

[x-posted w/ Press]

Coolth! And we have tons of time - there's no pressure on getting the info back to the hotel. A couple of days to let people ping is fine, and then I can send it in with the menu.

I wouldn't be driving regardless - but in general, an earlier open bar just means I start much drinking earlier than I would otherwise, and pay for it afterward. I think later hours will work out well, and for sure we have enough rooms that anyone who isn't comfortable driving home will be well accomodated.

Am still very very impressed & grateful for all the work you guys are putting in to making this come together.

(Am also horribly conscious that a couple of beverages will see me sozzled...living in a Muslim country, and with my flatmate now allergic to alcohol, my tolerance? She is GONE. Er. So I apologise in advance for making a gibbering fool of myself.)

I've finally discovered the only beer on earth that isn't vile, too. Lambic - framboise flavor. Lovely Belgian fruit beer. So tasty and not at all beerlike.

HAR, I have recently discovered that I cannot stand lambic. 'Twas a surpise to me, too. Too sickly sweet.

I adore "vile" beer and I know there is a local brewery in Northern California, Bear Republic, that does amazing beer. I will find something to drink whatever ends up at the bar, as I love single malt champagne and wine and all that (EDIT: but it's hard for me to balance the drinking of it) but I have an unholy love also for craft beer. (as in, not american lagers like bud and coors, or even heinekan/amstel light, they are still a little light for my general tastes, though I will drink the dutch stuff if necessary). If craft beers are not available... Bass Ale is good, anything IPA is quite drinkable.

Local beers are awesome though.

Just the beer pitch, with all the mixed drink, hard alcohol, and champagne talk.