Sure, Java. Insent.

Also, funny you mention Pt Townsend. That will be my first destination. I'll be there for about two days, then will head down to Seattle (Typo - I'll be staying with Dena, from Twitter).

Great news, guys. My magical and phenomenal travel agent got me great deal on the flights, so I actually can afford another detestation in addition to Seattle, L.A., maybe SF (yes, megan. I think we can) and Chicago. I'm thinking NOLA, but still considering NC (but maybe I'll save it to a proper West Coast vacation...).

I'll order my flights tomorrow so it can still be a day or two in each direction for all flights other than the one that will get me to Seattle on May 3rd, but just so you'll have some kind of schedule in mind:

Seattle area - May 3 till May 8/9
L.A. - May 8/9 till May 12
(optional - driving with megan to SF - May 12th to May 14th)
Chicago - May 14 till May 17/18
(Optional - NOLA? - May 18 till May 20)

Back home - May 20.

That's really gonna happen. I jumped with joy in my office when I got the call from the travel agent.

Shir, this may or may not be of any interest to you, but I'm going to an animal rescue benefit on night of May 17 that is a Casino Night at Comiskey Park (or US Cellular Field, as the kids call it). It's $100, but will certainly be a unique experience. If it sounds like something you'd want to do just let me know and I'll send you the info. (That goes for all Chicagoistas as well.)

Rockin' for Rescue

Wow, NOLA option on there? We should be around during that timeframe. (May 18-20)

Wow, sounds pretty awesomely packed, Shir! I'm glad your travel agent was able to help you figure out how to fit so much in.

If you can squeeze NC in there (which would be amazing, seeing how much you're already fitting in) we would love to see you, and my guest room is available, and I have a car to drive you around. But if you can't make it, I understand, of course.

(And I do have to work during the week, but if you do make it to NC, and I knew which days, I could probably swing a day off or two, since I'm going to be working lots of overtime the next couple of weeks.)

But I can't even imagine squeezing NC into your time frame and making it back to Israel by the 21st, and NOLA is wonderfully fun.

Oh, dag, I think I'm going to miss you by a day in Chicago, Shir. Unless you're there in the morning. We're heading to Michigan that day.

Shir, I will actually be in Seattle May 3-7, yay! I was worried you'd be around only while I was gone.

Java Cat, she lives in Pasadena now.

Shir, if you make it to SF, I will certainly carve out time to see you! I would really love to meet. I also have room for you to stay (your own room, in Oakland) if that's helpful. I haven't logged into your spreadsheet because I am a loser.

Also, we have two people whose first names are "Java" related, so just keep that in mind.

Thank you, all. This day was very exciting. So much that it got me very tired, and it's just after 10pm here. Anyhow.

I'm going to an animal rescue benefit on night of May 17

Thank you - looks interesting, but I want to get the flights sorted first and decide later on activities.

I haven't logged into your spreadsheet because I am a loser.

I beg to differ.

If you can squeeze NC in there

Sigh I'm very, very sorry, but I think I'll skip this - and also SF - this time. Not enough time to see y'all.

I thought of it a lot today, and here's what I'm aiming for now (I'll have answers back from the magical travel agent tomorrow):

Seattle area - May 3 till May 8/9 (May 3rd till May 5th at PT Townsend, May 5th till May 8 in Seattle, sometime in between visiting Olympia)
L.A. - May 8/9 till May 12 (no SF - sorry, megan and others)
Chicago - May 12 till May 16
NOLA - May 16 till May 18/19

(Should have thought of this first, but I saw the flight that leaves on the 20th arrives on the 21st. I want to be here by the 20th, in case the jet lag will be a bitch, since I'm starting the Big New Job as a metadata librarian/analyst on the 25th).

Thank you again, all. I can't tell you how excited I am about this, and I can't wait to see you in person.

Wow Shir, this is so exciting! Plan on getting a big warm welcome. As for weather, I think LA will be fairly temperate. May is usually cool in the mornings, warm in the afternoons, so a light sweater is useful.