I have heard back from the Providence Marriot. There room rates are either 119 for a double or 129 depending on the date. July 4th weekend was the only one that they could not give us a price for. I don't think they quoted a price for a hospitality suite, so I need to get back to them about that. The prom facilities would be free if we spend 800 on food and alcohol that night. I'll post more when I am back on my computer and I can see what they sent better.

800 on ... alcohol

Joe, Drew, and Vortex are taken care of then.

Debet, I'm crazy enough to sit next to you.

It might be worth considering a set weekend every year, picking a few cities in advance, bouncing back and forth from east to west to mid, and that way the only issue each year would be to find the most reasonable hotel. I know a lot of conferences do it that way, and it seems to work.

Changing the date as well as the location regularly is an attempt to get as many people as possible to be able to attend. I think we just need to be more generally proactive about it. And if it's getting to be an administrative hassle, we can take a break for a year. We're doing it for our fun; we needn't make ourselves sweat tears over it.

This year my schedule's so insane that I can't go during any of the possible weekends. That made me realize how nuts I am for scheduling things the way they are, but it also made me appreciate the efforts that the Buffistas go to to see that people can participate.

Changing the date as well as the location regularly is an attempt to get as many people as possible to be able to attend.

But if you knew a year ahead of time it was always, for example, the last weekend in June, wouldn't that help? That way you could plan for it.

Back after a long delay ... I'd be happy to help you, sj, on Providence pimpage or organization, and I just wrote to DX to ask him if he'd be interested in attending or helping, fyi.

Someone shot down Maine, as I recall, but wasn't there someone else who was interested in Bar Harbor or Bangor? Basically, I will help with anything that is East Coast north of Connecticut, including Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island. I'd *love* to go back to either of them!

I don't recall DC as being that hot and humid, but then again, I planned a vacation around the F2F, and was there for a week, camping in a tent in Virginia. All my gear, including clothes, were right for the season. Good times. Cicada mania that year.

I don't recall DC as being that hot and humid

Uhm...

Ok this is what I have from the Providence Downtown Marriot:

Guest Room Rates (Single/Double Occupancy):

June 10 – 14, 2010: $119.00

June 17 – 21, 2010: $119.00

June 24 – 28, 2010: $129.00

July 8 – 12, 2010: $129.00

July 15 – 19, 2010: $119.00

July 22 – 26, 2010: $119.00

July 29 – August 1, 2010: $119.00

• There is a $20.00 charge for each additional person per room.*

The rate quoted does not include applicable taxes that currently total 13%.

Parking is offered on a complimentary basis. A $20.00-$25.00 value compared to other Providence hotels.

Complimentary Scheduled Hotel Shuttle within a 1.5 mile radius.

TF Green Airport 9 miles/ 15 minutes away, airport shuttle service is $11.00 one way. Airport taxi service approximately $35.00 one way.

The hospitality suite would be $200 a night.

Let me know if there is any additional information I need to request.

I'm not saying it wasn't, just that it isn't in my memory banks as a big part of the experience. Instead, I remember the free concert I happened upon in the Library of Congress, visiting my favorite Van Gogh every day, the little garden I found by accident, the lovely sculpture garden next to the National Museum of Art, the cicadas, the night of monument viewing in the Java-grope-mobile, capped by strolling the amazingly beautiful FDR Monument quite late at night, then having coffee and chocolate croissants with Kate and Theodosia the next morning. Plus lots of other fun things, including the camping.