Since so many have dropped out for the June 26/27 weekend, and so many had to drop out because of the June weekend (i.e., they could go in July for sure), should we try other weekends?

We could even try other weekends for just Providence if everyone's tired of starting from scratch.

Sounds good to me.

(and I hated to type that, because I know it probably means PixKristin won't be able to make it, and she's been one of the forces behind us actually having a F2F this year)

(and I hated to type that, because I know it probably means PixKristin won't be able to make it, and she's been one of the forces behind us actually having a F2F this year)

No, we need to do what is best for the most people. Besides, I'll be in the New England/New York area from June 14th-July 2nd, so I'm sure I'll get a chance to see localistas somewhere in there. I was also lucky enough to see many of my dear Buffistas at our reception.

Final survey results were: Yes 9
Probably 5
There's a small chance 10
No 21

There's no point in reserving rooms at a hotel for 14 people, especially since many would be doubling up. If you all want to wrangle a new date, I say go for it...but rather than starting over again, I would default to the next weekend in our original polls, July 10-11 and then vote NYC vs. Providence. I'll set up a poll to that effect if you want me to.

sj, you're doing great! Seriously, very few of us have professional experience at this to know exactly the right questions to ask. And it's amazing how many hotel people are lame as all get out. The crap I had to deal with during the Madison F2F was enormous. It's not just you that this stuff is/has happened to and it will happen again to others. The cool thing about Buffistas is that you tell them where to be, provide the booze and they are happy as hell that someone else did it all. Win-win.

I also need to bow out of this for awhile. I'm dealing with a bunch of personal/professional stuff right now and don't have time to follow up the way I have been. Anyone can use Survey Monkey; it's easy.

Thanks for everything you've done, Pix!!

Kristin, that is the other weekend that is bad for Providence. I would set up a poll, but I am on cell. Can someone else do it? Maybe a question of how many people are interested in changing the date and then how many could attend at various dates?

I'm home now, and have posted a quick poll in Press.

My only hesitancies with changing the date are that a) its already the end of April and b) we may have gone beyond the attention span of a large group at this point.

If we get a strong "Let's Move It!" response, great. But if we don't get that response... Or if its a weak response...

It seems like (and I say this as a person who's Father may yet take her out of comission that weekend so its hardly optimum for me) we should stay put at the weekend agreed upon. We hearded the cats to this point and this is the point the cats reached.

Here is how we could do a dozen-or-so people F2F:

Check Orbitz for a cheap/decent hotel. (Orbitz rates are certainly comparable to and often cheaper than a block.)

Book rooms individually

Someone book a suite. It can be our meeting spot. (I'll even be the person with the big room -- I don't think any of you are going to swipe my stuff and I'll just leave the diamonds at home. If my Dad uncharacteristically comes through we'll deal.) People can chip in some money to the person with the big room. Maybe we can all chip in enough to keep it the extra day.

We can bring in whatever food and booze for a dozen people that we want. We're not booking together and we don't look like a pack of frat boys -- they will not know or care.

Saturday night we get dressed up and go out. Our after-party in the room is unlikely to cause any drama with only a dozen or so people and if we get a noise complaint from the desk we'll just keep it down.

A small group for the F2F has its merits. We'll get to see everybody and we just don't have to plan that hard.