Can I ask a logistical question about this summer?
My initial thought is to gather on the beach near Santa Monica pier for remembrances and candle-lighting and stories. There are many places people could stay—some with Buffistas, but since house space is limited, mostly hotels—either near the beach (more expensive, but gorgeous) or inland a bit but near public transportation (less expensive, but less convenient).
Westside LA is expensive no matter what, of course. The hotel I’d recommend for inland but near public transportation and on the lower end cost-wise is the Doubletree by Hilton Los Angeles Westside:
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I could look into getting a block of rooms at that hotel, but I’m wary about over-organizing, especially when funds are an issue. What do you all think? Would you prefer a hotel block where people could gather, or should we just all find our own way but meet up for a memorial?
I’d love to hear from those of you who plan to come. If we do want to have a centralized hotel, I need to book that this month.
ETA: And we could also do something completely different. If Westside and beach doesn’t sound appealing or if we’d rather have a house to spend time at rather than a public space, Drew and I will gladly volunteer our house in Pasadena. No beach, but pretty mountains.
Pix, I've stayed at that Doubletree, and my only complaint was no free breakfast.
Westside and beach sounds lovely.
Seriously. California in July? Have to have the beach breezes and salt air.
I figured. It's very temperate by the beach, even in the middle of summer. Keep in mind also that our hottest month tends to be September; July often isn't as bad.
Okay, so I'm leaning towards just picking a time and place to meet and letting everyone find their own way there if they want. Does that make sense for everyone? Or do we need a central hotel?
That sounds reasonable.
I know I'll want to be there, but I can't tell at this point what I'll be able to swing in July. But if a time and place is chosen, I can make plans when I can.
I know I'll want to be there, but I can't tell at this point what I'll be able to swing in July. But if a time and place is chosen, I can make plans when I can.
This is me. I have no conflicting travel plans for the summer, but I don't know what my financials will look like.
I have no conflicting plans either but I don't know how much leave I will have (or if I need it). It would be nice to stay near each other, but not enough to put any burden on you, Pix. I would say just give us some recommendations and we can figure the rest out ourselves.
I was thinking about the weekend of July 18-19 if that sounds okay to everyone.
It’s no burden on me—it’s more just that I don’t know if we have enough people to get a block of rooms somewhere, and I know that money can be tricky. Maybe we can pick a couple of hotel options and people can make a choice based on that.
