I think this year we ended up with a more expensive hotel than the ideal (at least for me) because we pushed the decision back so late, and I'd like to avoid that in '05 if possible. Also, the "renting a whole B&B" idea is *awesome.*

And of course we won't be freaking out people there. Although somehow I like our inadverent tradition of scaring the locals and other vistors.

:) Though Minnesotans are very polite about being wigged out.

I'm more than willing to do a cost sheet for MSP, and any other pre-planny type stuff that may need to happen.

I used to lean towards NOLA. Thanks, orthopaedic shoes.

BWAH!

OK, I've got all the stuff that was left in the hospitality suite. If something is yours and you want it back, let me know where to send it, and get the money to me to cover shipping, and I'll send it to you. If something is yours and you don't want it, let me know so that I can get rid of it.

• Two panda headbands
  
• a green gift bag containing a box of Pocky, insect repelant, and a Hello Kitty in the Jungle bag
  
• A navy blue hoodie that says "ZERO" across the front.
  
• A navy blue folding umbrella
  
• A water bottle with a "Follow Your Bliss" sticker
  
• A CD binder
  
• A Nellie McKay CD.
  
• Whiteboard/corkboard and markers.

Thing is, that pretty much knocks out the south for consideration, which isn't right. I wouldn't mind Austin- I can get there really easily, but I feel like NO keeps losing out.

Oddly, though I am in Dallas and could obviously get here- It's a bad place for an f2f. Aside from expensive travel- we're about to build a new arena which we'll likely pay for by taxing anyone who comes to visit making everything else expensive. Any trips to do things would mean at least a half an hour of travel time.

Oh! The gift bag is mine; Anne gave it to me at the Prom and I forgot it in all the, you know, debauchery.

This is a completely random and off-the-wall suggestion, but what if we moved the F2F much earlier so we could hold it in the South? Say, Christmas Break earlier (late Dec./early Jan., either between the holidays or right after/before then)?

I bought the panda headbands but I took the one I wanted home. Actually I think I took two home but I'm not sure.

Trudy---did you get your panda headband? If not, I'll check and see if I have an extra.

Anyone who wants the two extra headbands can have them.

I'm pretty sure the gift bag belongs to Trudy Kate.

Say, Christmas Break earlier (late Dec./early Jan., either between the holidays or right after/before then)?

The idea intrigues, but between the expense of Christmas shopping and the pressure of family doings, I'm not sure that's do-able.

Is there a weekend (in March, I'd assume) when all the collegians are on spring break?

BTW, Mardi Gras is 2/8, so NOLA would be prohibitively expensive during the weekend before.

This is a completely random and off-the-wall suggestion, but what if we moved the F2F much earlier so we could hold it in the South? Say, Christmas Break earlier (late Dec./early Jan., either between the holidays or right after/before then)?

New Orleans should be pretty quiet right before the Lenten season, right?

Seriously, though, it's not a bad suggestion.

New Orleans should be pretty quiet right before the Lenten season, right?

In January, maybe. Or after Ash Wednesday.

Just checked the Weather Channel Website for average highs for May 20-22 (which would translate to the same weekend next year):

NOLA.......86
Houston.......87
Dallas.......85

And for comparison:

Minneapolis.......72
KC.......78