Feel free to watch it with P-C, bro. We'll unbolt the door after and only after we're assured that you've taken the horrible thing out of the DVD player.

Sorry Deb, I was unclear. I don't have a particular liking for spider movies (or for torturing other folks with them), I just thought the visual of poor P-C being bludgeoned by frantic meat-axe wielding arachnophobes would make fine Halloween viewing. I think it was your writer nature dropping in the fine and key meat-axe detail that triggered the mayhem for me.

I think it was your writer nature dropping in the fine and key meat-axe detail that triggered the mayhem for me.

suhNERK. Got it. You're right, it would make an interesting Very Buffista Holiday Special.

Post #3781 in this thread has the model Java used for this years F2F.

Couple of the special features for Austin.

• Live Music Capital of the World (a pub crawl on 6th Street would bring a large variety of musical stylings to ear)
• Bats (yes, I said BATS) living under the Congress Street Bridge
• Wide variety of excellent restaurants in the downtown area
• Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum is a bit self-aggrandizing, but there's a lot of interesting exhibits.
• Proximity to the Texas Hill Country either to stay for a more Buffista-centric F2F experience or day trip to Wineries, Biergartens, and historical scenes.
• Austin spans a river and chain of lakes, so a party boat or "duck" excursion would be arrangeable as well.
• Great city for Book Groupies. Including the historic O Henry House, which hosts an annual Pun-Off (in May I believe)
• Zilker Park (one of the largest municipal parks in North America)
• Umlauf Sculpture Gardens (outdoor display just as it says. Near Zilker
• Elisabet Ney Musuem/Laguna Gloria- I haven't actually been to these museums (shame on me) but I've heard intriguing things about both.

I'll try to get more specifics for anyone with questions about another area of interest.

I'll post some highlights for San Antonio shortly.

Austin rocks, as does San Antonio.

And NOLA. And Toronto.

I just want to see you all again.

I just want to see you all again.

Note to self: make sure hotel has chaise lounge, or arrange to have one brought.

Okay, I want to see all of you except Sean, who talks me into compromising photo ops.

t thwaps Sean on the head (but gently, in a loving kind of way)

I heard from the catering manager. The Buffistas spent $355.30 at the bar.

I'm waiting to hear back from the accounting office now. I need to clarify some of the charges.

I'm up for whacking at the RFP to update it and then see if Gus or ND can host it so people can print it and send to their convention and visitors bureau.* But, in to work late this AM and I did hardly any work yesterday. Let's see if I can turn that around today, not that I have done any YET.

• you know what's really weird? Now that it's over in DC, I am getting slick proposals almost daily, including solications for nifty convention areas in Arlington, and maps of the area. Where were these people BEFORE the event? Grrr.

A few highlights for San Antonio

• Alamo (I'd get kicked out of the state for not mentioning this first I think, but I confess it's a little incongruous right in the middle of Downtown San Antonio.) Of course, the Daughters of Big Hair were ready to kick me and my folks out for inadequate reverence. The Buffistas might be able to set a new record. (It's important to have goals, you know)
• Riverwalk-touristy but a lot of food and libations available in a compact area.
• San Antonio ZOO!!!!!
• King William historical district has some lovely architectural homes to view if you're into that sort of thing (Austin has it as well. Walking tours available in both cities, but the weather may not be conducive to a lot of outdoor walking for some Buffistas)
• Six Flags Fiesta Texas
• Sea World San Antonio
• Also a fair number of Hill Country towns to stay in or visit in a side trip.
• McNay Art Museum- a pretty solid mix of 20th century masters and special exhibits. I saw a Georgia O'Keefe show there that was fabulous. O'Keefe, Hopper, Picasso, Rodin and Cezanne are also represented in the permanent collections.
• Witte Museum (History and Science Museum) South Texas history and Natural Exhibits. Some recent exhibit subjects include Circus, Texas Myths, and Oct '04 to Jan '05 will find the “Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body” Exhibit at the Witte. A very Buffista Exhibit if ever there were one.

If you want me to check on any specific type of activities, let me know.

I think we should rent a bus and travel around the country.