I fall out against preferential voting because I think it would invite situations where not everyone would agree on how the counting should be added up, and there would be the possibility of the legitimacy being called into question if a candidate with fewer first place votes won the point total.

This is premature, but I probably won't be at the 2006 F2F either, and as a person with a limited stake in the outcome, I offer to do or audit the 2006 vote-counting, if we go preferential for that.

Ok. Popping in to thwart Seattle's Halloween planning get some feedback on my farewell tour. My intent is to roll up or down the West Coast (of America) prior to hopping my flight back to God's Own Country. Let me stress here that nothing is final and there are no promises. How I return will be influenced by many factors, including air fares, finances, work demands, family and plain old logistics. But if all goes to plan, I have some options mapped out, and I need some serious pimpage from the places concerned. Note: I have a limited time-frame. I'll already be taking leave without pay to do what I've mapped out here. Extending the total time is not happening. Tweaks are possible.

So here are my draft itineraries:

Option 1 - Southerly
Nov 15: Fly into Seattle.
Nov 17: Fly to San Fran.
Nov 19-20: Drive to L.A. There will be a stop at Monterey Aquarium, oh yes there will.
Nov 22: Fly, drive or train down to San Diego.
Nov 26: Return to L.A. airport, hop flight to Sydney.

Option 2 - Northerly
Nov 15: Fly into San Diego.
Nov 19: Fly, drive or train up to L.A.
Nov 21-22: Drive to San Fran. There will still be a stop at Monterey Aquarium.
Nov 22: Fly to Seattle.
Nov 26: Return to San Fran, hop flight to Sydney.

Option 3 - Also Southerly, but with a time delay.
Nov 22: Fly into Seattle.
Nov 24: Fly to San Fran.
Nov 26-27: Drive to L.A. Monterey. You know the drill.
Nov 29: Fly, drive or train down to San Diego.
Dec 3: Return to L.A. airport, hop flight to Sydney.

Some of the issues I've come up with: where am I spending Thanksgiving, where do the weekends fall, what will the weather be like, I prefer flying out of San Fran to L.A.

Does anyone have any comments? Suggestions, observations, and of course mad pimpage are all encouraged.

As noted in Bitches, billytea, I think you should come to T'day here at Chez Grabien. It's my big annual relaxed party; last year there were two turkeys, and my daughter's boyfriend brought along steamtrays full of food his chef made, and we have the geeks' table.

It's for people who want to avoid the family stress. Ask Lysana; she and her DH have been to one or two.

Just be sure you plan on stopping at the Monterey Aquarium.

Yes, T'day at Nic and Deb's can be loads of fun.

Billytea in LA!!!! So freaking cool!

Billytea, I will be out of town for Thanksgiving, so I hope the SoCal part of your trip is some other time, on a purely selfish level. However it works out though, please let me know if you need a place to stay in LA.

Billytea, I will be out of town for Thanksgiving, so I hope the SoCal part of your trip is some other time, on a purely selfish level. However it works out though, please let me know if you need a place to stay in LA.

Thank you, and I probably will. I couldn't work out Thanksgiving in L.A., but I'll likely be there pretty close to it on one side or the other. When are you out of town?

Thanksgiving at Deb's is giving option 3 a definite boost.

Thanksgiving at Deb's is giving option 3 a definite boost.

There is also very good champagne, and there are cats to hang out with. Plus, among other things, I am considering making a chapeau noir as one of the desserts this year. Or a winter harvest tart with tiny champagne grapes that have been glazed in redcurrant jelly.

Or both.

You don't get half the purse unless you beat me, Allyson. But if you come over right now, you stand a damned good chance.

Thank you, and I probably will. I couldn't work out Thanksgiving in L.A., but I'll likely be there pretty close to it on one side or the other. When are you out of town?

I haven't really decided yet. I was planning on being there for the whole weekend, but that can be rearranged, if it means getting to see you (and going to the SD zoo)