Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Mission Monitor Board Destination Chi-Town: Two Vast and Trunkless Legs of Stone

Thanks SS! I am now operations manager for a couple of radio stations here in Cincinnati. The pay is mediocre, but they offer very nice insurance with no out-of-pocket, so that's good. Plus, I like the job better than anything else I have done in the past year.

I was planning on driving to Chicago, but the company has some deal that would allow me to get airline tickets cheap.

Really looking forward to this!

just a bump for a new page... updated info to follow

All righty... new year, new board... time for a new update on things:



Since last we spoke, there's been a couple shifts out of the "yellow' section (as would be expected as we get closer). Lance is now a likely. Ibby and Blaze are unfortunately unlikely, as is Peebs (unless I'm misreading your comment above, in which case just let me know).

So, at this writing, we're looking something like this:




We've got about another four months (around the end of April/beginning of May) until, if possible, I'd like to have a good idea of the lodging count.

Obviously there's always some flexibility if you decide you can't make it - or suddenly realize you can - but that time frame is when I'd like to like to know about how many folks are planning on staying at the suites, and for how long - so I know which portion of the reservation may be cancelled if necessary.


And that... ties directly into this:




Right now that's a bit of a sliding scale - dependent upon how many folks wind up lodging here.

To recap:


There are 4 suites (1 sleeps 10, the others 6 each). The prices per night for each are, respectively : $450, $375, $350, and $325 for a maximum total of $1500 a night.

I say maximum, because obviously fewer people means fewer suites required,and therefore a price shift.

I had previously proposed that individual cost be pro-rated as an equally divided portion of the whole, regardless of the actual cost of a specific suite. That seems most fair, and - thus far - there haven't been any objections to that, so...


Let's assume a best case scenario... the maximum number of folks show up needing a place to stay... 28 people. So, 1500 by 28 people means $53 a night per.

Worst case is... everybody blows it off and I'm all alone in a suite (having cancelled the other three). I'd wind up paying $325 a night (and eating ramen noodles )

The reality will likely wind up being (just a gut feel here) about 15 - 20 people.

I would say a good ballpark figure - regardless of turnout - would be about $50 - $75 per person, per night. I'm additionally thinking of something (which may or may not materialize, so I'll hold off on that) which may drive that down by about $20.


So, for everyone, if you are considering coming out for this gathering of fun and friends, start weighing the options over the first quarter of this year or so and just let me know if you need a room, and for how many days. Thanks.

Not sure how I got on the "possible" list? Sounds like fun. I'd like to meet the folks, give'em a chance to punch me in the nose, whatever but for me, it'd be a day trip type thing most likely as those are work days for me, start of the new school year.

Chicago is a great place to visit. I'd imagine even more so with this crowd.

Yes, I have hopes the crowd is as good in person.

Here's to it being more like Legion World and less like Real World. (Actually I wouldn't mind if the apartment were like the ones on the MTV show.)

And btw, eating ramen noodles in your own private suite sounds pretty cool. Plus of course you can be naked.

(First post on new board!)

Folks, it looks like I'm going to have to be bumped down to "possible". I don't know if I'll be able to swing it this year. I'd love to see everyone, but I'm not sure it will happen.

Aww, that's a bummer, Rocky. I was looking forward to meeting you again (in the hopes that you'd actually, ya know, remember me this time. )

Hope you're able to swing it, just let me know if things shape up.

It doesn't really matter because we wouldn't have needed lodging anyways, but it is highly unlikely we will attending

OK, well now I'm just getting a complex.

Thanks for letting me know, though.


As I say above, guys... if anyone does have a firmer idea of their plans, about end of April/beginning of May we should probably finalize the count so I may cancel any unneeded reservations.

Seems like all I hear about Chicago is how terrible the crime is there. I'm sure you guys have checked out the part of town your place will be in for safety, right?

It's going be a day trip for me as I live 4 hours away. Cannot really afford an overnighter. No lodging required.

I will be there bright and early though on Saturday...okay, maybe not that early, but well before noon.

Well, I am a definite barring something distrastrouly unforseen. I even have a free airline ticket, so I am ok on traveling costs. I am planning on arriving sometime on Thursday. The only hitch is....

the airline only flies on weekdays. I can get a flight out Monday morning, but that means I need a cheap hotel, or a bus ticket back, or I just stay up all night in Chicago until my flight leaves.

Anyway, count me in.

Ex, should I bring a check, or do you want cash?

You guys might want to consider lodging in a nearby suburb if cost becomes an issue. There is easily availiable transportation to Chicago; and there is also things to do in the suburbs. We could go to Woodfield Mall, Arlington Race Track, Chicago Botanical Gardens, to name a few places.

I am still very probably, but will firm that up in the near future.

I'm still on! I'll probably need lodging for at least three days, though I'm not sure which three. Lol

I have requested the time off, and am still planning on arriving sometimes Thursday. I am stuck in Chicago until Monday morning, and then I will fly back and (maybe) go to work.

Looking forward to it!

I'm on for all four nights, as this NYC boy will be coming from GenCon in Indianapolis, ending the Sunday before. So I'll prob stay on in Indy another night or so, make my way leisurely up to Chicago, and find somewhere to stay till y'all get there.

Anyone else coming in early?

(POST NUMBER 777!)

OK, update time!

After a round of some follow up PM's, our gathering is starting to take a clearer shape.

If I've accidentally misrepresented anything below just let me know and I'll correct it (admittedly, a couple folks haven't as yet responded, but I figured I had enough new info to warrant an update):



So, a few more interested folks have had to unfortunately either bow out or be considered unlikely (Dave, Eryk, Faraway + Gigglebot, Huey, and LT).

But a few more have made their attendance plans a bit clearer.

- In for the whole shebang so far are me, Lance, Seymour and Shiney.
- Abin, Cobie and Sharky are in, but as yet unconfirmed on dates (and Abin might have his own accommodations in town).
- Conjure Lass is in for 3 days, but not sure which (I've assumed the middle two as given and left "?" on either side).
- Fat Cramer is in for Thurs, Fri, Sat.
- Dev and Blockade Boy stated they are up for a day trip, (I've made a Sat assumption, BB, because that's when it looks like the largest overlap)
- Mechana and friend are lodging offsite
- Kent is ever coy

In the "Possible" block, I've left:

- Director Lad and Emily, both pending post-grad situations
- Kenaustin, who's confirming some scheduling things
- Quis and Rocky who asked in-thread to stay "possible"
- Lash and Viridis, who I'm going to leave in this block for the time being
- and Raging Bull... who was super-interested, but - as is his wont - has been missing in action for months. If anyone (Abin or Lardy?) knows where he hides, maybe rattle a chain and tell him I was asking.


So that's what I've got so far.

As I say... still got another couple months before the final commitment on the place is due, so feel free to move up or down on the scale as necessary, or to provide more details as you have them.

Additionally, if your name is nowhere on this chart - that's only because I've included only those folks who - at one point or another - have chimed in. If you're not shown above, but want in... by all means - sound off, Legion Worlder! The more the merrier.


As a side note, I got a really sweet "Map-Easy" map of Chicago that I'll be scanning in and posting some images from over the weekend to spark some activity ideas. Chigago is an amazing city with sooooo much to do, that honestly... four days might seem like not nearly enough.

OK, map time:


First up, to get an overall feel of the location, here is a high level shore map:

(For all images, just click to enlarge)



For a rule of thumb, if you want to consider the dotted square to be the downtown area, our suites are located just north of that in the "Old Town" area. For fans of "Sin City"... no, it's nothing like that "Old Town".

Next a zoom in on that downtown area (and about as comprehensive guide to the sights, stores and eateries as you're likely to find in one place... I love Mapeasy Maps!)



Next, a further zoom into the heart of the downtown tourist area, the so-called "Miracle Mile":



and finally, when needed, a guide to the Chicago Transit system:



Our suites are just a block away from the "Sedgwick" station.



So, take some time to peruse these images and ask any questions you might have. I'll do my best to get clarification on anything that seems unclear.

One correction, Ex. I am planning on arriving on Thursday, and will not need lodging Wednesday night.

Unfortunately, I need to take myself off the "Possible" list. Due to a variety of factors, I won't have the finances available to make the trip. At this point, San Diego is at the outside of my resources, really only possible because I can drive there instead of spending money for airfare. I definitely can't do both, and SD is just easier for me. I'm sad that I'll miss out on the fun; SD 2008 was a real blast and I really wish I could get together with everyone again.

No prob, Sudro... Have fun in San Diego!

I think I'm going to have to knock myself down to two days. I don't have enough vacation time to do everything I want this year! XD!

That being said, I'm going to need lodging for the 21st and the 22nd. I'll leave on the 23rd for home. I'm going to be coming up by train. Does anyone want to come greet me at the station so I don't freak out? XD!!

Yeah, no probs. I think there are going to be a couple people w/vehicles (myself included) so I can ferry you up. We can work out the times and such once everything falls into place.

Awesome! I mean, I don't MIND taking the public transport to where we're all staying, but I'd rather not if I don't have to. XD