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

Lance, the idea of being voted out of the hotel is not helping!

Don't worry Shiney, you're part of the alliance... no blind siding... I swear.

Oh, so I guess my being there would not tempt you.

I definitely like August for a time period. And that seems to rule out a Chicago con. Once we actually get a set date, we can then look for various things to do/see. I would say that people do not have to do everything that is planned. Some hang time should also be factored in.

I think it would be good for people to be in the same hotel. It makes meeting up and even just hanging out easier. But I would not make staying at the same hotel a requirement. I'd definitely be looking to share a room. If I can survive sharing a room with Exnihil, I can share a room with anybody.

lancesrealm, I don't think we are limiting it to just men. We do have a tentative from Fanfic Lady. Another thing to put out here is bringing significant others and/or kids. Although I have neither to bring with me, I think it is perfectly fine to have the significant others and/or kids to come along. I would say that it is especially true given that we won't be doing a con.

Lash, it does seem that Chicago has a couple of comic book shops http://chicago.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-comic-book-shops-in-chicago/

Because of my finances and employment situation (unemployed), I can't commit at this time. Once I do get a job, I should be able to be there. And despite being shy and feeling a little awkward in social situations, I want to be there.

You were just fine when you met that bald guy at the airport.

Hope you can make it. Not enough time to hang out last time.

Qurrrrl!!!! Forget those hoes... you need to meet ME!

Anyway... my uncertainty issue is over and dealt with. Barring anything unforeseeable, I am definitely in! There is a chance late August would be better than early August, but it might be okay either way.

OK, to recap the discussed possible dates (and add some additional info I found out about August 2013 in Chicago):


- I feel like some good points have been made to take Labor Day weekend out of contention (8/31-9/2), leaving us the following weekends (buffered on either side dependent on individual needs):

8/3 - 8/4
8/10 - 8/11
8/17 - 8/18
8/24 - 8/25

- Two other things to note (as folks have expressed concern about premium hotel rates/availability/crowds during large events):

The 8/3 weekend is the same weekend as Lollapalooza - which is in Grant Park, about 20 miles south, but I would imagine there is a lot of lodging overflow...

...and the 8/10 weekend is the Wizard World Comic Convention (I didn't even know that was still a thing!) I believe general sentiment was to avoid comic conventions, but feel free to speak up if you feel differently.


So, if folks agree that the above two weekends are also unadvisable, it looks as though the universe might be helping us along to decide the date, leaving us with either the weekend of 8/17 or 8/24.

I don't know if you guys would like to "poll" the options, or if you'd like to just suss it out through discussion here.

Suss first, poll later. That way people can vote based on considerations others bring up that they might not have thought of themselves yet.

ditto what Shiny said.

Well, then... get to sussin', youse!

The idea of discussion before votes may be my biggest contribution, I don't really have any long-term conflicts or concerns to bring up at this point. I don't have family to spend holiday weekends with and I work for myself so timing isn't generally a problem.

I should be good for any of those, so no suss or sass from me.

Though I'm not necessarily opposed to a con, Wizard World is a ways north of the city, and if there aren't enough people with cars, it would be difficult to enjoy Chicago proper.

And as we think blocks of hotel rooms and whatnot, I'd suggest throwing Friday night in if trying to get a group rate. I know I'd probably try to come in Friday so I could have all day Saturday to hang out with youse guys.

I'd definitely want to spend at least two nights, if only because I wouldn't want to fly two days in a row. If it's worth traveling that far, then it's worth staying more than 48 hours.

However that could be a subgroup that those of us coming a tad early can arrange.

rather than hotels, consider: http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p235477

among 10 people, that's $37 .50 a night. if we have more than 10 (as we hopefully will), they have other units for rent in the same building.

Wow, if that's anywhere near where we'd want to be, that's a good price. Unless Chicago's just way cheaper that I thought.

While I'm in this thread I might as well also mention how I feel about comic cons. Which is "eh".

I think it's a fine idea for this group to meet at a comic con, but the con would more likely be the focus rather than the group. Anyone who wants to be at a comic con at all wants to do many of the things on the program there, and I imagine it's hard to do both that and spending any significant time with a group.

it looks like a good area to be, and way better of a value than the hotels I've been looking at.

Cool find, Kent. That looks to be about a mile from Navy Pier, so really quite close to the city center.

And... hopefully... Lincoln Park has absolutely nothing to do with:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yw1Tgj9-VU&ob=av2e

I like the looks of this!!

The site has a number of options. I posted that as an example because it can accomodate 10.

As much as we will likely want to sample local cuisine, it'd be nice to have the option to do brekkie and/or lunch in our own kitchens, if/when we so choose, or have a fridge to bring home leftovers, too.

I've no problem splurging on a nice dinner or brunch, but that doesn't mean very meal has to be such.

That's a really cool option!

That does sound like it would be ideal. It would be better than having us all spread out at different hotels. We could even spend an evening in just talking and/or watching videos (the Legioon cartoon)

Even though I prefer not to have the meetup at a con, I was at San Diego in 2008 with the big meetup there. We went to many panels together. The thing was, we (that is Nightcrawler) did have a table at the con that served as a central meeting place. People came and went as they wanted to, but there was always someone at the table. And at the end of the day we were all (mostly) together so as to make plans for the evening.

I would be going just to meet up with people, so a con would not make me want to go more.

I just want to meet as many of you as possible. Spending money on a con seems a little counter productive for those on a tighter budget.