Midwest Meetup!

[kevbo]

Yeah, since we've decide early May, Valleyfair is out of the question. Guess that's what I get for copying and pasting

[frankfrank]

That sounds like fun, omminc. I'm not a clubbing guy either (well, not more than for an hour or so). We could have a non-clubbing option plan.

I love the idea of a non-clubbing option!

The way-over-the-top-and-out-of-balance clubbing in St. Louis (about 14 hours of it, and my first JUB meet) came real close to swearing me off any future JUB meets. Out of all group social activities that exist, clubbing is probably my least favorite of all, totally and entirely useless (but OK in perhaps a small dose).

The earlier in May the better for me, because if this segues into a big trip afterward I'd rather be all-finished before June arrives.

I agree, the big Saturday night meal would probably better be done at some place other than MOA, but I also assume their selection of "mall food" is better than the typical.

[kevbo]

Eating at the mall is not an option. The mall is naught but a huge tourist trap (which I love, don't get me wrong), and none of the meals come with a reach around...

[Quanchi]

Just wanted to make a post saying I'm interested. Just wanted to put in a "maybe". Plus I've always wanted to check out the Mall of America

[swerve]

Just wanted to make a post saying I'm interested. Just wanted to put in a "maybe". Plus I've always wanted to check out the Mall of America

The Mall of America is PRETTY FUCKING AMAZING!!!

When I went -- there were a BUNCH of REALLY HOT soldiers doing some sort of sign up or something RIGHT WHERE I walked INTO the mall -- they had rock climbing walls/cockpits/etc...

It took me a LOOOOONG time watching them before I even got into the ACTUAL mall...

Can you imagine them having to deal with a WHOLE JUB GROUP???

[Lube]

You know, we have lots of bear events here, if anyone's interested. Depending on which weekend it is, there could be Bear Bar Night or Bears Uncorked (wine tasting) or MovieBears/ScareBears or Bear Game Night or the bear knitting group or....

Just some thoughts.

[Quanchi]

You know, we have lots of bear events here, if anyone's interested. Depending on which weekend it is, there could be Bear Bar Night or Bears Uncorked (wine tasting) or MovieBears/ScareBears or Bear Game Night or the bear knitting group or....

Just some thoughts.

Those sounds like more selling points for me. We also have a MovieBears group here in Phoenix.

[frankfrank]

You know, we have lots of bear events here, if anyone's interested. Depending on which weekend it is, there could be Bear Bar Night or Bears Uncorked (wine tasting) or MovieBears/ScareBears or Bear Game Night or the bear knitting group or....

Just some thoughts.

Kevbo posted, in the ATTENTION!!! thread, that it's been fixed upon the FIRST weekend of May.

That works the best for me! (Weekends after early May quickly become progressively worse for me...until becoming viable again in September.)

[NineOfClubs]

The first weekend in May works best for me. Any later and it would be more difficult getting the time off..

[kevbo]

Just for clarity, the dates are May 7-9, 2010

[Lube]

^ Yes, that's the first weekend... only on Planet Kevbo.

Glad you clarified!

[kevbo]

Sorry, I consider Friday nights weekend

[shaggyvox]

what is there to do in minneapolis? are there gay bars? What all would be on the suggested itinerary?

i am considering attending depending on who all is goin and how long it is cuz idk if i want to go that far for a couple nights.

i think we should start a list of ppl goin or considering goin

[StlKj]

Put me down as a very strong "maybe."

[frankfrank]

what is there to do in minneapolis? are there gay bars? What all would be on the suggested itinerary?

i am considering attending depending on who all is goin and how long it is cuz idk if i want to go that far for a couple nights.

i think we should start a list of ppl goin or considering goin

Somebody else can tell you about the gay nightlife, but I know it's pretty vibrant in that respect. I'm sure it would be "only" for a couple nights (and there might be a small # of people there early and/or staying into Monday) because, after all, it's on a weekend. But don't let that stop you from attending something that promises to be great fun.

Put me down as a very strong "maybe."

YESS!!!!! Cool - it will be great if we finally meet again.

[shaggyvox]

Put me down as a very strong "maybe."

oooooh, maybe you could meet me in St. Louie

[Lube]

ShaggyVox, you should definitely come because you're cute.

And, Killjoke, it would be great to have you, too. And, as always, it would be great to see FrankFrank again.

There's actually a wide variety of gay bars between the two cities. Hometown places like Rumors/Innuendo to leather bar (Eagle) to everything-but-the-kitchen-sink like the Gay 90's. Plus 19, Townhouse, etc.

But I'm not much of a bar person myself. I'm more into the very active bear scene, where we have movie night, wine night, etc.

[Lawnmowerman]

I have been debating even posting in here about attending, as it will depend on my finances, and I don't know where I'll be in that respect by next May.

I think it would be fun even though it's a bit of a drive, but I'll wait and see.

[GL]

I have been debating even posting in here about attending, as it will depend on my finances, and I don't know where I'll be in that respect by next May.

I think it would be fun even though it's a bit of a drive, but I'll wait and see.

oh my...

[Lube]

C'mon GL and Lawnmowerman. The weather is beautiful!

(Actually, it's not now, but it should be in May)

[alley]

Put me down as a very strong "maybe."

*takes note*


I'll see about the time off.

So, maybe.

[Sausy]

The second week would be more do-able,the first would conflict with a huge sale that's been going on every two months since last May.So if the dates are written in stone for that first full weekend in May,while I'd love to attend it would be unlikely.

[frankfrank]

And the second weekend would be harder for me, though not insurmountable.

Unfortunately, my guess is that there's no good weekend that works for everybody. That's probably been true pretty much everywhere, without exception, in all of modern human history, LOL.

[Sausy]

And the second weekend would be harder for me, though not insurmountable.

Unfortunately, my guess is that there's no good weekend that works for everybody. That's probably been true pretty much everywhere, without exception, in all of modern human history, LOL.

True,FrankI just was so bummed missing out on San Antonio,and if this one stays to schedule,it'll be another weekend to be bummed for me.

[alley]

Well...lets get it nailed down.

I need to see if I can get off that weekend---

[StlKj]

Just for clarity, the dates are May 7-9, 2010

To clarify as well, that's the weekend I could possibly come. May 1st weekend I could not.

[alley]

To clarify as well, that's the weekend I could possibly come. May 1st weekend I could not.

We'll see about that...

[kevbo]

May 7-9, 2010 are the dates set in stone.

I'll be talking to 'Spogue about the hotel recommendations so I can call and see about group rates.

Can those who know if they'll be there for sure check in?

[Quanchi]

I don't want to say I'll be there for sure, but I'm planing on it. Unless something comes up that would prevent me from going, I'll be there. Consider myself checked in.

[frankfrank]

^ I can quote Quanchi verbatim here, for my situation. Of course he's PLANING on it, because he'll be flying to get there!

Assuming nothing unforseen screwing it up, I can say that I'll be there, with higher than 99% confidence.

[Kyanimal]

I JUST stumbled across this, and I think it's GREAT!!

I would like to be able to say that we will definitely be there, for certain, but I still need to chat with Kev, and check my schedule in "The Kingdom".

Would you believe I've never been to Mini-Apples? Even having lived as close to it as I do for 35yr.???

Yeah! I want to do this!!

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

[alley]

Ok---requested the dated off...so, barring financial ruin or life complications...then it's on.

[Corny]

I'll put this on the front page after the "sale"

[DR-B]

May 7-9, 2010 are the dates set in stone.

I'll be talking to 'Spogue about the hotel recommendations so I can call and see about group rates.

Can those who know if they'll be there for sure check in?

I am still planning on attending. I don't think too much can happen to stop me from attending now!

Thank you Kevbo and Transpogue for all of your efforts thus far. Looking forward to May.

[Kyanimal]

Right now, all I can give you is a Very Strong Probable!! At least a 90%!

Wish I could be more certain, but that is still a few days away, yet.

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

[M4P]

IF I were to come -- would that SCARE everyone else AWAY???

Nope, and it just might convince me to come

I'm a 2 hour direct flight away and just might show

[sirsaba]

Midwest in da house, CLEVELAND!

[NineOfClubs]

It's several weeks from now when I'll know if I can get the dates off work.

But I REALLY want to make it to this one.

[Kyanimal]

May 7 (that is the date, right?), is circled on the calendar, and we're up to a 98% probability of making it!

Will know more after Feb.!

DO keep us posted!!

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

[swerve]

May 7 (that is the date, right?), is circled on the calendar, and we're up to a 98% probability of making it!

If you can't make it from JUST DOWN THE STREET in Milwaukie...

Well...



p.s. If you need me too -- maybe I'll swing by in my big truck and pick you up!!!

[stacyphierce]

Looks like I won't be able to make it

School is going to be tough for the next several months. I am nearing the end of my program.

Hope you guys have fun

[ChickenGuy]

LOL - I was looking up where Minneapolis was, and then I spotted, out of the corner of my eye, a name that I recognised immediately - Duluth.

Duluth is the only place in the U.S., as far as I'm aware, that there are distant relatives of mine - it's all written down in this obscure family book of my dad's second-cousin. I was aware of the Duluth connection for years. I even once or twice thought about how interesting it would be if I ever went there....

I never knew where it was until now. Wow, so close to the JUB meet....

I wish I had more experience and confidence in travelling, and that it was commonplace for me to fly round the world. It would be such a wonderful experience.

I'll find out if my dad's second-cousin has any contact addresses and the like for the distant cousins that he sees - it's him that they visit, after all.

I think I'll define this for the moment as 'my wild and crazy fantasy escape scenario'

[Kyanimal]

If you can't make it from JUST DOWN THE STREET in Milwaukee...

Well...



p.s. If you need me too -- maybe I'll swing by in my big truck and pick you up!!!

HA! Yeah, I may be "just down the street", but, believe it or not, I've never managed to make it to "Mini Apples"!

Would LOVE to make that trip, though!

The distance certainly isn't a problem. "Time", and a bunch of other "stuff", though ...

And, yeah!, Swerve ... I've heard about your big, uh, truck!

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

[Darkflower]

I'm just waiting to find out where y'all are going to be so I can lurk about creepily. Kind of like I do on the boards! lol

[CTF]

This meet is definitely on my radar.

With so many fellow JUBbers that I was able to meet in St. Louis and San Antonio, and the chance to meet so many more, I'd regret missing this opportunity to reconnect with seeing some of y'all again, and the chance to meet so many more of you.

So put me down as a definite "maybe."

Perhaps I could coordinate "habitation" with FrankFrank, MP4, Swerve, or others during our visit there!

[Just: Mills]

Hmmn...! ....

[Ellybelly909]

Yes Yes Yes...I can drive there in 3 hours....

[Transpogue]

Alrighty kids!

Kevbo and I have been ironing out details, and this is the update:


We are looking into group hotel rates for Minneapolis downtown. It's in the center of everything with access to the light rail. We'll update you more as we know more...

Itinerary....

Friday, May 7th: theater outing to one of the local, queer-themed productions

Saturday, May 8th: Mall of America, dinner, and clubbing

Sunday, May 9th: Brunch and photo ops at the Mary Tyler Moore statue


What do we all think of this?

If you have any suggestions to offer, please do!

[Transpogue]

UPDATE!!

Got a bit of feedback, so here's another revised itinerary....

Friday, May 7: dinner, bowling, possible clubbing if people are in the mood
Saturday, May 8: Mall of America, dinner, theater, and clubbing
Sunday, May 9: brunch and Mary Tyler Moore statue

[StlKj]

I think that sounds awesome, and I'm even more excited! Thanks for the work you're doing, you two!