Midwest Meetup!

[Lube]

^Woo-hoo! I'd finally get to meet The Wiz?!?!?!?!

Less than 2 months away. Are we getting excited yet?

[kevbo]

Very very excited!

[Jerry]

No way i'm going to be there, but I do plan to let Kevbo know the next time I'm in WI so we can meet up and have a beer

[NineOfClubs]

I'm reconsidering. Sorry.

Still a chance, I'll know more in a week or so......

[Lube]

^Oh no! *crosses fingers*

[frankfrank]

[two posts up] NOOOOOO!! PLEASE say it ain't so.

[Thad1527]

I'm coming. Definitely.

I'll be in Minneapolis a little earlier, and will stay a little later. I've got my plane ticket and hotel stay prepaid.

If you need more details from me, ask privately.

I want to go to see the Twins at the new Target Field, too. The Twins are at home playing the Orioles that weekend, with a night game Friday and day games Saturday and Sunday. I'm getting a ticket for one of the non-weekend dates for myself, but I'd go again if anyone else wants to.

[kevbo]

Is anyone interested in joining ChickenGuy and myself in Eau Claire the Thursday before the meet? There will be karaoke!

[omminc]

@kevbo wish I could do the karaoke, I'll be tide up in MPLS for the day.

What are the set plans for the weekend?

I'm just wondering because I noticed on the early plans that some wanted to do bowling. I thought I would say that the one located right downtown near all the nightlife and clubs, is closed for good (Gameworks). Not sure if you had another place in mind though.

[swerve]

Is anyone interested in joining ChickenGuy and myself in Eau Claire the Thursday before the meet? There will be karaoke!

OK -- so NOW I need to figure out how to be in Eau Claire on Thursday Night as WELL???

[frankfrank]

Don't feel bad, I'm trying to fit in a side trip to the Upper Peninsula...

[Yooper]

Although my Partner and I have HUGE commitments we should attend to this summer back in the Upper Peninsula, we've now made the decision that a (potential) career for me is more important.

So at this point, I don't see us making the meetup.

My temporary-for-the-holidays job has morphed into a Real Job with Actual Benefits, a HUGE potential for career advancement, etc. and I'd be an idiot at this point to give this up to start over AGAIN in a year or so. In an astonishing turn of events, I've been offered the opportunity to RESTORE a 401(k) plan I lost over 15 years ago through no fault of my own complete with company matches if I just repay a tiny amount...this is a potentially HUGE deal I've never ever heard of happening...and the amount is significant. But I can't leave now if I take the deal.

So while you all are having a wonderful time in the Twin Cities, think of me selling sheets and towels to the unsuspecting public...

And Frank, let me know what your UP plans are. I'll try to hook you up with a few people I know...

[Lube]

Well I'll definitely be at the meet, as my bf and I will be hosting an evening get-together Friday or Saturday!

Kevbo, whether I make Eau Claire or not on Thursday depends on my job. I'll try hard to make it!

[Lawnmowerman]

Unfortunately, the money I was counting on for the meet will not be in place prior to it, and I have other bills that need to be taken care of before something like this .

I was really looking forward to my bf and I coming to the meet, but I guess it'll have to be the next one.

[kevbo]

Well, if I win the lottery before the meet, I'll pay for all of y'alls way up here...

[frankfrank]

Although my Partner and I have HUGE commitments we should attend to this summer back in the Upper Peninsula, we've now made the decision that a (potential) career for me is more important.

So at this point, I don't see us making the meetup.

I was really looking forward to my bf and I coming to the meet, but I guess it'll have to be the next one.

Where's the "pulling-one's-hair-out" smiley, now that I need it?

Darn, two of the people I was really looking forward to meeting (no, I mean 3 or possibly 4 - as meeting the mates would have been just as much a treat as well, even though they may not be in JUB). Fortunately there are still many others coming.

Yooper, I'll send you a PM. (Now, what you DO with the Prime Minister is entirely up to YOU, lol.)

I think it will be a great meet, and especially for those who may be within a few hours of driving, please consider going. Chances to get to a JUB meet may be rare, and they're a lot of fun!

And, no, being around a lot of like-minded guys doesn't mean that things turn into lots of sex and orgies. If that's what JUB meets were all about, I wouldn't be making much effort at all to get to them.

[Transpogue]

HEY KIDS!!

Self-imposed vacation is over.


So I'm reading through the updates I missed and I don't see too many new developments...

BUT....
If you are a "for sure" attendee, PLEASE PM me so I can get an accurate head-count.

If you are a "95% sure" PLEASE PM me so I can have you down as a very possible maybe.


If any of you are needing info on hotels, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!


'kay... that's it for now.

Peace, darlings.

[swerve]

Kevbo, whether I make Eau Claire or not on Thursday depends on my job. I'll try hard to make it!

I'm SURE that KEVBO will MAKE SURE that you DON'T have to be worrying about going to work on Friday...





p.s. YAY -- Transpogue is BACK!!!

[Quanchi]

Been wishing I could afford to go to the meet, starting to feel that I really need to get away. If any super-rich JUBbers are planning to take their private jet to the meet and can make a pit stop in Phoenix, that'll be great.

[NineOfClubs]

Sadly, I won't be in Minneapolis.

Unexpected expenses and a surprising income tax situation rule out a trip east.

I'm hoping to hear all about the Meet, which I'm sure will be too much fun.

[LilBit]

I haven't reserved my hotel room yet. If most of you are staying in the same hotel, then I'll probably try to get a room at that hotel or one nearby. Who's already booked their rooms, and where are you staying?

And in case it turns out that everyone's spread out around the city, does anyone have suggestions as to hotels?

Also, I'll probably be flying in on Thursday and leaving Monday afternoon/evening, so if anyone's in town those days, let me know, and we could hang out.

[hungrybrownbear]

*Sigh*

I can't make it either

[ChickenGuy]

I'm sad that NineOfClubs and hungrybrownbear aren't going to be there.

I haven't reserved my hotel room yet. If most of you are staying in the same hotel, then I'll probably try to get a room at that hotel or one nearby. Who's already booked their rooms, and where are you staying?

We're not all going to be staying at the same place?

I had thought that once the number of people was confirmed, that kevbo or darkflower would be booking a large hotel for us, which we would then all pay for.

Erm, should I book my stay somewhere in Minneapolis by myself?

And will I be arranging my own transport to and from the places we're visiting?

I was imagining a 'tour group' scenario, where stuff was arranged for us.

Also, while I'm here, do any of you know the best way to get from Duluth to Eau Claire? Bus or train? Can you give me a name or website of a bus/train company to check times of arrival/departure?

I'll need to do the same for going from Minneapolis back to Duluth as well.

Any chance of an hour-by-hour itinerary for the weekend?

Thanks for clearing all this up for me.



P.S. At what point should I begin to worry about volcanic ash clouds?

Seriously, I'm supposed to fly out in just over a week's time, and this thing is still causing flight chaos over here. And I have four flights to catch in a four-day period, three of them originating in Britain.

Better wish me luck.

*crosses fingers*

[omminc]

Also, while I'm here, do any of you know the best way to get from Duluth to Eau Claire? Bus or train? Can you give me a name or website of a bus/train company to check times of arrival/departure?

I'll need to do the same for going from Minneapolis back to Duluth as well.
*

The best way is Greyhound/Jefferson Bus Lines. Both are bus services. Jefferson is cheaper, and to be honest, a lot more comfortable. Both can be accessed from here for booking, but for cheaper Jefferson tickets you have to go here.

There are no trains that stop in Eau Claire that are passenger trains.

[kevbo]

ChickenGuy, I don't think there are enough people getting rooms to warrant a group rate, so it's pretty much a free for all when it comes to booking a hotel.

As for transport, public transportation will suffice, I'm sure.

The best method for traveling between cities will probably be by bus. Greyhound is usually pretty reliable. - http://www.greyhound.com

And we don't really have an hour-by-hour itinerary, I think we've left the weekend pretty open ended. I like it this way because it allows us to focus more on getting to know each other and having fun with one another instead of thinking about what we're gonna do next.

[kevbo]

i really doubt you'll be by yourself in minneapolis that much... we do have stuff planned, and we'll be together. Just what we'll be doing together isn't set in stone.

As for the bus times, yeah, that's the downside of ground travel over here. Takes FOR-EV-ER.

[Lube]

Wow, ChickenGuy, hope that volcano thing clears up soon!

Too bad hungrybrownbear nineofclubs can't make it. Looking forward to LilBit!

[ChickenGuy]

From the info that JUbbers gave me on an HT thread, it seems that from the moment I leave home, it won't be possible for me to access JUB for the entire duration I'm away. So, I've got only three days left before I'll be unable to come onto this site, and unable to PM any of you or anything.

I wasn't anticipating this problem to arise at all. I thought I'd be able to post on this thread with my updates at some public place or somewhere. It now looks like I can't.

In light of this, I've got a couple of URGENT points that I hope you can help me with.

Erm, I know this is unusual, but I never usually use a cellphone. My dad insists that I take one along with me, which I will try to get my head round. I don't even know if it'll work in the U.S. In case I happen to get lost, or if I have any emergencies or travel problems, I was wondering if it would be OK for me to get a contact number for one of you. It would really help me to be able to speak to one of you if things go pear-shaped.

Also, can any of you tell me which hotel that you'll be staying at? I haven't booked mine yet, and it would be easier for me if I was staying at a place with other JUBbers. This meet will be a bit more difficult and stressful for me, because I'll be in a foreign country, and I'm really not used to things like this. It's not vitally important, of course, but it would just make things a bit more relaxed for me.

Thanks for any responses, guys, and sorry for being a nuisance.

[Lube]

I'll send you a pm with my contact info!

[frankfrank]

It's getting closer, and I continue to look forward to it!

As is often true, I'm hoping to turn this into part of a much larger trip.

As usual, I'm open to either sleeping on my own ("for free" - no room, comfortable van), or staying at a hotel IF sharing a room. If anybody is interested in splitting costs Fiday and Saturday nights, let me know.

I don't know if I'll manage to get to Eau Claire beforehand or not.

[unloadonme]

Erm, I know this is unusual, but I never usually use a cellphone. My dad insists that I take one along with me, which I will try to get my head round. I don't even know if it'll work in the U.S. |

You can't assume your mobile will work in the US, so check with your network provider before you leave to make sure. This is the link for Orange, the others will have something similar:

http://www2.orange.co.uk/servlet/Sat...ame=PersonalIR

I'm sure the locals will look after you and you'll have a whale of a time.

[ChickenGuy]

Guys, thanks so much for all the replies - I've now got six numbers already, and that's fine - if anything happens, I'll just call International JUB Rescue!

Onto the hotels, and I was looking at all of them by highlighting them on Google Earth. There's hundreds! How to choose!

I've identified three basic areas that they're generally clustered around....

1. Central Minneapolis
2. Central St. Paul
3. Airport/MotA area

Which area should I choose? Any that is quicker for travel to/from our activities?

Then, I'll check out prices for them, and book one.

Thanks once again! I leave home on Tuesday morning!

Best cross your fingers for my flights! And keep that volcano simmered down for me!

[swerve]

DEFINITELY Central Minneapolis!!!



Let us know WHICH Hotel you choose -- and MAYBE that will become the CENTRAL HOTEL!!!

St. Paul is a LITTLE TOO FAR East of Minneapolis -- and the airport is WAY TOO SOUTH!!!

Good luck on your volcanic flight!!!



p.s. if any of the meet organizers disagree with me -- I defer to them...

[swerve]

As usual, I'm open to either sleeping on my own ("for free" - no room, comfortable van), or staying at a hotel IF sharing a room. If anybody is interested in splitting costs Fiday and Saturday nights, let me know.

Why don't you and Andrew share a room???

It would save money for BOTH of you -- AND reduce HIS stress of figuring out transportation in a foreign land!!!

[ChickenGuy]

^ Perhaps a few of us could choose the same place?

Frankfrank and myself, along with others. I don't think kevbo has booked yet, and maybe NineOfClubs is still going to attend. And if you haven't booked yet, swerve, then that makes five!

I'm not sure where Lube is staying. We could all surprise Lilbit, who I think has already mentioned to me which place he'll be at. Tits party! Or Thad1527's. What is Transpogue's plans?

What about it? I'll need to book in the next two days. Any chance of a gathering?



EDIT: Be aware that I'm not actually this confident, sociable, and self-assured in real life.

When you meet me, I'll most likely be shy, quiet, nervous, and withdrawn, I'm sorry to say.

[ChickenGuy]

^ Although you never can tell.


The Westin - $99.67

The Radisson Plaza - $119.00

The Marriott City Center - $109.00

The Hyatt Regency - $99.96

The Hilton - $159.00

The Best Western - $99.00

The Holiday Inn Express - $71.95

The Doubletree - $79.00

The Grand Hotel - $189.00


I only checked for hotels extremely near the centre. I'm sure there are others with the more reasonable rates.

Send me some feedback, and I can check further, if you wish.

[Transpogue]

^ Although you never can tell.


The Westin - $99.67

The Radisson Plaza - $119.00

The Marriott City Center - $109.00

The Hyatt Regency - $99.96

The Hilton - $159.00

The Best Western - $99.00

The Holiday Inn Express - $71.95

The Doubletree - $79.00

The Grand Hotel - $189.00


I only checked for hotels extremely near the centre. I'm sure there are others with the more reasonable rates.

Send me some feedback, and I can check further, if you wish.

What I think might be a good idea (since we didn't get a group rate going) is to send out a PM to those attending and see if a group locale can be picked.

Marriott, Holiday Inn Express, and Westin are all good, central locales.

Lube will probably drive in from the outlying suburbs, I live in town, and I'm not sure what Kevbo plans to do.

I'm going to send a PM to those on the "for sure" list and see if we can get some good cross-communication.

[Lube]

^Ha ha, yes, I live just across the border from Minneapolis, so it's a short drive to downtown--I often take my Vespa there!

My bf/partner/husband and I will be hosting a JUB get together Friday evening. We're thinking of making it dinner: a barbecue if it's a nice day. Does that sound good? Any vegetarians or vegans?

We have an outside commitment Saturday night, but I will be prancing with the JUBbers the whole rest of the weekend!

There's a great gay coffee shop across from downtown that we should go to at some point: the Wilde Roast Café. Beautiful.

I've only been to 2 gay bars: the Eagle (a leather bar in Mpls) and Rumours & Innuendo in St. Paul, so I'm sure Transpogue and Kevbo will have better ideas than I. There are several others, including Camp in St. Paul which is supposed to be classy and Gay Nineties in Mpls which is gigantic.

There's the Sculpture Garden if the weather is nice. Lake Calhoun. Uptown. N. Mpls which is the new gay Mecca with Victory 44 bar/cafe. The Capitol in St. Paul. Museums. Stone arch bridge. Block E. Minnehaha Falls. MN Landscape Arboretum. Como Park in St. Paul with the pavilion, zoo, and Japanese garden. Butter bakery in Mpls. Grand Ave. in St. Paul. Theatres. Skyways. Isles Bun & Bakery. Midtown Global Market. Mall of America. Farmers' markets. Organic food co-ops. Eat Street.

I'm getting very excited as the date draws near!

[Transpogue]

^Ha ha, yes, I live just across the border from Minneapolis, so it's a short drive to downtown--I often take my Vespa there!

My bf/partner/husband and I will be hosting a JUB get together Friday evening. We're thinking of making it dinner: a barbecue if it's a nice day. Does that sound good? Any vegetarians or vegans?

We have an outside commitment Saturday night, but I will be prancing with the JUBbers the whole rest of the weekend!

There's a great gay coffee shop across from downtown that we should go to at some point: the Wilde Roast Café. Beautiful.

I've only been to 2 gay bars: the Eagle (a leather bar in Mpls) and Rumours & Innuendo in St. Paul, so I'm sure Transpogue and Kevbo will have better ideas than I. There are several others, including Camp in St. Paul which is supposed to be classy and Gay Nineties in Mpls which is gigantic.

There's the Sculpture Garden if the weather is nice. Lake Calhoun. Uptown. N. Mpls which is the new gay Mecca with Victory 44 bar/cafe. The Capitol in St. Paul. Museums. Stone arch bridge. Block E. Minnehaha Falls. MN Landscape Arboretum. Como Park in St. Paul with the pavilion, zoo, and Japanese garden. Butter bakery in Mpls. Grand Ave. in St. Paul. Theatres. Skyways. Isles Bun & Bakery. Midtown Global Market. Mall of America. Farmers' markets. Organic food co-ops. Eat Street.

I'm getting very excited as the date draws near!

Vegan here.

BBQ sounds nummy!!

Other bars...

Saloon
19 Bar
The Townhouse

The Saloon is probably more "true gay bar" than the 90s, which is more touristy. Townhouse is more "bar" than "club" and more mixed. Rumours/Innuendo is the one I am hearing the most about lately...

I am still looking into a good place for dinner Saturday night as well as a little theater thingie before clubbing...

Sunday is brunch and seeing the Mary Tyler Moore statue... the Sculpture Gardens that Lube mentioned would also be a lovely Sunday activity.

More to come!!

[Lube]

Hell's Kitchen is newly expanded and right downtown for brunch, if you'd like.

Birchwood cafe would be cool for dinner if you can get transportation. I won't be around Sat. night to help with that :-(

Namaste is neat, too, in Uptown. They both have vegan options.

[Lube]

quang Vietnamese, rainbow Chinese, Christo's Greek, Grand Old Creamery, Crema Cafe (Sonny's ice cream), Sebastian Joe's ice cream, éclairs at Butter bakery, anything at Rustica bakery at Calhoun Village, Patrick's bakery, Turtle Bread, Bread & Chocolate, Barbary Fig, The Local, Bryant Lake Bowl, Citizen Café, Punch Pizza, Pizza Lucé, D'Amico & Sons, Café Latté, ... Jeez there are so many food options in The Cities!

Penzey's spices, Tea Source, Kitchen Window, Bill's Imported Foods, Magers & Quinn books, Apple Store, Mpls downtown library, Mill City Museum, Blue Moon Cafe, Cathedral Hill, History Museum, Science Museum, Children's Museum, Art Institute, Weizman museum, Walker museum, ...

[LilBit]

My bf/partner/husband and I will be hosting a JUB get together Friday evening. We're thinking of making it dinner: a barbecue if it's a nice day. Does that sound good? Any vegetarians or vegans?

I'm a vegetarian. Pogue is a vagitarian.

[Lube]

I just try not to think about it. LOL

[swerve]

I'm a vegetarian. Pogue is a vagitarian.

As am I...

Lacto Ovo... (meaning I eat cheese and eggs)...

[Darkflower]

If y'all end up visiting Saint Paul, you could also tour the Summit Brewery(though you'd have to make reservations at either 10:30 or 1 on Saturday). That is, if free beer is an incentive to anyone. Even if you don't, have some while you're here if you've never had it. It's wonderful. There's a limited edition Red Ale right now that's pretty amazing, and probably served at many or all of the bars or restaurants you might visit.

And, perhaps I am the only nerd who would think this was fun, but you could tour James J. Hill house, and the Science Museum is awesome. But then, as I say, I'm a nerd.

[frankfrank]

So many activities sound like fun!

I'm strongly thinking I'll show up Thursday, as at least LilBit will be in town that early. Anybody else?

I can also stick around, even into Monday, depending on people's plans.

[Yooper]

I am so sad I'm gonna miss this.

The Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul is very cool.

Especially since they now house the collection from the now closed Museum of Questionable Medical Devices. (Insert funny line here.)

[Thad1527]

I've told a few of you about this, but I may as well go public with my info.

I'm arriving Wed. 5/5 and leaving Wed. 5/12. I'm staying at the Millennium Hotel http://www.millenniumhotels.com/millenniumminneapolis/ at 1313 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. I booked through Priceline and my winning bid was $41/night. Of course, tax and booking fee is additional.

I have made one definite plan: I bought a ticket to the Twins game Thursday night. That means no wild karaoke in Eau Claire for me. Rats. But I have to be first on my block to see a game in sparkling-new Target Field.

And there's always the possibility of wild karaoke in the Twin Cities. I do love Celine Dion.

If anyone wants more info from me, feel free to PM.

[swerve]

^That is AWESOME news Thad (I've appreciated your Christmas Cards over the years)!!!

I'm REALLY looking forward to meeting you along with the others that are going to make it...

*crosses fingers*

I've committed to a trip from Oregon to New York -- AND -- I have a load picking up in DC on the 5th -- WITH an EXTRA pick up in Minneapolis on the 7th!!!

Its not FOR SURE until we sign the load CONTRACTS which we won't get until TOMORROW -- but it is SURE ENOUGH for me to say that I'll BE THERE!!!

The only problems I have to figure out -- is how can I legally get my truck in to a building across the street from the White House to pick up a motorcycle???

Other than that -- I'm looking forward to an AWESOME NIGHT Thursday in Eau Claire -- and a GREAT time at Lube's house on Friday!!!

UNFORTUNATELY -- I'll need to pull out for Oregon on Saturday morning...

This is going to be an AWESOME weekend for ALL OF US -- And I'm ELATED that I was able to work out the scheduling to at least be there for part of it!!!

[frankfrank]

^ Way cool, man - I finally get to meet you! Talking to you on the phone when you were in Portland was fortunate, a few months ago.

I know of at least two people who are staying at the Marriott, but I haven't been able to find out whether both rooms are booked at the SAME Marriott or not? I think the more that people can stay at the same hotel (or as close as possible to it), the better. Though Thad1527 is also staying downtown, he's a little bit of a "hike" from the Marriott (but not real far).