Dear Dennis, you have done some wonderful work over the past 7 years, and helped many of us get to the AMG's, sadly I won't be attending this years AMG, I just had a 3 week holiday in Australia and have other plans for my winter break this year...again many thanks for all you have done.
Aroha always
Jan :-*
well id like to have some structure, maybe some parties at the hotel. otherwise its just a meet up. its not really a gathering if people dont show up. I've heard of the other forum meetings and they were fun. this doesn't seem to be moving in that way
well id like to have some structure, maybe some parties at the hotel. otherwise its just a meet up. its not really a gathering if people don't show up. I've heard of the other forum meetings and they were fun. this doesn't seem to be moving in that way
well if noone else is going, then i will bail out myself.
well if noone else is going, then i will bail out myself.
Still planning on going. More then likely flying and not driving, I figure that $45 a day to park my car at the hotel is a lot of Chambord, and Rumchata.
Michelle 8).
Hey Gang,
Yes, I am still planning to go. I will, of course, be traveling by train. :)
HUGS,
Mark
I travelled by train at Christmas and was able to fit clothing for seven days in one piece of luggage, plus a small carry-on. Get it together, sister.
Hey Gang,
Yes, I am still planning to go. I will, of course, be traveling by train. :)
HUGS,
Mark
But you don't have to change clothes several times day. One outfit per day will never work for me. Not a gay thing, simply not liking to wear anything once I've sweated a little bit. :o
I travelled by train at Christmas and was able to fit clothing for seven days in one piece of luggage, plus a small carry-on. Get it together, sister.
I might be also. :) I'm driving to Fort Wayne to visit family and will probably just take the train to Chicago because of parking. It's quite cheap to take the train that short distance. Except the damn checked luggage which is about the same cost as the fare.
Looking forward to our exploits.
Don't tell anyone, but there is a gay bar right across from the hotel.
I don't remember ever paying a charge for checking my luggage. Of course, I take one suitcase and one carry on with snacks, meds, condoms, tickets, etc. in it.
How many bags are you bringing and wouldn't laundry service be cheaper? ;)
HUGS,
Mark
ps: the Wolfmeister positively sucks at doing research ::)
Alright everyone. I posted the dates on January 24th! Shortly thereafter I asked for feedback and received none. Now, the day after I submit a signed contract to the hotel with my credit card guarantee members want to chime in with a change of dates? This is not possible at this point.
I have thoroughly went through the time of year thread and there was absolutely no concensus this year. Therefore I worked with the hotel to determine a time of year where rates could be kept low.
I'm sorry if I sound aggravated. But I have a lot on the line to try to supply everyone with a hotel this year.
Alright everyone. I posted the dates on January 24th! Shortly thereafter I asked for feedback and received none. Now, the day after I submit a signed contract to the hotel with my credit card guarantee members want to chime in with a change of dates? This is not possible at this point.
I have thoroughly went through the time of year thread and there was absolutely no concensus this year. Therefore I worked with the hotel to determine a time of year where rates could be kept low.
I'm sorry if I sound aggravated. But I have a lot on the line to try to supply everyone with a hotel this year.
Dennis --
I, for one, thank you for all your efforts here. I think we can (and will) make this work. I will help to ensure that you suffer no financial loss. You have saved us alot of money over the years with your outstanding negotiating skills.
Hugs,
Mike
I am ready to make my reservations.
Anyone else chomping at the bit?
HUGS,
Mark
I have been checking the available flights /fares...only thing holding me back right now is waiting to see if the AA/United merger will screw things up...Just about every major route from Dallas involves AA
Nick
I haven't forgotten you guys. I still have a major work conflict on Saturday smack dab in the middle of AMG. I have been checking airfares and it looks like for $230 roundtrip I could leave Chicago early Saturday morning (7:30 ORD) and get to Louisville in time for my obligation. I could possibly get a 4:30 flight back that afternoon or more realistically (and less of a white knuckle ride) at 6:30 pm and arriving an hour later in Chicago. This way I can arrive Thursday afternoon and depart for home on Tuesday. Before I commit to this additional expense, I need to be sure that we schedule the memorial service for Sunday rather than Saturday. I assume the M&G is Friday, but if it is Saturday I can arrive fashionably late.
Organizers...would this be OK (primarily my request to have Memorial anytime on Sunday.) I hate to miss whatever happens on Saturday, but I will be back in the early evening (wait for me!!)
I don't know how long the tickets for the Saturday up and back will stay at $230 so a quick response will be appreciated. I REALLY want to come to AMG and this is the only way I can make it work this year.
Gary
.
Gary,
I don't see any problem at all with having the Memorial Service on a Sunday, especially since we haven't really started the planning on it yet.
and of course, what would a Memorial Service be without our beloved Gary at the helm ;)
I would say go ahead and plan your business for Saturday.
I'll holler at Dennis and Phil and advise them of this as well.
-Will
I was last here when I was 11 years old.
Mike
Was it during the fire , did you kick a lantern over ?
Was it during the fire , did you kick a lantern over ?
ZING!
love it
Hey..... didn't you say that you once lived in Chicago?? ;D
No granny, you wouldn't have gotten any fried chicken out of THAT fire.........
Travel arrangements made! Arriving Thursday late morning, departing Saturday morning and returning Saturday evening, and then staying until departing for good on Tuesday afternoon! I wonder when we are starting the arriving and departing flights thread.Thanks Gary!
Looking forward to a great AMG!
Gary
For the uninitiated...what is AMG?
Thanks life2!
If I won the lottery I was going to give 10 million to the first person who could tell me what AMG was.
I guess now I have to keep all the money.......
There is no such thing as an AMG without Jan... you will be with us "in spirit." We'll have to have a round of Bailey's just to keep you in memory!
Hoping this is the "one time" we will be without you...
Gary
Yes, a round of Bailey's to acknowledge your spirit, Dame Jan.
I will try to keep Wolfie too busy to rearrange the furniture. He will be sampling a bacontini, if I can find soeone to make it. :)
HUGS,
Mark
There is no such thing as an AMG without Jan... you will be with us "in spirit." We'll have to have a round of Bailey's just to keep you in memory!
Hoping this is the "one time" we will be without you...
Gary
Mark, I am almost afraid to ask, what is a bacontini?
Michellle 8)
Wolfie
Promise me you won't rearrange the hotel room furniture this time. ;D
Sounds to me like it's a Martini made with bacon, one of Wolfie's favourite foods (allegedly).
I heard about a bacontini whilst watching the food shows one evening.
Apparently, someone came up with bacon-flavored vodka, so someone made a martini out of it - replete with bacon strip garnishes.
Sounds, er, interesting.
HUGS,
Mark
OK! Just made reservations with the hotel. :)
Arrival Aug. 8th
Departing Aug. 13th
Still going to wait awhile to book the plane as the prices are still pretty steep at this point.
Nice to hear you and your better half are going to AMG this year Mitch. You'll have a great time with a great bunch of folks and memories to last a lifetime. Wish I could be in Chicago in August, you will all be in my thoughts.Thanks Jody,
Jody :)
You're a Connecticut girl, aren't you Mitchy? Fly out of Laguardia or Providence and you can get round-trip flights for $250. It ain't gonna get any cheaper than that. Sorry, flying out of Hartford seems to require an additional $200.NY is too much of a hassle. 2+hours driving each way and awful traffic.
Book those tickets!
l also have reservations for the 8th to go to Ohare yes there is Public Transit ( Blue line ) but a little complicated...and a long ( more than an hour) ride with a change and a 3 block walk.... be great if a few of us could meet and share a Taxi ..my current sched says I will be in Ohare about 1:30
Nick
Are you guys -- Wolfie and Mitchell looking specifically on Southwest's web site (they don't list on things like travelocity.com)? I just looked on Southwest and I can still get RT PHL-Midway for $200, and Wolfie can get $100 ones from Columbus, and Mithypoo can get $225 out of HartfordI checked on Southwest.
I checked on Southwest.
The $225 will get us out of Hartford but it takes another $215 to get back. $440. round trip. :(
just a reminder...if any one coming to Chicago and is planning on visiting the "big" attractions ( skydeck, Field Museum, Art institute and others ) the City Pass is a great way to get into most of them for about 1/2 price
thnx Jeff for the info about the Blue line...the directions I got sounded very complicated and a long walk to Hotel at the end
Nick
Oh, yeah I see that now. Provdience is $250 -- isn't it worth using that? LaGuardia is $221; Amtrak is $216 if you don't mind 20 hour trips :)Thanks Dear.
LOL ^ Yous Funny .
What's so funny??
The antics of a self proclaimed prissy delicate thing is amusing ... its better than off with their heads LOL .hmm...
I read the beginning and end of this thread and still have no idea what AMG is or what it stands for. It must be in the middle there somewhere...AMG=Aids Meds Gathering. (I had to ask too.)
I'm jealous...whatever it is. Have fun, kiddos.
AMG=Aids Meds Gathering. (I had to ask too.)
It's just an annual get together of forum members.
A vote online takes place for the destination.
Everyone is welcome.
From what I understand, there are 2 planned events.
A "meet and greet" (dinner I think) and a memorial service.
Everything else is about getting to know each other and exploring the chosen city.
(this will be my first AMG)
Would a new member who resides in Chicago be welcome to attend the scheduled functions? If so, how does one register? I am willing to provide assistance with local logistics as time and schedule allow.Yes. No registration required. :)
My apologies if this question as already been addressed, but I could not find the info.
I read the beginning and end of this thread and still have no idea what AMG is or what it stands for. It must be in the middle there somewhere...
I'm jealous...whatever it is. Have fun, kiddos.
It's an awesome time! I've had such great adventures at AMG. Confirmed lifelong friendships! I wrote an article about it for POZ magazine. This is the first year that I'll be missing since I started going in 2006. And that first one, believe me, was life-changing for me. I hadn't travelled in years, was fairly new to online communities, didn't know very many other poz folks and had not been convinced that the people I talked to online were real. Surprise! I loved it.Basqou, do you have a link to the article? Would love to read it!
Thanks Dear.
LaGuardia? LOL! (travel time, traffic, parking...)
Providence is a good alternative.
SW has a bit better flight time options. (not as good as Hartford)
Non-stop is a must.
So are you still procrastinating buying your airline ticket? The price is only going to up further now, not down. Seriously, haven't you flown since 1972? And frankly if you want a decent price from a smallish airport you really need to consider options that involve connecting flights.
ps: I'm doing Amtrak in two weeks -- Philly to NYC, then NYC to DC
Is Amtrak really that much cheaper via NYC to DC or were you planning on spending time in NY anyway?
My friends that I just visited in France are taking a trip to Hawaii, but stopping for a few days in NYC.
Basqou, do you have a link to the article? Would love to read it!
It's a rather short read. The original concept was an online feature, pretty detailed, but when it was decided to put it in the magazine they had me cut it down to 500 words. I was helped by Andy, Peter, and then-Deputy Editor Bob Ickes to get it how you see it today. There were pictures that ran with it in the magazine. Me, Aztecan, Jan and Bonnie...all there in color! One of my ex's and a misplaced friend got in touch with me after they saw the magazine.
http://www.poz.com/articles/postcard_from_the_edge_2201_14804.shtml (http://www.poz.com/articles/postcard_from_the_edge_2201_14804.shtml)
Flight booked!
Paid too much but it's non-stop and arrival/departure times are pretty good.
Stress + vacation = does not compute :)
arrive in Chicago at 12:40 pm.
Sweetheart...which day are you arriving on?Thursday the 8th arrival.
Thursday the 8th arrival.
Depart on Tuesday the 13th at 7:40 PM.
(O'Hare)
When are you arriving Dear? :)
Should we start getting a list together of who is arriving/departing?
It's about 5 weeks away.
It looks like attendance this year is going to be kind of scant, so we will have to drink to make up for everyone else.Yes! :)
Mitchell, why dont you go ahead and start an Arrivals and Departures thread. That would help out and your good and anal :)
Just take a look down here in this thread to see how its done...just basically member name, arrival date/time airlines, ad the departure date/time airlines
-W
Great news Carl! :)
Now get that phone!
See you in Chicago! 8)