POZ Community Forums
Off Topic Forums => Forums Gatherings => Topic started by: marc11864 on September 15, 2007, 04:09:58 pm
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Just wanted to start this thread for anyone who might want and have a moment to share their thoughts and words about any sessions, meetings, introductions and fun that you are having in San Francisco both at the conference and away.
Not all of us could attend of course but would be grateful to share the experience. :)
Marc (Who's there in spirit!)
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I've been having a terrific time at AMG 2007. It started pretty early for me, since I picked up Jan at the airport last Monday. It was great having her all to myself for a full day.
Friday morning we had our first official event--a ceremony at the AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park. Jan did a beautiful job of planning this event. It was quite an emotional occasion. It began with a brief prayer written by AlanBama. Then a beautiful wreath of white chrysanthemums and roses was laid in the center of the "Circle of Friends." Each of us had been given a Gerbera daisy, and one by one we set it down around the wreath. Some of us dedicated it to a particular friend who had died of AIDS. It was a simple and moving ceremony that I will always remember.
Friday evening, we had our Meet & Greet in "The Crimson Lounge," about a mile from the hotel. We had the room all to ourselves for the evening, along with two great bartenders (who poured very generously). It was a wonderful event. I got to meet so many fine people. I won't name names, because I know I'll forget some. We celebrated David & David's and Ric & Thom's first wedding anniversary with a suprise cake. I think they were quite touched by it all.
This morning many people joined a little walking tour that I led from the hotel, up to Union Square, a bit of Chinatown, the Transamerica Pyramid, the Ferry Building, and then a walk along the waterfront to Pier 39. A group of about ten took the 2:50 pm ferry to Alcatraz. I admire their stamina. I couldn't have done it.
This evening will be the first social hour at the hotel. I'm back in my home in Oakland, too tired to participate. However, I'll be joining the group tomorrow at noon for a ferry ride to Sausalito.
I hope everyone here has been enjoying San Francisco. It's a beautiful city, and I've tried to get people out and about to see some of sights.
Even though I'm physically tired right now, mentally I feel totally energized by this event. Meeting people in person is different from knowing them online. You get to see real personalities beyond an online persona. Without exception, everyone I've met has been kind and friendly.
Some people traveled great distances to attend this event. We had a fine representation from the U.K., as well as representatives from Australia and New Zealand. I'm so pleased that they attended this gathering.
The gathering is not yet over. Some people are staying on through Tuesday. I know that I'll be very sad when this event ends.
I do want to mention how fortunate we have been to have Dennis as our AMG Coordinator. He has attended to every detail to make this gathering run smoothly. He deserves an enormous amount of credit.
I'm sure many others will chime in, but I wanted to be among the first to give my impressions of AMG 2007.
AllanQ
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I can't come up with any way to describe this event that will do it justice, kiddos. Expressions like "tremendous" and "transformative" come to mind, but on the screen here they look a bit cliched or flowery. The love energy here is amazing. Really. I wish I had a way to post the sensation accurately, but it just can't be done virtually. The best I can offer is this...
There's some: :o
Even more: :P
Some :) and some ;) and a seemingly endless supply of :D and ;D.
And especially :-* :-* :-*
Nary a bit of >:( that I know of.
I'd say more, but I am simply tuckered out. And my feet ouch. A lot. I guess that might qualify as an :( , but it was achieved by way of 8).
So there ya have it- as best I can.
Reporting live from San Francisco,
Thunter34
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Good Morning Everyone: ;D
I'm having a wonderful time. The weather has been fantastic and San Francisco is beautiful.
But nothing compares to the members with whom I am sharing this weekend.
They are truly the reason for AMG. I feel so much emotion and positive energy flowing around this group, I can't begin to explain it.
As the AMG 07 Ambassador, Alan has simply outdone himself. I can fully understand why he was physically exhausted last night.
And as far as Dennis goes? All I can say is WOW! His professionalism, attention to detail, and never ending focus on making sure the gathering flows smoothly, has literally taken the title of Coordinator to a new level.
It's 8:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, I've only had a couple sips of coffee, so my brain isn't functioning all that well right now. There will be more thoughts and reflections later.
Just know that as far as RAB is concerned, AMG 07 is FanFu*****Tastic! :D
RAB
(We leave at 10:30 to catch the ferry to Sausalito. That should be fun!)
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Everytime I attempt using words to describe the dynamics of the experiences of meeting the forum members..........words fall so short of relaying the emotion/experience. I will go with this one: fulfilled.
xxx,
Mike