AMG Chicago Attendance

[Jeff G]

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.......

Um ... I told you what AMG is and I want my 10 million really bad is there anyway you could send half now since you didn't win that lottery ?  .

[Habersham]

No........but if you are ever in the area I'll let you borrow my Hippity Hop (sp)

[wolfter]

Yeah, it's getting close enough to start getting prepared and excited.  Since I'm a planner to the worst degree and I included others in my travel plans, I'm still unsure of mode, but I'm definitely attending. 

I'm trying to incorporate a sister get-together for my mom and her sisters.  My mom is 70 is next to the youngest in age.  The baby sister (66) lives south of Chicago and I'm figuring out the logistics since they mostly like spontanety. 


Wolfie

[anniebc]

Wolfie

Promise me you won't rearrange the hotel room furniture this time.   

I will miss you and all the other regulars this year, first one I've missed in 7 years, but I know I will have lots of fun with some of the other great guys from here, and I look forward to hearing all about it when it's over

I will miss:

Mark (Aztecan)...  Your beautiful smile
Gary...Your wonderful sermons
Carl (weasel)... Just for being you Carl.
Mike (Bocker)... Your dirty laugh, that always made me laugh.

This is just a few, I will miss you all for so many different reasons.

Aroha
Jan

[Lou-ah-vull]

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

[aztecan]

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

[anniebc]

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

Whatever it takes to keep his mind off the furniture 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

I hope you have a couple of Bailey's Gary, I will be toasting you all with a bottle or two...

Aroha to you both
Jan

[klassykitty]

Mark, I am almost afraid to ask, what is a bacontini?
Michellle

[Ann]

Mark, I am almost afraid to ask, what is a bacontini?
Michellle

Sounds to me like it's a Martini made with bacon, one of  Wolfie's favourite foods (allegedly). Similar to something Wumpster would probably like; an Egyptian Iranian Persian Tacotini.

Michelle, you simply must keep up with the Nutrition thread (NOT to be confused with the Nutrition Forum) to know the particulars of some forum members' food (and I use that term loosely) preferences.

[wolfter]

Wolfie

Promise me you won't rearrange the hotel room furniture this time.   

It wasn't like I rearranged the entire suite.  The living room area just didn't work.  Why would they put furniture as to block access to the windows.  I returned it all before leaving.

Sounds to me like it's a Martini made with bacon, one of  Wolfie's favourite foods (allegedly).

I don't eat bacon but Mark likes to come up with different martini combinations.  And it's our job to scope out all the fun places to enjoy the night life.

Wolfie

[aztecan]

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

[mitch777]

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 Mark,
All of this talk about bacontinis is getting me thirsty and hungry.
Hope you are able to find someone to make these.

[Lou-ah-vull]

...and there was this now infamous night (I might add it extended into the early morning) in the Capitol Hill area of Seattle.  Additional details are a haze now....

 

Gary

[mitch777]

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.

[Jody]

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.

Jody

[Buckmark]

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.

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.

Book those tickets!

[mitch777]

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.

Jody

Thanks Jody,
Looking forward to AMG but wish you were coming.

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.

Book those tickets!

NY is too much of a hassle. 2+hours driving each way and awful traffic.
Sometimes we fly out of Providence. It's a bit longer drive but not to bad. Will have to check it out.
There are no direct flights from Hartford to Midway but there are to O'Hare. (direct flight is a must)
Thought the best time to book (for the best price) is about 6 weeks prior.??
We flew from Hartford to Ft. Laudy last winter (2012) nonstop for under $300.
I would think a flight to Chicago would be in the same ball park no? We will see.
Providence is a good alternative.
Thanks Henry!

[pozniceguy]

made  reservations..... arrive  8th  depart 13th.....   encourage anyone who intends to attend to  get a  reservation  this week       ..res desk  says  hotel  will be full for  most of  August


be  sure to remind  the  front desk  when you check in about the  wifi included in the  agreement     or  they will  charge the extra $5.95/day + 16% tax for this

Nick

[weasel]

      Just booked

          August 8th   -------   August 13th 

                                           Weasel

   P.S. :   Need to book Am-Track now , Air Port is a three hour drive 
              The convenient train is 45 minutes one way  and leaves at Midnight 

[klassykitty]

I just found out yesterday that there is a chance I may be able to make it the AMG although I won't know for sure until the middle of July.

If I can I won't be able to fly in until the 9th because I have a stupid final on the 8th.  The final is during class time and that's at 1-4:30pm.

Michelle

p.s.  If I can make it I will look for that bacon vodka (if it exists) and bring some, although it sounds awful. 

[wolfter]

Just made my reservations and am arriving on the 8th.  Now I can start annoying people for mass tranit options.  It's unfortunate that AMG is being held at the same time as the The Greater Cincinnati Tennis Tournament that my entire family attends so I won't get to visit with them.

That being said, I'll be flying and am confused exactly which airport to fly in to.  Midway is $50 more and with my previous issues with mass transit, wouldn't it be simply better to fly in to O'Hare and pay cab fare?  Or, does public transit run from O'Hare to the hotel?

Wolfie

[pozniceguy]

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

[mitch777]

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

 

I am still keeping an eye for air fare to drop.
One of the flights that I hope to end up with arrives around 12:30.
Cab sharing might work out.
Will post again after my airline reservations are confirmed.

When does the meet and greet take place?
Do we get to wear a party hat and play the kazoo?

[pozniceguy]

the  meet and greet  has been  everything from a  formal  dinner  to a private  party room in a bar  so  wear  whatever you like.....  bring your  Kazooo
dont know  if we have set a place  for meet and greet yet  understand the  Hotel has a good place
Nick

[wolfter]

I too am still watching airline prices but I like the idea of sharing a taxi.  In the past, I've noticed about 5-6 weeks out is the best deals.  This will be my shortest distance flying so far and right now is the most expensive.  Even more than Seattle!!

[Jeff G]

Here is something to consider . The blue line runs to within a few blocks of the hotel and you dont have to transfer trains . Every time I ever took a taxi from the airport I got stuck in traffic and , it took forever and cost allot and didn't save time .

http://www.transitchicago.com/airports/

[Miss Philicia]

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 Hartford

[mitch777]

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 Hartford

I checked on Southwest.
The $225 will get us out of Hartford but it takes another $215 to get back. $440. round trip.

ps- Jeff, thanks for the link.
haven't dug into this yet but with a quick peek seems like the way to go.

[Miss Philicia]

I checked on Southwest.
The $225 will get us out of Hartford but it takes another $215 to get back. $440. round trip.

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

[pozniceguy]

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

[Jeff G]

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

Your welcome ... the Train is the way to go to and from from the airport if you can get over the fear of the unknown transit system hurdle , its really easy . I learned quick when I moved there that I wouldn't be getting a buddy to pick me up or drop me at the airport , people look at you like your nuts if you ask because of how easy and cheap the EL train is .     

If you have lots a luggage once you get downtown at your stop hop a cab for the sort few blocks from there and it might cost $6 .   

[mitch777]

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.
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.

As you probably know, I am a prissy delicate thing and arrival and departure times are important.
Mornings can be difficult (in the gut) and really don't want to be drained physically upon arrival. (ie: cocktail/dinner hour)
Departures the same.
Do you know anyone that could pick us up via helicopter at the East Haddam airport at let's say 10 AM to bring us to another nearby airport with a private jet that will arrive in Chicago by 2 PM?
That would be perfect.
And thank you in advance!

PS- A nice lunch and a beverage on the way would be nice but we could always brown bag it.

PPS- Amtrak? tee hee.

[Jeff G]

LOL ^ Yous Funny .

[mitch777]

LOL ^ Yous Funny .

What's so funny??

[Jeff G]

What's so funny??

The antics of a self proclaimed prissy delicate thing is amusing ... its better than off with their heads LOL . 

[mitch777]

The antics of a self proclaimed prissy delicate thing is amusing ... its better than off with their heads LOL .

hmm...
I was thinkin' "off with their heads" but it is 2013 after all.
btw, i'm still waiting for mP's reply.
guess I gotta have patience for this sorta thing.

[oksikoko]

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.

[mitch777]

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.

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)

[oksikoko]

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)

Oh, then enjoy your first AMG!

What a great idea. It seemed like some of you knew each other more than an online-only forum would allow, so some things make more sense now. Sounds like a lot of fun.

I guess there are still rovacy concerns, but do you post any pictures? Maybe we can finally see those lovely faces at larger than 100x100 avatar-sized.

[Piscean]

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.

My apologies if this question as already been addressed, but I could not find the info.

[mitch777]

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.

My apologies if this question as already been addressed, but I could not find the info.

Yes. No registration required.
This is mostly about meeting other members here in person.
The more the merrier!
The details of the "meet and greet" haven't been spelled out yet.
A guide would be so welcome!
Keep an eye on this thread for further details... not that there will be too many.
m.

ps- I am an AMG virgin and it sounds like the past AMG's are about having fun.
Looking forward to meeting everyone!

[Basquo]

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.

[mitch777]

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!

[Miss Philicia]

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

[mitch777]

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

We're still searching for a dog sitter. Plan on booking this week. Still up in the air about whether to fly out of Hartford with better flight time options or Providence to save $300. (for the 2 of us).
Leaning toward Hartford as I don't want to get up at 3AM or arrive at the hotel around 7 or 8PM.
Good timing can salvage most of the first day. (less fatigue and more time to enjoy the day)
Me on vacation=spoiled.

Is Amtrak really that much cheaper via NYC to DC or were you planning on spending time in NY anyway?

[Miss Philicia]

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. Plus my oldest niece has a 2 month internship with Kate Spade so I wanted to kill several birds with one stone. I always stay in my old apartment in downtown Brooklyn, and as luck would have it my ex-roommate and her husband won't be there half of the time that I'm in NYC, so I'll have the place to myself the last two days.  I'm only in NYC for five days, then the DC part is to go visit my parents because I haven't seen them since Christmas. I'll stay with them a week, and then they will drive me back here to Philly though I'm trying to convince them to stay a couple of nights and do something like go here: http://www.longwoodgardens.org/

Which, by the way, you'd absolutely love. I've been to Longwood once for their Christmas display (amazing!) but would also like to go here: http://www.thebrandywine.com/attractions/nemours.html

Both Longwood and Nemours were done by the famous Du Pont family and are a mere 35 miles away from my apartment.

ps: a close friend of mine may be renting a house in the Hamptons at the end of July so I may be getting another freebie out of that one. And I've been to the house -- owned by an Sotheby's upper type person and very nice, with a vintage convertible Rolls in the garage. I've even driven it!

pps: usually when I travel to NYC I don't take Amtrak -- I take the Philly commuter train to Trenton, NJ and then switch to a NJ Transit train to NY Penn station. I get a "disability" discount for the Philly portion. I forget what it comes to, but something like $22 one way but it's also much longer. Amtrak, and not the high speed line just the normal one, takes 1 hour 25 minutes but the other method I just described is at least an hour longer, but even that cheapest Amtrak option is twice the other option, so I usually go the cheap route because I'm not in a hurry. But because I was also booking the NYC-DC train I just did it all on Amtrak also knowing my parents will shove some money in my pocket for the expense. Because my schedule was flexible I managed to find a $36 fare to NYC and $49 for the NYC-DC one (which is really cheap for that route).

[oksikoko]

My friends that I just visited in France are taking a trip to Hawaii, but stopping for a few days in NYC.

NYC must be wonderful this time of year. In fact, it was a lovely 95 degrees today, which translates to roughly 4,100,000 Kelvin. Smelled rosey, too. Bring a parasol.

[aztecan]

I have been to several AMGs, and I can safely say we have always had a great time and met wonderful people.
I also have done things and gone places I never would have dreamed of going without my AMG family, such as Mexico City, which I truly loved. I am still in contact with one person I met there.
We have a great group.
Piscean, you are most welcome. Having someone who knows the territory is always a plus, and you will meet some fun, and often amazing, people.

HUGS,

Mark

[Basquo]

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

[mitch777]

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

Thank you Creighton!
Your 500 words were perfect.
No wonder why people from your past got back in touch with you.
What a sweet story.

ps- btw, I hope to meet you at AMG next year?