So who is going to San Fransisco?

[anniebc]

I may have missed it, but I don't see a thread with who is attending this years AMG..I thought it would be nice to get some names and numbers going.

So let me start it off.

I will be there in SF, wild horses couldn't keep me away...I just need to get my dates and tickets organised..so I will post my arrival dates nearer the time.

Hugs
Jan

[RAB]

Count me in!

RAB   

[OzPaul]

If I can get the funds together I'll be there for sure.

As you know Jan it's a big cost ticket coming from so far away.

Cheers
Paul

[Robert]

Oh yes, I'll be there.  Wild horses couldn't keep me away.

robert

[David_CA]

We're going to try to attend! 

D & D

[Basquo]

I'll be there!

[Jody]

I will be attending as well.

Jody 

[allanq]

I'll be commuting from Oakland to meet up with the group.

Allan

[Dan J.]

I don't think I will be able to attend this year. My budget is pretty tight  & I just won't have the extra $ to go.

I know you will all have a fantastic time in San Francisco.

Dan

[aztecan]

I'll be there with bells on!

HUGS,

Mark

(aka Tinkerbell)

[JohnOso]

I'll be there, but probably not at the hotel....will commute in also.

John

[Buckmark]

I'm in.  Just found a deal on a flight that was too good to pass up.   

Cheers,

Henry

[mjmel]

I'm in.

[Longislander]

so far I'm in!

[anniebc]

Hi everyone

Rab, Jody, Robert, Mark (aka Tinkerbell) and Crieghton I can't wait to see you all again.

LI, John, Mjmel, Henry, Allan..I'm really looking forward to meeting you guys.

D&D..I hope you can make it again this year so we can all celebrate your 1st anniversary together.

Dan...Miricles do happen so don't give up on the idea.

John(ozpaul)... I know it's pretty costly, this will be my 3rd AMG..but believe me it is worth it, so start saving those pennies.

I know it's early days yet but I hope we get some more names added on to the list as we start to count down the months.. September will be here before we know it.

Hugs to you all.

Jan

[SouthSam7]

What are y'all talking about?

Thanks,

Sam

[Basquo]

Sam, we're talking about this:

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=8657.0

and I just bought my airline ticket! 

Henry, good to see you're going as well! Now if we can convince Wes, that will round out the Austin Posse.

Creighton

[pozniceguy]

count me in ...I am saving my money ..and will reserve a room and a flight within a week ...after I finish my income taxes....

Nick

[Cliff]

I will be there.

[egello]

whats it gonna be like? i am nervous about meeting people from on line....

[RAB]

Hi Everyone:   

First, I have say although we're still 7 months out, the fact that already the gathering in San Francisco appears to have as many members coming as we had at the original gathering in Toronto, I think that's pretty cool.

Nick, Buckmark, JohnOso, Allang, MJ, OzPaul, and LI, I can't wait to meet you all.

Egello, you have asked a really good question.

whats it gonna be like? i am nervous about meeting people from on line....

I'm sure there are others thinking of coming who have the exact same thoughts going through their mind.

I'm not sure anyone can predict "what it's going to be like", so therefore I will only tell you what I experienced.

I had the time of my life.

There's something really simple about these gatherings.  We get together knowing that everyone else is HIV+.  We don't have to fear our status being found out. We are who we are and we thrive on the opportunity to embrace, hug, laugh, cry, and meet others.  In fact, as amazing as it may sound, the fact that we know everyone else is "just like me", gave me a sense of peace, comfort, and (even though I'm a "long termer") and sense of power.  I got more from meeting someone who only found out 6 months prior and realizing what a wonderful gift meeting them was, then I could ever have imagined.

I loved that feeling.  I think nearly everyone who had the chance to go to the other gatherings would do it again in a heartbeat.

I hope you take the chance and join us.

RAB

Edit to add:  If you are nervous about meeting others who are on line.  You should be.  I'm relatively certain that a couple of members are ax murderers, (in fact I have it on pretty good authority  ), but by and large we are a remarkable group of individuals who are going to San Francisco to simply enjoy the company of others.  We don't bite, trust me!  (said with the tone of a used car salesman   )

[RAB]

deleted due to double posting

[Jody]

I'm already sharpening my ax !!!

Jody 

[egello]

what if we all end up not liking each other??? for sex, its one thing, but for a social gathering? werid.....

[Robert]

hello ello.

a couple of things.  Have you noticed the variety of people here?  Straight, gay, young, old, right=handed, left-handed, city folk, country folk, black, white, latino, males, females, authors, editors. farmers, artists, accountants, teachers, sales.  If you find someone you don't get along with (doubtful) there's always someone else that you'll be pleasantly surprised with.

Also, being from San Diego, I'm sure you've been to San Francisco quite a few times.  YOu know it's a great place to have a wonderful time.  You'll be able to show off The City to all your new friends and right there that sense of pride will make you feel good.

Think about it.  It's not until September.  But keep an open mind.  You'll have a great time.  I guarantee it. 

It's better than sex.

robert

[Basquo]

what if we all end up not liking each other??? for sex, its one thing, but for a social gathering? werid.....

It'll be FANTASTIC! I had the time of my life in Motreal last year. I went to meet 40+ people who I knew only from being online; I had only met 3 of them in person here in Texas before that.  What non-professional online group does that?  Gamers, maybe?  Trekkies? We have something real to share with each other, and like Robert said we're a very mixed bunch. Hell, Jan and her friend journeyed from the other side of the fucking world to be with us!

[mjmel]

whats it gonna be like? i am nervous about meeting people from on line....

Are you worried that you won't be liked? I've read your posts. You come off as being intelligent through your postings. Not-to-worry, there's too much of a mixture of people. BTW, I don't know anyone.  I may feel a bit of anxiety about meeting people (a bit introverted sometimes), but no big deal. If it's a complete bust then there's a whole wonderful city laid out before us. But it's not gonna bee that way; too many nice folks with the gift of gab. 
P.S. Are you worried what you look like? If it's dog with glasses, I will just just adore you! Sacred Heart of Jesus? I will adore you. (<-- Attempt at humor.)

edited: I'm leaving my typos. Feeling rebellious today.
 

[Nico]

Just to add to Egello's worry  , myself and my partner will be there from the 13th - 17th.  We took a room on the steetside since the hotel has no A/C and Glenn said the breeze is better.

Looking forward to meeting the on-line hit squad! 

Roger 

[egello]

IF i do end up attending, shoudl i go by myslef so that i get to meet more people? or should i have my partner tag along with me just incase i get insecure and have someone to hang out with. I am sort of introverted.

i lived there for one year where i met my current b/f.

[anniebc]

Hi Egello

It's entirely up to you..but your partner would be more than welcome...and stop worrying so much, we are a good bunch ..take a look round. what's not to like...

Hugs
Jan

[Xavier]

I think I'm going to go to San Fansisco, how long are people staying?  are we rooming together, cause i would be interested in that...

[mjmel]

What? No AC.......
I wish I could bring my partner. <sigh> Somebody has to stay home with the critters. (Kin folk said, "Jed, move away from thar!")

[allanq]

About the lack of air conditioning at the Powell Hotel--

San Francisco is a cool city in every sense of the word. The city has "natural" air conditioning in the form of the fog that is drawn in through the Golden Gate when it heats up in the central valley. I've lived in the Bay Area 28 years, and I've never met anyone in San Francisco who has air conditioning in their home.

The room I saw at the Powell Hotel did have a ceiling fan. I believe this is true of all the rooms.

Allan

[livingpositively]

I will be attending.  No tickets yet, but I'll be there.

[Ric Wilke]

Hi All.

Thom and I will be in San Fransisco in September.  We wouldn't miss with for all the tea in China.  We intend to carry on the AMG story for as long as we are both able.  And we pray that will be for many years to come.

For you new comers, let me tell you about the powerful impact that AMG has had on my life.  While is was in the hospital recently I was able to wear my wrist bands.  One is for Lance Armstrong, the other is from AMG 06 in Montreal.  Many people asked me about the significance of the red band on my left wrist.  I came out of the AIDS closest and was very proud to tell them what it stood for.  Everyone fond the story very moving.  I've been out of the closest sexually for many years but I am now also out of the HIV closed as well.

I am proud to be a 5+ year survivor of this disease and I want to join the ranks of Rab, Joe, Moffie and all of the other long time survivors.  Each of them has been an inspiration to me and I can not thank them enough for their example.  And then there is Dame Jan, the lady of all ladies in her fight to overcome this scourge.  All of you are very dear to my heart.  I pray for each of your well being each night.

Don't pass up the opportunity to attend AMG '07.  It will change your life forever.

All my love, Ric

[Javicho]

I Will be there.

Jan, this is my first time and I dont know how you guys did it the other times, how do we know who whants to share a room, do we have to start a new tread? or some one will comite to do so, I 'm just wondering I will be interested and share a room, thank you.

Javier

[mjmel]

javicho refer to http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=8693.0 for some guidance on how its done.

[Longislander]

I submitted the vacation request yesterday.... fingers X'd

[Jerry71]

I would like to attend but just waiting on some things here to get into place like bills and a new place to live. Not sure yet If I will be there or not. I really enjoyed seeing all of you last year in Montreal. Our little room we had might have been cramped but it was having family there that made it all the fun.

[et in arcadia ego]

whats it gonna be like? i am nervous about meeting people from on line....

Egello, I went to the Nashville gathering a while back. Believe me, I feared being a REAL sore thumb among the people there: straight, married, HIV-negative AND left-handed!

I had a terrific time and met some incredibly great people. I think about it quite a bit, even though I have not been around the forums for a while.

I had a whole bunch of reservations, but decided to go anyway, and my life was enriched greatly by having met some of the wonderful people here.  Miss all you guys (and gals)!

[sweetasmeli]

Very possibly. Am checking out flights. Will probably decide for sure in next few weeks.

Melia

[Oceanbeach]

I don't need tickets... the Russian River is less than an hour away so I find myself in SF at least once each week.  The other day I had dinner in a Mexican restaurant on Valencia and 20th St.  This place has been owned and operated by the same family since 1951 and the food was just excellent!  See you at Meet and Greet.  Have the best day
Michael

[Oceanbeach]

Before I forget... There is a place off the Marina, which was built from 1906 earthquake debris.  It has benches built in with tubes running everywhere.  At high tide the tubes play music.  It has a lovely view of the Golden Gate Bridge so this is a must see at night during high tide.  I'll bring the tide tables and some medicinal herbs.  Have the best day
Michael



Edited to add: I should mention that I have a prescription and a photo ID card from the State of California and you wouldn't believe how much better I feel on a daily basis.  It got so bad for awhile, I was thinking about changing my screen name to "Choofnhurl". 

[Longislander]

OK! I got time off. I'll be off from the 8th of Sept thru the 17th.

May go early just to spend some xtra time in SF. Checked on airfare, seems reasonably cheap, $350 or so non-stop to SFO? Long 6hr flight, 1st class airfare is SOO expensive!! Guess i won't be doing that!

See you there!

[RAB]

Hey LI

That's great news!     I saw that Delta has a flight for $274.00, but it isn't direct (probably changes in either Cin or Atl), which would make the trip longer.

See you there!

Javicho and Xavier:

I just saw your questions about sharing hotel rooms.  In previous years members did exactly as Javicho mentioned, they started a thread inquiring if anyone was looking to share and sort of took it from there.  Hope this helps, and really hope to see you both there.





RAB

[Damien]

I am planning on going. Still have to workout some of the details.

-Damien

[cayucosguy]

Dependent upon finances, but I will try my best to attend this years' gathering!

[david25luvit]

I'm going if I can get Jerry to watch Patti and Pepper for a week.........
Looking forward to seeing everybody I met last year and those I haven't met
as of yet.......OH BOY!!!!  San Francisco here I come

[Nadine]

Rodney and I are working on it.   Sure hope we can make it!

[RapidRod]

Gees-O-pete, what a crowd this is going to be.