PAGAN-09 set-up
 

PAGAN-09 has been on the mind of many Pixies and it is time to set firm dates and a location. I first suggest we DO make a deadline for doing this and would like to make the end of this month that deadline. By 31 October 2008 (Halloween) we should have that much set in stone. How does that sound? :shrug:

Sounds fine to me. Out of curiosity, where have the other PAGAN's been? I know about Nashville (I was there).......

The first Pixie get together was in Branson, MO and organized by Sugarsprinkles; the second was PAGAN 06 and held at Niagara Falls, Ontario. It was organized by PantyFanatic. Then was PIP 07 held in the Peoria, IL area (Morton, IL) and was organized by Dicksbro. That was kind of a fill in to bridge the gap from PAGAN 06 to PAGAN 08 when we expected OF and his bride to be able to be with us again. Last one, of course, was PAGAN 08 and it was held in Nashville and was organized by Scarecrow and Mrs. King :) .

One thought suggested for the next one (PAGAN 09) was at/near Holland, Michigan but that was only an idea and no organizer has stepped forward. Another suggestion was in the Baltimore ... central E. Coast area. But no one has volunteered to organize it. Usually it takes someone very familar with the area to scout out inexpensive accomodations (hotels) and "things to do." They don't actually have to live there, but, do need to be able to invest the reseach effort to line things up. Also needs to be sensitive to the distances the likely attendees would have to travel with their likely associated costs (more of an issue if gas prices jump any higher than they are now.

A Florida get together would also be a possibility, but, like with Michigan and Baltimore ... a "leader" needs to step forward.

Hopefully, we'll find someone willing. My Mrs. said that if worse came to worse, we could do another PIP-like get together in the Peoria area, but, want to give others a chance to bring folks to their neck of the woods first. Also, if this keeps going, it'd be nice to save return visits for a few years so a site doesn't get "old."

Does that help prospective organizers ... or just scare you off? I hope it doesn't scare anyone off. I'm sure all of us that have made it to "PAGAN" events would be happy to help with some of the planning and preparation as needed.

DB

Ps
 

As indicated by Branson and Peoria get togethers ... the site chosen doesn't have to be a world leader tourist Mecca. At Peoria, there's 10 times more to see and do than what there was time for. Bigger cites, like Nashville, are great but not everyone lives in or near enough one to organize things there.

Smaller places have a charm of their own and the main goal of any get together is to meet and visit with friends we've come to know and care about through Pixies. :thumbs:

Did I just get volunteered to organize this thing?

Nope ... just said for us to go somewhere ... someone needs to volunteer. Now, if you'd like to volunteer ... hold up your tail ... er ... paw ... er ... leg. Oh, heck, you know. :)

Then, if you do volunteer and want to, PM PF, Scarecrow or myself, we can tell you things we did to get ready.

I'm saving myself for PAGAN '10 Vegas :D

Well, by then I'll have family living in the Vegas area....though I'm not that fond him. He's one of the cousins I find annoying, but that's another story. I've wanted to Criss Angel live since I first saw his show Mind Freak. As for suggestions for '09.....with all that's happening in D.C. it might not be a bad idea if there's anyone that can organize it.

It scared me off of doing '09. :hair:

It's no secret that I will travel just about anywhere, any time for our gatherings normally, as my personal situation allows more flexibility than those with young families or seasonal work demands.

An important aspect, along with a willing sucker, .... I mean 'volunteer' :rolleyes2 as organizer, is trying to pick a location as central as possible for the most numbers of Pixies seriously interested in attending. Most Pixies that have attended once, seem willing to stretch that distance a little to anything affordable in time and $$$. If we want to make it appealing to new Pixies (get-together wise), we need to see that show of hands. I for one, would love to meet more of our members that have been active for years and become important to us all.

The other facet of date has narrowed itself, in my view, to being in the standard vacation season between US Memorial Day and Labor Day in spite of the cost difference. Because so many Pixies are involved in education, I don't see us able to take advantage of the out of season pricing but even early to mid June offers some saving and may be an option.

:2cents:

Fortunately, time isn't too much of an issue for me. Trying to get time off in the holiday season can be a pain, but it is possible. Plus with my work schedule I can take only a few days off and get a week or so. Bama is in the same boat with me since we work for the same company just in different areas.

Claw...lizards have claws.

At this point, my claw is half-raised...depends on how much other stuff in my life I end up having to organize in the next couple of months. I'll know about that in the next week or two. (Literally: I will know by the end of the second week, if not sooner).

I've siad it a few times in chat that I would be willing to have it here in Michigan. I was kind of waiting to post anything tell after the Scarecrows visted next week end. So I can pick Scarecrow brian a little bit while he's here.

I would be willing to organize a Pixie gathering in Rhode Island. Newport is great but it might be less expensive to stay someplace else and drive to things we want to see. You can get to most of RI in an hour or so..... 'smallest state' jokes aren't that far from truth. :D

I know one Pixie would love the Newport Jazz Fest. I will see if I can get the dates for that in 2009 and see if thats a good time to have the gathering. For a small state there is alot to see and do here. I'll put a list of major attractions together if anybodies interested. We're only 1 1/2 hours (apx) from Boston and Mystic Seaport & Aquarium in CT. are apx 45 min away. So that opens up even more.

'If I only had a brain' :roflmao:

Just follow the Yellow Brick Road to see the great and wonderful OZ.

Mayhem and I are super eager to attend a PAGAN, any PAGAN, as for the last three Pixie events we have been in the UK. We are still wait wait wait wait wait waiting for Mayhem's paperwork to go through for his Visa/visa interview, but we are hoping to settle in the southern Minnesota area, however we have a new mini van and as some Pixies may recall, I love long road trips!!!

So, Michigan, R.I., Maryland, Vegas, Illinois, where ever sounds good to me

We're off . . . . . . . . . . to see the Wizard.

Hey if Mayhem can't get a Visa why not get him a Master Card. :roflmao:

We're only 1 1/2 hours (apx) from Boston and Mystic Seaport & Aquarium in CT. are apx 45 min away. So that opens up even more.[/QUOTE]

I've been to that aquarium. It's wonderful.

As was said so many years ago...

You'd have to be...

ha--No dude, we want an American Express!

Here's the 2008 Newport Jazz-Fest site..... Some big names will be there. :D
I haven't found the 2009 dates yet.


http://www.festivalnetwork.com/events/details.php?ID=19




Lord Snow, yes it is great. I think it's better then the one in Boston. :)

I've been avoiding posting in this thread, because I'm not certain I can commit to being there next year. As many of you know, Mr Osuche is not a Pixies fan. We *might* not be together by PAGAN '09...in which case I am there :D But that's not possible to predict at this point.

I would recommend a couple of places, and I would be happy to help coordinate (ideally with someone more local). One would be the Leelenau Peninsula in Michigan -- we could do a winery tour, have a day at the beach, and see some other sights. It's pretty up there. The second would be Port Clinton, Ohio -- there's Cedar Point amusement park, wineries, a day at the beach, and a cool old lighthouse there. I have ideas where to stay in each place.

Speaking of lodging, I want to make a unique suggestion. I *LOVE* using vrbo.com for vacation rentals -- you can find large houses for rent at decent prices. If everyone was willing to share bathrooms, there would be easy social congregating spaces (living room, kitchen, porch/deck) AND you could save $$$. One other suggestion is that everyone could chip in to cook a meal or so together - which would save even more $$$. :) And cooking together could be fun!!

I did this set-up for a big family reunion in August and it was simply the best arrangement. Those who want to sleep, can...the rest of us took hikes, stayed up late drinking wine in front of the fireplace, and played games.

Here are some examples near Port Clinton:

http://www.vrbo.com/47763 -- $400 per bedroom ($200/person) for a WEEK (if you want to stay that long)

http://www.vrbo.com/19740 -- $76/bedroom/night!

http://www.vrbo.com/200183 - $125/night/room

Here's one near Traverse City:

http://www.vrbo.com/30499 -- $111/room/night

psst....it has a HOT TUB and foosball! ;)

:(

What a neat way for a Pixie gathering. :) That could be a good manner to do this regardless of the location. It would definitely require commitments with deposits, but could make it very affordable in a lot of ways.

Bummer! I missed ^^ that


psst....if you like the idea, there are cheaper, smaller places if people want to get together in groups and rent places.

also, VRBO.com has rentals in most US cities :)

As Pack and I have three small children and I don't know how well telling either of our parents that we are off for a few days of kink and who knows would help in the babysitting area I am not sure we would be able to make this event...that being said....

I would be happy to help whoever does step up to organize in research (regardless of city). So if someone does step up just let me know...you have my help!!

osuche said the magic place, Cedar Point. :roflmao:

:wave: I know where that is.





;)

I loved the Wizard of Id.

You just like the thought of doing some island hopping and going to an Amusement Park. :boink:

I know Scarecrow is a coaster junkie.

:nod: ^^^

Well, if me and Bama are both able to go, I want to get her on the merry go round. >:D

Ask Scotz about the SOFA.

Let's see ... we've got three possibles listed right now ... Baltimore, Rhode Island and Michigan. What are the chances (no commitment ... just a ballpark idea) that you could make PAGAN 09 if it were held at one of these locations ...

For us ...

Michigan is probably a 90% yes. It's by far the closest.
Maryland, my ol' home town was Baltimore, is probably around 60%
Rhode Island, furthest away, is maybe 50%.

Making a round robin and getting to all three ... :( ... probably not.

Rhode Island would be more ideal for me since I have family in CT. Give me a chance to see them. I also have a family friend in Michigan, depending on where in Michigan we decide to go. Baltimore is closer than those two, but if I went that far, might as well go the rest of the way.

Michigan is the only likely choice for me, as I have family close by.

However, even at that there's only a 50% chance.

young man, you're evil. and need a spanking. go to my room.



ya'll sure I'll be safe in yankee land?