[Bob-san]

Yeah. I think Denver is our best bet--it doesn't seem to be inhabited by any HLPBB'ers, and has a good deal that goes on as far as recreation and bars go. Anyways--the only problem is not everyone who would be willing to go is 21 yet. The legal and responsible action would be to simply not supply any alcohol to them, which the illegal and more friendly action would be hit a liquor store and get booze, then go somewhere and drink it and hang out. Or something like that. Here in Miami, I'd say just about any club or bar would be happy to have those 16+'s drink so long as they get paid.

The other option I see is somewhere like Virginia (Virginia Beach, specifically). Plenty to do, along our Right Coast (where it seems most visitors are from), and all that. The other focused group we seem to have is those in Quebec or Ontario, which again I think would be the best overall choice if we want to replicate the UK's atmosphere. I think it would be better if all 18+s could drink, but we would lose a lot of people by going over international borders.


List of NA hub cities...

• Toronto
• Vancouver
• Atlanta
• Seattle
• Los Angeles
• Chicago
• St. Louis
• Miami
• Dallas
• Raleigh
• Houston
• Newark
• New York City
• Boston
• Denver
• Memphis
• San Francisco
• Philadelphia
• Charolette

Quite a list.

[Nuclear1]

Yeah I'm currently without passport (but plan on applying for one very soon) and only 20. I'd still be down for a Denver meet for any HLPer willing to fly.

[Bob-san]

Yeah I'm currently without passport (but plan on applying for one very soon) and only 20. I'd still be down for a Denver meet for any HLPer willing to fly.

What's your vacation schedule? And if we do this, do realize I'm pretty poor. Given notice and motivation, I can eek out the money for a standby ticket. Anyways--can we get a list of people still interested?

• Bob-san
• Nuclear1
• Stealth

[Mobius]

Don't forget to discuss NTV if you meet each other...

[Colonol Dekker]

The meets are pretty cool for that sort of "classified discussion" i've told Karajorma a few nuggets of info about post concept stuff and things about my mini-campaing / mods.

[Stealth]

bob-san... count me in.

i don't think you all should put that much weight on drinking.  i mean seriously... i know my opinion on this is a minority these days, but i'm a firm believer on being able to have a good time and hang out without alcohol.

not to mention, if we want to get alcohol and go hang out in one of our hotel rooms, it won't matter how old you are

[Bob-san]

bob-san... count me in.

i don't think you all should put that much weight on drinking.  i mean seriously... i know my opinion on this is a minority these days, but i'm a firm believer on being able to have a good time and hang out without alcohol.

not to mention, if we want to get alcohol and go hang out in one of our hotel rooms, it won't matter how old you are

I know, but it's more fun to be in public or with good friends. Anyways--that's definitely a valid point, that you can have just as much fun (or more) without alcohol as you can with. I'm putting weight on it since I think there needs to be some sort of introduction, considering that the USA is a big nation and most or all of us will have to travel hundreds of miles, at least. Anyways--dropping by a liquor store and having a 21+ buy a few bottles would be the best choice.

Ok, I'll count you in too, Stealth. Who else would be willing to fly?

[Mongoose]

I kind of know what you mean.  I've yet to get anything beyond slightly tipsy myself, and I drink beer for the taste, not the alcohol.

I can't say I'd ever definitely show up at one of these things, but if there was one in the Northeast within driving range, I'd at least give it some good consideration.

[Nuclear1]

Alright, awesome, Stealth's in.

Don't we have some HLPers in the Denver area anyway?

[Bob-san]

I kind of know what you mean.  I've yet to get anything beyond slightly tipsy myself, and I drink beer for the taste, not the alcohol.

I can't say I'd ever definitely show up at one of these things, but if there was one in the Northeast within driving range, I'd at least give it some good consideration.

Well that's the point. When I drink, it's to relax and maybe get a bit tipsy. Anyways--consider going, Mongoose. I would think a 2-3 night stay with various activities (skiing/snowboarding, drinking, tourism).

[Mongoose]

I don't have any money to do it anyway, and my extreme introversion answers in the definite negative. 

[Bob-san]

I don't have any money to do it anyway, and my extreme introversion answers in the definite negative. 

I'm pretty introverted as well. Anyways--start saving money. Seriously--I'm sure many of us are introverts, not that that's an actual problem. That's the reason for some booze--relax, maybe get a bit tipsy.

[Colonol Dekker]

Social lubrication, helping people get laid since 1785
 
I think there's a good chance this meet will happen in the next two months (tops) with some good planning

[Bob-san]

Social lubrication, helping people get laid since 1785
 
I think there's a good chance this meet will happen in the next two months (tops) with some good planning

When does everyone have time off? I am off from Feb 26 (earliest to leave) to Mar 9 (latest to return). We need to find common time off and plan some event at least, IMO. Anyways--I think flying down on Friday afternoon (so to arrive Friday night) and then meeting that night, then having say Saturday for some winter sports (someone would need to look into the cost of rentals) followed by meeting downtown, and then flying out Sunday afternoon would be the "common" route for many of us that have school or work. It would give us maximum time to meet up, hang out, see the area, and then get back. The lowest I see, though, is $290/person for such a scenario, not including the cost of transportation. That's with all of us staying in the same room (2 doubles and a cot?).

I think we also need to consider a touristy/airport hub with a attending member of our community. Sort of setup 1/2 nights where we "crash" there, or something similar. Obviously this won't work that well if they have many roommates, but I guess that's still the standing problem with HLP USA--we're such a big nation that we don't all have the luxury of jumping in a car for an hour or two and meeting up.

[Mongoose]

I don't have any money to do it anyway, and my extreme introversion answers in the definite negative. 

I'm pretty introverted as well. Anyways--start saving money. Seriously--I'm sure many of us are introverts, not that that's an actual problem. That's the reason for some booze--relax, maybe get a bit tipsy.

Kind of hard to save with no income.  And I'd probably be a very angry drunk.

Seriously, though, I wouldn't get involved with anything like this myself.  If I'm not willing to fly somewhere to meet up with a group of online friends I consider myself to be very close with, I'm not about to do so in this instance, seeing as I'm not exactly anything more than an acquaintance with anyone here.

[Stealth]

i should add, that if we plan this right, and don't splurge on hotels, we can do this (flight included) for under $500/person for 3 nhights

[Bob-san]

i should add, that if we plan this right, and don't splurge on hotels, we can do this (flight included) for under $500/person for 3 nhights

Agreed, though being a university student, I also need a job. I think we should push this back to summer and perhaps choose Virginia or something instead. It's the other side of the country, but it's a better summer spot. It'll give us time to save $500 for "summer vacation", plus most of us who would be interested can take vacation time during summer.

[Colonol Dekker]

You could always have a webcast HLP usa and get drunk simultaneously.

[Bob-san]

You could always have a webcast HLP usa and get drunk simultaneously.

Not all of us will be able to buy booze. And why limit it to the USA in that situation? Anyways--how much does the normal UK meet cost per person?

[Colonol Dekker]

I always try to take at least a tonne (£100) for rounds, food and what-not.