Trebs

Didn't wanna confuse people and have em wonder which ones they'd seen and which they hadn't... :-)

There's a Six Flags in Arlington which is between Dallas and Ft Worth. And Texas Motor Speedway has all day events on June 6 and Jun 7. Now saying that, a NYC gathering could be centered in the West Village (ie, near where the modern gay rights movement started at the Stonewall Inn). Plus - early June in NYC usually has decent weather. Hotel prices are usually higher, but you can also stay out of Manhattan (like in Queens) and quickly take the subway in. Voting right now of those likely to go is exactly split between the two cities, though the early June date does look like it's prevailing. I'm going to keep the poll up for a bit more to get more input, but I'm already looking around at ideas to do in either city...

Viv sent me her pictures and I uploaded them as a separate gallery - have a look!

:-) Well - either way for an European gathering... first step is someone willing to step up and be the key coordinator. Then at that point, whether it is England or France, or same date as US or different date - at least someone would be on top of it. To be honest, it doesn't take a lot of time. I'd suggest you keep it to just a simple dinner on a Saturday night or maybe an afternoon tea, and encourage people to keep in touch with you so if there is an interest in joint sight-seeing or other activities, you can do that as well. I know Dallas and New York City - and worked through this first one, so I feel comfortable setting up the 2008 U.S. one (and it's also one reason for the three sets of dates as they are dates that Dan and I can make it). But as I don't know Europe at all, nor am I likely to be able to attend a European one next year, there is no way I can help out at all (other than helping give advice and guidance to the person who does want to step forward). So... Any volunteers? You can post here or PM me... and if there is more than one person, that can work too, as they can coordinate it together - the key is just communication. Trebs PS As an added incentive, if a simple 2008 European GA Get-Together is successful and there is a 2009 one, Dan and I may be able to go as our 2009 schedule is a LOT more open than our 2008 one...

Your brother as cute as you?!?

Dallas is leading - and didn't you say we could all just crash with you Joe? Definately would keep down on the expenses, and I'd think that as no one would want/need to leave to see the sights, it wouldn't really matter if there were or weren't anything in the city to see...

BTW - Welcome back, Tim!

GREAT pictures - only one problem, no pics of one of the cutest guys there... oh wait... ya, guess you were too busy taking the pics ;-)

Um, on the two group pictures, there is a legend to the right to tell who everyone is :-)

If we pick NYC, then just pretend we're really meeting in east east Philly and take the train over... :-) And if it's Dallas - ummm... South south Philly?!? Though, a plane would be better...

True - the group shots make Joe look like he's a bit drunk, even though he was totally sober. It's one reason I included the shots with you and Viv - both of you looks SO great when you're laughing and blushing - heh, which was most of the time...

Due to popular demand - I present, the 2007 GA Get-Together pictures! PS - If anyone else took any pictures during the weekend, PLEASE upload them somewhere and put the link here so everyone can see :-)

I'd thought about offering an alternate location, like England or Austrailia - but personally, it isn't something I can organize (as I don't know either place)... BUT - having said that, if anyone wants to step up and organize such a gathering - GREAT!

The 2007 GA Get-together in San Francisco was a BLAST! Sorry to say that Eggman didn't make it, but everyone else did and it was a lot of fun for me to meet and get to know everyone. We even got a group pic of the 11 of us outside of the restaurant that I'll post tomorrow. There's already been talk about doing another get-together next year and the two most likely suspects for locations are New York City or Dallas area. I know this still would be far to travel from non-US locations, and not everyone will be able to make it - but again, this would only be the 2nd get-together and future ones may be closer to where you live. If you could take a second and take the above poll, we'll have some idea of what people are leaning toward. This get-together was just dinner (though many of us met up at other points as well) - but the thought for next year (especially if more people attend) is a few items throughout a weekend, but also with a lot of free time for free time and/or sight-seeing... NONE of this is set-in-stone - so if anyone has other ideas and/or suggestions - POST 'em :-)

It is still not too late to join us Vic - I mean, it is NOT that far of a drive for you...

Great to have ya join us Eggman - I'll up the reservation... Already was able to make one - not at Sausage Factory (which I agree is great food) but nearby... If anyone else thinks they can join us - let me know, the reservation is for 7:30PM on Saturday night...

We are less than a month away - and I've gotten a few more details nailed down but for everyone going, expect to get a PM from me early this week... And anyone who didn't say they were going and now thinks they might - let me know! Trebs

Thank you CJ - it is a FANTASTIC read. Bishop Spong has long been an advocate of love and inclusion and treating all people, gay, straight, bi - as children of god. The other section from this letter that I love is:

Don't know why, but I felt compelled to share this story here...

I'm starting to try to figure out what/where we can do in San Francisco... and to make sure we have no problems, it would be best to actually make a reservation for somewhere for Saturday night's dinner... But... that means, trying to get a better sense on numbers and also likes/dislikes... First things first though - if anyone has gotten more solid on attending, can you let me know (or post in this thread)... I figure by late next week, I'll then PM everyone attending give a range of food/cost choices and try to figure out where we should go. And while I realize not everyone who wants to go is going to be able to, at least we can view this as just the first of hopefully many gayauthors.org get-togethers... Thanks

I personally welcome any board members - new posters, old posters, even lurkers (like CJames)... Who knows, maybe even some board members who used to be prolific but scaled back may see this thread and think about attending...

Well - he is a goat... so CJ's Kids?!?

Pretty much any gathering of gay's is gonna have plenty of camp... ;-)

Only caveat - before it gets too serious, make sure the two of you talk about what happened at the end, and why and more important - what's happened in his life since (ie, why won't he make the same mistake twice)... Just friendly advice to take or ignore...

Hotels will probably be about $100+/night - you can find cheaper, but... um... you might not wanna... One decent one (from last time I stayed there) was the Rodeway Inn Downtown - not total luxury but clean and nice... As to rental car - unless you're also wanting to go on a drive or day trip, you should be fine without... Now - one recent big of news - I had mentioned to David that he's gonna be in SF at a great time as the Castro always has great eye-candy on Halloween. But due to some incidents last year, SF isn't doing a big Halloween night in the Castro this year... Just an FYI for those making travel plans...