Thanks to Willow, we are off to the races for Forge Midwest, 2008. She did all the legwork for reservation. I'm just the yes man. Please thank her when you see her in April!
This thread is official. We're going to Madison, Wisconsin this year. It's a very cool town, and I'm looking forward to it!
WHEN:
Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April 13
WHERE:
Best Western East Towne Suites
4801 Annamark Drive
Madison, Wisconsin 53704
(608) 244-2020
WHO:
Anyone reading this who loves indie RPGS!
HOW MUCH:
Like previous years, that remains to be seen. Basically, we all split cost of renting the rooms. Fortunately, this year, they're relatively inexpensive! I'm thinking something around $20 or less. But, that is NOT a guarantee, folks. It just depends on final costs and number of attendees.
WHAT ELSE:
This year, we will likely set aside some time for publishers to sell their games to fellow hobbyists. Deal with it, and enjoy getting some direct contact with people.
RSVP!
So, to get a best guess, we'll do another eVite just like last year. Please try to RSVP before April 1. Remember, getting a good head count will determine costs for everyone.
Please reply to the evite (http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/NSKQFHXLKPFCZRFXHKNK/forgemidwest) and indicate how many people are coming along with you.
To book your room at the hotel, call that number, and let them know you're with the Forge Midwest group. I've got a special rate set aside. The basic rooms are two double beds, non-smoking. If you need a different room type, it shouldn't be a problem, and it should be the same rate- if you have trouble getting the room type you want, contact me.
If'n I were to come down again this year, where would I be flying into?
James
Madison is served by the Dane County Regional Airport. When you arrive, if you take Madison Taxi (blue and silver cab) to the hotel, the hotel pays for your cab fare (to and from airport only, and that company only.)
Anyone interested in carpooling from the Twin Cities (MN) to Madison? I'm planning on driving anyway, but figure splitting gas and conversation might be worthwhile.
Also, anyone easy going enough to want to split a room?
Thanks,
-adam
I live less than a mile from the hotel, let me know if you need any help with set-up or anything else...
Regards,
Matt
Here's the location on Google maps:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=4801+Annamark+Drive+Madison,+Wisconsin+53704&sll=43.131304,-89.299615&sspn=0.006812,0.013475&ie=UTF8&ll=43.133061,-89.296875&spn=3.487533,6.899414&t=h&z=8&iwloc=addr&om=0
If you zoom in as far as you can on satellite view, the Best Western is the building just to the north of the green arrow.
I'm thinking of coming so how do I regester? and by the way I play and run Harnmaster RPG so how ldo I get slot?
Hello, jwatson. What's your name? Mine's Matt. We'd be happy to have you there. Hi!
In previous years, this is much more of a gathering of pals than it is an official "con." The main way to register is to just click the link I made in the original post. It's a eVite. It's a free RSVP thing that I use to get an idea how many people are coming.
We all just split the costs of the meeting rooms, and I take no profit for event. We have used everyone's money to buy refreshments in the past, however.
As for scheduling an event, we will set up a Google calendar in coming weeks. Basically, it offers people the option to have scheduled events. But, no one is required to participate in scheduled events. Open play is encouraged.
Holy smokes! So far, Madison is turning out to be a great option! Lots of Forge Midwest pals are local (like, REALLY local, McElroy!), Twin Cities folks are coming over. This is going to be great fun!
Just want to say hi to everyone and to let you all know we exist. My name is Sir John D. Minderman and i am the president of the Rising Phoenix Gaming Club down in Milwaukee WI. Our web address is www.willworkfordice.com. come check it out. I am hopeing that a few of our members get a chance to check out your con. Also i hope some of your members can make it to ours also. The name of it is Rising Phoenix Con. If any one has questions please feel free to give me a holler at johnm@willworkfordice.com.
As a local gamer in the Madison area, is there any room for anything other than Indy games?
Regardless, looking forward to possible coming on out and gaming with ya all!
-Len
Hi Len,
Matt is the authority for the gathering, but as I understand it, there are no restrictions on games played.
A lot of the questions in the thread are reasonable, but they also illustrate that people are over-estimating the nature of Forge Midwest and to some extent the Forge. Guys: all we do is rent out some conference space in a hotel so that anyone can come and play a bunch of whatever games they'd like, and that's pretty much it. If you wanted to bring Pictionary, you could, and if some people wanted to play it with you, why then, you would.
Best, Ron
Ok, I'm in!
Here's the deal, though: I'm flying on super-cheap SkyBus Airlines, which only flies to Chicago - or more accurately, Gary, IN. I know there's people traveling from that direction: would any of them like to carpool with me - or, more accurately, give me a ride in exchange for gas money?
- Clinton
Quote from: Adam Riemenschneider on January 19, 2008, 10:58:26 PM
Anyone interested in carpooling from the Twin Cities (MN) to Madison? I'm planning on driving anyway, but figure splitting gas and conversation might be worthwhile.
Also, anyone easy going enough to want to split a room?
Adam,
I'm from up north of the Cities, but if it proves more cost effective for me, I'd certainly carpool from the Cities to Madison rather than drive there on my own. Also, if you aren't on it already, you might want to ask on the Indie-MN list (http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/indiemn/) on Yahoo, as several of the members have attended previous years. If there are enough of us, we could all share a ride and/or a room and significantly reduce our costs.
I also suggest contacting the group as I unfortunately
can't guarantee anything on my part (my They-actually-pay-me-money-for-this?! job includes the unfortunate side-effect of my never really being able to make plans more than two weeks in advance, and even then things can go south with one phone call...).
Hey Clinton,
Have you looked into the South Shore Amtrack? I believe you can catch a Van Galder bus to madison from there, if not I think it's not a terribly long walk to the union station train station where I know you can catch the Van Galder. Not as easy as getting a ride....
Okay, this'll be my first Forge thingy. Is there an event sign-up, or pretty much pick-up games? Who do I pay and when? w00t!
We largely do pick-up games. Here's how it generally works:
I designate some timeslots, usually in 3 or 4 hour chunks. Outside of that, it's largely pick-up and pals just planning stuff on the fly, like "Hey, Clinton! Let's play TSoY at first Saturday timeslot!" Or whatever else.
Now, the first year, I hollered a lot over the din to say "Next timeslot starts now! Play on if you want, but think about what others are doing."
Last year, I mostly just let it ride. I actually prefer the first year's approach, as I think it got slightly too messy.
ALSO! Last year, Clyde organized a calendar with specific games planned for specific slots. I have no problem with this at all. That said, it's up to someone like Clyde to organize it. It's "official" in that I say "Yep, that's totally fine!"
But the "official" line really is: I'll post some time slots and ask people to try to follow them so people can jump into another time slot after their current game. There is no requirement to do so.
What actually ends up happening is that some games run over several hours because people are having fun and some games wrap up nicely on time because people involved in a current game REALLY want to get in on a certain other game at Noon (or whatever). In other words, people police themselves well overall because they are motivated and enthused to play in various games. That's how I want it.
Hey, Buzz. Is it safe to assume you are EnWorld Buzz? Or are you an all new, all different Buzz? Either way, Welcome ^_^
Anyway, from my experience with indie gaming at cons large and small (EnWorld notwithstanding, as it's small and short enough to be tightly structured), I suggest bringing a strong willingness to play whatever appears in front of you. I've not had great fortunes in going with a desire to play Games X, Y and Z, unless they are whatever the New Hotness is. When I've just kept an open mind and said Yes to whatever came my way, I've had much better luck. Even when games have been "scheduled", they have fallen through more often than not. Maybe my experience is not typical, I don't know. But Forge Midwest is a great place to see what people are working on and rub shoulders with all manner of cool people, and maybe get in on some playtesting of stuff that will be the New Hotness next year.
Quote from: Nev the Deranged on February 09, 2008, 02:04:08 AM
Hey, Buzz. Is it safe to assume you are EnWorld Buzz? Or are you an all new, all different Buzz? Either way, Welcome ^_^
No, Dave, it's the same ol' Buzz. :)
Advice noted. Honestly, I'm happy to come and play anything of the story-ilk, as well as meet people I've interacted with online.
Awww, crapmonkeys.
I just realized Forge Midwest is the same weekend as CoDCon. That is most heinous, since I was planning to run a bunch of stuff there.
Although, honestly, with FMW being way more expensive and inconvenient for me this year... it might be a tough choice.
If you haven't reserved your hotel room yet, please do so soon. The more rooms we book, the cheaper the meeting room space is.
Willow,
Is there a deadline, other than "soon", for having a hotel room reservation count towards the cost of the meeting space?
Julie
Quote from: Willow on February 13, 2008, 06:34:16 PM
If you haven't reserved your hotel room yet, please do so soon. The more rooms we book, the cheaper the meeting room space is.
Reservation... made!
Quote from: Clinton R. Nixon on February 07, 2008, 11:18:32 AM
Ok, I'm in!
Here's the deal, though: I'm flying on super-cheap SkyBus Airlines, which only flies to Chicago - or more accurately, Gary, IN. I know there's people traveling from that direction: would any of them like to carpool with me - or, more accurately, give me a ride in exchange for gas money?
- Clinton
At first I thought this was going to be an opportunity for us to take a ferry across Lake Michigan, but it looks like none of the ferries run until sometime in May. So *if* we are able to go, we'll be driving near there. Actually, the Google Maps estimate added like 6 minutes to make a stop to Gary, IN on the way. Not sure whether or not we'll be able to make it, I'll talk it over with my better half later tonight.
Quote from: Willow on January 18, 2008, 10:55:19 PM
Madison is served by the Dane County Regional Airport. When you arrive, if you take Madison Taxi (blue and silver cab) to the hotel, the hotel pays for your cab fare (to and from airport only, and that company only.)
a.k.a. MSN or Truax Field if you want to use something like kayak (http://www.kayak.com/) to look for cheaper flights.
Just a quick note to say I'm looking forward to this year's con. Some of you may have heard that I missed last year's due to a fire at my office building. I hoping to not repeat that experience this year. ;)
As far as coordination, I can help folks find places to eat and shop, if they're interested. There are plenty of restaurants around and inside the East Towne complex. I live spittin' distance away from the place and am there three times a week, at least.
Also, if there are any video game fanatics in the crowd (outside of myself), there are no less than four great spots to find video games in the area. (But we can talk about that there.)
See you in April.
Hey Jason,
I was soliciting restaurant advice from fellow Madisonian gamers on Grumbling Dwarf (http://www.grumblingdwarf.com/portal/viewtopic.php?t=2277), if you want to add your thoughts or make use of what's been said there.
Wow, very cool.
I am from the Twin Cities and might be trying to commute to Madison as well, hopefully with my girlfriend. I currently am just trying to make sure I can afford the trip. I have relatives there, that I think i can stay with which will save costs. I would love to have a prototype of my card game to play with people if they were interested. see game here: http://www.indie-rpgs.com/forum/index.php?topic=25791.0
I am really scrambling to see if this is something I can attend, because I would love to be there. Thanks to all who are setting this up.
Room.... reserved!
So, I've decided that despite the various obstacles, I just can't bring myself to miss Forge Midwest. I will be carpooling in with a friend. However, even together, we can't afford a room on our own. So, I'm wondering if there's anybody who plans to go that is interested in splitting the cost of a room by... well, two more than whatever you have now.
Neither of us snore, and I take showers in the evenings rather than mornings, so that's one less in line for the bathroom in the AM.
nevthederanged@aol.com if you want to email me about it.
Thanks!
Hey folks,
If someone could do the wiki planner this year I'd appreciate it. I think I'm going to have enough on my plate making the restaurant page, and a getting around page.
Ok, James, Juli and I will be sharing a room. It's a hundo a night plus tax. We could really use a fourth to bring that down to fifty buck a head. Or, heck, even a fifth wouldn't suck. Any takers?
Non-snorers preferable.
Also, what's a good time to arrive on Friday? Will anything be going on earlier in the day?
thanks.
Quote from: Clyde L. Rhoer on February 28, 2008, 02:53:33 PM
Hey folks,
If someone could do the wiki planner this year I'd appreciate it. I think I'm going to have enough on my plate making the restaurant page, and a getting around page.
I'm not so much the computer guy (that is, if you want it all Google-mapped or something, i might need help), but i already have access to a list of pretty much every bar and restaurant in the greater Madison area. And i can certainly help with the getting-around info, if somebody tell me where to contribute. I'm the night dispatcher for one of the local cab companies, so just tell me what info you need, and it's probably already in my head--i just would need to write it down.
Oh, and i'll definitely be there, but i won't be getting a room, 'cause that would be silly.
can anyone give me a little run down of how a forge midwest convention might go down?
i have never attended a convention and was wondering when things started each day, when certain events happen. If it is kosher to show up for saturday and sunday, or it is much preferred to be there all three days?
i would love to bring my prototype card game to play with anyone that was interested. is this something that I can do on the fly, or would i need permission to play my game (i am not selling anything- just playtesting) I would be playing on a very limited one to one basis and asking for advice, maybe having a contact sheet for people that would want free cards once i began printing of the game.
i am a fan of indie-rpgs although i have not played many, will this hinder my experience?
thanks to anyone providing as much detail as possible, so i can be sure i know what im getting myself (and my girlfriend) into.
Hello,
It is 100 times less formal than a typical role-playing convention. It is really not much more than a bunch of tables in a common location. Socially, the hope is that people will make an effort to mingle rather than clumping up into cliques.
Attendance is entirely up to you, in terms of when you arrive, how long you stay, and what you do. There is absolutely no expectation about that. People often invite others they've just met to lunch or dinner. I'll probably go out to a club or otherwise catching some live music in the evening, and anyone who'd like to join me is welcome.
There is a schedule on which people can post games they intend to run at given times. However, the majority of games are pick-up, when some people simply sit down and play without any scheduling or organization. Tables are not assigned and nothing is numbered. This year, we're instituting a specific time and place for sales, but generally, the atmosphere of the gathering is not mercantile.
For playtesting your game, I suggest bringing it and being quite up-front about wanting to playtest it. Let anyone who's interested do some further recruiting, and you'll have a few interested people quite fast. Even if the game is one-on-one, it's nice to have a couple more people around.
Past experience suggests that the only requirements for a good time are enthusiasm and a little bit of adventurist spirit, as opposed to familiarity with any of the games.
Best, Ron
Ron is correct on all counts.
Folks, Forge Midwest is a casual gathering of people who want to play games together. That's it. If you're reading this thread, you're invited. AND you're enabled to invite your pals who want to play games.
There's no requirement to even be a Forge member! Just show up, and play. You don't have to know anything about indie RPGs. You don't even have to play them! Many of us simply prefer to. Heck, the most popular game played both previous years was Jungle Speed! And, I had a great time losing in a Memior '44 board game last year.
So, William, I answer all your concerns with "Yep, that's all totally fine. No problem at all. See you there."
i love playing games.
thanks to you both. thats exactly what i wanted to hear.
i look forward to coming, meeting cool people, playtesting my game and playing some other games.
Hi Woodelf,
Thanks for the offer. I'm not going to be trying to make a complete restaurant page, but more a local vetted, chain-light, restaurant page. Think Maharajah, New Orleans Take Out, Dave's Jamaican, etc. plus a link to a google search that lists the fourty to fifty restaurants in the immediate area of the hotel plus a link to thedailypage the Isthmuses website which does an excellent job of comprehensive restaurant listings and reviews. Hopefully done soon.
Thor and I will be at the hotel from Friday at 6:30pm to Sunday around 3pm.
We are flying from NY LGA to Milwaukee nonstop for around $250 per person. And will try to arrange rides from there.
The hotel indicated that there was only 1 double room left as part of the block of rooms reserved for Forgecon. If you want to book a double room, act fast!
Looking forward to playing games with all of you!
Quote from: Clyde L. Rhoer on March 07, 2008, 01:32:53 PM
Thanks for the offer. I'm not going to be trying to make a complete restaurant page, but more a local vetted, chain-light, restaurant page. Think Maharajah, New Orleans Take Out, Dave's Jamaican, etc. plus a link to a google search that lists the fourty to fifty restaurants in the immediate area of the hotel plus a link to thedailypage the Isthmuses website which does an excellent job of comprehensive restaurant listings and reviews. Hopefully done soon.
Oh, ok. Hadn't thought about the Isthmus' listings, since i'm not usually trying to find restaurants online. You planning to include NOTO, or was that just an example and you're sticking with stuff that's close to the hotel? Just curious.
Quote from: jenskot on March 09, 2008, 02:13:10 AM
We are flying from NY LGA to Milwaukee nonstop for around $250 per person. And will try to arrange rides from there.
The Badger Bus runs from Milwaukee airport to downtown Madison every couple of hours, for $40 round trip. You'd then have to use city buses ($1.50, ) or a cab ($15.25+$1/person with Badger Cab; ~$22 with Union Cab) or a ride from a friend/acquaintance to get to the hotel.
Quote from: jenskot on March 09, 2008, 02:13:10 AM
Thor and I will be at the hotel from Friday at 6:30pm to Sunday around 3pm.
We are flying from NY LGA to Milwaukee nonstop for around $250 per person. And will try to arrange rides from there.
Heya,
If you don't work anything else out, I'm landing at Milwaukee at 6:20 Friday and leaving at 19:00 Sunday, and have already booked a rental to drive in. If you hang around the extra hour and a half, we could car pool in, and for an international flight and allowing for delays etc. I'm probably wanting to leave around 3 on Sunday so car pool out as well...
James
From the gamer formerly known as "Nitramwi"...
I'm looking forward to meeting and gaming with you all here in Madisonhere soon!
Thanks Ron for clearing up what this will be all about, and I'm still looking forward to it!
I just booked a double, non-smoking, and would entertain the idea of a non-smoking roommate. Am female and no longer snore, thanks to the CPAP machine. :)
Driving from East Lansing on Friday am, and would be willing to pick people up along the way...
Heya,
Looks like Epidiah Ravachol and me will make it there, too. Woo-hoo!
I'd like to run my jeep form version of Under my Skin. Anyone know if there may be separate space to run a game in? Or should I figure on using a hotel room? I'll keep my eyes peeled for the Google calendar, too, to perhaps schedule this. Ideally it takes a 6hr chunk of time, which might be easier for people to plan ahead on taking part in.
Thanks for making this happen, Willow et al. Can't wait to see everyone!
best,
Em
Still looking for one or two more to fill out our room, if anyone needs last minute lodging.
Any word on a calendar/schedule thingy, yet? Or, more generally, somebody have an idea what Fri evening will be like? I'm trying to figure out if i should cancel my standing Fri night activity to attend, or if Fri night will be mostly nothing happening? If there are Fri night plans, will they be of the gaming variety, or the other-socializing variety?
-Nat
I wanted to make sure myself +1 is added to the expected participants.
I am also going to the Cloud Cult concert on Friday night (a great band everyone should check out).
I will be at the convention all day Saturday and Sunday and look forward to meeting people and playing some games.
So Matt...
What is the projected conference room cost per person now?
I have not confirmed (via Willow or the hotel itself) that we have filled up 10 bedrooms for 2 nights. However, my understanding is that we have done this.
That means the first of two meeting rooms is free. The second room is $75.
Folks, even with full price of $150 for both meeting rooms, we're talking about extremely small fees for the gathering. Something like $5 is very likely. I do generally spend around $50 for name tags, and I like to recoup that cost if possible. I have yet to make any "profit" in any year. We generally break even within a few dollars.
For comparison, in previous years we paid about $20 per person in year 1 and around $30 or $40 per person in year 2 (we had to ask for more cash later on in the day for year 2).
This event will be so inexpensive it blows my mind. Two days of awesome gaming with friends for less than $10, probably less than $5? Frankly, it sounds too good to be true!
In the event we acquire any excees "profit" -- that money will go toward hosting fees for the Forge. Excess money WILL NOT be redistributed to participants. I aim to avoid this, but with such small costs, it's very possible.
Hey, Matt. Remember those geek-stylee sticky nametags I brought last year? I'm planning to bring them this year too. Let me know how many you think we'll need. They're sticky, so they don't need backings or lanyards or anything, but if you want them so people can stick them on those instead of their clothes, you can provide those.
Also, if anybody has suggestions for new ones, feel free to email me.
D.
Is anyone travelling by car from in & around either Ontario or upstate New York? I'm thinking Ottawa-Toronto corridor (Ontario side) or Syracuse - Ithaca area (New York side), or something like that.
I'm looking to get in on a carpool. Please email me at dpaj dot burgess atsign gmail dot com. Or PM me here at the Forge. I know that this is last minute, but this just fell in my lap.
Thanks!
D
Dave, I expect to see about 50 people there, more or less. We'd need AT LEAST that many tags. I won't be surprised to find out, say, 60 people show up, especially as "Saturday only."
Hm... and sticky ones would be one day use only, more or less... maybe the backings wouldn't be such a bad idea...
Let's see... a pack of 160 stickers runs about 30$... plus ink... man, you're right, it does add up. I'll see how many I can squeeze out of an ink cartridge and let you know.
Anyone who's still stuck for transportation may be interested to know that Megabus (http://www.megabus.com/us/stops/index_midwest.php) has a Madison stop. Unlike Greyhound, Megabus is a) cheap, and b) does not stop in every podunk town between cities.
Dave: Sweet lord almighty, don't print any damn thing on an inkjet printer. It's like bleeding money on paper.
Get me what you need/want to have printed, and I'll bring it down for super-cheap.
like, 3 bucks instead of your 30.
James
Quote from: Blankshield on April 01, 2008, 12:35:47 AM
Dave: Sweet lord almighty, don't print any damn thing on an inkjet printer. It's like bleeding money on paper.
Get me what you need/want to have printed, and I'll bring it down for super-cheap.
like, 3 bucks instead of your 30.
James
The 30$ isn't for the ink, it's for the name badges. Which I already bought.
You have a point about the ink though. If you want to work something out, email me.
Thanks!
I just noticed Justice Platt is on the evite. Oddly enough, I just heard his name for the first time today, on a webcast I listened to at work- how's that for synchronicity?
GeeksOn, episode 90- apparerntly, Justice taught one of the Geeks On crew to play D&D back in boarding school, with another kid named Kyle, who had issues swinging his hand and a half bastard sword in a narrow hallway.
Small world, eh?
http://www.geekson.com/ (http://www.geekson.com/)
Quote from: Clyde L. Rhoer on February 28, 2008, 02:53:33 PMIf someone could do the wiki planner this year I'd appreciate it. I think I'm going to have enough on my plate making the restaurant page, and a getting around page.
I realize that it may be a little late for this, but I've setup a Forge Midwest page on my personal wiki at http://www.jadettman.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php?n=ForgeMidwest.HomePage if anyone wants to organize games and such.
--Jason
Is Jason's the only calendar that has been set up? Just lookin' a little blank...
What is the Friday situation? I'll be driving up after work, most likely, so I won't be there until 7pm or later.
Quote from: buzz on April 06, 2008, 08:14:29 PM
Is Jason's the only calendar that has been set up? Just lookin' a little blank...
What is the Friday situation? I'll be driving up after work, most likely, so I won't be there until 7pm or later.
Yeah, I haven't seen another schedule setup, Buzz. It's only been a few hours, though, so maybe more organized content will come along.
--Jason
Quote from: JADettman on April 06, 2008, 10:06:58 PMIt's only been a few hours, though, so maybe more organized content will come along.
I realized after I posted that your page had only just been put up. No offense intended. :)
It's a good question though, regarding Friday... how early are people going to show up? I know a lot of folks aren't coming in until later, but I will probably get there around noon. Am I going to be sitting around by myself for a while, or what?
I'm going to be there Thursday night (Lord willing and the creek don't rise). I plan to go wandering around record shops on Friday morning/early afternoon.
Quote from: buzz on April 07, 2008, 12:00:03 AM
Quote from: JADettman on April 06, 2008, 10:06:58 PMIt's only been a few hours, though, so maybe more organized content will come along.
I realized after I posted that your page had only just been put up. No offense intended. :)
None taken. :)
As for Friday, I could show up for a few hours in the afternoon but I've got to back home my 6:30 or so to pick my wife up from the bus station.
Saturday, I'll likely be around all day looking to play some board games or rpgs.
--Jason
I ask because although the con is listed as being from 11-13th, it's not certain if anything will actually be happening before pretty late on the 11th. Which would theoretically mean I could either work that day and show up later, or skip Friday altogether and come down Saturday morning, and save one night of hotel costs. Either one makes my wallet happier- but if people ARE going to show up on the 11th during the day, it's totally worth it to me to be there so as to get in as much gaming and socializing as possible. Cuz, y'know, I like those things and don't get to do enough of either.
So, yeah. Anybody who wants to hang on Friday and play something, even if it's some boardgames or JS or whatever, I'm down.
Do we have a meeting room Friday? or just Sat & Sun?
Well, presuming my buddy is ready to leave at noon as planned, he and I should be there around 5:30/6pm on Friday.
We'll probably be in the bar.
I'm also anticipating that we'll arrive around six or so. Matt and I are planning to leave from E. Lansing, MI around 10 am.
Jae Walker
Willow and I will be at the Best Western on Friday around noon. We might start off the weekend with a boardgame or some Jungle Speed.
We look forward to playing you soon!
Crystal and I will be hitting down mid-afternoon on Friday.
Ah, well, Friday it is then. Based on the responses so far, I anticipate being in excellent company. ^_^
I did just purchase an intriguing board game called "Mwahahaha!", a game of (what else?) Mad Science and World Domination! Should be fun.
I will arrive on Saturday around noon or so, depending on which bus I can catch from Chicago. I'll arrive at O'Hare around 9 am. If anyone is passing by the area in a car (or going back that way on Sunday) or is interested in sharing a room at the hotel, let me know. tobias@jeepen.org
Tobias
I'll be there Friday evening. I'll be the one with the accent, looking lost, confused and in desperate need of a beer....
Myself and my girlfriend will not be showing up until Saturday. I am going to buy a box of candy (for awarding those who sit down to try out my card game) and have a playtesting sign up sheet and cards for people to look at.
I am not nearly as far along as I had hoped. But I really look forward to meeting and getting to know everyone. I also want to play a few games if possible.
I hope the roads are not too bad tomorrow. They look like they will be a disaster.
It's a little late as an update, but I will be there on Friday and most of Saturday and I'll be sure to bring along copies of Covert Generation if anybody wants to give it a go.
I decided to leave directly from work, so I should be there by 7-8ish on Friday.
What time do things get started on Saturday?
What's the weather supposed to be like this weekend?
Larry and I may not be there after all. I am currently trapped within a blizzard (though safely at home). If the weather and roads clear up and become actually drivable, I'll head down to the Cities to pick him up and thence to Madison, but the forecast isn't looking amenable to that plan.
Quote from: Motorskills on April 11, 2008, 03:20:46 PM
What's the weather supposed to be like this weekend?
http://www.weather.com/weather/local/53704?lswe=53704&lwsa=WeatherLocalUndeclared&from=whatwhere
Cold and snowy.
SO sick of the Midwest right now. :)
Yeah, the weather looks terrible. That stinks!
FYI, I won't make it to the hotel until late tonight. I hoped to leave early today, but that's not going to happen. I wont' be able to leave town until after 5 p.m., and it's a 5-hour haul.
So, my ETA is around 10:30 p.m. I want to find people and drink beer!
Is there a bar in the hotel? If not, where am I likely to find people on Friday?
I'm not sure whether the hotel has a bar. I suspect several of us will find something nearby.
Anyone is free to call me on my cell: 515-867-6954. Be warned that my cell is notorious for losing power; need a new one or a new battery!
FYI, nearby dining: http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/propertyDining.do?propertyCode=50115&group=false&disablenav=true&hideProgressBar=false&photoCategory=DINE
Booze-wise, looks like there's TGIF, Red Robin, and Texas Roadhouse "adjacent," and Carlos O'Kelly's, Outback, Uno-Chicago, and Olive Garden within a half-mile.
Ugh. Last night it... I don't know what to call it. Not quite sleet. Like... rain and snow, all at the same time. Everything is covered in about a quarter inch of Slurpee today.
It looks like Greyhound to Madison is faster than I had feared, so if Raven can't make it I might be able show later tonight.
Link to restaurants around the convention site:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&q=restaurant&near=4801+Annamark+Drive,+Madison+wi&sll=43.131304,-89.299615&sspn=0.011588,0.020943&ie=UTF8&z=16 (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&q=restaurant&near=4801+Annamark+Drive,+Madison+wi&sll=43.131304,-89.299615&sspn=0.011588,0.020943&ie=UTF8&z=16)
Link to dining in the area (a little wider spread): http://maps.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&q=dining&near=4801+Annamark+Drive,+Madison+wi&sll=43.131304,-89.299615&sspn=0.011588,0.020943&ie=UTF8&z=16 (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&q=dining&near=4801+Annamark+Drive,+Madison+wi&sll=43.131304,-89.299615&sspn=0.011588,0.020943&ie=UTF8&z=16)
Link to grocery stores relatively nearby:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&q=grocery&near=4801+Annamark+Drive,+Madison+wi&sll=43.131304,-89.299615&sspn=0.011588,0.020943&ie=UTF8&z=13 (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&q=grocery&near=4801+Annamark+Drive,+Madison+wi&sll=43.131304,-89.299615&sspn=0.011588,0.020943&ie=UTF8&z=13)
For those who will inevitably be interested, bars: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&q=bar&near=4801+Annamark+Drive,+Madison+wi&sll=43.131304,-89.299615&sspn=0.185409,0.335083&ie=UTF8&z=14 (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&q=bar&near=4801+Annamark+Drive,+Madison+wi&sll=43.131304,-89.299615&sspn=0.185409,0.335083&ie=UTF8&z=14)
For those who want to repent the next day, churches:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&q=church&near=4801+Annamark+Drive,+Madison+wi&sll=43.131304,-89.299615&sspn=0.023176,0.041885&ie=UTF8&z=15 (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&q=church&near=4801+Annamark+Drive,+Madison+wi&sll=43.131304,-89.299615&sspn=0.023176,0.041885&ie=UTF8&z=15)