It's That Time Again!

Here's hoping you've done your Christmas shopping and have a little extra to throw in the pot for a meetup next year.

So feel free to discuss, air your thoughts and let's make this thing happen!

I've done my Christmas shopping although I'm not sure I'd dignify the 'process' with 'shopping'. Thank goodness for gift cards and Amazon !

Standing by for convention ideas....up for most anything toward the West.

I nominate the Albuquerque Balloon fest for this year.It starts October 7th.

That sounds great! Always love me some Balloon Fest! :

Post removed . See the next post for the current hotel recommended by Banjo.

Berry, if I remember correctly the last time you were here you said something about maybe finding different lodgings next time. This one is "fancier" and normally more expensive than La Quinta but during Balloon Fiesta everyone raises their rates so I'm not sure how they would compare then.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/abqmc-albuquerque-marriott-pyramid-north/



It's on the other side of the freeway from LQ but within a half mile or so. I've only been in it for meetings so can't say how the actual guest experience is but Clinton always stayed there when he came to Albq. during his regime so at least they know how to handle the Secret Service. lol.  

When he was staying there I would always try to play my favorite 'game' at the time, "French Anarchist" but that's a story for another time.....

So, since we don't have regularly posting members anymore and hotel reservations should be made sooner rather than later...can we just pick a weekend (either the first or the second) ?
I would like to hear from those who would go to this by Feb. 15th. Then I plan to make reservations because I'm in for sure

The balloon fiesta is Oct 7-15, so figure that in, if it's a requirement.

Okay, thanks, Banjo. that means we can do Oct 6th-9th or Oct 13-16.

Well, I would like to go and will try to the best of my abilities and circumstances at that time! At present in don't see any problem with either date. How many days are you thinking about Berry/AR/Banjo???

Hey! I want to change my avatar with a picture of my sweet grandson but I can't remember how!

I usually like to build in a day on each end of the 4 days we pick.


As to changing pics, you click on your profile, find the word avatar, click on that and follow directions. If you have a specific question, just ask. Basically you browse thru your photos where ever you have them and click on open and they will.

I definitely would love to go but at present there is no way I can commit and here is the reason why.

Craig had  fistula put in his left arm five days ago. It will take three months to heal and then he will start dialysis and that will take some adjusting to. He is currently feeling very positive about this but I'm pretty sure since he doesn't like even driving around town now that he's not going to want to come. So, it depends on whether I can get family to watch him or find some "trustworthy" service to keep an eye on him while I'm gone.

I'll talk to Craig's brother and see if he could take him for a few days. If he can, then guaranteed....I'm coming.  On the other hand he has a lot of responsibilities as well and if he says he can't I'm not going to give him grief over it. He's a full time mother and father and takes care of Mom cause I am taking care of Craig. 

Will get back to you as soon as I find out something.

I completely understand that not everyone can commit this early. I thought I remembered from last time that the hotel let you cancel with no penalty. As soon as we pick a weekend, I'm going to make my reservation at this new hotel Banjo mentioned and so will let you know if the no-penalty thing is true there.

Don't know anything about the Mariott Pyramids cancellation policies, but they fill up early, being convenient to the balloon field.

Hello everyone!!! I finally made it here. Looking at the calendar, I could drive down Friday Oct 6th in the afternoon and drive home Monday Oct 9th in the afternoon. Because of my "accounting" job, the first two weeks of the month are never good for me to take off, but we do get Columbus Day off, so that gives me an extra day. I could also drive down on Oct 13th, but would probably need to drive back on Sunday. I still only get two weeks vacation, and we have a Michigan wedding in June, 40th High School reunion in Michigan, Christmas in Michigan, and a cruise in March of 2018. So needless to say, I don't have a lot of vacation days. I do try to save up sick days, and could always use those.

Anyway, either weekend will work for me, so whatever the majority wants is fine. I am hoping to get my hubbie to go with me as I really want him to see the balloon fiesta.

I miss all of you very much. I know I don't post much and I am sorry for that. Don't take it personal, I just don't have that much to talk about, and if I do something, I usually post on facebook with pictures. I see most of you there.

Jo

We hope you can make it down Jojo, Chuck too.

I've noticed this before and forgot to mention it.

WITHOUT logging in, I can read this thread and all the previous Convention threads.  

Just thought someone should know that.


I'll try to make it this year.  

Ah, that's good to hear, Jero.

Hope you can make it Jero ! A wild rumpus is planned !

Involving both red and green chili peppers! I only do this once every couple of years. My stomach couldn't take the excitement more often than that!

Was watching "Chopped" tonight and a chef from The Standard Diner in Albuquerque was on the show. He seemed very creative. Maybe we can put that on the list of places to eat one night?

http://www.standarddiner.com/

Sounds like a plan ! Any place with meat loaf has to be good, and it's in a convenient location. Haven't been there myself....heard about him being on the program.



Never heard of this place, not far from me. hopefully not too "touchy-feely", as some restaurants try to be.

https://www.abqjournal.com/940786/farm-table-chef-wins-big-on-chopped.html

http://farmandtablenm.com/

Sounds good, Banjo.
Just so we can get this party going, let's say Oct 6th-9th weekend. That way Jojo gets an extra day to play.