Just saw the post about The Wyndham. My husband was just in Philly on business and stayed there (he highly recommends Room 601). He was very happy with the hotel and said that Don Shula's was one of the best steakhouses he's ever eaten in.

Very good, Cardi! And I sure hope Heidi can make it this time!

She's no Trish

Sure, sure, I research hotels, restaurants and so on, and what do you guys do?? Post photos of semi-naked women for one another!! You're bad, bad boys!!

Maybe that's why I got along with you all.

SB likes Trish too?

I knew that's why I liked ya lol

If Mr. Babe says so thats good enough for me.

We went to Shula's when we were in Chicago and I was very highly impressed. They even thaw out the desserts!!

The company of others notwithstanding, the most important thing that I'd consider in picking a place for our sitdown is what amenities are available in the immediate vicinity. I don't mind travelling a bit for a daytime activity (i.e. a ballpark or the track) but I'd like a good restaurant and a bar in the IMMEDIATE area. If I wanna "let my hair down" (no smart-ass remarks, please) I don't wanna have to worry about travelling back to the hotel.

Sure, the rates are important to consider, too.

FWIW - I'm leaning towards Philly. (Hmmmm, if the wind stops blowing I may fall over).

That certainly clears that up!

Don Cardi [/b][/quote]You forgot Tongue

Well, I think that Philly would be a welcome diversion for us all. Anyone who is coming from a distance and would like to add NYC on to their trip, it is certainly doable. As I said earlier, if TIS or Zia need a ride to NY, there are certainly members that could accomodate them. I know I would. And Philly sounds fun, with plenty to do. And I like the idea of eating on the Mosulu. Very GF.

Doing it in NYC is a great idea, but it is rather expensive for many, especially midtown. Even the less expensive areas are more expensive than most. Unless we were to stay in a nearby area, like Seacaucus or Hoboken that offer easy access to Manhattan, but doesn't that sort of kill the purpose? Again, just my two cents.

As for dates, we should be able to find some weekend in July or August that works for everyone, no??

How about the weekend of August 25th?


Don Cardi

Thanks for the input SB! I don't want to make the "date" thing a big deal, but I'm thinking with so much time surely we can come up with an agreeable date. The 3 or 4th week in July works for me.

FWIW the last two weeks of June and first week or two of July are not good for me (due to closing & opening of school year) Other than that I shouldn't have any problem with the date we decide.

Anyone else's thoughts on the date/month?

TIS

Sorry but that won't work for me with school starting.

OK, so August is out then. July is also a tough month as many people go on vacations throughout that month. So maybe a weekend in the spring or the fall will work.


Don Cardi

Ok, don't worry, we'll get something. Let me ask this, for those who have kids in school, is the school year out of the question? Or just the starting of the school year??? Do you all prefer the summer months?


TIS

What about the first weekend in August?

TIS cannot make it then.

When does school start where you live?


Don Cardi

School starts earlier than up here for some of our members. But either July 28th or August 4th weekends should be okay, no?? And I would prefer to do it when the kids are not in school because of all the crap they have going on during the school year that they need to be chauffered to and from.

Is early/mid September out of the question? For those of you that have kids, when do they start school?

Mid-Late July then?

P.S. What happens if they ban smoking in Philly by then, like they're trying to?

I would prefer in not be in the fall but if it has to be then so be it. I'll just get my in-laws to come down and babysit my 9 year old. And if they can't come down then don't worry about me.

You guys, listen, if Aug. 18th was good with everyone, let's just leave it at that. That's fine. I certainly don't want to be a thorne on anyone's side. If that's the best date, than that's the best date. I'll see what I can do, but don't let me hold the planning up. The fair way really should be whatever time is good for the majority. Nobody mentioned Aug.18th wasn't good, so let's leave it.


TIS

P.S. Thinking about it, at this point, it's the 18th itself that I can't make it, but I can fly in on the 19th, so all is not lost.

That will never happen.

Then you go behind a building and smoke it... saw a guy smoking a joint yesterday. Such a bad city. I strongly encourage y'all to make sure no one ever has to walk anywhere alone down there. I had my first real experience of Philly yesterday. I compare it to North Korea. What a piece of shit.

Well, did anyone say no to July 28th or August 4th weekends??

Yes, but now it's ok again.


Don Cardi

Aug 4th weekend is a "no" for Lori and me.

I don't even have a 2006 calendar yet, but everyone else is all booked up for the summer??

Ha ha!! See! Me and my can of worms. :p

SB, long story short, I work year-round school in which all tracks start in the summer. Opening is the busiest time. While school itself (3 of the 4 tracks)starts in July (5th or so), the 4th track starts in either late July or first part of August (a few days different every year). I don't have next year's school calendar with me, so I'm not sure about the 06 school year yet. Last year it started I think Aug. 5th.

Where any other time of the year, I'd simply request it and have no problem getting it, I'd need to check with my boss during that time frame. Difficult, not impossible I guess.

As far as the 18th of Aug. goes, I can make a phone call and perhaps rearrange my commitments, I don't know, but I can try. But before I do either, I want to make sure of a date.

Damn! My life is so complicated. :p



TIS

Stop with the Rocco Lampone imitations. :p