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elrhiarhodanOne of the greatest joys of fandom is getting together and meeting the people you've only been corresponding with on-line. For the past few years, a bunch of us in the White Collar fandom have been having regular meetups in Chicago, usually just before the second half of the White Collar season starts. For a variety of reasons, we skipped January 2013, but made tentative plans to do something in the fall.
We've done some research, polled some people and figured out that the best place for a bunch of us to get together is the Metro DC area, and we've settled on a weekend - Friday, November 1 through Monday, November 4.
While the actual lodging hasn't been booked yet, it will definitely be a Marriott Residence in in the Fairfax/Falls Church area (there are several). The cost per room, per night, is between $75 and $90 per night (as of today).
We like staying in the Residence Inn because it's easy for people to share (queen beds, plus pull-out couches in the living rooms), and someone (usually me) will take a larger room so everyone can gather without too much crowding. And the wi-fi's free and plentiful.
If there is enough interest (basically more than ten rooms), we'll contact the hotel about getting a group rate. So, let me know if you're definitely in, if you're strongly considering, if you do want to come but would need a roommate.
We're going to go into DC at least one day - museums need to be cased, right? But otherwise, it's going to be a lot writing and squeeing and more writing and more squeeing. And oh, maybe some writing...
ETA:
In prior meetups, we've played a few different writing games:
1 - Prompt challenge - where everyone picks a prompt (or three) and a genre out of a hat (or bowl) and then has a half-hour to write
2 - Round Robin - Pretty self explanatory. Someone starts a story, and then writers in succession pick it up until its complete.
3 - Word Wars - Working on current projects, she who writes the most in 30 minutes wins undying glory, until the next round.
And least you think that this meetup's only for writers and writing, think again.
We will spend much time debating certain anatomical aspects of Mr. Bomer and Mr. DeKay in great detail (at least with Mr. DeKay, there are pictures...) Wardrobes will be discussed and the possibility of malfunctions considered. Plum smuggling analyzed.
And for the less dirty minded...
(Struggles to think of anything...)
Also: Sangria.
Also: Madlibs.
Also: Fic Reading.
ETA, part deux. If you are making the journey by airplane, try to fly into Dulles, not Reagan. Dulles is A LOT closer and a lot easier to get in and out of.
Are you in?
We've done some research, polled some people and figured out that the best place for a bunch of us to get together is the Metro DC area, and we've settled on a weekend - Friday, November 1 through Monday, November 4.
While the actual lodging hasn't been booked yet, it will definitely be a Marriott Residence in in the Fairfax/Falls Church area (there are several). The cost per room, per night, is between $75 and $90 per night (as of today).
We like staying in the Residence Inn because it's easy for people to share (queen beds, plus pull-out couches in the living rooms), and someone (usually me) will take a larger room so everyone can gather without too much crowding. And the wi-fi's free and plentiful.
If there is enough interest (basically more than ten rooms), we'll contact the hotel about getting a group rate. So, let me know if you're definitely in, if you're strongly considering, if you do want to come but would need a roommate.
We're going to go into DC at least one day - museums need to be cased, right? But otherwise, it's going to be a lot writing and squeeing and more writing and more squeeing. And oh, maybe some writing...
ETA:
In prior meetups, we've played a few different writing games:
1 - Prompt challenge - where everyone picks a prompt (or three) and a genre out of a hat (or bowl) and then has a half-hour to write
2 - Round Robin - Pretty self explanatory. Someone starts a story, and then writers in succession pick it up until its complete.
3 - Word Wars - Working on current projects, she who writes the most in 30 minutes wins undying glory, until the next round.
And least you think that this meetup's only for writers and writing, think again.
We will spend much time debating certain anatomical aspects of Mr. Bomer and Mr. DeKay in great detail (at least with Mr. DeKay, there are pictures...) Wardrobes will be discussed and the possibility of malfunctions considered. Plum smuggling analyzed.
And for the less dirty minded...
(Struggles to think of anything...)
Also: Sangria.
Also: Madlibs.
Also: Fic Reading.
ETA, part deux. If you are making the journey by airplane, try to fly into Dulles, not Reagan. Dulles is A LOT closer and a lot easier to get in and out of.
Are you in?
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no subject
Date: 2013-08-14 02:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-14 02:33 pm (UTC)And eating.
And some drinking.
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Date: 2013-08-14 02:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-14 02:37 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2013-08-14 02:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-14 03:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-14 03:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-14 03:13 pm (UTC)How's the househunting going?
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Date: 2013-08-14 03:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-14 03:49 pm (UTC)That would be so totally, TOTALLY fantastic. You must come, you must! You MUST!!!!!!
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Date: 2013-08-14 04:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-14 04:17 pm (UTC)Besides, I don't want to share you.
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Date: 2013-08-14 04:43 pm (UTC)However, as a former longtime residence of DC I must say that if you are only doing one day in DC you need to visit the International Spy Museum. It is awesome place with lots of interactive exhibits and info about spycraft (which in a lot of ways is similar to things that cons do, such as building legends and aliases) or use. You have to love a place that calls its employees "operatives" after all. It also has the most amazing gift shop that sells things like cufflink lock picks, a tie with a camera, or camera sunglasses, and even a fake Rubik cube that is really a box to hid stuff in.
Not sure if your group would be big enough to qualify as a group but they offer some special programs for groups that could be fun. Its near metro stops and in my opinion a must see if you are only in DC for a limited time and can't see everything. The National Gallery is nice too and of course the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History (the gem exhibit would be a Neal must see of course). Not fan related but very interesting as well is the Newseum which used to be in Virginia but is now in DC.
If you stay in DC for meals the two best areas are Georgetown (although with college in session these locations can be pretty busy on weekends) and the Dupont Circle area which is also busy but with more locals generally and less touristy priced (although nothing in DC is going to be cheap). The metro in DC is clean, safe and easy to navigate so use that as much as possible.
One final piece of info; Virginia is an ABC (alcohol beverage control) state so you cannot buy any alcohol except for beer and wine in grocery stores. If you want anything harder you have to buy it at an ABC store. In the past these were all closed on Sunday, but now there are some that do have Sunday hours, these locations are on the ABC website (not that I have any reason to think you guys might have hard spirits in your rooms or anything, LOL). You can purchase drinks at bars and restaurants on Sundays without problem, this is only an issue if you are looking to buy a bottle of something to go.
I'm sure you guys will have a great time and that's generally not a bad time of year to be in DC weatherwise so I'm jealous.
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Date: 2013-08-14 05:22 pm (UTC)But thank you so very, VERY much for the helpful information. We're staying outside of DC - in Falls Church/Fairfax - so much cheaper!
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Date: 2013-08-14 05:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-14 05:36 pm (UTC)I really do hope you can come, that would be totally fantastic!
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Date: 2013-08-14 05:57 pm (UTC)There's nothing I wish for more than a chance to attend this meet-up ♥ Unfortunately, there's no way for me to make it :( *sniff*
But like sinfulslasher, I am hoping next year I'll have better timing :) And I'm definitely coming to NYC next year :)
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Date: 2013-08-14 06:18 pm (UTC)We'll have to coordinate better next year!
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Date: 2013-08-14 07:24 pm (UTC)I would definitely need to room with at least one person, since airfare and getting to and from airports and stuff.
Question: Does through Monday the 4th mean checking out of the hotel on Tuesday?? Cause I might need to be at work on that Tuesday too. Oiy. Needs to check with bosses on that one.
Someday I'm a gonna hafta figure out how to make my freelance work pay all the bills or I'ze gonna hafta win the Lotto.
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Date: 2013-08-14 07:25 pm (UTC)But so EXCITED to hear you making plans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ETA: We'd definitely coordinate so you can be picked up and dropped off. Think Dulles instead of Reagan, if possible.
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Date: 2013-08-14 07:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-14 08:15 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2013-08-14 09:55 pm (UTC)More Spy Stuff
Date: 2013-08-14 10:18 pm (UTC)1. "Operation Spy" where a group, no larger than 15 enters a fictional foreign country and complete a "mission". Lots of fun ensues and so much of it is Neal and Mozziesque (Man, I so want to go there again now that they have all these cool things). Here's some of the description.
"In the command center, the intelligence chief at Khandar City Station patches in to brief your team. From this moment on, you are launched full speed into the fast-breaking operation. Your mission: find the trigger device and discover who is involved in its theft.
Decrypting secret audio conversations, penetrating and escaping from a high-security compound, as well as interrogating a suspect agent are all part of your mission. Your pulse will quicken as you evade capture and search for hidden evidence. Who knows what could happen should the trigger fall into the wrong hands. One false move could have serious consequences. You’ll have to remind yourself it’s only a game."
2. "Spy in the City". Armed with a GPS device you go on a mission outside the museum in the streets of DC in what they call "spy-sightseeing". The device gives you clues to find as you explore DC. Sounds like fun, but lots of walking.
I also saw that they have the Perfect Mozzie T-shirt. It says "Deny Everything". The Neal t-shirt is also there, it says "I'm telling you nothing happened." LOL
Also, while Falls Church is ok, it is total suburbia and pretty boring area so if you are at all interested in being someplace a little more open for walking and finding bars and restaurants (and not having to rent a car) you might check out the Marriott in Old Town Alexandria, VA. It is less than 2 miles from DC and from Reagan National Airport. I lived in DC/Alexandria for over 10 years and Old Town is a fun place just to go out and grab a bite or hit a bar, or just walk a bit and imagine that George Washington once walked the same streets. It is also VERY PRETTY.
This is assuming you guys come up for air from your intense scholarly debates. LOL
Re: More Spy Stuff
Date: 2013-08-15 12:34 am (UTC)But thanks for the spy museum info - that will be mighty useful!
Re: More Spy Stuff
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Date: 2013-08-14 10:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-15 12:53 am (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2013-08-14 11:17 pm (UTC)to become a victim in a horror movieto write. :(((no subject
Date: 2013-08-15 12:24 am (UTC)*pouts*
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Date: 2013-08-15 02:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-15 06:28 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2013-08-15 08:41 pm (UTC)Just an FYI, I'm one of the non-writers who loves watching the creative juices flow, these guys are amazing. And we'll to discuss the start of the new season.
If someone out of state finds it is cheaper to fly into Newark and wants to carpool down, that is OK with me. I can do pick-up.
Would anyone be arriving earlier than Friday?? Or, I might stay with a friend in Maryland early in the week,
Geez, rambling of the unfiltered mind!!
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Date: 2013-08-15 08:46 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2013-08-16 02:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-17 07:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-17 08:04 am (UTC)I really want to go! And, quite possibly, I can. Must check business, budget, boyfriend, and all the other stuff that has to be checked.
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Date: 2013-08-17 07:55 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2013-08-18 04:51 am (UTC)I'm only about 2 hours away, so I'd be driving.
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Date: 2013-08-18 05:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-22 12:12 am (UTC)