Purely hypothetical, at least for now, if I threw a party for my Fluther acquaintances at my house in St. Paul, MN and gave enough warning (like a year or more) so you could save up for the travel expenses, get the time off work, etc., how likely would you be to show up?

I’ll be in the Twin Cities for the 2012 NALC biennial convention. Could you organize it for the summer of that year?

OK, hypothetically speaking, if I did something, let’s say that I’d put it up for discussion first and I’d consider if a couple people were already going to be in or near the area, that might be a good way to pick the particular date, so for the sake of argument we’ll say summer of 2012 instead of 2011.

99.9999% no. I’d love to go, but I couldn’t justify the expense, or the loss of anonymity.

@daloon – kind of what I expected as it’s basically what I think…I’d love to do a Fluther get together, but I couldn’t justify planning my family’s vacation around it. Maybe some could and would though…I’m interested to get some insight into that.

@AstroChuck – When you DO come to the Cities, be there a party or not, let me know beforehand what kind of activities you like to partake in and I can give you information that will beat any travel guide you can find, hands down. I love living here and I’ve explored my surroundings at great length.

Can we show up in costume?

@ChazMaz – Of course…or a toga if you’d prefer.

My chance of showing up is about 60% x the chance I will be in easy range of the event. Chance of my being in range of St. Paul when you throw a party is maybe 1%.

I like the idea but all my travel money right now is going in other directions – like to see my grandson in Europe. It’s pretty unlikely that I could travel to a Fluther party.

Toga Party! I am game!

While it sounds like a cool idea, I would have a hard time making such a hard-line commitment.

Since I’m in Iowa, it wouldn’t be too far. But there’s too many reasons as to why I wouldn’t be able to come. Sounds like a hoot, tho.

naught. chances are, i would spend the saved money on a new computer

I just could not commit that far in advance. One makes plans, and then life gets in the way. I would like to come.

No because we would have to shut Fluther down for the day.

I would have to take the kids with me and I don’t know how that would be accepted – many people don’t want kids around. Also the money’s tight now, I hope by that time to have a job but don’t know if I can take time off – and in all honesty if I’ll be able to afford a trip, I’d go to see my husband’s parents and brother in Illinois because they’re so far away from their grandchildren. – so I’m putting us going at 50%

I doubt it. As noted in my original profile, I prefer to remain an enigma.

I’d love to, but I’m 15, have no steady source of income, live with my parents, and am in school 10 months of the year.

And I live in far northern california, near an airport that costs quite a bit more to fly out of.

So there’s just too much preventing it.

i also find it interesting how many people want to stay anonymous – well it’s not a surprise I guess but that thought didn’t even enter my mind – I love meeting people from the internerds

No, thanks. I have recently learned a very important lesson about being very, very careful about meeting people from the interwebs. I’d prefer to stay anonymous, and I’d prefer to keep the nice visions of who you all are.

Let’s say kids were welcome, I have a 7 year old myself, who would be 10 by the time this party took place, but there would be drinking and music and food and games and conversation. I might consider giving my upstairs over to the kids. Or alternately, we can assume that enough interest was expressed to have a kid free party that we’d do that. Or perhaps for everyone’s safety, let’s safety, I rented a party room in a public place. We would allow costumes to protect anonymity if that’s what you wanted, optional but not required. Or for the sake of argument, let’s say whatever your particular issue might be, assuming it’s not money or time, could be addressed in some way. The only thing you really have to worry about is getting yourself here, and your safety would be assured as would your anonymity if you wanted it, and somehow the kids/no kids issue was resolved to everyone’s satisfaction…you have 3 years to save the money and to plan for the time off, you can wait until closer to the date to commit absolutely, but nothing in life gets in the way, nothing but your own ability and willingness to make the trip gets in your way, then what would be the odds you’d try?

@dalepetrie Then we’re at 70%

I cannot imagine myself crossing the Atlantic anytime soon. If it was Lynne or Matt or someone throwing the party, I might think about it, but anywhere outside Europe is simply too far for me, sorry.

Staying incognito wouldn’t be an issue for me. From this thread so far, Daloon & Jack know who I am. I’d meet anyone, providing it was in a safe situation.

Doesn’t Fluther expire in 2010?

I wouldn’t mind going, but my husband cannot travel so I’m afraid I would not be there.

We did make it to Eden Prairie five years ago, if that counts for anything.

@Darwin – too bad I didn’t know you then.

couldn’t justofy the expense sorry, unless I win the lottery then I’m in (as long as it is a masqurade party!!!0

I would not go, however as a real, honest to goodness offer, I have invited all Flutherites to pick a date, and I will host a party at my house. Contact me at my e-mail addy, if interested.

This whole exercise has given me and idea quick, someone call Ben or Andrew. It’s called the Fluther Travel Map. It would be a little completely voluntary application, in your profile, you would click a box stating whether you’d like to be included on the Fluther travel map, and you’d input your current address, which would be kept confidential, but would be used for mapping purposes Then there would be a map icon to the right hand side of the screen that you could click on. You could then input some information about your upcoming travel plans…what dates, what is your starting point, what is your destination (or destinations) and are you traveling this leg of the trip by car or plane. Basically, you would then be able to see on the map, red dots for the locations of all Flutherites in your Fluther within 50 miles of any point you’d be passing through, and green dots for anyone not in your Fluther within 50 miles of any point you’d be passing through. Then you could hold your cursor over the dot and get the Fluther name of the person you are looking at. If it was a person you might like to visit, you could click on that dot, and it would send a PM to that person’s private email stating that so and so would be in your area on x date and would like to get in touch with you. Then that person could contact you to see if you could arrange a get together. And only people who would be interested in having other Fluther members contact them would ever get such a message, and only if this tool let the other use know that on their existing vacation plans, it might be feasible to meet.

I would be there in a heartbeat, provided I can drink beer and you and I play a game of Trivial Pursuit to determine, once and for all, who’s “right”.

@dalepetrie I like that idea. My son travelled cross-country on a motorcycle this summer and I had thought how nice it would be if he had some of my Fluther friends to visit. (He probably would have been too shy anyway.) I know that’s not exactly what you’re saying and people might not want it, but it would be nice to be able to visit some Flutherites potentially.

Depends. Clothing optional?

I wouldnt, I would probably spend my money on something else… Plus its really far away from where I live right now.

Zero chance

@Blondesjon – damn right, I’ve got 80 versions of that game.

@Grisaille Clothing is always optional.

I got no problem with clothing optional, just would like a heads up so I can put plastic on the furniture!

And though from these answers there might not be enough interest to justify a party, I do welcome anyone coming to the Twin Cities to look me up.

You lost me at “plastic on the furniture”. No dice.

I don’t want my junk stickin’ to your plastic.

LOL, yeah, that plastic on the furniture kind of did it for me, too.

Since I no longer travel further than a horse and buggy can travel in a day, count me out. But thanks for thinking of me.

@gailcalled- You so date yourself with that comment.

OK, how about tinfoil on the furniture? That way when you’re done you can get baked.

Hahahahaha…..

Everybody knows Fluther is a front for the CIA so that would blow our cover.

Can we all bask in the glorious term that is “baked balls”?

Leave the plastic and the tinfoil off the furniture and I am in. I am a bit surprised by how many people are a flat out no.

um, I’m busy then…doing…stuff…

2012? I’ll be there in spirit! Don’t worry…I won’t haunt the party.

I’d probably come, as Minneapolis is about eight hours from here. St. Paul can’t be that much farther. I drove to Minneapolis to see an old mail art buddy a few years ago, and I even have a DVD to prove I was there. I can bring it if someone wants to see the sort of foks that would invite me to a party. crazy people with a love for good beer, great food, and lots of fun.

Minneapolis is just across the river from St. Paul. Not far at all.

I would seriously consider taking time off from work and showing up for your party.

I’ll be there. You should all come. The twin cities are so much fun.

If anyone’s considering coming sans pants, they should come in their own shrink wrap!

If @Bluefreedom shows up, count me in, he is someone I would drive almost any distance to meet and shake hands with. Hell, I’d even bring a couple half gallons of that expensive beer I like to drink once a year.

@dalepetrie Forget coering the furniture. there is always Lysol for later.

@Marina There isn’t enough Lysol in the world for me to sit where someone sat naked! LOL

:::sneaks over to jbfletcherfan’s house and sits naked on every horizontal surface I can find or climb up onto to, then leaves before she gets back:::

@evelyns_pet_zebra LOLLLL. Sorry, my dear. I see butt prints. Now for the DNA test…Woo-hoo!

Well now maybe I would have enough participants, and considering that some of them might be naked…...something to think about anyway.

@dalepetrie : Not likely that i’d be able to come, unless perhaps you could time it to coincide with a local performance of APHC, in which case i might sell the trip to my wife with that as an inducement.<grin>

@LexWordsmith – if you’re talking about the Appaloosa Horse Club, that might be next to impossible, if you’re talking about A Prairie Home Companion, well they do that several times a year at the Fitzgerald Theater in Downtown St. Paul, about 2 miles from my house.

It’s those red shoes—she can’t resist—he’s like a male version of Jezebel.

@whatthefluther i burst into tears at your comment…today’s a terrible day as it is…dad’s cancer spread far and wide into everywhere in his body…there is so much uncertainty in the future…anyway I just wanted to say you’re in my thoughts

Hugs to @Simone_De_Beauvoir and @whatthefluther .

If there were any way in hell I could afford it, I’d be there in a heartbeat! Party at Dale’s house? Hell yeah! It seems very unlikely at the moment, but one never knows.

@Simone_De_Beauvoir…Thank you for the kind thoughts. I am so very sorry to hear of your Dad’s condition. Cancer is so much more vicious than my ALS. When diagnosed, I studied the hell out of it and understood the journey my body would take and my ultimate.fate. I counted my blessings and stopped taking anything for granted. I established new, reasonable priorities and goals and accepted the challenge. The deterioration has played out as expected but I have found my understanding of life and love and my life itself, getting better and better and improving much faster than my body worsens. I never consider myself a victim; rather someone extremely fortunate who has become a much better and stronger person, more capable of giving and receiving love, and, having a much better outlook of what tomorrow will bring. So many other illnesses, like cancer, often do not afford one the time or luxury to come to terms with ones existence and to celebrate life with friends and loved ones, as I have been blessed to do. Your father and you and your family are in my thoughts and in my prayers.

If this really came to be, maybe I could meet Augustlan half way in WV and we could share a ride out there. Maybe pick up some others that are on the way.

@chyna, you and Augustlan can meet me in The Cornfield and I’ll drive from there!

You are in!

@(((Simone_De_Beauvoir )))

@(((whatthefluther)))

@whatthefluther i say this often, but you, sir, are an inspiration and you and sherry are often in my thoughts when life gets me down because I just don’t know how I’d deal with what you’re dealing with and it makes me remember that there are people out there so much stronger than myself dealing with so much more and are living amazing lives and it makes it all easier for me…my father and I don’t have a good relationship, I am also angry at the way he’s ‘treating’ his cancer spending tens of thousands of dollars on treatments that are well ridiculous (treatments whose founders are in jail for doing this to many more people aside from my father) and he’s using my credit cards to pay for these and is leaving my family in debt upon his death..I believe that he’s not taking this as well as you..

I dont know you but I’m in Mankato just a quick drive

That would be so kick ass! But sadly, I wouldn’t be able to afford it. (any time soon.) Maybe there should be a few simultaneous parties going on across the US and everybody just skype in…That’d be more affordable and you’d still get to see Flutherites! But I’d still be pissed because I wouldn’t get to meet everyone.
sigh

@Clair, just to play Devil’s Advocate, look at it this way. With enough advanced notice, you should be able to get a rt ticket from anywhere to MPLS for $250 or less (possibly a LOT less). Even if you stay in a REALLY NICE HOTEL, it will run you under $150. Add $100 for misc expenses like a cab, you’re talking $500 for a night in St. Paul, fly in on a Saturday morning leave Sunday afternoon. Heck, you could probably find a decent hotel for $75 a night w/ tax, and get a plane ticket for ½ that, stay Thurs to Sunday, 3 nights, $225 for the room, $125 for the plane ticket, make that $100 in incidentals $250, for $600. I’m giving you 3 years, basically 1000 days to save for the party. That’s what, 60 cents a day. If you’re like me you probably end up with about 60 cents in pocket change every day, just throw it in a jar.

@dalepetrie That 60 cents in reality is probably 30 cents. I’m a college student. And when that piggy bank is full, it usually has to be dumped either for a quick getaway or an ‘oh shit’ bill or for books. 60 cent is a good thought but if I were to hoard that change for me then where would our emergency savings/vacation money go? Incredibly selfish on my part. I have a million other things that would be more productive to do with that money. (No offense Fluther <3) But my mom and little sister live in Wyoming, I live in South Carolina, I haven’t seen them in three years…if I’m buying a plane ticket, it won’t be to St. Paul.

@Clair – well, if you could do 30 cents a day for 1000 days, you could probably afford a bus ticket and a youth hostel. Though I agree. I said the same thing, someone could offer to do this in Texas and I probably wouldn’t do it, not a good use of the money. Just saying, it is doable if it was something you REALLY wanted to do.

@chyna @SuperMouse Road trip!

You see, this is why we need to get Bendrew on my proposed Fluther maps idea post haste. We could get a carpool/caravan going, and maybe even hook up with someone with a huge vacation rental property with several bedrooms, everyone could split the cost and y’all could get here and back for a hundred bucks a head.

@Clair : What do you think of SC? My wife is from The High Seat of the Lowcountry (Beaufort—“as in beautiful”—not Charleston) and i’ve visited SC many times. Bible-belt and reactionary as it comes, in my view. QAlso native soil of the Hardee’s Monster Thickburger.

@LexWordsmith I’ve been all over the US and nothing suits my fancy quite like SC. I don’t know why. It’s overrun with redneck ignorance and mosquitos, I just love all the greenery and the weather. There’s nothing quite like the south. It is very religious which drives me absolutely nuts! But having the Monster Thickburger on your side always helps.

@Clair : coming from hilly New England, i was freaked out the first time i saw the Lowcountry, where you can see for miles, apparently, across grassland about an inch above the water. Imagine a 25-foot storm surge there. Global warming will eat them alive. I told my wife that i wanted to be buried in her family’s plot in Beaufort, where our children were likely to retain connections for a long time, rather than in Providence, because my birth family has become very scattered, even though my mother and father each had five sibs, but now i’m reconsidering, if the cemetery in Beaufort will end up five feet below sea level.

Well, more than a year ago I proposed an idea at another website forum that we meet up in Dallas, Texas. The response was overwhelming. Lots said they were interested in attending. A year later, only four turned up including me (and I travelled halfway across the world for it). A lot can happen in one year.

@Velvetinenut – exactly why I posed the question the way I did. I’ve seen this type of question many times where it was just like, “HEY! We should all get together.” Then EVERYONE says “That’s a GREAT idea,” because it is a GREAT idea. But knowing that I personally wouldn’t, not because I didn’t think it would be fun, but because there would be major expense involved, I have a family and it just didn’t seem like a practical use of my time or money. Maybe if my wife was also a big fan of the site and had a lot of friends on here, I could see this happening, but you know, she didn’t even come to my HS reunion because she just isn’t into being in a group of people she’s never met, and that’s understandable. So my thoughts were, what if I made it clear that I meant it, and that you shouldn’t say yes just because it’s a good idea in theory. And lo and behold, instead of getting an overwhelming response with lots saying they were interested in attending, I have a small handful who say they’d try, and everyone else saying pretty much “it’s a neat idea, but it’s just not practical.” People like to imagine what a fun time it would be to do certain things, but what you like to imagine would be fun and what would be practical in the real world are often two different things.

@dalepetrie that’s exactly what I’m running into with my companion question – when do Fluthers want to come to my house? It is a legitimate offer to host a Fluther party at my house, but most of the response is joking “sure anytime” or “when is it”. My only requirement is that Fluthers must agree on a date.

Sorry, I’m just not an F2F person.

Purely hypothetical, It’s an awesome idea…I’ve never been to MN, and would love to see it, in the Summer time…you could charge per person, or per couple…that would take care of the food, and possibly the alcohol too…(depending on how much you would charge)...the penalty for not showing up, would be NO REFUNDS!

In the Summer, provided I had enough vacation time, my daughter was with her father, we had a sitter for the dog, and my BF was up to the adventure….I’d say….85% sure, we’d get on his Harley, and pitch a tent somewhere…. :D

I’m brand new to Fluther, so I haven’t made any ‘friends’ as of yet. Hypothetically, a party might be nice, if keeping one’s anonymity was not important.

I think it’s wonderful, in today’s world, that there exists such a kindred heartfelt spirit in this forum, which would even put the invitation on the table. Good for y’all…surely that should make you smile.

There’s no reason I couldn’t make it. Just tell me where and when. : ))