Mittens 2012 Pre Planning

Layabout · Fri 30/12/2011 00:40:07

Quote from: Disco on Thu 29/12/2011 18:20:31
Hey gang. I've also been trying to find properties in California that are accessible and beachy, but am unlucky in finding anything that both sleeps at least 20 and is less than $10,000/week. I did find one property not seen so far that fits, but it is only available during one week in August (11-18) but is available most of September.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p320222

Nice place! I was wondering why I hadnt seen it in my search, so I looked up the address and saw it was in Florida! Florida is not California silly!

That said, what are Oregon beaches like? When I think of Oregon I don't think of beaches. In fact, I really don't know anything about Oregon, except that at some point in time there was a trail.

Grundislav · Fri 30/12/2011 01:21:02

All I know about Oregon is it's got Portland, which is full of artists and hipsters. As far as beaches, I am also clueless, but according to Disco, the average temperature in August is about 71F, so it won't be necessary to wear winter clothing in the summer as it was in Ireland.

That said, we were also discussing price vs size, and came to the conclusion that realistically, we probably won't get more than 20 or so attendees, so a house that sleeps 20+ won't really be necessary. Looking for places that sleep less and are much more within budget is a lot more feasible.

Of course, we should probably take a general poll and see who is interested in coming so we can have an idea of how many people we'll need to house.

Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens · Fri 30/12/2011 06:56:22

I am interested in coming, obviously; it's just a matter of whether or not I'll actually have the wherewithal to follow through. Just a warning, though: Everything around that area is going to be hyper expensive, especially with California repeatedly defaulting on its debt and raising taxes :'( .

If I can manage it, though, I definitely want a place near the beach since I've yet to go to one and I'm tired of looking at them on tv like they only exist on tv!

Below is an entirely optional idea since we're still talking about pre-planning. I'm not looking to step on anyones' dick here so I've left it hidden in case nobody is interested in a potentially cheaper alternative.

Spoiler

I'm NOT suggesting a venue change, but if a majority of people find the prices in the Los Angeles area too expensive, Lake Havasu City in West Arizona is a pretty popular summer spot and has a shitload of stuff to do in a reasonable area and price. I mention it only because of something Darth said, and some noteworthy locations within striking distance (and affordability, as Arizona tends to be quite cheaper to do stuff in than California for numerous reasons):

1. The Grand Canyon (231 miles or 3.3 hours from Lake Havasu City).

2. London Bridge (if you want a little historical fun).

3. Bluewater Resort and Casino (if you have an itch for gambling).

4. Lake Havasu. Basically a HUGE lake with beaches, golf courses, resorts all around.

5. Sedona (if you want to see the Painted Desert for about 1.2 hour's drive).

6. Other stuff I'm sure..I haven't been out that way in a long time so I'd really have to look into it if people were actually interested.

www. golakehavasu. com

Bear in mind that Arizona can easily reach 100-120 Fahrenheit during July and August (it will be considerably lower around the lake, probably 80-90 degrees), so you Britisher types especially would want to carry SPF-100 with you ^_^. Also, just about every place you can rent will have air conditioning so you'll only really sweat your balls off if you want to hike up a mountain or sunbathe.

[close]

Dave Gilbert · Wed 11/01/2012 21:33:37

Both Janet and I would like to try and make it this year, although of course it depends on when it occurs! We are going to be spending some time in the UK visiting her family, so we'll have to plan around that. But for now, count us in. Janet is using AGS to program our next project, so she is definitely an "AGSer" even though she doesn't post on the forum.

Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens · Thu 12/01/2012 16:28:37

Janet is a total AGS nerd. I can vouch for that.

Snarky · Thu 12/01/2012 17:12:10

Hey, it'd be nice to have some people at Mittens who actually use AGS. Most Mitteneers have barely heard of it.

cat · Thu 12/01/2012 17:17:02

Before my first Mittens I made at least a MAGS game because I thought it would be embarrassing otherwise. Turns out, some people neither made nor played AGS games

bicilotti · Fri 13/01/2012 10:45:57

I want to go to ProgZ lake and get sunburnt to death. (it seems a nice place, really, didn't have time to check prices though)

abstauber · Mon 23/01/2012 09:49:19

I'd love to attend too! I hope we can finalize the date soon, so flights are still affordable.

My votes are for the Villa Bellagio and/or the Titan boats

PS: Is this rule still valid "only game creators wanted"?
If so, I'll have to hurry to convince my wife to create an hour game, since I certainly can't spend this year's vacation all on my own.

PPS: yaay, mittens!

Snarky · Mon 23/01/2012 09:58:38

Quote from: abstauber on Mon 23/01/2012 09:49:19
PS: Is this rule still valid "only game creators wanted"?

Hope not! Lots of other things going on plus general lethargy has turned my GIP into a game-in-hiatus.
(Though I guess I could claim Swarm membership.)

BTW, since some aren't able to make it to the US, if a smaller group of people (probably up to about 8 or so) want to meet up in Europe this summer, I have access to a house in Spain which we'd be welcome to use, free of charge (except if we burn it down or something), just north of Malaga.

Radiant · Mon 23/01/2012 11:26:10

Quote from: abstauber on Mon 23/01/2012 09:49:19
PS: Is this rule still valid "only game creators wanted"?

Wait, when was that ever a rule?

Layabout · Mon 23/01/2012 12:11:54

Quote from: abstauber on Mon 23/01/2012 09:49:19
I'd love to attend too! I hope we can finalize the date soon, so flights are still affordable.

My votes are for the Villa Bellagio and/or the Titan boats

PS: Is this rule still valid "only game creators wanted"?
If so, I'll have to hurry to convince my wife to create an hour game, since I certainly can't spend this year's vacation all on my own.

PPS: yaay, mittens!

Hi!

Judging from past USA Mittens headcount, I don't think there will be a problem with your wife attending. Obviously priority is given to members of the AGS community, but there is no specific ruling.

That said, a few of the UK regulars won't be attending, like Mods, Davy and Kim.

I think the Villa Bellagio is a little out of the price range for some people. I will be doing a further search sometime soon (I'm currently in the process of looking for a new place for me to live) and I'll see what we can find.

I don't see us getting more than 20 people.

I too would like to get the dates set asap so I can book my leave.

abstauber · Mon 23/01/2012 12:24:13

Well, I just blocked the last 4 weeks of August and simply keep my thumbs pressed that it will happen around that date. As for the location: as long as it features water in any form (like pool, beach or both) it's fine for me.

Spoiler

Mittens in the caribibbian would also be blast.

[close]

Quote
Wait, when was that ever a rule?

Last year a few people were concerned that most seats would be blocked by non-AGS crowd, because everyone wanted to bring their bf/gf/wife/husband etc. But I'm glad to hear that it's not an issue this year

LimpingFish · Mon 23/01/2012 19:14:03

Quote from: Snarky on Mon 23/01/2012 09:58:38
BTW, since some aren't able to make it to the US, if a smaller group of people (probably up to about 8 or so) want to meet up in Europe this summer, I have access to a house in Spain which we'd be welcome to use, free of charge (except if we burn it down or something), just north of Malaga.

Sounds like a plan. If we eurocentric peeps can't make the main bash, it'd be cool to have an alternate option.

Grundislav · Thu 26/01/2012 06:49:25

I was just looking at places and found this one here

Pros:
- It's $2,800 for the week during low season (June 1-Aug 31)
- Sleeps 20
- Pool AND Jacuzzi
- Poker table
- Near the Salton Sea!

Cons:
- Kind of remote (2 1/2 hours east of L.A.)
- No beach nearby

There is also this place

Pros:
- Also in the $2,800 per week range
- Sleeps 22
- Pool (with diving board) and jacuzzi, dartboard, etc
- Close to civilization (45 minutes from LAX)

Cons:
- In a neighborhood
- Already booked for most of the summer.
- Additional fee of $25 per person per day for groups larger than 12

AGA · Sat 28/01/2012 11:46:41

So Jen and I can only do the second two weeks of July, or any time in August, because of work commitments. So please take these dates into consideration!