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Yeah we are just trying to establish the country first and decide the finer details later, but from what I've seen and read the middle to northern part of the country seems to suite our needs best and just generally seems to be more farmy and more open to summer renters.

Is there something wrong between you two?

He touch me inappropriately in the car!

....


Mills does have some good points about people swaying the results and not showing up, I think most of the discussion tends to stay in the regulars with a few potentials here and there. Also, there is no rush to have it either place, one of the two will eventually show up in years to come I just meant for us to have another go at discussing to see what everyone thought.

Huh?

so given the choice I would have to go with Italy as well.

But the vespa wins for me.

I'd choose Italy above Netherland since I live in this poophole country.

While I would choose Italy out of the two, I would still be up for Holland if that's where it happened to be.

Indifferent actually I guess

I feel strongly enough about Italy that I would be willing to make the arrangements as long-distance host and handle all those responsibilities.

But the indifferents I tallied because because:

Both Amsterdam and Rome are wonderful wonderful cities. I will totally endorse either location.

So from me: no particular preference.

I like both... But I think some oranges might have the illusion to host it, and removing the sweet after showing it might be a bit mean....

I've been to both Italy and Holland. Italy will be a lot warmer but has ice-cream. Holland has windmills and AGSers to assist organising.

And now GarageGothic votes partial to Netherlands so that goes to Holland. I'm reading reading into preferences Nacho I just wanted to see where to have it since many admit to missing the discussion and this gives us more chance to get ideas from everyone.

Well honestly I was more thinking with my stomach than my brain there I don't know the logistics but I do know pretzel bread, potato pancakes, and beer 

Okay so now we have a few other suggestions to add- Germany, Croatia, and China. I could see the first two being serious offerings while China may be just out of reach for some. Usually meets are traded between continents to give half the group a break on their travel costs If anything I would go to Taiwan over China though.

Anyways back to the Holland/Italy tally, we have either votes for Italy or Indifference, with Nacho perhaps favouring Holland so as not to take the sweet

So as of now we have-
Italy: 5
No Preference: 3


Regarding the newer suggestions, I could see Germany being an interesting place to hold, and we do have locals there.

Based on some of the comments in the Mittens Return thread, I though it wise to start a new thread dedicated to Mittens IX planning.

Though it seems that Holland was decided as next year's location, a few at the most recent shindig (including yours truly) were either not present at that discussion, or else pissed on sangria. Perhaps we ought to put the next location up for review again.

Aside from Holland, Italy is another location mentioned often both in the other thread as well as at Mittens this year. Beyond that, I'm not sure what other possibilities were discussed in public or private, so if there are any other locations that are good candidates, lets hear them!

I can see the appeal in either Holland or Italy. No other AGS meet, Mittens or otherwise, has been held in these countries. Also, budget air or rail/car put them in reach for most of our European members, and both countries are major air destinations for the Intercontinentals. Now that we are in a better situation to get more input on the next Mittens, we should discuss the main choices and try and get to some consensus. I have made a quick list of the highs and lows of each:

Pros for Holland:
1. WILL ALL THE DUTCH AGS MEMBERS PLEASE STAND UP!
2. Cocoalicious.
3. Gives CJ a chace to brush up on his Dutch

Cons for Holland:
1. Haven't we tried this before?

Pros for Italy:
1. Villas that sleep our usual numbers are seemingly ubiquitous, or so the internet says.
2. We can hold hands without fear of persecution.
3. Gives CJ an excuse to speak in his fluent Italian.

Cons for Italy:
1. No local to organise


Okay, so that may have been more silly than I planned, but on a serious note I feel strongly enough about Italy that I would be willing to make the arrangements as long-distance host and handle all those responsibilities. I have nearly given up on ever hosting "Mittens in the Mitten", so it could be an opportunity for me to organise our beloved gathering, if only once.

A quick Google shows no shortage of 20+ villas or farmhouses to choose from, and most of the ones I've seen have been substantially less than we paid for in Hollywood. Even the first one I found looked promising and (comparatively) inexpensive at £1,867 a week, which at 22 person occupancy translates to about £85, or $136 USD per person :o There are still dozens more I haven't even looked at.

So what do we want to do? Where do we want to go?

I have to agree that neither a hotel nor a cruise ship would make a better Mittens. Similar problems to what we had at Camping Raco will probably result, as in we can sleep there but we can't really do anything else.

Common areas aside from bars and restaurants are essential, and in hotels the whole experience could be hampered by quiet hours and the possibility of a buzzkill showing up at any moment.

Additionally, it is not just the privacy a separate chateau/cabin/mansion provides, but also the character and history of a place. Imagine renting a whole floor at some global hotel chain like Marriott. Our rooms would all be indentical, and with some exception, would look kind of like the ones in Vancouver, which look kind of like the ones in Bangkok, which look kind of like the ones on Johannesburg. Not that this is a real problem, I believe most of us would agree that distinct places we can admire and call our own for a week are much more appealing and lend easily to a lot of core Mittens activities.

That said, I am sort of open to some kind of backpackers cruise or other no frills type of thing if it can be done right. For instance, this company operates out of Turkey, and has several yachts for rental. If at sea for 5 days in the 20-person ship in September, it would be nearly â,¬300 a person and includes everything but drinks. There are other destinations to rent a boat as a group semi-cheaply, and I think this would be a good option instead of the floating casinos.


Hmm...also from Turkey are Alaturka Cruises and Big Backpackers. Alaturka offers private charters at the nearly â,¬300 weekly rate/person I mentioned before, but both of these companies offer 4 day cruises at about â,¬160 each before group discounts. Alaturka's largest ship, the Kaptan Acar, holds 21 people and during the month of June can be rented for â,¬42/day each if we have the full 21.

If we did one of these 4 day cruises with a couple nights at either end, could be a cool and different traveling Mittens experience. Still looking at other budget options at other destinations. Thoughts?

Did I insult Squinky and/or Snarky with that comment?  

No, I was saying I may have since I credited Snarky wrong in the photo despite how much we hung out at Mittens this year, but the way it is written it can come across in a bad way :o I don't know why I though Squinky especially after I had not gotten it mixed up before that

Yes. Being me is the ultimate insult.  :'(

Noes! It's just funny that out of all the people I misname, it was the person I hung out with most

Are 20+ villas easy to come by in Holland? I missed whatever Mittens discussions took place but I was going to suggest Italy. And no...that is not just because I happened to be reading 'Under the Tuscan Sun' at Mittens It just seems to have 20+ villas about a field goal apart across the country, at a lower price weekly than the chateau or the mansion.

The only thing is it would have to be organised long distance like we had to in France.

Squinky was there??

Wow, although I've never met Squinky, that has got to be the ultimate insult

Some videos I took-

Cato and the Seven Crackers

Burn the Queen!

Grundislav's Welsh Accent

The Terrifying Memphis!

Yay group photo time!



Front: (from left) CJ, Miez, Disco, Esseb, Lackey, Nacho

Back: Scummbuddy, Darth Mandarb, DutchMarco, Snarky, Creed Malay, Finkenstein, Grundislav, MrColossal, Becky, Adamski, Pesty, Sylpher, Lorena, Quintaros, MillsJRoss, AGA

So Snarky is the Jesus-guy?

Well, if this guy matches your image of Jesus, then yes, he is

Wowie!

Just returned about 15 minutes ago, and boy is it good to be back (in the lower 20­­°s!), though do miss you all already :o

I left Nacho and Lorena on the Tri-Rail train this morning so they should be home in a bit (EST).

Anyways we all had quite the week didn't we? Thanks to Fransisco for getting us this beautiful Mansion to house all of our depraved and inane doings, also to Jeremy for hosting me the night previous and after Mittens and for driving. Also thanks to Chris for the few rides I had in the rental. You're a star ^_^

It was great to see everyone again, and to the few new faces, welcome aboard and do return next year! I hope we all had an impact and you are willing to return. Seriously, that daytime pool nudity was just a one time thing meant to score a point in Melee, that isn't an annual event

Like I said it was great seeing everyone, and I would like to write something about everyone but need to keep it brief....

Snarky- I'm glad you enjoyed your first Mittens and do hope to see you at one again or next time I'm in the Windy City. It was great fun chatting and seeing Hollywood and visiting the zoo with you. Keep in touch, mate!

Esseb- We didn't talk much last year, but I felt I got to know you a bit better this time and had fun chatting and hanging out during the week, as well as the last night swimming in the pool while everyone else was cleaning the house

Jess- Thank you for the 500 points!

Pesty- Who knew your packs of party mustaches could change the course of Mittens in so significantly??


My photos and videos may just end up in a zip folder to download, other than that my Facebook friends can look forward to seeing them soon. OOOOH Are you jealous CJ? (come on man! it's been like 1 1/2 years since I sent you a request! )

 :'(

I most likely was up to no good I am not supposed to take photos or video in there (company policy) but always find ways or reasons to bypass those. In fact, I shall take my camera tonight and see what kind of thrills can be had

As for nudes, try this recent thread.

lol the dude in that picture looks like he shouldn't be allowed to work around children...

(no offense if that is anyone here)

-Bill

Dude that's ME

Yeah, there are a few Toys R Us store here and there I've seen them in the UK at least, and know of something like 1200 stores outside the US, which is more than there are in the US apparently (just off the top of my head).

I have plans to go to Ann Arbor Summer Festival to see Pink Martini next month

It's in Michigan so I don't expect many if any of you lot to go


The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is an exhilarating celebration of performing arts, outdoor entertainment, and community spirit. Each year, this three-and-a-half-week cultural and social event offers dozens of performances, activities, screenings, and more, with eclectic music, dance, comedy, film, visual arts, and family fun.