TPM DC Area Convention - August 6th = GREAT SUCCESS!

[Asilynne]

TPMNoVa 2011
The first annual TPM RL meetup!


.:The Birth of the Idea:.

After much half-assed discussion about the remote possibility, me, Sarah and Ben have decided that since there are quite a good number of TPMers in the DC area we should have some sort of TPM meetup convention ♥ Who would be willing to come?

Basically this topic is to gauge the interest level of such an event, and also to try to see when people would be able to do it. Also, specific locations in the DC area you might know of would be great! I know a couple people on Facebook have already expressed interest, but this will give people I don't necessarily know that well a chance to give ideas and plan for it also.

UPDATE 7/09/11: I have added the list of attendees and the events for the weekend. I am also in the process of sending out confirmation PMs to everyone on the confirmed list and the maybe list. Since we are about a month away from the event, this will be the final headcount, barring any last minute changes. When you receive your PM please RSVP asap. Also RSVP any guests so that we have an accurate count of how many will be there and can accommodate accordingly. NOW WOULD BE THE TIME TO LET PEOPLE KNOW IF YOU NEED HELP WITH TRANSPORTATION AND ACCOMMODATION!!! We have a few people offering so its best to let them know asap!

UPDATE 6/24/11: We now have a firm date for the TPMfest weekend, it will be the weekend of Aug 5-7 2011! Mark your calendars now!

.:The Details:.
Date: August 5-7, 2011
Location: The Asimystikuro household, Manassas Va.
Events: BBQ, pool party(both water type pool and billiards), games, DC tour, more ideas welcome!

.:The People:.

Magmar-CONFIRMED PENDING WORK NOTICE
Redstarwarrior-CONFIRMED
Asilynne-CONFIRMED
Kuro Espeon-CONFIRMED
Mystic clown-CONFIRMED
Bear (and Bearette XD)-CONFIRMED
Jeff- CONFIRMED
Link 10 (Matt H. via facebook)



Maybes:
Telume-WILL NEED A RIDE FROM MIAMI FL



.:The Events:.

BBQ/picnic
Indoor/Outdoor games
Pool Party
ULTIMATE FRISBEE
Watergunz/waterbaloons or other sorts of watersports
Various sports like volleyball, soccer, baseball etc whatever people like

.:Lodgings:.

Here is where I will put up some lodging options, also we will offer to house a couple people at our house from out of town, depending. PM either me, Sarah or Ben for questions.

.:Transportation:.

Here is where I will list the people offering rides to various out-of-towners, or rides from Vienna metro to party location. Post in here to ask or PM!

[Ultimate Charizard]

Well my plans to head over to Magfest next year is still on and i think thts usually in the DC area.

Wont be till next January and its more a Game/Music Con than Anime or whatever but still...

[Jeff]

You can count me in!

As for what time is out of the question for me, well, my brother graduates June 3. We haven't nailed down a date for the party yet, but it most likely won't be any later than mid-June. Of course, what with Bear's gettin' hitched and all that, that's already out of the question, but just to let you know I'm one more person who can't do early June. Also, early July would be a problem, because my Dad's 50th is the 7th. Don't know when the party for that's going to be yet.

The only other thing I can think of is if/when my family plans to do a vacation this summer. I don't think it's going to be a problem though, in recent years we've just done a few day trips through the week.

Anyway, it sounds like fun! One question though, when's the Cherry Blossom Festival this year?

[Telume]

I'll go, 'course I'll have to drive up to DC. It's a pretty long drive for me being in Florida and all but, I'd be willing to meet some TPMers, just tell me when and where.

[Drago]

Thread is now sticky. Eh Bear, eh?

[RedStarWarrior]

I was going to sticky it, you cunt.

Anyway, you know I'm in.

[Asilynne]

Heh, Cocking...XD jk Thanks for the sticky!

The Cherry Blossom Festival is actually going on right now, I think it lasts until April 10th. I know for a fact I'll be up there this Sat for the Steampunk Event ;D But the cherry blossom festival might be a bad time for the BIG meetup since its such short notice.

We could possibly make it for Mid to Late June? Or Mid to late July. I'd need the 4th of July free for my family's celebration (also its Ben's first 4th of July!) So really any weekend in July save for the 4th would be fine for me. In August we're planning for Otakon so that could be a possible meetup place, if anyone would be interested in an anime convention (biggest one on the east coast!)

Also whatever we end up doing, we could always be super nerds while we're at it and bring our pokemon games and DSes XD

[Jeff]

I'd be willing to bring my DSi and White Version. Might bring my 3DS if anyone else has one and wants to swap StreetPass data.

Otakon is an I dunno for me. I know Baltimore pretty well, and have been up there plenty of times, but I'm more of a video game geek than an anime geek.

[Magmar]

I would be interested, it's just a train ride for me

[Kuro Espeon]

Of course I'm in!

I'm all for the BBQ/Cook-out idea. There are several places around here that have picnic pavilions with grills, so we could always take over one of those. People could bring stuff to share as well (I'd be willing to help supply stuff for burgers and hot dogs if we do decide to have a cook-out).

But yeah, early June is out for me as well. Bear's wedding is the 11th, and being his sister I'm kinda expected to be there (since I'm in the bridal party and all, lol). I'm thinking Mid-July would be a good idea. Just throwing a date out there, how would people feel about the weekend of July 16th (Saturday)?

Oh, another thing, we could also extend an invite to former members that don't frequent the boards any more but are still considered "TPMers". Anyone who is in contact with any of those people should feel free to let them know about this as well.

[Bear]

As long as it's not during my honeymoon. Pretty much all of June is out, now that I think about it. Any other time Xtina and I will gladly drive down.

[Mikachu Yukitatsu]

:cryingfinn:

Have fun without me, I hope this will work out. Send me some pictures when it all happens! As for suggestions, you might want to play some videogames. Like Asilynne and Jeff mentioned already. Board games would be fine too.

[MeLoVeGhOsTs]

If I had money, I'd fly.

And barbeque for you guys, since it's a hobby of mine

[Magmar]

I would be down for early July or later. I'm very busy this spring, with finally graduating (!!!), graduate school admissions, there is potential for a Chicago trip in June... But it looks like we're talking July regardless. Anytime in July or August is fine with me!

Edit: Should we make a poll with potential weekends?? Would the 4th of July weekend work well for any of ya'll? We get Monday off for the 4th! (Shameless plug: My birthday is the 5th. )

[Blademaster]

If I have my license and a job that pays well by then, I'd love to meet up with some of you fuckers.

I probably won't have both AND the stones to come, though. I are sad now.

[abunaidesu]

If I have my license and a job that pays well by then, I'd love to meet up with some of you fuckers.

I probably won't have both AND the stones to come, though. I are sad now.

You're 23 and you don't have your license? o.o

[Ultimate Charizard]

Im 28 and i dont have one..... Sometimes Driving isnt a Priority lol.

[Kuro Espeon]

Edit: Should we make a poll with potential weekends?? Would the 4th of July weekend work well for any of ya'll? We get Monday off for the 4th! (Shameless plug: My birthday is the 5th. )

4th of July probably won't fly. Most of us will probably have stuff to do with family that weekend (I know I will and Asi will too). The following weekends (July 8-10, 15-17, and 22-24) seem to be up for grabs though. My vote is for Saturday the 16th, but I could more than likely do either of the other ones as well.

Also, I'd also like to put forth the request that everyone who attends should wear name tags with their SN on it. Real names optional. XD

If I have my license and a job that pays well by then, I'd love to meet up with some of you fuckers.

I probably won't have both AND the stones to come, though. I are sad now.

Bear lives in NJ, Blade. You might be able to catch a ride down with him if you ask him nicely, lol.

[DarkestLight]

Im 28 and i dont have one..... Sometimes Driving isnt a Priority lol.

QFT, I'm on lesson 9 :/

[RedStarWarrior]

July would be better, in my opinon.

Also, a couple of us need to work on the setup once we set a date. I say we need to make it a yearly event.

I'd say we should start working on a catchy Con title for it.

We can have some Pokémon stuff, like viewing of the latest movie or something, but TPM is way beyond Pokémon as I rarely do anything related to it now.

[Asilynne]

Ok so, so far we have the July 8-10, 15-17, and 22-24 weekends available. I'm cool with not making it pokemon centric, the only thing pokemon related I still do besides post on here is play the games ;D

As for events, since its summer we could have a BBQ like sarah said, or a pool party (or both!). We could have a poker tournament or some other sorts of games... I'm definately open to lots of ideas from everyone since I don't know the sorts of things everyone enjoys. We don't have to limit ourselves to one event either since we're most likely looking at a weekend.

[Blademaster]

Yeah, what they said. No real need for a license when I lived so close to Manhattan only about a third of the population had actual NJ plates.

Now that I live in fucknowhere, driving is a bit more of a necessity.

Also, my idea for what to do together: Have a big slumber party and do each others' hair. :3c

[Master Rudy]

I've missed the entire VA crew and have been wanting to see you guys for the better part of two years now. How could I say no?

The issue for me (and for quite a few of us it seems) is time and money. Otakon would be an excellent idea for a TPM get together I think. As it stands that's the best time for me. I'd be open to setting up a meeting there. After all as Bran has pointed out it is the biggest anime convention on the east coast.

On the flipside you could also try to set up a meeting at Comic Con in San Diego. Of course the issue with that is that while it's far more favorable for those in the west it leave those of us in the eastern half of the country in a situation where traveling may not be as feasible.

Personally to me anywhere in the country is fine as I have the ability to fly anywhere in the continental US on short notice for less than $70 (retired airline employees in your family can be a major perk). The issue would still be time and money. However travel for me is less of an issue.

I say stick with the idea of having the meet up at an existing convention that would be semi-related to Pokémon. Otakon and Comic Con are both great choices and would make great starting points for setting this kind of event up ^_~

EDIT-Didn't notice that this was already at two pages prior to my post ^_^()

As for events, since its summer we could have a BBQ like sarah said, or a pool party (or both!). We could have a poker tournament or some other sorts of games... I'm definately open to lots of ideas from everyone since I don't know the sorts of things everyone enjoys. We don't have to limit ourselves to one event either since we're most likely looking at a weekend.

Well as you said it doesn't exactly HAVE to be 100% Pokémon related. Just figured that Otakon/CC would be excellent choices and would allow for killing two birds with one stone (have a TPM group meet up AND have a TPM get together at a major convention). As for ideas here's a few for you:

-Pokémon DS Tournaments (this one is damn near expected lol)
-Anime night (have everyone bring various anime series with them for a group viewing)
-Other gaming tournaments (would need several PS3's, 360's and Wii's as well as HDTV's and various multiplayer games such as Rock Band, Brawl, Street Fighter 4, MK9, Homefront, ect......MAYBE EVEN DNF!!!!! ALWAYS BET ON DUKE!!!! XD )
-Card tournaments (either games such as Texas Hold 'Em or CCG's)
-Massive tabletop gaming night (something such as D&D, Star Wars, ect. Might give Bran a reason to use that Trek RPG book she has ^_~)

There's a few to think about. I'm sure someone else will be able to add onto that list.

[Bear]

Now that I live in fucknowhere,

No such thing in NJ. Where do you live now? I'm sure you could catch a ride with my wife and I.

[ChobiChibi]

I have no money D: *is poor*

How about everyone flies out the UK instead? That would be fantastic :3

[Ultimate Charizard]

I have no money D: *is poor*

How about everyone flies out the UK instead? That would be fantastic :3

*QFT*

[Magmar]

UK can have their own on the same day!

[ChobiChibi]

*QFT*

... Those letters mean nothing to me...

I'm seeing Kirst (Weasel) later in the year. And my aim in life is Canada... Mmmm Sie <3

[Asilynne]

Yeah you guys can have a UK con on the same day if you want, lol we could even have a mini vid chat on one of the days so the two cons can be connected XD

I would like to have TPM in the name somewhere of the con but Im not sure how we could make it a catchy name? I was thinking Capitalcon or, TPMcon is too obvious maybe.

Anyway I was thinking and it might not be a good idea to have our con in an actual convention like otakon because its really easy to lose a large group of people in a con setting like that and also if people are coming from far away I would rather them not have to spend more money than they have to, con fees are expensive, and at least hotels outside of DC and baltimore are cheaper.

Just for my reference Im going to list all the people that have said they will come for sure:

Magmar
Redstarwarrior
Asilynne
Kuro Espeon
Mystic clown
Bear (and Bearette XD)
Jeff
Telume
Link 10 (Matt H. via facebook)

Maybes:
Blademaster (you have a ride, get the stones dammit XD)
Sie (you have a place to stay <3)
Master Rudy
Darkestlight (you're in NYC you can come!!! lol)

If you guys do want to have a Britcon you can go ahead and plan that in here too! And if theres a way to add a poll to this topic after the fact, someone with the authority please feel free, I cant seem to find the option for it when I edit o.o ((EDIT: Nevermind I found it ) Im guessing make the poll for the three weekends in July Magmar listed. For everyone thats coming, any more suggestions for events are welcome! I'm going to look up and list some local events for those three weekends in a moment.

As for the sleepover party, I'm going to give Blade cornrows <3 LOL

Edit:

Events in the DC area in July
DC Fringe Festival - Cost: $15. The DC Fringe is an art/music/performance festival with very unique styles. All throughout July.


Loudoun CO Fair - $10 Loudoun CO Virginia (Leesburg area) Basically a county fair with rides, food, music, livestock craziness etc. July 25-30, 2011

Battle of First Manassas 150th Commemoration Event - free? A major gathering of living history presenters will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first major battle of the Civil War. The program will include special ranger tours of the battlefield, living history and historic weapons demonstrations, exhibits, lectures, and music. July 21-24, 2011.

And theres more listed here: http://dc.about.com/od/monthlyeventc...yFestivals.htm We could meet for one of there or just make our own private festival events.

[Heald]

UK-con what.

I think the only person who even lives remotely close to me is Chobi. Unless people wanna do something in London.

But whatevs, if one actually does happen, I'll definitely try to make an appearance.

[Bear]

Bearette

lmao

[Kuro Espeon]

Bearette

lmao

You can thank me for that one. 8D

Anyhoo, like Asi said, hopefully by July we will have a bigger place. One with a yard and a basement. So if we wanted to we could most definitely host at our place. We could have a cook-out in the back yard (with various outdoor activities) and maybe games and other shenanigans in the basement. Followed by a movie/anime marathon in the evening. PAR-TAY!

As for a the name of this little shindig? Hmmm... How about... "The 1st Annual TPM Meet-up (Super Special Awesome Con!)" XDD Or how about something short and to the point like.... "Dorks United"?

May I also point out that we need to get some more girls in here so that this isn't a total sausage fest? So far it's just me and Brandy (And my future sister-in-law). Not that I have a problem with that, but it just seems a bit unbalanced, lol.

[Blademaster]

No such thing in NJ. Where do you live now? I'm sure you could catch a ride with my wife and I.

I'm pretty sure I live in the opposite direction you'd have to go to get to this place.

[Bear]

I'm pretty sure I live in the opposite direction you'd have to go to get to this place.

Try me, where u at hoe?

Also Sarah I find it particularly hilarious that you utilized the term "sausage fest". Made my day.

As for names, I think an appropriate name of this get together would be "Deliverance II"

[Blademaster]

West Milford Township.

[ChobiChibi]

I think the only person who even lives remotely close to me is Chobi. Unless people wanna do something in London.

That's true. I live in a pub, you are in a pub, it works. But I thought you were from Scotland? I defo live down in the West Country XD

Going to the London MCM Expo in October again this year, cosplaying with Kirst >_> Then the weekend after we're joined by Samchu to see the FF Distant Worlds concert. Yeah. London is GOOD.

[Heald]

I currently live just outside London and I grew up in the South-East so if you ever meet me, don't expect me to have a Scottish accent lol, nowhere near close.

Anyway, the October MCM might be a good shout. It'd be great if we could get a UK contingent along.

[ChobiChibi]

It now makes so much more sense why you've been to Bognor ^^;

So who IS Scottish that I've got you confused with? O_o;

Yi-Wen had a table there last year too. She might go again? We could poke her til she draws us stuff.

[Heald]

No, same person, but my parents moved down from Scotland, hence the Scottish connection, although I've pretty much been to Scotland at least once a year since I've been born (usually more).

[Crystal Tears]

lol I love how I'm already on the maybe list.

Yeah I dun care, for sure I am going (my family gave me the weirdest look when I told them I want to go). I just gotta renew my passport and boomshakalaka, I'll be good to go. Asi, you're sure its okay for me to stay with you guys?

It doesn't really matter when, but I need to know the date soon(ish) so I can book it off for work.

Just someone remind me not to spend all the money I'm saving for this, alright?