Posted by Carl D (208.4.19.68) on May 10, 2000 at 00:36:20:
Okay, I will probably be killed for this but...
When I heard that everyone voted for "Vegas" to be the site of the Clusterheadaches Convention, I thought to myself..."Am I the only clusterhead that is so poor he cannot pay attention?" It occured to me that financing such a trip would be a chore and a half - as I do good to buy soap! Though the weight for myself might be lightened by my disability coming through soon, many others will not be able to afford the trip. I also ask the question, "Since the vote was won to have the convention in Vegas - why hasn't everyone who "voted" signed up yet? I have not signed up until I find out if I can afford it.
It would be a real drag if Bob P has to cancel the convention, as I know he and several other people went through alot of trouble putting it together; though, for financial reasons, I would understand.
I have a suggestion: Since it would be a financial strain for most of us to make such a convention trip, why not do it in a more 'scaled down' form, centrally located? I am looking at a map of the U.S. and, Las Vegas, NV isn't very 'central', if you know what I mean. I was talking to someone about this on the phone today and earlier this evening, something dawned on me - where is the center of the U.S.A.? Roughly around the Kansas area (get out yer maps and rulers folks)!
Now DJ, please don't kill me, but how about this as an alternate plan, and an 'homage' to the guy who started "CLUSTERHEADACHES.COM"?
If Vegas is a no-go, how about reserving a couple of pavillions in a public park near Wichita, Kansas, everyone be responsible for thier own lodging (which shouldn't be near the cost for the entire event as Vegas would be for one night), and have a sort of "Family Reunion" type of get-together where we can have a barbecue, talk, share cluster stories around a campfire, etc. It is centrally located in the U.S., and would be very inexpensive. Of course we wouldn't have the glitz and glamour of the casinos and stripjoints - but what is the purpose of this whole thing anyway? To finally meet each other and get a little closer than a computer monitor will allow. This way, whether the turnout is 15 or 150 people, there is no huge "financial loss", but the purpose is still served.
Since you are from that area DJ, you could find a large park either in Wichita, or around that area I'm sure, and just reserve some spots for that weekend. The rest of us would be responsible for making our own accommodations, and some who are close to each other could even split hotel rooms to defer the cost for one another.
Remember, it would be a tiny sacrifice to make such a trip as this when Riccardo is willing to pay big money to be here.
So, what do you guys think? Is this a feasable alternative to Vegas?
Think about it.
Peace,
Carl D