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[GrossKopf]

We've gotten lots of new members into FLOT over the last 6+ months, so I wanted to start a fresh discussion about a new FLOTCon for 2010. I am dubbing it "2010: A FLOTCon".

First, a little history. In September 2008, we got together for FLOTCon '08. It was a fun weekend. We met on Friday and had dinner. Several members stayed at a hotel. Others were close enough to drive. On Saturday we went to a lan center in Fords, NJ and played games all day long. It was quite fun. The weekend finished off with a trip to the USS NJ battleship in Camden. Pictures from the weekend can be found on our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Forward-Line-of-Own-Troops/72659644870?v=photos&ref=ts).

There was some discussion between me and Rockstar about trying to have the 2010 FLOTCon in southeast AL/northwest FL. It's been difficult finding a lan center someplace that would provide for other fun activities in the general area. For 2009, we were trying to set something up northwest of Washington DC at a pretty nice looking center that was close to the metro and hotels, but we were given outrageous prices to reserve the lan center for ourselves and were told we couldn't just prepay for a day of gaming ahead of time, so there was no guarentee we'd get to play. We also had little interest.

So, here we are again, at square one.

Option 1

Personally, I think another attempt to get something going near Washington DC would be the perfect venue. It's easy to get to by planes and trains if you don't have a car. There's lots to see and do. The X3O gaming center (http://www.x3o.com/game) is where we could play. I could contact them again when things get closer and we have some solid numbers. If we did a 4 day event, it could go something like this:



Thursday night - Dinner
Friday - Gaming or Sight seeing
Saturday - Gaming or Sight seeing (depending on what we do on Friday)
Sunday - Breakfast - people start heading home

There is so much to do in DC it would be hard to decide what we wanted to do in a day of sight seeing. It's easy to get to DC if we were to stay at a hotel near the LAN center, and take the metro into the city. It's fairly cheap to take.

Option 2

There's a place in southern NJ called Uplink Gaming (http://www.uplinkgaming.com/). It's located about 1 to 1 1/2 hours from both Philadelphia and Atlantic City. This would give us the option to go see something in Philadelphia one day (Maybe back to the USS NJ?) or if all the attendes are 21 years old or older, we could hit Atlantic City.

Dates

For 2009 I was shooting for May because that's before the real tourist season starts in DC, but there were lots of people that couldn't make it, so I was thinking perhaps the second week of July. It's after the major July 4th weekend and everyone that attends school is out.

Let me know what you guys think about these options!

[C4Interceptor]

sounds like plan to me... im up for it.

Can you sticky this one too?

[papa_celms]

Well im allways up to it if im a not in school, and b find a carpool :)

[synergy]

dude, do the one by atlantic city, i can see if i can comp a room at ceasars or ballys since i have a gold card there...only problem is, you may never get me away from the craps tables...

[GrossKopf]

dude, do the one by atlantic city, i can see if i can comp a room at ceasars or ballys since i have a gold card there...only problem is, you may never get me away from the craps tables...

It's not really "NEAR" AC. It's about an hour and a half away...

[HitmanRJ45]

jersey should be do able for me so long as i have a car by then since i live on long island now.

[Solrift]

Sounds interesting and fun. My old TFC guild tried something like this once as year as well.

Though due to school (high school at the time) I couldnt make it as well as money >.<

I dont think I would be able to make anything out on the east or west coast this time around simply due to money issues.

So until further noticed im benched for this event :(

[Shotgun202]

If we go to DC, I have connections in one of the hotels just outside the city. I might be able to get everyone a room for ~$30/night... That's if my cousin is talking to us by then. (He's the manager of a hotel, which makes me special) :) However NJ is closer to me, and if I had to vote I'd say NJ would be more likely for me to attend.

[ITankGood]

i like the DC idea. (maybe because i live in Richmond, VA during the summer)

as for atlantic city i say booo. July 2010 i will be 20.66 and that just seems cruel.

i would enjoy seeing you fools in person and hanging out for a weekend

[Wolfe_Lord]

I'd try to make it to wherever we decide to go. I'd probably be Traveling with papa_celms, assuming that he wants to go to also...I'll only be 20 tho. Drinking in the Hotel Room and playing Wi-Fi with my laptop sounds good ;)

[Killer0Monkey]

As per usual, it isn't going to happen for me. However, FLOTcon 2011 would be more likely should I decide to take a year out before uni. ;)

[Solrift]

Hmm have all the FLOTcons' been on the east coast thus far? I assume most if not all the clan lives on the east coast.

Only ask cause im curiuos of the chances for it being hosted in the midwest one year. Im northern central US (Minnesota to be exact).

Come on up.. we got polar bears... yes..

[GrossKopf]

Hmm have all the FLOTcons' been on the east coast thus far? I assume most if not all the clan lives on the east coast.

Only ask cause im curiuos of the chances for it being hosted in the midwest one year. Im northern central US (Minnesota to be exact).

Come on up.. we got polar bears... yes..

We've only had one FLOTCon so far and it was here in NJ, about 15 minutes from my house. Most of the clan is within a few hours drive/flight of the northeast. I know that even a trip to DC might be a little stretch for me so a trip out to the midwest would be a definate no.

Besides, we want to focus these things around a lan center and a day trip of some sort of interest to the clan, preferably something military related.

[Solrift]

I c.. prolly could look up lan centers here as well as military attractions.

I know of a few military bases near by.. but I doubt they are going to let us see if the real thing is like the games :p:tank::rocket:

[CPRLMAYHEM]

I'll be thinking of you. I would like to see you guys face to face, but living in Texas it will be REALLY costly.

[SoBe]

Well, not to be mean, but i wouldnt go to one, wherever it is (although east coast is easier for me, i'm near chicago) UNLESS my COD4 buddies are going...sorry no point, i wouldn't know anyone.

[drunkenpilot]

Now that I'm living in Washington, clear across the other side of the country, it's pretty unlikely that I'll be able to make it. Tip one back for me, though.

[Nayth]

I could do NJ in July 2010. I'll probably be on part-time hours. I'd totally drive down, I miss NJ :)



Well, not to be mean, but i wouldnt go to one, wherever it is (although east coast is easier for me, i'm near chicago) UNLESS my COD4 buddies are going...sorry no point, i wouldn't know anyone.

Hmmm... not sure if I should go if SoBe's gonna go.... :P

I do agree, I'd definitely wanna see some COD4 guys there!

[papa_celms]

Can we ever get a flot con going durring the summer. A lot of us can't really take time off school if you know what I mean :)

[GrossKopf]

Can we ever get a flot con going durring the summer. A lot of us can't really take time off school if you know what I mean :)

That's why I recommended July in the first post...

[Nayth]

That's why I recommended July in the first post...

Don't mind him. Reading is what he's going to school for :)

[papa_celms]

Ah I must have missed that I stand corrected lol

[GrossKopf]

Ah I must have missed that I stand corrected lol

No problem. I understand. It's easy to miss information in the FIRST POST!!!

:noob:

[Armageddon]

DC is a great idea for location. Its a seven or eight hour drive for me but I would consider making the trip for FLOTcon. Bonus for me is my brother, some of you COD4 players know as Jupiter. He lives in VA outside of DC. It would be an excuse to get there early and visit with him and family. He may be a person to speak to he always knows ahead what is going on in DC and how to get around quickly.

[Booth25]

DC is a great idea for location. Its a seven or eight hour drive for me but I would consider making the trip for FLOTcon. Bonus for me is my brother, some of you COD4 players know as Jupiter. He lives in VA outside of DC. It would be an excuse to get there early and visit with him and family. He may be a person to speak to he always knows ahead what is going on in DC and how to get around quickly.

:shocked:Wow! you made it to the forums!! jking!

[Rock Star5132]

what happened to the possibility of there being one over in birmingham we talked about a few months ago? that still possible?

[Shotgun202]

[[Promoted to Article]]

[firewyrm]

Well if you are taking a poll;
I don't know if I would be around, but I could drive to either option... it would be a long drive from the frozen north, but I would considerit.

[Solrift]

Frozen north? where you coming from?

I'd say im in the frozen north too..

[Rock Star5132]

well by then ill be out of school i just realised so i can go anywhere it is if i have the time/money

[Soco1337]

:shocked:Wow! you made it to the forums!! jking!


This post made me chuckle,

NJ might be a bit of a stretch for me, if it were in the Southeast say Charleston SC I could probably make it out since my dad lives only a few hours away and there is plenty of old civil war stuff to look at there, even the old slave markets are still there but have junk vendors instead of people sellers.

[DBL.TAP]

Hey Guy's,,,I hear Spring Time in Batan Rouge,or Bourbon St,,,sound like they may be fun to go to ,,,,,Myrtle Beach,,another nice spot in spring time....So i hear,,,,Start Your Bucket List Now,,,,Times awaistin,,,DBL.TAP

[CosmoKramer]

...if it were in the Southeast say Charleston SC...

They do have Patriot's Point in Charleston...very cool.

http://www.patriotspoint.org/

[Rock Star5132]

Destin FL is a nice place year round =-D

[KBake]

Jersey in July sounds good .. :) and hitman can carpool, Oilman is from NY

[Snarky]

Being new to the Forums but playing on the server for a while. I think it would be cool to meet all you guys and since I'm in DC :) I'm up for it. Of course if its in NJ I would like to suggest the Atlantic City. I'm always up for some Roulette. Of course we could go to GA and see the Georgia Guide Stones.

[Ryannof]

I think it should be in Massillon, OH... you guys can camp out in my backyard*.

As for tourism, We do have some Amish people nearby. :p

...And the Pro Football Hall of Fame.. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame... National Inventors Hall of Fame... National First Ladies Library... The McKinley Presidential Library & Museum... the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad... Ohio Society of Military History Museum... the Harry London Chocalates Factory... the Alpaca Spring Valley Farm... Blue Water Majesty Museum... Warther Museum and Knife Factory... P. Graham Dunn Gallery... Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery... The J.M. Smucker Company Store and Cafe... Breitenbach Wine Cellars... Cuyahoga Valley National Park... Heini's Cheese Chalet... Wendall August Forge... Lake Erie... Cleveland Metroparks Zoo... Akron Zoo... The Mansfield Reformatory... the "Shawsank Redemtion" Trail... need I say more???

ok, ok, not that interesting, I guess. Just wishful thinking. ;)

(*folks from Michigan or Pittsburgh not allowed)

[drunkenpilot]

I think it should be in Massillon, OH... you guys can camp out in my backyard*.

(...)

(*folks from Michigan or Pittsburgh not allowed)
No reason to be sore, just because we've won more rivalry games than you have doesn't mean you guys can't catch up. You're only 14 wins behind! You might yet see a comeback in your lifetime!

[MadCalf]

i have to say, im gonna have to lean for the south jersey option cause its really only 30 minutes from me lol. plus, you need some ideas where to go and what to do, im your man :D

[GrossKopf]

We should start looking at making some solid plans and nail down a date and location as some people probably need to request time off a few months ahead of time.

[Wolfe_Lord]

Sobe. Papa_Celms and I are just an hour or two East of Chicago. you could Car Pool with us if we end up going. and i think we would probably take a train cuz neither of us have very reliable vehicles.

[the_prairie_prophet]

so is that.. trainpooling?

[Solrift]

welcome to come up to minnesota and visit me! :)

Lan party anyone!?

[Killer0Monkey]

so is that.. trainpooling?
I want to do a planepool now :p
Except I have no monies :(

[the_prairie_prophet]

welcome to come up to minnesota and visit me! :)

Lan party anyone!?

You're in Minn? Whereabouts? You might be the closest FLOT to me (geographically speaking of course).

[Solrift]

really? im on the southeast side of the twin cities. (twin cities being Minneapolis and st paul for those who dont know)

[Dark_Night202]

I may have the monies
But I think around £800 for hotels, stuff and flights is way to much for a few days even if it is to meet all you great people in person

[the_prairie_prophet]

really? im on the southeast side of the twin cities. (twin cities being Minneapolis and st paul for those who dont know)

Been there once. I guess you're about as close to me as any of our Colorado folk. 13-14 hours, huzzah

[Solrift]

haha brother goes out to colorado a lot with his g/f. shes from there.

[Wogga]

I wonder if anyone ever thought of doing one in Montreal Canada? There's a 24 hour gaming center there with enough comps for about 20+ to play at once. There's tons of great places to eat, and then there's always that world renown gentlemen's club style entertainment....

Just throwing it out there.

[GrossKopf]

That's only a 6 1/2 hour drive for me according to Google Maps. Maybe for 2011?

[Snarky]

I wonder if anyone ever thought of doing one in Montreal Canada? There's a 24 hour gaming center there with enough comps for about 20+ to play at once. There's tons of great places to eat, and then there's always that world renown gentlemen's club style entertainment....

Just throwing it out there.

Plus there is Ariel Rebel in Montreal :) YES she is legal I don't know her but I would like to, my wife wouldn't like it but eh.

[CosmoKramer]

Plus there is Ariel Rebel in Montreal :) YES she is legal I don't know her but I would like to, my wife wouldn't like it but eh.

mmmm...Google Images...:banana:

[ITankGood]

so i was wondering where the discussion stands. i kinda read through the 6 pages, but i still dont quite know the exact situation.

so, whats the current plan/plans? caus i'd like to be able to make it but i cant say i quite know whats up.

-tank

[GrossKopf]

Nothing solid has been decided. We have to choose between Washington DC or southern NJ. I'd opt for the southern NJ plan because it would be easier for me to get to. I'll post a poll tommorow with our options to see what everyone thinks.

[Solrift]

put a midwest option on this poll as well... So far about 6 - 7 ppl are from Minnesota Wisconsin and Michigan and close in canada.. we wanna be included too! /cry

[drunkenpilot]

You know, guys, there's no reason we couldn't all do regional FLOTcons and have everyone meet up on the same servers while they're at the gaming centers. For instance, we could have a FLOTcon on the east coast, a FLOTcon in the midwest, and a FLOTcon on the west coast, then have everyone arrange to go to the gaming centers at approximately the same time and meet up on Ventrilo. From there you can plan out whatever games you'd like to play, and while you're not all in the same room, it's going to feel like you are, since you're still hanging out with several other members and you're speaking to all the other FLOT members across the country who are doing the same thing.

Of course, this would mean that the possibility of one giant FLOTcon taking place would be lessened since people would simply go to the event nearest them, but honestly I don't think the change in numbers would be that significant. This, too, would require additional planning, and we would really have to get the ball rolling quickly and efficiently in order to orchestrate something like this, but I'll admit, I like the idea so if a lot of people are onboard, I'm willing to take the initiative in trying to organize a west coast FLOTcon.

[Solrift]

That would be something to see. Definately would be a great experience and would be fun cuz you could have each group kind of act as one team in a game. I would definately join in on this but with limited resources atm im afraid I cannot do much but dream >.<

[GrossKopf]

At this point, I don't think a trip to DC would be an option for me. I'm planing a trip to DC for George Washington's birthday (Mt Vernon, his home, has free admission and neat things to see on his birthday) in February and then a trip to the Ipswitch area of Massachussets in the middle of August to celebrate the 375th aniversary of my ancestor's arrival in "The New World", so a trip to DC in July probably won't be do-able.

The NJ option would be better for me.

[Snarky]

Nothing solid has been decided. We have to choose between Washington DC or southern NJ. I'd opt for the southern NJ plan because it would be easier for me to get to. I'll post a poll tommorow with our options to see what everyone thinks.

as long as we can hit the Tropicana in the AC, I need to make a withdrawl from the Black Jack Tables :)

[MattDW]

If my opinion matters, i would prefer DC. I have some family up there and it should be easier for me to get there.

[Armageddon]

DC would be my choice of venues. Like I mentioned earlier my brother (COD4 gamers may remember him by his game name, Jupiter) lives there as well. I would have a free place to stay. It would serve as a dual purpose trip for me.

[GrossKopf]

No one's offered to help coordinate anything and it's almost February, so I'd be surprised if this even happens. I certainly don't have the time to get everything together. Besides, I doubt I could make it anyway...

[Rock Star5132]

i also doubt id be able to make it for a couple reasons... 1. i start a new job this week 2. ill be working too much to think of going 3. i doubt ill be able to plan a drive to anywhere in the east or west coast... maybe the midwest around STL because i have a lot of family up there but thatd be about it

[Snarky]

If it means anything I've got a spare room, its not big but our friend who was living with us until she got on her feet moved out so other then my computers, a pull out bed, and a crappy TV its empty.

You just will need to put up with our cats, Sasami and Iggy.

[roseman5285]

For me DC would be perfect being that I live just outside of it, as well as Asylum. However, NJ/Philly/AC woundlt be bad either...ill just have to take a few vacation days.

[MattDW]

has anyone's situation changed? or is this still not looking like its going to happen?

[GrossKopf]

No one has bothered to take the reins on this, so it's pretty much dead.

[Stantorr]

Damn that'd be nice.

It's an 8 hour ride across the boarder. :unsure:

[Snarky]

Come on n00blets, lets get this going on!!! here in DC at least in Northern Virginia. we can go pick up some girls, get laid, get our drink on, move into our pimp condo (ok dreaming :) ) plus I can only get laid by my wife but still we can go to some bars and pick up some fine trim and those of us who are single or in a non-marriage relationship can get some while the rest of us go and cry because we can't get any. Man up and take some time off work!!!!

[MattDW]

come on n00blets, lets get this going on!!! Here in dc at least in northern virginia. We can go pick up some girls, get laid, get our drink on, move into our pimp condo (ok dreaming :) ) plus i can only get laid by my wife but still we can go to some bars and pick up some fine trim and those of us who are single or in a non-marriage relationship can get some while the rest of us go and cry because we can't get any. Man up and take some time off work!!!!

hell ya! Lets do it!

[GrossKopf]

Unless someone starts making the arrangements, finding a datacenter close to the metro and a hotel, it ain't gonna happen.

[Snarky]

Unless someone starts making the arrangements, finding a datacenter close to the metro and a hotel, it ain't gonna happen.

there are tons of datacenters by the metro, the problem is they are hella expensive to stick your servers in. HOWEVER we have these things called cars :) Within 10 miles of Herndon we have about 20 data centers. I'm sure we could get into one of them. Hotel wise in Herndon and Reston we have about 10 hotels to choose from. Dulles Airport is about two miles from Herndon.

[GrossKopf]

there are tons of datacenters by the metro, the problem is they are hella expensive to stick your servers in. HOWEVER we have these things called cars :) Within 10 miles of Herndon we have about 20 data centers. I'm sure we could get into one of them. Hotel wise in Herndon and Reston we have about 10 hotels to choose from. Dulles Airport is about two miles from Herndon.

By datacenter I meant a place to play computer games. I have datacenters on my brain. :)

[Krakaan]

So what do we have so far? yes no maybe? Anyone got a big place who is willing to host maybe?
A first post update might be nice.

[GrossKopf]

So what do we have so far? yes no maybe? Anyone got a big place who is willing to host maybe?
A first post update might be nice.

There is no status. It's not happening.

[Wolfe_Lord]

it might be just the thing to bring the Clan back to feeling more like a family... Idk just a possible reason why we should make this thing happen.

[GrossKopf]

No one wants to coordinate it. It won't coordinate itself so it's dead.

[Killer0Monkey]

Maybe me and dark should do a road trip over there next year :p

[synergy]

oh cheerio my nayum is killa monkayyy and I'm from Engalaiind, could I plase have 1 whoppa with no dillysssssss

[Killer0Monkey]

oh cheerio my nayum is killa monkayyy and I'm from Engalaiind, could I plase have 1 whoppa with no dillysssssss
You got my accent perfectly there :)

[Krakaan]

Ok so maybe a Con isn't the best idea. How about just a weekend retreat. 1 maybe 2 days tops. Go see a ballgame or a museum. Hit a bar or two eat some grub see the sites then part ways.

It keeps logistics to a minimum as people only need to know a day and destination. Everything else can be done willy nilly and at worst only 3 or 4 people go.

In fact DC as the original destination is great for this as everyone can tour as a group or part ways and meet up again at a later time. Drinks are toasted pictures taken and stories recanted later on the forums.

[GrossKopf]

Weekend/one day get togethers have never worked before either. I've tried on several occasions to get people interested in a day meet but no one ever expresses interest.

[the_prairie_prophet]

Hey I'd be down except for the fact that I live like a couple thousand miles away from anywhere these things take place. i got no qualms driving 8-12 hours for such a gathering, but 20-30 is a little much, and flights cost $$$.

[MattDW]

I'm gonna be in DC (reston) starting on the 29th of this month, for about two weeks with family.

[synergy]

Weekend/one day get togethers have never worked before either. I've tried on several occasions to get people interested in a day meet but no one ever expresses interest.


it's def not that people aren't interested, it's just tough, time off work, travel costs, etc...not to mention finding a time when everyone can meet....hmm

dunno how we can get around that really

[GrossKopf]

it's def not that people aren't interested, it's just tough, time off work, travel costs, etc...not to mention finding a time when everyone can meet....hmm

dunno how we can get around that really

Even when I've proposed a meet weeks in advance, I got no bites. :(

[Dark_Night202]

maybe use some different bait then :D
I heard cindy is available for party hiring now

[MattDW]

maybe use some different bait then :D
I heard cindy is available for party hiring now

woot

[Krakaan]

Hmmm could be a use for the calendar function.... Everyone posts their day/weekends off and are willing to travel... when they coincide, make arrangements then?

[MattDW]

Hmmm could be a use for the calendar function.... Everyone posts their day/weekends off and are willing to travel... when they coincide, make arrangements then?

this sounds like a great idea. We'll be needing a dedicated calender with the function for each individual user to post events though.

[Krakaan]

Or you know make a thread and have someone who is a dedicated spreadsheet user do it for you =-)