LSW Upper Midwest Regional Meetup: Time to plan! - LSW

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LSW Upper Midwest Regional Meetup: Time to plan!

I think we already decided to meet in La Crosse, WI, where several folks live. So, now we need to make some additional decisions. Where and when should we meet in La Crosse? Local folks, do you have suggestions about the where? I think someone had suggested we meet around the holidays. I am in PA from December 21-28, but could easily be available before or after that. I'm envisioning this as an informal, social thing just for fun, but if folks want something else, I'm open to suggestions. - marthalib

The work-week of the 7th won't work for me -- two guest lectures and choir performances Thursday and Friday. Week of the 14th is okay. Weekends generally okay, but not the 12th because of the aforementioned choir performance. - D0r0th34

Also, I think we should do a separate, larger, unconferncy type of gathering elsewhere in the winter or spring. Maybe Kansas City? - marthalib

Once I hear from a couple more people, I'll set up a Doodle site. - marthalib

Should we have a pot luck of sorts? Or meet at a bar or restaurant? - marthalib

I'm all for the meet-up, but transporting potluck stuff seems like a bit of a pain (and also kind of hard on those of us with special dietary needs). - Imitation lris

Ok. What about dates, Iris? When is best for you? December? January? - marthalib

keep me in the loop. things are very much up in the air for me at the moment, however, if the timing (and finances) for such a gathering worked out for me, i'd join in :) - Katie

Anyone want to come hang out with me at Murphy Library? http://www.uwlax.edu/murphyl... - Galadriel C.

I DO! I've never been to the Murphy Library. - D0r0th34

Perhaps we could start @ Murphy Library and then go visit @Rochelle Rochelle? http://friendfeed.com/tinfoil... - Galadriel C.

thumbs up! - D0r0th34

Then we could find food at a downtown La Crosse restaurant? - Galadriel C.

Let's see...the week of the 14th is okay for me. I have my usual desk shifts and I have an ortho appt that week (which means i'll be crabby on Friday). I have space for a couple of people and one air mattress if people want to stay over. No animals yet, but might have a cat by then. - Abigail

I'm all for library hopping :) and then eating - marthalib

Other than usual meeting and reference shift schedules, December is fairly open for me until the term ends on December 22. Also, if you don't mind a cat, a husband, and a toddler, we've got a comfortable full-size futon in our living room if you need a sleep spot. - Galadriel C.

We have this vague notion of throwing the family in the car and driving south from 12/17-1/2, but I'm free any other time in December or January. We have a guest room to offer as well (n.b.: husband, 2 tweens, and a very inquisitive cat). Love the idea of library hopping and of course, food :) So excited to meet up! - Jen

I would suggest December 19, but it sounds like Jen will be away. How about December 13? Or January 3? Or January 9? - marthalib

13th is OK. - D0r0th34

Okay, please weigh in on December 13. - marthalib

December 13 works for me - Abigail

Hey folks? Would anyone be interested in another upper midwest meetup in late March? I'm going to be in Minneapolis, MN then and would love to meet you all. - cecily

are you going to Midwest Library Tech Conf? - D0r0th34

I will be at MLTC, yes. - marthalib

12/13 works for me - I'm hoping to go to MLTC as well.I hear the planning committee totally rocks so I'm sure it will be a great conference :) - Jen

The 13th works for me. And YES to meeting again in March when Cecily is around. - Imitation lris

Sundays are not great for me, but if it's what is working for everyone else, I can roll with it. I will even offer up my house and feed you all. - Rochelle Rochelle

December 13th works for me. I've got to say that an LSW meet-up makes me actually look forward to December! Cecily, it would be wonderful to meet you too - the Library Technology Conference is March 18-19 (http://tiny.cc/b2DIj), but we could have another meet-up in March too! - Galadriel C.

If Jen were going to be around on Dec. 19th or if Dorothea were available on Dec. 12th, I would also prefer Sundays, but it doesn't seem like those dates will work. Rochelle, are you sure you want to cook for the horde? I mean, I've always wanted to experience your cooking, but that sounds like lots of work! :) - marthalib

Rochelle, if you offer your home, I will help w/ food and cook/bring something(s)! - Galadriel C.

It's Tim's weekend to work, so he could do brunch or stop by after his shift (5 pm). I said we could come to the library caroling for him. Well, I mean, I would have to lip sync or shake jingles bells or something. - Rochelle Rochelle

I don't mind cooking--doesn't seem like a huge group, and it would be sort of a festive things to do. I cannot offer crashing space, but it looks like Jen and Galadriel can do that. Also--I have cats, if allergies are a factor. - Rochelle Rochelle

Coming from the Chicago area. The weekend of December 12-13 works for me. If it's on Sunday, I can't stay overnight. I have a meeting at 8:30 on Monday. - Betsy (bentley) Vera

by the way, I'm very excited about this! - marthalib

bumping up for MN/WI/IA peeps who haven't seen it - marthalib

I can show up on the 12th, just may be late afternoonish. - D0r0th34

Anybody else going from Chicago area? I'm in the NW suburbs. - Betsy (bentley) Vera

Oh, if D0r0th34 can do late afternoon, early evening on the 12th, maybe we can move it back to Saturday afternoon/evening? Then, if a few people want to stay over and get together for brunch on Sunday, they can. How does that sound? - marthalib

thumbs up! - D0r0th34

Awesome+fantastic! - Galadriel C.

I nth Saturday afternoon/evening + Sunday brunch. - Betsy (bentley) Vera

Sounds good to me. Again, I have space and one air mattress if someone wants to stay at Chez Hedgehog. - Abigail

I think I will take advantage of someone's hospitality, if that's all right. - D0r0th34

Jill, now we are talking about starting on Dec. 12 in the afternoon and possibly continuing to Dec. 13 if folks want to stay over. - marthalib

Penciling Dorothea in for my house-- I'll send you a DM with my snail address - Abigail

Anyone has spare crash space for the night of Sat. Dec. 12? Thanks. [Edited to copy from Katie: I also have my own airbed] - Betsy (bentley) Vera

Cecily, I hope you will come see us in the Twin Cities! I would love to meet you. We can certainly do another meetup here in Minneapolis/St. Paul. - marthalib

december 12/13th is open for me, too, at the moment. have pencilled it down. can anyone put me up for saturday night? i've got my own airbed :D - Katie

Shall I plan for a Sat eve shindig, rather than brunch? Or or or...I serve at your pleasure. ;-) - Rochelle Rochelle

Who still needs a place to crash? We have a spare bedroom. DM me and let me know. - Jen

sounds like so much fun, but I'm not sure I'll be able to do the three hour drive thing then. This is a crazy semester for me. I'm v. interested in a Minneapolis meet-up in March, though. - barbara fister

Not sure, Rochelle. Dinner, I suppose, since I think most people are coming in on Saturday?? Although a brunch from La Raccoon also sounds very appealing. Which is easier for you? What do other people think? - marthalib

din on the town, brunch chez Raccoon on Sunday? - D0r0th34

Alas, I think that it's a bit too far of a drive for me to make (7 hours, and I tend to get sleepy on a 2 hour drive) and especially in December. - Laura H.

jill, do you want to drive up & room together? - Katie

I'm so excited about this! Mister is looking forward to it, as well. Now, the serious planning: I know there are vegetarians and one person who can't eat eggs. Any vegans or food allergies I should be aware of? Looking forward to the challenge of cooking for people with different food needs. LAURA--please come and I will accommodate you, as well! - Rochelle Rochelle

I'm of the No-Mushroom persuasion. - Abigail

i'm also of the no-mushroom, as well as the no-tomato, sect. i'm pretty good at finding *something* to eat, though. - Katie

I'm in favor of library visits on Saturday afternoon, dinner on the town someplace on Saturday and brunch at Chez Raccoon on Sunday. Does this work for everyone, esp. you, Rochelle? Or do I need to poll people? - marthalib

I have a slight preference for Sat night at my house, but can roll with whatever fits others' schedules. - Rochelle Rochelle

Third the no-mushroom persuasion. :) - D0r0th34

Oh. Wait. THREE people who don't like mushrooms? This shindig is OFF!!! ;-) - Rochelle Rochelle

maybe we should just go straight to dessert :) - Jen

lol. dessert++ - D0r0th34

dessert *always* works for me as my hips will attest :) actually i had a friend recently ask how the hell i could be such a picky eater and still eat pesto. i told her i'm picky in weird ways. like i really enjoy almost all varieties in the onion family but onion. i can only do regular onion in *very* small doses. - Katie

All possibilities are sounding fantastic to me though I won't be able to be out too long past dinner-time on Sat. night. Is anyone still still looking for a crash spot? - Galadriel C.

if you all could keep posting plans here, that would be great. I'm thinking I can either do Saturday night or Sunday, but probably not both. I'll wait and see what you work out. - Aurora

Galadriel: I'm still looking for a crash spot. - Betsy (bentley) Vera

Betsy - you are more than welcome! I have a cat, a husband, and a toddler, and we can offer a very comfortable full-sized futon in our living/guest room. Please send me a direct message if this sounds ok for you; if not I understand! - Galadriel C.

Galadriel: Thanks! But I think it's not letting me send you a direct message because I'm not subscribed to you. - Betsy (bentley) Vera

Time to start a potential schedule. What time do we want to start library tours? LPL closes at 5 on Saturdays. Dinner at Rochelle's around 6:30? 7? Thoughts? Opinions? Abigail has lost her marbles? - Abigail

I applaud your initiative, Abs. Can you and the academic libs figure out how to schedule the library tours? - marthalib

I'll feed y'all after your rigorous touring, say 6:30? If anyone is going to skip tours or get in to town too late for tours, I can unlock my front door earlier. Closer to L-Day, I will ask folks to RSVP. Actually, if you KNOW you'll be here, shoot me an email now: lisrochelle@gmail.com. Also let me know if you'll be bringing friends or family members. - Rochelle Rochelle

if you swing through Iowa on your way to the meetup, let me know. I live where I-35 and I-80 mingle :) - Louise Alcorn

Louise, why don't you drive up? - marthalib

For those staying in a hotel/motel, where are you staying? - Katie