Leaguefest 2013!

It’s getting to be time to plan Leaguefest again.  Much as with last year’s official Cruise Director Mr. Likko, I have decided to simply take the bull by the horns and make a decision.  So, this is to notify you all that I have tentatively settled on the weekend of June 7-9 in Chicago, Illinois at one of the downtown-area Hyatts, contingent of course on there being sufficient interest to warrant getting a room block.   I ask that anyone interested let me know of that interest in the comments below, as well as whether/when they can make a firm commitment to attending.  FAQ below the fold.

Q: So, why Chicago?  A: Because it’s a fishing great city with lots to do, silly.  Also, Hot Dogs.  Plus, it’s reasonably cheap to fly into from most places, while also being a rail hub and within a 12-hour drive of a good chunk of the country.  And did I mention Hot Dogs?

Q: Why June 7-9, when most of us have a three day weekend just two weeks earlier, you inconsiderate nincompoop? A: What, did you really expect me to plot a weekend in Chicago when the Cubs are out of town? Besides, Memorial Day weekend doesn’t work for me at all, but June 7 works beautifully for me, and I have no intention of planning an event that I can’t attend myself.

Q: You selfish bastard. A: True, but that’s not really a question.  If it makes you feel better, June 7 is also the weekend of the Chicago Blues Festival, which has the added benefit of being free.

Q: So what’s this going to cost me?  A: Since Chicago is easier to get to than most places, hopefully average travel expenses will be less for most people than Las Vegas was last year.  The flip side to that is that hotel rooms will likely run in the range of $200-$250 a night.  Room-sharing arrangements are not discouraged as a means of defraying this cost.  I’ll also try to schedule any official events for Saturday afternoon or evening or Sunday morning to make it easier for people to just get a room for one night if they wish.

Q: I’m intrigued, but that giant lightning bolt in your Gravatar scares me.  A: Also not a question.  Just know that you have nothing to fear from the lightning bolt unless you do something truly silly in my presence, like try to justify the designated hitter rule or convince me that the Super Bowl was played between 1991 and 1994 when we all know that those seasons ended after the conference championship games.

Q: So who’s all going?  A: Me- do you really need more incentive than that?

Q: Yes. A: Ok, fine.  There’s (hopefully) others signed up below.   If there’s not, then why don’t you try being a trendsetter?

Q: I’ll ask the questions here.  What events will be on the itinerary?  A: Let’s see if we’ve got enough interest to even do the trip before we get too far into that – if there is, then I’ll put up another post with all of the details you need to book the trip, and we can start talking specifics on the itinerary front.  But if you must know, I’m hoping we can at least do some sort of a group dinner at a restaurant to be mutually agreed upon.  I’m also not opposed to planning an optional outing to one of the Cubs games.  Also, Hot Dogs.

Q: Sounds fun.  Where do I sign up? A: I’m pretty sure you can figure that out for yourself at this point.