Woooo! 
Alright, Fran! 
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
WOO!
::makes plans::
Ok, I checked my school’s academic calendar. It looks like that weekend should be open for me. I dont see any big academic events happening (and that will be way after mid-terms, being fall break is the week before).
Here’s the problem:
I have to keep this cheap. Ergo, i probably will need to crash at someone’s place and drive down with them (Pat, can I stay at your place? :)). And, I’d need to be back before Monday as well (no taking that day off sigh).
So count me as a 99.9% sure yes :).
Doob baby…we’ll find a floor for you to crash on for free, if that is what it takes to get you there. I promise. You can sleep on our floor. Or I will sleep on the floor, or somthing. Just come.
I am a definite maybe. Please put my name in bold type on your list or I shall throw a wobbly. As katiekilldare said,
we unknown Dopers are nice people, too. I am already working on Coldfire’s welcome gift, but I need some info first, such as foot size, favorite color, allergies to Latex? Beckwall, AKA everyone’s new BEST FRIEND
I must be crazy. Shayna, get ready for some company at the gate! (I promise to make myself scarce when the Big Moment arrives. Maybe I’ll keep Coldfire entertained or something.) I’m flying in at 1 p.m. I’ll get more details from you closer to the date.
Flyp!! OMG, you have to come! I can’t imagine seeing you outside of Illinois, but it would be so cool.
This is SO exciting!
boli, I can’t wait to see you there! FYI, here’s a map of LAX so you can find which terminal you’ll be landing at and know which direction to go to get to Bradley Int’l.
I was hoping you would consider coming, thinksnow, since it’s not the same weekend as your Halloween fest! YAY!
And Francesca’s filling out the Trash contingent - WOO HOO - more Eurodopers!!
And so many new people. This is so going to rock!
before the board closes
Sure we will. We’ve been saying that about the last three Dopefests.
Ah, don’t worry, Junior, I have no qualms about driving at 4:00 in the morning. You can get as drunk as you want.
No, it’s just that the most interesting things seem to happen once you leave.
“You shoulda hung out, man!”
Okay, so this is all a bit daunting for someone who doesn’t travel much.
The other half and I went to the travel agent today, and we’re planning on flying out on Thursday 18th to LAX and staying for 10 days around LA - possibly take a trip up to San Francisco. Apparently if we want the best deal we have to book before in the next few days, before 1st August, and we’ll likely be flying with US Airways.
We have no sense of the geography of LA, we don’t drive and we’re on a very tight budget - any chance someone could meet us at the airport? Don’t know the times yet, but is anyone a maybe on that? We’ll have to stay in the cheapest place available, but we’d love, have the babies of and worship forever anyone who can offer us a floor or couch for a night.
I know we sound like total moochers but we’ll repay by cooking and generally being English and entertaining and fantastic for you, I promise. I can’t wait to meet you all.
Fran
“Being English”? Here in Amsterdam, that means “drunk out of your mind, pants down, climbing the National Monument, and asking for directions to the nearest brothel/coffee shop”. You’re gonna try that in LA?
Good to have you along as well, Francesca! I know nothing about flights to the US, as it’s my first one. I flew OVER the US once, when I went to Mexico. Does that count? 
All I know is this: in LA, you need a car. Period. It’s just too damn big, and public transport is nothing compared to, say, London.
The list of people is growing! What a crowd, this is gonna be great! SeaDiver’s coming too? Damn, I’d better start practicing my Spanish again then.
Heh…heh…
She can try doing that in LA with MY monument!!
I’ll let you know.
Well, if you make it to San Jose, I can offer you a good-sized bed, but please god…no cooking, you being English and all. 
Assuming I can get the days off, I’m there. I’ll know in a couple weeks.
Silvy, if you come, you have to make out with me. It’s a rule. Sorry kid, but thems the breaks.
[sub]I sure hope I haven’t scared her away for good, now[/sub]
ooooo
Add me to the maybe list.
Oooooh… where is San Jose in relation to LA? And hey, we might be English but we kick ASS in the kitchen. What, you don’t like blood pudding?
I have spoken to my mother who has given me her huge approval for this scheme and may even contribute some money, so that’s well and good. Alex will be speaking to his father this evening and we should have more information on flights then. We’re still unsure how long we’ll be in the country since we’re torn between financial considerations and the idea that a week is just too short to spend in the US. How far is the dopefest from the airport? Is it a cab-drive or is that ridiculous?
I sound so clueless!
Major problem: we can’t drive. I know it’ll be a struggle, but we’re resiliant and public-transport friendly, even when it’s not friendly to us. We can do this, right? I’m so nervous.
Oh yes. That’ll be me drunk with my pants down climbing all over your national monuments. Who wouldn’t want to miss THAT?
I’m still excited, can you tell? I’m just going to LEAP on you all when I see you.