On occasion I have this, for lack of a better word, fantasy. I won the lottery and am a multi-millionaire (USD). I then decide to hold a dope-fest for every member. I rent a large space in the middle of the continental US, so say, somewhere in Nebraska. It’s big enough for all of the dopers, their significant others, and their kids.
For those who can’t afford to come, whether they live in the US, or anywhere else in the world, I’ll pay for gas for their car, or bus or train or plane tickets. Yeah, people who could afford would take advantage and say they couldn’t. That’s OK, I’d pay anyway.
The event would be for two days, most likely on Saturday and Sunday. I wouldn’t pay for overnight hotel or motel stays though. But I would make sure the event is fully catered.
So, if this impossible fantasy was real, would you accept my invitation? Assume that you have the time to attend one or both days.
Of all the places a super millionaire could choose to bring us all together…Hawaii, Las Vegas, NYC, San Diego, Tahiti, Thailand, Rome, Bahamas…and you pick Nebraska?
I know, I know. But I would be spending so much money on the event I would want to make it as close as possible for everybody in the continental US, so smack dab in the center seems the most logical choice.
Everything except hotel fair if you stay overnight, and I wouldn’t pay for anybody who went out to other places like restaurants or movie theaters and so on.
Sure, why not? At worst it would be a mostly paid vacation, with food and drink … at best I would meet lots of people that I communicate with in one way or another mostly every day and have been for lurker and poster almost 10 years.
But, assuming for a minute you are serious, it costs MORE to fly to some place like Nebraska than any major tourist location. For instance, I would bet most people can find a cheaper flight to visit me here in Las Vegas than they could to find a flight to Lincoln, Nebraska. (Unless you live nearby.)
If you insist on the middle American aspect, then at least choose Chicago. That would be an excellent choice…granted, weather sucks big time except for Fall and Spring, but at least it would be easy to find transportation, and plenty of attractions and things to do when we got there.
But again…Nebraska?!
That’s not very world-wide. Since there are many Eurodopers too, I suggest you hold it in the middle of the Atlantic. (I hear that this Atlantis place has cheap rooms due to water damage.)
Agree. Geographic middle != easiest to reach by transport.
Plus, with Chicago, the Chicago Dopers and Staffers could give us special tours (Chicago Street Journal, Unca Cecil’s column on what to see and do in Chicago). How much would you have to pay Zotti, Slug and Cecil to come (the Perfect Master could attend with a mask or a pair of glasses to conserve his secret identity. Or under a false name.)
However, as long as those invasive procedures are in place to enter the US - looking at wishlists on amazon to find out who’s a terrorist because they read a book critical of the US, or carrying Arabic flashcards and other charming peaks of the security theater) I’m not going to set foot in the US. How about that nice neighbour to the north, Canada?
Might I suggest Alliance, Nebraska? We could have a sunrise coffee klatch at Carhenge. There’s also a Woolrich factory store in town for those looking for clothing bargains.
I know, I know. But I would be spending so much money on the event I would want to make it as close as possible for everybody in the continental US, so smack dab in the center seems the most logical choice.
