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[allthatwhichis]

The boss and I are taking a vacation the first week of November. Jem, you could come the weekend before your conference.

[buffo]

I'll be in Miami / Key West from 10th to 13th November for a Err... 'Conference'
I wonder if I could arrange to stay over for a few days more

Hi Jem!

Cool! Any chance you could make it up to the Orlando area for that weekend (the 15th of November)? If so, let me know now and I'll start planning a FLEM (Florida Laser Enthusiast's Meeting) for that weekend. I'm pretty sure I can still get the venue we've been using.

Sure would be a great trip! Vacation, Conference, and a Laser Meet! How can you loose? (Plan on spending Friday and Sunday at the Orlando theme parks and you'll have a *great* time.)

Keep me informed... If your plans are firm, I'll find a way to make this work!

Adam

[allthatwhichis]

The boss and I are taking a vacation the first week of November. Jem, you could come the weekend before your conference.

Not sure Adam saw this...

[buffo]

Not sure Adam saw this...

Yeah, I saw it. If I set up the next FLEM for the weekend *before* Jem's conference, you wouldn't be able to attend since you'll be on vacation...

That's why I was thinking of scheduling it for the week *after* Jem's conference. That way you both would be able to make it.

Or did I miss something?

Adam

[allthatwhichis]

We don't ever go anywhere for vacation. We are going to a Coldplay concert on the 7th, the 8th would probably be perfect. I have a feeling I will be on call the week after my vacation... but what ever is best for Jem. I should be able to work my schedule out somehow.

[buffo]

Ahh... I see. Ok - well, I suppose it's up to Jem then, but either weekend will work for me. And if you're certain that the 8th is a good day for you, then maybe Jem can make it then.

Of course, I think Jem's wife might have something to say about all this ...

Adam

[thesk8nmidget]

anyone from texas or coming through houston wanna carpool? i will throw in for gas!

[Jem]

Hey guys

I can't believe you'd schedule the meet around me. I feel very humbled

I've been in contact with the 'conference' organiser today and it seems that the flights have already been booked for us. It seems the only way to do it would be for me to pay for my own flights (not good!), plus I would run the risk of really p*ssing the organisers off as they would have to stand the cost of the original flights, even worse is that I may not get asked again. I also (very carefully) mentioned the 'idea' to my good lady wife... Actually she was quite understanding about it and just muttered under her breath something about being ready for a complete new wardrobe

So, it's not looking too good, I knew I shouldn't have got too enthusiastic - damn

I think what I would really like to do is to come over independently as Ray (Pitts) did, you never know there may be a few of the UK lads interested in popping over to see you all. It sadly won't be this year now, but perhaps next year... I'll have a word with Rob and Karl

Thanks for the offer anyway, go ahead and organise and if it does turn out there's a chance of me getting there i'll let you all know.

Thanks again guys, your a great bunch of folks and it would be great to meet with you all.

Cheers

Jem

[buffo]

I can't believe you'd schedule the meet around me. I feel very humbled

We try to work around people's schedules. If someone is going to fly several thousand miles, I figure the least we can do is drive a couple hundred miles to support a meet. I mean really - just how many times do you plan to fly to the US anyway? So yeah, I don't mind helping to make the most of your trip!

I've been in contact with the 'conference' organiser today and it seems that the flights have already been booked for us. It seems the only way to do it would be for me to pay for my own flights

If the flight is already paid for you should be able to apply for a CHANGE in those flights. You'll have to pay a penalty (usually $25-$50 per ticket), and you'll be responsible for any increase in airfare, but otherwise it shouldn't be any trouble. Contact the airline directly and see what they say.

I would run the risk of really p*ssing the organisers off as they would have to stand the cost of the original flights

Shouldn't be that way. They'd have to pay the same no matter what. All you need to do is pay the difference. Like I said - if you've got your tickets just contact the airline and deal with them directly. The conference people need not be any the wiser.

I also (very carefully) mentioned the 'idea' to my good lady wife... Actually she was quite understanding about it and just muttered under her breath something about being ready for a complete new wardrobe

Hmmm... Well, there are plenty of places to go shopping in Orlando! (Probably in Miami as well!)

I think what I would really like to do is to come over independently as Ray (Pitts) did, you never know there may be a few of the UK lads interested in popping over to see you all.

OK - well, when you're ready be sure to let us know in advance, and we'll do our best to make a meet happen while you're here.

One thing though - we may be loosing our contact with the venue in Orlando by the end of this year. So far we don't have an alternate venue lined up for Florida. North Carolina is still OK for SELEM for the forseable future, but the next FLEM in Orlando may be the last one for a while.

if it does turn out there's a chance of me getting there i'll let you all know.

Gotcha... Just let me know.

Adam

[Jem]

if you've got your tickets just contact the airline and deal with them directly. The conference people need not be any the wiser.

That's part of the problem. The tickets are not distributed to delegates beforehand. We literally all arrive at Heathrow Airport at a pre-determined time and are given our tickets once we have joined the check-in queue

Looking on the bright side though, at least I know what it's going to cost in terms of keeping my wife happy, so I just have to account for that in the overall budget

Jem