March 9, 2011
Clusterflockstock lll
Okay, I’ve heard from several of you, and things are starting to firm up a bit. We now have a clear choice to make. We are choosing between the last weekend of April in Texas (say, the 28th through May 1) and the first weekend of June in New York.
So, you can either vote here or email me your preference. Those of us who don’t have a strong preference should say so, because I think this will come down to trying to accommodate the people who really want to make it but find one of the options problematic.
I’m starting to get excited.
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At this time I cannot commit either way but I am more likely to be able to attend a Texas gathering.
What Michael said is exactly what I was going to say.
If you do NYC, I’d love it if you did a meet-and-greet for flocker watchers and fans.
Thanks, Casey. Even apart from clusterflockstock, that’s always a possibility, given that many flockers live in or regularly visit the NYC area.
“flocker watchers and fans.”
A few months back I was at the Kabob House here in town and I had the distinct impression the folks a few tables behind us were talking about Clusterflock (they were referencing a Bill Murray anecdote and a few other things that had appeared here). It was the only time I’ve ever felt like people outside the site were talking about the site. Of course, they didn’t recognize me – I wasn’t wearing my M&M apron – so I never did find out if they were talking about us or not (and really they would have been talking about Cindy).
Oooooo! I’m famous and shit!
If it happens again, I’m buying the table a round of Dr. Peppers.
My asshole doesn’t work right.
Thanks Cindy – I’m actually in DC. But I’d probably show up in NYC for a Clusterflock happy hour.
Has anyone (besides Michael) heard mention of Clusterflock outside of your usual social circle (that obviously know of it because of you)? I’ve been trying to figure out how I heard about it, but can’t for the life of me remember. I think it might be because I started “following back” some kind of random people in Google Reader (who inexplicably, had followed me).
Never heard of it.
Daryl has learned that some of his students follow clusterflock, but who knows whether they found Daryl because of cf or cf because of Daryl.
Hey, Deron. I’m famous in Sacramento. That’s in California.
Famous with kebob eaters, no less.
I should charge.
Do they have cafeterias there?
Oh, no. I’m only famous in places without cafeterias.
Hey, Casey. Deron thinks you’re a boy and I think you’re a girl. Will you tell us? Well, actually, only tell us if you’re a girl, because if Deron’s right that means I’m wrong and, well, you know.
I am not at liberty to say.
uh-oh
This pretty much pops the fame in Sacramento bubble.
To be clear, I only thought they might be talking Clusterflock. They, most likely, were not.
No, they were probably just talking about me.
June is a little easier (I/we could drive), but I have no strong feelings.
New York would certainly be easier, but I’d be open to either. If we were to do the last weekend in April, however, I’d need to ask off for work sooner than later.
this is also a concern for me. (schedule) (Cindy, am I gonna be able to get those days off honey?)
Doesn’t make a difference to me, to be honest. NYC is home(ish) turf and Texas is always welcome.
I might be able to better afford it if it was in June but it would be farther away and so more expensive.
I am technically free both times I think.
Andrew overheard a barista talking about my Hairpin article. You all can bask in how famous-adjacent you all are.
Dave, they will give you time off whenever you want it, sugar. You just tell me if they give you any trouble, and I’ll get Michael to go out there and take care of it.
Yes, time is of the essence if we do late April, but the TX farm isn’t available in early June. Texas is at its most beautiful and temperate in April, while later in June would be unbearable.
So far, the majority are leaning towards Texas. Let me hear from you soon (and I’ll try contacting some I’ve not heard from).
One advantage if we meet in Texas is that Daryl and I can cover the cost of the food/farm expenses (since we won’t need to fly anywhere), so the total cost for the rest of y’all would be transportation only.
I’m going to be in Ireland, wrestling with visa bureaucrazy, until May.
I vote Texas.
New York concedes.
But I’m still checking with people! Is it over? It’s a simple majority, not a vast majority.
Well, my invitation is open, of course. It just seemed to me that the overwhelming tendency was for Texas, and certainly if it’s going to be considerably cheaper for a lot of people, that seems like the sensible way to do it. I think no matter what way it goes, that some people are going to be left out, and short of organising two gatherings, which of course is possible, it seems that the magnetic pull is toward Texas.
It’s true, some people will be left out either way. India can’t do the first weekend in June, Lucy can’t do April, and others have work conflicts with one or the other. I think the centrality of Texas–combined with the fact that it’s a known place that can accommodate a large group–is giving it the edge.
I’ve just heard from a couple more of you via email, and it does look like Texas is best for most of us. So I guess it’s settled.
Deron, do you want people to fly in on Thursday the 28th or Friday the 29th? I’m assuming we all need to leave on Sunday, May 1?
I was just going to say, what about the end of summer? But I don’t want to complicate things.
People can come in Wednesday or Thursday and leave as late as Tuesday. Leaving Sunday is too early, in my opinion.
To give a definitive answer, let’s have people shoot for coming in Thursday, leaving Monday.
I hope we can do New York next year? If people have time to plan for it, it should be doable for more people.
Oooh, now I’m getting excited. We have a date and place. Let the clusterflockstocking begin!
Cindy, that very thought occurred to me. I’m sorry I will miss the gathering yet another year (I’ll be at an archives conference in Minneapolis/St. Paul), but I am glad the tradition will continue.
Late September is very very nice in Texas. Just throwing that out there.
I think we need to stick with what we’ve settled on. People are already looking at flights.
You’re right, Cindy. I’m just complicating things.
It’s okay–all the better for future plans. We’ll be doing this for the rest of our lives, you know!
That’s an important thing for us all to bear in mind, Cindy.
And after all, there is nothing (save individual circumstance) stopping any number of flockers (and friends) from gathering anytime, anywhere.
It sounds to me as though, considering the possibilities for late spring/early summer, Texas at the end of April is a good, workable choice for a fair number of people.
My flights have been added to the clusterflockstock III itineraries google spreadsheet. It’s official. David and I are coming!
Woohoo!!
I told my dad and he said, “Have fun! Good luck with the boils!”
…?
Remember the boil on my breast from clusterflockstock I?
Sorry hon, I missed out on that somehow. Being we got there a day late or something somehow.
For all I said about we’d be able, we’re now working through logistics. We’ll likely not arrive in Telephone until Friday afternoon/evening. I’ll be so excited to see y’all.
Rick, I think the boil was post CFS 1.
Save the stories! Could someone document the transpirings before we get there? In case we miss something good we need to know about?
Thanks Michael. Danny and I missed the early part of CFS I, we arrived Friday evening when everyone else arrived a day earlier. There is a world can happen if one is late to this gathering. Looks like Danny and I will be late again this year.
Rick, I will never in my life forget the arrival of you and Danny at the first clusterflockstock. It was beautiful.
Daryl and I will get there on Friday as well (Daryl teaches on Thursday night). There will be staggered arrivals and departures, but it all will be wonderful.
We’ll record everything, then when everyone is there just watch what we have recorded. Then record that.
Cindy, I remember my first moment stepping out of the car. You and Andrew came out to meet us. “Rick, it’s me, Cindy,” you said. I can’t imagine a more warm greeting.
You hold a huge part of my heart. This year will be wonderful, too.
Endless loop.
“We’ll record everything, then when everyone is there just watch what we have recorded. Then record that.”
Bauman! I’m watching you.
Also. Not a clusterflockstock memory (obviously). But when India and I met in Chicago, we hugged and then she said, “You look just like Sheila — but in three dimensions.”
When I met India at clusterflockstock 1, she said, “You’re bigger than you are online.”
That’s funny, because when India came to Pittsburgh, I found out that she is also taller in person than she seems online. (I think I may be taller on the internet, but I’m not sure.) It sounds like an Ask Clusterflock question: Are you taller on the internet?
Elizabeth, any chance you will join us?
I was so much bigger than before the internet.
I wish I could be there. Can’t quite swing it this year… but maybe next year, especially if the Flock gathers in New York.
I hope so, too, Elizabeth.
Also, the internet adds ten pounds.
Some consider me tall when they meet me. I’d say I’m quite a bit smaller on the net.
Though ten pounds heavier.
Booked.
I took you at your word on the Wednesday thing, Deron. I’m tired of being envious of those people who show up early or stay late and get to meet the dogs and go out for barbecue or tacos or whatever it is that y’all people eat down there.
India, hell yes! I can’t wait. I will pick you up and we will eat!
Phil, Derek, Wil? A visit to North Texas in April?
Daryl and I can also accommodate early birds, if the Mabli/Bauman house fills up. We have no dogs to offer, but we do have 3 cats and a bearded dragon, as well as a Mia.
So it’s for sure Texas in late April? I could do NYC pretty easily but TX is somewhat less do-able and that time frame is hard. Could there be a NYC Clusterflockstock adjunct gathering later in the year?
I’m pro that.
That would be splendid.
Splendid indeed.
Elizabeth, I’ll ride the Dog to Pittsburgh! Whence . . . well, wherever.