Amerivespa 2011: New Orleans

gearhead · Post by **gearhead** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 7:35 pm

so everyone is planning on staying at the hilton? I'll go ahead and get everything sorted out before the end of this month

lmyers · Post by **lmyers** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 7:47 pm

Not sure where pugbuddy is staying, but polianarchy and I will be at the Hilton with a bunch of ladies from my club. I heard there's a Marriott nearby that has a better rate.

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 8:52 pm

Staying at the Hilton. There are still rooms available at the rally rate.

gearhead · Post by **gearhead** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 1:43 am

Wow, what are the prices normally?

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 3:40 am

gearhead wrote:Wow, what are the prices normally?

Not sure. The rally rates are:
· $140 per night for single and double occupancy
· $160 per night for triple / quad occupancy

They're good for several days before & after if you call to make your reservation.

See: http://www.amerivespa.org/lodging.html

gearhead · Post by **gearhead** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 3:45 am

How many people max can you fit in each? Lol have like 5 people in the $140 room

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 4:01 am

You only have to tell them it's double occupancy then hide the sleeping bags when housekeeping comes!

gearhead · Post by **gearhead** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 4:33 am

Hmmmmm.....

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 5:56 pm

lmyers wrote:Not sure where pugbuddy is staying, but polianarchy and I will be at the Hilton with a bunch of ladies from my club. I heard there's a Marriott nearby that has a better rate.

I'm still looking for a roomy so no commitment yet. Buying the new scoot, along with a number of work changes for the worse, is taxing my economic stability.

gearhead · Post by **gearhead** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 8:05 pm

let's just all pile up in a double occupancy... the cheaper the better.. speaking from a broke student's perspective that is..

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 8:55 pm

gearhead wrote:let's just all pile up in a double occupancy... the cheaper the better.. speaking from a broke student's perspective that is..

I did that a lot when I was a broke student but paid my dues so I wouldn't have to anymore!

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 12:55 am

I'm broke too, I'll be sleeping on a friend's couch.

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 1:32 am

KRUSTYburger wrote:I'm broke too, I'll be sleeping on a friend's couch.

Is it going to be weird when people spot you across the hotel and yell, "Hey, KRUSTY!"?

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 1:38 am

You know it's odd, nobody has ever called me Krusty in real life except maybe BuddyRaton and it didn't seem weird. I've never had a nickname before (not so sure Krusty is an especially good one) but I guess I could live with it.

lmyers · Post by **lmyers** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 1:42 am

KRUSTYburger wrote:You know it's odd, nobody has ever called me Krusty in real life except maybe BuddyRaton and it didn't seem weird. I've never had a nickname before (not so sure Krusty is an especially good one) but I guess I could live with it.

I might recognize your scooters, but the only picture I can recall seeing of you was one where you have on your helmet (couldn't see your face) and you're riding with your legs held straight out. Please ride like that so I'll recognize you, k?

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:14 am

KRUSTYburger wrote:You know it's odd, nobody has ever called me Krusty in real life except maybe BuddyRaton and it didn't seem weird. I've never had a nickname before (not so sure Krusty is an especially good one) but I guess I could live with it.

I know your secret identity, so it won't be me.

Weird, though, some people do call me "ericalm" or "Eric Calm" which seems like more work than just calling me Eric. Maybe they're making fun of me.

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 3:55 am

lmyers wrote:Please ride like that so I'll recognize you, k?

That's how I roll.

Oh yeah, I will be easy to spot on my Vespa too, since it's a P-series with no cowls.
Also I should have a big black headlight pebble-guard on by then too.

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 3:58 am

gearhead wrote:let's just all pile up in a double occupancy... the cheaper the better.. speaking from a broke student's perspective that is..

I leave it up to you to make the arrangements!

I know your secret identity, so it won't be me.

I vaguely recall pictures...probably still on the site...but I don't know her secret identity....

gearhead · Post by **gearhead** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 4:24 am

Ok.... So who wants to pile up in a double occupancy?!? So far there are 2 of us (gearhead+r0sa)

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:56 pm

I could go with that. I can even sleep on the floor (I'm not into bed sharing with other guys).

r0sa · Post by **r0sa** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 3:23 pm

Gearhead just got us our early bird tickets! We called the hotel this morning but the rep who is in charge for the event's rooming was not available.

So how is this room piling going to work? Quad occupancy = 4+ people?

gearhead · Post by **gearhead** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 3:29 pm

According to the site, quad occupancy is $160. I'm not sure if that consists of 4 twin beds? Or 2 king sized beds lol

$160 / 4 = $40 per person

Not bad at all.

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 4:22 pm

It's 2 doubles I'm sure but sometimes they'll bring a roll away bed.

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:42 pm

Do we all need to pre-register? Is the room a "go" (although we still need a fourth)?

Jed, what days/evenings are you and Rosa staying? That could be important....

If so, dibs on the second bed. #4 can have the roll away.

lmyers · Post by **lmyers** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 10:26 pm

pugbuddy wrote:Do we all need to pre-register? Is the room a "go" (although we still need a fourth)?

Jed, what days/evenings are you and Rosa staying? That could be important....

If so, dibs on the second bed. #4 can have the roll away.

Register before 3/1 and it's 60. After, it's 75.

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 10:30 pm

Yep, I plan to do so this weekend.

gearhead · Post by **gearhead** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 12:14 am

Well... I'm trying to get Mike to go also. So he could possibly be th fourth.

We want to arrive the afternoon/evening of Wednesday June 15th and depart the morning of Monday the 20th... How does that sound?! Getting the most of the experience

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 1:20 am

Sent you a message on FB as well, Jed. I'm good with the schedule you've outlined. It would be good to see Mike again as well!

I turned in my registration via PayPal--and completely missed the BOLD-UNDERLINED statement requiring us to do the following: At checkout please re-enter attendee name(s) in the "Special Instructions to Seller". Should I just claim to be a 'tard or should I contact someone?

[/b]

gearhead · Post by **gearhead** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 1:29 am

I did the exact same thing and forgot to put our names in the special instructions. If you print out your reciept it will have you name on there and I'm sure they will be able to see it as well.

I just sent you a text

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 2:09 am

No can do on the text thing! That's my home phone number I sent you!

lmyers · Post by **lmyers** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 2:43 am

btw, Louisiana IS a helmet state. Be sure to bring your lids.

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 6:45 am

We always ride safe, Laura!

BootScootin'FireFighter · Sun Feb 27, 2011 3:12 am

everytime I call the reservation desk, I get an answering machine!

How about a Modern Buddy happy hour meet and greet @ ACME OYSTER HOUSE for Wednesday evening? It got a lot of good reviews on Yelp, so I figured it'd be a good way to mingle, have a few laughs, and polish down some raw oysters. It's a short walk from the Hilton. KRUSTY, about how long of a ride do you think from Mobile to NO? I'm trying to cross Alabama from the Chattanooga area and ride along the Gulf coast from Mobile. It looks like Biloxi and Gulfport are busy areas and more-so in June. I'd like to make it from Birmingham to NO in 1 day.

This will be my first Amerivespa, and I'm even more excited that it's in N.O. I've never been there before, but it'll be amazing to see the rebirth of a cultural gem of a city. The burlesque, the amazing seafood, the jazz music, the swamp tours, and the sweltering humidity are second to none! Amidst all the excitement, I still need to ride in via US 90 in LA to see first hand the effects of Katrina. Call me crazy, but I'm really interested in seeing the Lower 9th Ward that I've read so much about for bad and good. One of those things I gotta see with my own eyes, the pictures don't do enough justice.

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 5:16 am

BootScootin'FireFighter wrote:KRUSTY, about how long of a ride do you think from Mobile to NO? I'm trying to cross Alabama from the Chattanooga area and ride along the Gulf coast from Mobile.

Riding a scooter, it would probably be a solid 4 hours, or maybe close to 5 hours from Mobile to New Orleans, depending on how fast you go and if you make frequent stops. Were you planning on taking Hwy 90 or I-10? That will make a difference. Really Hwy 90 from Biloxi to Bay St. Louis is the only stretch of road that the coast would be visible from. If you're making it into NO during the day, 90 it becomes Chef Menteur Hwy and is kind of a fun swampy road with a few curves... but at night it's pretty creepy. Watch out for gators!

Post by **ericalm** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 5:28 am

Realized recently that as of 1 weeks ago, it's been precisely 20 years since I've been to NO. That was an eventful and, quite literally, life-changing trip. Funny and somewhat scary thing about NO—I've never left it unchanged or unscathed. It's just that kind of place.

Very much looking forward to getting back after being away for so long. Not anticipating any major life changes this time out nor (I hope) a repeat of the bizarre events of spring break 1987. Just too old for those kinds of shenanigans.

gearhead · Post by **gearhead** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 6:36 pm

just reserved the hotel room!!! So far, we've got me, r0sa, and pugbuddy in one room.

The $140 per night with 2 queen beds isn't a bad deal. Can we add another roomate? let's make this as cheap as possible for all of us

BootScootin'FireFighter · Sun Feb 27, 2011 9:08 pm

the DINKs are in! @ the Hilton

Post by **polianarchy** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:51 pm

Party in Jed, Rosa, Byron, & Mike's room!

BootScootin'FireFighter, that's a great idea for a ModBud meetup. Count me in!

KRUSTY, I met BuddyRaton this past weekend. He told me to call him "Dude." Guess that's just how *HE* rolls!

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:18 am

polianarchy wrote:Party in Jed, Rosa, Byron, & Mike's room!

BootScootin'FireFighter, that's a great idea for a ModBud meetup. Count me in!

KRUSTY, I met BuddyRaton this past weekend. He told me to call him "Dude." Guess that's just how *HE* rolls!

Actually it's DUDE!

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:20 am

KRUSTYburger wrote:
lmyers wrote:Please ride like that so I'll recognize you, k?
That's how I roll.

Oh yeah, I will be easy to spot on my Vespa too, since it's a P-series with no cowls.
Also I should have a big black headlight pebble-guard on by then too.

Rattin' ot the P? SWEEEEEEETT

You know I'm a sucker for a rat bike!

bigbropgo · Post by **bigbropgo** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:25 am

I am really looking forward to the pics and stories you guys will have. Sounds like an amazing event. Jealous for sure.

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:02 am

BuddyRaton wrote:
KRUSTYburger wrote:Oh yeah, I will be easy to spot on my Vespa too, since it's a P-series with no cowls.
Also I should have a big black headlight pebble-guard on by then too.
Rattin' ot the P? SWEEEEEEETT
You know I'm a sucker for a rat bike!

Actually, the P200 looks LESS ratty without the cowls! You'll see.

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:04 am

polianarchy wrote:Party in Jed, Rosa, Byron, & Mike's room!

Is Mike in? He was on the fence, last I'd heard!

Post by **polianarchy** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:16 am

pugbuddy wrote:
polianarchy wrote:Party in Jed, Rosa, Byron, & Mike's room!

Is Mike in? He was on the fence, last I'd heard!

So were you, but look where my badgering got us.

It's the POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING.

No but seriously, I hope everyone who I met last year can make it to NOLA.

gearhead · Post by **gearhead** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:18 am

yeah, he's still on the fence. I'll find out for sure what his plans are.

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:18 am

polianarchy wrote:No but seriously, I hope everyone who I met last year can make it to NOLA.

And then some!

gearhead · Post by **gearhead** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:26 am

close to 24 hours left for early bird tickets

get em while they're still hot!

chloefpuff · Post by **chloefpuff** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 2:04 am

Well, despite all the gushing in my earlier post about NOLA, I'm not going. The typical daytime temp is around 90 that time of year. I have multiple sclerosis and I can't handle that heat and humidity.

i haz a sad

eat a beignet for me!

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 2:06 am

Sorry to hear it, Chloepuff....

Stay healthy though!

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 2:20 am

chloefpuff wrote:Well, despite all the gushing in my earlier post about NOLA, I'm not going. The typical daytime temp is around 90 that time of year. I have multiple sclerosis and I can't handle that heat and humidity.

Sorry you can't make it. Here's hoping they choose somewhere much cooler for 2012! (I'm still pushing for Vancouver, but it's a long shot.)