Boston Fodors GTG 2008 Final Notice

I hope you will post pictures as you hae before?

wish we could make it.

Final Notice seems a bit harsh. Can I just pay the monthly minimum?

Can we use Starwood pointsto pay our bill at the Meridien?

I'm not sure, but the Kendall Square T station may be closer.

I'm begging as many of you to come as possible. This will significantly reduce the time I'm stuck interacting with the POB.

Have a wonderful gtg. We wish we were able to be there, but we'll be one week away from our flight to Asia at that point. We're hoping next year will work out.

Looking forward to the festivities.
Andy - Jeane and I will try to run interference so that you and Beth will not have to keep Bob (and Karen) entertained.

shsss...craig---we would rather spend our time with you and J

I should know soon if I can make it - I'll e-mail you directly Bob.

anyone else???

just like an attorney, always looking for something FREE

probably just a coincidence that an eBay seller named BubblyBobby is offering 11,500 toasters for sale, and those toasters (you know, the ones with the slightly suspicious wiring) bear a startling resemblance to the ones that the Needham Munificent Bank gave away during a 1978 promotion

how do you think i was able to retire early, without having ever lived in cambridge??

I had been thinking of going to the Boston GTG this year for the first time. However, I'd assumed, I guess incorrectly, that the suppertime gathering was the main GTG. I'd planned to spend the whole earlier part to the day playing tourist on my own (haven't been to Cambridge/Boston area since I was 14 or 15, many moons ago), getting back just in time for the supper GTG. But now I'm wondering whether it might be possible to go to the earlier GTG, but to skip lunch in order to wander around seeing things and then to get back in time for the later dinner. I notice the GTG starts at 11, but lunch doesn't start until 1. So I'm wondering whether the 11-1 period is an event that I might attend separately, while not participating in the lunch.

Just to help me weigh all factors, could you tell me what types of restaurants (e.g., what ethnicity) the Friday supper and Saturday lunch spots are? I know the later dinner Saturday is Thai, which appeals to me.

P.S. I used to post mostly on the Europe forum. Lately I haven't been posting there, because I'm not planning any long trips, since I have an old dog and don't want to board her for more than about a week at a time. (I noticed that the Boston GTG was deliberately and successfully derailed by someone who just loves to ridicule Americans.) I've never been to Asia except for Turkey. However, that doesn't mean that I wouldn't be interested in hearing about trips to Asia--possibly more interested than I am in hearing about trips to more familiar places.

What's the current head count on this rhkkmk?

katie we are about 30-35 with some people still on the fence...

cmt-you're plan to come to the early gathering at 11, skip lunch and show up at dinner works great. Dinner is a wonderful Thai restaurant in Cambridge, Similans.

others will have advice for you CMT but i will say this....the main sharing time of the GTG is the 11-1, plus the meal time.....the friday dinner is mostly to be hospitable to out of towners....it will be fish or if the group is small i may just host dinner here at my house....

saturday lunch/brunch is american style---eggs, hot entree, pastry, desserts, ham/bacon....the usual brunch things only on a smaller scale....

you are welcome to come just for the socialability but we do not encourage this as the hotel is providing a free place for us to meet and we like to repay them with the cost of a meal...

people start to leave about 2 and we have to vacate by 3 so that leaves you time to explore, plus before 11 there is time...

hope this helps...

btw, have you sent me a reservation as i can't connect CMT with any name on my list??

Can I assume that, so long as not too many people drop by for the early socializing without remaining for brunch, it would not be glaringly noticeable to the hotel management and therefore not a big problem? (I really tend not to eat American brunch type food, and IF I go, I'd want to spend the bulk of the day out seeing things.) I am not from the area and would arrive by train from NJ, again IF I go.

Don't forget to put a cardboard cut-out of ME at the head of the Best Table.

Any elaborate prizes [and I'm thinking 11,500 BubblyBobbies toasters here] for best, rudest and longest trip reports can be sent to me c/o the Jangipur Porn Cinema and knock-shop.

Dogster- Your trip reports are "the nuts". We'll think of some way to honor your absence. I hesitate to ask for any short clips you might have.

Count me in for lunch; I've sent Bob an email. I'll work on getting a late pass so I can stay for dinner.

Bob, we will definitely be there for brunch and dinner on Saturday. Eric still doesn't know if he has to go to Rochester, so Friday is still up in the air, but he thinks we can be around for dinner and cocktails. Hopefully he will know by this Friday. I'll email you as soon as we know.

laurie--that's fine....

dogster....now i assume you are not coming to cambridge....we had already arranged the tent and instead of flicks, we had arranged for some of cambridge's rude and weird to perform live in the tent...guess i need to cancel them...

Don't cancel. I'll watch. Dogster will be there in spirit.

I will indeed be there in spirit. Cancel nothing, gpanda doesn't get to see this stuff very often. I could make a short video-clip for you if you like. I have a unique party piece; it's called 'The Dance of the Burning Feather' - all you need is a feather, an arsehole - and a match.

Hmmm - which part will I play...?

the feather??

Nah, I think I'd rather play the match. All the other actors get burnt.

But then, I realise, so does the match. So it's a lose, lose, lose situation. I think I'll just stick with the cardboard cut-out.

Dogster-I'm an ex-rugby player. I've seen the feather trick and its big brothers many times. It's been a while, thankfully.

Are butane cigarette lighters involved?

back in the day, when certain people were "rugby players" fire was brought on by rubbing two sticks together...

Wish I could join such a fun group of people, but I'm headed in the opposite direction that weekend. Maybe another year, another season.

Have a great time - as I'm sure you will!

rhkkmk, I'd like to go to your home and skipjack's if someone who maybe near to me to give me transportation.
Where do you live?

i live in needham....maybe gpanda could bring you?

or you can take the train to hersey station ----commuter train (MBTA) from south station or back bay---train is called the needham local...
someone would drive you home after dinner i am sure...

Mimi-I live in Cambridge. I'll be glad to give you a ride on Friday night. You can reach me at:

gpanda52@aol.com

mimi
I see on the fodors calendar that your birthday is on the day of "the Boston GTG"... have a happy day!
Carol

(I'll try to bring that LV bag on Friday to Bob and Karen's)

thanks panda...and Simpson

I just can't pass up the tent with Cambridge's rude and weird. That, along with even the remotest possibility of winning one of those toasters clinches it. We'll be there. I'm RSVPing "officially" right now in an email to Bob. Can't wait!

Rude and Wierd? I think not. Rude, sometimes. Wierd, sometimes. Never both. It is the center of the universe. All gravitational forces stem therefrom. We have no need of an inertial perspective. Why do you think the "Boston" GTG is held each year in Cambridge?

Because we are the People's Republic.

why is it that only people who live in cambridge consider it to be the center of the universe and beyond??

others use terms like:

hippie haven
pinko town
people's republic...
weirdo central
drug hangout
self-centered universe
bow tie culture
snob-bridge

now, now, besides it depends in which zip code.
the last 3 are 02138

I always liked:

Ivory Tower Central, or
Bastion of Liberalism

I don't own a bow tie. I'm proud to report from high atop the ivory tower. I'm also proud to be a bastion of liberlaism. We believe that wealth should be shared with those who need it. Is that really such a bad idea?

Better the People's Republic than the Banker's Republic. Oh, that's an oxymoron. Anyplace run by bankers would not be a republic. It would be a cashocracy. Perhaps a greedarchy.

The sixties will never die! Some of us have not forsaken the ideals of our youth for or 401 plans. Power to the pandas.

"i believe the wealth should be sharred.." this from the man who brags about his 10 B tips...

liberals love to give away other people's money it seems...

enough politics...

we are off to the HI GTG tomorrow AM, so don't expect any answers from me until after the 26th, unless i find free wi-fi

He's their problem now. they can have him. In a few short days, the HI contingent will start chiming in on my behalf. Merely a matter of time.

Bookchick has inquired concerning which vaccinations will be necessary for her trip into darkest Needham. The CDC is no help. Has anyone been there and survived unscathed?

Hey, wait a minute... YOU'VE been to darkest Needham yourself... did YOU require any shots? I assume you were unscathed as you are alive and well, and posting here on fodors.... lol

(psssst.... you and Beth really must come out to HNL next year)

Carol

Cambridge provides its residents with antibodies that make us impervious to surburban germs. BC is from Michigan and has no such protection.

I can't even spell HNL. how can I go there?

We are in the process of persuading Bob to change the Fri. night dinner from Skipjack's to an Indian restaurant near his hovel.

no need to persuade me to change....i am fine with it and now i think we have outgrown the private room i reserved...

i will check it all out when i return next week...

They don't have phones in Hawaii? Let's get cracking.

I wish I could be there for the GTG but due to previous unavoidable commitment, my wife's birthday party, I'll have to stay in Thailand.

What are the chances of you guys sending me a couple of live lobsters, about 4lb each? If sending it is too much of a problem, sending something alive, I'm sure Carol or Brad can hand carry it over for me since Brad is coming over in October. A nice bottle of white will be most appreciated too!

I think Bob has gone "native"

Well, I gotta' tell ya' HT... my mind is most definitely in Hawaii, but my body is sitting back at my desk in Illinois... sniffle sniffle

But the good news is, I'll soon be seeing Bob and Karen and Lucy and all the rest of the gang at the BOS GTG.

Carol

carol, don't forget ken too....

pook....we have a couple of other birthdays so why not bring dang here for her birthday and celebrate in style

Yep. No place like Cambridge in October. My birthday is that weekend. We could have a joint celebration.

Bob
You are absolutely right! Ken is also going to be in Boston. Sorry Ken... my brain is sleeping today.

Hey, what ABOUT ME?

Yes, Mimi.... I was referring to the group that just met in HNL... sorry. I'm too jetlagged to think!

Mimi is a necessary ingredient to all of our gatherings. Maybe we can trade Bob for Pook even up. I'm sure Mrs. Pook would love to spend a birthday with Bob. It would certainly make her appreciate Pook that much more.

Andy,

I thought your birthday is on December 25th?

Bob,

I am taking Dang to Macau for her birthday. She likes the Cirque du Soleil shows so we're going to see Zaia that weekend.

I'm sure you guys will have a great time and an advance HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Andy!

I just saw Cirque de Soleil in Boston. Great again. For some reason, they did not choose me as a volunteer from the audience. I could have provided a relatively large surprise for them.

Macau or Cambridge. A tough choice. There's always next year. You can combine a trip to the Boston GTG with a trip to Vegas. A rare double.

Mimi
Just realized YOUR birthday really IS the Saturday of the BOS GTG!!!

we only celebrate birthdays over 76...

and in the case of certain four legged animals we require a birth certificate with the original seal in tact and at least for certified statements of their personal witness to the birth--no exceptions!!!

above is "4" not for

A joint celebration is not unusual in Cambridge.

(Greetings from Tokyo. I hate you all because no one reads my blog.)

Rizz,

Are you in town? Kimjapan is also here. Hoping to hook up with her hopefully in the weekend.

Hey bmt,

Yep, am in Shinagawa for just a couple of days, then off to Kyoto and Karuizawa. Arrived this am, immediately met a bunch of FlyerTalkers for some fiery mabodofu.

I don't have lots of free time, but pls let me know if you and KimJ arrange something -- dtopaz at gee-mail dot uknow.

rizz
Where's your blog?

Carol,
he left us this when he left but nothing has posted yet that I can see

http://tinyurl.com/3nfr5w

Aloha!

ht,

whaddyamean nothing is posted?

address is http://travelwithtopaz.blogspot.com/

I've read his blog. Very amusing. The usual Rizzutto style with fewer literary references. Take a look at his profile. Who would have guessed he was from there?

sorry rizz, I see it now, very good so far
was sarah your neighbor?

Rizz
I took a look. Great blog! Nice photos. Thanks for sharing. You'll be in BOS right?
Carol

Rizz,

Wish I went to Tsukiji with you. Last spring, we ended up with a surly sushi chef after waiting close to an hour outside. He would not even allow us to take photos of our (expensive) kani don.
Did you get my email? VIsited KimJ & T last night at the Pen & almost missed the last train with all our chatting.
Hope you have a good trip to the rest of your destinations. Keep in touch !

Konnichiwa bmt=san,

Didn't get e-mail.

Fooey on sushi chefs who are unfriendly -- that is half the fun!

In Kyoto now, getting unintentionally wet, before heading to Karuizawa in a day or two to get wet on purpose.

HEY!! I THOUGHT THIS WAS ABOUT THE BOSTON GTG AND NOT SOME PLACE FOR INANE CHIT-CHAT ABOUT JAPAN!

Jealous that I could not be there so ............... PLUS you did not answer since you did not get your email.
Stay warm. Yoroshiku !!!

As a result of last night's baseball scores, the Friday night dinner may be moved to a sports bar. The beloved Red Sox play the first game against the hated Rays(?) at 8:30 p.m.. I'm not sure what time the Yankees play.

Go RAYS!

Go CUBS... sob, sob, sniffle, sniffle... I thought this was their year...
Carol

I hate all this lyin.

The Red Sox are truthful, because everyone on the team wears Red Sox.

But Tampa is a bunch of filthy stinkin liars. They claim that everyone on their team in named Ray, but it's not true. B@stards.

Sports bar. Emotions run high this time of year. Unless you're a Yankee fan. It's hard to build up a deep hatred of the Rays. Of course, this is Boston. We'll think of some way to demonize them. It's always the forces of good and evil. BTW, we're good.

We'll think of some way to demonize them.

Yes, of course, you will. That is what demons do, they demonize.

The forces of good were defeated last night and there is no joy in heaven today.

ttt