I almost fell out of bed this AM reading Khun Pook's comment. HAHAHA!

Sorry, Andy. That was funny stuff.

I think you guys should stay wherever you want. I don't know the norm for lodging for these, so not sure if you like to stay as a group fairly close together or not.

I know Bob and Andy will probably be sharing a room (who gets the rollaway? Karen?)

I really like a hotel in Beverly Hills called Maison 140. GREAT location, and they have beautiful Asian-themed rooms at a reasonable (for LA) rate:
http://www.maison140beverlyhills.com.../mandarin.html

I think Sunset and BH are both great, central locations for lodging. Santa Monica and other Westside locations will certainly have prettier scenery (ocean) but may be a longer drive to the GTG. Either way, as they say, everything in LA is 20 minutes away.

Sorry for the lack of info...but don't expect a confirmed location for a few weeks, at least. House buying calls and I have to get through this before I can focus my attention on securing a location. Don't worry, though, I'm a resourceful guy...I have a few great places in mind. :)

Another very solid budget option in LA is the Farmer's Daughter. Other than having a fantastically cheeky name, it's right across from the Grove (LA's premiere shopping center) and is smack-dab in the middle of the city.

It's very basic though and usually has very cheap rates.

http://www.farmersdaughterhotel.com/

I'll keep posting places as I think of them.

I'm staying at Filmwill's place. Plus, does it matter that I only wear argyle socks?

I love Maison 140, and the Farmer's Daughter is cool as well (although on a very busy street).

For those who do wish to stay in Santa Monica, I highly recommend the Embassy Hotel Apartments (not related to Embassy Suites) - www.embassyhotelapts.com

Charming old-world Mediterranean building with gorgeous gardens two blocks from the park that overlooks the ocean and 1.5 blocks from the Third Street Promenade. Very affordable. No amenities or room service, but you can walk to dozens of cafes and restaurants. Most rooms have kitchenettes - Many Europeans and Australians stay there for months while working on film projects.

Disadvantage to staying here at the beach is that the Friday afternoon traffic heading east is absolutely killer.

more participation please

From who? The organizer or the attendees?

I think I may have mentioned that we're in the middle of purchasing a new home (our first!) So, rest assured, the GTG is on like Donkey Kong. But I cannot do anything in regards to planning right now.

I just need to get through the next few weeks alive--and then I can focus my attention on this.

Pinky swear. :)

Filmwil...Congrats on the new residence! What area of the city? I totally understand the stress of moving. When I moved to a new residence two years ago, it was high drama for MANY months after the move...all of the interior design stuff that I had to take care of. I'm sure the Silk Trading Company doesn't want to see me for a while...as I had to chew up a few people. Smiles. Happy Travels!

Sounds like fun. We should be able to attend.

Woody

attendees only....the organizers are on extended holiday....i just wanted to bring it back to the top so others could join in....

east coast helper

Congrats on buying a home, filmwill! We can patiently await more details. I'm preoccupied with our upcoming trip to Kathmandu and Bangkok and can't really think about making reservations yet anyway.

The words anyone hates to see:

East Coast Helper

Filmwill, do Bob and I have separate rooms at your new residence?

The GTG is six months away. Reservations can be made many months from now.

We have used this forum for our trip to Thailand, and enjoy reading fodorites experiences. Thanks to everyone.

We plan to attend the LA GTG.
Would love to meet everyone.

magic---do you also need a room at filmwill's new house?

Hardy har har.

Actually, Bob has very generously volunteered to pay for all who stay at the same hotel as he.

I thought that was rather nice of him.

:)

no problem bring them on....lots of broom closets available

Happy to hear that about Bob. A broom closet is perfect for me since I have on occasion been called a withch or was it bitch?

Tried to book at Farmer's Daughter it is full. Will deal with tickets etc when I get back from Asia.

We live between LA & SD, so we are close enough but with LA traffic, we might want to stay at a close by hotel...we'll wait and see as the program unfolds.
rhkkmk..... This being LA, filmwill's new house might be full of closets...broom type or otherwise.
Can pandas fit in a broom closet?

Only if they're very large brooms. It's LA, we'll all just camp out in the back yard.

trust me, we lost the closets a long time ago.

looks like it's bob's hotel, after all. bob, better make sure your bed is extra large. i hear andy is a space hog.

If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas.

If you lie down with Bob, fleas will be the least of your worries.

Andy - very very funny.

Any luck with flights to BKK in November? Eva are doing a deal from LAX to BKK at the moment????

It's not the flights, it's the total inability to convince Beth of our need to go. My persuasive talents are usually better. Perhaps she's becoming aware of the wiles of the panda. Hope not.

i like a man who just puts his foot down and says we are going, are you ready??

shame was hoping to catch up with you both (and Bob and Karen)
ah well one day i am really going to try and persuade Muffin to go to a GTG

anything new in the planning process and on the house front??

If folks can bear with me for a bit, I promise we are on as planned.

We close on our house tomorrow (and move a week from Thursday!)

We've already (and aptly) named the Speedo Suite...although, sorry, Bob and Andy, you'll still have to find a hotel to stay in. :)

I wish I had to luxury of planning so far out, but as soon as we're back from our trip (3rd week of December) and I have a good 10 or so days at home, I'm starting to set up the specifics of the GTG.

You'll just have to bear with me and my insane schedule and trust in the fact that I make a living planning intricate and extremely detail-oriented projects for huge clients all day long...so I may not plan as far in advance as the rest, but you'll definitely get your money's worth out of this GTG!

I cannot wait to welcome you all to the City of Angels and share some of the best things this city has to offer with the rest of you.

this was just an excuse to ask about the house....we know you are schedule...haha

being CA, i assume it is the 'blond speedo suite'?

FW-don't pay any attention to Bob. There's plenty of time to plan a few things for the GTG. I have complete confidence in you.

Maybe you could trick the Dogster into coming. LA is not really part of the US anyway.

rhkkmk, blond is in Utah

In LA its the "pierced speedo suite",lol

Gotta be at this gtg!

Aloha!

Maybe a thong would be more appropriate for LA.

I'm watching.

L.A. was where Dogster was handcuffed and led away to his bleak detention cell. Mmm - L.A. - Mmmm - what a heart-break old town you were that long night.

You can't trick me. I'm no fool. Now you've given my clothes away to a child. I've been de-dogged, stripped naked. It's not a pretty sight. I've seen it.

... well, all that's presently missing from this future 'do', is the original LA 'AO' and her big dog (the main reason for this little 'handle') and yes, those Singapore Girls, all the way, all-J (do remember your cheque books), non-stop, SIN-'LA' ... (and do hope you're flying in some of my all-time cherished BKK masseuses from Aviva, Eden, Thonglor ... and a few other oily/soapy unmentionables) ...

... savour your tender LA times and Thai thoughts ... (and in future, perhaps that Singaporean airline, BKK-SIN, for work, living (and occasional pleasure) ... rather addicting, indeed ...

macintosh (robert)


... In this ever changing world, Singapore Girl, you're a great way to fly ...

Dogster-I'm hoping that your "Dogster suit" is way too small for you. If not, you're hereby downgraded to the Pupster. Just think of the giveaway as a form of recycling. I can only hope the little tyke's name is Jimmy. How sweet would that be?

Plus, I will provide free legal representation. That's right free. Not very good, but free.

I think we should start a petition to get Dogster to come to the LA GTG.

What if we ask nicely?
<i>&quot;pretty please&quot;</i> ((bats eyelashes))

What if we beg? <i>pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease come to the GTG!</i>

What if we use peer pressure? <i>&quot;You travel all over the world but won't come to LA? What kind of traveler are you really??</i>

:-)

The Dogster has no peers.

WE can offer him a guest spot at the LA GTG or one at Guantanamo. His choice.

It's the Guantanamo one I'm scared about!

I've already had a little taste of that - I don't like it. I get nervous. Those plastic tie things they put round your wrists pinch.

if things keep going the way the news is predicting we won't have to worry about dogster getting entry...the borders will be open and the immigration people will have been laid off by march...

'together we can' get him there

I know. We'll sneak him in. If only I had not given away his suit, we could bring him in as Scooby Doo. His passport would never be checked. he'd be signing too many autographs. Maybe, Rin Tin Tin. My favorite is the ever obscure Farfel.

For those who collect obscure references - we have a choice here:

Farfel (Yiddish: פֿאַרפֿל, farfl; from Middle High German varveln) are small pellet-shaped noodles, made of flour mixed with egg, similar to egg barley.

Or, my personal selection for comprehending gpanda's noctural rumblings::

Farfel the Dog was a hound dog puppet that appeared in commercials for Nestl&eacute;'s Quik from 1953 to 1965. Farfel, with assistance from ventriloquist Jimmy Nelson and fellow puppet Danny O'Day sang &quot;N-e-s-t-l-e-s, Nestl&eacute;'s makes the very best, chocolate.&quot;

Danny sang: &quot;N-e-s-t-l-e-s, Nestl&eacute;'s makes the very best...
Farfel sang: Chawk-lit!

How about this? If we can get AO to join us, then Dogster MUST come...

If the borzoi joins her, I get a free ticket to BKK next year :)