PDA

View Full Version : Meetup Australasia in the Playground: Meetup II



Lady Moreta
2011-11-23, 07:27 AM
Okay peoples, come over here and discuss plans for a second inaugral Australasia in the Playground meet up :smallbiggrin:

Thus far Melbourne seems to be the favoured location. I have no particular objections to that... save at this point, I don't know if we'll be able to attend. Right now I'm not working and Peregrine isn't assured that he'll have his job next year (it's being readvertised and he has to reapply). Plus we have a wedding in NZ in December which is chewing up a large portion of our current finances. We'll have to wait and see.

Time is the other consideration. Last year we had it in April, over the Easter long weekend. I will say right off I don't recommend doing it over a large public holiday again, too many things were closed and it was too much of a bloody pain figuring out where to go and what to do and making guesses about what would be open and when. Not worth the hassle in my opinion. Obviously, during university holidays would suit best and those of us working can simply apply for leave. But it doesn't necessarily have to be April, it could be sooner (probably not a good idea) or later. It's up to you guys.

Lastly, I have a bunch of things to suggest/recommend that I learned from being the primary organiser of the last one - I will talk about that later :smalltongue:

Commence your planning! :smallbiggrin:

Anuan
2011-11-24, 12:57 AM
THIS IS ME PLANNING.
PLANPLANPLAN. In seriousness though, my response from before in the Australasia thread.


Interested, but the percentage of us living in Vic grows since I'm moving there in a few days now. IIRC, Serps lives in NSW anyway and would have to travel interstate wherever its held, Lady Moreta and Peregrine would be flying all the way from the other side of the country...and I won't be able to fly about so soon after just getting down there and stuff, hard on the bank balance. So, we may have to make it a Melbourne-based meetup this year? It'd be great if so, and I'm 95% sure I'll have to skip it if not, but if it can't be done I hope everybody tries their hardest to have a great time despite the enormous void in my absence :smalltongue:

That being said, if it's Melbourne based I can offer swordy entertainment. If it takes a little while to plan, I should definitely have three sharps and maybe more.

Lady Moreta
2011-11-24, 02:10 AM
And I will say that our presence depends largely on when (also on where, but mostly when). At this point in time, as I said, I'm not working and we don't know if Peregrine is going to have a job come the start of next year, as he has to reapply for the one he's currently doing. If we get to next year and neither of us have work, then we're going to be doing a lot of mad scrambling and it's unlikely we'll be going anywhere... especially not right across the country :smalltongue: If one or both of us does have a job, then it will likely depend on when... I have a vague plan to go to Sydney at Easter to meet up with my mother and sister but that is more of an inclination at present and this too relies on money and whether or not we're working. Added to this, we have a wedding in NZ in about a month, of which I am the Matron of Honour... this is consequently chewing up a fair portion of our funds (pretty much all of them in fact).

The point I'm slowly rambling my way towards is simply that if the meetup was in April 2012, we probably won't be able to make it. If it's later in 2012 (say June or July) we might be able to but it would depend on whether or not we were working. If it was at the end of 2012, that would probably suit us better. Okay, let's be honest, what would really suit us would be to have the meetup in Perth :smalltongue:

Okay, on to Fun-and-Important Things Moreta has Learned About Planning a Trip :smalltongue:

1. No one person should have to organise the entire trip. Without wanting to sound like I'm blowing my own horn, if I hadn't stepped in last year, we wouldn't have had a meetup at all. Now, I will freely admit, that this was partly my own fault for being a control freak and not simply delegating. As it happened, the only things that got delegated were the buying of the tickets to Serps, and the buying of the food to Black_Pants_Guy. I did the rest. This was a bad thing. The more observant among you probably noticed that I got rather stressed about halfway through.

I say this because there's a large chance that Peregrine and I won't be able to make it this time around, so others will have to step up and organise. Once the main details are settled, then the smaller points need to be divided up amongst those willing to help out and each person deals with their own piece of the pie.

2. No public holiday weekends... at least, none like the Easter/ANZAC weekend we used last year. I freely admit, I suggested that time for my own selfish purposes, because it meant that I didn't have to use up as much of my work leave (and it was within the uni holiday period). I was a dope. Overall, it was too complicated trying to arrange everything around the public holidays. It was too hard to find places that were open, too much got left to chance and there were too many times we wandered aimlessly and nothing happened at all because we didn't know what was open. This time around, I strongly suggest that yes, we aim for uni holidays again, because that's easiest, but that those of us who are working, just suck it up and apply for leave. Trust me, in the long run, it will be so much easier.

3. No bloody hire car. I will admit, that in Brisbane, it was kind of necessary - which in my opinion just means that Brisbane was a poor choice for location... it was a pain in the ass to navigate (Brisbane I mean, not the car)... to get a car big enough to carry all of us required one monstrosity of a vehicle that was a nightmare to park, and wouldn't fit in any of the parking buildings we came across. And for all that, one person had to do all the driving. It was also quite expensive. I believe that with a bit more planning, we could have easily done away with the car.

4. Crap. I've forgotten what #4 was. Oh yes, I remember... I can't think of a way of saying this politely, so I'm just gonna blurt it out. I had a good time on the trip and I really did enjoy myself - but ye gods! would it have killed you people to make a decision for yourselves?! I say this with love and affection :smalltongue: but I very nearly lost my marbles trying to get those who attended the last meetup to actually make a decision. You guys are awesome, you really are, and I had a blast... but I very nearly lost it being the only person capable of making a decision, about when to go, where to eat, where to meet each other. Heck, even the guy at the backpackers could see it! It was like herding a bunch of cats :smalltongue:

I say this, because at this stage, I have to say it's looking like Peregrine and I won't make it (unless you all come to Perth :smallwink::smallbiggrin:) and I don't want what happened to me to happen to some other poor soul. Please don't make one person make all the decisions. And again, I freely admit, some of the blame falls on me for being a control freak and not delegating. I'm working on that. Looking back, I can see many times when I should have just walked away and left you to sort yourselves out. But it was very tiring being everyone's 'mother' (to the point that Serpy even called me that at one point) and I don't want the same thing to happen to anyone else, 'cause it ain't fun. :smallsmile:

And now that I've said my piece, my brain is convinced I'm missing something, but I honestly can't remember what. All that remains now is to settle on a time and place.

We've had one vote for Melbourne, and I get the impression that this would probably suit quite a few of you (and I for one, want to play with Anuan's swords :smallbiggrin:)... the other thing that remains is time.

April was the last one, but there's no reason it has to be the same time every year. For my part, I would prefer something later in the year. At least June/July, possibly even later. Can those who will be at uni next year and are interested in coming, please take a look at when your holidays are next year and post them here. If we have those dates, we can use them as a starting point to work something out. It's far easier for those of us who have jobs to simply save and apply for leave and work around the uni students among us.

Katana_Geldar
2011-11-24, 03:16 AM
Can I put in a vote for Sydney?

Rawhide
2011-11-24, 05:04 AM
Brisbane is already quite a hike for me. Any further and I probably won't be able to make it.

That said, if we shell out for a cabin or two in the Blue Mountains, maybe you'll be able to trick me into thinking I haven't crossed the border.

SilverSheriff
2011-11-24, 05:40 AM
Seeing as I have a job now it's gonna be hard for me to travel far for too long... unless I can get a better job with better holiday allowance...

Dallas-Dakota
2011-11-24, 07:38 AM
Moreta, I think we should start a support group for us Meet-up Organisers/Hosts.:smalltongue:

Lady Moreta
2011-11-24, 07:52 AM
Moreta, I think we should start a support group for us Meet-up Organisers/Hosts.:smalltongue:

Agreed! Though the guy at the backpacker's found my attempts to corral everyone rather amusing. Gotta admit I love the idea of the cabin in the Blue Mountains. This has given me ideas I will put into practice when I'm not on my phone.

Dexam
2011-11-27, 10:22 PM
As much as I'd love to attend a meetup, my options for travelling are extremely limited due to recently taking a level in the Parent prestige class (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222337). :smalltongue:

So unless the meetup is in Perth, I won't be able to attend. Anywhere else is just too difficult.

Victoria
2011-11-27, 10:28 PM
If for some reason the chosen city is Auckland, and it's during December or January, I might be able to drop by and say hello, as I am probably coming home to New Zealand for Christmas and New Year's. These crazy northern hemisphere folk call it winter break, but I don't know what they're talking about, I'm headed for some sunshine. :smallsmile:

Lady Moreta
2011-11-27, 10:32 PM
If for some reason the chosen city is Auckland, and it's during December or January, I might be able to drop by and say hello, as I am probably coming home to New Zealand for Christmas and New Year's. These crazy northern hemisphere folk call it winter break, but I don't know what they're talking about, I'm headed for some sunshine. :smallsmile:

Well, I'll be in Auckland in December... :smalltongue:

Having said that, it's unlikely... there aren't as many NZers on the forum as Australians (last meetup I was the token Kiwi) and that tends to tip the scales in favour of somewhere-in-Australia-as-location.

Having said that... if people are really interested in having another one, then they need to start posting and throwing around ideas.

Skeppio
2011-11-27, 11:14 PM
I'd put in a vote for Melbourne, on the basis that there's a decent number of us already here. But I don't actually know what we'd do. The only attractions I know how to get to are the Aquarium and Crown Casino. :smallconfused:

Though for those interstate playgrounders, I'm pretty sure they have a bus that goes between the airport and Southern Cross Station. From there, I know my way around a bit of the city. :smalltongue:

Anuan
2011-11-28, 09:29 PM
Pretty sure that Melbourne has ice-skating, paintball, and many other such things.

Also my house.

With swords.

:smalltongue:

Lady Moreta
2011-11-28, 09:31 PM
Also my house.

With swords.

:smalltongue:

Which would be the main attraction for people like us right? :smallwink:

Anuan
2011-11-29, 02:15 AM
Well, of course :smalltongue: I'm the main attraction to -every- kind of people.

ceefood
2011-11-29, 02:54 AM
New to the Forum but long time reader of OOTS - what did you guys do last time at meet up?
I have just finished Uni & looking for job atm so my finances are very limited
I would vote for Sydney but cabin in Blue mountains sounds good too

ceefood
2011-11-29, 02:57 AM
New to the Forum but long time reader of OOTS - what did you guys do last time at meet up?
I have just finished Uni & looking for job atm so my finances are very limited
I would vote for Sydney but cabin in Blue mountains sounds good too

Lady Moreta
2011-11-29, 03:42 AM
What did we do? Ate out a lot :smalltongue:

Erm... we were in Brisbane, we went to DreamWorld (was it DreamWorld?) and to a market on South Bank... actually we went there a couple of times, nice restaurants - including the yummy chocolate place. Watched street performers there too... went to the museum...

I honestly can't think of anything else... oh, played D&D (sort of :smalltongue:)

llamamushroom
2011-11-29, 06:47 AM
I'd vote for Melbourne, too - it'd give me a chance to kick down some Monash Uni friends' doors...

As to "when", I'd much rather the mid-year or second semester holidays (or Christmas holidays). And by "much rather" I mean "can't make it if it isn't".

Stuff to do in Melbourne, eh... we could take in a show! That'd be awesome, right? Everyone loves musical theatre, right? :smallbiggrin:

Lady Moreta
2011-11-29, 06:57 AM
As to "when", I'd much rather the mid-year or second semester holidays (or Christmas holidays). And by "much rather" I mean "can't make it if it isn't".

I would prefer that too... Okay, everyone who's specified a preference for location, you all need to come back and specify a date. It looks like time is more important for a lot of people than location. I think we need to settle a time first, then start deciding on place.


Stuff to do in Melbourne, eh... we could take in a show! That'd be awesome, right? Everyone loves musical theatre, right? :smallbiggrin:

I do... well, it depends on what you mean by musical theatre... if you were talking cabaret, then probably not so much... if you mean Cats or Phantom of the Opera then I'm there :smallbiggrin:

Anuan
2011-12-01, 05:59 AM
Christmas holidays would be cool but I imagine many people would have prior engagements. Family stuff, and such.

On a 'what to do' thing, apparently Melbourne has some rockin' zoos. Everybody loves the big stripey kitties, right? :3

Skeppio
2011-12-01, 06:35 AM
For a time, I recommend June-July, about mid-year school holidays. I'm expecting to end next year on the 20th of June, so I should be free after then. :smallsmile:

Serpentine
2011-12-01, 06:48 AM
And 4. Crap. I've forgotten what #4 was. Oh yes, I remember... I can't think of a way of saying this politely, so I'm just gonna blurt it out. I had a good time on the trip and I really did enjoy myself - but ye gods! would it have killed you people to make a decision for yourselves?!Hey, I made decisions! It was just that noone seemed to like the ones I tried to make :smalltongue:

If it's in fewer than 6 months, I probably won't be able to go. More, no idea.