ATTENTION! RE: KERRYCRAT MEETUP

[WildEyedLiberal]

Since it is almost summer, we are STARTING TO PLAN THE MEETUP.

So far, I have Firespirit, Kleeb, and myself as confirmed yeses. I know Vinessa and GRLMGC are interested as well.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THE KERRY MEETUP, PLEASE SAY SO NOW. WE ARE STARTING TO PLAN THIS TRIP AS IN DATES, LENGTH, ETC.

IT WILL BE IN D.C.

We have NARROWED IT DOWN to two time frames: LATE May/early June (VERY early June), and early-mid August, though so far May/June seems to be winning out. IF YOU ARE *DEFINITELY* ABLE TO GO DURING ONE OF THOSE TIMES AND WANT TO GO, PLEASE EXPRESS YOUR PREFERENCE NOW. By late May, this would be late enough to accomodate those who have classes (ie Vinessa); something like the 28th, or so.

ALSO: HOW LONG ARE PEOPLE INTERESTED IN STAYING? This is not of huge importance, since different people can stay for different times (if you need to leave after two days, that's fine), but we were planning on something around 4-6 days. Again, IF YOU ARE DEFINITELY PLANNING ON GOING, please add your input.

WE NEED TO FIGURE THIS OUT AS TIME IS RAPIDLY ADVANCING! I IMAGINE WE WILL START PLANNING FOR THIS IN ABOUT A WEEK OR SO, SO SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE.

THANKS! Hope you can all make it!!

[GRLMGC]

1. I don't finish school until June

and I won't have any money until August

[WildEyedLiberal]

3. Does that mean you'll be able to go for sure in August?

I hate to be a pain, but if we have any hope of meeting HIM, we need to get some dates set (or at least a general time).

[TayTay]

4. Remember, the Senate is out in August

Schedule:
May 30 - June 3 Senate not in session
May 30 Memorial Day (observed)
June 6 (Monday) Senate reconvenes

July 4 - July 8 Senate not in session
July 4 Independence Day
July 11 (Monday)Senate reconvenes

August 1 - September 5 Senate not in session - August Recess
September 5 Labor Day
September 6 (Tuesday) Senate reconvenes


I believe August is spent on an actual vacation, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were campaign thingees here and there. Your best bet is June. Of course, if the Senate locks up due to the 'nuclear option' having been played, I have no friggin clue what happens.

[WildEyedLiberal]

5. How easy would it be for us to call his office while he is in session

And ask for a meeting? I am not a constituent, nor have I ever requested a meeting with a Congressperson, so is it actually doable?

[TayTay]

7. Sure. Call early.

Sen. Kerry is actually a pretty accessible guy. (Goes with that belief in Democracy that, despite all odds, he still harbors within.) Tell them that you worked on his campaign, appreciate his current efforts in the Senate to fight for what he said he would last year and say you are bringing a small group of supporters to DC. Then ask if you can get 15 or 20 minutes of face time. (Sen. Kerry was supposed to do 30 minutes at the MA Day on the Hill. Wound up doing 45.)

All they can do is say no. And I bet they find a way to make it work.

[seito]

2. May/June is better for me

[WildEyedLiberal]

6. So I take this to mean that no one besides GRLMGC and seito are interested

That's fine, I'm just trying to work out a final headcount, so we can start planning and coordinating.

[JohnKleeb]

8. be patient dude

BTW, you want me to find out where that hookah bar is in DC :), I like hookah lol and the food there is great.

[GRLMGC]

9. hookah!

I love hookah. It's the only thing I'll ever smoke. I'm from a place where many of the immigrants hail from the middle east. Hell even one of my best friend's family has one, haha.

[JohnKleeb]

10. Then I will for sure find out where that bar is

Its great, good food too, I am gonna have to find out where it is exactly since I dont live down there. Yeah we got a lot of middle eastern influence around here too, I love the food, people are pretty cool too, one of my coworkers at the internship is Lebenese, rather was, since today was his last day, sucks because he was cool.

[GRLMGC]

11. is it one of those places where you have to order food?

Like the places I've been to charge about 15 each and some places make you order food or you can't get the hookah.

[JohnKleeb]

14. No you dont have to

[rox63]

12. I'd love to, but...

I don't know if I can get time off from work until I know some dates. And I just bought a place, so money is tight. Now is we're talking about a local meetup of New England or Northeastern Kerrycrats, I'd be there in a heartbeat. If it's driveable in a few hours, I'm there.

[WildEyedLiberal]

13. Well, the dates might be more flexible than originally thought

So we'll be able to narrow it down hopefully within a week, or so. I'll keep everyone posted.

[vinessa4freedom]

15. Present

I am in--although Late May no-can-do. I have exams until the 26th. I am flat broke, but will borrow the money if we do June. August is better. Let me know what I can do to help the plans WEL.

[WildEyedLiberal]

16. It may end up being June or July

Honestly, we aren't sure. August we are trying to avoid since the Senate is in recess, but I have a summer class in June-July, so that's all being figured out. It does look like late May is out of the question now though, so everyone can go.

[vinessa4freedom]

17. Yippee!!!!!!

I can go, I can go!! Maybe a poll with the dates you're available? I'm out of school at the tail end of May, and won't start again until after labor day, so the rest of life will just get shuffled around whenever in the summer you guys decide.

[WildEyedLiberal]

18. I'll definitely give you a pm or something

When we narrow it down to a couple of choices. Again, this summer class is a pain in the ass, and we could DO August, but then Kerry would be out of the picture. Meh. Anyway, I'll keep you posted.