Idaho Falls Kickoff Meeting.

Um, does anyone else out there have kids? I've got two toddlers that are always with me. Frankly, write-ins at the Villa don't work for me unless I can get a babysitter either there or elsewhere. So, this may sound really odd, but what about a write-in at say Blast-off? In that situation, my kids can hopefully play together happily and I can actually get some writing done. If I drag them to someplace like the Villa, then I'll spend all my time chasing them, entertaining them and keeping them from terrorizing the area and patrons simply because they are bored. I don't use daycare and I don't really have a babysitter for regular or long segments. Sometimes I get a teenager down the street but she's at school most of the day and just the drive to and from IF would mean 1.5-2 hours for commute, let alone time for the event. I don't know how far people are from where but Dancing Dogs is closer to me than the Villa and they would probably tolerate my kids better than the Villa, but I'd still probably be chasing them. When I went to the Villa meeting last year, my Husband came with me and spent the whole time as a babysitter. His schedule is full enough this time that such will be very rare. Don't know if anyone else is in similar circumstances, but that's mine. At Blast-off I know that there are tables, quite rooms etc.

Love to meet people and write together, but there's not much sense for me to do 2 hours driving only to spend two hours chasing my kids around a non-child-friendly environment. Especially since I have an infant too. (well, not if the objective is to write.)

So that's my position.
Nightstar aka Morlein aka Renegade

Nightstar,

I have no problem going to Dancing Dogs instead. It just depends on what everyone else would like and I have not seen much traffic on this discussion. I like to have write ins where there is some internet access and I don't think that blast off would qualify there. It is nice to be able to take a quick look on the internet when you have to research something. I understand your not wanting to travel if nothing gets accomplished. I know I went to a Pocatello write in last year and I wondered if I had spent the time writing instead of driving it might be better time spent. ON the other hand I really liked meeting with the other writers and sharing experiences. How about the rest of you. Do you want a kid friendly place, a coffee shop with Internet access or a restaurant, or the library. Day time, evenings, weekends? We want to accommodate as many people as possible so information is a must. Please let me know your preferences.

Kate
Idaho Falls area/ ML

Whatever is good by me I have kids but can probably have my wife watch them. Aside from that evenings and weekends are better for me I work days. And are we doing the pizza hut thing still? If so Ii'll try to make it up there if we can avoid the nasty snow this weekend.

I definately want to participate in as many meetings as possible. I wasn't able to attend anything last year and would have liked to. I like the idea of a 'coffee place' - villa, barnes and noble, starbucks, etc. So count me in!

writingwolfaert

As long as there are people coming Pizza Hut is on. We can plan on Friday at 7. . You are the only person so far who has responded who feels that they can come. I am hoping more people will respond before Friday.

Kate

I'm here in IF. I go to the Villa, but it's not really good for kids. I'm just trying to get hooked up with this whole thing. I have no idea where Dancing Dog is.LOL! Just let me know what to do. Thanks.

I forgot to put this in my last post. What time is the Pizza Hut meetings and is it the 26th or the 27th. Thanks.

I'll be at Pizza Hut on the 26th 7o'clock I'll get there a little early and have a Nanowrimo sign on the table. This will be an opportunity to get to know each other, discuss where we want to have write ins and how often we want to meet and so forth. See you then.

Kate

I won't be coming tomorrow. Gave my Husband the choice because he's sort of skeptical about me doing NaNo this year and his birthday is in the middle of it - so since I'm doing it anyways, I'm trying to be nice and give him some consolation prizes - this was one. He wants to go to a performance as a date which we don't pull off too often. However, I have an appointment on Nov 5th in IF and so I plan on hanging out at Blast-off for probably two hours or so. It will give my kids some fun play time and hopefully I can get some focused writing time in. Anyone who would like to join me is welcome to. Not trying to be a renegade, but I figure if I'm gonna be in IF anyway...then I should just plan to take advantage of it and it's been a while since they've been to Blast-off so it should keep them entertained for a while. Time frame is starting around 12noon. I'll be the one with the long blond hair and the red-headed baby.(plus the two curtain climbers but hopefully they'll be off playing)

Where's Blast-Off at? I've never heard of it...

I'm good with pretty much anywhere. I agree, internet would be a plus, but not necessary. If there are kids to accomodate (which might sometimes be the case for me as well, or, rather, my mom) I'd much rather go somewhere where they can play and be entertained!

And I MIGHT be at the Pizza Hut thing... still tentative; depends on if I'm needed to help with this Pumpkin Walk thing we're doing. Fingers crossed!

-Maple

I don't think I'll make it to any of the meetings if they're all up in IF, sadly. I don't have kids but I do have school and work...

Ah well.

I would love to come tonight but I already made plans. I will be at future meetings if I can possibly wrangle it.

For some reason I never got a mail about this kickoff... I got the one about Moscow though! (odd!) Please keep me informed of future meetings, so I can make plans :D.

I will try to make it. I've had people rearrange my schedule today, but I will try. Pizza Hut by Fred Meyers, right? Thanks. I will look for your sign. Thanks.
Sharalee

The way emails are sent out they go to the entire state so I just have been posting here. Next time I will post it via email even though it will go everywhere. I guess if Moscow can do it that way we can too. I am just learning the ropes so bear with me. It looks like we will need to have a variety of different types of write-ins. I will post about that tomorrow. See you tonight.

Kate

Akiko -
So where are you?