Constant Reader discussion

During the convention in New York, we agreed that Pittsburgh would be our 2012 CR Convention location, with yours truly as host! I am certainly excited, and I hope everyone at CR will be, as well. Now the planning begins. But in the meantime, here are a few things to whet your Pittsburgh appetite.

Just this week, for example, National Geographic Traveler has named Pittsburgh one of the top 20 cities to visit. That's in the world, folks.
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/...

Also, you might want to troll the Visit Pittsburgh website:
http://www.visitpittsburgh.com/

The date is not definite, but the sentiment seems to be to move toward October 2012. The fall leaves should be at their peak about then.

Congratulation Map, sounds like another winner.

Thanks for kicking off this topic, MAP! I'm looking forward to exploring Pittsburgh next fall in the company of my CR friends. I think I was there a couple of times on business, but never really got to see the city.

I am really hoping to get there. Never been to Pittsburgh, and I am really sad I missed this year in NYC.

I am SO looking forward to this, MAP!

It'll be great.

Hooray, Pittsburgh! I love that city and can drive there. I am going to try my best to come. I really wanted to go to NYCity but just couldn't work it out. I also like the idea of going in October. It works better with my teaching responsibilities.

I like October because it gives us a gap between coming home from the cabin and tearing off to CR. Never been to Pittsburgh.

Thanks, MAP, for the links. I so enjoyed meeting the CR members at the NYC convention. I've been toying with the idea of trying to get to the Pittsburgh gathering in 2012. At least it's in the East. (I don't fly.) I'm looking into how I might get to Pittsburgh from NYS via Amtrak.

I really would love it if you could come, Barbara. The teachers among us seem to agree that October works out better.
Ruth, I think you'll like the 'burgh. I know I would love seeing you again. Joy, we also have Mega Bus.

I'd love to see you again too, Barb! It's been too long since your last convention.

Tell me more ... who is this convention for? Details please ...

Book lover, former librarian for two libraries (one in MA, one PA).

Anyone who is a member of the Constant Reader group can attend. We usually start planning details (dates and hotel) in the spring, with more specifics (activities, restaurants, etc.) in late summer. There will be a listing under "Events" on the CR home page as things get set up, where you can indicate if you plan to join us.

MAP, yes, Megabus is a possibility too and it's cheaper. However, AMTRAK has a couple of advantages which I like.

The first advantage is that the changeover between trains in NYC takes place comfortably within Penn Station, whereas the changeover between buses in NYC requires me to walk or taxi from 7th Ave to 9 Ave and I must catch the bus outdoors on the sidewalk.

The second advantage is that the train has a snack car and I can get up and walk to and from the snack car anytime while the train is moving. This can relieve the boredom of the long ride and also allows freedom of movement whenever I feel like stretching my legs or getting a change of scene. On the bus you're stuck in your seat until the bus schedules a rest stop.

Also, if my memory serves me correctly, the seats are a bit roomier on the train. (I've recently traveled both ways, AMTRAK and Megabus.)

Too bad I don't fly.

Lynn wrote: "Anyone who is a member of the Constant Reader group can attend. We usually start planning details (dates and hotel) in the spring, with more specifics (activities, restaurants, etc.) in late summe..."

Thanks, Lynn, will check back in the spring ... ;o)

I was just telling my husband the other day that it had been way too long since I've done a convention -- Asheville was my last one.

Barb, please keep in mind that you and Peggy are welcome (meaning it would be GREAT) in Chicago when Lynn is here in March. Just a mini, I understand, but it would be wonderful!

Thanks, Sara. I would love to come to Chicago some time when Lynn is there. And, Peggy was great company the last time we did Amtrak from Ann Arbor to Chicago. If I can figure out a way to do it, I will.

October is great because it's not blistering hot like it is in the summer, and it's usually still warm, not winter-cold. Great weather to be out and about.

I've been to Pittsburgh many times. I think it's a lovely city.

Hey, Tessa. We'd love to meet you anytime, but actually, we don't talk about books all that much at conventions. We do when we meet an author, but sometimes we don't get one. It's a wonderful time, anyway, and one of my favorite things is meeting people for the first time.

Pittsburgh is within actual driving distance. Hmmmm, how many pennies would I need to save between now and then.....

Oh Peggy, what fun it would be to finally meet you in person.

Save, Peggy, Save!

Peggy, if you want to stop in Chicago, I'll help with expenses the rest of the way, eh?

Sara wrote: "Peggy, if you want to stop in Chicago, I'll help with expenses the rest of the way, eh?"

That sounds like a fun road trip.

I was thinking the same thing, Peggy. Let's talk as it gets closer, OK?

Uh, Sara, does Peggy really need to go to Chicago to get to Pittsburgh? Last time I knew, she was in Michigan, about 5 hours from Pittsburgh. Chicago is about 9 hours away.

Peggy, did you move?

MAP! Stop intruding on my evil plan!

Although, Barb and Peggy, it might make more sense for me to come up and meet you guys, yes?

It seems we'll get a great group for the 2012 convention. I'm so excited!

Hee hee. I'll be quiet now!

Yes, that does make more sense, Sara. You could take the train even or that bus that I keep hearing about.

Okay, this all sounds like a verrrry interesting plan. We could certainly talk more about it if you two come down to Chicago when Lynn is here next March, yes?

Aaaaand Sara brings her evil plan back around.... :-)

Well played!

Absolutely! Thanks for the recognition!

I would say that was a checkmate.

Hello, all. Just a quick update: the One Young World conference is going to be held in Pittsburgh in Oct. 2012. The exact dates seem to be in flux right now. I guess the young folk are having a hard time deciding. I am finding two different dates on websites right now, but I am in touch with Visit Pittsburgh, and they promise to keep me posted. This conference will take up most of our hotel rooms. So hang in there, while we get this sorted out.

By the way, the folks at Visit Pittsburgh are very excited that the CR Conference will be in Pittsburgh. They say that I am "bringing it home!" They look forward to helping out with some of our options.

MAP wrote: "Hello, all. Just a quick update: the One Young World conference is going to be held in Pittsburgh in Oct. 2012. The exact dates seem to be in flux right now. I guess the young folk are having a har..."

How nice, MAP! I'm feeling special already.

Thanks for keeping on top of this, Mary Anne.

Hello, all.
It appears that the 3rd weekend in October is not the best weekend for our gathering, due to the convention I mentioned above, as we may run into problems securing hotel rooms. So I am taking an informal poll:

If you are hoping to attend the Constant Reader Convention in Pittsburgh this year, would you prefer the first weekend in Oct. 5 - 8 or the second weekend in October, the 12 - 15? Or is either weekend fine?

I have a very strong preference for the weekend of Oct. 12-15, since that one coincides with my fall break. If the convention is the first weekend I probably won't be able to attend because I'd have to miss some days of finals week.

Doesn't matter much to me, except that I would hate to miss Lynne!

I'm with Philip. It doesn't matter to me, but Lynn does! I need my roommate.

Awwwww... thanks, guys! I'd really hate to miss my time with you too.

Oct. 12 to the 15th is fine with me too. I just love it that we're not doing it in September. And, Lynn, I don't want to miss seeing you either.

Lynn wrote: "Awwwww... thanks, guys! I'd really hate to miss my time with you too."

Second weekend in October is good with me, too.

October 12 to 15 is fine with me. We need Lynn there.

I'm not sure if an additional trip will be in my budget or not. We're going to Mount Rushmore area and then on to Yellowstone this summer. If I can swing the added trip the 10/12 - 10/15 dates are good for me.

MAP, Thanks for taking this on. We have a commitment the weekend of October 6 - 8, but are free October 12 -15, and would love to visit Pittsburgh.

Sounds like a big convention, so far. Like old times!

I'd love to see you again, Katy!