Constant Reader discussion
CR 2012 Convention - Pittsburgh
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Exciting News - Mark Your Calendar
Great, MAP. Can Lynn and I get dibs on one of the rooms with queens?
Sure thing. I was thinking about the two of you when I set that up!
Thanks, MAP! I'm really looking forward to it. Do you happen to know if the hotel has an airport shuttle or if there is another recommended way to get there from the airport?
Hoping I'll be able to make it. As it happens, I've been to Pittsburgh on business a few years ago, and I stayed at that very hotel. It's facing the river and a rather interesting looking bridge, right MAP?Theresa
Yes, the back rooms face the Allegheny River, the front faces the Heinz History Center. And there are always lots of bridges in view in Pittsburgh.Lynn, they don't have an airport shuttle that I know of, but I will explore other options.
As soon as I can get my husband to make up his mind about whether he is coming with me or not, I will book a room. I'm really looking forward to this!
This looks like so much fun. I wish I could go. I found out that you-all had meetings on the west coast before I joined. I hope it won't be long before you have another one.
I wish I could go, too, but I'm already coming to the Pittsburgh area April 30th for the Festival of Mystery in Oakmont, and that shoots my travel wad for flights back east. I hope the convention is a big success and that everyone has a great time!
Okay, I just booked a double queen room for Sherry and me! The woman I talked to on the phone was incredibly nice (she even called me "sweetie"), even though it was after midnight there. Thanks for finding something that works for us, MAP.
Thanks, Lynn! What dates did you do?
I booked from Thursday through Monday morning because I wasn't sure whether you wanted to go home on Sunday or Monday. I figured it was better to book the longer period and knock a day off later if we decide we don't need it.
I just noticed that the Hampton Inn has free parking which is becoming very unusual for city hotels.
Hooray! Peggy and I are coming to Pittsburgh. I just made the reservation. We're arriving Thursday and leaving Sunday.
That's good news, Barb! I'm looking forward to seeing you guys again. I can't believe it's been so long since I've seen you... especially Peggy.
Barbara wrote: "Hooray! Peggy and I are coming to Pittsburgh. I just made the reservation. We're arriving Thursday and leaving Sunday."Boy, am I bummed. Damn!
I know, Sara. I really wish you were coming. It will happen in the future though. I'm sure of it!!
Oh, I wish you were coming, too, Sara. Poop.
Sherry wrote: "Oh, I wish you were coming, too, Sara. Poop."well, as we often say in Chicago, "there's always next year." I really thought I would get to Pittsburgh, but I know you all will have a great time!
I’ve become a procrastination queen anymore. However, I finally got around to booking my room and flight.
Yay, Janet! It will be great to see you again!
I'm looking forward to meeting you too, Barbara. After my extensive vacation this summer I should be staying home trying to save money. But, Mary Anne, I remember what great times I had touring around NYC with you and everyone else who was there. Besides, it is good to remind my husband and son how valuable I am by disappearing for a few days.
Just made my plane reservations!
Hello, everyone. The anticipation is building for our 2012 CR Convention in Pittsburgh. If you are planning to attend, but have not yet made a reservation, please do so this week. Our block of rooms will be held until 9/13/12. See message #1 for the link to the hotel.In the meantime, I have been scouting restaurants, and will soon be making reservations. Two places that are on the finalist list are:
Up Modern Kitchen
Lidia's: http://www.lidias-pittsburgh.com/
I hope you are as excited as I am!
I'm getting very excited, too!
This is going to be so much fun. I love CR conventions.
More exciting news: local mystery author Kathleen George has agreed to talk to our CRs. Her most recent book is called Simple. Here is her Goodreads page:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
I just have to figure out where and when we will meet.
That sounds great, MAP! I was only able to find one of her books (The Odds) in my various libraries (including the e-book ones), but I've reserved it and hope I can read it before the convention.
That sounds wonderful, Mary Anne.
Oh my gosh! She was born in Johnstown, where my husband was born! What are the chances?And, Amazon has Simple in hardcover for 16.15. It's a mystery but the investigators are said to eat well -- "Sweet potato ravioli with butter-sage dressing on a stake-out!"
I recently read The Odds, Lynn. Also, I love the title of her book Pittsburgh Noir, which is a compilation of various Pittsburgh-based short stories from a variety of authors.
I just requested The Odds from the library.
Our meeting with Kathleen George will take place on Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Mystery Lovers Book Store in Oakmont. This is our best indie book shop, and they are most accommodating for our gathering.
Oh, drat! I do wish we could attend! Unfortunately we are already committed to a trip to the State Department Book Sale in Washington D.C. during that time frame. Maybe next year. Too bad y'all mised New Orleans on 2005!
Hey, kids! I know I'm a bit late to the party, but i wanted to make it official that I've made my hotel reservation and will be seeing you in a few short weeks.After taking a year off I am WAY AWESOME TOTALLY SUPER EXCITED to be seeing you again. Will be spending much of the month to come savoring the anticipation.
It will be great to see you again, Allen!
Not to be outdone by our leader Allen, although still a little late, John and I will also be coming to Pittsburgh. We just made our reservation and are looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Thank you MAP for sponsoring the Constant Readers this year.
Hot dog!! I'm looking forward to seeing you both! It just wasn't the same without you in NYC, Allen, and I've really enjoyed the times I was able to spend with you and John in Asheville and Minneapolis, Katy.It's hard to believe we're getting close to convention time now!
Years get shorter every year!
This will be the first time since Santa Fe in '08 that I will be in the same hotel with the rest of the group -- which should simplify matters a bit.Pennsylvania has to this point been a large blank spot for me, travel-wise, apart from passing through on the Interstate going to and from Milwaukee in 2001. So, everything will be new to me. Reluctant traveler that I am, I particularly enjoy the CR events for opportunities to see places that otherwise I would most likely never visit.
Not sure how I feel about this new-fangledy meetin'-in-October business, but I'm willing to be converted.
The fall leaves should be at the peak right during your visit to PA, Allen, so the October timing may be a winner!For those who are coming to Pittsburgh, can you please send me a message with your email address, so I can communicate some of the itinerary, and start to discuss reservations? Particularly, I would like to get ETAs and ETDs from you. Thanks!
Several of you have asked about airport transportation. The Super Shuttle is the way to go. A taxi is very pricey. The hotel's website says to contact them about the Super Shuttle. http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hote...
Thank, Mary Anne, I was just going to ask.
I have secured a block of rooms for the Hampton Inn for Thursday, Oct. 11 through Sunday, Oct. 14, checking out on Monday. The discounted rate will be $169 per night. I have blocked off 8 rooms at that rate (6 kings, 2 with 2 queen beds).
The Hampton Inn is located in the Strip District (the market area) within walking distance of many attractions, including some that will be on our Pittsburgh itinerary, such as Lidia's, and offers free breakfast and free parking. Here is the web link.
http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotel...
Please mark your calendar now, and plan to visit Pittsburgh with your fellow CRs this October.