NZ meetup

[Talitha]

This is my house.
(Big tree has been cut down now.
Note the nuclear power plant next door.)

[Oman]

Mising Kiwis and Aussies liek Oman and Tally and Volllllllllllllllllllllllllkan so... so Im upset. A genune Aussie. Not teh fke ones like Mike Myers

You're not coming?

[Porochaz]

nope, you knew that, I would have to take at least a £1.5 thousand flight to get there and Im a poor poor student whos eaten quite significantly into his overdraft.

[Oman]

stop drinking your pay away

[Porochaz]

What pay? I dont have a job.

I looked at it and its far away, so put me at 5% at going if its January 2010 (more than what it was and raise that to 10 - 20% if its in July, I looked and it was suggested January.

This is dependant on a couple of things the major being Ive set myself and undiscloded monetary target that I have to reach before I even think of this as a possibility, then theres uni, a job eventually, etc. etc. alternatively Oman you could organise Omanfest for July 2011, where Id be at a significantly higher percentage (possibly double of what Im saying here)

[MeMe]

Dirge was preparing our papers to take to the accountant today and it forced us to take a hard look at the possibility of making it to NZ in less than 12 months.

In short: it's not looking good. What seemed to be no problem just a while back is a whole different story post economy blow-up.

[Dourgrim]

I just got here, and I'm currently too lazy to read the thread... but I'd be interested, assuming the day job goes as well as planned.

[Talitha]

That's sad MeMe.

I know there's not the incentive of a meetup, but I'd love to host you at a later date if the financial situation changes. Bear in mind that the value of the NZ peso is in freefall so you'd be squillionaires over here


Here's hoping the day job goes well, Dour!

[jeep]

I'm still hopping to make it. When is it? mid to late February or sometime in March 2010 would probably be the best time of the year for me.

-JEEP

[Talitha]

Well, it was tentatively set for New Year through early January 2010. If it's not in January, it would have to be April 1st to 18th 2010, for me to be able to have the time off work.

[Oman]

New year lets me get over there on my RAAF leave, otherwise I have to take time off course, which might be hard, but not impossible.

[Dourgrim]

Squillionaires, eh? I don't even know how much that is, but it sounds like fun!

Is there a cohesive list of people who are thinking about going compiled somewhere?

[Primate]

As representative of an English contigent that seems to soleley consist of me, I don't really care which of the two times it is.

[Porochaz]

Prim if you pay for the flights and its the previous of the two Ill come with you.

[Primate]

Already paying alkos, sorry.

[Porochaz]

seriously? I would of sat next to you and bought you a lot of drink, shame...

[jeep]

What airport code should I start looking at... if I was to come?

-JEEP

[Talitha]

1st choice: PMR (Palmerston North)
2nd choice: WLG (Wellington)
3rd choice: AKL (Auckland)

If it's significantly cheaper to fly only to Auckland, just get a ticket to there. Flying between AKL and PMR (my town) or AKL and WLG is cheap if you shop around, or we can come pick you up if there's a carload of folk needing picking up.

DATES

I am thinking of moving the date further into January for a few reasons, including availability of Sixtus lodge... Something like 5-12 January, with New Years optional. Is there anyone who is serious about coming who would be adversely affected by that? I realise I need to settle on firm dates very soon so people can start making arrangements to get here.

[jeep]

Yeah, US$600 cheaper to fly into AKL and then US$175 from AKL to PMR. (per person)

I'm not committing yet, but I'm hoping to be able to make this. Later is better for me (best would be March )

-JEEP

[jeep]

Oh, what's your kid policy going to be?

-JEEP

[mith]

Is there anyone who is serious about coming who would be adversely affected by that?

That would make it pretty difficult for Michelle to come (as school would have started back); not impossible, though.

[mith]

(Won't know my chances of being able to come until I have a job!)

[jeep]

And I just realized that I cannot make it on the week end of the 1st. I have to be home to take care of the kids while S is in a wedding. I can probably make it before or after, but I have to be home on that week end.

-JEEP

[Talitha]

the 1st of which month jeep, January or March?

Kids are very welcome as long as accompanied by a parent!

[Mastermind of Sin]

1st choice: PMR (Palmerston North)
2nd choice: WLG (Wellington)
3rd choice: AKL (Auckland)

If it's significantly cheaper to fly only to Auckland, just get a ticket to there. Flying between AKL and PMR (my town) or AKL and WLG is cheap if you shop around, or we can come pick you up if there's a carload of folk needing picking up.

DATES

I am thinking of moving the date further into January for a few reasons, including availability of Sixtus lodge... Something like 5-12 January, with New Years optional. Is there anyone who is serious about coming who would be adversely affected by that? I realise I need to settle on firm dates very soon so people can start making arrangements to get here.

For the record, as far as I can tell, it's cheapest for Americans to fly in on a Tuesday/Wednesday and back on a Tuesday/Wednesday, which would be Jan 6-13. It depends on where you're flying from. For St. Louis, Missouri, the difference between 5-12 and 6-13 is about $700 (in favor of 6-13). However, for Chicago, 5-12 is cheaper by about $100 over 6-13. Ironically, though, 5-12 from Chicago and 6-13 from STL are the same price.