Are you ready for Wave One? How are others preparing for the countdown?

[PamperedDor]

I am bummed as well - But I know you guys will all have a great time - Looking forward to all the info you will all share with us! I will bring my laptop to Fire Island and toast each and every one of you! Have a blast for me!!

 

[Geekgirl69]

I am bummed as well - But I know you guys will all have a great time - Looking forward to all the info you will all share with us! I will bring my laptop to Fire Island and toast each and every one of you! Have a blast for me!!

Shucks! I was looking forward to meeting you as well.

Have a blast for us too!

 

[Ginger428]

I am bummed as well - But I know you guys will all have a great time - Looking forward to all the info you will all share with us! I will bring my laptop to Fire Island and toast each and every one of you! Have a blast for me!!

HEY!! Wait a minute...Fire Island??? Thats it???? You can go there ANYTIME!!!

 

[Chef Bobby]

My wife's family was planning a vacation in Florida the same time that I'll be in Chicago. I hope they have a good time.

 

[raebates]

It's June 5, and there are only 36 days left until the start of Wave 1!

Peanuts? Granola bars? What snack helps keep you going? You might want to bring some along. With everything going on at NC, a healthy snack to boost your energy mid-morning and/or mid-afternoon may be just what you need to stay alert and get the most out of those great workshops. A healthy snack may also keep you from choosing the quick over the healthy because you're too hungry to wait.

A refillable water bottle would be a good thing to bring along, too. There are pitchers of water in the workshop rooms, so you'll be able to fill it up regularly.

 

[PamperedDor]

HEY!! Wait a minute...Fire Island??? Thats it???? You can go there ANYTIME!!!

Yes, we can but we own a house there and we rent it out the rest of the season. It is also the 2 weeks a year, my DH actually takes off and we don't schedule any sports camps with the kids etc. Basically its the 2 weeks designated for family and friends and the last 2 years I have split in the middle of it to go to conference!:yuck:

Its all good - we are going to try to change the weeks next year to the end of July! Have fun and let me know all about it!!

 

[jbdowd0798]

You guys think I'm kidding?

The first year I was at NC one of my roommates set our clock radio. None of us thought to check the volume or station. Lark that I am, I was already up, but you should have seen those other three women when the radio came on full blast with mariachi music!

As for the talking in my sleep, if you believe The Furry Guy, I was always the entertainment when my little family went camping. I'd fall asleep, and the guys would listen to my brain download. I once told them wombats make good pets.*


*BTW, I'm fairly sure this isn't true.

OMG! I almost peed my pants laughing. I'm actually in Wave 2 but I wanted to read up on the tips (THANK YOU they are all great!) but DARN IT! This was SO funny I busted out laughing and hubby thinks I'm nuts! (okay I am a little)

 

[raebates]

Oh, Becky, if that one almost made you pee your pants, you should really be careful reading my posts. You might also avoid me in person. I could be dangerous for you. I'm glad you find the tips helpful. It's something I started last year because I thought my countdown was getting boring.

 

[raebates]

NC TipToday is June 6. There are 35 days left until the start of Wave 1.

Whether you're traveling by plane, bus, or train, be sure to have your identification handy. Depending on your mode of travel, you may need to show that ID several times. You may also need more than one form of ID.

 

[baychef]

WOW...I had better start shopping...I need clothes!!!

Not sure if you had mentioned this, Rae, but I am going to invest in some sort of a rolling carrying jobby So I can roll my lap top AND the zillion mini catalogs and post cards I will buy at conference. Other wise, my knuckles will drag on the ground like a gorilla and my arms will be tired and I will get cranky (crankier, that is!! )

Every year, I see people with these when my arms are about to fall off and I can't decide if I want to cry or go steal their carrier (I don't want what is in it, I just want to carry my stuff with less pain!!)

Another tip....
Receipts...plane tickets, meals on the road, pruchases with Merrill or PC, taxi rides, etc. will pile up so fast. Before you know it, you will have this pile of paper that you will chuck in your receipt box. Then come tax time you are burnt out from Christmas and can't remember what the heck was for what!

I take brown clasp envelopes about 6 x 8 and put a date on one for each day I will be gone. I carry the current day with me and when the day is done, it gets clasped and put in my suitcase. Then I put the next day's envelope in my bag or purse. On the outside I may put notes on it like...split taxi fare, or tips, etc. just so I know what to claim and/or where my money or credit was used. The first time I did this, I had one envelope for the entire trip and it got too bulky so breaking in down into separate days really helped me! Hope it helps you too!

 

[thebowman]

Great advice Ann, I'm going to make my envelopes right now. I already have my paperwork all together and ready to go including my CTA map, flight info and itinerary. I may be too excited or just really organized.

 

[baychef]

With NC, it is hard not to be excited!!!! I haven't missed a year in the past 9 years and I still get excited!!:love:

 

[thebowman]

I know, I started in Feb 2002 and did not go to that one but I haven't missed one since. I look forward to it as my vacation.

 

[PamperedDor]

:cry: :cry: Now I am so upset I cancelled - I am totally bummed!! YOU guys had better have a good time for me! This would have been my 3rd conference but first as a CS member....... :cry: :cry:

 

[thebowman]

It's not too late, we as women have been known through the ages to change our minds more than once and on numerous occassions. But we will think of you and tear up.

 

[PamperedDor]

Awww thanks Shari - No need for tears just have a drink at Bubba's for me - I love the Navy Pier!! You should visit Howl at the moon as well one free night - its a riot - Be sure to take tons of pics and notes to share here with us who had to cancel or not go....... I can't wait to hear all the news - heck bring a laptop someone and share! (oh wait is that allowed wave 1??)

 

[thebowman]

I believe that we can't spoil it for others until after wave 3. Sounds fair. If we get any free time we might just do that Howl at the Moon thing but we have planned quite a bit, of course I can always sleep when I get home right?

 

[PamperedDor]

YOU have to go - its a blast - dualing piano players to every song there is - check out their website! Sleep and conference??? I don't think they go together - isn't that what a plane ride is for??? LOL!!

 

[thebowman]

No the plane ride is for making contacts and booking shows and recruiting.LOL

 

[PamperedDor]

Oh!!!! I've been doing everything wrong - I sleep on the plane (if I am not cracking up with my pal Colleen!!) eat too much, drink too much, walk too much and laugh way too much.... NO wonder I haven't promoted!!! LOL!!!

Good thing I am not going - you and I could be trouble if in the same workshop!! LOL!

 

[thebowman]

I WOULD like to see that!! And I believe we were in a workshop together or was it Chris Manions Banquet, that would has been great! LOL!

 

[PamperedDor]

Must have been a workshop - I go to Jill Lerners Banquet -

Ok - so next year right??? LOL - let the trouble planning begin!

 

[thebowman]

Your On!!!

 

[PamperedDor]

So we should start our own thread then!!! LOL!!!

"Advance trouble planning"

Hey thats a new workshop - maybe we can lead it at next NC!!! LOL

 

[thebowman]

I work on notes okay? Well we will miss you, maybe Leadership?

 

[PamperedDor]

Leadership?? Now that is a possibility.... Have fun and post your notes!

 

[raebates]

NC TipToday is June 7. There are 34 days until the start of Wave 1!

Remember that a bag of wadded-up dirty laundry takes up more room than folded clothes. I know it sounds weird, but folding your dirty clothes before putting them in your laundry bag will make it easier to get that suitcase zipped before you leave.

 

[Chef Bobby]

I sent a suitcase and my dirty clothes home at the Fed Ex booth last year. I had over packed last year. I had one less bag going home.

 

[krzymomof4]

I am getting so excited!!! My DH thinks I have lost my mind!

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

I am wondering whether there is a coin laundry in the hotel ... I have to work the day after I return, and there is nothing worse than coming home from a vacation and having to do laundry because all your clothes are dirty ...