Summer Stuff • Collecting General • The Acaeum

The Acaeum Forums • Collecting General

Summer Stuff
	Page 1 of 3 • 1, 2, 3

Author

DiscoDadda
Prolific Collector

Posts: 208
Joined: Mar 22, 2011
Last Visit: Jun 15, 2026
Location: Steeler Country

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 8:11 pm

Seems a tad quiet in here... I guess we can credit that to summer time... Just curious what are people up to this summer? Cool Vacations, Adventures (pun), Activities... whats Going on?

For me, since I already have taken my "summer" vacation to the Palm Desert in CA... Hiking (climbed a 2000 foot mountain... off trail), Golf etc... My activities are more of the long weekend variety... Golf Trip to Pinehurst 108 holes in 3 days. Fishing Trip to the Beach? around Annapolis... Probably going to Chautauqua NY a couple three times...

My weeks are shaping up like this:

Monday Kettle Bell Class
Tuesday Gym
Wednesday Hoops
Thursday Hot Yoga
Friday a day of rest... lol
Saturday Golf
Sunday Hockey (and church?)

Yeah yeah I know what about the Family... well my kids are 15 and 13 and between Vollyball, camp, and more Volleyball they are so busy and mostly on their own recognizance, I can kinda do what I want...

Peace out

Disco

Gnat the Beggar
Grandstanding Collector
JG Valuation Board
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 5029
Joined: Oct 11, 2004
Last Visit: Jan 16, 2017
Location: Texas

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 8:22 pm

This post made me tired just reading it.
YAWNNNNnnnnnnnnn....

Sleepy......

"Guys, I am starting to think Tegel Manor might be haunted..."
Stated by me as a PC during a run of Tegel Manor DMed by killjoy at NTRPGCon 2010

Charter Member of the ATM

Agent Cooper
Prolific Collector

Posts: 541
Joined: Oct 26, 2005
Last Visit: Jun 02, 2026

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 11:33 am

Taking a trip to Washington DC in August. Never been and always wanted to go, so I'm pretty excited about it.

Other than that it's Business As Usual as I have no other vacation time scheduled till October.

The owls are not what they seem...

Mizzle
Prolific Collector

Posts: 318
Joined: Jan 09, 2008
Last Visit: Apr 02, 2026

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 1:01 pm

Hi,

went to Peru for 2 weeks, and then the North Texas Con.

Was hoping to get a last minute med cruise in september, but it looks as though Malcs contract will be extended again, so probably not.

Cheers,
KAL

carrejo
Prolific Collector

Posts: 465
Joined: Dec 26, 2008
Last Visit: Aug 05, 2026
Location: Miami, Florida

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 1:25 pm

For work, I travel approximately 70% of my time outside of the US, mainly to Latin America and Europe, recently came back from a one month trip - 1 week in Venezuela, 2 weeks in Switzerland (my company's HQ), and 1 week in Germany, and just last week went on vacation for a beautiful relaxed time with my wife in Turks & Caicos, a small island in the caribbean...I recommend this island for a relaxed, quiet time in a beach resport...

I start up my business trips again soon Brazil, Colombia etc.....it's weird how used to travelling you can get when you have been doing it for over 15 years...

Jorge

Nogrod
Prolific Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 430
Joined: Feb 09, 2012
Last Visit: Sep 04, 2021
Location: Cottonwood, Az

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 2:17 pm

Starting to save money so I can have enough to give Doug and Mike at next years NTRPG Con

Seriously though, until September just work. Next vacation is not until I go diving in November in Hawaii.

Zach

Frog God Games
http://www.froggodgames.com
Lesser Gnome
http://www.lessergnome.com

stylean
Prolific Collector

Posts: 263
Joined: Jan 14, 2010
Last Visit: Feb 28, 2026

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 5:41 pm

Diablo 3 and building excessive amounts of Forge World kits.

DiscoDadda
Prolific Collector

Posts: 208
Joined: Mar 22, 2011
Last Visit: Jun 15, 2026
Location: Steeler Country

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 7:06 pm

carrejo wrote:For work, I travel approximately 70% of my time outside of the US, mainly to Latin America and Europe, recently came back from a one month trip - 1 week in Venezuela, 2 weeks in Switzerland (my company's HQ), and 1 week in Germany, and just last week went on vacation for a beautiful relaxed time with my wife in Turks & Caicos, a small island in the caribbean...I recommend this island for a relaxed, quiet time in a beach resport...

I start up my business trips again soon Brazil, Colombia etc.....it's weird how used to travelling you can get when you have been doing it for over 15 years...

Jorge

Wow how many countries have you been in? Your passport(s) must be all stamped up.

Disco

carrejo
Prolific Collector

Posts: 465
Joined: Dec 26, 2008
Last Visit: Aug 05, 2026
Location: Miami, Florida

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 8:16 pm

Hi Disco,

I have been fortunate to have travelled to many countries worldwide (I think I am about the 80 country mark), since I have internationally travelled for work consistently at least 70% or more for a period of 15 years. I am on my fourth passport now lol...and have accumulated over 3.5 million flyer miles

And I haven't turned 40 yet (well I will next year)....

red_bus
Sage Collector
JG Valuation Board

Posts: 2886
Joined: Feb 10, 2003
Last Visit: Aug 06, 2026
Location: Olde London Towne

Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 6:48 am

That is a lot of travel! Counting up on my fingers I have only been to about 25 different countries thus far. Although I have made it to some interesting ones. But still way way behind you

Let's go fly a kite
Up to the highest height!

mdr003
Prolific Collector

Posts: 565
Joined: Aug 08, 2003
Last Visit: Jul 08, 2023
Location: Chicago

Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 8:20 am

I've got a busy summer planned.... we're moving to the USA. We've been thinking about it for a while and finally decided to take the plunge. My wife is from Chicago originally and has been wanting to move back home for quite a while. She's been living here in Australia for 11 years and I think the homesickness just got stronger every year. Our daughter is 4 and is about to start school, so if we're going to ever do it, now is the time.

We're planning to move in September, so we have a bunch of stuff to work out before then. I've been going through the process to get residency and a green card and as soon as it comes through, we'll pack a shipping container and come over.

I'm really looking forward to it - I've visited the USA quite a few times over the years and pretty excited to move permanently. But I'll be glad when all the paperwork and details are finished and we can actually go.

Of course, then I have to find a job....

Regards
Mike

Demand of them whither they should comme to devide the worlde with the Emperour? And as they answered, he tooke up his shirte behinde and shewed them his buttocks, sayenge unto them, drawe your Lyne throughe the middest of *this* place.

Badmike
Grandstanding Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 8079
Joined: Jun 23, 2003
Last Visit: Jun 24, 2026
Location: DFW TX

Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 10:17 am

mdr003 wrote:I've got a busy summer planned.... we're moving to the USA. We've been thinking about it for a while and finally decided to take the plunge. My wife is from Chicago originally and has been wanting to move back home for quite a while. She's been living here in Australia for 11 years and I think the homesickness just got stronger every year. Our daughter is 4 and is about to start school, so if we're going to ever do it, now is the time.

We're planning to move in September, so we have a bunch of stuff to work out before then. I've been going through the process to get residency and a green card and as soon as it comes through, we'll pack a shipping container and come over.

I'm really looking forward to it - I've visited the USA quite a few times over the years and pretty excited to move permanently. But I'll be glad when all the paperwork and details are finished and we can actually go.

Of course, then I have to find a job....

Regards
Mike

Which state are you moving to, Mike? Once you get in the states, you'll be one step closer to attending NTRPG con every year....!

Mike B.

"THE MORE YOU THINK ABOUT WHY i DONE WHAT i DONE THE MORE i LAUGH" Cougar
"The Acaeum hates fun" Sir Allen
"I had a collecting emergency" Nogrod
Co-founder of the North Texas RPG Con
NTRPGCON

mdr003
Prolific Collector

Posts: 565
Joined: Aug 08, 2003
Last Visit: Jul 08, 2023
Location: Chicago

Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 7:24 pm

Hi Mike -

Initially at least it will be Chicago - my wife's family are there and we'll stay with them for a bit while we get ourselves sorted. I'll try and find work in Chicago or nearby, but if nothing comes up in a reasonable time I'll look further afield. I guess that's a positive - we're free to move wherever so the whole country is an option.

Although I'm pretty sure my wife will want to stay in Chicago if at all possible.

And yes, I'll start thinking about NTRPG 2013 and maybe I can get down there... would love to attend. How far apart are Dallas and Houston? I know my wife has a good friend in Houston, so maybe we can combine a trip...

Regards
Mike

DiscoDadda
Prolific Collector

Posts: 208
Joined: Mar 22, 2011
Last Visit: Jun 15, 2026
Location: Steeler Country

Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 8:37 pm

Gnat the Beggar wrote:This post made me tired just reading it.
YAWNNNNnnnnnnnnn....

Sleepy......

Dude you have to work out it improves energy... that way you can "stay awake and say ain't that great" :bball:

Disco

Badmike
Grandstanding Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 8079
Joined: Jun 23, 2003
Last Visit: Jun 24, 2026
Location: DFW TX

Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 3:09 am

mdr003 wrote:Hi Mike -

Initially at least it will be Chicago - my wife's family are there and we'll stay with them for a bit while we get ourselves sorted. I'll try and find work in Chicago or nearby, but if nothing comes up in a reasonable time I'll look further afield. I guess that's a positive - we're free to move wherever so the whole country is an option.

Although I'm pretty sure my wife will want to stay in Chicago if at all possible.

And yes, I'll start thinking about NTRPG 2013 and maybe I can get down there... would love to attend. How far apart are Dallas and Houston? I know my wife has a good friend in Houston, so maybe we can combine a trip...

Regards
Mike

Chicago (Illinois for that matter) is one of those "Great to visit, terrible to live" places I've always heard, so I hope I'm wrong. I believe Invincible Overlord from here is from that area. Good Luck!

Houston is four hours south of the DFW area, you could always fly into DFW and she could drive down to Houston, or you could both fly in and she could get a connecting plane (there are dozens of flights a day leaving DFW airport for Houston and back). Either way it would be quite easy, Chicago and DFW airports are major hubs here in the US. Don't forget Garycon either you are really, really close to that one!

Mike B.

"THE MORE YOU THINK ABOUT WHY i DONE WHAT i DONE THE MORE i LAUGH" Cougar
"The Acaeum hates fun" Sir Allen
"I had a collecting emergency" Nogrod
Co-founder of the North Texas RPG Con
NTRPGCON

Kingofpain89
Long-Winded Collector

Posts: 4756
Joined: Oct 31, 2004
Last Visit: May 02, 2025
Location: Caddo Mills, TX

Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 9:27 am

Badmike wrote:Chicago (Illinois for that matter) is one of those "Great to visit, terrible to live" places I've always heard, so I hope I'm wrong.

Mike B.

My brother-in-law and his family live in Galena, Illinois now but spent several years living in Chicago and always speak highly of their time there and I only recall them complaining about the cold during the winters. And depending which part of Chicago he ends up in he could be close to Stratochamp, Invincible Overlord, Bracton, etc. and have a decent gaming group to join up with.

You don't like your job, you don't strike. You go in every day and do it really half-assed. That's the American way. - Homer Simpson

Badmike
Grandstanding Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 8079
Joined: Jun 23, 2003
Last Visit: Jun 24, 2026
Location: DFW TX

Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 9:55 am

Kingofpain89 wrote:
Badmike wrote:Chicago (Illinois for that matter) is one of those "Great to visit, terrible to live" places I've always heard, so I hope I'm wrong.

Mike B.

My brother-in-law and his family live in Galena, Illinois now but spent several years living in Chicago and always speak highly of their time there and I only recall them complaining about the cold during the winters. And depending which part of Chicago he ends up in he could be close to Stratochamp, Invincible Overlord, Bracton, etc. and have a decent gaming group to join up with.

I should have remembered Stratochamp was nearby as I just mailed a package to him the other day. :oops:

I was just thinking about my stepson who was stationed in Chicago for a stint in the Navy last year (now he's in Virginia Beach). My wife and daughter went to visit him and mainly were in sticker-shock at the cost of everything, from parking, to food, to the movies (it costs $7 or so to go to the local theatre here, $4 matinee; there it was $16 a person for a regular, matinee, non-3D movie), to gas. My son couldn't afford to live off base as apartment prices in Chicago were obscene. Everything is cheaper here but that's probably true of almost anywhere in the Northeast compared to prices in Texas and the mid-west. My wife said that was the most expensive week she has ever spent anywhere, including San Francisco and New York City. The city itself is great and there are tons of things to see and do. The cold is miserable (from what my son said, he was unfortunate enough to be there during one of the most insane cold spells in Chicago history) but that's to be expected much like 100 degree heat is business as usual here.

The city under decades of rule by the Daleys (America's closest thing to royalty we may have ever had) led to gross inefficiencies in the way the city is run, and it may take decades to recover. I'm not a big fan of Rahm Emmanuel but he seems to be trying to yank the city into the 21st century. Here are two examples:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 62670.html

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012 ... ight-gangs

Mike B.

"THE MORE YOU THINK ABOUT WHY i DONE WHAT i DONE THE MORE i LAUGH" Cougar
"The Acaeum hates fun" Sir Allen
"I had a collecting emergency" Nogrod
Co-founder of the North Texas RPG Con
NTRPGCON

Invincible Overlord
Verbose Collector
JG Valuation Board
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 1624
Joined: Aug 19, 2008
Last Visit: Aug 21, 2023
Location: Chicago, IL

Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 12:08 pm

Wow where to start...

Yes, it is expensive compared to the south. Probably only more expensive would be either New York/New Jersey area, or west around San Fransisco or Los Angeles. Gas right now is around $3.65/gal (on the southwest side of Chicago... downtown would be around $3.85/gal).

Last year's winter was one of the warmest on record, as my gas bill can attest to.

But unlike Dallas, we don't get 100 degree days on a regular basis either.

And as far as my political heroes go, nothing could touch either old man Daley or his kid. I wouldn't call it gross inefficiencies... I'd just call it the way business was done back in the day. You had a problem? You called your alderman, or your precinct captain. It got fixed. You didn't like the way things were done? You worked your way up the political ladder passing flyers at election time and hustling just like the next guy that wanted to be alderman. Sometimes it took a few bucks to get things fixed, but it got done.

The problem with corruption is... clearly... when people get stupid greedy. You make 90,000/yr as an alderman (and they consider it a part time job at that), and you get your ass hauled to jail for a $1,000 bribe.

Emmanuel is doing better than I had anticipated, and I need to give him more credit for his political savvy. He's made a lot of city employees happy by eliminating all of the furlough time, and only has to deal (right now) with the fire fighters [He wants to reduce the engine crews from 5 to 4 like they have in New York], and the teachers union [Who I believe will strike at the start of the school year if negotiations don't ramp up soon].

But for the most part, he's been low-key, staying out of the limelight. Smart guy.

And as far as Chicago getting a casino... it could happen... but I don't think so...

RPGâ€™s, D&D in particular has had a major influence in my life. Itâ€™s bonded me together with life long friends...itâ€™s that bond in life not just as friends, but in our jokes, our mannerisms, and what we find funny. Invincible Overlord

The Acaeum Forums • Collecting General

Page 1 of 3 • 1, 2, 3