The Austin Bid for next year's JCon is up!

The voting is in early January, so everybody get your Austin hats on.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

Answers

So I have two questions:

1.) Do I get to pick which Austin journallist buys me that shot?

--and--

2.) Where's the sign-up sheet to reserve PG's jail time? Can she bail be out of a prison stay, say, on that Saturday night?

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

If JournalCon 2002 is held in Austin, I am so very there.

If it is held in Vegas, you can fugettaboudit.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

YEEEEE HAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!

Excited much? yes I am. Not that Vegas isn't fun but something about having so many Austin journalers being able to work on it appeals to me. I don't want the host(esses) to be frazzled beyond belief. (not that any of the previous hosts were but it sounds like they did a LOT OF WORK!)

Sixth Street here I come!

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

If it's in Austin, I am all over it.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

I have both the shots and the sign-up sheets, Mike. You just say when.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

I just want to tell you all that your bid is BEEEEYOOOOTIFUL! Yay! Vote Austin!

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

Yay! Thank you, Jessie. You're gorgeous.

Austin will prevail, people. Wait and see. And if not, I'm throwing a giant fit.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

"8. If you come to Austin and want to get arrested, Pineapple will go to jail for you."

This bid is hilariously funny - I can't imagine what will top this bid.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

Oh yes, Austin it is. Shitclowns and boozin'!

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

Not to be a shithead, but when the hotel in the Vegas bid is eight miles from the strip, is that really Vegas, or is it "OutInTheDesertCon"? The SF bid is intriguing, but the hotel prices are a little steep.

Austin. Austin. Go go, go Austin...

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

So I've only been to Austin once, when I was a medium-sized kid, and with my stepfather. We stayed in a crappy motel off the freeway and I didn't get a wink between the trucks and his snoring.

But AB has promised me a damn fine time, and that dollar from Omar will come in handy. So Austin, here I come! Of course, I will have to visit my family while I'm there... eek.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

I'm looking forward to doing body shots with Jenna Bush.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

only time I've been to austin was when the plane landed to refuel or something...we didn't even get off into the airport! I do live in Tx (Houston to be exact) though and that's good enough.

as I was sayin' hell yeah - I'd vote. dunno if I'll be going to JournalCon, but those are certainly good reasons to hold the thing there...hee!

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Well, Keli - something tells me you wouldn't be the first!

Although if Austin gets the bid, God willing, Miss Jenna will be in Dallas for OU Weekend.

By way of explanation for the MATH+1 folks... having a conference here on the weekend of the TX-OU game means enjoying the lovely sights and sounds of Austin without 48,000 extra drunk screaming 19-year-olds at your elbow. This is exactly the reason that SXSW is always, but always held the same week as UT's Spring Break.

If it's good enough for SXSW, it's good enough for us!

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Like I needed a reason to go to Austin in the first place.

If Austin wins, I will be there and I will personally rent a huge van and we will all go to the greatest BBQ place in all of Texas.

The Salt Lick. In Driftwood, TX. It's about 3 miles past the transcendental Meditationists planned community. Look for the shiny temple and you're almost there.

And maybe we can go to the Bennigan's where the MOC was born.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

I've already lost my MOC Salt Lick virginity.

Yes. I am all about Austin, of course.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

You know, I adore both Vegas and San Francisco. But if I'm in or near Vegas I sure as hell won't be in conferences or even out drinking and carousing. I'll be gambling my ass off.

And San Francisco? Great place but I think Rob's right, it's very pricy. I find those hotel prices a bit low since they were higher than that when I had to go there for work in 1994.

Not only does Austin have a great bid, a good group of organizers, and apparently all the booze in the world, that part about the hotel that desparately wants the con really sells it. Free shuttles for drunk people? Why would anyone vote for any place else?

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

My only real problem with SF is the expense, and since not everyone is flying from New England, that's obviously a personal thing. I would love to go to SF one day, I'm just not sure this is going to be the way it happens.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Free shuttles for drunk people?

Yeah, that's what cinched it for me. Not that I needed cinching, but if I did, that would do it. That's huge. Huge, I say.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Well, and I hate to throw something out there officially as an Austin organizer, but I will say this:

Regardless of the shuttles offered by the one hotel, or the fact that cabs anywhere in Austin are so damn cheap anyway...

Buses are too, and Team Austin has even discussed the possibility of hiring a bus and driver for the con for the whole weekend, as our Perma-Shuttle. This would be ideal for the Salt Lick or an excursion to Guero's and the SoCo shopping district. If we built the price as a per-person fee into the registration, it would be so cheap...

Even cheaper would be free. I am working on that right now and it is looking good, but can't say more about it till I find out how the bidding goes...

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

The other bonus about buses?

You can hold more kegs in them than in a cab.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Also, on a bus, Dana's coat won't try to eat you.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Aha. Miss Keli has been to the Salt Lick. You simply must take kegs out there, it is a requirement.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Nope, I've never been to the Salt Lick. But it's a big thing around where I grew up to rent school buses and get kegs.

As for Dana's coat, Chewbaca: I miss him.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Hey, just for the record, the hotel prices in the SF bid are for real (and are the same as the rates on those hotels' websites). SF has a highly tourism-dependent economy and has suffered a lot in the wake of 9/11, which has brought hotel prices down by about 20-30% on average in the last few months. Bad for them, good for us.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Of course, if Austin wins, I don't imagine I'll be needing Chewbacca. Which is good for everyone wearing black, including myself.

I said it on 935, I'll say it here. I'll only go to Austin. I'm sure that won't make a lot of the other bidders cry, but there you go.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Dana made a coat out of my old college boyfriend. COOL!!!

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2001

question: What is a salt lick, exactly? Because where I am from, a salt lick is where your farm animals go to lick blocks of salt, and I am not exactly sure where the fun element fits in to that. And should I be looking at the bids and saying to myself, "SF or Austin? SF, or Austin. D'oh - the Austin Bid has a salt lick tour - of course my choice must be Austin!"

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2001

Ah, Kristin. Meet the Salt Lick.

You would be exactly right about the etymology of the name. And the Salt Lick is an Austin barbecue institution. It's a little ways outside Austin, about a 15-20 minute drive from downtown, but it is absolutely worth it. The Salt Lick is considered by many to be the best barbecue in the area, and by some to be the best anywhere.

It would be a great Friday night dinner outing for JournalCon. The Salt Lick is just across the county line, but the county happens to be a "dry" one, so they sell no liquor, but you can bring your own in for free -- and as Keli mentioned, loading up on a bus with a keg and some coolers is doing it in grand style.

The Salt Lick is set on a big piece of property out in the woods in (seemingly) the middle of nowhere. They have these long old wooden tables where everyone sits and eats together, either inside one of the buildings or outside under the stars, and often in nice weather there is a guy sitting around with a guitar, playing a little Texas night music.

Their meats are just wonderful, and barbecue is all that's on the menu. The most popular is the "Family Style", where for about $15 everyone at the table orders the all-you-can-eat option, and the waitresses just continually bring out huge platters of smoked brisket, ribs, sausage... and big bowls of potato salad, coleslaw, bread, beans. It's certainly not an experience for the squeamish vegetarian. But it's sooooo good. The Salt Lick is a very Texas tradition, and if Austin wins, you can bet I'll be lobbying the committee for a Salt Lick trip.

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2001

Goddamn, I'm hungry now.

Y'all... Y'ALL! Those people sitting on the fence about SF and Austin? You've GOT to convince them that Austin will be grand. Hell, Omar's currency is sex, and you can't beat that with a stick.

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2001

I hate to be the big nerd of the group, but....

Salt licks are actually not good, at least for deer, which is the major use for them around here. According to the professors in Wildlife and Fishery Sciencses, the rain will run off the block and salt will seep into the surrounding dirt. The animals will actually eat the dirt because it's got some salt to it, and that wreaks havoc on their bodies.

So, there you go. A little bit of useful trivia from your friendly environmental scientists at PSU.

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2001

My vote is in! Go, Austin, go!

-- Anonymous, December 26, 2001

My vote's in!

and for anyone voting Austin who wants to help promote our bid, you can go here and snag the "I'm Voting Austin!" icon to put on your site! woo-hoo! Help us pimp the A-town.

AB said she would store the icon on Hashai and let people link it from there, for the folks without their own image hosting. But, I don't think she's back from LA yet and I don't know if it's up. I currently am sucking off Larry the Shitclown (K, e-mail me if that's bad!!!!), but will change that ASAP to AB's image, where I have permission to suck.

-- Anonymous, December 26, 2001

Larry loves when you suck off of him, P.

-- Anonymous, December 26, 2001

I voted, y'all.

What, you expect me to tell you?

Hah, just kidding. I voted for Austin.

-- Anonymous, December 26, 2001

I voted :)

hope Austin gets picked!

-- Anonymous, December 26, 2001

The Austin bid is being pimped at darn-tootin.com. Well, of course. I looks like it was tailor made for my site, after all...

-- Anonymous, December 26, 2001

So, like, I want to find out now. I wish we could see the votes as they're being cast. It's driving me nuts.

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001

Emily, you might not want to ever get pregnant, since you'd have to wait a whole nine months for those results.

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001

Hell's bells, Rob - you weren't kidding! the button looks like a "Darn Tootin'" production, even, what with the fonts. I was looking for a western-y font, and the only one I could find on Thomas was that one. I wanted the old "Wanted Poster" font, but alas! it was not available.

This gives extra strength to the Rob Endorsement. Yay Austin Pimpers!

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001

I voted. That should wrap it all up, I think.

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001

Two cents: I voted Austin.

I didn't put a boot button up because I'm a lame-ass and forgot about it last night. Alas ...

Whoo-hoo! Go Austin group!!

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001

Emily, you might not want to ever get pregnant, since you'd have to wait a whole nine months for those results.

Heh. That's not the only reason, but definitely one to keep in mind.

-- Anonymous, December 31, 2001

I voted for Austin. I want my two dollars!

(Yeah, I know it's my one dollar, but couldn't resist.)

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2002

Is smoking permitted in bars in Austin?

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002

Yes. Yes it is. You will not have to stand outside like a third-class citizen, should you choose to partake of a Smokey Treat.

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

Awesome!

I saw something on tv last night and realized that smoking in bars in California is not an option, and wondered what went on down yonder.

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

Holy shit! The "no smoking" in bars in California was something I had not even THOUGHT of during the voting process. I suppose it's a good thing I voted for Austin anyway ...

BTW -- when do we learn of the final vote tally? Anyone know?

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

I believe the voting ends tomorrow, Erin. So everybody who hasn't, go vote! Go! Go now!

(Don't forget Omar's Austin/dollar/sex offer, people. Just a reminder.)

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

Well my vote was for Austin. an Omie dollar for me.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

When are we going to find out? Huh? Huh?

I'm all crazy excited.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

Am I dense? Why can't I figure out how to vote?

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

Here, Fred. At the bottom, hit "cast your vote." You know this means since I helped you, you have to vote for Austin. Right? Right.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

"You know this means since I helped you, you have to vote for Austin. Right? Right."

Oh, no question. I had to vote for the latest possible date, so that I have lots of time to save money. My AB needs me.

And besides, ass francisco? I don't think so.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

Ass Fransisco?

I kind of like that one. I live in a suburb in the San Fransisco Bay area, but I've never liked the city. Or, The City as some people call it all important-like. Sheesh, I nearly had a nervous breakdown last time I had to drive through there. The trucks double park and the pedestrians think they're immortal.

Good luck on the Austin vote. If I'd been eligible, I would have voted for it, Omar's dollar notwithstanding.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

I voted for Austin, mainly because I live in Austin, but also because I'm afraid of the wrath of the forum if I didn't vote that way.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

There's no wrath in this forum. It's too hard of a word to spell.

(OK, maybe not, but I have a vendetta against silent w's.)

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

When do we find out?

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002

Not soon enough.

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002

I believe that the winner will be announced tomorrow, y'all.

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002

Yes, that's very nice, AB, but is there anything you would like to tell us TONIGHT?

I need to know if this thing is in Austin as soon as possible, so that I can arrange for the liver donor I shall no doubt need afterward.

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002

Hee! That was good, Kristin. Bonus points.

Tomorrow can't come quickly enough. What time is "tomorrow" in Hawaii?

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002

It's San Fran, all. Ryan announced it here.

I'm going to go sit in the corner and weep quietly. Anybody want to come over and get drunk with me?

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

I don't believe it. I really don't. Austin people, I am so sorry - y'all put together an amazing bid, and you should be very proud of the work you did.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

Word. And we need to run a full-on attack next year. I want my shot, goddammit!

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

Believe it, babies. I am so disappointed...it was a close race, for sure. I am certain that the SF people will come through, though.

Next year: Austin. Free Stoli for all.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

Add me to the list of - DISAPPOINTED!

Damn. You guys did a great job. Now I wished I'd been out there smacking people in the head to get them to vote Austin. Heh.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

I am saddened. Does this mean I have to take my pretty "I voted Austin" graphic down?

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

I am saddened and stumped.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

What the? How in the? No sense at all.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

Man oh man. I'm sorry about this. I also think the whole thing stinks a little, AGAIN, but whatever. I hope an Austin shindig is still in the works...

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

I'm so sad. I wanted my BBQ and shots. I can't believe it. All the "I voted Austin" things. I'm genuinely surprised.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

Does this mean I have to take my pretty "I voted Austin" graphic down?

You just have to add the "Don't blame me..." graphic to the beginning. It's the american way.

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002

Oh, Fred, you are a genius! I'm all for it.

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002

Well... I'm sadness all over again about how much fun the failed Austin bid was... but it looks like SF is under way.

Who's going?

-- Anonymous, May 29, 2002

I don't know if I'll go to the con (not having a journal might be a reason) but I live in SF and I'd love to meet some of you guys! How about we organize a MATH+1 dinner or something? I can help people with hotel arrangements and stuff like that, too.

-- Anonymous, May 29, 2002