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Oleg the Finn
Headbanger
3322 posts
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Posted - 5/30/2012 5:19:27 PM |
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2012 Ragnarok Draft location
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We've kicked this idea around in the past, but perhaps this is the year to give it a more serious examination: how about doing our 2012 Ragnarok Draft in Asheville, NC this year?
I'm suggesting Asheville because Joe and Zach wouldn't have to drive and it isn't too far for the rest of the NC owners to travel to. This is also the off-year for the Minnesota boys and they won't be traveling south, so maybe this is the time to do it?
Oh, and the biggest reason why this may be a good year to try an alternative venue is ... *drum roll* Jacqueline and I are getting married here at the homestead in October, and so it'd be a tough load to handle hosting the draft as well as getting everything ready for the wedding shortly thereafter. Yep, in a few short weeks keep your eyes peeled for some invitations...
And if not Asheville, maybe somewhere else if anyone has a good suggestion or offering? |
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Posted - 5/30/2012 5:28:40 PM |
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What other league has this much chatter in May?
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We fucking rock.
I look at this as a total win-win. Mickelson Ranch is always fantastic, but if we need to have it elsewhere, I've never heard anyone say anything negative about Asheville (other than that there are a lot of drunken douchebags who come to concerts).
And congratulations to Keith. Jacqueline is by far your best ever draft pick. I know that's not saying much b/c most of your picks are embarrassingly bad, so maybe that isn't the best compliment I could pay. Jacqueline is awesome! There--that's better. |
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Coach Knoll Cowher
Ninjachef
997 posts
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Fu: 100.96 |
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Posted - 5/30/2012 5:42:00 PM |
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Hmmm
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I'm not sure the local authorities and Alicia want me anywhere near Asheville!
lol |
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Posted - 5/30/2012 6:38:09 PM |
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WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
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| THAT TOTALLY ROCKS! Kelly will be so proud! CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH! If the league wants to caravan, Joe and I might be able to pull some strings. |
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Posted - 5/30/2012 8:25:25 PM |
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Mazel Tov Keith and Jacqueline
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Congratulations to both of you.
As for drafting in Asheville, it increases my drive by the distance between Efland and Asheville - which shouldn't be a problem. I won't be able to hang around as long on Sunday, but I will be able to provide a ride to or from Asheville if someone needs it. |
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Posted - 5/30/2012 10:10:07 PM |
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What about Charlotte?
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We all pitch in, even if we got adjoining rooms....It would be fun..... Panthers play the Bucs in Tampa, but the NFL will be fever-rich in the Queen City.
A thought. |
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Posted - 6/4/2012 11:12:13 PM |
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since we're freebirding it, let's do a rundown
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Stu and i did an evaluation of the landscape so far:
* it sounds like having it hosted in Asheville at Joe's or Zach's will not be possible this year, and so that eliminates the mountains location.
* the Panthers are not playing in Charlotte opening weekend, so that doesn't really offer much.
* some of the central NC owners may have a difficult time in getting 2-3 days off (this is just my conjecture, as i'm thinking of kent, the working maniac aarik, and the n00b).
* Stu is willing to drive anywhere, but we should still try to consider the distance from D.C.
* i've looked for some radical, remote (i.e. cheap), out of the beaten path location that would be central to everyone, but that doesn't seem to geographically exist.
* all we need in order to execute the draft is either an internet connection, or cell phone coverage (phones can be used as hotspots, and i have a 5-slot mobile wifi device that has a 3G data connection).
sooooooo, where does that leave us?
1) we can pick anywhere that is the most convenient to everyone concerned, and unexpectedly that kind of seems to be the central NC area. it's the middle point for Stu and the Asheville crew.
2) we should try to do this on a fairly tight budget.
3) if no one in central NC has a suitable place and can offer to host, we can try to find a house to rent for just the weekend. that shouldn't be too expensive considering that 10 of us would split it.
4) if anyone can finagle a free place to host the draft in central NC, that's even more better. it can be a farmhouse, be in any town or countryside, etc.
it's already June, so we should try to figure this out pretty quick. anyone have any ideas?
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Posted - 6/6/2012 10:28:09 AM |
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freebirding refinement
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the Gamblers and i were talking more about this task and after trying to accommodate all of the factors of drive times and whatnot, we sort of came to the same general conclusion that renting a place off of the beaten path is probably the way to go. and maybe the best general area would be the foothills area of NC. it would only be about 2+ hours from Asheville and about 2+ hours from the central NC bunch. and Stu has already said he's down with going to Asheville, so a place much closer would work as well.
looking on the internets, Jeremy instantly found a place near Pilot Mtn which is at an altitude of 2,600 feet, has a nice view of the valley, sleeps 8, and HAS A POOL TABLE. if all 10 of us local owners were there for both friday and saturday nights, the cost would be $45 per person, per night.
that's just one example of the type of options out there and what kind of price point we would have for what sounds like a posh place. i'm sure that digging around we can find competing locations and costs and then see what has the best bang for the buck, but basically we're still looking at a budget of $30-$45 per person, per night. which is quite a bargain for what we'll be getting out of it. and speaking for myself, i'd rather pay $45 and have a luxury experience than pay $30 for a bare boned locale.
perhaps the biggest unknown at the moment is how this plan would jive with everyone's work schedule and budget. everyone should chime in with their thoughts now, because it is already June and we gotta get this nailed down fairly quickly. what say ye, everyone? |
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Posted - 6/6/2012 9:18:54 PM |
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Free balling
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Do we have a count on all those willing to travel? Is Labor Day weekend a possibility? If Asheville is not out of the question, i know Billy stayed at a great cabin in Asheville close to Zach and I. We could make some arrangements for overflow here if you don't mind babysitting.
Bills defense 3rd round, suck it.
Joe |
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Posted - 6/7/2012 7:59:20 AM |
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Can travel - cannot do Labor Day
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No Labor Day, please.
I was going to look into vacation rentals in the Yadkin Valley, which is half way between Asheville and Efland. Kind of foothills more than mountains, it can still be scenic up that way, and more importantly, likely cheaper than Asheville. |
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Posted - 6/7/2012 11:06:27 AM |
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everyone needs to chime in?
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| before anyone spends any significant energy pursuing lodging, everyone remaining should indicate their budget limitations as well as travel/work limitations. Kent, Aarik, Billy, and n00b, what's the word? |
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Posted - 6/7/2012 2:21:19 PM |
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i'd also like to stick to the same weekend rather than Labor Day
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But other than that, I'm basically up for everything. Pilot Mountain sounds great. Yadkinville area too--in fact, here's a place available for rent in Yadkinville: http://www.vrbo.com/344764
Another wrinkle--isn't the opening NFL game that Thursday night? If any are interested in meeting up one day earlier, people could watch the game together and then play golf on Friday... Just a thought. |
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Posted - 6/7/2012 2:21:57 PM |
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and I know I've said it before...
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but the number of trophies next to Keith's name?
Total horseshit. |
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Posted - 6/7/2012 4:33:01 PM |
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Thoughts..
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| I would rather not travel, but will. What about finding a private room in the triangle some where (back room at crunkelton?) we can hold the draft. i am willing to have Zack and Joe stay at my place or whoever, i have an upstairs "loft" that would sleep 4. you would just have to deal with 10000 questions from my kids. If we do get a house somewhere, I would want to pay extra for the cleaning service. I can look into the private room thing and get quotes if people are into it. |
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Posted - 6/7/2012 4:47:21 PM |
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Most of these house rentals..
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...either have a cleaning fee required or build the cleaning fee into the daily rate. Given the state of Keith's house on Sunday afternoon, I hear what Billy is saying... We're slobs.
In a perfect world, the idea of holing up in a house as a group sounds pretty damn fun. However I know everyone has other factors to consider.
Speaking of which, we haven't heard from the three people for whom this could require the most maneuvering--Kent, Aarik, and Mike. If they can't travel or commit to a weekend away in a house, all this is moot. Fellas? |
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Posted - 6/7/2012 11:52:45 PM |
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Labor Day kabash.
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Cannot start the tradition of football on labor day. Family will shoot me. After labor day school rocks on for weeks. Plus, football does in fact start on Wednesday this year. Obama has a speech on Thursday and the NFL can't compete...apparently.
Let's get a whiteboard and camp. big fire, burn it all. no fuss, no muss. See how astute with football we really are without...gasp....technology.
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Coach Knoll Cowher
Ninjachef
997 posts
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Fu: 100.96 |
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Posted - 6/11/2012 6:37:07 PM |
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Thoughts on Draft Weekend
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| I have already informed my boss that I'll be taking some PTO, so it's just a matter of how many days and which ones I'll need. Obviously I'll want to catch a ride with someone if we leave the Triangle, but I am open to going wherever. If Charlotte is an option I can stay with a friend there. As far as budget goes, I'll need to keep this pretty reasonable. |
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Posted - 6/12/2012 6:11:11 AM |
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excellente
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that just leaves Aarik and n00b.
dudes, what's your inputs? |
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Posted - 6/15/2012 6:16:12 AM |
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1 to go
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i called the n00b and he said that he would prefer to have it hosted locally, as it would allow for some work to be kept and the budget would be negligible. that being said, he also said that he would be able and willing to do the two-night plan at a rental, if that's what most everyone else was wanting to do.
that just leaves Aarik's input remaining? |
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Posted - 6/15/2012 5:57:05 PM |
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Just sent an email
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| To erik. Just to let him know that we value his opinion on the discussion. |
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Posted - 6/17/2012 11:47:48 AM |
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woot, we're all on board!
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i just talked to the Factor and it is official: everyone is able to take time off for that weekend, which opens up the possibility of having a group rental.
i would really like to go the route of a group rental, because it allows us to hang out as a group for two straight days and do whatever we want. we can play poker, rock out, shoot pool, set up the croquet, make as much noise as we want, and just in general have an easy and memorable experience.
since everyone is able to do the group rental (even if it is #2 preference for a couple), and the majority would prefer a group rental, let's go this route?
assuming this is the direction we will go, the next question becomes "where to rent a house or cabin?"
after much discussion with everyone, this seems to be narrowed down to three areas:
1) Yadkinville / Hanging Rock / Pilot Mountain area
2) Asheville area
3) central NC area
i think the prices may be in the same ballpark regardless of the destination, but i could be totally wrong. and Kent, Stu, and the n00b could carpool to any of the three locations.
if all things are relatively equal, my vote would be #2 because it is a really pretty area that is easy to access via a straight drive on 40, and then Zach and Joe wouldn't have to drive this year.
SOOOOOOO, if at this point we are all still on the same page then the next thing is to decide where to do it.
if everyone could chime in with their preferences, we can officially make a plan and take action to get this officially locked in for the big draft weekend.
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Posted - 6/17/2012 12:04:56 PM |
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No preference on location
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| Happy to go anywhere--and pumped that this is the group's decision as I think it will be the most fun by far. Since we're not having it at Keith's house, where those of us in central NC have had it easy location-wise every year, I certainly have no problem driving out to Asheville or Yadkin Valley; either is fine. |
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Posted - 6/18/2012 9:14:46 PM |
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draft location poll is now open
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| everyone step right up and vote for your preference! |
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Posted - 6/20/2012 6:13:33 AM |
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i think 7 of 10 have voted?
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that may leave 3 owners needing to vote on the draft location? what up, yo?!
once we determine that, the next and final phase can begin - locating an appropriate rental. |
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Posted - 6/20/2012 3:52:17 PM |
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holy smokies
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| only 1 of the 10 locals are left to vote? remember: only YOU can finish polls. and prevent forest fires. |
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Posted - 6/23/2012 6:25:02 AM |
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Results are IN: Asheville is the winner!
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after verifying that all 10 east coast owners have indeed voted in the poll, and being that the poll details only existed after weeks of deliberation and discussion, it appears as though we have finally arrived at an official consensus: ASHEVILLE.
next up: finding and locking in a place.
from this point onward, i would really like to step aside as the cruise director and let someone else handle this task? since this will be the first time in 16 years that i have not had to run the show, i really want to enjoy this moment and for once experience the draft weekend as a simple participant.
soooo, who wants to run with this? Joe or Zach, since it'll be in your neck of the woods maybe one of you guys are best suited to find and arrange a place for us to rent?
regardless of who will be taking this task upon themselves, the basic parameters are:
* arrive Friday, September 7, early as possible
* depart Sunday, September 9 (hopefully they don't have a draconian checkout)
* price max of $45 per person, per night
* 9 sleepers (Aarik is sleeping in his van down by the river)
* pool table would be ideal
who would like to take on this task? Bueller? Bueller?
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Posted - 6/23/2012 7:51:00 AM |
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Check this out
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Black Mountain
This is $315.00 per day. In Black Mountain area, about 30 minutes from Asheville. |
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Posted - 6/23/2012 8:38:59 AM |
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holy fuckballs
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| are you freakin' kidding me? as far as i'm concerned... DONE! |
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Posted - 6/23/2012 11:41:28 AM |
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I'm down with that place.
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| According to their website, weekend days are more expensive ($449/day). So the overall cost will be a little higher than the $45/day Keith suggested. I'm guessing it'll run about $125-$150 per person for the whole weekend (assuming 10 people will be splitting it). |
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Posted - 6/23/2012 11:58:12 AM |
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with a 9 way split
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well, make that a 9.5-way split (van by the river be damned) and it comes out to about $57/night per person. this accounts for $449 x 2, plus $59 booking fee, plus 12% tax.
keeping in mind that this rental includes a NINE FOOT pool table, a ping pong table, an air hockey table, a bigass dining room table for poker, TWO bars, internet access, four bathrooms, a crazy beautiful location, and it sleeps 11, i think the entertainment value will be off the charts.
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Posted - 6/23/2012 12:14:36 PM |
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Oleg the vegetarian is correct
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Sorry I did not do all the calculations this morning. This is a pretty good value considering all the amenities. Other places I looked at were not as entertainment friendly and some were without air conditioning. Let me know and I will reserve this week. I have had great luck with Greybeard realty in the past. They offer the most affordable high end options. Feel free to check out their website and make suggestions.
Thanks,
Joe |
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Posted - 6/23/2012 12:34:23 PM |
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You had me at ping pong table.
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| Sounds stellar. |
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Posted - 6/23/2012 3:33:16 PM |
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Don't worry about the calculations Joe.
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This place is an awesome find.
I think Kieth's math is a little better than mine and it should be around $115 per person for the weekend. Definitely a good value for everything it includes. |
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Posted - 6/24/2012 10:12:45 AM |
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Thanks!
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| Nice hunting Joe! wow! |
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Coach Knoll Cowher
Ninjachef
997 posts
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Fu: 100.96 |
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Posted - 6/24/2012 7:14:55 PM |
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Ping pong table?
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Oh hell to the yea!
Now I will say this is a bit more than I had planned for, but something this good is worth it. |
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Posted - 6/25/2012 7:14:10 AM |
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i'm considering an additional optional day
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since check-in is at 4pm and check-out is at 10am and the Friday-Sunday morning chapter will be a whirlwind, i'm mulling over the idea of going to Black Mountain a day early and really enjoying the time there.
if anyone would like to join me for this, let me know? the rent for Thursday is alot cheaper than the weekend nights, and it'll be super nice to kick back, put the feet up, crack open a cold beer, and enjoy the mountain view. and plot my domination. |
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