SuperJunior

Was so wonderful seeing and meeting all of you.

Good Grief I can certainly understand that someone might decide that the Palm Springs Weekend is not for them. Everyone has that choice BUT why do you insist on beating to death the fact that you have decided not to attend? You have decided not to attend -- so be it. Now shut the fuck up about it and move on!!!!!

Report of Day 2 is posted.

Orlando has less than nothing going for it in terms of gay life. It's a barren landscape.
 
As for culture, even less.

A bit of history is in order here. The annual event is held in Palm Springs mainly because Lucky and I live here, and in 2005 Lucky said to me, "Why don't we organize a weekend event and invite people on the Hooboy site to come? We can arrange a dinner at a restaurant on Saturday night, then all go to a show at the Palm Canyon Theater afterwards. Then on Sunday afternoon I will host a party at my house." He made the theater arrangement, and I made the dinner reservation. A handful of people showed up (one of whom, BTW, was TomCal), all of them from California except for Oliver, who was staying here to escape the Midwest winter. It was fun, so we did it again the next year, and more people came. Then Oliver said, "Why don't we have the Sunday party at my place, because I have a pool?" Even more important, Oliver offered to pay for the increasingly large Sunday party. Then in 2009, Daddy finally responded to the invitation, and suddenly escorts started showing up in bigger numbers. After Lucky left the website, Oliver graciously agreed to take over all responsibility for organizing the entire event, with the help of Epigonos, including hosting and paying for the party on Sunday. And like Topsy, the event "has just growed."
 
There is no paid entertainment, and no charge for admission. Attendees are required to RSVP to Oliver's invitation in order to take part, but they are responsible for making their own arrangements for transportation and lodging. If someone wants to go to the trouble of arranging a similar event in Orlando or anywhere else, more power to them--there is no exclusive copywright on the format. But it does require a host, who is willing to assume the duty of organizing the whole event, and paying for the costs associated with it.

My oldest friends all live in PS.
 
(Not the ones I've known the longest).

One exception, on this forum, even non-attenders who are only inconvenienced by their absence, reserve rights to bitch, raise hell and continue in their general unhappiness.

As a Business Events Professional who has organized conferences and such for over 25 years, I can state unequivocally that there is never the “perfect” set of dates, location, accommodations or rates to satisfy any sized group. Someone will always complain about some aspect that inconveniences themselves without much care or regard to other attendee sentiments.
 
An event organizer could go mad trying to please every attendee peccadilloes. It’s not worth the effort. Announce the dates, set the schedule, and let people decide if the can attend. And furthermore, ignore the assholes who complain.

So when are you planning this get-together, Mocha?

If you want an additional forum gathering in another location, you are free to organize it. Set a date, reserve the venues, post notices and invitations. Be positive and welcoming.

About booking rooms, the organizers announced the dates of the gathering in PS many months ago. They insisted, and insisted, and insisted again, that we should book earlier if we wanted to attend. If anyone disregarded their advice and wait to the last minute, please do not blame Pam Springs, Coachella, the organizers, Donald Trump, or the liberal media.
 
About flying to LAX, I made my research to go there from DC. The extra money I paid to fly to Palm Springs airport is compensated by the money I saved from renting a car. The airport in PS is small, beautiful, and very relaxed. The taxi to Canyon Club was only 15 bucks.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who did!!
 
We just got home a couple of hours ago. As always, the only thing I didn't like about the weekend is that it had to end.
 
This was our sixth (!) consecutive PS weekend, and they just get better and better. The pool parties were so much fun (thank you, David and Oliver!) and the dinner at Trio, of course, was a highlight of our weekend. It's always so nice to reconnect with friends we don't see often enough, and to make new friends too.
 
Karaoke at Streetbar last night was an unexpected treat. Quite a nice turnout, and some truly amazing singers in our midst!
 
Thank you all for a wonderful weekend. We're already looking forward to seeing you guys again next year.
 
Rob

I initially misread "faces" as "feces".

I arrived back to DC a couple of hours ago. Palm Springs was a great experience. It was an immense pleasure meeting @Guy Fawkes and so many virtual friends, and to be able to continue developing personal rapport with those I had already met in previous gatherings. I look forward to next Palm Springs, and encourage forum members from all over the country to volunteer and organize local meetings. It does not have to be spectacular like PS, just a excuse to get together and share in an atmosphere of camaraderie.
 
Thank you so much to @Oliver and @Epigonos for hosting the pool party. The first empanadas Epi ever fried were delicious, and he will make them even better next time. Por Evita, Epi!
 
For those who like gossiping, when I was leaving I heard a rumor. Two forum members were seen eating each other faces by the pool last night, and then moved the action to one of the rooms. I was told the moaning was pretty loud.

I’m dying from envy here, first for you making it to Palm Springs, but mostly for you meeting @Eric Hassan. *sigh*

I’ve been having fun. And if being served by a waiter who is a dead-ringer for Nick Jonas is not even the highlight of your weekend, then you know that weekend is just the best!

No longer are we just mysterious avitars and usernames.

What fun to meet everyone I’ve met so far...

I received an email from American telling us that very inclement weather "from the Upper Midwest" may affect our flight. It also states that "[y]our flight is currently on time, however, we are offering additional flexibility that may allow you to change your travel plans without a fee." That is so nice of them to "allow" us to change travel plans based on their planes not flying on schedule without a fee.

Use Weedmaps or Leafly I’m pretty sure the nearest is PSA Organica

Are you saying that you doubt CC employees know where to get weed? I assumed that they of all resort places would be able to help with that.

Thank you for already reaching out. Let's tear it up! I'm also at the Canyon Club! Fun will be had! See you there.

LOL. I was not kidding. Your comment makes me see I have the wrong picture about CC's services.

Latbear4blk you MUST be kidding. I seriously doubt that the desk clerks at the Canyon Club even know what the hell a concierge is let alone are ones.