Okay, but you may not like it.

I always look forward to these get-togethers for two main reasons: 1. Getting together with my friends from the BB who have become real life friends. 2. Attending a game. All other considerations are secondary. (And sorry, but no way in hell am I traveling 500 miles to watch a game on TV.) Obviously I have no problem contributing to your personal expenses for throwing the party, and I certainly have no problem contributing to the Planet fund (a drive of any kind for support of the Planet is long overdue, IMO). But as far as the charities go, it's just an added burden on top of what is already a fairly big expense for me. I'm not made of money, and gas, travel expenses and game tickets aren't getting any cheaper.

There were a lot of familiar faces missing last year, including a good chunk of the core group of people I most enjoy seeing when I come down. It was a real bummer that they weren't there. I know some of them had other things going on, but I can't help but wonder how many of them didn't show up because they felt the same way I do.

I appreciate all the work you put in these things, Joe, and I certainly mean you no disrespect. Your house is a great place for get-togethers. But I've personally had just as much fun meeting people at a local bar. For me, its about the people and the game.

Dude,no offense taken,this is the kind of honesty I was looking for and I totally respect where you're coming from.

As for a chunk of the core group missing I can't say why except for the ones I know for sure(Brian had a fraternity party in Rolla,Brandon was working,Russ was working) as for others(Jamie,Bob,Phil,Roy) I can't say except that none of them have voiced any concerns to me personally about the weekend and if they or any others feel that way please let me know.Please feel free to add other core members you're referencing as this was only my 2nd year hosting and I'm going off the top of my head while typing and no offense to anyone I'm forgetting.

Jeff(jsp) did put in a post last year about the cost to which I replied there was no way to get everything we offer at a bar for $50.As for your situation I have to say since you don't spend the evening with us and you don't drink $50 is alot of money for what you're getting compared to others.

Again,thanks for being candid this is the type of feedback I need,I do appreciate it.

How much was everything last year?

I believe it was $45/person.

Yep, that was for the Saturday party. I can see Fraz's point, he didn't stay very long. I didn't realize he wasn't drinking either.

I would more likely to go knowing that the party on Saturday will conclude after the game on Sunday. I have a hard time forking out big money for home game tickets and maybe even sitting by myself for the game. I would rather be surrounded by friends in a house or at a bar.

I couldn't afford the party AND a ticket to the game. I'd hate to have to leave that early to drive home. Especially if I've been drinking the night before. 3 1/2 hours driving is torture when you've had little sleep. I can understand those who would rather go to the game, especially if they're travelling very far.

I am much more likely to go if he is hosting for the game too. I would hate to drive out there just to have to rush home the next morning on little sleep in order to see the game. I like that he is considering doing this for an away game though.

All the funds should be applied towards the second coming..............

Nah, I just assumed he left because he was tired of OTC mistakingly calling him "Mr. Frazoid"
I kept thinking of the lobster dude from Futurama, LMAO

Is this another ENDelt joke?

I am all over this, but this time I am not going to wait until way after I'm hammered to start playing, and I will have my vengeance this time, dude!!!

Yeah, whatever. I do believe you're hammered by the time you step off the plane. It's all downhill from there.

I think that the concept of having an away game bash has merit. Part of the problem with doing the home game thing is partying until all hours of the night and then getting up at 5:00 (or not sleeping at all) in order to get to the tailgate on time.

Certainly having an away game party would fix that issue.

By the same token, it is an all day party. Most people have left, passed out, or have simply had their fill by 10:00 PM. You could shut down the gameroom at that time. If people want to keep drinking, send them down to the pond. It's only the most hardcore of partiers who are still up at 3:00 AM. Heh heh.

I don't see a lot of out of towners coming to KC (St. Joe) for an away game party. If that's what we want then let's go with it. But if we're still planning to cater to the out of towners, we should keep it as a home game weekend.

FWIW, I didn't attend last year for a variety of reasons. By themselves, none was a show-stopper for me but cumulative we opted to skip it.
1. Priority shift. We don't drink heavily anymore. But if we had come, we probably would have.
2. Money. We bought a new house and had a custody battle last fall. I simply didn't have very much entertainment money left in the coffers.
3. Leadership. I stepped down from all my positions of influence within the Planet and the charity. I thought the courteous thing to do would be to stay away and let some other person(s) naturally fall into that role.
4. We ran ourselves ragged last fall. We didn't have a weekend to relax at all. The party is great but between the party and the game, the weekend is shot.

Perhaps it would be a good idea to have two different get-togethers; one aimed at locals, and one aimed at out-of-towners. Clearly these two groups would tend to have different very different priorities, obligations and expenses.