OT: Who is going to the National:

[uffda51]

Not this year. Two reasons. 1. Cleveland 2. Cleveland. Plan to be in Chicago next year . . .

[Donscards]

Originally Posted by uffda51

Not this year. Two reasons. 1. Cleveland 2. Cleveland. Plan to be in Chicago next year . . .

I guess you dont like Cleveland !---I cant wait---Love the National

[brightair]

One thing I will miss is the net54 dinner!

[Moonlight Graham]

Well, I'm from Cleveland and I still live in the area so I will be there every day. The renovation of League Park may be finished by then. It's in a not-so-great part of town but if any of you are interested in seeing it, let me know and I can give you directions on how to get there from wherever you're staying. Also, from there you can head to a probably worse section of town to see Big Ed Delahanty's grave at Calvary Cemetery, which in 1903, was one of the ritziest sections of Cleveland.

Joe

[btkpath]

I will be there on Friday. Looking forward to seeing as many friends as possible!

[bcornell]

Originally Posted by uffda51

Not this year. Two reasons. 1. Cleveland 2. Cleveland. Plan to be in Chicago next year . . .

Not attending this year, breaking an 11-year streak. As Leon always says "I don't care where it is", but a 4th trip to Cleveland exceeded my lifetime's quota.

Buck up, Adam. Next year, Silverman can push your wheelchair.

[E93]

I'm not sure if I will make it this year due to health issues. It will be my first miss in a number of years. I look forward to making it next year.
JimB

[CurtisFlood]

I'll be there, always a good time.

[HRBAKER]

No go for me this year. My daughter is getting married and my attendance (and checkbook) is required.

[bcornell]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

No go for me this year. My daughter is getting married and my attendance (and checkbook) is required.

Excuses, excuses.

Oh, yeah - congratulations, Jeff.

[Ejm1]

I'll be there Saturday and Sunday.

[PM770]

I'll be there Thursday through Saturday for sure. Sunday only if my kids want to go (9 & 7 y.o) and I haven't decided about Wednesday yet.

[Jason]

I am going to be there Thursday and Friday.

[tbob]

Originally Posted by uffda51

Not this year. Two reasons. 1. Cleveland 2. Cleveland. Plan to be in Chicago next year . . .

+1

[Runscott]

Lots of reasons to go anyway:

• Indians are in town all 5 days
• All of the hotels have bars
• We will be in the bars
• Re-vamped area next to the burning river is really cool
• The dealers will all be there, so apparently there will be less competition from fellow collectors
• Board members who you have never met will be there
• There will be at least 6 people there who represent 5 forum grudges, so you can either see happy new friendships or old guys punching each other
• free autographs from sports figures you have never heard of

(edited to add 5th grudge I had forgotten about)

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by Runscott

...There will be at least 6 people there who represent 5 forum grudges, so you can either see happy new friendships or old guys punching each other...

I did a spit take when I read this - hilarious Scott!

[Al C.risafulli]

I will be there, once again set up side by side with my pal Ryan Christoff. I'll be accepting consignments for and displaying material from the summer LOTG auction, and Ryan will be selling and displaying selections from his amazing inventory of Cuban material. As with the last two years, we will have annoying music, a free pack of cards for the kids, and a chair for you to take a rest in while you show us what you bought. Please stop by and say hi.

And of course, when the show floor is closed, I'll be in the bar.

-Al

[autograf]

I'll be there with Cliftons8 (Mike Brockman) part of the usual group I go with. Jeff Drum (HRBAKER) is out this year as are a couple other guys from our group. I'm not sure how many Clevelands this is but this is #23 National in a row. First one, 1992 Atlanta..........more Clevelands and Chicagos than I want to count, some St. Louis, Houston, ACity,2-3 Anaheims and another Atlanta I think.

[earlywynnfan]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Lots of reasons to go anyway:

• Indians are in town all 5 days
• All of the hotels have bars
• We will be in the bars
• Re-vamped area next to the burning river is really cool
• The dealers will all be there, so apparently there will be less competition from fellow collectors
• Board members who you have never met will be there
• There will be at least 6 people there who represent 5 forum grudges, so you can either see happy new friendships or old guys punching each other
• free autographs from sports figures you have never heard of

(edited to add 5th grudge I had forgotten about)

You know, as one of those grudges, I'm really angry about this post. How do you know I'm old?? Sure, I'm at the far end of middle age, and I have the back of an 80-year old, and I take way too many bathroom breaks through the night, and I can't stand the music these kids listen to these days, and...

Disregard. I'm old.
Since I never could take a punch anyways, I'm just going to plan on being part of a happy new friendship.

Ken

PS: The river burned 40 years ago, so those jokes are passe. We are a new, improved Cleveland. Please keep all jokes fresh. Suggestions: the Browns, the Cavs, Manziel, midges, or the Cleveland Public School System. (OK, that last one has also been a joke for 40 years.)

[kailes2872]

This post prompted me to get my hotel locked up (coming from North of Pittsburgh). The Residence Inn and Marriott were sold out and I wanted to use points, so I am staying at the Courtyard Cleveland Airport North - 24901 Country Club Boulevard, North Olmstead.

Me and my two sons will be checking in Friday, hitting the show, going back at it all day on Saturday and then making the late night trek back to Cranberry.

If anyone is staying at the same hotel, let me know.

Kevin

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

You know, as one of those grudges, I'm really angry about this post. How do you know I'm old?? Sure, I'm at the far end of middle age, and I have the back of an 80-year old, and I take way too many bathroom breaks through the night, and I can't stand the music these kids listen to these days, and...

Disregard. I'm old.
Since I never could take a punch anyways, I'm just going to plan on being part of a happy new friendship.

Ken

PS: The river burned 40 years ago, so those jokes are passe. We are a new, improved Cleveland. Please keep all jokes fresh. Suggestions: the Browns, the Cavs, Manziel, midges, or the Cleveland Public School System. (OK, that last one has also been a joke for 40 years.)

Thanks, Ken - I look forward to meeting you. I wasn't actually poking fun at the burning river thing - I just couldn't remember what that area was called. When I first visited Cleveland (to see a ballgame at the old gigantic stadium), they had fixed up that new area and there were still a lot of references to the river.

Manziel could very well be the new Cleveland joke, but since I went to the same school he did, whatever he does to embarrass Cleveland will further embarrass myself and Texas A&M as well.

[Blunder19]

I will be there running around with Chris looking for T206 rare backs and errors

[polakoff]

After getting a few PMs encouraging me to go to my first national, I'll try to make it work. Going to talk to some nearby folks about ride/hotel sharing. I can't really do it by myself (the trip from Raleigh is a tad bit far...I'll fall asleep at the wheel).

Any suggestions? Should I avoid staying far away despite cheaper rates? What are the best days to go if I can't do all 5?

[earlywynnfan]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Thanks, Ken - I look forward to meeting you. I wasn't actually poking fun at the burning river thing - I just couldn't remember what that area was called. When I first visited Cleveland (to see a ballgame at the old gigantic stadium), they had fixed up that new area and there were still a lot of references to the river.

Manziel could very well be the new Cleveland joke, but since I went to the same school he did, whatever he does to embarrass Cleveland will further embarrass myself and Texas A&M as well.

That'd be the flats, but it's not what it was, it's being completely redeveloped now. Probably the best area to hang out or have drinks would be west 4th, just a couple blocks over from the Indians' stadium.

[ZachS]

I wish I could make it but I have a family vacation coming up the week before. I couldn't justify spending more money and missing more work. Maybe next year...