DC area Pricescope member "working" gathering Sunday, 8/21, 11 - 4....

[Regular Guy]

The background for this gathering is reviewed here.

The meeting is prompted by the occasion of the annual Gem and Jewelry Show held here at the Washington Convention Center (801 Mt. Vernon Place NW in DC); entry fees are reported as $7 (though you can find a coupon for $1 off in the thread noted above).

Though the gem show is all weekend, and any of us can stay for as much or as little as we like, the idea is that we might:

a) arrive at 11 on Sunday, 8/21, and do some shopping (bring your shopping "tools" if you have 'em as you like, including idealscopes, H&A viewers, ASET scopes)
b) some of us will gather for lunch at 12:30 (if you'd like to join us, pm me for details and/or to confirm you're coming by Wednesday, 8/17)
c) return to the show after lunch to learn from each other about how to shop with more finesse, and/or to share finds with one another.

Looking forward to seeing many of you there!

 

[Regular Guy]

One additional item for your interest...

(btw, I hope the recent quiet about the planned meeting is because plans are set, rather than that people have decided not to come)

--- As per the original note and thought on this meeting, I''ve prepared an e-mail I could send to the handful of appraisers who are in our area, (or at least, who are listed under independent appraisers on this board), also inviting them to the gem show, and giving them the background on this gathering, such as it is. Though there''s been no comment on the idea, it seems reasonable to me. If any of you have any other thoughts on this, pro or con, please let me know. Otherwise, I''d plan to send out the note tomorrow.

Otherwise, remember to let me know (or perhaps even better, let us all know on this thread) you''ll be joining us for lunch, so I can help to request space for us together.

Regards,

 

[Buena Girl]

I am planning to meet for lunch and a friend of mine will also be joining us

 

[lmurden]

I''ll be there for lunch. See you soon.

 

[diamondlil]

I''ll be there! I''ve been looking forward to this.

 

[Blue824]

I plan to be there...there are a couple things that can throw a kink into my plans, but right now it looks a-ok

 

[Gemklctr]

I''m newly registered on Pricescope but have been a lurker for some time. I live in the DC area and will likely be at the Gem Show next weekend. I was wondering whether anyone has thought about Ira''s question regarding closing the group that is getting together there to additional attendees. I tend to share his concerns about the potential risks associated with Internet relationships becoming face-to-face, as I have worked in the Internet policy arena for some time. However, I overcame my reluctance even to begin posting because of the wealth of information and comraderie of mutual interests offered here. [Shameless plug - please check out my gem collection posted in Colored Stones. I do know a number of the vendors at the Show, including the people at Kimmimoto mentioned in the article to which Ira linked, and many of my gems came from Gem Show vendors. They have great selections of loose gems as well as finished jewelry.] Anyway, I thought I would check to see if it is too late to join the group, at least at the Show if not for lunch. I fully understand if others are reluctant to encounter near strangers, so just let me know people''s thoughts. No hurt feelings if there are objections.

 

[MissAva]

I dont think I will be able to make it. There is this other silly thing getting in my way....and you would be surprised how many proffesors insits that you last year of courses is more important then lovely colored objects.

Silly profs what do they know. I am trying to figure out a way to make this work, but I dont know that I can.

 

[diamondlil]

GK,

I would love for you to attend. I''ve been going to these shows (several a year) for more than 10 years. The majority of my jewelry collection has come from these shows as well. As far as risks associated with internet relationships, I only have had good experiences. A group of PS-ers got together in Baltimore a few months back. We all had a fabulous time and enjoyed either other''s company immensely.

Look forward to seeing you.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I plan on being there! See you all next Sunday

 

[Kaleigh]

I want all the details ladies and gents. I am sooooo bummed I can''t make it. There''s always next time. I hope you have a blast!!!!!

 

[Blue824]

Matatora, silly classes, always getting in the way of important things! Its only the first week right? But lets be honest, they never say anything important the first week anyway

That's too bad, Kaleigh...you have a wedding to go to, right? Hopefully that'll be fun! We'll miss you!

Who else had been interested before, are you all no-gos?
NJC
FountainFairfax
Logan Sapphire
Capital Bill

Was a restaurant & time for lunch chosen yet? 12:30 I think was the time...
Here is a list off of the Convention center's site: Attendees: Restaurants so you can see that there are lots of options in the area.
I say we go for the hooters

juuuuust kidding!
Are we going to coordinate that through PM?

Getting there is pretty easy, yellow line Mt. Vernon Sq/Convention Center stop.
For those of you driving, one thing I noticed on the site is that some of the nearest garages are closed on weekends, check out your options here: Washington Convention Center - Directions


ETA: oops! just went through my old PMs about these and a restaurant was chosen, I've been so flakey with details lately!

 

[Regular Guy]

Alison,

I suppose 2 great minds think alike; some you''ve mentioned have pmed me; we have a good crew in place, and I sent out reminder pms last night to those I''d heard from earlier, but not more recently. If we''ve already been in touch, and you don''t know where we''re meeting for lunch, pm me. Right now, we''re between 11 - 20, or so.

Regards,

 

[diamondlil]

WOW, to think we could get 20 members fom the DC area to all meet. I think that is awesome!!!!!

 

[njc]

I am planning on coming... there was talk about going out of town, but now it looks like i will be here playing in a softball tournament, so that is the only thing holding me back now! I want to come SOOOOO bad. Hopefully i will know game times soon and can be a definate yes or no. Sucks being one of 3 girls on a team and you have to have 3 girls to play!

 

[Logan Sapphire]

I don''t think Regular Guy had a specific meeting place in mind at the gem show, so does anyone want to meet up at 11.30 at a pre-determined place at the show, just so we can kind of touch base before shopping?

 

[coconut]

I will come for the meeting!!

Please count me! ! !

 

[fountainfairfax]

I''m going to take a bus in from NYC that morning, so I''ll be getting there in time for lunch and shopping afterwards

Can''t wait to meet everyone!!!!

 

[MissAva]

Date: 8/15/2005 1:14:39 AM
Author: Blue824
Matatora, silly classes, always getting in the way of important things! Its only the first week right? But lets be honest, they never say anything important the first week anyway

That''s too bad, Kaleigh...you have a wedding to go to, right? Hopefully that''ll be fun! We''ll miss you!

Who else had been interested before, are you all no-gos?
NJC
FountainFairfax
Logan Sapphire
Capital Bill

Was a restaurant & time for lunch chosen yet? 12:30 I think was the time...
Here is a list off of the Convention center''s site: Attendees: Restaurants so you can see that there are lots of options in the area.
I say we go for the hooters

juuuuust kidding!
Are we going to coordinate that through PM?

Getting there is pretty easy, yellow line Mt. Vernon Sq/Convention Center stop.
For those of you driving, one thing I noticed on the site is that some of the nearest garages are closed on weekends, check out your options here: Washington Convention Center - Directions


ETA: oops! just went through my old PMs about these and a restaurant was chosen, I''ve been so flakey with details lately!

I know, I know. I am thinking about it. Trying to figure things out...my boss said I can miss the kids first week since it is intro for them and I am working with the same ones. My classes begin that WED....How much driving do I want to do in a week...Hmmm.

 

[Regular Guy]

Three brief items from me:

1) Each of us may have different styles of shopping, etc., and I think that should be respected. Although the general plan I envisioned for this Pricescope gathering, outlined at the beginning of this thread as -- a,b & c.... i.e., shop, eat, and shop together -- should serve us pretty well, some of us may want to meet up before lunch particularly, and so I encouraged Logan Saphire to post above:

Date: 8/15/2005 1:22:32 PM
Author: Logan Sapphire
I don''t think Regular Guy had a specific meeting place in mind at the gem show, so does anyone want to meet up at 11.30 at a pre-determined place at the show, just so we can kind of touch base before shopping?

...and I''d encourage this networking for anyone that wants to meet up...somewhere...perhaps near where the registration area may be, around 11:30, to shop and tour together, as may be preferred. Alternately, this may be more ordinary after lunch. However, I should also be mindful that not all of us may have that kind of expanse of time. Whatever works.

Re lunch:

2) I''d been encouraged to mention something about how reservations will be managed. Perhaps just look for a crowd(!). Alternately, ask first for Pricescope, and failing that, try Zukerman

3) As documented earlier in the other post, I''m not much of a social secretary, yet I find myself trying to manage this a bit. With respect to coordinating ourselves....obviously this is dutch treat. I''m willing to say the obvious...please everyone, order what you want, have cash (not a credit card), and be prepared to cover your expenses, plus a tip (see the other thread re tipping, I suppose). We''ll need to suffer some of the details on the spot, but we should assume some of us may want to leave at different times, and so, should allow for this. I''m sure we''ll make out just fine; sorry to have brought these details up, but better safe than sorry.

Regards, till Sunday (though feel free to write before with any suggestions to enhance our experience together, as you like),

 

[diamondlil]

For anyone interested, I received a few extra free-entry tickets (each ticket good for 2 entries). If you''d like to PM me , I can have it in the mail today which should get it to the recipient in plenty of time.

 

[Regular Guy]

Brief update for anyone interested...my invitation to the appraisers in the area went largely unnoticed (perhaps they are on vacation?), except for one response, received promptly, from Ms. Jones-Napier, offering her regrets because of other commitments.

So it's just us chickens. Looking forward to meeting you all. (And, mindful of the other thread current here, we can think good thoughts for Angelo, together).

Warm regards,

 

[MissGotRocks]

Do we have a list or a number of people that we can expect to be there?

 

[coconut]

Double checking our plan!


(1) So meet near the main Registration area at 11:30?!
(2) Look for a big crowd?


Hope to meet you all there!!

 

[Regular Guy]

MissGotRocks, Joanna, and all,

- We are 15 confirmed, more or less; see the two threads to see who we are (and if you think name tags are a good or bad idea, why don't you pm me).

- Likewise, if you're one of the 15, and don't know where we're meeting for lunch at 12:30, where you'll ask for "Pricescope" or "Zukerman," pm me. (Coconut, I'll pm you).

- For those who would like to meet each other to shop together before lunch, meet near the registration area at 11:30.

- Any other questions, ideas, ribald comments, jokes, epithets, etc., pm me (or this thread).

- Otherwise, see you Sunday.

 

[Kaleigh]

I hope you all have a wonderful time and please take pics so I can see what I am missing. I wish I could be there, maybe next year. Have fun!!!!!!!!

Lisa

 

[Logan Sapphire]

If I remember correctly from last year, the main registration place is outside the gates, before you pay to go in. I''m not sure if you can go in and out but if not, I''ll be hanging around the inside, wearing a purple B is for Bling shirt. I''m Asian. I''ll be with my twin sister.

 

[Buena Girl]

My friend and I should be there @ 11:30am. We''re both medium height with medium length blondish/light brownish hair. She''s very thin, and I am plus size. I''ll probably be wearing tan shorts

See you all on Sunday

 

[Gemklctr]

Date: 8/19/2005 10:41:15 PM
Author: Logan Sapphire
If I remember correctly from last year, the main registration place is outside the gates, before you pay to go in. I''m not sure if you can go in and out but if not, I''ll be hanging around the inside, wearing a purple B is for Bling shirt. I''m Asian. I''ll be with my twin sister.

When you enter your hand will be stamped so you can go in and out, as we will before and after lunch. Unfortunately, my twin brother doesn''t live in the area, but we will have to compare notes. Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow.

 

[Kaleigh]

Ok I want all the details, how was it???? Did you guys have fun????