Camp Mustache Canada - 2017

[RetiredAt63]

Tardis?  Roomie?

[okits]

Its getting close. Like we could be done presale if enough tricklers show up tonight.

Are there many partners/families or is it mostly solo attendees, like me?

[pbkmaine]

Its getting close. Like we could be done presale if enough tricklers show up tonight.

Are there many partners/families or is it mostly solo attendees, like me?

I am solo. DH won't go anywhere near a bunk bed.

[RetiredAt63]

Its getting close. Like we could be done presale if enough tricklers show up tonight.

Glad I didn't have to wait until 9:30.

Good presale is encouraging, we have a camp.

[Le Poisson]

Its getting close. Like we could be done presale if enough tricklers show up tonight.

Are there many partners/families or is it mostly solo attendees, like me?

2 famillies so far, the rest all singles.

[okits]

Its getting close. Like we could be done presale if enough tricklers show up tonight.

Are there many partners/families or is it mostly solo attendees, like me?

2 famillies so far, the rest all singles.

Woo hoo!  Party, party, party! Unlimited nerding-out with spreadsheets!

Yay, LFG!  Are we close to 20, Prospector?

[Le Poisson]

Its getting close. Like we could be done presale if enough tricklers show up tonight.

Are there many partners/families or is it mostly solo attendees, like me?

2 famillies so far, the rest all singles.

Woo hoo!  Party, party, party! Unlimited nerding-out with spreadsheets!

Yay, LFG!  Are we close to 20, Prospector?

4 spots remain.

And you need to update your signature!

[Le Poisson]

We really need the dudes to up their game here. Right now there are 1.6 females to every male (not including kids, that's gross.)

Guys - where are you???

[okits]

Its getting close. Like we could be done presale if enough tricklers show up tonight.

Are there many partners/families or is it mostly solo attendees, like me?

2 famillies so far, the rest all singles.

Woo hoo!  Party, party, party! Unlimited nerding-out with spreadsheets!

Yay, LFG!  Are we close to 20, Prospector?

4 spots remain.

And you need to update your signature!

There.  Better? 

[Stashasaurus]

Oktis no one said it can't be party party party while spreadsheeting. Glad to see lots of interest in the event.

Prospector Maybe you just needed to tell them that there would be ladies in attendance? Additionally, are you 100% certain on genders?

[CanuckExpat]

We really need the dudes to up their game here. Right now there are 1.6 females to every male (not including kids, that's gross.)

Guys - where are you???

It's ok, if I remember my numbers correct, you only need roughly one male to earn as much as 1.6 females, so it all evens out.

Too soon?

I think I'm going to be rooming alone once people find out how many bad wage gap and other jokes I have. Secret to a single room everyone

[Le Poisson]

Mostly sure. Many self identified in their emails, even though I hadn't asked yet.

When its time to pay the rest of the camp off, I'll be sending out a form with all the right questions.

Also, Is MJ still making making out great again? Where the heck is she?

[G-dog]

We really need the dudes to up their game here. Right now there are 1.6 females to every male (not including kids, that's gross.)

Guys - where are you???

It's ok, if I remember my numbers correct, you only need roughly one male to earn as much as 1.6 females, so it all evens out

Ouch! The truth hurts yo!

[G-dog]

Also, Is MJ still making making out great again? Where the heck is she?

I think so.

Any sign of Tardis?

[Le Poisson]

Bedtime folks... I'll check my emails in the morning.

[tardis]

One just trickled in from so far away the person is still at work...

Ooh, that's painful.  The still at work part, I mean.  That will be quite a travel junket next October, too.

Hehe, that was me and the reason I missed your summons R63, G-Dog.  Booking time = 1:30pm on Tuesday during a late lunch for me. I am going to be back in Canada well before, so thankfully the travel time will be significantly less horrific than the 22+ hours of misery that is in my near(er) future.

[deborah]

One just trickled in from so far away the person is still at work...

Ooh, that's painful.  The still at work part, I mean.  That will be quite a travel junket next October, too.

Hehe, that was me and the reason I missed your summons R63, G-Dog.  Booking time = 1:30pm on Tuesday during a late lunch for me. I am going to be back in Canada well before, so thankfully the travel time will be significantly less horrific than the 22+ hours of misery that is in my near(er) future.

That will be me! I won't even look at just how long it will take to get there until later.

[RetiredAt63]

Yeah! We have Tardis! And Deb!

No 8 AM yoga classes - we will all fall asleep on the mats.

Um, are things being scheduled already? I already volunteered spinning/fibre prep/toe up socks, but don't want to be scheduled at the same time as something I really want to be at.  Or is our craft room going to be a drop-in sort of thing?

[MonkeyJenga]

Also, Is MJ still making making out great again? Where the heck is she?

I think so.

I was. But I'm in now.

[Le Poisson]

17 spots sold last night, for 20 attendees (3 kids). If anyone else wants to lock up a spot in this first round, there aren't many left.


I have a draft schedule worked up R@63, and I have morning exercise in the schedule for those who are interested. My MO is to provide all the things and let other decide whether they want to partake. I'll likely try yoga (although I haven't ever done it before) just to see if its for me. On day 2, I may decide to come out again or sleep in, depending on how sore I am after day 1.

I was excited when LFG mentioned Yoga, because although I know we have a lot of fit people on the forum, I am not one, and I was a little confounded at how to go about finding a person. She shouldn't feel alone in being volunteered though...

I voluntold Tardis to do a logo design, and I'll be looking for more helpers for things like a welcome committee, presenters, etc. The only way to keep this camp so reasonable to source help from everyone. And your fibre arts offer has been noted. I'm just sitting on it while I ponder where to slide it into the schedule - I do have a spot in mind, but as you suggested, it will likely overlap other events.

This is sort of like Monkey Jenga's dating life - you have it all, you just can't have all of it at once.

[G-dog]

This is sort of like Monkey Jenga's dating life - you have it all, you just can't have all of it at once.


And .... sometimes you want donuts with holes, other times you just really need a really good creme filling, and sprinkles

[pbkmaine]

Also, Is MJ still making making out great again? Where the heck is she?

I think so.

I was. But I'm in now.

Hooray!

[Le Poisson]

And .... sometimes you want donuts with holes, other times you just really need a really good crime filling, and sprinkles

I knew some of the ladies liked bad boys, but this takes things in a whole 'nother direction.

[G-dog]

And .... sometimes you want donuts with holes, other times you just really need a really good crime filling, and sprinkles

I knew some of the ladies liked bad boys, but this takes things in a whole 'nother direction.

Damn autoincorrect! But, that is too funny!

[Le Poisson]

Things I now wish I could have at CMC2017, but alas I cannot...

1. Meatball party
2. Donut buffet
3. Pudding-Balloon Catapult

Evidently my food based activity choices are poor.

[Le Poisson]

MJ - When you search flights up here, try Porter Airlines as well as the standard searches. I don't think they show up on the big search engines, they are a small regional carrier with daily direct flights to Toronto Island Airport (a small airport right downtown). Right now they have a banner on my screen with $109 flights to NYC. I haven't clicked it, so I can't say what reality looks like.

They may fly to DC as well. Not sure.

[G-dog]

Things I now wish I could have at CMC2017, but alas I cannot...

1. Meatball party
2. Donut buffet
3. Pudding-Balloon Catapult

Evidently my food based activity choices are poor.

Why can't we have those?
I'd add Dumpling Party (as in filled dumplings like Chinese dumplings. Pierogies, ravioli, empañadas...)

[Le Poisson]

Things I now wish I could have at CMC2017, but alas I cannot...

1. Meatball party
2. Donut buffet
3. Pudding-Balloon Catapult

Evidently my food based activity choices are poor.

Why can't we have those?
I'd add Dumpling Party (as in filled dumplings like Chinese dumplings. Pierogies, ravioli, empañadas...)

They have a no outside food policy in the literature, which makes good sense for the venue. Its a summer camp for terminally ill children.

I really don't wanna be the guy who messed things up for a sick kid, so I'm guessing that splatting pudding balloons around the place would be a bad idea - let alone the ecological implications of busted balloon bits everywhere and the mess to clean up. But wouldn't it be fun?

[G-dog]

And having them prep the meatball party is too pricey?

Is the any venue in town for an offsite bacchanalia?

[Le Poisson]

I'm goin gto ask them about swapping a meatball party in for a menu choice - we'll see where that goes. This place was ridiculously cheap already though, so I'm not about to go imposing all sorts of demands on them.

In-town partying... well carpooling is a thing, and you better have time on your hands, and you won't beat the venue pricing. Also, you'll have to really, really like country music bars. We're going to be in podunkville.

[pbkmaine]

I'm goin gto ask them about swapping a meatball party in for a menu choice - we'll see where that goes. This place was ridiculously cheap already though, so I'm not about to go imposing all sorts of demands on them.

In-town partying... well carpooling is a thing, and you better have time on your hands, and you won't beat the venue pricing. Also, you'll have to really, really like country music bars. We're going to be in podunkville.

What really matters is the fellowship.

[Le Poisson]

I'm goin gto ask them about swapping a meatball party in for a menu choice - we'll see where that goes. This place was ridiculously cheap already though, so I'm not about to go imposing all sorts of demands on them.

In-town partying... well carpooling is a thing, and you better have time on your hands, and you won't beat the venue pricing. Also, you'll have to really, really like country music bars. We're going to be in podunkville.

What really matters is the fellowship.

Of the Rings?

[pbkmaine]

Ha!

Seriously though, I have been to dozens of retreats (both personal and professional) in my lifetime, and what I remember best are the great conversations with interesting people.

[okits]

And having them prep the meatball party is too pricey?

Is the any venue in town for an offsite bacchanalia?

Meatball party in the parking lot of Aldershot GO station before the CMC activities begin?

[Le Poisson]

Leave it with me guys. If meatballs don't work out there's always cheeseburgers.

[deborah]

Yeah! We have Tardis! And Deb!

No 8 AM yoga classes - we will all fall asleep on the mats.

Um, are things being scheduled already? I already volunteered spinning/fibre prep/toe up socks, but don't want to be scheduled at the same time as something I really want to be at.  Or is our craft room going to be a drop-in sort of thing?

If we're the craft group, I could do felt.

[RetiredAt63]

Yeah! We have Tardis! And Deb!

No 8 AM yoga classes - we will all fall asleep on the mats.

Um, are things being scheduled already? I already volunteered spinning/fibre prep/toe up socks, but don't want to be scheduled at the same time as something I really want to be at.  Or is our craft room going to be a drop-in sort of thing?

If we're the craft group, I could do felt.

Are you going to bring fibre all the way from Australia?    If so could you please bring me some nice merino and possum roving or top for spinning?  Undyed is fine.   ;-)  Also there is a shop in St. Thomas (not sure how close to the venue) that has stuff.  I will have my car, Mazda3 hatchback, so we can shop till we drop if we want.  I know it is not mustachian, but I brought 2 pounds of alpaca home from Vancouver Island in my checked baggage, so there is precedent.
http://littleredmitten.com/

Unfortunately the Black Lamb is the other side of Toronto, I can stop on my way to camp if anyone wants me to pick up stuff there.
http://www.theblacklamb.ca/

Prospector, just give us the space and it looks like we will organize our crafts.  ;-)

[Le Poisson]

Yeah! We have Tardis! And Deb!

No 8 AM yoga classes - we will all fall asleep on the mats.

Um, are things being scheduled already? I already volunteered spinning/fibre prep/toe up socks, but don't want to be scheduled at the same time as something I really want to be at.  Or is our craft room going to be a drop-in sort of thing?

If we're the craft group, I could do felt.

Are you going to bring fibre all the way from Australia?    If so could you please bring me some nice merino and possum roving or top for spinning?  Undyed is fine.   ;-)  Also there is a shop in St. Thomas (not sure how close to the venue) that has stuff.  I will have my car, Mazda3 hatchback, so we can shop till we drop if we want.  I know it is not mustachian, but I brought 2 pounds of alpaca home from Vancouver Island in my checked baggage, so there is precedent.
http://littleredmitten.com/

Unfortunately the Black Lamb is the other side of Toronto, I can stop on my way to camp if anyone wants me to pick up stuff there.
http://www.theblacklamb.ca/

Prospector, just give us the space and it looks like we will organize our crafts.  ;-)

I believe in self government of crafters. You guys are going to do whatever the hell you want anyways! I'm not organizing anything.

ETA - the nearest wool/craft shop I am aware of is the Mary Maxim Warehouse outlet in Paris. Not fancy and expensive stuff, but loads of fun things to do.

[deborah]

You probably should ask the New Zealander for the possum. Possums in Australia are protected. Possums in New Zealand are vermin, so possum wool comes from New Zealand. I have Alpaca fleece. And various others. But no Possum.

[Stashasaurus]

Leave it with me guys. If meatballs don't work out there's always cheeseburgers.

You mean we can have cheese burgers, spreadsheets and parties all at the same time?

[RetiredAt63]

You probably should ask the New Zealander for the possum. Possums in Australia are protected. Possums in New Zealand are vermin, so possum wool comes from New Zealand. I have Alpaca fleece. And various others. But no Possum.

I know the possums were brought from Australia to NZ for their fur and wool.  So only commercial in NZ?  OK.  Tardis?  When are you leaving NZ?  It is one of the few things not commercially available here.  Alpaca is getting to be common, they like our climate, I went to a show in Navan this summer.  But Australia is still known for Merino.

Prospector, nice as Mary maxim is, it is yarn, not fiber.  But a really interesting Canadian story.  Maybe I should bring my SpinWell and tell the story.

[deborah]

Merino I can do. What are the Canadian import restrictions? Does it have to be nicely packaged or can it be real fleece? I have some of both. Actually, there is a place called First Edition Fibres and Yarns http://www.firsteditionfibres.com.au/index.html where I get my stuff from (it's just a slight detour on the way to my parents house), so if you want any of their stuff, I can easily bring it.

[Cherry Lane]

MJ - When you search flights up here, try Porter Airlines as well as the standard searches. I don't think they show up on the big search engines, they are a small regional carrier with daily direct flights to Toronto Island Airport (a small airport right downtown). Right now they have a banner on my screen with $109 flights to NYC. I haven't clicked it, so I can't say what reality looks like.

They may fly to DC as well. Not sure.

I didn't know about this airline, so thanks for that info. I checked on DC. While they may fly into a convenient little airport in Toronto, they use the big, awful suburban one here. I'd eat up the $80 cost difference just getting to/from IAD, I think. Would I make it up on the Toronto end?

[Le Poisson]

It puts you on an island. From there you walk in a tunnel under toronto harbour, hop on a free shuttle to Union station and catch a GO train to Aldershot. You will have to pay the fares for the train, but no other Toronto costs. A difference of about $20 versus flying into Pearson and taking the Union-Pearson train (the UP Express) to Union Station, then hopping the GO. More convenient, fewer transfers, and slightly less money.

Google Map - Island Airport - Aldershot

Google Map - Pearson Airport - Aldershot Station

Funny that Google doesn't route you to the UP Express. Huh.

Also, once everyone gets to buying tickets, we will have discussion about who arrives when, and then we can see if folks are driving past airports etc. For instance, we can drive past either Pearson or Union station to get to CM - if your timing aligns with mine, then we can likely work things out. For out-of-towners, we may have room for couchsurfers the night before if that works into your schedule better too.

One last edit... use the airport code YTO in your searches and it will bring up both airports. The white unicorn that no one will find is a flight into YHM - the Hamilton airport, which is literally half an hour from our venue. For an idea of who flies there, here's their arrival/departure boards: https://flyhamilton.ca/passenger/flights/arrivals-and-departures/

[Le Poisson]

Guys... can anyone remember what the proposed activities for Boring Man were?

I have a block of time on Saturday, and... naw, nevermind. Dumb idea.

[RetiredAt63]

Merino I can do. What are the Canadian import restrictions? Does it have to be nicely packaged or can it be real fleece? I have some of both. Actually, there is a place called First Edition Fibres and Yarns http://www.firsteditionfibres.com.au/index.html where I get my stuff from (it's just a slight detour on the way to my parents house), so if you want any of their stuff, I can easily bring it.

Import restrictions I don't know.  We would have to check.  At least there is lots of time   ;-)  The silk on that web site, mmmm.  Are those Australian dollars or is it automatically converting to currency of viewer?  Although our currencies are pretty close right now.

[deborah]

Merino I can do. What are the Canadian import restrictions? Does it have to be nicely packaged or can it be real fleece? I have some of both. Actually, there is a place called First Edition Fibres and Yarns http://www.firsteditionfibres.com.au/index.html where I get my stuff from (it's just a slight detour on the way to my parents house), so if you want any of their stuff, I can easily bring it.

Import restrictions I don't know.  We would have to check.  At least there is lots of time   ;-)  The silk on that web site, mmmm.  Are those Australian dollars or is it automatically converting to currency of viewer?  Although our currencies are pretty close right now.

AUD Our currencies are ALWAYS pretty close - I looked at a twenty year comparison some time ago, and they were never more than 5% apart (even closer than us and NZ) - I think it's because we have similar economies, based on mining and agriculture. The silk and merino is really yummy and has a lovely sheen. They do beautiful stuff. And it's only 2 men and a dog in a warehouse/factory in a pretty small town.

[RetiredAt63]

Merino I can do. What are the Canadian import restrictions? Does it have to be nicely packaged or can it be real fleece? I have some of both. Actually, there is a place called First Edition Fibres and Yarns http://www.firsteditionfibres.com.au/index.html where I get my stuff from (it's just a slight detour on the way to my parents house), so if you want any of their stuff, I can easily bring it.

Import restrictions I don't know.  We would have to check.  At least there is lots of time   ;-)  The silk on that web site, mmmm.  Are those Australian dollars or is it automatically converting to currency of viewer?  Although our currencies are pretty close right now.

AUD Our currencies are ALWAYS pretty close - I looked at a twenty year comparison some time ago, and they were never more than 5% apart (even closer than us and NZ) - I think it's because we have similar economies, based on mining and agriculture. The silk and merino is really yummy and has a lovely sheen. They do beautiful stuff. And it's only 2 men and a dog in a warehouse/factory in a pretty small town.

When we went in 2002 (that long ago already?) it was 100CAN:85AUS.  New Zealand was 100Can:65NZ.  Lovely for us, hard for you.  Then we hit Hawai'i and the American exchange rate hit us.

Where do they get their silk?  I know China has a huge silk production industry and it is nice silk.

Two men and a dog?  What does the dog do?  Missy tries to help me, if she had her way everything I do would be a bit of a blend with chiengora.  We actually have a new mill opened up in Lanark NW of Ottawa, a young married couple.  So it definitely can be a two person show.

Prospector, glad you appreciate all the advance planning we are doing for our craft activities.sorry for the sort of hijack of CMC.  But we will bring gorgeous Australian fibre to the craft room, if we can work out the details.

[Le Poisson]

What hijack!?!? I thought this was activity planning.

[RetiredAt63]

What hijack!?!? I thought this was activity planning.

Oh good, yes, activity planning.  Glad you see it that way.