Mittens 2025 - pre planning

[AGA]

We managed to reboot Mittens this year, after a long Covid-induced hiatus.  Great fun as it was, it was a relatively small group, so I thought maybe we should start planning earlier for 2025 to see if we can get some more interest!

The US - given every third Mittens tends to be there - and Japan were floated as potential destinations.

Speaking for me and @tampie85, this would need to be during the school summer holidays (21/07 - 01/09).  We would also aim to bring our son along with us again, as we did to Mittens 2024.

Does anyone else have any particular interest in any destination, limitations on availability, etc etc?  The more we know about everyone's requirements, the better we can hope to address them all!
Tagging repeat and recent attendees!
@2ma2 @abstauber @Andail @Baron @bicilotti @cat @Chrille @Creed Malay @Darth Mandarb @Dave Gilbert @ddq @Disco @DoorKnobHandle @DutchMarco @edmundito @Esseb @FruitTree @Goldmund @Grundislav @Helm @Igor Hardy @jetxl @KANDYMAN-IAC @Kira @Layabout @LimpingFish @MachineElf @magintz @Matt Frith @Matt Goble @Miez @MillsJROSS @Monsieur OUXX @Mr Jake @MrColossal @Nacho @Pesty @Pet Terry @Privateer Puddin' @Pumaman @Quintaros @Radiant @scotch @Scummbuddy @Sinitrena @Snarky @Sylpher @The Ivy @tzachs @Wiggy @yamipanda

[Privateer Puddin']

Yeah, let's go! 行きましょう!

[AGA]

Yeah, let's go! 行きましょう!

Does that mean you'd only be up for Japan?

[Stupot]

Japan is a very popular destination at the moment. The exchange rate in particular is attracting lots of visitors.

I would of course be in favour of Mittens coming to Japan, since I live here. I might finally be able to show my face at a Mittens Proper (there have been a few small meet-ups dubbed 'Hello Kittens'). My wife and I were talking about going somewhere this summer, so it would be just my luck that you all come to Japan when I'm out of the country.

That said, my summer break is earlier in August than the dates AGA mentioned above and my paid leave situation is not very generous or flexible, so if you were to hold Mittens here, I might end up only being able to join in for a day or two rather than the whole shebang.

Yeah, let's go! 行きましょう!

また遊ぼうよ！

[Snarky]

I'm a tentative yes.

I'd be more interested in going to Japan than the US, especially now, but if there are a bunch of Americans who would rather do a more local Mittens, then sure.

My dates are probably flexible, and if we're doing it in Japan I would want to stay longer than one week (either with a group or on my own).

[Mandle]

I'm also here in Japan, and attended the inaugural Hello Kittens that Stupot mentioned with him and I and cat and co. I may be able to attend a Mittens here, depending on timing and location. I'm close to Tokyo.

[Privateer Puddin']

Yeah, let's go! 行きましょう!

Does that mean you'd only be up for Japan?

Nah, US too. I was just being bilingual! Should have thrown a Yee-haw in there for the US version. I think I'll still be Asia based going off work planning conversations, but who knows.

Yeah, let's go! 行きましょう!

また遊ぼうよ！

来月は東京に行きます。何かしましょう。

[cat]

No Mittens for me. We don't want to go to the US and while I'd love to go Japan again in a few years, not in the context of Mittens.

[Disco]

I would enjoy either of the options discussed. Japan would be a fun adventure and a scratch off the bucket list, but if more people could attend a US meet I'd welcome that as well.

[edmundito]

I'm going to be biased and recommend some locations near me in the US in hopes that I can attend:

1. If you're interested in the country and want to see Amish/Mennonite riders in buggies and historic ride trains, go somewhere near Lancaster, Pennsylvania! However, several of us also live near the PA/NY area.
2. Washington, DC: "So this is how democracy dies, with thunderous applause." - But to be serious, there are museums, monuments, and all kinds of exciting things to see.
3. I'm going to Disney World/Cape Canaveral! - Somewhere near Orlando, FL
4. Colorado in the summer - Great for outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, etc., and it's sort of in the middle of the country, so it's equidistant from anyone coming from either side. Someone suggested this on @Grundislav's stream, and I thought it was a great idea.

[Privateer Puddin']

4. Colorado in the summer - Great for outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, etc., and it's sort of in the middle of the country, so it's equidistant from anyone coming from either side. Someone suggested this on @Grundislav's stream, and I thought it was a great idea.

Plus we can see Blucifer

[AGA]

I've added a poll to see if there's any strong preference for Japan over the US, if everyone who's interested in attending could please vote.

[AGA]

Looks like we're fairly evenly split between Japan and USA, not that there's been a huge number of votes.

I guess one big thing in favour of Japan would be the relative rarity of the prospect of a Mittens there, versus the five we've had in the USA already to date.  Not that the USA doesn't have plenty left to offer us of course, just more that Japan could be a break from the norm, like Australia was in 2019.

Would anyone like to take on the burden honour of arranging a Mittens Japan or Mittens USA somewhere from 21/07 - 01/09?  I know Stu's local, but has implied he might not be available.

[milkanannan]

Wish I could join one of these years. I'm in Ottawa and unlikely able to travel anywhere for a while.

[Disco]

Would anyone like to take on the burden honour of arranging a Mittens Japan or Mittens USA somewhere from 21/07 - 01/09?  I know Stu's local, but has implied he might not be available.

I would be up for helping to organise in general, but I have some uncertainties over the next few months that may possibly complicate that. As of today, it would be very unlikely that I will be able to pull off a Japan Mittens, but I can go to a USA meet for sure.

The idea of hosting in Michigan has always appealed to me (Mittens in the Mitten State!) as there is plenty of fun to be had. I live just outside Detroit city limits, and Kayla is a 90 minute drive north. SeventhBard is in the state as well

[AGA]

@tampie85 and I at least are fine with the US.  And @Privateer Puddin' and @Snarky also seem to be flexible?  If we also include @edmundito, @Disco and @Grundislav (who've either voted for US or expressed an interest) that's a fair bit of interest in the US.

Would anyone else be interested in attending if we had Mittens somewhere in the US?  Tagging North American previous Mitteners: @Baron @Darth Mandarb @Dave Gilbert @ddq @Quintaros @scotch @Scummbuddy @tzachs

As well as last year's attendees for courtesy, @Creamy @Matt Frith @Mr Jake

[Snarky]

And @Privateer Puddin' and @Snarky also seem to be flexible?

I'm a maybe at this point. I'll be starting a new job, and I haven't figured out exactly what my vacation situation will be. Any time outside July could be difficult.

Also, whether or not the US is at war with Denmark by this summer, my enthusiasm for visiting the country is low.

[AGA]

It's getting to a point where we should really get something booked in, before everyone's made alternate holiday plans...

If neither Japan nor the US has many supporters, is there anywhere else people would prefer?  I've done my best to get some interest going here, but it's like getting blood from a stone!

[Cassiebsg]

Unless it's a drive away from me, I won't be attending, but considering the unstable situation in the US, I would probably suggest Canada instead, as it would still let US citizens get there "easily" (unless the US also starts a war with Canada). 

[AGA]

I was actually thinking something similar yesterday, that Canada might be a good compromise given the US is so... interesting... right now.  Not that Canada isn't a wonderful place to visit anyway, Mittens '07 was excellent!

Would any more people be interested were Canada an option?