NIMH Fan Meet at Mephit Fur Meet 2007

Well, decided to do a new thread for the 2007 MFM NIMH meet at MFM, just to keep things sperate.

On another note, when it comes to voting, please pick the option that best describes your situation for accurate results.

Another year, another upcoming MFM. Just here to inform any NIMH fans about the NIMH Meet at Mephit Fur Meet 2007, in Memphis TN. It's to be held on August 31st to September 2nd 2007.

Last couple years it's been primarily a "NIMH Muck" meet up, but that doesn't mean any "NIMH" fans in general couldn't attend as well. You can find more info about the con itself, at www.mephitfurmeet.org.

The rooms are $99 a night and that's the special con rate. You can 'officially' put up to four people in a room. I find the rooms big enough to fit four folks in. Then again, you don't really spend much time in the rooms save for sleeping and the occasional hanging out, though there are much better public places for that usually. One thing to keep in mind is that the hotel is under new management. Meaning a cot is an additional fee per night, and extra room keys are $10 per night extra.

It's possible to split rooms up to four or more ways with other NIMH folks, if you're so comfortable with doing so. It can save a bit of cash. You could probably sneak more than four folks into a room, if you wanted, but that's up to you and the party you're with. Although more than four might make things a bit tight in the regular rooms. Also, according to Tod and Backwoods, there is an econo-lodge right near the MFM hotel, that may offer better rates. Something to consider, though from what i hear the savings comes with a bit of inconvenience when it comes to attending the con. You can find more about the hotel HERE[=http://www.mephitfurmeet.org/hotel]HERE

The MFM website has everything from registration rates, online registration, and at the door registration rates, plus a forum for ride splitting, including links to the hotel, which is in itself rather nice.

I've also created a google group for discussion about plans among NIMH folks interested in attending, and a google calendar group for NIMH MFM attendees, that can be edited and contributed by all, to further help coordinate plans, and whatnot. if you'd like to be added to the google group, email or IM me via the links at the bottom of this post.

Anyway, hope to see more folks there this year! gotta beat the record of Six! Also, Feel free to post any questions here as well, and I'll try to answer.

Keep watching this space for news on discounted air-fare rates. As soon as I know the rates, I'll post them here in an edit.

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Depending on what my schedule is like (and what I have as far as funds are concerned) then, I may drop by.

Okay, next year, I promise I will try and come. I have a lot of money from my birthday still so I minus well save my money. I despreatly hope I can make it. :)
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-Nimhster 8)

If you have some NIMH Friends either online or in person that you know, or trust enough to split a room with, doing so can effectively halve, or further divide rates, making it less expensive for everyone. That's what I typically do. That and it's nice to room with people you know.

not sure if i want to go if at the last convintion there was drinking. i am against alchohol and try and avoid it at all times.

not sure if i want to go if at the last convintion there was drinking. i am against alchohol and try and avoid it at all times.

It all depends on the group you hang out with. You can -find- drinking if you look for it. They don't permit drinking anywhere but the bar in the lobby, which is not where most of the convention takes place, and within the rooms themselves. If you room with people who don't drink, then you shouldn't have a problem. Anyone who abuses drinking, can, and may very well be removed from the con, and/or the hotel itself.

Not only that, just because -you- don't drink, doesn't mean anyone will be force you to, or expect you to stick around where there may be drinking. One of the biggest rules at MFM is "No means NO!" and if that's not heeded, heads can, and will roll. #1 priority of the con staff is that -EVERYONE- has fun, is comfortable, and all is done safely.

If you have some NIMH Friends either online or in person that you know, or trust enough to split a room with, doing so can effectively halve, or further divide rates, making it less expensive for everyone. That's what I typically do. That and it's nice to room with people you know.

That sounds like an excellent idea and now, why didn't I think of that? I'm gettin' older and busier than before. I must admit that is a good idea to divide even costs for the room, room service, movies, etc. and all that stuff. Thanks. :D
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-Nimhster 8)

I do know a NIMH friend in person, but I'm almost certain she won't be able to come. She's a very busy person, as am I. But I'm probably more likely to come. I'll try to get a part time job this summer and rake in some modest money. Not the 20$ I get from mowing my grandparents' lawn every once in a while.

If you have some NIMH Friends either online or in person that you know, or trust enough to split a room with, doing so can effectively halve, or further divide rates, making it less expensive for everyone. That's what I typically do. That and it's nice to room with people you know.

That sounds like an excellent idea and now, why didn't I think of that? I'm gettin' older and busier than before. I must admit that is a good idea to divide even costs for the room, room service, movies, etc. and all that stuff. Thanks. :D

I do know a NIMH friend in person, but I'm almost certain she won't be able to come. She's a very busy person, as am I. But I'm probably more likely to come. I'll try to get a part time job this summer and rake in some modest money. Not the 20$ I get from mowing my grandparents' lawn every once in a while.

Made the same suggestion last year in my NIMH MFM meet post. Guess not everyone read my post in its entirety. Although, there's not so much room service, and I've never even -looked- at the movies they have. There's too much going on to waste time watching TV IMO. Any movies I do watch, are playing for 'free' in the Video Room, which is also run by a NIMH Fan. There is 'cheap' food, but its only available by long walk, or a drive. The hotel restaurant is -fantastic- but not exactly 'cheap.' I recommend bringing some foodstuffs along if at all possible. Also, there's Cafe Karina open on two of the three days of the con, offering free breakfast stuffs (bagels, toast, coffee, tea, juice etc) and the Pizza Feed and Ice Cream Social, which are both covered by your registration.

Even if you arranged to meet some trusted online friends at the con, and get together it works. That's what I do. Over the last few years I've split rooms with Marcus, Gabriel, Simon, Sinope, Patch and Max from the Muck. Of course, meeting folks you haven't met IRL is a bit of a 'at your own risk' sort of thing. So I leave it to your digression. People you can travel with help cut gas costs too, and I know Greyhound has a 'companion fare' where you can get a second ticket for the same destination at a reduced cost, which then 2 people can pay 50% of the total cost of each tickets to reduce both costs. That, and there will be a discount available for a couple airlines coming eventually, as soon as it's negotiated by the MFM staff, with the airlines.

Dude, you've roomed with mal? That is so sweet. But still, by the time next MFM comes around, I will be very limited with my contact with her. I also can't confirm she's ever been to or even willing to go to a MFM convention (though I have suspicions that she's been to a NIMH convention).

Dude, you've roomed with mal? That is so sweet. But still, by the time next MFM comes around, I will be very limited with my contact with her. I also can't confirm she's ever been to or even willing to go to a MFM convention (though I have suspicions that she's been to a NIMH convention).

Yeah, I have. Even got to watch him work. In fact I got to watch him sketch/draw the original of THIS[=http://www.thornvalley.com/gallery/fan/v/marcus/WeaponsCheck.jpg.html]THIS image at MFM. He didn't make it to MFM 2006, but hopefully maybe he'll make it to 2007's con.

As for MFM, its a very social place. I've made more good friends at MFM, than I have in my life total. Of course, that's not -really- saying much if you break it down to the numbers. All the attendees at MFM, are almost like friends you've always had, but just hadn't met yet or even knew you had. Overall it's a great, open minded and friendly atmosphere. Just ask Tod, Backwoods or Simon, who attended MFM X (10) last year.

If funds and time allow, I'll go. It also depends on if I'm in college by then (hopefully I'm accepted). If I am, it may be difficult for me getting there. But excluding nuckear war or some other global event that wipes out the human race, I'll come there at least once before I die.
About my friend. I also doubt her hubbie would feel comfortable with her sleeping in the same room as me (even though I would never even think of getting in the same bed as her). Also, being a teacher, I think she would find it difficult getting the school to let her leave for a couple days.
But I'm pretty sure I'll make it there one of these years.

If funds and time allow, I'll go. It also depends on if I'm in college by then (hopefully I'm accepted). If I am, it may be difficult for me getting there. But excluding nuckear war or some other global event that wipes out the human race, I'll come there at least once before I die.
About my friend. I also doubt her hubbie would feel comfortable with her sleeping in the same room as me (even though I would never even think of getting in the same bed as her). Also, being a teacher, I think she would find it difficult getting the school to let her leave for a couple days.
But I'm pretty sure I'll make it there one of these years.

Well, I can guarantee the answer will be 'No' if you never ask. Last I recall, teachers do have vacation days, most of the hotel rooms have double beds, meaning 2 people can have their own seperate bed, and cots are avalible. Maybe her husband would care to come along as well. Trust me, if you go to one, you'll want to go to another. They're very good places to be.

Like Xaiver's said, there are people willing to share costs (backwoods and i did it this year), and a lot to do. I'm debating flying or driving next year, since time always seems to be a problem if you drive (an 11 hour drive twice in one weekend kinda wore the heck out of me).

Anyhow, MFM is a great, fun and sociable place. I met a lot of people i never knew, explored a whole, very fascinating genre of society, and had waay too much suger and waay too little sleep. I will warn this, though: You have to keep an open mind if you're going to attend and have fun. It's a great place to kick back, relax, goof off, and embarass the heck out of yourself without worrying about what people think of you 'cuz they're doing the same thing. I mean, come on, we had something like a hundred people batting baloons around the hotel lobby. It was a blast!

Well, if you say so...

Well, if you say so...

I know you're not specifically speaking to me, but yes, I do say so. Or at least, I say so in agreement! ;)

On another note, I updated some of the info in the first post of this thread.

Although I got accepted into a college and I might be able to sneak out for it, there's still the question of money and transportation. I don't have much of the first, and none of the second. With a job, a little luck (getting a car), and a lot of persuation (my parents getting me behind the wheel), I'll see if I can make it there.
I really think it might be possible for me to show my mug there.

Well, I may be able to scrounge up barely enough money to cover rent. But food might be pushing it. Also, I doubt I would have transportation there. Right now, it's looking up in the air for me.

Well, I may be able to scrounge up barely enough money to cover rent. But food might be pushing it. Also, I doubt I would have transportation there. Right now, it's looking up in the air for me.

We are running a 'NIMH Muck' rooms block, where a bunch of NIMH folks all meet up and split a room at the con, in this case more than one room as it stands. Check out the sticky thread about it on the general discussion forum of this forum. Might help save some cash in that regard. Depending on how many 'confirmed' attendees we get, we may jump to three adjoining rooms. Of course to be officially counted in this, a down payment will be required.

You can find the thread I'm talking about HERE[=http://www.thornvalley.com/commons/forum/viewtopic.php?t=663]HERE

Understood, but there's still the question of getting there. I doubt that would be cheap. And with college classes, I'm not sure I'll make it this year.

Understood, but there's still the question of getting there. I doubt that would be cheap. And with college classes, I'm not sure I'll make it this year.

You might put feelers out as to who is going that might be going by you, you can look for other NIMH folks or on the MFM forum listed on their website. They have a 'Ride Share' forum for that purpose. Last but not least is always Greyhound. They can be inexpensive depending where you are and time frame when you book. THough there is an expensive taxi ride involved unless you can arrange someone to pick you up from the terminal.

Anyway, goodluck!

Thanks. There's still my mom. She apparently wants me to spend every waking minute I have outside the classes studying (like that's much better than no studying at all).
Still, I'll see what I can do. But I doubt it's going to happen with me this year.

Hehe if you're of legal age Cedric, I know for myself if I was making all the arrangements and covering all costs and I was a legal adult, my parents would be hard pressed to stop me from going somewhere. But It's always better not having to go that route. :)

Money is no longer an issue for me. And given how my parents and grandparents are hassling me, I'll be able to drive. My final hurdle: getting a vehicle to get me there (I don't quite have that much money).

Money is no longer an issue for me. And given how my parents and grandparents are hassling me, I'll be able to drive. My final hurdle: getting a vehicle to get me there (I don't quite have that much money).

There's always greyhound. Often a bit easier and less stressful than driving, and possibly cheaper depending on how far away you are from Memphis.

At the time of it, I'll still be in western South Carolina. But if I play my cards right, I should be able to attend next year. I hope...

At the time of it, I'll still be in western South Carolina. But if I play my cards right, I should be able to attend next year. I hope...

South Carolina isn't that far from Memphis TN, I bet a bus would be under two hundred bucks easy. :)

$200? I won't have that much left over after room and (possibly) board at MFM. Sorry, but it looks like 2007 isn't going to be my year. But 08 is looking promising.

$200? I won't have that much left over after room and (possibly) board at MFM. Sorry, but it looks like 2007 isn't going to be my year. But 08 is looking promising.

I said -UNDER- $200.

I did a quick search, a Greyhound bus from Columbia, SC to Memphis TN and staying for the whole con runs about $90 if you bought them today. Round trip. That's -excluding- any 'student discount' you might be eligible for.

The room itself is $99/night, if you found 2 or 3 other room mates to split the cost with (which we are arranging for all NIMH Nuts wanting to attend MFM) the cost of the room is only about $25 - $35 per night. WHich means short of food (one meal is at least covered by your registration) and the con Registration, you could get there by bus and stay at the con hotel for around $140 - $160.

Only other additional fees would be registration which is $40 at the door, and food.

I always crunch numbers before jumping to assumptions.

So it's $200 for the whole thing minimum? I can handle that easily with dough to spare. Still, I don't know if I'll be able to afford missing a few days of school for the trip there and back. I'll see what I can do, but I still don't know if it will happen this year.
For the record, I'll be in Clemson at the time.

So it's $200 for the whole thing minimum? I can handle that easily with dough to spare. Still, I don't know if I'll be able to afford missing a few days of school for the trip there and back. I'll see what I can do, but I still don't know if it will happen this year.
For the record, I'll be in Clemson at the time.

Well around $200 for the ride, room and con admission. Although the room could fluctuate a bit, it depends on how many people per room we can get. We hope to have at least 3 to a room. The bus schedule I had picked to test prices out were you leaving on the afternoon of the 30th, and departing home on the afternoon of the 2nd.

I highly doubt I'll be able to room with anyone, so if anything I'll end up with the full price. liquotes a former teacherli 'there is a slim yet finite chance that' at the college I'll be at, there will be someone else planning to attend and we can ride together. That's highly unlikely, but you can hardly tell with 15000 people.
All I can say is, it's hard to tell at this point. I do know I will attend MFM sometime. I just don't know what year it will be.

I highly doubt I'll be able to room with anyone, so if anything I'll end up with the full price. liquotes a former teacherli 'there is a slim yet finite chance that' at the college I'll be at, there will be someone else planning to attend and we can ride together. That's highly unlikely, but you can hardly tell with 15000 people.
All I can say is, it's hard to tell at this point. I do know I will attend MFM sometime. I just don't know what year it will be.

Not sure why you're ruling out splitting a room, but thats ultimately your choice. It seems you've more or less already talked yourself out of even considering going.

Well I don't know how it will be possible at the last minute. Which will be the case if I even do come this year.