FLEM 2016 is on for March 4th and 5th!

[HankLloydRight]

Sending PM shortly!

[Bradfo69]

Room situation solved.

[DZ]

Looks like I'll definitely be there, wasn't looking good there for a while. Can't wait!

[buffo]

Glad to hear that you've resolved the work/time-off issue, David! Can't imagine a FLEM without you present. (I think you are one of a handful of PL members who has managed to attend every SELEM and FLEM ever... Don't want to break that record!)

Brad: Really glad you got the room issue sorted out. Can't believe they wouldn't refund you. That's really shitty of them. (This, plus the recent rate hike, is making me re-think the idea of using the HIE as the "go to" hotel for FLEM...)

Hank: Brad and I had to change our plans, so we may not be able to link up for lunch as we had originally planned. Rest assured though we will definitely be able to get together Thursday evening for something. (I promise that between the three of us we can find some trouble to get into!)

I spoke with Aaron over at Pangolin, and he said he would be there along with his girlfriend Lauren. Not sure about anyone else from Pangolin though - my understanding is that they are all traveling right now and they may not get back in time to join us. (Bummer) I know Ryan was thinking about attending though, and I think he might be the only one other than Aaron who wasn't traveling this week, so there's still hope!

David Kumpula was planning to make the trip, so hopefully we will see him there. (Wish Jason Salt was also coming, but I think he has to work...) And I know Chris Tate was planning to attend. (Actually, he might fly his plane to the Leesburg airport, if the weather is good. Otherwise he will have to drive.) LJ Knoll said he would be there, which would be very cool as he hasn't been able to attend in quite a long time. Will be cool to catch up with him. (Also, he just picked up some new toys thanks to Justin at Pangolin, and I know I'm looking forward to seeing them!) Also, KingsofFlight was planning to attend, although I haven't heard back from him recently to see if he's still going.

I will get in touch with Fred Blockland (Astroguy) and see if he and Dee will be able to make it. Got a feeling his work schedule won't allow it (they keep him pretty busy at the yard these days) but it would be great to see them again. Also, I'm really hoping that Frank (Flecom) can make the trip, as I need to pick his brains about a few things. Beyond that though, I don't know who else might be attending.

This time we will have access to the venue for a longer period of time. I should be able to get into the boat house in the late morning on Friday. (Technically we are booked to start at noon, but no one else will be there so we can probably start earlier.) This is a good thing, as we have plans to modify a projector while we are there. Should be an interesting exercise.

Also, there will be an interesting (and rather large) collection of various items for sale at very reasonable prices thanks to a last-minute logistical effort between George, Jeff, and me (and some help from Brad too, with regard to moving all the stuff). Little things like MM1s, galvo mirrors, and brackets - medium size things like spare scanner amps, spare scanners, power supplies, cases, and so fourth, and some very large items like ion laser power supplies and heads (mostly Spectra-Physics stuff, although there may be a few Lexel 85/88 heads and maybe some others as well).

If I have missed anyone, please post! Would be good to know in advance how many chairs and tables we need to devote to control stations vs the "work area" back near the kitchen. But even as we stand now, it's going to be great fun for all. Can't wait for next week to get here! See you all very soon...

Adam

[Lazerjock]

Adam,
I will be there for sure, but I will be driving. My Dad is in town visiting from Ohio and showed an interest in attending too. He was there 2 years ago and was very impressed with everything.

The reason I'm driving is because the airplane engine is being overhauled. (It's a long story. I'll explain at FLEM.) It's going to end up costing me about $12000. (and you thought lasers were expensive). Luckily I had money saved up for a down payment on a car. So I will be driving the old Firebird for another year or so.

Chris

[buffo]

Hi Chris;

12 grand? OUCH! That's going to be an interesting story... Then again, nothing wrong with your old Firebird. Still has classic looks and all, and I'll bet it can still get out of it's own way when it needs to!

Your Dad is more than welcome to join us! Projector technology has only gotten better in the past few years. Did he see the Z-5 last time? If not, that will be a treat. Lots of other cool new stuff too.

See you soon!

Adam

[ImageLight]

Thinking about coming to this, anybody shacking up in rooms?? Hotel rates are ridiculous that week for some reason.. :/

[DZ]

Thinking about coming to this, anybody shacking up in rooms?? Hotel rates are ridiculous that week for some reason.. :/

That is weird, wasn't it always $99 a night in the past?! It's $199 for Friday night. There must be some other event in the area.

[ljk]

Any thoughts for another nice hotel in the area for my wife and I. Thank LJ

[Bradfo69]

Thinking about coming to this, anybody shacking up in rooms?? Hotel rates are ridiculous that week for some reason.. :/

America's Best Value Inn down closer to Angelo's was a bit cheaper but still more than I would have expected. There's got to be a Red Roof or Motel 6 or something of that nature in the area but I haven't stumbled across it yet. I remember Gary mentioning someplace he stayed over towards Eustis that was half the cost a few years ago.