So, who is planning on coming to Boston this summer

[TayTay]

I have some hostel info for you. Go to:
http://www.hostels.com/us.ma.bo.html
and check out the prices on these places. You have to plan fairly quickly as these places will be filled for summer reservations by April (at the latest.) You can get a room for under $30 a night. (My sister has stayed at hostels when travelling for years and loved it.) If you plan on staying on a bit longer and perhaps seeing The Cape, then get a reservation at their hostel quickly, cheapest accomodations on the Cape.

If I get a head count, I will do some more work and see if I can get some reduced rate hotels for those who prefer hotels. Then I will call Kerry's office and see if we can get a meeting or something with the Senator. (No guarantees. But what the hell, nothing ventured, nothing gained.)

[elshiva]

1. Good Luck!

I wish you the best. I wish I could go to Boston.
You're gutsy to try to meet JK in person. I'd die of embarrassment...

[TayTay]

3. Why?

He's a very accessible guy. He's actually pretty easy to met and get to talk too. I have never heard of anyone who ever had a problem with him. Of course, the Senate is in session in June/July, so I have no idea if we can actually meet the guy, but we can try. He's a good guy, I'll Ask him to come out for coffee or to meet in his Boston office or something. What the hell? Why not?

[elshiva]

9. I don't doubt he's a nice guy! It's me that I worry about.

I just am not used to being around famous people. I'll tear up or go all quiet, like I do when I'm around attractive people.

[Vektor]

12. Elshiva, I will probably crap my pants in his midst....

He is my HERO! I will need a Depend undergarment, I'm sure of it...so you and I both will have a hard time.

[Firespirit]

16. It would be very difficult...

to keep from going into loopy fangirl mode while around him.

I'm not prone to fainting or anything, but I can see myself fidgeting and spilling something on myself... probably my ever-present latte or cappuccino that's NOT EVEN helping matters. :donut:

I don't know, I expect he'd realize that people would be excited from being around him, but it would be extremely embarrassing for it to be so obvious.

[WildEyedLiberal]

17. I'll faint

Into his crotch, preferably. :evilgrin:

But seriously, you guys have to make sure I don't hurt myself. He will overwhelm me.

[JohnKleeb]

18. I'll bring my taser

;)

[Vektor]

19. Kerry will be grateful for that!

If the fangirls get too out of hand, you will be there to protect him.

[JohnKleeb]

21. ha

I wish I had a fangirl and I wish that the girl I like knew she had a fan :).

[Vektor]

23. Awww...

Is this the girl in your science class?

[Firespirit]

27. Not to mention protect US...

...from ourselves.

OMG, I would DIE if I had this sort of opportunity and did something that resulted in John Kerry (of all people!) thinking I was some sort of star-struck airhead. I'd NEVER forgive myself for blowing it in such a big way. :(

[JohnKleeb]

30. god you guys are putting way too much pressure on the baby

of the fourm :).

[Firespirit]

33. Well otherwise...

...we might all turn into lefty freepers and blame Kerry for messing us up mentally for years to come. :evilgrin:

If I do get the chance to meet in person with him, I just want to give the impression of somebody mature and intelligent, that's all.

But hey, no pressure. Seriously. I'll try to kick the caffeine addiction starting right now if necessary. And if you knew me well, you'd know fully and completely the meaning of that sacrifice.

...

Hey, maybe I should bring my (probable) 150+ pages of unhackable voting software designs, that is if I haven't already sent them to his staff. That would kill two birds with one stone--having an issue (election reform), and presenting a professional appearance rather than, well, star-struck fangirl. I'm assuming this trip is planned for summer and I'm hoping to gawd that I will have finished with this thing long before then.

[JohnKleeb]

35. I know lol

Its just heh.

[WildEyedLiberal]

31. I'd put a paper bag on my head for the rest of my life

I'd be so ashamed.

[JohnKleeb]

32. aww don't do that, then you'd die

[WildEyedLiberal]

38. HAHAHAHAHAHA

Thanks for your concern for my well-being, Kleeb. :P

[JohnKleeb]

40. hah

[Firespirit]

10. Count me in.

I'd love to see the sights of Boston... oh and one of its inhabitants. I expect I can handle my own travel arrangements; I'm a fairly jaded traveler for one my age; know how to get good deals on airfare and rooms and all.

But yes, definitely, count me in. It looks increasingly like I'm going to have to be all over the place this summer anyway. And it gives me a chance to build up some frequent flyer miles. :D

Oh--BTW, no promises about this, but there is a *chance* that I might have some weight to throw around within a month or so, about getting JK to meet with us. I have a couple of his staff on hold, waiting on my complete set of documents, and if they like them... well who knows.

[Vektor]

13. Maybe you could suggest

to some of the others on the forum good tips on how to get deals...a lot of them are students on a limited budget, and airfare and lodging will be a challenge. I know booking early helps...what travel sites to you like to shop on?

[JohnKleeb]

14. Thanks for looking out for us

I am the only student not in college, I am a high school student, but this is my final year, and I'll be 18 in the summer, god life goes by quick.

[Vektor]

20. Congrats on your milestone!!

And you're welcome! Embarking on this journey will be pretty cool, I'd guess. You will be surrounded by women, that makes it nice!!! Where will to be traveling to Boston from?

[JohnKleeb]

22. Northern Virginia, near DC

heh yes mostly girls.

[Vektor]

25. See, not too shabby..

..and you don't have to travel too far. You might want to start an account on www.travelocity.com, and sign up for fare finder alerts. It's free. Put in that you want to be notified on specials from Dulles to Logan airports...They will send you updates. I have found round trip tickets from CA to the East coast for $200-$300 on that site.

[JohnKleeb]

26. ok I may do that

I don't drive unfortunely for me.

[Vektor]

34. Oh, ok...

You could try to see about flights, or maybe have a friend who does drive bring you, and offer a little gas money? You have about 5 months to come up with a plan! We'll help as much as possible.

[JohnKleeb]

36. thanks, hell a train may even be possible

[Vektor]

43. Yes, indeed!

A train is definitely a possibility.

[JohnKleeb]

44. Thats how I got to New York when I was 11

I think my parents will be able to trust me on my own.

[Vektor]

45. Tell them you have a very important meeting with a U.S. Senator.

..and a bunch of crazy broads.

[JohnKleeb]

46. hahahahaha

ahh true.

[Vektor]

49. Your parents

..will be SO PROUD.
:-)

[JohnKleeb]

50. hah

you crack me up.

[Vektor]

51. Well thanks!

I try to throw the laughs around.

[Firespirit]

37. Seriously?

If we take this trip in the summer, I will be in your neighborhood.

Hmmm.

I really wasn't planning on driving to DC when I go there for the summer, I have never liked having a car in that place, but it might come in handy.

[JohnKleeb]

39. yep

I live ike 20 mins from the nearest metro station.

[Firespirit]

41. I think that WEL

is also going to be in the area, and I was contemplating the idea of us "kids" carpooling, taking a road trip rather than flying. Just throwing ideas out. This thread has become a brainstorm session.

[JohnKleeb]

42. I was thinking that to myself

Sure, that would be cool.

[Firespirit]

24. Maybe it's crazy but...

I don't use travel sites.

I am a bigtime "do your own research" control freak sort of person, really... I decide what sights I want to see on the trip, hit Yahoo, type in the locations, search for nearby lodging, and check out basically everything whose name I recognize to be in my price range.

(I do realize that this method doesn't appeal to too many people.)

Airline tickets, that's a different story... Right now I am located literally in the sticks. At the closest airport to me, there is one carrier, so I'm pretty limited unless I want to drive to a different airport. Anyway I'm accumulating frequent flyer miles with them and am pretty well boxed in now. :P But all in all it's the same method, I hit the airline's website and do a search for all possible itineraries, sometimes looking at more than one airport for departure.

And yes, booking early does get you some tremendous discounts.

[Vektor]

48. Excellent -

Thank you!

[angrydemocrat]

2. I'm planning on coming

I will be there unless something happens that can't be helped and prevents me coming(something bad). Otherwise I will for sure be there.

[Vektor]

53. I will be so glad to meet you.

I LOVE your fiery angry letters. You remind me of me when I get pissed. Your liberal use of swear words is exhilarating. :-)

[GRLMGC]

4. So it's Boston?

Hmm, makes sense. I'm gonna have to come up w/ money though.

[JohnKleeb]

5. Hmmmm how do I convince my folks to let me go to Boston

BTW that sounds very cool. Moreover how do I get to Boston?

[WildEyedLiberal]

6. I will plan on it

Unless I miraculously get that internship. I'm also trying to plan a DC trip this summer, for myself. Seeing JK is a priority, however.

[GRLMGC]

8. Very true

I'm planning a trip to NYC and DC but I could cancel DC and go to Boston. Well, if I can get some funds.

[JI7]

61. internship with Kerry ?

if you can't get one with Kerry try to get one with Senators who have an office close to Kerry's .

[texpatriot2004]

7. What's going on in Boston this summer? n/t

[Vektor]

15. Hi tex..

A bunch of us Kerry supporters are having a get together in Boston, and trying to procure a meeting with Kerry to discuss some issues. Interested?

[texpatriot2004]

29. Cool. Yeah, what's the scoop?

[Vektor]

47. Right now, it's still being planned...

Some time in the summer..hope to have a bunch of us go out to visit Boston, and we are trying via the Senate office to arrange a meeting with Kerry. I guess he is very accommodating this way. This is all I know so far, but keep checking into the forum, some of the other posters may know a bit more, also.

[seito]

64. Hi Tex

:hi:

[TayTay]

66. Nothing out of the ordinary

We kind of had a big year last year. (Patriots won, DNC was here, Red Sox won, Ahm, some sorrow as well. We had a local guy almost go, nevermind.)

Just Beantown, in the summer. 4th of July concert with the Boston Pops on the Esplanade. Could be a cool summer, like last year, or a steamy blast furnace like the year before. Don't know yet. Freedom trail, Senate office building in Bowdoin Square, near Govt Center. Faneuil Hall, hmm, sad and not sad. Quincy Market where you can still get cookies from the store that Kerry started with his mother's cookie recipe (under different management, of course.)

Take the train up to Rockport, hang out at Bear Skin Neck. Eat at one of my favorite restaurants overlooking The Point. Go to Salem, see the fake history sites and the real thing. Maybe take a trip to The Cape (go during the week, weekend traffic is wicked.) Freedom Trail. Black Heritage Trail. Beacon Hill tours, including the special hidden garden ones. Louisburg Square, wicked narrow streets. The North End. Lots and lots of good bars. Fenway Park. Back Bay.

I might be able to find something for folks to do. Tempt me.

[Vektor]

11. I want to go!!!!! Hey guys,....

...we should have an issue or some issues to present when asking for a meeting. What do you guys think? Election reform, environmental concerns? We can always have a few...it might help to procure a meeting if we have a well thought out proposal of the issues to submit when we request the meeting.

[GRLMGC]

28. Around when are we aiming for? nt

[sandnsea]

52. Any time frame?

I have a grandbaby due the end of June. My only daughter's baby. My other grandkids are my step-son's and they are never around, that situation's a mess. Anyway, I couldn't even think about going anywhere until August or so.

[TayTay]

54. Hmmm, this could get complicated

I live in the Nashua, NH area (but on the MA side. I vote in MA.) I can accomodate anything except the first two weeks of August when I will be in Scotland.

I posted a link for hostels in the Boston area in the initial posting. College kids and people on a budget can check this out. You can't do better than $30 a night for a nice bed and a location in downtown Boston. Southwest Air flies into Manchester NH which is about an hour or so away from Boston, but you will have to rent a car and having a car in Boston is expensive.(Daily parking rates $30-50. Daily) The train is excellent, goes right by Back Bay. Start checking on hotels now and see what you can get for rates. If you drive in, I will see what I can do about helping you out with a place to park that won't bust the bank.

It looks like we have about 12 people or so who want to come.

Now we need to start thinking about when. June is nice, the weather is not usually smotheringly hot and humid yet (okay, so I'm a winter person, anything above 75 feels hot and smothery to me.)

Anyone and everyone is welcome. Boston is a fun city. Boston is #2 in the nation for having the youngest population. That means lots of bars and restaurants and Kultah stuff to do. E-mail or post what you are into and I'll see what I can do. (WEL, besides that.)

I have a feeling that, if the Senator is in town, we can meet. He is a rep of the people and does meet with constituents all the time. (Isn't that what his day job is? He Senates.) I wouldn't be nervous at all, he's met with dozens of people I know and nobody has died yet. (TayTay confused here. Might not be getting the point.) Anyway, if you mention that you worked on the last campaign, you will get a lot of sympathy. (Remember, I wish I could hug you all, sounds like a soft spot to me.) We could have some fun. I will try.

[GRLMGC]

55. Well, I get out of school like the 2nd week of June

and I wanted to drag someone along w/ me but I don't think that's possible until either late August or early Sept. I guess we'll see.

[TayTay]

56. Late August works.

I am just gone the first two weeks.

In fact, that means Congress is not meeting, so maybe we can meet with ...

[GRLMGC]

57. Awesome

Now I need to work on my friend. I've never been out of CA w/o a friend or a family member. We'll probably end up going to NYC too because we've never been to the East Coast

[sandnsea]

58. Would that make it easier, or harder?

I was just thinking about the August break too and thinking it might be harder to arrange a meeting. Just rambling, I have no clue.

But don't arrange this thing around me if another time is better for everybody else. I live clear out on the Oregon Coast so it's a pretty big trip for me to figure out. Although Boston is in my top 5 of places I want to go. Here's my Boston page from my web site and the places that looked cool to me:

http://www.scenic-america.com/massachusetts/bostonnhp.htm

[TayTay]

59. Really?

You guys really like us? Huh! Well, that's so nice. I will do whatever I can to help. There are also senior hostels around here, so let me know and I will set my research skills on stun to get that ifo out. It is relatively expensive here, so you need to find ways to cut costs and preserve maximum fun.

This is going to be great!

Really, you want to come and see us? Huh! Gotta work on that inferiority complex I guess.

[Firespirit]

60. If it's late August...

I'm out.

But don't let that prevent it if that's the time that's decided on.

[JI7]

62. i will probably decide towards the end

i'm not really good with keeping schedules, especially this far off.

but you guys can go ahead and make plans . if i decide i can find some other place to stay if the hotel you book is filled up by then.

i would love to meet Kerry but i don't really have a specific policy issue i want to discuss with him. i just want to give him a big hug and kiss and hang out with him.

the best time to get very personal and long attention from him was the early days of the primary campaign in 2003 in iowa and new hampshire. i keep wishing i had done it then. attended one of those events in the early days when very few people would show up.

if he runs in the Primary again then he will probably get a bit more attention since he has already ran for President but i think there will be a lot of opportunity to see him personally then.

[vinessa4freedom]

63. Bookmarked and count me in...

I don't know if anybody did an official poll, but I think most people were up for Boston. I'll be there.

[seito]

65. I up for it

I can't make plans this far out. I don't even know where I'll be living this summer. You all come up with a date, and I will work around it.