Here is Rachel's original email.  Add your responses below each question!

Orange=Amy

Purple = Rachel

Pink = Nicole

Blue = Sho

 

So I was realizing that ALA is a little over a month away and we have not really chatted much about what is up…

 

 

 

Here are a couple of ideas that I have:

 

 

 

1.  In order to save $, I was thinking that once we are in Anaheim we can go grocery shopping so that we can have breakfast each morning in the hostel (we have a fridge and, I think, a microwave). Anyone else up for that?  I think we should see what kind of free food they may have as well, before we even go grocery shopping!  I could live on free juice and doughnuts very easily for four days if they are on offer!

Cool, I am not sure where we can check on what ALA will offer...Hadn't thought of that

I'm going to want to go grocery shopping, since veganocity limits my options; we can certainly hunt down free food as I'm sure I could find at least one thing anywhere, but to be safe, I'd like to have an arsenal of snacks!

I could totally go for those little mini-packs of cereals that I loved as a kid.  Sure, it's wasteful packaging, but it's such a treat to have Frosted Flakes one day and then Fruit Loops the next.  A little bit of cereal and a bagel will totally go a long way in case there isn't any free food in the morning.  So, I am all for the grocery shopping.

Groovy...we will check out what is available and then find a grocery store if need be. Oh, I am TOTALLY OK with y'all eating in my car. I don't think there are any cup holders in the back though (sorry), but if you are willing to hold it, you can have it :)

I must warn you, then, that I am totally obsessed with Corn Nuts right now.  I will try to get over it before having to spend 7 hours in a car with other people!  Gah! What happened to the Smartfood obsession? I do love me some Corn Nuts but they really do a number on your breath.  (I really won't mind though, so long as you share. :) ) It's odd--the Smartfood obsession is a "home" obsession, but I've been all about the Corn Nuts at work/on the bus the last couple of days.  I only like the plain ones, so my breath isn't too bad....And of course I'll share.  I plan on bringing A LOT of snacks...heehee!

 

 

 

2.  I was thinking that if we each buy a tank of gas, that that should be able to get us there and back. I know I can drive to Phoenix and back on a tank of gas, and that is 4 hours round trip, so I am thinking that it will be pretty equivalent to each of us buying a tank. I will fill up before we go (because that was how I was taught) and will try to find cheap places along the way. If we need more than 3 fill-ups on the trip, then we can all chip in at that point. Also, if one of us happens to have to pay for gas at an extremely expensive place, I also thought we could all chip in so that someone isn’t stuck paying $60 for a tank if the others only had to pay $45… does that make sense? I am trying to level the playing field a little…This is fine by me! 

Sounds good to me too -- I have a bunch of gas cards I was hoping to use to use towards my contribution, however, they are only for Catalina Mart in Tucson... could I use those to fill up before we go, and if necessary, when we get back, and then chip in wherever else necessary? Since I don't have a car, I've been saving these up to use for ALA since when I was earning them at New Life :) I think I have at least $50 worth...

Hey Nicole, if you can give me the gas cards in the next couple of weeks, I will use it/them the night before we leave and that we we can start off going first thing. Also, if you can tell me where a Catalina Mart is, then I can use there. (promise that I will not use it between now and then though :)

Shoot I should have brought them today! I will bring them for the next time I see you... I know there is one on Prince and Ft Lowell or somewhere around there... I'll figure out where the locations are by a couple days before we go.

It might be easiest to keep a running total of gas costs for the entirety of the trip and the divide it by four.  That way we all end up paying a fair share and it takes into account if we happen to stop for gas at an expensive gas station.  Would it possible to pay for gas all on one card and then have everyone else pay the cardholder at the end of the trip?

Hmmm that is a good idea... I cannot slap it all on my card though... can anyone else?  No.  Sorry!  I'm poor! I should be able to put it on my card and it's only fair since I suggested the idea. :)

 

 

 

 

3.  I am going to be dropping off Fantine in Phoenix at a friend’s house. I figure it will also be a clean bathroom too if we need it. Of course, I will need to pick her up on the way back. If someone is totally opposed to sitting next to her in the back (she should just curl up and go to sleep) and that person can drive, I will go in the back with her instead.  I have no problem being in back with her either.

Not opposed to sitting with her at all, however, if you'd like to hang with her before you don't see her for a few days, I'd be willing to start off driving-- up to you.

Eh, I am fine with not seeing her and once everyone is settled, she will just sleep, I don't need to be back there for that :)

I have no problem whatsoever. She's a great dog! :)

Super! Many thanks, y'all, for obliging me this...I really appreciate it! And, you will get to see one of my favorite houses too (not that that is why we are going, just a side note :)

 

 

4.  In order to get everything into the car, I am thinking that each of us will be limited to one bag and a pillow (if you are like me and are picky). Pillows can be shoved anywhere, so they will not take up space, plus we will have the blow up mattress and linens for it (also, can be smooshed anywhere). I am going to buy some breathe-right strips and that way we will not need to bring a humidifier. The main reason I am going to be picky on the way out is because we can fill up the back of the car to the gills if need on the way back, but only if we have the room.  I won't be bringing a pillow, and already planned on bringing only one bag, but what about "carry-ons"?  I was planning on bringing my black school bag in the car (and to use at ALA) for snacks, a book, my phone (because I will not be able to go 7 hours without texting someone, even if it is only someone else in the car!), etc. etc.  Is that okay?

I was thinking that I do not have to bring a pillow, but we wil need on for whoever is on the mattress anyway... I dunno (don't mean to sound like an uber snob on this...)

Sure as far as the backpack and whatnot concerns. You can have that in the back seat or front seat with you. On the way there I doubt it will be problematic and can probably fit in the back w/o a problem. I was just thinking thqat each of us will probably bring back at least a backpack's worth of stuff and I just want to make sure that everyone will be able to get all of their ALA swag home :)

Yeah, I'm not going to have much stuff, so that should be fine... I was going to pack a backpack and then have a purse-type-deal with me in the car... if not that, then an overnight bag and a backpack... that would be the most I'd bring. Should we figure out who is doing the air mattress and then they could just bring a pillow for him/herself? I'd assume the beds would all have pillows... actually, if the beds have 4 pillows then, we wouldn't even need to have anyone bring an extra pillow?

I have a blow up mattress...it is a double (I think ... it is bigger than a twin at least) If someone has a smaller one, we can bring that instead...

I volunteer for the blow up mattress since I am ze boy!  Also, I am not picky about pillows, so I will gladly take one of the hotel/hostel pillows.  I am also a pretty light packer, so I'll probably bring one backpack and one messenger bag for carrying around ALA.

 

 

5.  UGH, I just forgot… I am going to need a laptop while I am there because of my internship. I can borrow SIRLS or if either Amy or Sho was going to bring yours, may I use yours instead? Again, hoping not to have a whole bunch of stuff. Note: if this is a stupid idea, let me know. Perhaps it would be good to have more than one laptop? You tell me… I'm not bringing mine because my power cable is so fucked that I don't even move it off my desk at home anymore for fear of it dying completely.  I WAS planning on using Sho's laptop to check my work email while we're gone, as I had assumed that he was bringing his....

You assumed correctly.  I'll be bringing my laptop and everyone is free to use it. :) Do we have internet access in our room? Nevermind, found the link to the hotel's website and saw that we get free wifi. Yay.

Yes! and I will be bringing one from the school, so we should have two

Computer mini-lab!  Yay!

 

 

 

6.  We are leaving at 7 am, right? Should I assume that I will go and pick everyone up? If so, is there a possibility that you can spend the night at Nicole/Jerome’s complex, Amy? If so, that is one less stop and we can get going quicker… Let me know if that is a possibility…if not we can get you at your dad’s place too :)  ...Maybe?  I'll have to let you know closer to the date we leave.  Otherwise, my dad's is on the way out of town anyway (you can take Ina to the highway, it's like 15 mins. max, but probably more like 10), so it shouldn't be a big deal, and I really don't mind if you want to be at my house at 7 to get me as I can easily be ready to go by then.

Yeah, I realized that you are on the way, was just thinking that it would be one less stop is all ... but no pressure because we are picking you up wherever you are! :) As a side note, I was thinking since we will be picking people up all the way, that I will LEAVE my place at 7, maybe a little before because the chances of me leaving at 6:30 and then driving well for 7 hours is somewhere between slim and none...

A pick-up at my place (La Aldea, 825 E 5th St.) would be much appreciated!

What I will do is give you a call after I pick up Nicole (and possible Amy) and then we will be about 10 minutes from your place. Can you meet us downstairs as I have NO clue where your room is? That will make it go a little smoother (in my mind at least :)  Sure!

 

 

 

 

7.  Nicole, what is the name of that business card place that you mentioned before? I am a total ass and cannot remember it or find where I wrote the name down… I think we'd all be interested in knowing this info!

Printsmadeeasy.com -- I got my cards yesterday, and they look great! I designed them myself from scratch.... I got 100 double-sided cards for 17.99, and then it was 24.something with shipping. I think it took two days with standard shipping!

Thanks, after I am done with ethics, I am gonna get it going! Ok, so I totally cheated and instead of working on all of the crap I hafta do this week, I designed like 6 cards and will decide next week which one I want. Sho and Amy: totally a cool site unless you already have something figured out. Thanks SO much, Nicole, for this!

I was playing with the site the other day while still holding out hope that my job would provide me with cards.  Alas, 'tis not to be, so I'm totally going to steal the CESL graphic and use a UofA-esque font and make some "unofficial official" cards myself now!  Take that, cheap bastards!

Thanks for the URL!  I'm going to check it out this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I left this in below so we don't forget, and if anyone else stumbles across any food/activity recommendations they can add them!  Yes, please, I like food and fun! :) YUM YUM YUM so excited to eat at Native Foods!

 

 

 So, I subscribe to a vegan travel blog (discussing food), and there was a review of this restaurant, Native Foods, and it will be on our way to ALA, in Palm Springs, and another location is only 18 minutes away from Anaheim! It's 100% vegan and looks really healthy and pretty unique.... so, if anyone would be down for going to this place (once or more!)... awesome... if not, that's ok, but thought I'd point it out. You can check out the menu on the site... I'm still drooling, pretty much.

 

I have been to the one in Westwood multiple times, as it was less than a mile from where I lived!  It is, indeed, very good.  (The Westwood location, at least!)  I would be totally down for going to lunch or dinner there in PS on the way into or out of town, or at the Orange County one while we're in town!  Amy

 

I am up for it too! (An aside: Intrigued about the birthplace of the original French dip sandwich at Philippe the Original, but it's in downtown LA, which would be like a 1.5 hr drive from Anaheim.  Also, French dip is pretty much antithetical to your diets. :) )

 

Just to leave a note about it: PLG dinner most likely Sunday, June 29th at a vegetarian Indian restaurant by the convention center... forgetting the name right now...