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Post by lilyover76 on Nov 9, 2007 19:04:10 GMT -5
Lori,
Your suggestion of Ruby Tuesday sounds good to me.... ;D 
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Post by susie on Nov 10, 2007 16:49:14 GMT -5
I'll be attending Nationals in December. I'm arriving Thursday evening and taking the red-eye back on Sunday. I have VIP tickets for all three days. I'm staying at the Airport Inn Hotel ($75.00/day, less with discounts) along with five people from the DI board.
If you are spending the money to fly in from out-of-town, in my opinion the VIP tickets are well worth it. It gives you a guaranteed great seat no matter what time you arrive, along with the other benefits. You can (and should!) move around duing the meet even if you have the VIP seats. But the view should be decent no matter where you are sitting.
Notes on what to buy and pack: The rink will be cold. Bring very warm socks, preferably with some wool in them. Some people prefer shoes, I liked leather boots the best. Dress in layers -- maybe a turtleneck, a sweater, and a parka or ski jacket. Jeans, cords, or wool-blend pants are fine. Most people don't wear hats, but you might like to tuck a lightweight hat or headband into your pocket.
You will definitely want something warm to sit on. My friends and I got $5.00 fleece (polartec) throws at the local drugstore. One is mandatory, two is nice (...one for your butt, one for your lap.) Also, think about maybe bringing a small sack or backpack (if they're allowed.) You will be carrying your fleece throws, programs, race schedules, souvenirs, etc., and it's nice to have a place to stow it all. You might also want to bring a thermal coffee mug, but they will almost certainly be selling them as commemorative souvenirs. They sell out quickly, though! The mug is nice for toting coffee back and forth from the VIP lounge.
The best camera to bring is a digital SLR or a camcorder. If you have a "point and shoot" you will have to pray to the gods to get a good action shot. If you have a "point and shoot", aim mostly to get starting line, "milling around", medal ceremony, heat box shots, etc.
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Lori Girl Next Door
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Post by Lori Girl Next Door on Nov 10, 2007 18:36:41 GMT -5
Great information, Susie - that's the kind of practical information that hasn't been covered yet, and some of us may not have thought of. Thanks for your input.
I'm SO glad you're going and that I'll finally get a chance to meet you!
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Post by mtnme on Nov 10, 2007 19:17:51 GMT -5
Susie,
It was so nice to see your smiling face again on the boards. You have been missed.
Thanks for all the great info- I wouldn't have thought about bringing something to sit on- having a cold, frozen keaster for 3 days straight would be absolutley miserable!
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Post by skaterswaltz on Nov 11, 2007 14:14:47 GMT -5
Susie - thanks so much for your insight and hints for the rink. I'll try to find and dig out my winter clothes.
Very exciting!
Thank you!
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Post by lilyover76 on Nov 12, 2007 12:36:45 GMT -5
The rink will be cold. Bring very warm socks, preferably with some wool in them. Some people prefer shoes, I liked leather boots the best. Dress in layers -- maybe a turtleneck, a sweater, and a parka or ski jacket. Jeans, cords, or wool-blend pants are fine. Most people don't wear hats, but you might like to tuck a lightweight hat or headband into your pocket. You will definitely want something warm to sit on.... The best camera to bring is a digital SLR or a camcorder... ... medal ceremony, heat box shots, etc. Susie... I'm looking forward to meeting you at the OVAL. Thanks for all the hints (to keep warm) at the rink. I figured it would be cool inside, but didn't know how cold! I would suggest taking gloves, fleece or otherwise. Upper and lower thermals are a great way to layer your clothing... we always wear them to sporting events in cold weather. Yes, point and shoot cameras will be difficult, to capture action shots, depending on the lighting. Even with digital SLR cameras, the ISO speed might have to be set at 800 or 1600, which I don't like to use unless absolutely necessary! Can anyone here tell us if the OVAL is well-lit??? Is the medal ceremony after each event... or at the end of the 3-day competition??? Excuse my ignorance... what are *heat box shots*   |
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Lori Girl Next Door
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Post by Lori Girl Next Door on Nov 12, 2007 17:05:39 GMT -5
Excuse my ignorance... what are *heat box shots* I'm not sure, Lily, but I'm gonna take a guess that it's the area where the skaters hang out before being called out for their races. Kinda like 'the bench' in a hockey game. (?) (?) |
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Post by Lily on Nov 12, 2007 17:48:35 GMT -5
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Post by toehold4 on Nov 14, 2007 21:32:25 GMT -5
Yes, the Oval is very brightly lit, and there is natural light coming in both ends, and the southern windows should be getting alot of sun, as you notice in the pic's of Apolo on the LT...I'm sure it's much colder in the winter, but when i was there, I wore shorts, with a sweatshirt, and sox and shoes and I was fine...I actually had thought it would have been much colder...
Oh wait...I know what was heating me up!!! ;D
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Post by lilyover76 on Nov 15, 2007 23:15:48 GMT -5
Yes, the Oval is very brightly lit, and there is natural light coming in both ends, and the southern windows should be getting alot of sun, as you notice in the pic's of Apolo on the LT...I'm sure it's much colder in the winter, but when i was there, I wore shorts, with a sweatshirt, and sox and shoes and I was fine...I actually had thought it would have been much colder... Oh wait...I know what was heating me up!!! ;D So, what was it, Toehold4??? <grin>   Thanks for the feedback on the lighting condition at the Oval... I hope it's *very brightly lit* on Friday night too, since the races are at 6 p.m. |
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Post by lilyover76 on Nov 15, 2007 23:22:29 GMT -5
If anyone is interested in seeing the location of the Country Inn and the Crystal Inn, relative to Ruby Tuesday restaurant, you can *locate* these building at www.mapquest.com. After you bring up the street map, change it to *aerial* at the top right of the map; then zoom it as large as it will go and you can see the buildings. I use this feature all the time, when traveling to a place that I'm not familiar with... works great! |
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Post by skaterswaltz on Nov 17, 2007 20:14:26 GMT -5
OK, I'm so ready to DO this!!!!  1. I got the time off of work 2. I got VIP tickets for all 3 days 3. I just booked my flights. I get into SLC at 6:30PM on Thursday 12/21 and leave on Sunday 12/23 on the 5:25PM flight. I hope that is late enough and I won't miss anything. Should I book a later flight out? 4. I booked 3 nights at the Country Inn 5. I have warm clothes 6. I have batteries for my camera Are people definitely meeting for dinner at Ruby Tuesday's on Thursday? I don't think I'll be at the hotel until around 7:15PM...but let me know!!! I definitely want to go. I cannot wait to meet all of you and be surrounded by people that appreciate Apolo as much as I do (and don't roll their eyes over my obsession)!!!!  I cannot wait to see him skate in person  . And what's so exciting, isn't it the same Olympic Oval where I first saw him skate (on tv) in 2002?!! WOO HOOOO! |
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Post by lilyover76 on Nov 17, 2007 21:47:02 GMT -5
OK, I'm so ready to DO this!!!! Are people definitely meeting for dinner at Ruby Tuesday's on Thursday? I don't think I'll be at the hotel until around 7:15PM...but let me know!!! I definitely want to go. I cannot wait to meet all of you and be surrounded by people that appreciate Apolo as much as I do (and don't roll their eyes over my obsession)!!!! WOO HOOOO! Way to go, Skaterswaltz! Glad you're able to attend. I would think we (the dinner crowd) will still be at Ruby Tuesday when you get to the Country Inn... and it's just a short hop over to the restaurant! We'll look for you...  ...and we certainly won't be rolling our eyes!  |
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Post by skaterswaltz on Nov 18, 2007 0:20:18 GMT -5
Lily - what time are you going to dinner? I can take an earlier flight...
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Post by lilyover76 on Nov 18, 2007 0:53:28 GMT -5
Lily - what time are you going to dinner? I can take an earlier flight... Skaterswaltz, I'm not sure what time dinner would be; it might be around 6 p.m. or a little later... maybe Lori will answer that question here. Also, consider that it might take a while to collect your luggage, unless you're just bringing a carry-on. If you allow approx. 45 minutes from touch-down 'til you leave the airport, and then add about 30 minutes to get to the hotel, that might be a guide-line for setting your departure time. It might take less time if all goes smoothly.... but I'm building in extra time here. Hope this helps!  |
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