After some earlier hints about a West coast gathering of the Axiom faithful, I figured it's time to start an exploratory thread to see if/when we could do this thang.

Our mission, if we choose to accept it: gather Axiomphiles from 'round the land to convene in a mutually-agreed upon location - here-to-fore assumed to be in/near Tom's house, but I guess anything's up for discussion - sometime this summer.

Tuttlefest is born of the spirit of tomtuttle, one of the Axiomites I have had the pleasure to meet. Tom (his real first name!) is a great salt-of-the-earth guy who appreciates wine beer, women, and song. Plus he is really funny, even in person, and he has a kick-ass family.

I enjoyed my time with Tom so much that I hinted at widening the next get-together into a "fest", where many of us could congregate. Hence, "Tuttlefest 2008".

As summer approaches, I though it best to throw this out now so we could all stake out the required time off from work/school/therapy/servitude.

I know this is wide open, but any thoughts?

First thought is "I hope you asked Tom first!"

He would just volunteer anyway...

Watch out, though, because he gives directions to his house by using landmarks.

Left at the big totem pole, straight toward Mt. Rainier, then right at the third beer store.

We're taking a trip down the west coast this summer. Maybe we'll see some of you. What do you all look like ?

My vote is for Disney Calif. in August. I'll be there in case anyone wants to stop by.

Yes, Peter, but the directions were effective, were they not?

It is true that Clans Tuttle and Medic8r had a great time last summer in Oregon. And I have been truly blessed to meet and become friends with many other board (bored?) regulars.

I think AT Casa de Tuttle might be a stretch. That probably wouldn't feel like much of a vacation to the lovely Mrs. Tuttle and the Tuttle-ettes.

However, I am open to suggestions, with the understanding that veto power remains firmly vested with our CFO. The Tacoma/Seattle area is worthy of your time in the summer, and I am an enthusiastic tour guide. But my ability to provide accommodations is finite.

btw, I did appoint JP as the chair of the planning committee. This free-for-all is his idea of "planning".

I rather like the idea of again heading south to The Beaver State, as it might conceivably allow some of our California brethren to more easily join in. Or perhaps Northern California. Or Ken's house!

I'm fairly concerned that we'd need a significant amount of lodging in a concentrated area; this sounds like meeting or convention planning to me, and I really can't spare the time from my real job for this type of project at the moment. But perhaps if we all pitch in creatively and constructively, we can get there.

Dates that look promising to me are:

August 8-13 (Friday - Wednesday)
August 23-31 (Saturday through the following Sunday)

I'd love it if we could work something out. While auditioning equipment and deriving joy from music is obviously dear to all of us, my experience is that sharing the thrill of new and renewed friendship is even more rewarding. In other words, I am personally more interested in seeing YOU than I am in hauling M60's across country or you doing same. Peter will undoubtedly attest that my willingness to allow him to simply sit and listen was sorely tested when confronted by his rapier wit. I know that our interests will be wonderfully diverse.

It would be great if we got such critical mass that Ian and Amie could not help but join us

Anything on the West Coast sounds good to me. August 8-13, or 23-31 works fine for me.

Hopefully we can agree on a time and place that works for everyone. I'm looking forward to meeting the forum members here.

I have a family wedding to attend in late August, which means my travel funds are eaten up. Why can't Medic8r host? He's always bragging about his 1800 square-foot guest house.

Seattle area/Portland are the two I could end up in quite easily.