Frustrated vent

[hoosiercop]

Re: Providence

I'm so glad that I have been trying to get people to get on board for months now, and almost all I got is "well I dont know if i can go" or "i dont know if i can afford it". And then that suddenly becomes "well i already made arrangements with others for the trip, sorry." And not one peep in between. Guess when you look to your friends for a little help, you find out where they really stand. Guess its hard to be a friend when you just look out for your own interests. You know what, bentenn, i think im starting to feel your vibe (about gay cops) just a little bit more now. At least a couple people actually cared, and for that I'm thankful. But for the most part, I'm very dissappointed in people. Leaves me feeling like people I thought were friends just would rather not be there with me. Everyone knew the dates for a long time, so that cant be the issue. I calculated the costs out for people, so not knowing how much it would cost cant be the issue. Not knowing if they could get the time off? That could be the issue, but then you would think they would say "well ill know by ___ date if i can get the time off, so then i can try to see if we can room together or not." I just dont get it. Whats worse is people wouldn't even feign interest.

Sorry for the uncharacteristic (for me) b*tching, but I just feel a little p*ssed right now.

[Deleted]

Hey Hoosiercop. You're right. I don't blame you for feeling frustrated. So many people are coming to the conference that I am quite surprised that you could not get anyone to share a room with you. I can understand that those of us, like me, who are coming with their partners would prefer to have their privacy. But so many single guys are coming. I don't see why they don't want to share and save some money.
By the way, we didn't make our reservations until last night and they still had rooms aveailable at the $149.00 rate. They gave us a confirmation number. So you might want to call again. Be sure to mention that you are going to the GOAL New England conference.
HEY YOU GUYS, GIVE HOOSIERCOP A BREAK. SOMEBODY STEP UP AND SHARE A ROOM WITH HIM. COME ON, HE'S A GREAT GUY.

[1dbigjim563]

Well, maybe when they read that I had answered up as a roomy, some of them got cold feet... don't know why that would be.

[bluepride]

Now now Jon....group hug....group hug.....

I'm still feeling kinda burned over DC but it's not the end of the world. I had thought you already had a room in Providence and that Big Jim was going to bunk with you. As far as myself.....at this point, I'm leaning more towards going where even just a couple of weeks ago I wasn't planning on anything more than maybe driving up for the weekend. Personally, I've had a lot of crap going on since winter that I'm not about to post here. Most of it anyway. And that took priority over everything for me.
Things seem to be getting better but I have other stuff that's on my plate. Not the least of which is that among other people, I'm now in the crosshairs of some of the Nazi scumbags in GOAL. I've been champing at the bit to post some of what's been going on here but I've held back with all the strength I have. But after the next meeting on May 8th, I'll probably open the floodgates and let everyone know what's been going on. Not just to me, but to others as well.

But....back to Rhode Island ( ) .....I'm going to try at some point this weekend to see if there's any room at the host hotel. If not, I'll find someplace else to stay. I'm not planning on spending all of my time in my room if I go anyway, so where I stay isn't a big issue for me. And I'll have my car with me so you won't have to take taxis all over Providence ( ). And yeah, $$ is a consideration for me, being retired and having expenses at home as well as whatever the final cost of this conference is going to be. If I had half a brain, I'd be working at a regular job. And I plan on doing that real soon. Anyway, not staying in the host hotel isn't a big deal. There'd be to much noise anyway, from the moans, screams, broken bottles and shaving parties. To say nothing of the screaming queens running up and down the hallways at all hours of the night. I remember how it was in Key West! So....don't think for a second that no one wants to hang with you. You're a big TV star. Everyone is gonna be all over you! And there are going to be a lot of nice people there.
If you still have my #, we can talk over the weekend and try to hammer out some plans. As far as DC, Jimmy P called me and explained himself and his plans to me. I had to accept it and take the axe out of his back. Hey, sh*t happens. We were supposed to plan for DC months ago, but it never materialized. So now I'll be in NY while people are in DC. I'm not exactly thrilled at that but I accept it now. Let me stop rambling.....don't be mad.....I've been dealing with "gay-time" and "gay-mentality" and "gay-drama" for a long time. I'm used to being disappointed by friends and for the most part, I actually expect it. Sad, right?

[NYCGayCop]

Hi Guys

Yeah I was suppose to go out to DC but unfortunatley it didn't seem that things were organized to well, so we will have to try for next year. Sorry.

[hoosiercop]

Well Tommy, if you call for a room before I do, then could you just book for you, me, and big jim? Or if I call them first when I wake up, I can do the same. One of us could call the other to let them know the room is booked, that way the other will know they wont have to call. I need to head to bed cause i have a bud coming from out of state this afternoon, but I could try calling when I get up and have my wits about me. But I would gladly share a room with you and big jim if we can still get one. If we can still get one for $150/night, thats only $50/night each, or $250 each for the whole stay. Alot better than splitting a room at $309/night or $103/night each ($515 each for the trip). If we can get the room squared away, then I can finally feel safe in booking my airfare and registering for the conference itself. You still have my number right? I've got yours so if I can booke the room when i wake up (about 4-5pm) I'll call you to let you know I've booked it. If you can book a room for us before then, just call and leave a voice mail on my phone and ill call you back when I wake up.

Maybe the flip side of this mess is some friends coming through when you need them.

[Deleted]

Hey Hoosiercop. As soon as you get your roomates lined up, give Southwest Airlines a call. They have great fares to Providence. Stephen and I got a $99.00 fare nonstop from Tampa to Providence. Who knows, it might even cost you less. Let me know how it goes.

[hoosiercop]

Well, I got my room booked now so at least I feel better about that part. I'm still a bit upset/disappointed in some people though.

I've started looking at airfare, and even with southwest, I can get a flight to providence for less than $100, but there seems to be no good cheap flights back on sunday the 17th. So I will have to keep checking to see what I can find for flights.

[bentenn]

Well I hope everything works out for you, and I hope you have a good time. I have only been to one gay LEO event, and it wasnt good for me. I'm sure though I shouldnt base my opinion on one event, as other groups may be different.

It's a shame you havent found a roomie, you would think at least one person would want to split the costs with you.

[ScottNbama]

Well, ben. I think that the guys just didn't know how to take you. Most of us had been talking online for a while before actually meeting in person or already knew each other and we were staying in the same general area. The fact that you were new to most of the group, quiet, and were staying some distance away added some disconnect to the social atmosphere. I don't think anyone intended to make a personal affront to you.

[rscottgunn]

I am really not sure what was not organized in DC this year. Our seminar and our Meet and Greet have been planned and posted for a long time. The only additions that were made a little later were UNOFFICIAL gathering times at our local bars. Sorry if that was not organized anough

As for Next Year, it is already underway. Don't foget we are hosting the 12th annual Conference here in DC leading up to and during Police Week. The host Hotel and Dates have been selected. The final details are being worked out but will be posted here and will be available during this year's conference. The dates as they stand right now will be early arrival on Friday May 9th, Conference opening ceremonies will be Saturday afternoon follwed by a welcome reception, speakers and breakout sessions for Sunday and Monday, museums etc closing ceremony and annual candlelight vigil will be Tuesday. May9th to May 14th 2008

[bentenn]

Thanks Scott, I stayed at the cheapest place I could find, as I was on a really tight budget. I would have loved to stay at the hotel, but I couldnt.

I may have seemed quiet, but I talked Bills ears off before everyone arrived.

I also talked a blue streak to Carroll, but he seemed interested and wanted to know more about me.

Just about everyone there was paired up, except me and a couple of others.


I tried to talk to people, but they just clammed up. Also I didnt know what to say.

I was just hoping to make a few friends there, or at least one.

This was my first gay event, so maybe Im clueless about gay socializing.

[bluepride]

<<I am really not sure what was not organized in DC this year.>>

Personally, I have no problem at all with how things were planned for DC this year. It's all appreciated as far as I'm concerned. I was good to go knowing I'd be in for a good time and another great tribute to our fallen brethren. I was really looking forward to Remington's since I'd heard all about it last year but never got there. What really bothered me was some of my fellow New York snoberoo's who kept putting things off until the last minute as far as plan making is concerned. Nobody wanted to sh*t or get off the pot when it came time to make plans. They were all talk and no action. I had no problem with the hotel that you listed, Scott. It's about a mile away from Dupont Circle, so I'm told. Like I told one or two people, "that's why they made taxis". And trust me, these guys could use a nice mile walk now and then . Anyway, I hope everyone has a good time and takes time to stop and visit the Police Memorial Wall. I'll be there in spirit if not in body.

[bluepride]

Just to clarify this....it was NYCGAYCOP who was lamenting that WE in NY didn't act fast enough for HIM in making DC plans this year. He or anyone else wasn't criticizing anything that was done in DC as far as planning. Mid-Atlantic GOAL was right on the money as always in terms of the plans and events for this year's Police Week events. Tony feels bad that his choice of words may have been misinterpreted.

[1dbigjim563]

Yeah, well tell Tony if he shows up next year, I'l have a special room set aside for him!