gogo

Old habits die hard.

I'd love to start getting nominations from anyone who's been keeping track of this thread (M.Chris, I'm looking at you!). We're going to try to spread this out, not have more than shot by each person, but other than that, just let us know which are your favorites, and we'll take everyone's input into account. Thanks so much everyone, there really are some beautiful shots here!

Show us your beave, I'll be sure to include it.

I think it is, yeah.

I've never actually been to one. I was just trying to think of some other transaction where you could stay in the car. You're right, though, I would probably characterize that as a legitimate "been there" moment, if I ever experienced it.

I think the reason I put trains closer than cars is that you're more likely to have a chance to really check out the scenery, and not have to concentrate on the driving; you're more likely to interact with someone local; and you're also able to eavesdrop on people you don't know, which I love to do! In a car, you've got to stop to interact, but then (unless you're just leaning out the window to ask directions, or buying something at a drive-through liquor store), your feet are touching the ground anyway, so: you're there.

Agreed. The train is the closest you're going to get to actually being there, way closer than in the airport or in a car.

I know! Facebook was total weirdness for me: "seriously, that's your name?" That's a big part of the reason I use my usual VC avatar as my picture over there. I friended Lauren (Speed Racer), and she said she only knew it was me from the picture.

Hi Alisa! http://www.facebook.com/viachicago#/group.php?gid=2311089602 It's not terribly active, but you'll see some familiar faces. Or names. Real names though, not VC names, so it's kind of confusing sometimes... Join anyway, though!

Exactly, being in the airport is the same idea as being on the train. You're still traveling, you're not really "there" yet.

Thanks, Pete. Also: everyone I've sent that PM to. Are you all getting all of the responses to that, like "reply all" style? If so, I apologize, I'm not sure how to turn that off.

No, I'm with Trish on this one. If your feet never touch the ground, you're not really there.

My sister Trish's rule is that you must get off the train, leave the airport, etc., for it to count. Preferably eat a meal there, too. Trish has been to South Africa, but since she only posts on VC every year or two, I don't know if she'll appear in this thread to include it.

You two are far too well-traveled! Although, I do like the new list, it allows me to play by adding American Samoa and Guam (both technically US territories, but hey, they're on the list!) American Samoa Argentina Australia Austria Barbados Belgium Belize Canada Chile Czech Republic Denmark Egypt Estonia Finland France Germany Guam Israel Ireland Italy Japan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxemborg Mexico Netherlands New Zealand Norway Peru Poland Portugal Russia Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom United States (49/50)..just missing North Dakota!!! Uruguay Vatican City

Yeah, OK, I'm an idiot. Post them, or we'll all call you yellow! Gobias Industries, thanks, I love that one.

I'm not finding him on the members list. Do you know if he's changed his name?

So far, I'm thinking this for the cover.

Hee! Sorry I missed this on the day! Happy rest of the year (and ever after) to one of the best-natured people I've ever met (virtually or otherwise ).

Nope! Depending on how we end up formatting this thing, we may ask the photographers to provide a little background, when/where/etc. on their pictures, so we can include that. Or, we may just let the pics speak for themselves.

Yay! Some beauties, there. Thanks, you two!

In case anyone missed the memo: http://forums.viachicago.org/topic/42374-vc-2010-calendar/ We're trying to put together a 2010 calendar with VCers' photos. I will be PMing some of you later asking if we can use your pics, but I'd really like to see some people post their favorites in the above thread. Thanks!

OK, so far this calendar is going to be made up of 3 of Preferred B's pics, and 9 by Charles. Which is totally fine by me but really, doesn't anyone else want to participate? I'm behind on PMs, but will start savaging my way through the photography thread tonight.

I'd love to see a monkey t-shirt design but I'm not so sure about putting him in the calendar. I think there's an unresolved question over ownership of that image; I'd hate to see the whole calendar pulled from our store because of that. But we would definitely take a chance on a stand-alone item! Who's going to design a monkey-themed apron?

We'll be selling this through our zazzle store (http://www.zazzle.com/viachicagostore* [please copy and paste, including the *, to link to the store]). It's a fundraiser for the site, but we're not a non-profit, if that makes any difference. While I love to check out everyone's concert pics, I think I'd be a little bit iffy about including them in the calendar (see notes above, we're specifically not doing this as a Wilco calendar). Non-Wilco concert shots are probably OK, but if you've got anything non-music-related, I'd definitely love to see those. Thanks!

Monday morning, I start PMing people.