Well it pains me to finally make this post.

To get straight to the point- I won't be attending D-Con this year.

I made it "official" (to myself) today by filling out my vacation request form, and not requesting my annual two weeks off around Labour Day weekend.

My debts have been piling up over the years and quite frankly I've been in denial about it. I've allowed myself to use my credit card(s) to finance prop builds, costumes, and trips to D-Con without truly looking at the consequences.

This isn't to say that I've only been using my CCs, or that I haven't been paying them off; I always pay them on time and use that thing called "money" when I have it. But the fact is I've only been making minimum payments, and as I continued to purchase things, the debt climbed instead of going down.

D-Con is a huge expense for me and I've made the (extremely) hard decision to put that money to more pressing needs this year.

So this means two things-

1) I have been the Parade Liason for our group for the last 7 years. This year someone will have to fill my shoes. It is by no means a difficult job. All you have to do is create a sign up list here, get an estimate of how many want to participate, and then submit that estimate to the Yahoo D-Con Parade Group (I can post better details to whoever takes the job).

Jan Price the official D-Con Parade Organizer knows me and our group well enough now that you won't be "diving in without a lifepreserver" so to speak. She will recognize the "US Colonial Marines" instantly and welcome us back as usual. She is VERY friendly and willing to answer any questions- even walking you through the registration. But I'll be able to help you first.

2) I have a room booked at the Hilton for 4 nights from Thursday Sept 2nd to Monday Sept 6th. The cost is $184.00 per night plus tax- the grand total with tax is $846.40 USD. (This does not include parking if you drive there).

If no one here takes it, I'm simply going to cancel it. I know this may seem like blasphemy to cancel, but quite frankly I want this room to go to a Marine (or Xeno ), and someone who I trust will promptly transfer the room onto their credit card once I transfer the room into their name. I don't really want to give this to some person I don't know, and ultimately end up paying for their hotel room.

I'm off to work shortly- so this is all I can say for now.

By the way- this doesn't mean I'm never going to D-Con again. I'm sure I'll be making my return for that little 25th anniversary of our favourite film.

Kevin

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Dang..I know we discussed the last week, but it still hits hard with you not coming....I sent you a PM about the room.


Derek

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Cpl D. Smith CMD
A04/TQ1.0.62147E1


RIP Pvt. Chris Chulamanis A14/TQ4.0.66993E7 You are missed.

I know you spoke of it before and kinda figured the news would be coming soon....doesn't make it any less of a blow though

I can take over as parade liason.......just send me the details or post them and I'll get started.

You'll be missed....

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No Dom and now no Sarge? There isn't even going to BE a DragonCon this year.

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"Screen what? I wouldn't know screen accurate if it were driving a bus and ran me over during the parade."

LCpl. Av "Spectre" Taylor
Long Range Infantry Support

Okay the room is spoken for.

And thanks for stepping up Tony- I'll give you the details over the weekend. There's no hurry as I usually do the sign up list in June or so.


Kevin

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

sad sad day , this really sucks kev

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"I am the ULTIMATE BADASS , state of the badass art"
Alpha squad. Burton's Bandits

Truly a sad day for the USCM! But you know what they say in the Corps, "Adapt and overcome!". The best way to honor these absences is to CARRY ON!

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CPL Sean Maio A01/TQ2.0.72156E1
Public Relations Division (Temporary Cross-Assignment)
M-56 Smartgun Operator, A/3Btn, II CMEF, USS Sephora

well this just licks balls, Kevin is the only reason I go
will we have any Canadians? Without Dom, I won't know which way to go in the parade, and I won't be able to harass Kevin about his Star Trek belt

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Rob Slater
A08/TQ2.0.42136E1

Yea this really does blow. It seems more and more Marines are dropping out this year. I know I'm not the most active on this forum but I love meeting and seeing seeing you guys the past two years.

We'll raise a glass or two (or three ....) to you Kevin each night we are there. It won't be the same but we'll carry on until we assemble again. If anything, you have to come next year so Slater will stop licking balls.

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Mark
"Memento mori"
"Guess she don't like the cornbread either."

Thanks for thinking so highly of us, guys. Like Kevin said, we will both be back for 2011. 25 years of excellence, baby!

Oh, and the parade goes clockwise around the bend, just follow the fat belly dancers.

Bummer, Kevin. Good luck getting back on track!!


This actually made me SNORT from laughing. Thanks, Dom!

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General all around pain in the ass and master of the overshare.
"...a geeky kinda dorky kinda nerdy kinda gurl...and I like it!"

UKCM FOREIGN LEGION:
"DEVIANT DRAGOONS"

Many thanks everyone. It's definitely going to feel weird not being in Atlanta for Labour Day weekend.

I've chosen to make the local Polaris convention my big "to do" this year- so if anyone makes it out to T.O. (shut up Mike ) I'll see you there!



This is soooooo wrong.


Kevin

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Well Kev, it won't be the same. I'll be missing you and Dom now.

I'll do my best to step up and help out the Corps whereever needed- (Dammnit! Tony got the parade liason job first!)

I understand allll bout the bills and real life getting in the way of fun. I hope to chat with you soon brother, it's been waay too long.

Further incentive to finish up my USCM Dress Blues, I'd hope to stand proudly beside you, but we'll still have to plan for that time.

I do have something for your Dress Blues, btw, PM me your addy bro.

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USCM- The Colonial Marines- A Brotherhood of Bad Asses!

Hey it's not set in stone....I won't cry if you take it from me....well not much anyway.

I'm just crying coz' Dom and Kev won't be there.....honest

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LMAO!!

Okayyyy, jus' let me know!

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USCM- The Colonial Marines- A Brotherhood of Bad Asses!

I'm not going this year Dom

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A12/TQ1.0.22137E1
PVT. Schmaus, Christopher J.
2nd Batt 6th Regt
USS Tahoma

since you are not going to be at D*C this year, who is incharge of the corps dinner?

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PFC Mike Rizzuto MVM
USS Blackhawk
3rd Batt 12th Regt

Someone will have to step up to the plate. Given this year's lower attendance, I would recommend a simple dinner at Max Lager's, not a buffet.

I like that idea...and since we will be able to go earlier, it will be alot easier on us AND the pockets!


Derek

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Cpl D. Smith CMD
A04/TQ1.0.62147E1


RIP Pvt. Chris Chulamanis A14/TQ4.0.66993E7 You are missed.

Indeed that's a good idea Dom. Would be A LOT easier on the wallets as Derek mentioned.

But will it still mean renting one of their rooms?

If (and this is a big IF) the contract is the same as last year, a lot of cash can be saved by NOT going with the Bar Options and having everyone simply order their own drinks.

I still have the dining menus from last year (Derek should as well) for whoever takes the job, however the menu may have changed this year (in fact the entire contract could be different as it was different in 2008 when Dom took the reins).

But someone has to step up to the plate on this task soon- we made reservations at Max's in March last year. It would be advisable to start an interest thread now.

Kevin

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Furthemore- For large groups, they make one bill by default. Specifiy to your waiter you wish to have seperate bills.

http://maxlagers.com/

After talking with the other Maryland marines, we have decided that we're probably not going to be giving Max Lager's our business this year and we're likely going to someplace away from the downtown area.

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~Jay

Bring some walking shoes...


Derek

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Cpl D. Smith CMD
A04/TQ1.0.62147E1


RIP Pvt. Chris Chulamanis A14/TQ4.0.66993E7 You are missed.

Yeah, we're going to be doing a little driving.

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~Jay

Well, we need to get something planned soon. Max's isn't the ultimate place, but it's better than most of the other area places. Suggestions for anywhere else? A cheaper bill would be great, whether it's at Max's or somewhere else-

But, it would be imperative to get as many Marines in one place for our Annual Dinner of the Corps- the sheer logistics involved in getting everyone to someplace that we have to drive to, Chryse, that would be astounding- the Maryland Contingent- not having you guys and gals at the Dinner would be a bummer-

What options / places are you thinking of?

After what happened at Max's, I wouldn't mind seeing what else is available, but it's getting close to making reservations and with alllllll the other groups looking to do the same thing, we need to decide: Where, and will we be able to do our traditional awards ceremony?
1) Max's- just no buffet
2) Somewhere else, but where?

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USCM- The Colonial Marines- A Brotherhood of Bad Asses!