Message from Dave, March 28, 2010:
As opening day is a week away, it is time to dust off your testicles and start making some plans for this years Guys Weekend. 2010 we are hitting Pittsburgh from July 15 (or 16th for some) - through the 18th. The rules are the same, if you have been before you are allowed to invite one new guy to come - as long as that guy isn't jerk, and you are responsible for him.
Basics of what you want to know:
Who: Sounds like a little bigger group this year than from last - I'd ballpark it at 14 or so from early feedback. Please let me know if you are in, if you are out, or if you are thinking about it what your odds are at coming. I have some plans for this year but need a good swag at the number to put them in motion.
What: Here is why we tell our wives and girlfriends we are going http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=pit&m=7&y=2010 . In years past people have gone to one or both games, expect it to be the same this year. When you let me know you are going please also let me know if you thinking about going to the game Fri the 16th, Sat the 17th, Both, or none. Both games are verses Houston and start at 7:05.
Why: Here is the reason we really go: We are staying on the SouthSide - I have had two people describe it to me as the Bourbon St of Pittsburgh.
www.southsidepgh.com/be_entertained/index.php
www.betatesters.com/penn/sahside/
www.associatedcontent.com/article/279431/the_ultimate_pittsburgh_bar_crawl.html
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/03001/700030-209.stm
Where: I have booked a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Express - South Side. I did a lot of research and this is clearly the best place for our plans. It is in the middle of the party area and they have a free shuttle to anything we would want to see (including to and back from the ballpark). The room block, as our tradition, is under the Mike Goldberg Bar Mitzvah Party. Pay attention here because this is where you should figure something out sooner rather than later. The rooms I have reserved are 4 King Suites (1 King Bed) and a sleeper sofa, and 6 Queen Suites (2 Queen Beds) and a sleeper sofa. I had to book 10 rooms to get the group rate and to hold the rooms. I am expecting us to use the Queen Suites, but if you didn't get the experimentation phase out of you system in college (Chip) - knock yourself out doubling up in a King bed. Here comes the part where you need to think. If you want to book a room via the room block click on this link : http://events.ichotelsgroup.com/DPRD-83GUU7/PITXS/website/ or call the hotel directly (412) 488-1130 and ask for the Goldberg Bar Mitzvah party room. The room rate is $179/ night doing it this way - the advantage is you don't have to pay for the room until check-in and you can cancel 24 hours prior to check-in and not pay a penny. The room block goes away June 15th, if you haven't booked a room by then you are on your own. So if you think you might go, but won't know until a few weeks out - please reserve a room under this room block - it is a no risk option that you can back out of up to the last minute. If you call directly and try to get a room they quote something like $209 per night. If you go to their website directly www.ichotelsgroup.com or www.hotels.com they have an offer that equates to $168 per night - the only thing is you have to pay for it today. This is what I did, I went to the hotels.com site and booked
the 15th($162), 16th($180), and 17th($162) - I booked it through hotels.com because they have a guarantee that if there is a lower published rate between now and when we check in they refund the difference, and I am going to watch for a lower rate. Because I paid up front and that is the math I know that is the number I am going to use for this next little exercise, most of you smart enough to figure out anything I don't cover.
3 nights @ $168/night + tax and fees(14% tax $72.58) = $576.58. 2 guys/room = $288.29/guy, 3 guys/room=$192.20/guy, 4 guys/room=$144.07/guy.
2 nights @ $168/night + tax and fees is ballpark $384. 2 guys/room =$192/guy, 3 guys/room=$144/guy, 4guys/room=$96/guy
Like I mentioned above, each room is a suite and comes with a sleeper sofa, so 3 guys in a room is easy - and I think 4 is not a stretch. The rooms also come with free breakfast and internet, so we save money from buying the expensive hotel porn. I believe this deal goes away April 30th. Parking cost $14/night/car - I have not done any investigation into what are other options in the area. If you are looking to double up or add someone to your room let me know and I will help match people up.
OK, I have covered the Who, What, Where, Why, and How's. If I missed anything I am sure you will let me know. What I am requesting from you is some feedback, and sooner rather than later. Are you going yes/no/maybe, when do you get in, how do you get in, do you want to go to baseball games and which ones, do you have a room, is it part of the room block, and do you have enough guys in the room.
Hope everyone can make it, and I hope our livers can as well. Peace gents,
Dave
