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Posted By: <b>Bob Marquette</b><p>to the National. Count me in. In the process of securing a hotel room and Cubs tickets.<br />Who else is going or leaning that way?????

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Posted By: <b>warshawlaw</b><p>if you're procuring tix. <br /><br />Anyone with prior experience know which of the host hotels is the nicest?<br /><br />Edited as follows:<br /><br />Booked the Sofitel and my VIP ticket. All that remains is the plane.

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Posted By: <b>andy becker</b><p>i'm there (i'm about a half hour from rosemont). <br />just to update, i did check on a roof top for cubs game...i got as far as pricing...roughly $175 per person. <br />i thought that was a tad high to sit across the street. if there is interest, i will revisit...or i can provide info for individuals. <br />personally, i prefer the bleachers.<br />edited to respond to adam.<br />the hyatt in rosemont is fine. the hotel soifitel (sp?) is probably the niciest within walking distance. <br />

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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>got my plane ticket last night...already have the hotel reservations...later<br /><br />not sure about a Cubby game but would be interested...

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Posted By: <b>Bob Marquette</b><p>Adam- I found some tickets, field club boxes about halfway down the 3rd base line for $190 each. The wife and I are probably going to take 2 of them. Also found some upper deck box seats halfway between home and first for $110 each.<br />What about the Doubletree hotel, I think it is connected to the Convention center by a skyway. <br />Bob

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Posted By: <b>Dan Koteles</b><p>my cousin has a high rise apt next to the "House of Blues", so accommodations are handled there. As far as going to a Cubs game....hmmm..<br /><br />Im just hoping to meet a few new faces and see some old ones. If some of you harbor around certain individuals, let me know where you are at. It is alot of fun putting faces on people.<br /><br />See you there !<br />-Dan

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Posted By: <b>Scott Forrest</b><p>At the last Chicago National I stayed with him - we just walked next door to see Billy Idol...then crawled home. Hopefully someone good's playing while you are there.

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Posted By: <b>jay behrens</b><p>Lee and I will be there. A game is out of the question for me at prices you guys are talking about, as money is going to very tight. <br /><br />No clue as to where we are staying or any of that fun stuff<br /><br />Jay<br><br>I've just reached Upper Lower Class. I am now officially a babe magnet for poor chicks.

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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>Good....Lee can take a shower in YOUR room this year. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> He came over all smelly the time we met and I had to let him use my shower. (actually I sort of "told" him to use it before we got in a car together <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> ) later

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Posted By: <b>JimB</b><p>I am planning on going this year.<br />JimB

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Posted By: <b>Rich Klein</b><p>Have hotel reservations near the show at $99 per nite - and will NOT miss the dinner this year<br /><br />Rich

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Posted By: <b>Zach</b><p>I'll be there as well I cant resist my dad and I had great time last year.

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Posted By: <b>Bob Marquette</b><p>Don't want to miss it.

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Posted By: <b>scott brockelman</b><p>per normal procedure i will be set up at booth #333 in the back of the room. leon and i will host the traveling circus of board members, everyone is welcome to come by and chat and rest as we will have chairs and room to compare notes, purchases, sightings, etc.<br /><br />as a side note there will be plenty of floor space for any grudge matches for board members. betting allowed! house gets a 10% cut.<br /><br />as to advice on hotels, there are several that you can walk to, Sofitel and Embassy be my top 2 choices for entirely different reasons.<br /><br /><br />scott

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Posted By: <b>AP</b><p>I was on the web site with all the info months ago - now I can't find it! When and where is it this year?

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Posted By: <b>Mark Tylicki</b><p>I look forward to meeting more folks. This one is my third in a row. I'm also interested in catching a Cubs game - been to the stadium - but never inside.<br /><br /><a href="http://natlconv.com/" target="_blank">The National Website</a>

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Posted By: <b>Lee Behrens</b><p>For us cheaper folks out there has anyone rounded up a hotel that is inexpensive close by? Last time I stayed at one that didn't have anything in the neighborhood, it was close to the airport. It would be good if some of us could get together in the same hotel so we can shot the shat into the late night.<br /><br />I got a better idea, Leon, since I am going to be using your shower how about just hanging out in your room with the stay. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br /><br /><br />Lee<br /><br />

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Posted By: <b>jay behrens</b><p>Leon, Im to cheap to rent hotel rooms. Normally, when It ravel, I sleep in my van, but with gas prices I doubt we will be taking the Shaggin Wagon to Chicago. I'm not picky about sleeping accomidation. Give me a pillow and a blanket and I am good to go. I could sleep on a school bus, so sleeping on a floor is no big deal.<br /><br />Jay<br><br>I've just reached Upper Lower Class. I am now officially a babe magnet for poor chicks.

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Posted By: <b>Tom Boblitt</b><p>with my normal 3 other inmates........<br />We're at the Hamption Inn on Mannheim. I got an inhouse rate of $69 but the normal (outhouse) rate is $99. If you're trying to go low budget, you might try priceline. I know guys that regularly do the Rosemont shows that do that and can get $40 rooms within 5-8 miles...............

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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>I prefer to go it alone on the room situation. The older I have gotten the less I like to share a room.....unless you're a girl (and since married you would need to be my wife). Nothing personal but if I want to get away from it all for a few minutes I like to have the knowledge I can have some privacy......as far as partying and "hootin' and hollerin'" I'm all for that......regards

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Posted By: <b>Tom Boblitt</b><p>a bathroom thing--right?

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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>Yes

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Posted By: <b>warshawlaw</b><p>Esp. the bathroom. I get enough flack at home for my "habits" in there; I don't need to be polite on vacation. <br /><br />Plus, there's nothing better than sleeping (and I do mean sleeping) alone once in a while. I had the best rest in years in Cleveland. Of course, it being Cleveland I was bored out of my mind too, which may have contributed to it...

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Posted By: <b>Julie</b><p>telling me that everything I want will be avbailable--at about 150% markup. I may show up anyway, just to say hello.

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Posted By: <b>tbob</b><p>The last National I went to was in '95 in St. Louis. I had been to 2 before that, but none since. Ebay and internet auctions weaned me away but even though I may not be finding the Obaks, caramels and other tobacco cards I need, I must admit the main reason I am going is to meet the people I have corresponded with, purchased from and sold to, over the past 5 years.

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Posted By: <b>Glen V</b><p>I'm going. Where's the best pizza?

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Posted By: <b>Richard Masson</b><p>Staying at the Hyatt Regency....After we find and absorb all the good vintage stuff available, what will we do for the next four days?

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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>see post above yours.......

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Posted By: <b>Ryan Christoff</b><p>Andy Becker,<br /><br />I'd e-mail you privately but you didn't post your e-mail address. I'm definitely in for rooftop seats to a Cubs game. <br /><br />$175 is more than I'd pay for any seat inside the ballpark, but the rooftop is such a unique experience I'd gladly pay that. <br /><br />Count me in if there's a group thing. If not, I'd still like the info. <br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />-Ryan

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Posted By: <b>Josh A.</b><p>Count me in! I live 20 minutes away from the Convention Center, and would love to meet you folks. Should be a great time. <br /><br />Best pizza? Little place called Jake's, in Glenview and Northbrook, sort of far from Rosemont, but soooo good!

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Posted By: <b>andy becker</b><p>...and sorry about the email thing.<br /><br />www.3639wrigleyrooftop.com <br /><br />the cost is obviously high, but it is an expeience. there are other roofs too, all priced about the same. let me know if you need other websites/phone numbers.<br /><br />for pizza, the original "lou malnatti's" in lincolnwood is very good...and not downtown (so if there's a wait it is NOT 2 hours). jake's is very good too. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

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Posted By: <b>Mark Evans</b><p>To whomever is arranging the dinner (Pete?): has a decision been made as to which night it will be? Thanks. Mark

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Posted By: <b>warshawlaw</b><p>I checked with the Cubs' web site and tickets are available at face ($17-$38 a seat) for the D-backs games on thursday and friday. Both are day games, so it would mean missing the show each day. The Giants' game is not available but that is on Wednesday during the day anyhow and I'd not planned to travel into town until that day so that game is not feasible for me to attend. I am leaning towards Friday and best available seats, public transport to the game. Anyone want to go that day?

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Posted By: <b>Scott M</b><p>I'll be attending my first "national" this year and would be interested in a Cubs game if anyones putting an outing together...

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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>I'd be interested in going to a game too....although would prefer going when I wouldn't miss a day of the show....

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Posted By: <b>warshawlaw</b><p>Since the Cubs play day games except for the Saturday game that week, those of us who want to do a Wrigley visit and not stay an extra night are in a real jam. Cards or Cubs? "Take me out to the ballgame" or "how much is that T card in the showcase"? Whatever shall we do???

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Posted By: <b>mchenrycardguy</b><p>This is my first post but I have been lurking here since I found it from the psa boards. As they say on the sports radio stations...."1st time caller....long time reader. I dont collect much let alone the old cards you all do anymore but i love reading and looking at all the great stuff you people post about. <br /><br /> I have been collecting for 30 years and sold my collection 3 or 4 times over. (I hate when you need cash!!)I collected mostly post war but had many goudeys and play balls in my possesion. And I think i have some stories to tell you that you probably will want to hear. (I have held a goudey Lajoie in my hands that walked in off the street with a 90 year old man and a old cigar box)<br /><br />The point of this all is that i live 45 minutes from the convention center and would love to meet all of you and put faces with the names. I hope that even though I am a 1st time poster I would be welcomed. Not only that, I have stories about Dave Bushing!!! LOL. (<br />he lives a short drive from me..and I do mean short).<br /><br />Anyway. I wanted to say hello and see if this dinner is open to newbies as well.<br />Thanks<br />Andrew

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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>Of course the dinner is open. Sometime in the next several weeks we will get a head count. It seems it gets bigger each year and last year it was almost an issue to get everyone in one restaurant room. We had a small fiasco one year and some folks didn't even get to sit with us at a large table. All board folks are invited, whether you lurk, one time post, or go spastic like me....it's all good....and stories are about 80% of the fun at the National. I certainly don't go there looking to pick up items to re-sell. I have found numerous to buy for my collection though (mainly Tik and Ron Vitro).....regards