COI Seattle [Archive] - The Michelle Kwan Forum

angelofmine

April 29th, 2003, 01:35 PM

Who's going, and are you interested in meeting after the show for late lunch/early dinner?

So far it's Amelia, smileyllama, GinnySmith and me. Anyone else? After we figure out how many are going, we can decide *where* to go.

AJSkatefan, are you going this year?

AJ Skatefan

May 2nd, 2003, 08:00 PM

Hey Angelofmine!
Yes! I'll be there. Sparks is flying in from the sunny southwest to go too. We should meet up for lunch or dinner. Does anyone like Thai food? There's a good restaurant close to the arena on Queen Anne hill that I like.

angelofmine

May 2nd, 2003, 08:44 PM

Yeah, Terri77 told me your sister is going to be there too. :) You two should definitely join us after the show. Wanna meet out by the buses? I can't speak for Ginny Smith, but the rest of us loooove Thai food. Great idea!

AJ Skatefan

May 4th, 2003, 07:38 PM

We'll definately be out by the buses. As far as food is concerned we could meet for lunch or dinner. Maybe lunch would be good because we could get to Seattle Center area early and find parking. It may be hard to find parking because that's the same weekend as Folklife Festival. I'm thinking that parking as early in the day as possible, the better. What do you all think?

angelofmine

May 4th, 2003, 10:40 PM

Well dangit, I didn't know that Folklife Festival was going on. I've never been, so do you really think it will make parking/crowds way worse than usual? Let's see...the show starts at 2, and I know smileyllama wants to be at KeyArena around 1. That means we would probably have to be eating around noon at the latest? If we eat before the show, what time were you thinking? I can totally see what you mean re parking...if it weren't for that, I would say after the show is better. I'll ask Amelia and smiley what their preferences are, too.

Sparks

May 5th, 2003, 05:03 AM

Woo Hoo!!!
Ginnysmith...Where are you??
I vote, lunch, lunch, lunch!

smileyllama

May 5th, 2003, 12:02 PM

Sounds like fun! I'll be there. I really don't care where, what, whatever :) It'll just be cool to hang out and EAT :D

If we decide to get together right afterwards, it might be a pain in the butt since traffic from Key Arena after events SUCKS. (Remember how slow Michelle's car was going out last year?) But knowing us, we might stay by the buses long enough to wait out the traffic ;) Plus, Queen Anne is like, RIGHT THERE. So I'm up for anything!

Amelia

May 5th, 2003, 02:08 PM

But Hayley, I thought we were going to sell Michael... ?? ;)

Yeah, Folklife will make traffic and parking really nuts. I say that whether we go out before or after the show, that we find parking and then just walk to wherever we want to go.

AJ Skatefan

May 5th, 2003, 06:58 PM

My restaurant idea was Racha on the corner of First and Mercer. It's a big place and the food is good. I could call and make sure they're open for lunch. We could do dinner if everybody wants. I just want to get to the area early in the day because I really think parking will get increasingly insane as the afternoon wears on. We may even take the bus, in which case it wouldn't matter when we ate. So, we can take votes. I already have Sparks' vote. Hayley wants dinner, so who else? I'll do whatever... Do you think we'll see MK do this?:SJ
What about this?:TJL

angelofmine

May 5th, 2003, 07:31 PM

Re lunch vs. dinner, I don't have a preference except for whatever is easiest for everyone. Why don't we do lunch?

Amelia, Michael and I are traveling to/from the show together, and we may just leave our cars in U District and take the bus to Seattle Center. I'm also looking into the option of parking at my work. It's about three to four blocks from KeyArena and is typically out of the way of heavy traffic, even when big events are taking place at Seattle Center. If that option pans out, maybe you can park there too.

Jenny

May 6th, 2003, 01:54 PM

Hi Seattle-ites,

I don't have a ticket yet, but since my hubby is working that day, I plan to buy a single ticket for myself in the upper level. The thing is -- does anyone know if it's OK to bring a baby to the show?? I'd need to bring my son, who'll be 8 months old then. He'll just sit in my lap, or i'm hoping the upper level won't be sold out so I can move somewhere where I won't bother anyone (if he fusses, when I need to nurse, etc). In any case, I'd love to meet up with you all!! Thai food... yummy.

:)

smileyllama

May 6th, 2003, 03:43 PM

Jenny, it should be ok to bring a baby :) It'd be cool to finally meet you. I totally forgot that you had moved to Seattle! Definately plan on coming ;)

I have no preference for lunch/dinner. As long as there's food!

Eeew I forgot it was Folklife. Wow, and that's in the Seattle Center too... Hayley, maybe we should park in the U-District and bus it?

-Michael

angelofmine

May 6th, 2003, 04:19 PM

Yay, I get to meet Jenny! I had no clue you were in Seattle, either. I didn't know if it was you or not, because your "Big boss lady" custom title is gone. ;) I'm sure babies are fine, but maybe you should call KeyArena just to be certain.

Michael, I asked my boss if the parking garage is open on Saturdays, and if it is really full during Folklife Festival. If he says it's open and not full, maybe we should park down there and walk up? It's not that far away, even though it is uphill. Might be worth it if the crowds near the Center are going to be bad. If that doesn't work, maybe we should take the bus. Amelia seemed to think it was a good idea as well.

Is everyone cool with meeting for lunch before the show, say around noon?

AJ Skatefan

May 6th, 2003, 05:45 PM

OK. Let's tentatively plan on Racha at 1st and Mercer at noon. I'll call and ask them if they'll be open that day and if they take reservations. So far the head count is 7? I'm glad you'll be there Jenny!

Jenny

May 6th, 2003, 08:33 PM

I just looked more closely at the Key Arena page on Ticketmaster, and under the rules for children it says "No age restrictions," so I think I should be OK (though I'll probably call to make sure). Can't wait to see/meet you all! I'm a bit worried that it will be a looooong time to be out with Eli (lunch at noon through the end of the show at 4:30/5) but hopefully he'll handle it OK. With my luck, he'll probably have a melt down right when it's Michelle's turn to skate, lol! By the way, what is the Folklife Festival? I'm going to have to park at the arena (since I have to lug baby +gear with me), so I hope it won't be too bad down there.

probativev

May 6th, 2003, 08:42 PM

Hi Angelofmine!!! Thanks so much for telling me about this! :SJ I had no idea. I would love to meet all of you. I live on Queen Anne Hill about 5 minutes away from Racha!!! I haven't bought tickets yet and still may not be able to. But I hope I can join you for the gathering all if that's ok. I've never met any other MKFers before and I've always been so envious of those in CA and NY!!!! :LP

Alexa

angelofmine

May 6th, 2003, 09:24 PM

I guess Seattle area MKFers are just lazy. :lol We know we're all in Seattle, but we hardly ever get together for things like this. We ought to more often.

So, does AJSkatefan's plan sound good to everyone? Meet at Racha on First and Mercer at noon?

Jenny, the Folklife Festival is pretty much what its title implies...it features music, dancing, arts and crafts, food, folklife educational programs, and whatever else you can think of, with an emphasis on Pacific Northwest-related things. It's pretty big...I think a couple hundred thousand people attend each year. Which would be lovely if we all weren't trying to attend COI at the same time at the same venue. ;) I just checked their website, and the festival starts at 11 a.m. Hopefully it won't be too busy by the time we arrive for lunch.

Alexa, of course you can join us...you don't have to ask. :) Have you been checking Ticketmaster to see if they release anymore good tickets? Michael, Amelia and I waited until like the second or third presale cycle, and still ended up with awesome seats. Maybe they'll release more. Plus I doubt it will be close to a sellout, so you could always get one the day of the show at the box office. I've heard stories about people lucking out with excellent seats by ordering that way.

Sparks

May 7th, 2003, 06:34 AM

I lurve the plan! Lunch will be great!
Looking forward to seeing you again, Jen (and your nino too)!
Can't wait to meet you, Alexa!
Where is Dolphine?
Where is Patsue?
We need to contact Ginnysmith! Can someone PM her? My PM is not enabled b/c of off season troll-like creatures 8)

BTW, Kwan :RP 's!!!
And MKF'ers :RP too!

angelofmine

May 7th, 2003, 10:43 AM

Ginny knows about this thread, Sparks. :) I don't want to speak for her, but I would be surprised if she didn't meet us for lunch, since we had talked about it a couple weeks prior to me starting this thread. And she does know about this thread...she's just incredibly slooow at coming over. ;)

I don't know where Dolphine is. She and I haven't talked in a couple years.

Less than three weeks 'til the show. :hat

probativev

May 7th, 2003, 01:11 PM

With the folklife festival going on, and the COI, parking is going to be really tough. Same with trying to drive out of that area after the COI show. I live around that area, and my few humble suggestions are:

1. Try and look for parking in the Belltown area around Vine, Cedar, Clay streets and any of 2nd, 3rd or 4th Avenues, and walk to Racha and the Key Arena. WE parked there last year's COI, and the car got in and out with no problem. Since it's a Saturday, and you can't feed the meters, you probably should look for parking lots there. I don't think they would charge event rate for COI, but not sure about the Folklife Fest. I know there are a couple of small outdoor lots around 3rd or 4th Aves and Battery Streets that are generally empty all the time. Also, you will be able to escape the traffic jam on Denny Way and Mercer Street.

2. For no cost parking, and if you are willing to walk up a steep hill, you can park on upper Queen Anne. It's a residential neighborhood with no zone parking requirement. The walk up and down really only takes about 10-15 minutes (ok maybe 20 walking up if you are not the active type). The hill going up is indeed steep but really it's not THAT bad. You'll spend more time trying to find parking or getting out of the parking lots or Seattle Center after the show. Depends on where you are heading to after the show, you may escape the traffic jam altogether.

Alexa

Sprampt

May 7th, 2003, 01:53 PM

I'm thinking about going. I would be driving from Boise to Kennewick on Friday, then from Kennewick to Seattle on the morning of the show. If i left Kennewick early enough, that would be enough time to get to the show on time, wouldn't it? I would probably leave around 7 am. Anyway, my parents don't really want me to go. They think i should save my money, which i probably should especailly since i will be seeing COI two days earlier. But i have never been to Seattle before and i want to see what it's like. I guess it all depends on whether i can get a cheap hotel room, and if i would have enough time to get to Seattle from Kennewick on the day of the show.

angelofmine

May 7th, 2003, 01:55 PM

Thanks for the great advice, Alexa. One part of Alexa's advice that I cannot stress enough is to avoid Denny or Mercer. Denny has some of the worst traffic flow problems in all of Seattle (why don't they synchronize the lights??). I sometimes take that street when I drive to work, and it's not uncommon for it to take 20-30 mins to get all the way down the hill. Mercer is equally horrible. Parking is usually a nightmare, but Alexa gave great tips. Gosh I love Seattle. ;)

smileyllama

May 7th, 2003, 02:49 PM

KwanFan60, you should be fine if you left that early. My mom lives in Yakima, and it takes like 3.5ish hours to get to Seattle from there. I'm not exactly sure how far Kennewick is... isn't it just like an hour or so away from Yakima? It's all freeway, so not hard at all. The show starts at 2, so you should have plenty of time, and if you want to meet up with us, that should be enough time too, but you might want to drive fast in case of traffic ;)

I love the ideas. Sounds plenty good to me! Hayley, I have no problem walking. Walking from the PI to Key Arena is nothing compared to wandering around the UW campus every day ;)

GinnySmith

May 8th, 2003, 12:42 PM

Hi, Folks--I'll be there!!!

Sorry not to post sooner.

It will be great to meet you all. See you then.

Cheers,
Ginny
P.S. By the way, I love Thai food....:D

AJ Skatefan

May 8th, 2003, 07:09 PM

OK, this is getting cooler by the minute! Now I have a tentative count of 10 if Jenny and Kwan Fan 60 go. Keep posting if you're coming!
Maybe Michelle will do this: :CH

Sparks

May 9th, 2003, 08:52 AM

Yes!

Michelle will definitely do this: :SP

And I will be doing this: :FL

smileyllama

May 9th, 2003, 06:16 PM

so I FINALLY get to meet some MKFers :D

2 more weeks!!!!!!

angelofmine

May 9th, 2003, 09:39 PM

But Michael - you met Amelia and me. Isn't that good enough? http://smilies.jeeptalk.org/otn/sad/mecry.gif

:p

AJ Skatefan

May 10th, 2003, 08:03 PM

AND ME! Don't you remember last year by the buses? How soon we forget!

smileyllama

May 11th, 2003, 07:13 PM

hehehehehe, I mean I get to add to my WONDERFUL list of 3 :D

So we're meeting before the show? That works. We can do an unofficial meetup at the buses afterwards too :D

Unless some of us get lucky and go backstage...

angelofmine

May 11th, 2003, 07:39 PM

Suuuuuure Michael. No dim sum for you. :p

AJ, I just PMed you. Mine are notorious for not going through, so post here if you don't receive it.

smileyllama

May 11th, 2003, 08:25 PM

but HAYLEY, I want dim sum :( That's JUST NOT FAIR!!!!!:p

angelofmine

May 12th, 2003, 12:00 PM

Michael - Fine fine, maybe Friday afternoon. I'm going to see if I can get that night off anyway. Yummy cow stomachs and chicken feet. ;)

Back to the topic at hand - where is everyone sitting?

smileyllama

May 12th, 2003, 01:55 PM

mmmmm chicken feet.

Well, Hayley, I do believe I'm sitting in Section 115, Row A, Seat 1. Where are you sitting? :D

AJ Skatefan

May 13th, 2003, 05:53 PM

Hayley,
I never got your PM. Try again!
Sparks and I will be sitting in section 101, Row 12, seats 13 & 14. Only a week and a half away!!!
I still need to call Racha and make sure they can accomodate us. It's a big place so it shouldn't be a problem.

smileyllama

May 14th, 2003, 08:51 AM

Sounds good, AJ. The only problem is that I can't get excited about COI yet :( I have an Organic Chemistry midterm (third of 3!) on Friday at 8:30am before COI. So... as of 9:30 on that Friday, I'm officially excited :lol until then... time to focus on OChem! :(
:SE

Sparks

May 15th, 2003, 06:55 AM

Smiley - Good luck!!!

Focus on your studies and you will :CK you-know-what!

See you in Seattle! Can't wait! :SJ

smileyllama

May 18th, 2003, 12:47 AM

THanks Sparks. I sure hope I :CK it! :lol

See you all soon! 1 more week!

Sprampt

May 18th, 2003, 03:48 PM

I talked to my cousins today, and it sounds like they are interested in going. So, it may be me, my two cousins, and one of their friends who is supposedly a big Michelle fan, so this should be cool. If we do come we won't be attending the lunch or anything, but we might want to meet up with you guys after the show out by the busses. It depends, if we have time or not because we would not be staying in Seattle. We would be making it a day trip from Kennewick. . . Anyway, nothing is for sure yet. They are going to check on things and see if they can go, and if they can't i don't think i will make it either. We should know by tomorrow.

AJ Skatefan

May 18th, 2003, 06:18 PM

I just called Racha and they are closed for lunch!!! They obviously did not understand the importance of the situation! I made a reservation at Thai Heaven for 10 people at 12:00. The address is 352 Roy, across from Seattle Center. If anyone else wants to go somewhere else, that's ok too. Just speak up. Otherwise We'll all see each other then. Kwan Fan 60: Please try to come to lunch too! Just give us a head count and I'll add you to the reservation. Otherwise, we'll plan to see you by the buses. Less than a week a way! Smileyllama, good luck on Organic Chemistry-it sounds hard.

Sparks

May 19th, 2003, 10:33 AM

Woo Hoo!!!
Thanks to AJ for doing this! I'm so happy and am looking forward to getting together with the Northwest contingent of the MKF!!! :SJ

I hope everybody can come for lunch and I want to hear more from Ginny about Michelle in Atlanta.
I leave in 3.5 days! Watch out, Seattle...Watch out Peter T!!! :lol
We all know that Michelle will be so happy to see us! :YS

patsue

May 19th, 2003, 11:20 AM

Hi all- -Sparks, I'm here. Just not used to checking the Events threads. It's would be so great to meet up with all of you over lunch- -unfortunately I don't think we'll be able to. My mother is wheelchair bound and must have oxygen on at all times. The logistics of even getting her to the arena and seated (we will be in the handicapped section) is truly overwhelming. Mom has a very nice motorized wheelchair but no one in my family has a vehicle to transport it, so we're having to rent one. Thank goodness I have such a wonderful daughter to take care of all this for us. This past weekend Marci went to the show site and checked out the parking, entrance, etc. Anyway- -I most likely won't get to meet any of you but perhaps there will be other events! I am so looking forward to seeing Michelle live (for the very first time) that I can hardly wait. I will definitely be looking for the MKF ribbons.:CH

Sparks

May 20th, 2003, 05:30 AM

HTML Comments are not allowed

patsue

May 20th, 2003, 08:13 AM

I'm not sure if the HTML message is for me or not. I looked the initials up in the glossary and I'm not sure how it applies to my post. Please let me know what I did wrong- -I thought I was replying to Sparks' question earlier in this thread.

Sparks

May 20th, 2003, 10:18 AM

I'm not sure what happened!
Patsue, I'm sorry that you can't meet us for lunch. :(
I think you are awesome for taking your Mom to COI!
MKF'ers-----:RP !!!

Maybe you can post where you are sitting. OR could we meet you during the intermission somewhere in the arena?

Hope to see you soon!
Yippee! I leave in 2 more days! :SJ

patsue

May 20th, 2003, 11:37 AM

Sparks (and all other mkfers in washington), It will be so cool if we can meet somewhere during intermission or before the skating starts. I've been so jealous (lol) at the east coasters who have been able to meet each other and then to plan get-togethers, almost thought I was all alone out here! Anyway, we're sitting in the handicapped seating area--for some reason row 111 is sticking in my brain (my daughter, quite rightly, is holding onto our tickets- -since I've become a senior citizen my brain "burps" every-once-in-a-while and I tend to lose vital bits of info). I am going to e-mail her and then look at Key Arena's seating chart- -I'll know more after "chatting" with Marci.

In four days it will just about be show time- -I'm getting so excited at the thought of finally being able to see Michelle LIVE! Time usually flies by- -but now it just seems to be moving at a snail's pace.

Do you know which end of the arena the skaters emerge from?
The last skating show I attended was about 20 years ago and I am not familiar with the venues at Key Arena. So much info to gather...........so little time!

angelofmine

May 20th, 2003, 11:40 AM

Way to go, Sparks. You broke MKF. ;)

patsue, I'm sorry you can't join us for lunch, either. I was looking forward to meeting you.

Michael, Amelia and I are in Ice 115, row...uhhhh...A? Or is it row 1? Where are you and AJ sitting, Sparks? BTW, thanks for rescheduling our lunch, AJ. I'll post in MK chat in a couple days telling COI Seattle MKFers to check this section of the forum for info on meeting.

If we met during intermission, where would you want to do it?

angelofmine

May 20th, 2003, 11:56 AM

AJ -- I tried to PM you with my cell #, in case we need to get a hold of each other the day of the show. I got your PM, so I'll e-mail you.

Sparks

May 20th, 2003, 01:13 PM

Okay, you Brave Little Goofball! I did not break MKF! Waaah, I'm tellin' Michelle on you! :(
AJ posted our seats in one of her above posts...I know nothin' 'bout the Northwest cuz I'm a low down and dirty Southwesterner! :lol

Patsue...we will make it happen! :SP

angelofmine

May 20th, 2003, 02:14 PM

It's OK, Sparks. Worse has happened. ;) Couple years ago, Valerie managed to accidentally turn an entire Random Chat thread purple. Still have no clue how she accomplished that.

If people want to meet during intermission, I think the easiest way for everyone to find each other is to meet at one of the section entrances on the first level inside the arena. What about meeting at the entrance to section 115, since that seems to be pretty close to where everyone else is sitting?

patsue

May 20th, 2003, 02:37 PM

angelofmine223--your plan sounds good to me! My mom has already said that she'll be fine if I want to go off for a few minutes. I really want to find the buses though- -I so want to see Michelle "up close & personal". Will probably be too tongue-tied to say anything but do hope to get her autograph. I'm so excited, psyched, etc. and still have a few more days to get through:\ Thank goodness for work--keeps my mind occupied.

AJ Skatefan

May 20th, 2003, 04:12 PM

OK. For intermission, let's plan on meeting at the entrance near section 115. Patsue, the bus thing is a little hard because they are down behind a fence. It's only if the skaters decide to run up for a few seconds that we get to meet them. Usually only a few come up. I think we should get a special backstage pass for MKF'ers! Does anyone know how to arrange this???????

patsue

May 20th, 2003, 05:58 PM

OK--intermission--entrance 115--I'll be there!! From reading other COI reports- -Michelle is one that always comes over- -let's hope she does it here. I would love to have a backstage pass--unfortunately I don't know anyone with that kind of clout. However, for me, seeing as how it will be my first COI, just watching Michelle (I guess I should say...and all the others) skate will be a thrill (I'm really easy to please, lol).

smileyllama

May 20th, 2003, 08:03 PM

well, looks like I'll just be following Hayley and Amelia... hehehe

And.. I'll try to get better! I'm getting REALLY sick right now, I can barely talk. Hopefully I'll be able to speak better at COI! I hate being sick... ugh.

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

(Hayley, we're Row A. It's in front of 1. hehehe I just like saying that...)

patsue

May 21st, 2003, 07:19 AM

Good morning all. I just finished talking with my daughter, Marci. We will be sitting in section 110/row A23/seats 1,2,& 3. As I said earlier- -haven't been to the Center in at least 20 years and have never been since it was renamed Key Arena so I'm not really sure if we have good seats, but it really doesn't matter, I'll still be able to see Michelle.

By the way- -I've turned Marci into a real MKF fan- -she was telling me all about "the view" and how she read some of the comments and how cool it all was! Gosh, I can't wait to meet y'all. So glad I came out of "lurkdom".