The Thanksgiving Science Fiction Society held a general business meeting on 19 August 2023. The meeting was held online via Discord, with no in-person interaction aside from between folks who live together. All conversations took place via text chat in Discord. This is a quick-n-dirty Discord transcript of the TSFS General Business Meeting held on 19 August 2023, made on 22 August 2023 by Keith Lynch. All formatting has basically been lost. Meeting was scheduled to begin at 2 PM EDT. Prelude postings occurred in the 10 days leading up to the meeting; conversations on the day of effectively begin at 1:51 PM. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- From: "Keith F. Lynch" To: [multiple recipients] Subject: Transcript of August 2023 TSFS meeting Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2023 00:01:41 -0400 (EDT) # august-2023-business-meeting This is the start of the #august-2023-business-meeting channel. April 15, 2023 Herveus | Con Ops -- 04/15/2023 2:12 PM Saturday, 19 August, 2pm. Here. August 9, 2023 Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/09/2023 11:15 AM Please add new web host to the agenda. This is urgent because we lose the current hosting arrangement Sept 18. August 10, 2023 Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/10/2023 1:52 PM Jo Hogan says Dreamhost has a starter deal for one-site hosting for $36/year (plus they'll ask you to add a year to your domain when you transfer which is another...15 bucks? and will extend the domain through august of 2024). This seems like a good deal. August 19, 2023 Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 12:56 PM T minus just over one hour and counting! Diamond Mystic -- 08/19/2023 1:28 PM I'll look over the messages afterward and post anything relevant from my end then: the wife and I are off vending today in CT. Very happy we've been able to keep things together at least via forum while things are reforming/progressing to whatever degree. Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 1:29 PM May you have a successful and enjoyably uneventful weekend! Diamond Mystic -- 08/19/2023 1:31 PM Well we're already at an event so [man shrugging] [smile]. But so far so good, and not a total loss as to profits either, so quite happy to see what today brings. Thanks for the well-wishes, talk to you all later. Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 1:51 PM Agenda: Set date for next meeting Treasurer's report Web site hosting Other departments with things to report Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:00 PM OK, I have managed to get all the other dcrap done Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 2:00 PM Hello, everyone Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:00 PM I'm actually here for the meeting now. Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 2:01 PM Hello folks Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 2:01 PM I'm here. DrGandalf -- 08/19/2023 2:01 PM Yo Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:02 PM Howdy y'all. We should get started. We need to schedule a meeting in 4Q, so Oct/Nov/Dec. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:03 PM Well, according to your agenda, the first thing we need to do is set date for next meeting. I will note that, in the absence of an actual convention, we really only need to meet quartly; and that officer nominations are due in December. Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:04 PM With that in mind, how about Sunday, December 17? Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:04 PM Which doesn't me we couln't set a meeting in November forofficer nominations, if that's what we want to do. Just that December is the deadline. DrGandalf -- 08/19/2023 2:05 PM 12/17 looks OK for me Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 2:05 PM Official deadline for "sponsioring memberships) (aka annual dues) is December 1st IIRC. But I don't necessarily see a NEED for a meeting before that deadline. We have flexibility. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:05 PM Exactly. AFAICT, 17 December works for me. Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 2:05 PM Likewise, AFAICT right now, Sunday 17 December works for me. (Aside: I'm just glad that the Q3 meeting is now, as September has become a scheduling nightmare) Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:07 PM I've created a channel for the meeting and posted the date (and "2pm") there. Treasurer Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:08 PM OK, well, the good news: the debt we owed to the hotel has been paid in full. Along with the final payment, I sent a note to Craig-Leigh, thanking her & the hotel for their professionalism & patience. And they replied in the same light. We have a total of $2339.48 in the various accounts. Remaining expenses are thing s like PO Box, yearly business taxes (minimal, but it escapes me how minimal at this point), the ASCAP license-which I did not renew for 2024, and web hosting. The last contributin to the Kickstarter effort was back in May. If we were to try and hold another physical convention, I would consider it unadvisable without approximately a $20k cusion. IOW, about 8x what we have on hand now. Which I think leads directly into the next item on the agenda: web hosting. Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 2:13 PM Question for the Treasurer... how many people have paid 2023 dues / "sponsoring memberships" so far? I know I haven't, my bad... our finances are in the crapper Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:13 PM Yep. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:14 PM As most of you are aware, Jo is not renewing the Dreamhost which is currently the host of our Chessiecon account. We do havfe an offer from her to help migrate thing sif we decide on a webhost soon. And I have the following website information about what it would take to get our own host account: https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/ DreamHost Hosting | Web Hosting Plans Starting @ $2.59/mo - DreamHost 20 years & 1.5 million websites later -- DreamHost is the proven web host. Starting @ $2.59/mo we have a web hosting plan for everyone. Hosting | Web Hosting Plans Starting @ $2.59/mo - DreamHost To answer Dave's question: I'm not aware of any that have, including myself. Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 2:16 PM OK. I'll defer follow-ups on that until after the web hosting discussion Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 2:18 PM Panix hosted WSFA for free, until WSFA needed more fuctionality (online commerce). Perhaps they'll do the same for Chessiecon/TSFS. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:21 PM So, according to the quoted site, hosting would be "starting at" $2.95/month. There's a note obout 36 months, and the way things usually work, the quote price probably means if you take the 36-month deal, I'm not sure beyond that. Frankly, webhosting is not an area in which I have much knowledge: but grabbing three years of hosting would set us at 106.20 assuming we dont' do whatever add-ons they're inevitably going to try to talk us into. $106.20 is frankly less than the PO Box. So to me it's worth it, but Herveus, how satisified are you so far with how having Dreamhost via Jo as our webhost has worked? Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 2:22 PM Stipulating hypothetically going with Dreamhost, I presume that there would be minimal migration issues moving from Jo's account on Dreamhost to a new TSFS account also on Dreamhost? Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:22 PM I have no complaints. It's been pretty low maintenance for me, dealing with the occasional email address maintenance. They are talking $3.95 per month with email added. Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 2:23 PM Please understand that hosting via Jo is no longer an option. See my message at the top. She mentions a starter package. Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:24 PM We understand that. We are looking at getting our own Dreamhost account. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:24 PM Keith: Are you familiar with the ins-and-outs of the online commerce thing vis-a-vis WSFA/Panix? Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 2:25 PM Sorry, I know very little about it. They moved hosts after I left WSFA, nearly 20 years ago. But it wouldn't hurt to ask Panix about free hosting for non-profits. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:26 PM OK I was specifically concerned about interfacin with a registration system, such as Zambia, or whatever they're going to rename it, if and when they get around to that. DrGandalf -- 08/19/2023 2:26 PM We're not ifficially a non-profit, are we? Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:26 PM WE are not. Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 2:27 PM I stand corrected. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:27 PM I still havne't gotten around ot getiing with a real-live tax lawyer about that, I got too distracted with the hotel issue. Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:27 PM Staying with Dreamhost means keeping a known quantity. There's much to recommend that. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:27 PM point Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:27 PM And the costs appear to be manageable. DrGandalf -- 08/19/2023 2:28 PM Sounds like a good idea to me. Whatever makes things easier for the people actually maintaining the web site Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:28 PM Marilyn for Website, Herveus for managing back-end admin stuff. But yeah, I'm very much in line with DrG's thinking If we can make thir jobs easier, thta's all to the good. Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 2:29 PM I took a brief look. As long as it handles WordPress and email, that's all we need for now. Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:30 PM Do we need to thrash this any more, or can we move to a decision? Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:30 PM One thing thta is not clear to me: the e-mail disclaimer. Add Email as low as $1.67/mo Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:31 PM Looking deeper, I saw "Shared Unlimited" at $2.95/mo (yearly) or $3.95/mo (3 year) including email. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:31 PM Um, does that mean just hosting the whole e-mail system, with out present accounts, ("President", "WEbhost", etc) or is that $1.67/mo/accounts? Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:32 PM That "Shared Unlimited" is "Unlimited Email @ your domain". https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/ DreamHost Shared Hosting - Fast & Secure - 24/7 Support - DreamHost Starting @ $2.59/mo. Website hosting that helps your website thrive by making sure it is always up, secure & fast. Choose the only web host with a 97 day money-back guarantee and a full tool suite. DreamHost Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:33 PM hm, that brings the cost for 36 months to 142.2, which is only just a bit over the PO Box. Still worth it, I think Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 2:34 PM ...only just a bit over the PO Box for one year IIRC Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:34 PM Right. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:35 PM I'm highly in favor of it. Therefor, in the absence of further discussion, I make a move that we try for the hosting with the unlimited e-mail included. DrGandalf -- 08/19/2023 2:35 PM 2[degrees] Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 2:35 PM " Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:35 PM All in favor, say Aye; those opposed say No. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:36 PM Aye DrGandalf -- 08/19/2023 2:36 PM [eye] Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 2:36 PM For the record: what is the wording of the motion? Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 2:36 PM Aye Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:37 PM Formally: TSFSis making arrangements to acquire it's own Dreamhost account for webhosting & e-mail. Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:38 PM Moved: Pursue the Shared Unlimited hosting plan with Dreamhost for three years. Note that the rate goes up to $10.99/month after the promotional period. Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 2:40 PM I'll work with Poryshkin to pay for the plan and with Jo to set up the website and the Herveus to set up the email accounts. Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:41 PM Were you going to register a vote, Marilyn? Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 2:41 PM Now that the motion is stated: Aye Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:42 PM Thank you (fair question, it was). I'll exercise my option and also vote Aye. And call them motion passed. That covers the specific items on the agenda. Did anyone have anything they wanted to report or lay before the meeting? Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 2:43 PM Yes Saria | Videogaming, Website -- 08/19/2023 2:43 PM yeah Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:43 PM Registration, go. DrGandalf -- 08/19/2023 2:44 PM BSFS used the crowd control stanchions we gave them at Balticon and loved them. Thanks from them. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:44 PM New business: on the agenda for next meeting: How to rebuild the organization Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:44 PM Yay, glad they were of service Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 2:45 PM Not so much registration as person who does Square ... I got a request just before the meeting to send an invoice for three T-shirts, so I have Square open RIGHT NOW Therefore, if anyone here wants me to send them an invoice for this year's dues ($21.00) I can do it promptly. Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:46 PM (Having the t-shirts stored here, my wife kyped several, so I asked Dave to invoice me) Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:46 PM Eh, I'll jut go ahead an do mine without that invoice. Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 2:46 PM speaking of shirts, what ever happened with our storage unit and its contents? Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:47 PM They were delicious Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 2:47 PM Oh yeah, I guess an after-action report on that would be in order! Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:47 PM It's empty. The contents were dispersed about. Go ahead and invoice me for the membership. Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 2:48 PM My middle finger is still giving me grief from time to time about the dislocation incurred while moving the pegboard. DrGandalf -- 08/19/2023 2:48 PM Invoice here too Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 2:48 PM Please invoice me for membership. Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 2:49 PM Please PM me with email addresses (Herveus, I have yours) (or drop them here, I don't personally care) Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 2:49 PM Shall I post something on Facebook about sponsoring memberships? Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:49 PM Sounds like a good idea. DrGandalf -- 08/19/2023 2:50 PM Couldn't hurt Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 2:50 PM What would be good text for that message. DrGandalf -- 08/19/2023 2:50 PM "Send us money" Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:50 PM Well, the acknowledgement of closing the storage space was recieved by us back in late April or May, I forget which. I know that BSFS got the post-and-chain barricades; a lot of what was in there was video game stuff, and that's back here, ditto tmiscellaneous things like the spare cash boxes, the tablets we were using, the old registration computers we were using, which are essentially bricks now-they were using Windoze 7. Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 2:51 PM The old reg computers could potentially get Linux installed on them to regain some usability, for what that's worth. Not that we have any specific need. Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:51 PM The art show panels are living in my shed pending Dave having a chance to get them down to Ayrfield. The t-shirts and mugs are stored here. There was other random stuff that is stowed in my shed for now. Saria | Videogaming, Website -- 08/19/2023 2:52 PM video gaming stuff should be in our garage, correct? Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:53 PM The manager seemed impressed with the condition we left the cube in. I guess people leave them pretty messy. Yes, in the garage. I still have Poryshkin's padlock. Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 2:53 PM If anybody wants some of the art show pegboard and/or vertical posts, let us know before I move them 100 miles south. I'd rather not end up moving them twice more if I don't have to. My count says I have immediate use for 20 of the pegboard panels at Ayrfield. I didn't get an actual count of how many there are, but it's certainly more than 20. Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:55 PM Probably a small multiple of 20. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:55 PM "TSFS and Chessiecon are currently in a rebuilding phase. We are attempting to get together not only the financial resources to be able to hold another Chessiecon, but more especially the people needed to hold a convention. Chessiecon, like other S/FF conventions, is a membership, due-driven organization. Supporting memberships are set at $21.00 annually, and most pimportantly, allows you a voice in the affairs of Chessiecon, which includes a voice in how & wherer you'd like to see TSFS take Chessiecon in the future. For a supporting membership, send the dues to [insert address here] by 1 December." Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 2:55 PM Off topic: Speaking of surplus stuff, I'm downsizing. Does anyone ant a largish (maybe 50 pound) CRT video monitor? It cost $600 new. Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 2:57 PM Did we cover your stuff, Dave? If so, Saria raised a hand, too. Do proceed. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:57 PM Marilyn, if you could clean up my horrible typing, does that sound like a good blurb to be putting out ? Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 2:57 PM That covered my stuff, yes. Go ahead Saria Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 2:58 PM @Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration How should people arrange to pay dues? Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 2:59 PM PayPal or Square works, or, if they want to send us an old-fashioned check, that's PO Box 83032 Gaithersburg, MD 20883-3032 The paypal address is : payments@chessiecon.org Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 3:00 PM They can (a) send a paper check, (b) use PayPal as has been done in the past -- @Poryshkin | Con Chair beat me to it on those -- or (c) drop a line to registrations@chessiecon.org if they want a Square invoice. Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 3:01 PM Thanks, That is the info people need to send money. Saria | Videogaming, Website -- 08/19/2023 3:01 PM Video gaming report: last time I did an online video game room in 2020, results were very mixed, considering it was mostly me playing games by myself (though I did have fun in Portal 2, thanks Josh!) and the audience that I attracted near the end of the weekend was less than stellar, because Twitch's community is toxic and unmoderated. As such, I don't think I can do a full online gaming this year, but, what I might do is at least attempt to be entertaining to watch by doing a marathon of Legend of Zelda randomizers, since that's how I've been occupying a lot of my time since I got laid off. I have two main caveats to that: 1: I'd need co-commentators to keep me sane and possibly moderate the audience - I assume Rin and Cory might be interested in that, but I also have some friends I might be able to poke for that weekend. Would people I'd want for co-comm also have to have memberships? I assume yes. 2: I refuse to stream on twitch again after the experience from last time, so I'll need to look into more personal streaming options, probably either discord or zoom screen-sharing. I know there was resistance to that last time, but I absolutely have to be more private for my own mental health. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 3:02 PM OH, we're not gdoing a convention this year at all. So, the offer is very much appreciated-content is good, after all-but we won't be needing it this year. Saria | Videogaming, Website -- 08/19/2023 3:03 PM oh, I misunderstood welp, more time to practice then [smile] Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 3:04 PM Back to the Supporting Membership, if I may Saria | Videogaming, Website -- 08/19/2023 3:04 PM go for it, that's all I had Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 3:05 PM Have we sent an appeal for Supporting Memberships by email to pass members? Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 3:06 PM I don't think we have as yet. I haven't checked the status of the Reg database in a couple of months bc life. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 3:06 PM I certainly have not. Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 3:06 PM Note to self; Put it on new web site in a noticable place. DrGandalf -- 08/19/2023 3:08 PM (Note: I must sign off by 3:30 in any case) Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 3:09 PM OH, for Facebook: can we put up a note about having met the hotel obligations, but also generically thanking thos who contributed to the GFM, and specifically thanking Danielle A-M for setting up the thing in the first place? And maybe, depending on how wordy you feel is worthwhile, thanking again the large contributors (DISCON, Carl Cipra & Chris Cowan ) ? Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 3:11 PM You need to update the GFM status to if you haven't already. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 3:11 PM Will do. Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 3:11 PM I think we've exhausted the agenda. Absent a rebuttal, I think a motion to adjourn would be appropriate. Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 3:12 PM Three invoices for 2023 supporting memberships have been sent Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 3:12 PM I have an off-topic request. Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 3:12 PM Let's hold that until the meeting is officially over. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 3:13 PM I'll make a motion to adjourn, then Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 3:13 PM Okay, so long as everyone doesn't leave instantly. Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 3:13 PM Second Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 3:13 PM " Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 3:13 PM All in favor harumph. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 3:13 PM Harumph! Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 3:13 PM Harumph! Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 3:13 PM harumph. DrGandalf -- 08/19/2023 3:14 PM Haaarumph! Herveus | Con Ops -- 08/19/2023 3:14 PM Motion passes; we are adjourned. Thank you for coming. Go ahead Keith Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 3:14 PM So, let's hear fro Keith Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 3:14 PM I'm moving a short distance and downsizing. I've moved almost everything that I can move with my hand truck, including several tons (literally) of books. But I could use assistance from someone with a truck and a strong back. Nothing needs to be carried up stairs. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 3:16 PM Welol, thta lets me out: my next appointment with Ortho-Dude is 13 September, and I won't know until then what I can do about my back. The answer is probably more neuro-surgery. If so, I'm going to put that off until after Capclave. DrGandalf -- 08/19/2023 3:16 PM I gave up having a strong back about 25 years ago. See y'all at the next meeting. Have a nice Thanksgiving Dinner Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 3:16 PM Everything needs to be out of here (Merrifield) by the end of the month. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 3:17 PM Keith, though: if you need a second hand truck, and can arrange getting it from here to where you are and back again, I do have that. Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 3:18 PM Thanks. But I need to move stuff too large for a hand truck and too heavy for one person (if that person is me) to lift. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 3:18 PM Yeha, figured. Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 3:19 PM For instance more than a dozen bookcases. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 3:19 PM Orph, that's a...bit. Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 3:20 PM It's a short distance (700 meters to the storage locker), so multiple trips are fine. It doesn't need to be a large truck. Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 3:21 PM Ouch. I am not in a physical position to help with heavy moving at this time. While my condition is temporary (putting me in a better position than many of us present), it's going to take at least 3 weeks before I can lift anything "heavy" and that's past your deadline. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 3:27 PM Next up, do I know anyone with a truck? Um, I know people who used to own trucks, but AFAICR, do not anymore. Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 3:28 PM Worst case, I could pay to rent one. Or someone with a truck and a bad back could drive, and someone with no truck and a good back could lift. But professional movers cost a fortune, and I've heard lots of horror stories about them. Also, they don't generally allow ride-alongs, so I'd be paying them extra to wait for me. Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 3:29 PM Did you get a quote from a service like College Hunks; They have a truck and bonded and insured strong men. Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 3:30 PM But if anyone wants to recommend a reputable and affordable moving company, or warn me against a disreputable one, I'll listen. Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 3:30 PM I used them to pick up some stuff to donate. They were very careful and business like. I'd use them to move house. Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 3:31 PM Also, as I mentioned, it doesn't need to be a large truck. A pickup truck would do, as no one object is juge. huge Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 3:31 PM Moving stuff a very short distance into storage is nowhere near as stupid-expensive as moving stuff more than 30 miles in the same state. Those quotes were so horrible that paying for 3 years of the last storage unit is still less than half the price. Poryshkin | Con Chair -- 08/19/2023 3:32 PM Keith, a possibility ocurred to me: do you have contact with Seain G these days? Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 3:33 PM While he's not present right now I'm going to tag @Jim/Blaise | Tabletop Gaming as they moved in the past couple of years and may have a recommendation to make. Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 3:33 PM Thanks for the suggestion. I'll contact Seain. Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 3:35 PM @Poryshkin | Con Chair What's the best way to contact you Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 3:35 PM To contact me? Email, kfl@KeithLynch.net Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 3:35 PM Keith, you said you're moving the stuff basically 700 meters (slightly under a half mile)? Marilyn Mix | Website -- 08/19/2023 3:36 PM No, Poryshkin Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 3:36 PM Nearly all of it. One item goes to my my brother's house -- I'm moving in with him -- about twice as far away. I'm also downsizing, giving away stuff. For instance the aforementioned 50-pound CRT video monitor, which cost me $600 new. Yes, nearly all of it goes just 700 meters. I've made at least 50 round trips on foot. Not a pleasant walk, as it involves crossing both Gallows and 29 (formerly known as Lee Highway). Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 3:40 PM Yikes. No, not a pleasant walk at all. Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 3:42 PM The walk to my brother's house is much nicer these days, as I use the new trail parallel to I-66. I've been using it for over a year, even though it's still not officially open yet. Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 at 3:47 PM I'll second Marilyn's recommendation of College Hunks, as this appears to be a very straightforward (if 2 destinations) short-distance schlep. We couldn't use them because 120 miles was too far to be anywhere close to affordable. Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 at 3:54 PM Discord wants me to add a bunch of numbers to the end of my username here (which is "United Individualist"). What happens if I keep postponing that change? Dave/Evan(damont) | Registration -- 08/19/2023 at 3:56 PM I'm not sure. I'm kinda surprised that you can't use the name all by itself in the renaming as I wouldn't expect someone else to have snapped it up. FWIW, I had to go with ".damont" with the initial period (so I'm "hidden damont" in *nix parlance) because an earlier adopter had chosen the unpunctuated form ahead of me. Personally I'm not all that impressed with the supposed need to ditch the discriminator-number format. Keith Lynch -- 08/19/2023 at 4:17 PM I'm logging off now. Any followups to kfl@KeithLynch.net. Thanks. dcseain -- 08/19/2023 at 10:46 PM I removed the numbers from my name and am now just <@dcseain> on here.