(AUNT) 2019 Super Bowl Tickle Gathering February 1-4!

[milagros317]

Here is the review of the Mexican Restaurant where we had our Superbowl Eve meal. I posted it on Trip Advisor and google.

'First of all to be completely fair I had no objection to the food, which was good, and my wife, who's a real aficionado confirmed this. But it's all downhill from now on.

The back room had been reserved months before for us 60 Superbowl friends/fans to eat the evening previous to the Game. Appetizers had been pre-arranged by our organizer, and the rest of the individual ordering was up to us. We all arrived at 6, as per reservation and went to the back room. Here I should say that the path from the parking lot was thick with ice, but at my polite request a staff member salted it.

The appetizer table was already set up, and the spread tasted very good, although there wasn't that much of it. But that was OK because we were looking forward to whatever our main courses were going to be.

ONLY ONE WAITER was supplied for about ten tables, each holding about 6 people, and he began taking our orders around 6:30. He was an intelligent young man, a student at the nearby university, very personable and somehow maintained a cheerful demeanor though he'd basically been thrown to the lions.

In sympathy I asked the manager for more help for him, and was pretty much ignored. Later a smallish young waitress came in to help, but while the two of them were really trying, there simply wasn't enough manpower.

Our food BEGAN arriving at about 8:15, two hours after ordering, table by table. The organizer's fiance sent his back- it was cold. I found the manager again and pointed out that by the time the last table was served, the first tables would have finished their meals long ago. I was ignored again.

I'm not going to waste any more time describing this outhouse, except to say I paid by card without adding a gratuity and surreptitiously gave the waiter a large tip in cash both to show him our appreciation and also to make sure the execrable management couldn't steal it.

Please, just do not bother with this odious place. '

Well said. A two hour wait for our main course was totally unacceptable and distressing.
But the food was excellent when it did arrive.
I also gave a (20 per cent) tip in cash, not trusting the management.

 

[TropicThunder]

We were just too large of a group to do hibachi this year. Certainly don't let the restaurant experience sour the whole weekend though, because aside from that it went quite well.

While the event was near 60 and in the same hotel as last year, we were quite nicely spread out. It didn't feel crowded and there was always something to do.

 

[shygirl5]

Had a great time at Albany this year, getting to see friends again. 🙂 Love going to this event! Oh....and this happened as well!

I have great affection for you, Kevin. *hugs*

 

[kevin_kidnapped]

And I hold a great deal of affection for you as well Miss Shygirl5 😉 *bling hugs*

And I agree with TT! While the dinner wait was a bit exasperating, the rest of the weekend more than made up for it! Hats off to everyone who organized and helped to make this one an incredible event! We even had our own amusement park ride 😀 Next year we should put a cotton candy machine next to it 😛

Great people, great times, great food, great fun! And the icing on the cake.....hearing the word “Yes!” My world has been rocked.....all for the better! 🙂

 

[milagros317]

Once again:

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ENGAGEMENT!!!! Enjoy celebrating it!

 

[CageTigerShark]

Albany was my first tickle gathering. I’m 30 years old, but I’ve been somewhat active here (mostly a lurker) for about 10 years. Taking this trip for myself was a great way to unwind, escape Massachusetts, make new friends and release a lot of energy. I reached out to Dave back in October, and he’s a great guy who has been very guiding and helpful about how to come out with my kinks in a way that’s socially successful. I’ve always been a quiet person, but this weekend was a good way to reach out and test myself in this environment.

I introduced myself to a lot of people who have big names in the community. I made a lot of new friends and acquaintances through casual chat in the common rooms and hallways of the hotel. I participated in my first group play session with a couple. If I encountered social awkwardness, I tried to be very cautious and aware of the impression I was making, and kept it positive wherever I could. Being socially independent has always been a challenge for me, and I needed plenty of space and rest so I could keep myself active.

There was a group on Kik for most of the “younger crowd” going to the event, organized by Dave which was a tremendous help in getting an idea of who people were and what they might be like in person. Huge success there, however small it may seem and it’s been a good way for all of us to keep in touch.

I got to ride the Chariot on Sunday, which took the most edge away from my being right away. I wish I’d done it sooner. Being tickled helps, even if you’re a ‘ler.

I find myself being less afraid and more open toward m/m tickling, a long-time phobia of mine. I’m genderfluid, which means I switch often (at random) between masculine and feminine personalities. I think “bipolar disorder” may be a misdiagnosis for this, but that’s totally beside the point.

Anyway, I had a lot of fun and I met a lot of great people. Another highlight of the weekend was leading a “yoga-style flow stretch” on Saturday and Sunday morning that a few people participated in. I hung out with Jonathan and his wife Vanni (Kitten) for a while after the first stretch, and they’re cool people. I stretched with Clayton and Maya on the second day, and met a whole crew of others who are great and likeminded. There were rope demo’s on Friday night and Saturday afternoon that were very fun to watch and participate in.

Everyone I met, you know who you are and I can’t wait to see you again and get to know you better at future events.

Ryan

 

[kevin_kidnapped]

Thanks Milagros! 😀