What would you like

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I have asked this before, but we are still in the planning stages. What would you hope to see, do,learn about, dance to, want to eat, whatever at an autistic retreat.Would you want to spend a morning or afternoon in Denver? would you like to listen to music? What type? Would you have a difficult time if someone near you was wearing a fragrance? what topics would you hope to be discussed? Is brainstorming difficult for you? Are you either a vegetarian or vegan? do you generally have a glass of wine with dinner? does the fact that we are keeping costs down to about $100 a person make the retreat more attractive? How much planned activity and how much just hanging? This is a 3 day retreat taking place at a lodge in Colorado. Do you have difficulties with the smells of a burning fireplace? Do you have a problem with the aroma of food cooking? Also, how much of an issue having a roommate so long as there were still plenty of quiet spaces to go to?

jog my memory please, when is this going to take place?

auntblabby i believe it's feb/march-ish.

Would you want to spend a morning or afternoon in Denver?
afternoon, given the time of year; sun will be high, will be warmest.

would you like to listen to music? What type?
personally i love classic rock, but i'm open to anything that isn't too loud and driving (which i can enjoy when in the mood, but generally find stressful). given the social aspect, i think something mellow suited to the background, unless you are planning a special event.

Would you have a difficult time if someone near you was wearing a fragrance?
yes this is often a problem for me.

what topics would you hope to be discussed?
current theories of autism, success stories, employment, social strategies (not ways of emulating NTs but ways of being ourselves and finding a middle ground to getting social needs met & coping with NT expectations), ways of living independently. i'm pretty new to this stuff so probably anything would be helpful.

Is brainstorming difficult for you?
not if i'm interested in the subject, usually.

Are you either a vegetarian or vegan?
no, but can/will eat vegetarian.

do you generally have a glass of wine with dinner?
if it's offered, heck ya.

does the fact that we are keeping costs down to about $100 a person make the retreat more attractive?
definitely.

How much planned activity and how much just hanging?
ideally the option to do either at any time. however given that this is a small event i think a few hours a day, spaced apart, structured, might be optimal. not too early and not too late.

Do you have difficulties with the smells of a burning fireplace?
no love it.

Do you have a problem with the aroma of food cooking?
not usually unless very foreign or very pungent.

Also, how much of an issue having a roommate so long as there were still plenty of quiet spaces to go to?
hate roommates but would not stop me from coming, especially if somewhere to go.

hope i can make it, wish i could be more definite but right now just don't have any way to know for sure where i'll be a week from now, let alone four months.

thank you sounds good if it is closer to march to get away from the cold.


I was thinking at least a day, after arriving the previous afternoon or evening.


preferably none, or if there must be music, let it be something anodyne like new age or classical. but a live jazz band would always be good

no, only thing to avoid would be BO.

anything under the sun other than politics or religion or sports or pop culture. anything that my noodle could follow.

not if I can take some brain pills

no, i'm an omnivore that avoids certain foods
I don't understand the question, do you mean having a place to be private with a roommate?

oh vicky btw - would pets be allowed? or service animals?

I need to check with the manager. The manager a couple of years ago did not allow service animals in any MAR structure.[private club so certain laws do not apply] I think Chuck will be okay with service animals but, like I said, I'll check with him.

As I said in an earlier post. I like the idea of Denver. There is a central hub airport there and most of the cities in the us have direct flights there. and that will keep fares low.

I so hope you can come.

Opi, I just spoke with Chuck and service animals are allowed but some form of documentation that they are service animals is neccesary. Just make something up if you don't have anything official.

Still no exact date, waiting for sponsors for the MAR dances. Soon as they have a date we will be able to schedule. Ussually the February dance is around Valentines day, which is a Friday, so I assume it will be the day after. In March the theme for the dance is often Mardi Gras or Saint Patricks day. If it goes too long, Bobby and I will sponsor one of the dances just so we'll know which weekends are free for the retreat. [ I so do not ant to sponsor a dance, way too loud, way too many drunks, and with the meds I'm on, way past my bedtime]

1. I would like to see a successful retreat that can be repeated the following year.
2. I'm not all that familiar with Denver, but I'd be happy to link up with a tour group.
3. Depends on what type of music.
4. One topic I would like to see discussed (and I believe it is on the list) is an intentional residential complex.
5. Keeping the cost down (and demonstrated methods to do so) makes the event much more attractive.

Bonus: I wonder if it is at all possible to have a real-time group (text-only) Skype chat on at least some of the subjects, for those who cannot attend due to cost, transportation, or scheduling issues.

thanks vicky. i don't have any animals yet but am seriously considering getting a puppy soon. i also thought it might apply for other interested people.

pretty exciting stuff!