2008 St Louis Area Meet

**nst6563** · 04-17-2008, 12:11 AM

rsvp here unless something tragic happens

**GizmoQ** · 04-18-2008, 03:28 AM

O.K. I'm working final prep for this outing. For those unfamiliar with the entrances to the Casino Queen the RV Park is the first Left after the light to the Eades Bridge.

If you miss it and enter the Casino parking lot just stay in the "Valet Parking" lane, turn left whenever you want, go all the way to the back fence and use the rear exit to your right and you'll see the RV Park way in the back.

The weather forecast keeps changing. Now they're saying we may get brief showers till noon. I guess I better fire up the RV. I will be there around 10AM to start cooking. Look for this car along the fence. Its the only Eldorado in the world with a V-grille.

I suggest everyone bring your own chairs, loungers, coolers, munchies, meat (if you have a specific diet). I will be bringing two slabs of ribs, a dozen beer, a dozen Pepsi sodas, chips, and some hamburger meat and buns. There is a small picnic area near the rear of the RV park and thats where the grills are. I will be talking to the RV Park manager later - maybe we can diagonal park near the grills/tables.

I scouted the area for good photo locations and found three that are acceptable. The one farthest away (a block and a half) from where we will be is where I took the photos of my car for the 2008 Cadillac Owners Forum calender (I'm June). This is what the judges selected.

Although I wish they had used this one.

but I digress.
The other two are on the property although the one closest to the Arch is probably going to be inaccessible due to high water. But bring your big cameras anyway. For those arriving by noon, there will be a special treat courtesy of the City of East St Louis - they have a fountain directly across the river from the Gateway Arch that shoots a plume as high as the Arch that will be fired at Noon for 5 minutes.

For any one interested that doesn't have a CarPC installed - YOU'RE INVITED TOO!!
I will be bringing parts/pieces that I have not yet or no longer have installed as well as tools and test equipment. I probably have enough extras to build another CarPC by myself. 110AC will be available at the RV so power tools are welcome. Equipment comparison, trial, demos, etc. is what its all about. I'm open to letting anyone have a play with my setup.

**ramtruckputer** · 04-18-2008, 11:36 AM

well it dont look like i gonna make this meet been sick last couple days with bronchitis or however it is spelled and spent the first two days of my vacation cleaning up where i found water had leak in my basement and destory some stuff the last time it rain hereso this vacation hasnt been off to a good start lol

**boomintrac** · 04-18-2008, 04:23 PM

Hey Giz. If I cant find it Ill just have you fire up the HORN. I should be there around 11-12ish depending on traffic. Man thats long drive
Aron

**nst6563** · 04-18-2008, 04:32 PM

I plan on being there between 11-12 as well. Have to drop my son off at my parents house up there first (wife wanted a day without kids...can you believe that?) but hopefulyl that won't take too long.

**GizmoQ** · 04-19-2008, 12:21 PM

O.K. Boomintrac and I are here. The sun keeps peeking out and as soon as the next person shows I'll fire up the grille.

**Rick99TAWS6** · 04-19-2008, 02:54 PM

Well - I got called into work(at it now), not gonna be able to make it today

**nst6563** · 04-19-2008, 10:37 PM

It was good meeting everyone today in STL, can't wait for the next one. Hopefully I'll have my boot time down to 10secs

(and yes...I'll share all the dirty secrets and even bring the reg files and such on a usb drive to share)

**fixinstuff** · 04-19-2008, 11:09 PM

I had a great time today. Gizmo, thanks for putting this on. I cant wait to do it again. Already started playing with some of the software and mods I learned about today.

Brad

**GizmoQ** · 04-19-2008, 11:29 PM

Well I think that went very well! Eight folks showed up, six installs.

BETTER SHOW RATE THAN THE FIRST CHICAGO MEET! (I cheated and brought 2 cars)

I will admit I can't cook, talk, and shoot photos of installs all at the same time (Damn I burnt the ribs). The burgers turned out alright though and no singed eyebrows.

Let's see if I can recall everyone: Of Course my best bud from northern Illinois - Boomintrac was first to make it (Thanks again for braving I-55 to make the trip). The other attendees included Slash (who did most of the talking), fixinstuff, machinehead, nst6563, cue, and damn there goes my Alzheimer's again. Speak out if I forgot you.

The Nissan contingent won honors for most desirable (Lilliput transflexive

in an Xterra)

and most screens/fastest boot-up (in a Maxima).

I give Boomintrac the most stealth and fastest CPU, whereas I was pronounced the best Squad car impersonation in a convertible. Fixinstuff cracked us up with his 5 minute commute to work, but the install was flawless, utilitarian, and almost kid-proof.

Reminded me of my installs when my kids were young.

Luckily Cue showed up or I would have been the oldest member to show, but I wish he and I could have had more time to talk flying the friendly skies of southern Illinois.

The location turned out to be a good thing, too bad the weather didn't cooperate (and to top it off, the Cards lost). I made everyone leave at 7PM cause my old bones got cold, but I hope everyone enjoyed the camaraderie. And the locals all agreed to do it again in June. So far the only restriction is Fathers day is off limits. I'm booked thru the second weekend, so I'm open to suggestions.