Anyone given any thought to the next Reading Meet

[Aredubjay]

Reading is Reading. Anything else is NOT....period. you don't move it. You kill it and make another meet. Leave those of us who lived and helped create the tradition to enjoy it. If you don't like Reading, go make your own traditions. Just my two cents here from the "tucky" part of "Pennsyltucky," and one who was not afraid to drive to the "Pennsyl" part for the first decade of the meet. If its anything other than an SVX meet (its not a Subaru meet)...if its about anything other than the people (God forbid it become a "vacation destination") and if its anywhere other than Morgantown, it's not Reading. Hopefully, whenever I finally get one of my SVXs roadworthy, I'll make the trip again ...even if its just me.

[Hocrest]

Originally Posted by Aredubjay

Reading is Reading. Anything else is NOT....period. you don't move it. You kill it and make another meet. Leave those of us who lived and helped create the tradition to enjoy it. If you don't like Reading, go make your own traditions. Just my two cents here from the "tucky" part of "Pennsyltucky," and one who was not afraid to drive to the "Pennsyl" part for the first decade of the meet. If its anything other than an SVX meet (its not a Subaru meet)...if its about anything other than the people (God forbid it become a "vacation destination") and if its anywhere other than Morgantown, it's not Reading. Hopefully, whenever I finally get one of my SVXs roadworthy, I'll make the trip again ...even if its just me.

Amen Brother Randy!!!

John has already forwarded me the contact information for the HI in Morgantown. I'm willing to put the effort into next year's Reading meet. Who else want's to be involved in planning?

[ensteele]

I think Aredub summed it all up. I was going to post that if the meet was moved, it is no longer "Reading". It could be Hershey Squirts I or NY I, but there is only ONE READING, and that is where it has been. For the history on this, you can go to the HOW-TO Forum and look under SVX Information. I know many already know this, but I felt it important to mention it again so others understand why some of us don't want to move it.

It is great that Hocrest is stepping up to the plate to help this meet continue. It is not easy to do, but with help, it can be done. Just my $.02.

[Aredubjay]

And, thank you brother Dave.

I also forgot to mention that it's not about attendence numbers. In the beginning, there was no group rate.John Picked up that stitch and has put his rep on the line for years, based on those who committed. Now, people commit and bail. As far as I'm concerned, we can go back to paying full freight ad take your chances. Those who REALLY want to be there will be there. This shouldnt be DRUDGERY, folks. If you consider it so, STAY HOME! As for those who have money, and those who don't, the reason we have it around the same time every year is so you can plan on it...like Christmas -- take the time to save a few bucks...or, you can hang out at the hotel with me -- cuz I ain't got no money.

soooooo...this is a thread about the next Reading. Set the date. Get together behind th e scenes and discuss any ECAs, if any. This ain't a thread to talk about changing venues or combining with any "big wicked" anything. Otherwise, put up an R.I.P. tombstone and leave us with our memories of winding drives, meeting other SVXers for the first time and Winny-bagoes, and put an end to, what is still the LARGEST CONTINUOUS GATHERING OF SVXS IN THE U.S.

[Huskymaniac]

Originally Posted by Aredubjay

Reading is Reading. Anything else is NOT....period. you don't move it. You kill it and make another meet. Leave those of us who lived and helped create the tradition to enjoy it. If you don't like Reading, go make your own traditions. Just my two cents here from the "tucky" part of "Pennsyltucky," and one who was not afraid to drive to the "Pennsyl" part for the first decade of the meet. If its anything other than an SVX meet (its not a Subaru meet)...if its about anything other than the people (God forbid it become a "vacation destination") and if its anywhere other than Morgantown, it's not Reading. Hopefully, whenever I finally get one of my SVXs roadworthy, I'll make the trip again ...even if its just me.

I read the how-to. If you read the data John has posted the last couple of years you would see the trend is DOWN on attendance so you may very well be the only one at your next Reading. Seriously, the trend is clear.

On the how-to, there is nothing there that makes Morgantown PA holy ground. I may have missed it but no burning bush type events occured there. Fate and randomness placed it at Morgantown versus Atlantic City. From what I read, the guy who picked Reading never even attended it again himself and sold his SVX soon after Reading I. Not exactly a great Moses-like figure. Nostalgia can be romantic but a deep and stubborn sentimental attachment to anything is generally unhealthy and leads to even greater loss. And, in cases like this, I have observed that dissenters often remain silent out of fear of poking the hornet's nest. This is the first time I have heard this long of a list of "musts". This must be SVX only AND it must be only about the people AND it must be in Morgantown. I bet there are a lot of people who disagree with this meet constitution who will simply remain silent and let the meet die a slow death because they just don't want to deal with it.

And it should be noted that your conditions are contradictory. How can it only be about the people if it also has to be SVX only and/or located in Morgantown only. If it were truly about the people, location and co-existance of other Subarus wouldn't matter.

If no one cares enough to speak up, I sure won't bother making further suggestions. It is like watching a guy who had a heart attack a year ago go into McDonald's to eat a burger because no effin' doctor is going to tell HIM what to eat! And, while he chokes down another grease patty, his kids are silently by his side wondering what will happen when dad dies. They don't say anything out of respect.

[ensteele]

Nobody has said that there can only be one meet a year. We have many meets on the West Coast and some have become traditional. The Fall Colors (next will be #11), Dabob Seafood Meet (next one #10) to name a few. Other meets are spontanious and others happen around the same time each year. Reading is one of the meets that can't be Reading if it is changed to another location or has other cars involved.

Nobody has said that you can't plan another type of meet with other cars, at different times, at different locations, and call it something else. How can it be called Reading if it is something else at a different place. I have been to some of the Reading meets, and I will be to more of them. If there are only a couple of members, so be it. There are a few older, I mean more mature members who will still attend. Aredubjay, svxcess, newsvx, Larry III, svxfiles, Hocrest, Ron Mummert, and myself. I am sure there will be more, but I agree, maybe not the 30 to 50 cars that used to attend. Why, maybe interest, maybe SVXs are wearing out and they decide that it is time to drive into the sunset, but some of us are in this for the LONG HAUL.

Again, my thoughts, but from a member who has also been around for quite a while. Anymore, I guess I don't have to have too much happen to get me excited. Ron Mummert gets excited if he wakes up in the morning and sees another day. I don't blame him.

I guess a few of us will have to agree that we dissagree on Reading and what it means and what the traditions are.

[Wikedjuggalo]

I guess that's settled, we shall keep reading what it is? Fine by me I just wanted to see the tradition continue for many years to come. This would be accompanied by getting new members to attend. As people age and times change so do peoples cars. Nothing we haven't already heard but people should not get upset then about the turn out. I still regardless plan on attending again.

[LetItSnow]

A note to future Reading planners: be certain that any offsite plans are made public knowledge. I missed a pair of the road treks for having known nothing of them. They really are an important added element.

[1986nate]

Originally Posted by ensteele

Nobody has said that there can only be one meet a year. We have many meets on the West Coast and some have become traditional. The Fall Colors (next will be #11), Dabob Seafood Meet (next one #10) to name a few. Other meets are spontanious and others happen around the same time each year. Reading is one of the meets that can't be Reading if it is changed to another location or has other cars involved.

Nobody has said that you can't plan another type of meet with other cars, at different times, at different locations, and call it something else. How can it be called Reading if it is something else at a different place. I have been to some of the Reading meets, and I will be to more of them. If there are only a couple of members, so be it. There are a few older, I mean more mature members who will still attend. Aredubjay, svxcess, newsvx, Larry III, svxfiles, Hocrest, Ron Mummert, and myself. I am sure there will be more, but I agree, maybe not the 30 to 50 cars that used to attend. Why, maybe interest, maybe SVXs are wearing out and they decide that it is time to drive into the sunset, but some of us are in this for the LONG HAUL.

Again, my thoughts, but from a member who has also been around for quite a while. Anymore, I guess I don't have to have too much happen to get me excited. Ron Mummert gets excited if he wakes up in the morning and sees another day. I don't blame him.

I guess a few of us will have to agree that we dissagree on Reading and what it means and what the traditions are.

I have no problem with your statement or any others so long as John quits complaining about attendance. You can't have it both ways. Either have some more stuff to attract more people, or quit complaining about the dying attendance.... It's as simple as this and I don't mean to be a d!ck but you can't beat around the bush.

When I mentioned the possibility of a change of location, I did not mean moving it a great distance away. Lets not forget it's already changed location once.

[Lookin4SVX]

The people saying just start your own meet...
Many people can only choose to go to 1 meet a year.
So we were just suggesting that the 1 meet to be worthwhile.
Something more than sitting in a hotel parking lot.

It's fine, let reading stay reading.
Let it be about the old timers hanging out.
It is not my kind of meet, I go to meets to see cars, not people.

A note on the discount hotel rates.
I booked a room at the hotel through AAA for the same price as the SVX block rate..
So don't kill yourselves trying to setup a deal.
Most you got AAA too I assume? We do drive older, not so reliable cars..

[svxcess]

If you are planning a meet somewhere other than Morgantown, you better start now.

I took over a year of planning to get the 10th anniversary meet at Lafayette together.
Likewise, a year of planning just to get the pace car to Reading. The hotel was already in place.
The 20th anniversary meet in Japan took almost a year, and that was a one-day event.

So pick a date and a location that most can agree on, with some activities and attractions to interest those who are bored with Reading. Research and select a hotel that will give you the freedom to pretty much do what you want and will accommodate you as best as they can.

And pray for good weather.

You have about eight months




I go to my family reunion every fall in NJ., which is always held at my aunt's house every year; a beautiful 125-year-old house. I go there, knowing that, with each passing year, the numbers will dwindle. I go to reconnect with relatives that I love and have a lot in common with. I celebrate those who are still here and willing to make the effort to connect, and remember those who have since passed.

I go there to see my 102 year-old Aunt Ruth and other relatives and enjoy finding out what has happened over the year and recalling those memories that are best when shared.

I don't really care if my uncle bought a new Buick.
I don't care if there is a new karaoke bar down the street or a new casino.
I can find these on my own, whenever I want.

And the same relatives could travel to the other side of town and hold the reunion at another person's house, but it just wouldn't feel the same. It's like comfort food


There will always be an attendance at Reading, for those who don't need to be entertained. When the weather cooperated, people would be outside at 3AM, and not at a loss for words and just happy to be there.

Randy said it best. I will probably continue to show up at Reading, knowing that I probably won't be there by myself. Whoever is there is coming for the same reason that inspired the original meet.

And until there is a reason not to keep coming back, I'll keep coming back.


.

[Aredubjay]

Originally Posted by Lookin4SVX

The people saying just start your own meet...
Many people can only choose to go to 1 meet a year.
So we were just suggesting that the 1 meet to be worthwhile.
Something more than sitting in a hotel parking lot.

It's fine, let reading stay reading.
Let it be about the old timers hanging out.
It is not my kind of meet, I go to meets to see cars, not people.

A note on the discount hotel rates.
I booked a room at the hotel through AAA for the same price as the SVX block rate..
So don't kill yourselves trying to setup a deal.
Most you got AAA too I assume? We do drive older, not so reliable cars..

That's great -- set up your OWN meet, to your description of "worthwhile" and have fun. Obviously, Reading is not your cup of tea. No one will think any the less of you for it.

[Aredubjay]

Originally Posted by Huskymaniac

I read the how-to. If you read the data John has posted the last couple of years you would see the trend is DOWN on attendance so you may very well be the only one at your next Reading. Seriously, the trend is clear.

On the how-to, there is nothing there that makes Morgantown PA holy ground. I may have missed it but no burning bush type events occured there. Fate and randomness placed it at Morgantown versus Atlantic City. From what I read, the guy who picked Reading never even attended it again himself and sold his SVX soon after Reading I. Not exactly a great Moses-like figure. Nostalgia can be romantic but a deep and stubborn sentimental attachment to anything is generally unhealthy and leads to even greater loss. And, in cases like this, I have observed that dissenters often remain silent out of fear of poking the hornet's nest. This is the first time I have heard this long of a list of "musts". This must be SVX only AND it must be only about the people AND it must be in Morgantown. I bet there are a lot of people who disagree with this meet constitution who will simply remain silent and let the meet die a slow death because they just don't want to deal with it.

And it should be noted that your conditions are contradictory. How can it only be about the people if it also has to be SVX only and/or located in Morgantown only. If it were truly about the people, location and co-existance of other Subarus wouldn't matter.

If no one cares enough to speak up, I sure won't bother making further suggestions. It is like watching a guy who had a heart attack a year ago go into McDonald's to eat a burger because no effin' doctor is going to tell HIM what to eat! And, while he chokes down another grease patty, his kids are silently by his side wondering what will happen when dad dies. They don't say anything out of respect.

Oh, Husky, Husky, Husky. Are you a law student? Wannabe lawyer? Lawyer? Or, just one of those, "let's piss on the electric fence and see what happens?" kinda guys? 0

Let me preface this with...this: when I put things out there, I'm merely stating my opinion. It's not up for argument. It just is that it is. The fact is, if Reading dies a natural death, so be it. It was meant to be. Karma, if you will. The DNR order has been signed. "Nostalgia can be romantic but a deep and stubborn sentimental attachment to anything is generally unhealthy and leads to even greater loss." Did you really say that? I mean...REALLY? Unhealthy? Greater loss? You ARE a lawyer, aren't you? ~)

Before I go further, though, let me test the waters...gently: what are your thoughts on passive all-wheel steering, Dodge Neons and Public Transportation? ) (yeah, that's for the "old timers.")

Having grown up in the country, I've learned NEVER to poke at a hornet's nest...you talk your COUSIN into poking at the nest and watch the action from afar....and laugh...uproariously.

Having "written the book" on Reading, (I see by your use of the words "how-to" as opposed to "history," your regard for tradition is already tainted), it doesn't matter how or why it came about, it just came about -- the fact that the first one was in Morgantown (because of the shops and nearby activities, again, trying to "please the masses.") makes it sacred. Nothing else. And, yes, we went to Denver once...maybe twice (can't remember - I'm getting old. Probably drawing my last breath as I type--I mean "input" or "keystroke" -- nobody types anymore), all because the lieing sack of snot manager there said he was an SVX owner. After a couple of years there, and him not turning up his SVX, we moved it back to Morgantown. Again, if Reading is not your bailiwick, so be it -- now that you know the "musts" that you apparently unaware of before, that seals it. You don't wanna be there. That's perfectly okay. No one will hate you. Those who disagree with the "constitution" can now make an educated decision that they don't want to be there either -- fine. Again, I can only say, if you don't like what Reading is, start your own meet and those who agree with YOUR vision will go to YOUR meet -- that's okay -- they, if they are in agreement with you, wouldn't like Reading anyhow, and therefore would be spared the pain of hanging out with dieing old farts who are clinging to their "unhealthy" "Stubborn sentimental attachments" and enjoying the hell out of that Big Mac that their doctors forbid in a "what the hell" moment of complete liberty. If you don't like Micky D's, I'm sure you can find Tofu....somewhere....where you want your meet to be.

"And it should be noted that your conditions are contradictory." Seriously? I mean...SERIOUSLY? PUH-LEEZ! God! I miss Eddycat!

As for John, carping about attendance --- those of you who know John, know that he can get... a little...let's say..."overpassionate." Have you seen his engine bay, for god's sake? John is John -- don't take it personally. He just wants Reading to live on...but, after talking to him on the phone (yes, we converse outside of Reading), he's okay with the DNR release. He's willing to bother nobody no more, if that's the way people want it. ~)

As for THIS comment: "If you read the data John has posted the last couple of years you would see the trend is DOWN on attendance so you may very well be the only one at your next Reading. Seriously, the trend is clear." Maybe I was remiss in calling you a lawyer --- maybe you're in marketing...words like "data," "trend"...now those are words I understand, having been in advertising and marketing for the past 40 years. I say again, who cares? You say "you may very well be the only one at your next Reading meet" as some sort of indictment. I simply said that, if I am, that's okay -- and since you don't like Reading anyway, why should you care? Go have fun with the other subies and find another hornet's nest to poke...or another electric fence. ~)

[Huskymaniac]

OBSTINATE:

1. adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion

Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2):

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."


What exactly IS Reading? It already isn't anything having to do with the town of Reading since it occurs in Morgantown. The same group of people driving the same cars could do the same stuff one town away, two towns away or 10 towns away. Still, people act as though there is something magical about Morgantown. If that is magic, it is some dark magic. Hell, if you move it in the right direction is could actually BE CLOSER TO READING!

Hope is not a plan and because is not a reason. It almost feels like people don't want to even so much as move to the next town out of spite. More people being happy is less important than insisting that the current way is the only way. And no one ever even insisted that there is a better option, only that one might exist and that it might be nice to investigate some *gasp* changes.

And no one is going to create another east coast SVX meet. There is already poor attendance. Pulling people who only go to one meet a year away from "Reading" to another meet so that both meets have 5 cars at it would be insanity.

Now for a little comedic relief, here is one of my favorite Dana Carvey skits from SNL:

Dennis Miller: Here with a commentary is a grumpy old man. Welcome Grumpy Old Man.
Grumpy Old Man: I'm old and I'm not happy. Everything today is improved and I don't like it. I hate it! In my day we didn't have hair dryers. If you wanted to blow dry your hair you stood outside during a hurricane. Your hair was dry but you had a sharp piece of wood driven clear through your skull and that's the way it was and you liked it! You loved it. Whoopee, I'm a human head-kabob. We didn't have Minoxidol and Hair Wigs, in my day if your hair started falling out when you were 16 by 19 you were a bald freak. There was nothing you could do about it. Children would spit at you and nobody would mate with you so you couldn't pass on your disgusting baldness genes. You were a public menace, a crome dome by age 20 and that's the way it was and we liked it! We loved it. Hallelujiah look at me, I'm a bald freak oh happy day! Not like today, everybody feeling good about themselves. I hate it! In my day we didn't have these thin latex condoms. So you could enjoy sexual pleasure. In my day there was only one kind of condom. You took a rabbit skin and wrapped around your privates and tied it off with a bungee cord and you couldn't feel nothing! And half the time you didn't even know your partner was there. And we used the same one over and over again! 'Cause we were ignorant morons! Just a bunch of hairless, head-kabobs standing around with rabbit skins on our dinks and that's the way we liked it!

[Aredubjay]

Originally Posted by Huskymaniac

OBSTINATE:

1. adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion

Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2):

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."


What exactly IS Reading? It already isn't anything having to do with the town of Reading since it occurs in Morgantown. The same group of people driving the same cars could do the same stuff one town away, two towns away or 10 towns away. Still, people act as though there is something magical about Morgantown. If that is magic, it is some dark magic. Hell, if you move it in the right direction is could actually BE CLOSER TO READING!

Hope is not a plan and because is not a reason. It almost feels like people don't want to even so much as move to the next town out of spite. More people being happy is less important than insisting that the current way is the only way. And no one ever even insisted that there is a better option, only that one might exist and that it might be nice to investigate some *gasp* changes.

And no one is going to create another east coast SVX meet. There is already poor attendance. Pulling people who only go to one meet a year away from "Reading" to another meet so that both meets have 5 cars at it would be insanity.

Now for a little comedic relief, here is one of my favorite Dana Carvey skits from SNL:

Dennis Miller: Here with a commentary is a grumpy old man. Welcome Grumpy Old Man.
Grumpy Old Man: I'm old and I'm not happy. Everything today is improved and I don't like it. I hate it! In my day we didn't have hair dryers. If you wanted to blow dry your hair you stood outside during a hurricane. Your hair was dry but you had a sharp piece of wood driven clear through your skull and that's the way it was and you liked it! You loved it. Whoopee, I'm a human head-kabob. We didn't have Minoxidol and Hair Wigs, in my day if your hair started falling out when you were 16 by 19 you were a bald freak. There was nothing you could do about it. Children would spit at you and nobody would mate with you so you couldn't pass on your disgusting baldness genes. You were a public menace, a crome dome by age 20 and that's the way it was and we liked it! We loved it. Hallelujiah look at me, I'm a bald freak oh happy day! Not like today, everybody feeling good about themselves. I hate it! In my day we didn't have these thin latex condoms. So you could enjoy sexual pleasure. In my day there was only one kind of condom. You took a rabbit skin and wrapped around your privates and tied it off with a bungee cord and you couldn't feel nothing! And half the time you didn't even know your partner was there. And we used the same one over and over again! 'Cause we were ignorant morons! Just a bunch of hairless, head-kabobs standing around with rabbit skins on our dinks and that's the way we liked it!

Oh, for God's sake...let it go.