Expansion 2009 has concluded. The next Expansion host city has not been selected at this point.
Take a look at a few pics from the event under "2009 Event Photos"
Wow. WOW! We have survived New Orleans and our third Expansion! I don’t think there were any casualties or injuries unless you include being sore from being on the go so much, being wrinkled up from all of the pool fun or worn out from sweating more than you ever have before… but the event is now wrapped and awaiting its bow. The “bow”, or the numbers and the attendee survey will come soon.
A silent thanks to Buddha that nothing swirled up in the Gulf and that other than a couple of 5 or 10 minute showers, there was no rain. A very loud and thunderous thanks goes to Lee “BadBunnnyButt” for all of the work before and during the event. His attention to detail and desire to make certain that all of you guys found his city incredible, made your time at Expansion smooth, big and easy.
Another huge thanks goes to Andy “BulkBrit” who carried, moved, and created before the event and then sat down and took care of you guys as you walked up and registered. It would have been a slower process without his being there to make certain that you got what you signed-up for.
More thanks goes out to Steve, Mike, Andy P. and Don for all of the work they did to get us up and running pre-event and the work and tasks that they made certain got done during the event. Without all of their hard work, Expansion would not have happened.
Other people that need to be recognized include Jeff, who whizzed in and out and was a welcome help, Dan, who tackled some intense topics across two seminars that allowed each of us to take a step in understanding more about who we are. Also, the staff of the Hotel Provincial, especially Margie, that made our stay such a great one.
Expansion 2009 was the biggest and best event we have had. New Orleans proved to be a terrific location with lots of things to do within walking distance and our home while in New Orleans was cozy, representative of the city and inclusive. Most of the Expansionites were in rooms that surrounded the pool or patio area with a few sprinkled around the other buildings closer to the Hospitality Suite. This was great because other guests of the hotel had to walk into “our” area to get to the pool or patio. Thus, the larger of two pools remained exclusively Expansion’s.
Registration began at 4pm on Friday and spilled into the patio area and mixer “games” where people met others and we learned a little about the other attendees. Later, the weigh-in which, was at the least not overly accurate as the scale was on carpet. But, we persevered and by Sunday, Andy “BulkBrit” had expanded three pounds even and was the victor.
Friday night found some seeking out clues in the Clue-To-Do while others were finding the dining spots and eventually the liquor flow at the bars. Some headed for the pool as they knew that the bars were open 24-hours and there are no “open-container” laws so liquor on the go is a good way to fly.
Saturday began warm and got hot. We got together for a forum, had free time, had about seven or so guys stop by for cigars on the patio and then we met back in the hospitality suite for the viewing of “Hard Fat”.
Later some divided off and took a walking Ghost Tour or a walking Vampire Tour. I’m told that the Ghost Tour was hugely fun and filled with very interesting facts and stories while the Vampire Tour was “interesting” for different reasons.
Saturday evening found a rowdy group of our guys at Rawhide while others stuck to Lafitte and the pool.
Sunday morning brought Beignets and Café au le from Café Du Monde. We had the second of the two forums, touching on some strong, personal topics before we were off to the Big EXP lunch.
The six block walk to Ralph and Kakoo’s roused hunger in the almost sixty men that attended. To say that this years “meal together” was better than last year’s is truly an understatement. The food, though slow to come out at times (I mean, look who they were dealing with), was incredible. Two hours after arriving, we were full and departed.
Another viewing of “Hard Fat” and then we were mostly all-together again to discuss where Expansion should go next. A presentation by RSVP Cruises and a lot of ideas were displayed. Though, we didn’t expect to formulate a plan at that time, many great suggestions were voiced including returning to the exact same spot next year.
Trash Disco and “stool dancing” wrapped up the scheduled activities for Sunday as after the napkin toss, and seventies and eighties music, the pool started to swell with Expansion again. Those that stayed out and about found the usual parties on Bourbon Street and had fun in and outside of the bars.
Late, late into the evening on Sunday, just as on Friday and Saturday, the pool’s waves and chatter died down in the wee hours of the early, pre-dawn morning. For just an hour or two, the Hotel Provincial was as before we arrived…quiet, and still.
Monday morning found some guys up and out early, some checking out or waiting on Airport shuttles while others strolled to the French bakery around the corner for flaky croissants and pastries.
The numbers petered down as the cruisers left for the port to take on the high seas and other trickled out saying their goodbyes. We rounded noon, when all that were departing that day needed to be out of the hotel and then we headed to the last gathering of Expansion 2009, the Straggler’s Lunch. By 3pm, Expansion was over.
All of that is the easy stuff to describe about Expansion. The harder part is the more important. Times like walking by the pool and hearing the conversations, the laughs or seeing a personal moment. Or hearing about how someone, in the shuttle coming from the airport, considered never getting out of the van and going home because of being weary but taking the plunge and finding a whole new set of friends.
It’s incredible to see people having conversations and discovering so many of the guys they have seen online are in same place and feeling the same that they are. It can be exciting to watch these new friends realize that they are surrounded by those that understand what the other guys in the bars, at bear events, or even at chub events, just can’t appreciate or understand in you. It’s powerful and beautiful.
I hope that those of you that attended for the first time had the time of your life and met a lot of great guys. I hope, too, that you return to take on the easy task of being welcoming and friendly to the newbies as those that were returning were with you.
We are a brotherhood. We are all individuals and different but we come from the same clan and share, at least, a core understanding to one of the most important aspects about ourselves. Expansion is there for you to feel free about that part of yourself. It can not exist without you. I hope that you all, new friends and old made this year’s Expansion yours.
Best to you all.
Peace,
Clayton
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Information on the event will be posted here soon. No date or location has been chosen for the next Expansion. A huge thanks to all that attended, I sincerely hope that you had a terrific time in New Orleans! Be well and keep in touch! - Clayton & Lee
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