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I am stuck with a difficult decision today. Maybe not just today, but it hit today.



Do we do the ball this year? or do we do it big next year?



Dan and I finally heard from the hotel that we really want; how much down deposit? $1,000.00. They also require the entire amount due 1 week before the event. Ok, not enough? How about the fact that the only date they have left IS Oct 27th, Saturday night. Why is this bad? We promised we wouldn't hold the ball to any date that would seriously compete with other events. No way. *heavy sigh, really seriously considering my options.



All these other events on this site is so incredible, but no one mentions the bottom line, no one is worried? Why do I open my heart here, maybe I shouldn't? Is it that event planners never show their severe worried side? Hmph. Probably.



What's the big deal? It comes out of my own paycheck. We don't have sponsors.......yet. We will, but for right now I face a serious question;



If we throw the ball, it will be small and intimate. If we wait we could throw one large and magnificent. Oh hell, I was always a gambling woman.



I'm going to look at Daniels hope, a hotel he had always swooned over "The Haunted San Carlos Hotel" Yes it really is haunted!!!!!!!! Let's see what happens.....I'll let you know.

So it begins....*sigh.



Got the exciting call from the hotel my second mom Sharon worked with in event planning. Oh boy. Yup this is the swanky one.



It was a preliminary conversation, I'll be contacted by the other lady who deals with the catering part. Nocturne is taking a BIG step up in the world of quality, atmosphere, and unfortunately price.



Looks like it may be a dinner, then heavy dancing. Why? She says that it would still be the same price for the hotel even if we chose just a light buffet, hordourves, or desserts. the price of the hall will still either be more or less depending on how much we dish out for food.



Let me break it down; $15 plate pp = $1,200 for hall on top of food. #30 plate pp = $800 for hall #40 plate pp = $300 for hall. So either way, the higher the price per plate, at least we will have more product to offer to people. *sigh. How high I dare the price per ticket, is how much I'll be doing for plate per person.



Have I been stressed about it? Yes, probably more than I let on. Daniel is next to me right now working on the improved website, I'm doing the math OVER and OVER and OVER again in my head. It all comes down to the guests; How much would be worth it?: Kids would say "No way, I wouldn't pay $20 to go, cover charge? what's that?" Others I know would be happy to pay $100 per ticket, especially for a good cause. Where do I place a happy medium without going broke like last year, isn't this a question every business person asks?



I don't have sponsors, I don't share the bill with a group of friends, what you see comes out of my pocket. I'm not rich, but it comes from my heart. Unfortunately last year what you saw wasn't what I wanted, but you've heard me say that before.



So tomarrow we'll probably set the apptmnt, walk in, shake hands, and make it very clear what we can and can't do. But the site of the hotel will probably melt my poor heart once again. Much like an irrestistable southern belle to a suitor, nerves first, then trepidation, then finally the last swoon before the committment. Is that what my Daniel felt? Who knows. But I have to be true to my own heart.



I'll post later when I return with the results of the meeting.



ps, the website is flippin' gorgeous thanks to my beloved Daniel



psps, the color scheme this year is blood red, black and tarnished gold.

April 1st, of all days, a fellow podcaster from wingin' it, had past away from cancer. My Beloved Daniel had taken it hard, along with so many other podcasters, local and not.



He was a good man, preferred to drink nonalcoholic beverages much to the fun displeasure of his friends (sounds like Daniel), a gentle soul, and a loving heart.



I didn't meet him personally, but you can tell the world is less one shining star now. Dan and I gave our respects on our last podcast, it was a tough one to do to say the least. I don't know whom I was tearing for more, the world, his family and friends, or my Beloved feeling it too.



I pray to the Gods, that for every shining star like Joe, there would be at least one or two to replace him in the world. If not, the world is not going to be a better place.



So to let everyone know that Nocturne will be dedicated this year 2007 to a friend Joe Murphy. You'll see on our site soon "Memorial to Joe Murphy fund" which Nocturnes money will be donated to, and you can read the pages about him, learn about a wonderful man, hear a few podcasts from the archives of "Slice of Sci Fi" and "Wingin' It", maybe even have a few laughs and make some new friends along the way.



Isn't that what life is all about?

Seems that Estara, Easter, is becoming the spring board for Nocturnes planning. Guess it has something to do with everything is obnoxious pastel and bright colors, fake green grass, bunnies and cute lil' chicks churping. Makes me want to dive into Black and Red Halloween stuff.....definately.



Spoke with MommaSharon yesterday, she's my bestfriends mom, but she calls me her adopted daughter. Feels wierd calling someone mom after soooo long not having a mom. Very wierd, but also humbling...hell even warm fuzzies.



Anyways she's in this professional event planning bus for quite a while, so whatever advice or leads she gives me, I'll take them as gold from the Gods.



Embassy Suites Phoenix AZ on Greenway Boulvard. Dan and I are IN LOVE with this PLACE! We walked in, and it was a jaw dropping, eyes bugged out, lets explore this incredible place. New Orleans, meets mega resort, meets Tuscany villa. HOLY SHIT!



For those of you who had watched "Ghost Hunters" from the sci fi channel, when Brian drives up to the castle in Ireland and exclaims "We're investigating HERE?!" That is exactly how I felt "We're throwing it HERE?!"



Sitting on a patio over looking one of the largest pools in Phoenix (That says a LOT cause there are some HUGE FRIGGAN POOLS HERE!) Dan showed me that if we hold it Nov 3, sat night, we could probably have a better showing of guests because we won't compete with just about anyone's other halloween events.



This is the hotel my Beloved feels with his heart he likes, then I will do what I can do make it happen.



So unofficially, Embassy Suites Phoenix AZ Greenway Boulvard Nov 3 Sat night.



I'll call tomarrow for an apptmnt, which Dan and I will both be there. Let's see what happens.



PS, there's an upstairs ballroom, and a downstairs ballroom. We are favouring the downstairs, cause it has a kickass stairway, that is.....appropriate for the french theme of Nocturne. Plus it has the added feel of going down to the basement of the beautiful chateau. The exit door spills you onto the outside portico (spelling, sorry) which is romantic. *shrug. We'll ask to put tables, chairs, linens, and also hopefully candles there. This will be much better a smoking spot since there are ashtrays there already and it is a hell of a lot more comfortable than guests sitting on the steps outside as last year.



I'm looking forward to this one. Fire the cannon, I'm ready to play catch!!