Metafilter Tokyo gathered in 2007. June 15, 2007 10:24 AM Subscribe
HI WE'RE METAFILTER TOKYO AND WE DID TOTALLY OVERTHINK A PLATE OF BEANS (oh and like meet up and stuff).
But before I forget, I really appreciate meeting everyone who showed up and thanks to everyone who helped organize this shindig.
posted by myopicman at 10:34 AM on June 15, 2007
posted by myopicman at 10:34 AM on June 15, 2007
Bugbread!? That's so unlike him to overthink something!
Hi bugbread!
posted by dios at 10:40 AM on June 15, 2007
Hi bugbread!
posted by dios at 10:40 AM on June 15, 2007
OH HAI
posted by hermitosis at 10:42 AM on June 15, 2007
posted by hermitosis at 10:42 AM on June 15, 2007
All of that overthinking made me hungry for a plate of beans.
posted by skynxnex at 10:52 AM on June 15, 2007
posted by skynxnex at 10:52 AM on June 15, 2007
So much mental energy into a plate of beans... they must have been imbued with superpowers by the time you ate them. Can you start fires with a thought yet?
posted by spec80 at 10:56 AM on June 15, 2007
posted by spec80 at 10:56 AM on June 15, 2007
Um, bugbread, I know you have a wife and a baby and stuff. But you look very nice with a plate of beans.
posted by dame at 11:03 AM on June 15, 2007
posted by dame at 11:03 AM on June 15, 2007
Hehe...had me laughing and it was nice to put some faces to the names. Thanks!
posted by sluglicker at 11:21 AM on June 15, 2007
posted by sluglicker at 11:21 AM on June 15, 2007
Hah! You make me very, very happy with the goofy meetup photos.
posted by LeeJay at 11:22 AM on June 15, 2007
posted by LeeJay at 11:22 AM on June 15, 2007
You guys are hilarious.
posted by frecklefaerie at 11:48 AM on June 15, 2007
posted by frecklefaerie at 11:48 AM on June 15, 2007
This isn't overthink, it's seduction.
Nice lookin' bunch of folks.
posted by boo_radley at 12:07 PM on June 15, 2007
Nice lookin' bunch of folks.
posted by boo_radley at 12:07 PM on June 15, 2007
Who is wearing the Dmitri Shostakovich Op 87 t-shirt? And where the hell do I get one?
posted by Wolfdog at 12:27 PM on June 15, 2007
posted by Wolfdog at 12:27 PM on June 15, 2007
The guy wearing the Shostakovick t-shirt is myopicman, the guy who posted his photoset.
posted by Kattullus at 12:57 PM on June 15, 2007
posted by Kattullus at 12:57 PM on June 15, 2007
You know how sometimes you get a sense of how someone looks before you've actually seen them? And then you see them and they look totally different than your mental image?
Bugbread looks exactly like I thought he would look!
posted by Mister_A at 2:15 PM on June 15, 2007
Bugbread looks exactly like I thought he would look!
posted by Mister_A at 2:15 PM on June 15, 2007
Re: the T-Shirt, it's from Uniqlo. The ECM t-shirts are very nice indeed.
posted by drill_here_fore_seismics at 2:26 PM on June 15, 2007
posted by drill_here_fore_seismics at 2:26 PM on June 15, 2007
Looks like you guys had a great meetup. I'm sorry I couldn't make it - work was too busy. Maybe next time if I don't organize the meetup, I'll be able to make it. ^_^
posted by gen at 3:18 PM on June 15, 2007
posted by gen at 3:18 PM on June 15, 2007
Yeah, gen, everybody was sorry you couldn't make it! I learned that this was the 2nd meetup you initiated and then couldn't actually show up at! Anyway, it was big fun, some mighty fine folks, food was good at Las Meninas, etc.
And big thanks to new MeFite woodblock100, who presented each one of us present at the meetup with a lovely woodblock print. Wow!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:27 PM on June 15, 2007
And big thanks to new MeFite woodblock100, who presented each one of us present at the meetup with a lovely woodblock print. Wow!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:27 PM on June 15, 2007
flapjax at midnite looks suspiciously like Dr. Venture.
posted by biscotti at 4:28 PM on June 15, 2007
posted by biscotti at 4:28 PM on June 15, 2007
i'm so envious--you had more people i think than last year's.
posted by amberglow at 4:37 PM on June 15, 2007
posted by amberglow at 4:37 PM on June 15, 2007
Since we talked behind all your backs at the annual meetup, you can gossip about us for a bit until our senses return.
"did you see that horrible lighting?", "that plate of beans obsession--how weird!"
ok, done. Now your turn : >
posted by amberglow at 4:39 PM on June 15, 2007
"did you see that horrible lighting?", "that plate of beans obsession--how weird!"
ok, done. Now your turn : >
posted by amberglow at 4:39 PM on June 15, 2007
Having sobered up, I can confirm that flapjax speaks the truth. It was great to get such a friendly reception even as a newbie who turned up late, shouting nihilist slogans and throwing live tarantulas at everyone. (OK, I'm exaggerating a little.) Thanks, all.
The mystery guy looks like Jake Gyllenhaal.
Would it be tacky to favorite this?
posted by No-sword at 5:04 PM on June 15, 2007
The mystery guy looks like Jake Gyllenhaal.
Would it be tacky to favorite this?
posted by No-sword at 5:04 PM on June 15, 2007
Yay, lots of fun! Thanks again ejoey for arranging everything. And myopicman, I can't believe you actually uploaded everything before you got some sleep. Thanks! It was really nice meeting everyone.
posted by misozaki at 5:16 PM on June 15, 2007
posted by misozaki at 5:16 PM on June 15, 2007
Leave it to Tokyo to produce a plate of beans worth overthinking. At a SoCal meetup, we probably would've gotten stuck with Refried.
posted by wendell at 5:23 PM on June 15, 2007
posted by wendell at 5:23 PM on June 15, 2007
"...shouting nihilist slogans and throwing live tarantulas at everyone."
Well, the slogans we could've done without, but the chef whipped up some tarantula sashimi, which went well with the 17 bottles of wine we downed after you left. They were still twitching a little when served, which delighted everyone. Also, they inspired gomichild to jump onto the bar and dance the tarantella, with great verve and abandon. It was only toward the very end of the night that some of us dragged mexican into the alley out back and beat the shit out of him, took his wallet and spent all his money at one of the new "All-Metallica" karaoke bars. Good times, good times.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:13 PM on June 15, 2007 [2 favorites]
Well, the slogans we could've done without, but the chef whipped up some tarantula sashimi, which went well with the 17 bottles of wine we downed after you left. They were still twitching a little when served, which delighted everyone. Also, they inspired gomichild to jump onto the bar and dance the tarantella, with great verve and abandon. It was only toward the very end of the night that some of us dragged mexican into the alley out back and beat the shit out of him, took his wallet and spent all his money at one of the new "All-Metallica" karaoke bars. Good times, good times.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:13 PM on June 15, 2007 [2 favorites]
Would it be tacky to favorite this?
No, I think you should.
posted by iconomy at 6:53 PM on June 15, 2007
No, I think you should.
posted by iconomy at 6:53 PM on June 15, 2007
My pleasure mis-ozaki.
My favorite part of the Metallica-oke bar was speeding the tempo up to double-speed and mosh-raving till dawn during the solos while hopped up on the Pepsi Cucumber Ice / Shochu mixes we snuck in.
Only in Koenji.
posted by ejoey at 7:10 PM on June 15, 2007
My favorite part of the Metallica-oke bar was speeding the tempo up to double-speed and mosh-raving till dawn during the solos while hopped up on the Pepsi Cucumber Ice / Shochu mixes we snuck in.
Only in Koenji.
posted by ejoey at 7:10 PM on June 15, 2007
And myopicman, I can't believe you actually uploaded everything before you got some sleep.
My philosophy is momentum: if I wasn't going to upload them that night, my hangover would've prevented anything sensible today and my memory of who was there would've vapourized.
But yea verily, fun was had and I now have to watch for people grabbing at my clothing. I remember grabbing a moth out of the thin air above (and not eating it). And the conga line vs. drumline wars over the Spanish playing fields with all the hordes of warriors and pirates and the battle arias sung in six-part harmonies....
Oops, said too much. And there might still be people partying in Shibuya the morning after.
posted by myopicman at 8:25 PM on June 15, 2007
My philosophy is momentum: if I wasn't going to upload them that night, my hangover would've prevented anything sensible today and my memory of who was there would've vapourized.
But yea verily, fun was had and I now have to watch for people grabbing at my clothing. I remember grabbing a moth out of the thin air above (and not eating it). And the conga line vs. drumline wars over the Spanish playing fields with all the hordes of warriors and pirates and the battle arias sung in six-part harmonies....
Oops, said too much. And there might still be people partying in Shibuya the morning after.
posted by myopicman at 8:25 PM on June 15, 2007
What a fun group. That would have been a nice meet-up to attend.
posted by caddis at 8:31 PM on June 15, 2007
posted by caddis at 8:31 PM on June 15, 2007
I did wear the boots and overheated which is why I look like a tomato in that damn horrible pic of me!
* Note to self- never run in late to a meetup and accept a plate of beans to hold randomly
Unlike the rest of you wussy fakers the Crustacean and I ended up in a bar in Golden Gai, before moving on to a brief tour of bars in Shinjuku-ni chome, where we watched the sun come up and had a beer for breakfast, before going home.
It was fun to meet you peoples!
Now I am sober I will post pics.
posted by gomichild at 1:07 AM on June 16, 2007
* Note to self- never run in late to a meetup and accept a plate of beans to hold randomly
Unlike the rest of you wussy fakers the Crustacean and I ended up in a bar in Golden Gai, before moving on to a brief tour of bars in Shinjuku-ni chome, where we watched the sun come up and had a beer for breakfast, before going home.
It was fun to meet you peoples!
Now I am sober I will post pics.
posted by gomichild at 1:07 AM on June 16, 2007
never run in late to a meetup and accept a plate of beans to hold randomly
Actually, I think you held them with great aplomb, gomichild.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:50 AM on June 16, 2007
Actually, I think you held them with great aplomb, gomichild.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:50 AM on June 16, 2007
Ta lovey.
Ok here be my piccies.
Maybe if I had drunk less and taken more my head wouldn't be hurting now......
posted by gomichild at 1:59 AM on June 16, 2007
Ok here be my piccies.
Maybe if I had drunk less and taken more my head wouldn't be hurting now......
posted by gomichild at 1:59 AM on June 16, 2007
That was a great meetup. I haven't been that drunk in a long, long time.
Flapjax, sorry to have gotten all "giddy-teenager-meets-celebrity". Though it was pretty sweet that that guy on the train knew who you were.
posted by Bugbread at 2:05 AM on June 16, 2007
Flapjax, sorry to have gotten all "giddy-teenager-meets-celebrity". Though it was pretty sweet that that guy on the train knew who you were.
posted by Bugbread at 2:05 AM on June 16, 2007
Oh, and hi dios, thanks dame, and...uh...thanks, I think, Mister_A.
And, no, adamgreenfield, I'm not EB's sockpuppet ^_^ (sorry, no flickr account, so I couldn't comment there).
posted by Bugbread at 2:07 AM on June 16, 2007
And, no, adamgreenfield, I'm not EB's sockpuppet ^_^ (sorry, no flickr account, so I couldn't comment there).
posted by Bugbread at 2:07 AM on June 16, 2007
Hey, bugbread, no sweat. I've learned how to live under the white-hot glare of worldwide fame and adulation. And sure, it's tough, but international superstardom does have an upside. Why, just last night I got a great table at this super happening little bistro over in Koenji, where I met some wonderful people! Some of 'em had really cool t-shirts, too!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 2:46 AM on June 16, 2007
posted by flapjax at midnite at 2:46 AM on June 16, 2007
It was ejoey's BIRTHDAY? And he spent it feasting on beans and tarantula sashimi with a bunch of strangers? Last year, we had newlyweds. What next? Now I'm *really* looking forward to the next meetup.
Happy Birthday ejoey!
posted by misozaki at 4:25 AM on June 16, 2007
Happy Birthday ejoey!
posted by misozaki at 4:25 AM on June 16, 2007
Sorry, that "giddy-teenager-meets-celebrity" thing probably makes no sense, even to the people who were there, but I think it was kinda interesting, so here's what happened:
On the way to the station on the way home, Flapjax mentions that he first came to Koenji to visit John Zorn, which sets off the "spaz-out-due-to-indirect-brush-with-celebrity" part of my brain. Then we get on the train, and there's a guy with a Boredoms t-shirt, and we start talking to him, and when Flapjax mentions that he's Samm Bennet, the guy says "You're Samm Bennett? I like your work." (or something along those lines).
posted by Bugbread at 5:14 AM on June 16, 2007
On the way to the station on the way home, Flapjax mentions that he first came to Koenji to visit John Zorn, which sets off the "spaz-out-due-to-indirect-brush-with-celebrity" part of my brain. Then we get on the train, and there's a guy with a Boredoms t-shirt, and we start talking to him, and when Flapjax mentions that he's Samm Bennet, the guy says "You're Samm Bennett? I like your work." (or something along those lines).
posted by Bugbread at 5:14 AM on June 16, 2007
(or something along those lines).
Well, you were pretty toasted, bugbread, so you may not remember clearly, but what he actually said was "hey, aren't you the creep that said you were gonna marry my sister back in Fukuoka and then blew town with my dad's credit card?" Then he punched me out and kicked me off the train at Nakano. I laid there in a bloody heap for awhile til the cops hauled me into the koban, where they're holding me for visa violation and an outstanding pachinko debt. I just gave them your phone number and said you'd come down to bail me out. You should be getting a call pretty soon. Don't let me down, man.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:46 AM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
Well, you were pretty toasted, bugbread, so you may not remember clearly, but what he actually said was "hey, aren't you the creep that said you were gonna marry my sister back in Fukuoka and then blew town with my dad's credit card?" Then he punched me out and kicked me off the train at Nakano. I laid there in a bloody heap for awhile til the cops hauled me into the koban, where they're holding me for visa violation and an outstanding pachinko debt. I just gave them your phone number and said you'd come down to bail me out. You should be getting a call pretty soon. Don't let me down, man.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:46 AM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
After reading these posts about the meetup, I realize that by leaving 'early' at around eleven - just as the switch from beer to wine was taking place - I seem to have missed the real 'heart' of the affair ...
Narrow escape!
(But it was great to be welcomed there, even though I hardly qualify as a 'MeFite' yet ...)
posted by woodblock100 at 6:34 AM on June 16, 2007
Narrow escape!
(But it was great to be welcomed there, even though I hardly qualify as a 'MeFite' yet ...)
posted by woodblock100 at 6:34 AM on June 16, 2007
Wow, I guess I also missed out by making the last train. Oh well, next time ;)
It was a lot of fun meeting everybody. I hope we can do it again!
And thanks again to woodblock100. I really like the print you gave us. That was really nice.
posted by m3thod4 at 8:06 AM on June 16, 2007
It was a lot of fun meeting everybody. I hope we can do it again!
And thanks again to woodblock100. I really like the print you gave us. That was really nice.
posted by m3thod4 at 8:06 AM on June 16, 2007
Whoops, and thanks to myopicman and gomichild for the pics!
posted by m3thod4 at 8:07 AM on June 16, 2007
posted by m3thod4 at 8:07 AM on June 16, 2007
Yeah, woodblock100, that was really nice and unexpected of you.
posted by Bugbread at 8:58 AM on June 16, 2007
posted by Bugbread at 8:58 AM on June 16, 2007
Yes thank you for the lovely print woodblock100!
And just in case one night this month wasn't enough of a party session for you - on June 29th my friends bar in Golden Gai is having their anniversary party - ¥ 3,000 for nomi hodai and food! (araku bar)
Plus don't forget flapjax at midnight has a gig next Friday!
still trying to fit that into my schedule matey....
posted by gomichild at 5:57 PM on June 16, 2007
And just in case one night this month wasn't enough of a party session for you - on June 29th my friends bar in Golden Gai is having their anniversary party - ¥ 3,000 for nomi hodai and food! (araku bar)
Plus don't forget flapjax at midnight has a gig next Friday!
still trying to fit that into my schedule matey....
posted by gomichild at 5:57 PM on June 16, 2007
Chiming in late here...I wasn't able to go but I wish I had. Glad my fellow Tokyo MeFites had a good time!
posted by zardoz at 8:07 PM on June 16, 2007
posted by zardoz at 8:07 PM on June 16, 2007
Yes, zardoz, too bad you couldn't make it. There was talk toward the end of the night about the possibility/desirability of doing meetups more often than once a year. Perhaps seasonally might be a good way to go. Maybe aim for about 4 times a year? And while on this subject, bugbread suggested the idea of not necessarily always doing them at night, or always at restaurants and bars, but perhaps some daytime/afternoon affairs, in, say, one park or another. Those with kids might bring 'em along, and a whole different sort of atmosphere could prevail. Let's keep in touch about these and other possibilities, shall we Tokyoites?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 11:02 PM on June 16, 2007
posted by flapjax at midnite at 11:02 PM on June 16, 2007
Thanks for the birthday thanks's, and thanks woodblock for the awesome print. It's beautiful.
I'm just now recovering from the weekend of birthday booze and meetup madness.
posted by ejoey at 12:26 AM on June 17, 2007
I'm just now recovering from the weekend of birthday booze and meetup madness.
posted by ejoey at 12:26 AM on June 17, 2007
but perhaps some daytime/afternoon affairs, in, say, one park or another
Seconded! Those of us who are not particularly party animals, or good at smalltalk in a crowded bar (they don't call me 'woodblock' for nothing) would like to try it this way sometime.
A picnic in one of the wide-open parks, with a 'general' time frame, so that people could come/go on their own schedule. Everybody brings something to toss onto the table for nibbling ...
woodblock100, that was really nice and unexpected of you
My pleasure! Just lucky that I have a job that allows me such gestures as a kind of side benefit! :-) Thanks for the 'thank yous' ...
posted by woodblock100 at 12:40 AM on June 17, 2007
Seconded! Those of us who are not particularly party animals, or good at smalltalk in a crowded bar (they don't call me 'woodblock' for nothing) would like to try it this way sometime.
A picnic in one of the wide-open parks, with a 'general' time frame, so that people could come/go on their own schedule. Everybody brings something to toss onto the table for nibbling ...
woodblock100, that was really nice and unexpected of you
My pleasure! Just lucky that I have a job that allows me such gestures as a kind of side benefit! :-) Thanks for the 'thank yous' ...
posted by woodblock100 at 12:40 AM on June 17, 2007
Once again late to a thread on metafilter...
Good meetup everyone. My significant other and I had a nice time. So nice, in fact, that after getting home we were down until around Sunday afternoon. Too much Belgian beer. And then wine. I guess.
I'm also up for seasonal meetups.
posted by mexican at 5:50 PM on June 18, 2007
Good meetup everyone. My significant other and I had a nice time. So nice, in fact, that after getting home we were down until around Sunday afternoon. Too much Belgian beer. And then wine. I guess.
I'm also up for seasonal meetups.
posted by mexican at 5:50 PM on June 18, 2007
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posted by myopicman at 10:25 AM on June 15, 2007