Well-met February 27, 2009 11:46 PM Subscribe
How frequent are MeFi meetups in NYC? I'd kinda like to go to one, and see that I just missed a recent one in Brooklyn.
Sigh. If I weren't pneumatic (or whatever the word is for when you have pneumonia) perhaps I'd have noticed the answer was right in front of my face. Sorry for the bother.
posted by ocherdraco at 11:53 PM on February 27, 2009
posted by ocherdraco at 11:53 PM on February 27, 2009
If you head over to Queens with a six-pack of Schlitz and a bag of pork rinds you can help jonmc recover from his foot surgery.
I keed. I think.
posted by bardic at 1:15 AM on February 28, 2009
I keed. I think.
posted by bardic at 1:15 AM on February 28, 2009
I met jonmc once at the Strand right after I joined MeFi. He was very nice, particularly considering I had no idea what I was talking about.
posted by ocherdraco at 6:29 AM on February 28, 2009
posted by ocherdraco at 6:29 AM on February 28, 2009
They happen as often as someone calls for one.
So ocherdraco, do you want to call one?
posted by Stynxno at 7:16 AM on February 28, 2009
So ocherdraco, do you want to call one?
posted by Stynxno at 7:16 AM on February 28, 2009
They're as often as you like. Call one and, as long as there is liquor served, they will come.
posted by Eideteker at 7:18 AM on February 28, 2009
posted by Eideteker at 7:18 AM on February 28, 2009
Indeed, if you call it, they will come. I suggest calling the date, time and location straight off the bat, lest the thread devolve into madness as everyone declares their preference on the specifics and then fails to show (see: the last thread. And I was guilty, too).
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:51 AM on February 28, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:51 AM on February 28, 2009 [1 favorite]
All right then. This Friday, March 6th, at 7pm. Under the Volcano, unless I'm the only one who likes that place (the bartenders there can usually make a good sidecar).
posted by ocherdraco at 8:16 AM on February 28, 2009
posted by ocherdraco at 8:16 AM on February 28, 2009
Indeed, if you call it, they will come.
No one will show. Friday Night SmackDown! is on that night.
posted by gman at 8:54 AM on February 28, 2009
No one will show. Friday Night SmackDown! is on that night.
posted by gman at 8:54 AM on February 28, 2009
Nobody cares about Friday Night Smackdown - Pentagram are playing at Webster Hall that night. Pentagram!
posted by nowonmai at 9:40 AM on February 28, 2009
posted by nowonmai at 9:40 AM on February 28, 2009
Watchmen is opening that night.
posted by cmgonzalez at 10:24 AM on February 28, 2009
posted by cmgonzalez at 10:24 AM on February 28, 2009
Cool! We have another thing later that night, but we'll stop by at the beginning.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:18 PM on February 28, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:18 PM on February 28, 2009 [1 favorite]
I might be there, de-stressing in my final hours before the GRE next morning. Who wants to quiz me on vocab/remind me how to find the area of a parallelogram/discourage me from pursuing higher education? Don't all jump at once.
posted by zoomorphic at 4:36 PM on February 28, 2009
posted by zoomorphic at 4:36 PM on February 28, 2009
Nope. Watchmen.
posted by unknowncommand at 7:57 PM on February 28, 2009
posted by unknowncommand at 7:57 PM on February 28, 2009
I'll be in NYC next week and could be there.
posted by lunalaguna at 10:27 PM on February 28, 2009
posted by lunalaguna at 10:27 PM on February 28, 2009
Um, who says we can't head from there to Watchmen?
posted by ocherdraco at 11:45 PM on February 28, 2009
posted by ocherdraco at 11:45 PM on February 28, 2009
The fact that it's Watchmen opening night does indeed make it less than optimal. The theaters will be packed; people will be showing up early to get in line, and then going out for drinks with their friends who they went to see the movie with.
Anyway, I won't be there. I would suggest changing the date mid-thread, but experience shows that won't happen. Once the arbitrary date has been declared, the die has been cast, for good or ill.
posted by bingo at 5:48 AM on March 1, 2009
Anyway, I won't be there. I would suggest changing the date mid-thread, but experience shows that won't happen. Once the arbitrary date has been declared, the die has been cast, for good or ill.
posted by bingo at 5:48 AM on March 1, 2009
I'm going to try to make it to this one. No promises though.
posted by fuq at 7:53 AM on March 1, 2009
posted by fuq at 7:53 AM on March 1, 2009
One request though, to make things easier and less awkward, can we have a flag or a plan to meet in a certain corner or something so I don't have to creep around asking random people "are you from the internet? metafilter... metafilter... metafilter..."
posted by fuq at 7:55 AM on March 1, 2009
posted by fuq at 7:55 AM on March 1, 2009
Once the arbitrary date has been declared, the die has been cast, for good or ill.
Is there a way to pick a date for a meet-up non-arbitrarily? It doesn't seem to work terribly well when someone starts a thread with, "hey, y'all, let's meet up somewhere, sometime."
My Punchbowl can help sort out optimum times/dates (not that I'm suggesting this one be changed), but otherwise, you pick a time and place and people who can and want to make it show up.
posted by Airhen at 9:34 AM on March 1, 2009
Is there a way to pick a date for a meet-up non-arbitrarily? It doesn't seem to work terribly well when someone starts a thread with, "hey, y'all, let's meet up somewhere, sometime."
My Punchbowl can help sort out optimum times/dates (not that I'm suggesting this one be changed), but otherwise, you pick a time and place and people who can and want to make it show up.
posted by Airhen at 9:34 AM on March 1, 2009
Speaking from personal experience as a failed meet-up-caller, I'd guess that if the Oscars drained most of the mefites from last weekend's gathering, then a wildly-anticipated movie based off a graphic novel beloved by nerds everywhere will seriously cramp the night.
posted by zoomorphic at 9:50 AM on March 1, 2009
posted by zoomorphic at 9:50 AM on March 1, 2009
Is there a way to pick a date for a meet-up non-arbitrarily?
Yes. The same way that a plan for anything else on a timeline can be designed non-arbitrarily. The easiest strategy is to pick several arbitrary dates that are scattered more or less randomly across, say, a week, and ask for suggestions on which one would work best.
When the first seven responses come back that a highly anticipated nerd-targeted movie is opening on one of the chosen dates, you eliminate that one. Then you say, Okay folks, Day A is out, so which is better, day B or day C? And then you go from there. By the time the day is picked, a bunch of people have already been gunning for it, so you know that at least most of that group is likely to show up.
There are other ways, such as checking for major movie or tv events in advance, or monitoring one's own meetup thread closely, and changing the date when one realizes that it's not that popular with those in the thread.
posted by bingo at 11:08 AM on March 1, 2009
Yes. The same way that a plan for anything else on a timeline can be designed non-arbitrarily. The easiest strategy is to pick several arbitrary dates that are scattered more or less randomly across, say, a week, and ask for suggestions on which one would work best.
When the first seven responses come back that a highly anticipated nerd-targeted movie is opening on one of the chosen dates, you eliminate that one. Then you say, Okay folks, Day A is out, so which is better, day B or day C? And then you go from there. By the time the day is picked, a bunch of people have already been gunning for it, so you know that at least most of that group is likely to show up.
There are other ways, such as checking for major movie or tv events in advance, or monitoring one's own meetup thread closely, and changing the date when one realizes that it's not that popular with those in the thread.
posted by bingo at 11:08 AM on March 1, 2009
OK, the date doesn't work for you, then call another one next week and manage it the way you want, instead of getting surly about how everyone else manages their meet-up threads.
Throwing out a bunch of random dates didn't work out so well last time either, as you yourself pointed out after that meet-up. And five people isn't a bad turnout in other cities, by the way.
posted by Airhen at 11:30 AM on March 1, 2009
Throwing out a bunch of random dates didn't work out so well last time either, as you yourself pointed out after that meet-up. And five people isn't a bad turnout in other cities, by the way.
posted by Airhen at 11:30 AM on March 1, 2009
...five people isn't a bad turnout in other cities, by the way.
There were only three in New Orleans.
I may be able to make this one; sorry, bingo, the commute from New Orleans would have been a bit much for the last one.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:25 PM on March 1, 2009
There were only three in New Orleans.
I may be able to make this one; sorry, bingo, the commute from New Orleans would have been a bit much for the last one.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:25 PM on March 1, 2009
Okay, I don't think I can make it, but I just wanted to offer a friendly suggestion. Under the Volcano and Gingerman (across the street) can be very, very, ear-shatteringly crowded on Friday nights. If you find this is the case, you might try picking up and moving to Galway Hooker, next door to Gingerman. Go upstairs and walk all the way to the back. You'll think you're done, but just keep walking. Behind the bar, behind some curtains, there's a huge backroom with candlelit tables, leather chairs and couches and private service. THERE IS NEVER ANYONE THERE. It's amazing. You could probably even call and reserve it in advance if you want - I doubt there's a charge.
The only downside is that the beer selection isn't as good. They have good food though.
posted by Evangeline at 2:29 PM on March 1, 2009
The only downside is that the beer selection isn't as good. They have good food though.
posted by Evangeline at 2:29 PM on March 1, 2009
Throwing out a bunch of random dates didn't work out so well last time either, as you yourself pointed out after that meet-up.
Agreed. In the end, someone has to make a decision, and that person should be the person who wanted to have a meetup in the first place. The people who don't like other people deciding when meetups happen can avoid that unhappiness by planning their own meetups (although it seems that, big shock, they rarely do).
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:59 PM on March 1, 2009 [2 favorites]
Agreed. In the end, someone has to make a decision, and that person should be the person who wanted to have a meetup in the first place. The people who don't like other people deciding when meetups happen can avoid that unhappiness by planning their own meetups (although it seems that, big shock, they rarely do).
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:59 PM on March 1, 2009 [2 favorites]
Good idea, Evangeline. I'll call the Galway Hooker and see if I can set that up. Until such plans are made, we're still on for UTV, but if that room in the Galway Hooker is available, I'll get the calendar on the sidebar to point to new details.
And I'll make a little sign. Super dorky, I know, but I love making little signs. Little signs are awesome.
posted by ocherdraco at 5:32 PM on March 1, 2009
And I'll make a little sign. Super dorky, I know, but I love making little signs. Little signs are awesome.
posted by ocherdraco at 5:32 PM on March 1, 2009
Oh, and I'm well aware this will be a MiniMefiMeetup. But that suits me just fine. (After all, it's alliterative, and alliteration makes me nearly as happy as making little signs does.)
posted by ocherdraco at 5:35 PM on March 1, 2009
posted by ocherdraco at 5:35 PM on March 1, 2009
If I can talk any of my rehearsal mates into it, maybe we'll see you guys!
posted by Evangeline at 5:46 PM on March 1, 2009
posted by Evangeline at 5:46 PM on March 1, 2009
Hey, that's my birthday! And I think a whole roasted suckling pig trumps a mefi meet-up, but hopefully I'll be able to join you guys next time!
posted by Grither at 6:14 AM on March 2, 2009
posted by Grither at 6:14 AM on March 2, 2009
I would suggest changing the date mid-thread, but experience shows that won't happen.
Or just call another meetup for a later date. There's so many people in NYC, it's entirely possible to have more than one being planned at the same time. The easiest way to call a meetup is to have a date in your mind. If you want certain people to show up, email/me.mail them ahead of time and arrange things that way. Doing the "oh hey, lets all hang out sometime" is death because, lets face it, sometime is just a code word for "i'm going to be busy that night/day/year/lifetime".
posted by Stynxno at 11:09 AM on March 2, 2009
Or just call another meetup for a later date. There's so many people in NYC, it's entirely possible to have more than one being planned at the same time. The easiest way to call a meetup is to have a date in your mind. If you want certain people to show up, email/me.mail them ahead of time and arrange things that way. Doing the "oh hey, lets all hang out sometime" is death because, lets face it, sometime is just a code word for "i'm going to be busy that night/day/year/lifetime".
posted by Stynxno at 11:09 AM on March 2, 2009
Okay, space at the Galway Hooker has been reserved.
New deets: This Friday, March 6th, at 7pm. Galway Hooker.
When you come in, just say that you're with Margaret Maloney (me, AIYDK) and they'll usher you up. Failing that, go upstairs to the back and look for a little sign.
posted by ocherdraco at 1:35 PM on March 2, 2009
New deets: This Friday, March 6th, at 7pm. Galway Hooker.
When you come in, just say that you're with Margaret Maloney (me, AIYDK) and they'll usher you up. Failing that, go upstairs to the back and look for a little sign.
posted by ocherdraco at 1:35 PM on March 2, 2009
Somebody order the macaroni and cheese! Ees good!
posted by Evangeline at 1:38 PM on March 2, 2009
posted by Evangeline at 1:38 PM on March 2, 2009
Mmmmm, mac and cheese.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:52 PM on March 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:52 PM on March 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
Missed the last one because I was moving and sick. I'll be at this one (assuming my damn flight from L.A. isn't canceled AGAIN).
posted by Optimus Chyme at 6:57 PM on March 2, 2009
posted by Optimus Chyme at 6:57 PM on March 2, 2009
I am going to feel really, really bad if you guys don't like this place. Especially since I probably won't even be there.
posted by Evangeline at 7:54 PM on March 2, 2009
posted by Evangeline at 7:54 PM on March 2, 2009
I should be there.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:28 AM on March 3, 2009
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:28 AM on March 3, 2009
Sounds like fun. Unless I'm out of my mind with cabin fever and flash cards, I'm sitting this out. Have a ball!
posted by zoomorphic at 8:30 AM on March 3, 2009
posted by zoomorphic at 8:30 AM on March 3, 2009
I might try to make this one. I had fun at the one I went to.
Zoomorphic, are you taking the English subject GRE? Have you read this? Testing the Test
posted by yarrow at 12:06 PM on March 3, 2009
Zoomorphic, are you taking the English subject GRE? Have you read this? Testing the Test
posted by yarrow at 12:06 PM on March 3, 2009
I'm taking the general GRE on Saturday and I'm preoccupied with not embarrassing myself in the Quant section. Lit Subject test is April 7, so my soul belongs to ETS for another 5 weeks. I actually might show up for a bit to shake off the jitters, though. Thanks for the link!
posted by zoomorphic at 1:44 PM on March 3, 2009
posted by zoomorphic at 1:44 PM on March 3, 2009
If you do show up, we can do a little GRE rain dance for you (one that produces high scores, not rain). Or we can just buy you a beer.
posted by ocherdraco at 2:19 PM on March 3, 2009
posted by ocherdraco at 2:19 PM on March 3, 2009
So am I. I wonder if it's the same one?
posted by CunningLinguist at 4:18 PM on March 3, 2009
posted by CunningLinguist at 4:18 PM on March 3, 2009
Woah, are you guys coming to my birthday party that night? WOoo, I have friends!! Yippeee hooray!!
Actually, there were four people in my HS graduating class with the same bday as me. It's also Shaq's bday, apparently, so maybe you're going to HIS bday party? One-upped by the Shaqster once again. [shakes fist at Shaq]
posted by Grither at 9:37 AM on March 4, 2009
Actually, there were four people in my HS graduating class with the same bday as me. It's also Shaq's bday, apparently, so maybe you're going to HIS bday party? One-upped by the Shaqster once again. [shakes fist at Shaq]
posted by Grither at 9:37 AM on March 4, 2009
To all mefites, if u c me n public come say hi, we r not the same we r from mefitonia, we connect
not posted by THE_REAL_SHAQ at 2:54 PM on March 4 [+] [!]
posted by ocherdraco at 11:57 AM on March 4, 2009 [2 favorites]
not posted by THE_REAL_SHAQ at 2:54 PM on March 4 [+] [!]
posted by ocherdraco at 11:57 AM on March 4, 2009 [2 favorites]
Also, the way to remain cool when attempting to locate mefites at your first meetup is to casually ask likely suspects if they are "a friend of Matt Haughey's." Very suave way to avoid the whole computer nerd stigma thing.
posted by CunningLinguist at 12:00 PM on March 4, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by CunningLinguist at 12:00 PM on March 4, 2009 [2 favorites]
If your party involves fondue and board games, then YES, we are attending the same birthday party.
posted by spec80 at 12:39 PM on March 4, 2009
posted by spec80 at 12:39 PM on March 4, 2009
I think that was me, and I appreciated it. Was all psyched up for meeting up but hadn't really thought through the whole part about how I would know who I was meeting up with.
posted by yarrow at 4:31 PM on March 4, 2009
posted by yarrow at 4:31 PM on March 4, 2009
My birthday party involves a whole roasted suckling pig. So if you're going to one like that, then it's likely mine. Also involves going to Drop Off Service in the East Village afterwards (prob around 1130pm or midnight) if anyone is interested/closeby/reallybored/stalkingme/leftover from the meetup.
And when attending a meet up, the proper way to find other mefites is to don the "Don't worry maam, I'm from the internet" outfit and then say that phrase when you arrive.
posted by Grither at 7:01 AM on March 5, 2009
And when attending a meet up, the proper way to find other mefites is to don the "Don't worry maam, I'm from the internet" outfit and then say that phrase when you arrive.
posted by Grither at 7:01 AM on March 5, 2009
I also have a birthday party to attend later that night. This is getting a bit weird.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 7:57 AM on March 5, 2009
posted by Optimus Chyme at 7:57 AM on March 5, 2009
June is big month for screwing.
posted by CunningLinguist at 8:14 AM on March 5, 2009
posted by CunningLinguist at 8:14 AM on March 5, 2009
All those weddings...
posted by cmgonzalez at 7:11 PM on March 5, 2009
posted by cmgonzalez at 7:11 PM on March 5, 2009
ocherdraco, that's not funny. I have chronic shaq attacks and even have to carry around an epi-pen. Do you know what you almost did to me??
posted by hermitosis at 10:24 PM on March 5, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by hermitosis at 10:24 PM on March 5, 2009 [1 favorite]
Oh, sorry hermitosis. Just remember to keep the antidote with you at all times.
posted by ocherdraco at 8:30 AM on March 6, 2009
posted by ocherdraco at 8:30 AM on March 6, 2009
Look forward to seeing everyone tonight!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:32 PM on March 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:32 PM on March 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
I'll bring the trunk cookies.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 2:38 PM on March 6, 2009
posted by Optimus Chyme at 2:38 PM on March 6, 2009
Okay come upstairs it is the room to the right or ask one of the servers for margaret
posted by Optimus Chyme at 4:21 PM on March 6, 2009
posted by Optimus Chyme at 4:21 PM on March 6, 2009
Just ask one of the servers this place is a labyrinth
posted by Optimus Chyme at 4:22 PM on March 6, 2009
posted by Optimus Chyme at 4:22 PM on March 6, 2009
Thanks for coming, folks. That was fun. I think I have about 2 over-flashy photos from my point 'n' shoot that I'll post to Flickr later, but I know Stynxno took much better ones.
Did anyone try to come who couldn't find us?
posted by ocherdraco at 9:21 PM on March 6, 2009
Did anyone try to come who couldn't find us?
posted by ocherdraco at 9:21 PM on March 6, 2009
Good to see everyone! Hope everyone who showed up made it back to the cave. The mac and cheese was good, Evangeline!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:22 PM on March 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:22 PM on March 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
I totally forgot that the mac and cheese came recommended.
posted by Airhen at 7:25 AM on March 7, 2009
posted by Airhen at 7:25 AM on March 7, 2009
The three photos I took before I decided my flash was totally obnoxious.
posted by ocherdraco at 7:49 AM on March 7, 2009
posted by ocherdraco at 7:49 AM on March 7, 2009
Had a good time as always.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 1:34 PM on March 7, 2009
posted by Optimus Chyme at 1:34 PM on March 7, 2009
Woo. Finally labeled and uploaded my pictures. Gotta love grainy and fuzzy.
posted by Stynxno at 10:19 AM on March 9, 2009
posted by Stynxno at 10:19 AM on March 9, 2009
Considering the lighting situation, I think you did remarkably well.
posted by ocherdraco at 10:51 AM on March 9, 2009
posted by ocherdraco at 10:51 AM on March 9, 2009
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posted by mathowie (staff) at 11:49 PM on February 27, 2009