New Orleans Planning Thread | MetaFilter 10th Anniversary

I can has awesome New Orleans party? Part deux.

Original grey post

ColdChef and I are the "official" hosts, and we're very excited! We're hoping to have one main party and then maybe have some optional additional events during the weekend. darainwa is already working on some kickass graphics.

You can continue to "roll call" here, post suggestions, call-outs for carpooling, etc.

posted by radioamy to New Orleans, LA at 8:01 PM (254 comments total)

Okay I just saw the awesome "attending?" button which makes roll call a lot easier! Thanks admins!
posted by radioamy at 8:04 PM on May 5, 2009

W00t!
posted by ColdChef at 8:16 PM on May 5, 2009

Oh hey, check out the "Note" below the comment preview.
posted by subbes at 8:28 PM on May 5, 2009

Woot indeed.

I'm either going to stay at the swank hotel with the pool or the run down guest house with the pool, so .....pool party!
posted by CunningLinguist at 8:45 PM on May 5, 2009

So, here's my incredibly selfish plea:

I want to come party with New Orleans Mefites.

I'm not sure I have the heart to abandon my awesome Philly Mefites.

Can the anniversary be both weekends?
posted by desuetude at 8:50 PM on May 5, 2009

I really want to go to this, but a friend of mine will be in town and there is talk of lots of swimming and lake time. CunningLinguist, you better have a pool party.
posted by bluishorange at 9:28 PM on May 5, 2009

Still not sure of what my summer will look like, but during the internship interview for my job this summer, I mentioned that this was on my radar, and the boss seemed to totally understand, so hopefully there should be no problem. If I can get airfare and a place to stay, I'm there.
posted by Navelgazer at 9:59 PM on May 5, 2009

The New Orleans party is going to be the main one right? We need one really big one, and this should be it.

Wife and I will be there.
posted by y6y6y6 at 10:44 PM on May 5, 2009

I'm still a "maybe" until the date is pinned down, but I will almost definitely be attending. My in-laws live in Gulfport so I may only need one night in a hotel to sleep off the bar tab. I'm happy to room-share if anyone needs to split the cost.
posted by subbes at 5:50 AM on May 6, 2009

I am going to try like HELL to get to this! If I do, point me towards the cheapest dive motel in the area and/or I need a roomie. I am also trying to get Moonbird to attend with me, or, failing that, a non Mefite friend. It's a long drive from Asheville. But I think it is doable.
posted by mygothlaundry at 6:47 AM on May 6, 2009

I have found a couch to crash on, 75% sure. How far in advance should I book the train?
posted by absalom at 6:49 AM on May 6, 2009

I'm still checking finances, but it looks potentially do-able for me. I'll have to fly in though, so if my potentially shady hostel doesn't do pickups from MSY, could someone come get me on Thursday? [I'll have to leave late Saturday night since I do have to roll into work on Sunday, unless I can get someone to cover my shift.]
posted by sperose at 6:55 AM on May 6, 2009

Yeah, I am still in - I gotta get my passport updated though. What a pain that the rules JUST changed.
posted by saucysault at 6:57 AM on May 6, 2009

y6y6y6: "The New Orleans party is going to be the main one right? We need one really big one, and this should be it.

Wife and I will be there."

Matt said in a recent Podcast that there would be simultaneous parties around the globe on the anniversary weekend...but yeah we are hoping NOLA will be the biggest and best!

sperose: "I'm still checking finances, but it looks potentially do-able for me. I'll have to fly in though, so if my potentially shady hostel doesn't do pickups from MSY, could someone come get me on Thursday? [I'll have to leave late Saturday night since I do have to roll into work on Sunday, unless I can get someone to cover my shift.]"

Check with the Airport Shuttle people if they consider your hostel a "hotel." They stop at all hotels.
posted by radioamy at 7:41 AM on May 6, 2009

I am someone's +1!
posted by not_on_display at 7:57 AM on May 6, 2009

How walkable is NOLA? Like, if I go there and have no rental car, will I find lots of cool things just by wandering around on the two beautiful feet that serve me so well in NYC?
posted by Greg Nog at 10:05 AM on May 6, 2009

CunningLinguist, do either of those establishments have names? Seriously, which hotel(s) are we considering?
posted by tizzie at 10:05 AM on May 6, 2009

How walkable is NOLA?

Very. Especially the garden district and the French Quarter. Plus: streetcars!
posted by ColdChef at 10:06 AM on May 6, 2009

Okay, I'm in. But one of those streetcars better fucking be named Desire. What days should I book flights for? Coming in that Friday, leaving the following Monday? Would that do me all right?

Also I'm gonna be sweating like a Sigg bottle, don't nobody touch me
posted by Greg Nog at 10:20 AM on May 6, 2009

I'm driving from San Antonio and I have room for two people. I could stop in any city along the way. Memail me to let me know.
posted by bigmusic at 10:23 AM on May 6, 2009

tizzie: the W in the Quarter has this cool "outdoor living room" that's very Roman empire (curtained couches, a fountain that is also on fire, pool) that I always wanted to party in. And July rates are usually crazy for Ws.

Less swanky but great in other ways is the Chateau Orleans, which has apartments of various sizes grouped around a small pool. The plus there is a/kitchens and b/even the studios have pullout couches, so up to four people can crash, and more in the one- and two- bedrooms. Management is very cool, providing random crawfish boils and Bloody Mary parties. The only drawback I know of is that's it's not always very quiet.
posted by CunningLinguist at 10:33 AM on May 6, 2009

Flight booked for myself and the girl.
posted by Ryvar at 10:49 AM on May 6, 2009

Here's what I'd like to humbly suggest: since this will be a "destination meetup" for many members, we should make the most of it. I'd like to suggest a series of events for the weekend.

1. A smallish meetup on Friday night for folks arriving early (July 17)
2. A big meetup Saturday night (July 18)
3. A picnic in the park/or brunch on Sunday afternoon (July 19)
posted by ColdChef at 10:54 AM on May 6, 2009

Understanding, of course, that not everyone will be able to go to everything. Ideas?
posted by ColdChef at 10:55 AM on May 6, 2009

Cool cool. So basically things I love that I hear New Orleans has are African Deities and alligators and delicious food, so I will be on the lookout for anything to do with those.
posted by Greg Nog at 10:57 AM on May 6, 2009

They sometimes have music, too.

:)
posted by CunningLinguist at 11:02 AM on May 6, 2009

I like your proposed schedule, ColdChef. Would the general idea be to concentrate functions in the French Quarter/CBD area?
posted by darainwa at 12:12 PM on May 6, 2009

darainwa you're such a downtown elitist :)
posted by radioamy at 12:36 PM on May 6, 2009

What's your take, ColdChef, about being kid/toddler-friendly?
posted by fijiwriter at 12:47 PM on May 6, 2009

Greg, it will either upset you or enthrall you to know that alligators are turned into delicious food down here.
posted by Night_owl at 1:46 PM on May 6, 2009

Marking myself down as a potential. I don't have anything going on those dates and NOLA is only about 2.5 hours away from me...
posted by m0nm0n at 1:48 PM on May 6, 2009

What's your take, ColdChef, about being kid/toddler-friendly?

I think it would be cool if whatever happens on Sunday could be kid-friendly, but I'm planning on getting my drink-on Friday and Saturday night.
posted by ColdChef at 1:51 PM on May 6, 2009

My wife and I took a week long New Orleans vacation a few years ago. We had a hotel a few blocks off of the French Quarter and there was no need for a rental car at all. It would have just been a bother frankly. I say this as someone who *always* gets a rental car.

But that might be something to take into consideration for the proposed three events - Many of us may be in that part of town without a car.
posted by y6y6y6 at 1:55 PM on May 6, 2009

My last stumbling blocks are making sure I'm off work and that I can find (and by find I mean afford) a place to stay. Other than that I'm in.
posted by Roman Graves at 2:15 PM on May 6, 2009

I'll have crash space available for people with sleeping bags who don't mind hard flooring. It'll either be in the CBD (a couple blocks from the Quarter) or on Algiers Point (a free-for-pedestrians/bicyclists ferry ride* crossing the river to get to the CBD/Quarter). I'm not yet sure which location will be viable, it's possible that both will. Either location would not require a vehicle to get to a lot of the cool stuff the city has to offer.

Only one bathroom is available either way and first-come, first-reserved. Mefimail me if you're interested.

* ferry schedule here.
posted by djeo at 2:27 PM on May 6, 2009

I like CunningLinguist's suggestion of the "outdoor living room" at the W in the quarter. That looks like a slick little place, and after a bit of digging through their website it appears that a group could actually reserve it.

Anyone else with thoughts or ideas about a venue for the big Saturday night meetup?
posted by darainwa at 3:08 PM on May 6, 2009

Greg, it will either upset you or enthrall you to know that alligators are turned into delicious food down here.

ENTHRALL

I just bought tickets.
posted by Greg Nog at 3:18 PM on May 6, 2009

For the big Saturday night meetup, radioamy and I talked briefly about renting a room at the Columns Hotel. It's not in the French Quarter, it's in the Garden District along the streetcar route. The con side is that there would be a charge per person to rent a room, but on the plus side: Three Hour Unlimited Bar. I think we could probably swing it for around $30 a person or so. Perhaps less if we could get some sponsorship.
posted by ColdChef at 4:41 PM on May 6, 2009

And by "room", I mean "ballroom", not "hotel room." The orgy will take place at another venue.
posted by ColdChef at 4:42 PM on May 6, 2009

That's a cool idea, I vote yes.
posted by nola at 5:37 PM on May 6, 2009

I vote no: the orgy should be in the ballroom.
posted by not_on_display at 5:41 PM on May 6, 2009

That sounds like a good idea. I like it. Thanks for spearheading this effort, radioamy and ColdChef.
posted by umbú at 5:43 PM on May 6, 2009

Hola, wife of y6 here!
I lived in western Louisiana when he and I first hooked up and when he came to visit we *had* to go to New Orleans, I mean, you don't visit the state and at least check in there, right? And even though I've been to the city a handful of times I've never seen all the things I've wanted to. In other words - huzzah for an excuse to see New Orleans again!
posted by batgrlHG at 8:12 PM on May 6, 2009

Did I forget to mention that I met y6 thanks to MeFi? Oops, Yes I forgot.
posted by batgrlHG at 8:17 PM on May 6, 2009

Also someone else gets to drink the sazerac for me on this trip. I've done my sazerac-time already, and now have a healthy respect for it.

And gator can taste quite nice in a sausage. I wonder if I can find the butcher shop I used to go to...
posted by batgrlHG at 8:33 PM on May 6, 2009

It looks like my man and I finally get to take our belated honeymoon. This is especially good since we will have been married for more than a year when the meetup occurs. Also, I've never been to New Orleans, but always wanted to. Just not during Mardi Gras. I'm very happy about this.

We're also probably bringing a couple of other New Orleans fans who are fun people. I haven't converted them to MetaFilter, yet, but they keep asking me about that site I've always got pulled up on the computer.
posted by lilywing13 at 11:26 PM on May 6, 2009

To those making their first trip, may I humbly suggest checking out this lovely guide/history/musing. Seems to be out of print, sadly.
I had no real idea of how rich and strange and marvelous a place New Orleans was before reading it prior to my own first visit.
posted by CunningLinguist at 7:38 AM on May 7, 2009

I have a tentative green light from the wife -- said she'd take the kid all weekend. So woo, goddamnit. As long as I can swing it financially, I'm down, and put me down in favor of ColdChef's idea of the $30/head room.
posted by middleclasstool at 3:39 PM on May 7, 2009

Talking to mishaman (Mrmisha? Mistermisha? none of these work, do they?) about this now. We have our twentieth anniversary at the end of June, so this could be a belated anniversary celebration for us. I've got my fingers crossed!
posted by misha at 3:48 PM on May 7, 2009

Don't know how much overlap there is, but just found out there will be a nola BarCamp event on July 18.

I'm here in town and, depending on the impending infant situation, we might have an extra bedroom available for the weekend. MeFi mail if interested.
posted by ajr at 3:49 PM on May 7, 2009

Man, Jess would be a great speaker for a BarCamp presentation...
posted by misha at 4:01 PM on May 7, 2009

ColdChef, Columns sounds like a great idea. I don't have a chance to make it there much, and I'm sure it's far more New Orleansy than the W in the quarter.

One question: do we need to provide a headcount at some point of who will be attending that specific event to lock in the total cost. I'd imagine the "23 attending" at the moment doesn't include SOs and guests. (Are SOs even allowed at this event?)
posted by darainwa at 5:35 PM on May 7, 2009

(Are SOs even allowed at this event?)

Absolutely. They're our designated drivers!
posted by ColdChef at 8:18 PM on May 7, 2009

Mine will be providing free childcare for me a whole state away! Feel free to drop your kids off!
posted by middleclasstool at 8:58 PM on May 7, 2009

Well, The Husband has just said that I can go, and he and the kiddo are looking forward to "icky guy time" while I'm gone. Now I just have to figure out which hotel I can afford. If I make it, I'll be driving in from Dallas(ish) and would love to have company. As long as my passengers don't insist on country music and don't mind listening to an eclectic range of punk and jazz, we're golden.
posted by dejah420 at 12:08 PM on May 8, 2009

Hrm, since I posted in the thread, the attending button seems to have gone away. Can anyone list me in the "maybe" pile?
posted by dejah420 at 12:10 PM on May 8, 2009

I would just like to note two awesome things:

1) We have the most people attending so far - more than NYC even!

2) I just got a voicemail from ColdChef that said "Hello Amy this is your undertaker." Hilarious!
posted by radioamy at 1:44 PM on May 8, 2009

Incidentally, as I said above I'm doing this as much on the cheap as possible. Evidently there's a Best Western staggering distance from our proposed meetup location -- if there are any non-smoking guys who would be interested in going halvsies on a two-bed room (it'd come down to not much more than $100), MeMail me and let me know, we'll talk. Must be okay with me wearing assless chaps and practicing my musical farting act.
posted by middleclasstool at 2:44 PM on May 8, 2009

Dejah - whereabouts in Dallas(ish) will you be driving in from? I'm considering driving across to NO from Fort Worth.
posted by Nice Guy Mike at 7:47 PM on May 8, 2009

Hey Mike, I'm east of Dallas by 30 miles or so. Out by the lakes. About an hour from Ft. Worth, but in the same direction you'd likely be heading anyway. Memail me and we can talk details. :)
posted by dejah420 at 11:52 PM on May 8, 2009

middleclasstool: "Must be okay with me wearing assless chaps and practicing my musical farting act."

I love musical farting acts. God damn my vagina.
posted by subbes at 1:09 PM on May 9, 2009

Were I not a monogamous married man, you'd be in. But I am too attached to my genitals.
posted by middleclasstool at 2:39 PM on May 9, 2009

A picnic in the park/or brunch on Sunday afternoon

Brunch sounds early. Did I mention I am going to this?
posted by jessamyn at 2:52 PM on May 9, 2009

I support the itinerary of drinking, more drinking, and then lounging around for brunch/picnic on Sunday.
posted by loquacious at 3:35 PM on May 9, 2009

Yeah, cheap cheap cheap motel recommendations within staggering distance would be awesome. I am at this point about 90% there - almost, almost at the point of changing my status from Maybe to Yes.
posted by mygothlaundry at 4:42 PM on May 9, 2009

OMG very excited. ColdChef, I love the three day plan. How will we know the details once you've gotten more ironed out? Just keep checking this page?

My wife and I have been in Algiers Point now for a year, and are just getting the hang of "make sure you catch the last ferry or else your ass is taking a cab" lifestyle. It sounds like Saturday will be a cab-calling night.
posted by snapped at 7:24 PM on May 9, 2009

I have a couch that someone can crash on if need be. It's in mid-city, three blocks from the Canal streetcar line, which can get you to downtown and the quarter. And I can give you a ride to the Columns.

Three caveats: (1) My dog will probably sleep on your lap. He loves strangers, and he's a shedder, and (2) please, internet strangers, don't murder me in my sleep and (3) I'll go to the columns, but if my seersucker is at the dry-cleaner's please forgive my appearance.
posted by gordie at 9:07 PM on May 9, 2009

Wait do I have to clean up for this get together? I was just going to show up in a Tshirt and blue jeans.
posted by nola at 9:47 PM on May 9, 2009

Well, I'll be dressing both a little bit country *and* a little bit rock and roll. The sort of thing my wife dresses me in to be sure that women won't want to sleep with me.
posted by middleclasstool at 10:00 PM on May 9, 2009

gordie: " I'll go to the columns, but if my seersucker is at the dry-cleaner's please forgive my appearance."

nola: "Wait do I have to clean up for this get together? I was just going to show up in a Tshirt and blue jeans."

Although Columns is a hotel bar and therefore a little bit classier than your average dive, don't feel forced to dress up! New Orleans is a very laid-back town...it's too hot to get dressed up!
posted by radioamy at 11:35 PM on May 9, 2009

jessamyn: "A picnic in the park/or brunch on Sunday afternoon

Brunch sounds early. Did I mention I am going to this?"

I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also I was thinking instead of a brunch or even a picnic, we get a bunch of gallons of daiquiris and go to the park or levee?
posted by radioamy at 11:36 PM on May 9, 2009

I'd appreciate food as well as daiquiris on the Sunday, because I think some people will need to be driving or otherwise returning home in the afternoon and that's not a good thing to try and do after a ton of NOLA booze.

Still tying to work out if I'll have a +1 or not. Hubby is not a MeFite, though I think he'd fit in great since he hates social interactions and spends most of his time being depressed and snarky on the internet.
posted by subbes at 4:49 AM on May 10, 2009

So, uh... okay, I know, but - did we pin down a date? I have been assuming it will be the weekend of the official 10th, but just realized I might be making an ass out of u and ming.
posted by subbes at 4:56 AM on May 10, 2009

we get a bunch of gallons of daiquiris and go to the park or levee?

I can tell I'm going to like this woman.
posted by CunningLinguist at 10:04 AM on May 10, 2009

subbes: "So, uh... okay, I know, but - did we pin down a date? I have been assuming it will be the weekend of the official 10th, but just realized I might be making an ass out of u and ming."

Yes the 17th-19th. I hadn't switched the status of the event to "scheduled" since we don't have an exact location...but block that weekend in your calendar!
posted by radioamy at 10:15 AM on May 10, 2009

Dejah! It will be wonderful to finally get to meet you!
posted by tizzie at 6:58 AM on May 11, 2009

Here's Frommers' list of hotel suggestions.
posted by tizzie at 12:31 PM on May 11, 2009

I like the look of this one, and the thought of being one block from Cafe du Monde has a lot of appeal.

These cottages look very share-able.

This looks chic and pricey, but maybe not.

I think I stayed here before. Smallish rooms but very nice. Central location but not too noisy.

This one won "best hotel bar" in the local weekly.

And these three hotels have good restaurants.
posted by tizzie at 1:26 PM on May 11, 2009

I have had friends who have stayed at this place and stayed in this room which was cheap for two couples.
posted by jessamyn at 1:35 PM on May 11, 2009

As far as hotels go I can recommend the Frenchmen hotel. I've stayed there twice and really enjoyed it and it's neighborhood
posted by nola at 3:48 PM on May 11, 2009

Status Update:
We are in the process of calling several places with the idea of renting a room for the big party Saturday night. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of a few members who wish to remain anonymous, we have a budget of about $1200 to secure a location, bartenders, and hopefully a little grub. We'll still probably have to have a "per-person" charge at the door for drinks and whatnot, but we're going to iron those details out later.
posted by ColdChef at 7:02 AM on May 12, 2009

Holy crap! Thank you, anonymous benefactors!
posted by Greg Nog at 8:23 AM on May 12, 2009

This sounds like a blast. Hope I can make it.
posted by dios at 8:46 AM on May 12, 2009

Thank you, anonymous benefactors. You're the bestest.
posted by middleclasstool at 9:01 AM on May 12, 2009

Cool! And no need to worry about paying for whatnot. If she comes, I'll gladly treat.
posted by tizzie at 9:54 AM on May 12, 2009

I have a Queen size elevated airbed in the Garden District (near Touro Hospital, block from St. Charles) if anyone wants to sleep in my living room.

Caveat: I have house rabbits, and you must not be scary. I demand proof of non-scariness before you visit.
posted by domo at 12:31 PM on May 12, 2009

Y'know, for all the !!! questions that anonymous asks, he/she/they are one/many hell(s) of a great guy/al/s. If you/y'all know what I mean.
posted by not_on_display at 2:10 PM on May 12, 2009

Still tying to work out if I'll have a +1 or not. Hubby is not a MeFite

Am in this same predicament...
posted by cabingirl at 2:34 PM on May 12, 2009

Wow! What an incredibly generous offer. I'm looking forward to hearing more.
posted by snapped at 3:55 PM on May 12, 2009

I met this fellow today selling hot dogs on the street he had some fascinating ideas about modern society. Kept saying something about some fickle female . . .Fortuna I think?
That's it.
Anyway I invited him to speak at our meeting as he insisted on coming, says he has big plans for us and then he kept muttering something about Levy pants. The fucker wouldn't sell me a hot dog though.
posted by nola at 4:57 PM on May 12, 2009

You tried to pay in nickles, which are made from a metal of very unstable value. I am not a fool.
posted by Ignatius J. Reilly at 7:49 PM on May 12, 2009

In case any of you haven't noticed yet, you can now add a +1 or +2 if you're bringing someone who is not a MetaFilter member.
posted by ColdChef at 7:06 AM on May 13, 2009

Pleasepleaseplease tell me we are doing crawfish on the levee. Throw in some muffulettas from Central grocery and some Abita and we'll be so full of New Orleans cliche's I might burst.
posted by domo at 9:37 AM on May 13, 2009

That's pretty late for crawfish, but right on time for crab season. I'll see what I can do with my contacts at the Abita Brewery.
posted by ColdChef at 9:44 AM on May 13, 2009

Abita Abita Abita OH MY GAWD an Abita meetup the week after you won't get in trouble for serving me? Amazing.

I am so chicken. I want to come, but I'm totally shy and not like you.... eep.
posted by Night_owl at 10:09 AM on May 13, 2009

I'll ask my old roommate if her father is still fishing. I might be able to get you some fresh crab at a discount.

Night_owl, you should totally go. You know it will be fun. Do you think if I stockpile some Abita Strawberry it will go skunky?
posted by domo at 12:26 PM on May 13, 2009

Are we talking bottles or kegs? Bottles should last a good long time, I just picked up some of the Mardi Gras bock at Rouses and it was good.
posted by Night_owl at 3:13 PM on May 13, 2009

By that time they might have the new Satsuma Harvest Ale out!!!!
posted by radioamy at 7:05 PM on May 13, 2009

Crab? I love crab!
If oysters are remotely safe and I can take some back iced down for my boss, it would help my situation with time off. Please excuse both my love and my ignorance about oysters.
posted by lilywing13 at 1:22 AM on May 14, 2009

lilywing13 - Uuh, that won't be a good idea. Oysters are best eaten live. Or if not alive, at least only dead for a few minutes. The question you should be asking is "how do I babysit a bunch of living creatures in transit?".

Unless you're planning on cooking them before eating. Then you fry the suckers and stick'em in a poboy...mmm...
posted by domo at 5:26 PM on May 14, 2009

July is not a good time for oysters anyway. Months that don't have a "R" in them tell you when it is or isn't time to feed. For what it's worth.
posted by nola at 7:59 PM on May 14, 2009

God I wish I could join you guys.
posted by Astro Zombie at 11:43 AM on May 15, 2009

domo and nola, thanks for the reminders. I knew there was some rule about what months were ok.
posted by lilywing13 at 12:03 PM on May 15, 2009

God I wish I could join you guys.
posted by Astro Zombie at 1:43 PM on May 15

Wherever two or more are gathered in your name, there shall you be also.
posted by ColdChef at 2:25 PM on May 15, 2009

I booked my time off work, and am looking at rooms. Again: anyone wanting to share a room, please MeMail me. I am female, married, and do not snore.
posted by subbes at 4:23 PM on May 15, 2009

Astro Zombie: God I wish I could join you guys.

So do we! What's holding you back?

I'm happy to announce that my offer of floor space has been upgraded to a spare bedroom and one couch space. Interested parties must be feline-tolerant though.
posted by djeo at 2:02 PM on May 18, 2009

Do we have a location and a specific date nailed down yet?
posted by bigmusic at 6:31 PM on May 18, 2009

I can't wait to knit myself a pair of crawfish underpants!
posted by loquacious at 9:03 PM on May 18, 2009

bigmusic: "Do we have a location and a specific date nailed down yet?"

Still working on it.
posted by radioamy at 11:03 AM on May 19, 2009

For the date, I think we're going with all.
posted by ryanrs at 1:04 AM on May 20, 2009

Still working on it.

Can't wait to find out. Mostly for the yay factor, but also because I'm pretty much going to try to book a hotel within knee-walking distance from wherever it is.
posted by middleclasstool at 5:59 PM on May 20, 2009

Sorry for the delay on the meetup site, folks. I'm having a bit of communication trouble with our first choice of venues, so we're branching out. I appreciate your patience.
posted by ColdChef at 6:02 PM on May 20, 2009

Sorry, didn't mean that as a hurry up, but as a Yay! I can't wait!
posted by middleclasstool at 6:34 AM on May 21, 2009

Thank you Master ColdChef.

I'm in ur base ressurectin' yr doodz
posted by loquacious at 1:24 PM on May 21, 2009

There are now options in the interface to add side-meetups so it will be easier to pick one and then list the others (no RSVP option but we can start sub threads) to give peopel an didea of the where/when stuff.
posted by jessamyn at 2:18 PM on May 21, 2009

I'm sorry gang, but it seems that I won't be able to make an extended trip away from home. It appears we will have extra children, and while leaving Man with our spawn is fine, leaving him with our spawn and a super stressed out "not my" kid just seems rude.

I have the sad. :(
posted by dejah420 at 2:52 PM on May 21, 2009

Sorry to hear that dejah. Hey there's always Mardi Gras.
posted by nola at 3:22 PM on May 21, 2009

Is there anyone along I-10 wanting to carpool? I'm in Houston and would be happy to wait at the corner of I-10 and I-45 if anyone's coming by, or to pick someone up along the way. Think I've gotten over my initial hesitation about going to New Orleans twice in two weeks.
posted by *s at 8:40 PM on May 21, 2009

can we have tshirts with horses on them that say "pony request"?
posted by liketitanic at 4:12 PM on May 23, 2009

the pony can have a pennant that says "10" on it, too.
posted by liketitanic at 7:21 PM on May 23, 2009

Pony t-shirts! I love it!
posted by bigmusic at 8:05 PM on May 24, 2009

Just wanted to update that ColdChef and I are still working on nailing down a venue.
posted by radioamy at 4:35 PM on May 25, 2009

Okay, here's the deal. We have a tentative location for Saturday night. What we need now is a better idea of who all might be coming. In order to secure the venue, we need a guarantee of at least fifty guests. If we can get a better number of who all is committed to coming (and trust me, this place is going to be awesome!), I'm going to have radioamy go and put a deposit down for us this weekend to lock in the weekend for us.

So if you're on the fence, hop on over. I'm talking classic New Orleans here.
posted by ColdChef at 5:36 PM on May 28, 2009

Ok, what kind of cover are we talking?
posted by Night_owl at 6:15 PM on May 28, 2009

I'm in. I was going to wait to update my maybe to a yes until I'd booked the hotel, but I'll do it now for the official count.
posted by middleclasstool at 6:18 PM on May 28, 2009

I am now Yes Number 42. Life, the universe, and lots of goddamn whiskey.
posted by middleclasstool at 6:19 PM on May 28, 2009

Ok, what kind of cover are we talking?

We're trying to keep it around $30 a person. Some folks have generously donated to defray the costs for others, so that's why we can keep it relatively low. And that's not including the "Mathowie Beer Money" yet, though. We wanted to do something a step up from just getting together at a bar. We wanted some place where we could talk without having to drown out loud music and a place where we could be ourselves. Our nerdy, nerdy selves.

We're attempting to rent a small ballroom with an OPEN BAR and some hot appetizers. We're not trying to have a sit-down dinner or anything like that, but an elegant (but not dressy) evening under the St. Charles oak trees. Hopefully, this is a reasonable amount to ask for drinking and good conversation.
posted by ColdChef at 6:45 PM on May 28, 2009

I appreciate whatever you all are doing and am happy I am not having to do it myself. I'm pretty shruggo on a nice place with a cover charge as opposed to just somewhere we can all rent a room and hang out. I trust your wisdom but the word "elegant" gives me the fidgets. If it's for a place we'd have all night [as opposed to getting kicked out after a few hours] I'd be more into it. Is that what we're talking about? Please be aware that mathowie's probably kicking in $100 or so, so nothing too dramatic.
posted by jessamyn at 6:51 PM on May 28, 2009

I trust your wisdom but the word "elegant" gives me the fidgets.

Heh. No worries. There will always be people in Jimmy Buffet tshirts in the place. This is New Orleans, after all.

If it's for a place we'd have all night [as opposed to getting kicked out after a few hours] I'd be more into it. Is that what we're talking about?

The idea was to have a location for around three or four hours, but then people could wander into the Quarter if they so desired.

Please be aware that mathowie's probably kicking in $100 or so, so nothing too dramatic.

Hmmm... I suppose we'll have to cancel the fire-eaters and acrobats. No, that's about what he'd indicated he was going to throw in, but that will probably get us an extra bartender of our own.

Folks, please tell me here if I'm heading down the wrong path.
posted by ColdChef at 6:56 PM on May 28, 2009

I'm in favor of this. I'd like a memorable backdrop, as opposed to the same kind of bar I can get here or in Memphis. I'd probably drop $30 on food and booze anyway, and it's worth it to me to have a nice taste of local color.
posted by middleclasstool at 7:01 PM on May 28, 2009

I'm maybe just being overly sensitive, I just don't want non-drinkers or picky eaters or other casual drop-by people to feel that they have to pony up to stand in a nice room with us for a few hours or miss the big party. I may be in the wee minority, however.
posted by jessamyn at 7:10 PM on May 28, 2009

Nah, that's a valid concern. For the record, if we want to do an honor system thingy where non-drinkers pay a reduced cover, I'd be willing to go over $30 to make up the difference.
posted by middleclasstool at 7:22 PM on May 28, 2009

Yeah I would too. I am not personally short on cash for this trip and I like the idea of taking a bar tab as a tax write off.
posted by jessamyn at 7:32 PM on May 28, 2009

I'd probably drop $30 on food and booze anyway, and it's worth it to me to have a nice taste of local color.

Same here.

I'm maybe just being overly sensitive, I just don't want non-drinkers or picky eaters or other casual drop-by people to feel that they have to pony up to stand in a nice room with us for a few hours or miss the big party.

Hmm, is there anyway people that won't be eating or drinking could join us without paying the cover charge. You know since they won't be inbibing? Or is that a dumb question?
posted by nola at 7:40 PM on May 28, 2009

That said people are coming from all over to this get together, I have a hard time thinking there are that many that will balk at the $30 a head deal. It's not like they haven't had a week or more to mention it if they had didn't like the idea.

I'm still down for ColdChef's plan. Lets round up 50 of us that want to pony up $30 for the deal and then we can start a side kitty for those that can't or don't want to pay $30 to stand around in a fancy room, if we have to.
posted by nola at 8:21 PM on May 28, 2009

Or is that a dumb question?

No, but I think they should pay something just because part of the charge goes to use of the room. I dunno, ten bucks? Twenty if you want to eat?
posted by middleclasstool at 8:26 PM on May 28, 2009

jessamyn et all, don't be worried/fidgety about the location or dress code. I rarely get dressed up (I basically live for casual fridays) and I absolutely love this place. darainwa and I go there every Friday for happy hour. It's a gorgeous old* building (first floor is a bar, next two are hotel rooms), with "old New Orleans" charm, but you are absolutely welcome to wear whatever you want. I love going there because it's a good mix - you have your sorority girls in their little dresses and huge purses, but you also have out-of-towners in with their fanny packs, and a lot of regular people who come to hang after work.

*the city has very strict historic preservation laws, so it's pretty difficult to tear down a building. You have a lot of average places with really gorgeous architecture, and a lot of businesses in old houses. Even my crappy apartment has crown molding.
posted by radioamy at 9:18 PM on May 28, 2009

I'm in and can cover the cover for a couple of other people. I confess I was a little skeptical about the whole "rent a venue" thing, because hey, it's New Orleans, why can't we all just go to Snug Harbor or something, but I trust the locals and "gorgeous old building" sounds fine to me.
posted by CunningLinguist at 10:12 PM on May 28, 2009

For those who are worried about dress code, as radioamy has said it's a pretty low key place, and I frequently show up there looking semi-grubby (i.e. jeans, unpressed shirt, messed hair, and ball cap). The venue itself certainly is a neat one, and particularly for those out-of-towners coming in for the meetup it should be more memorable than some random bar.

As long as the room isn't booked/off limits tomorrow, I'll see if I can't get a few photos of the place so everyone will be able to have some idea of where we will (hopefully) be.
posted by darainwa at 1:24 AM on May 29, 2009

Also, the reason why we wanted to rent a room is because we have potentially 50 people coming, so we wanted to be able to have a space big enough for all of us to mingle and be nerdy together. Also if we have our own room we get our own bartender(s) and don't have to fight our way to the front!
posted by radioamy at 7:50 AM on May 29, 2009

Do they have wifi there? Not that I'd do anything remotely dorky like bring a laptop to a party, nossir. It's...for...work?
posted by middleclasstool at 8:13 AM on May 29, 2009

Also, and I know this is a little nuts, but wifi would be decent as would places to sit. This was the only problem with the 8th party. If people weren't playing videogames, there were only a few scrubby tables for them to sit and talk at. While I figure most people will mingle, some may want to sit and/or type and/or observe some. I have no idea what this place is like but I'd hope that would be a part of it. Also, would be good to know if we can BYO other snacks (cupcakes!) to this venue.
posted by jessamyn at 8:22 AM on May 29, 2009

Ok, I added myself to the Yes list to help get us over the magic number. My +1 hasn't decided if he's in yet, but I am.
posted by cabingirl at 9:04 AM on May 29, 2009

Get a room, you ~~two~~ fifty.

Seconding Jessamyn's call for places to sit down. Doubly seconded if there's a place to put your feet up!
posted by not_on_display at 9:23 AM on May 29, 2009

Did I miss the part where we named the Saturday venue? Or is that intentionally being withheld for the time being?

nthing the request for chairs. Glorious, glorious chairs.
posted by snapped at 9:57 AM on May 29, 2009

What if we want to wear a ballgown? I mean, you know, in the spirit of Anne Rice and everything doesn't New Orleans demand a lot of torn lace and stuff?

Hee. This sounds great and I can come up with $30 - it will cut into my souvenir shopping but I think it's doable.

I got a bunch of hotel recommendations from dejah420 but I haven't booked anywhere yet. Anyone have suggestions for cheap cheap cheap places with two beds (moonbird and I are traveling together and we're poor and not picky; grunge does not scare us much) that are right there in stumbling distance? Actually, can we have more than one thread in here? One for lodging & carpools & stuff would be most excellent.
posted by mygothlaundry at 11:06 AM on May 29, 2009

What if we want to wear a ballgown? I mean, you know, in the spirit of Anne Rice and everything doesn't New Orleans demand a lot of torn lace and stuff?

That's ridiculous. If you wear that kind of outfit, you're only going to come off as a total crazy. That's why I'm going for the timeless, elegant look of a full Gambit costume, to be subtly emphasized by the occasional shout of "I'M CHARGING MY KINETIC ENERGIES"
posted by Greg Nog at 11:31 AM on May 29, 2009

Anyone have suggestions for cheap cheap cheap places with two beds

What's your threshold for cheap? I'm staying at the Prince Conti hotel and they currently have a value rate of $75 a night, but I think you have to prepay. It's not right in the middle of the French Quarter, but when I stayed there before it never felt like it was too far away from stuff. But I have no barometer for cheap anymore, due to selling out to the man and all that.
posted by cabingirl at 12:04 PM on May 29, 2009

Anyone have suggestions for cheap cheap cheap places with two beds (moonbird and I are traveling together and we're poor and not picky; grunge does not scare us much) that are right there in stumbling distance?

Super 8's are usually pretty inexpensive but comfortable, if you can find one close enough to suit. Quality usually varies depending on the neighborhood you're in, but I've never been in one that wasn't clean and comfy.
posted by middleclasstool at 2:39 PM on May 29, 2009

Thanks so much radioamy and ColdChef for doing all the legwork. I wasn't going to wear a ballgown - I was planning on wearing a costume from a tarts and vicars party. All the more amusing to be in fancy dress when no one else knows the theme.
posted by saucysault at 4:33 PM on May 29, 2009

Mr Artychoke and I will rate the sketchiness of hotels if anyone cares to ask. With all the talk of really cheap hotels, we don't want anyone inadvertently ending up in a really bad neighborhood. (We don't know what's nice or cheap, but email us and we can judge the...um...murderiness of the neighborhood.)
posted by artychoke at 10:03 PM on May 29, 2009

This venue has tables and wifi. :)

ColdChef and I are going to chat more this weekend, and I'll update. I'll find out about cupcakes. Thanks y'all for your patience.
posted by radioamy at 10:36 PM on May 29, 2009

If it helps, we have a couple of friends who aren't MeFites, but are most probably sharing the drive and gas with us and visiting family. They are interested in attending the big meetup Saturday evening and aren't scared off by the $30 each. From the way they like the MeFi stories I tell them, I think they'd fit in great and they agree, but don't have the time each day to fully appreciate MeFi on all it's subsites. I don't know how you are doing the figuring for maybes, but please add them to a strong couple of maybes in the numbers.
posted by lilywing13 at 12:56 AM on May 31, 2009

Yes, I'd like to encourage SOs and other friends of MeFi(tes) to come to this. I think it will be a good time.
posted by jessamyn at 8:56 AM on May 31, 2009

Sorry for the delay, but I've finally uploaded a few photos of the room that is in the process of being reserved here.
posted by darainwa at 7:31 PM on May 31, 2009

Houston is coming to Nawlins!!!!!
posted by WolfDaddy at 8:16 PM on May 31, 2009

Yay wolfdaddy!

Dang. That space looks super swanky. I own zero hoop skirts.
posted by CunningLinguist at 8:22 PM on May 31, 2009

There's also a few tables on the veranda and one in the garden for the smokers.

A big New Orleans welcome to WolfDaddy and all the other Houston MeFites who have decided to abandon their city and come to ours. It's like Hurricane Katrina in reverse!
posted by ColdChef at 8:31 PM on May 31, 2009

Gosh, Houston isn't quite humid enough for me in the summer; I guess I'll go to New Orleans instead.
(ColdChef, we don't have to sleep in your abandoned sports arena do we?)
posted by Mamapotomus at 4:04 PM on June 1, 2009

I didn't mean to scare folks off with the seersucker at the Columns comment. It's a joke that friends and I throw around during happy hour, because it is a very nice location, but as said above it's not like that at all. And there really is nothing like sitting on St. Charles Avenue sipping on a cool drink on a warm evening listening to the bugs wake up and watching the streetcars roll past. And I don't actually own a seersucker.
posted by gordie at 7:50 PM on June 1, 2009

fuck, it looks like i might finally meet wolfdaddy after missing him at x number of everything2 meetups.
posted by loquacious at 8:02 PM on June 1, 2009

gordie, you're in luck - they have them on sale at Jos. A Bank!
posted by cabingirl at 8:08 PM on June 1, 2009

Ok, I don't know if anyone is making T-shirts... but if you are, I think we have a winner of a tag line:

Metafilter: I actually know far more about this subject than I think you can imagine.

posted by ryanrs at 11:45 PM on June 1, 2009

I'll have T-shirts available shortly.
posted by mattdidthat at 11:39 AM on June 2, 2009

And I don't actually own a seersucker.
posted by gordie more than 12 hours ago

For the last three years I've been intending to buy one on the cheap at an end-of-season sale, and I always forget.

gordie, you're in luck - they have them on sale at Jos. A Bank!

Oh, MAN.
posted by middleclasstool at 1:03 PM on June 2, 2009

Incidentally, I would buy that just to wear it to the meetup, but Arkansas is already damn near unbearable right now some days, so I can't imagine what New Orleans is going to be like in the middle of July. I'm bracing myself for a whole lot of sweaty underwear.
posted by middleclasstool at 1:05 PM on June 2, 2009

Okay, here you go. I Know Far More About This Subject Than I Think You Can Imagine.

American Apparel, men's and women's sizes. These are being sold at cost.
posted by mattdidthat at 3:57 PM on June 2, 2009

I would get one of those Tshirts but I know far more about this subject than I care to let on.
posted by nola at 7:59 PM on June 2, 2009

Hey Matt, are you going to do a 10th anniversary design?
posted by CunningLinguist at 9:44 PM on June 2, 2009

I would also like to propose "Overthinking a plate of red beans and rice" as another slogan but I can't find the thread that it's from.
posted by radioamy at 10:23 AM on June 3, 2009

mattdidthat: "Okay, here you go. I Know Far More About This Subject Than I Think You Can Imagine.

American Apparel, men's and women's sizes. These are being sold at cost."

Matt I don't see it on the site...am I missing something?
posted by radioamy at 10:25 AM on June 3, 2009

I think he removed it at the request of the other Matt.
posted by Greg Nog at 10:30 AM on June 3, 2009

I love the "overthinking red beans and rice" idea - we will need New Orleans-specific shirts, methinks, and that's a great idea.
posted by CunningLinguist at 10:38 AM on June 3, 2009

Greg Nog: "I think he removed it at the request of the other Matt."

I've been so busy following this thread I haven't checked MeTa in a while. Thanks for the info!

BTW we're really close to securing the venue. ColdChef is sending in the deposit.
posted by radioamy at 8:52 PM on June 3, 2009

radioamy, I love the slogan.
posted by umbú at 6:37 AM on June 5, 2009

I think ColdChef made it up? Or got it from somewhere?
posted by radioamy at 9:57 AM on June 5, 2009

At Matt's request I took down the MetaFilter "I know more than you" comment shirt. But a while back I designed this "Meta" baseball shirt (it's a twist on this logo) for the New York contingent. I've also designed a "MF" baseball logo for hats and for the back or sleeve of the shirt.
posted by mattdidthat at 2:39 PM on June 7, 2009

If you are looking for a hotel room, I found some excellent deals. ColdChef (and Mrs. CC) and I are going to be staying at the Pelham for $72.12 per night. It's within staggering distance of the French Quarter, and not too far from the party venue on Saturday night.

Another good value I found while searching online is right around the corner, the Omni Royal Crescent. Even less expensive and just a few blocks further is the Parc St. Charles.
posted by tizzie at 10:32 AM on June 8, 2009

OK, here's a question about where to sleep. Would you let your mother sleep at the St. James Hotel? It's a sister hotel to the Pelham mentioned by tizzie. We can get an good price there for the days we want to stay. We understand we'll probably have to get a taxi back from the Saturday meetup (maybe some of us can get a group rate on the taxi?) and we have some friends who will probably keep our vehicle slightly out of town for the duration of our stay (Thursday through Sunday). We aren't scared of "character" but we don't want bedbugs, obviously.

The review I read for the Parc St. Charles were scary, but if y'all think it's ok, then I'll take a local's word for it anytime.
posted by lilywing13 at 12:21 AM on June 9, 2009

Actually, I read reviews of both of the hotels tizzie mentioned and the St. James. My husband prefers a pool for sunning and recovering from the previous evening and the one at the St. James is a modified fountain, so if either of the others are better and the rooms not as icky as a lot of the reviews might mention, we're game. Also, we like a decent breakfast and will pay a reasonable amount more for it.

Thanks for the advice. I'm so looking forward to the party.
posted by lilywing13 at 12:26 AM on June 9, 2009

Lilywing13, the Omni Royal Crescent had a hot tub on the roof, I think. They all seemed safe to me, and ColdChef felt that the ones under the "Fine Hotels" group were good bets.
posted by tizzie at 4:18 AM on June 9, 2009

My boyfriend is restaurant manager at the Omni Royal Crescent. We had to stay there for a few days while moving a few months ago, and even the smallest room in the hotel is nice and pretty, though not much of a view. Breakfast isn't included in the room price, but they do offer continental breakfast buffet or hot breakfast fare like omelettes and breakfast sandwiches. It's a lovely place to stay, but again, I'm BIASED.

And yes, they do have a hot tub with a nice outdoor lounging area.
posted by Night_owl at 10:05 AM on June 9, 2009

lilywing13: " We understand we'll probably have to get a taxi back from the Saturday meetup (maybe some of us can get a group rate on the taxi?)"

Taxis are ridiculously cheap here. Especially when you have more than one passenger, it's only going to be a few bucks per person going from the Columns to downtown.

Oh I also wanted to mention that you have two options to get from hotel to airport
- Taxis are $30 for one or two passengers, and $12.50 each for 3+ passengers. In-town I recommend United Cabs. Coming from the airport there are tons of cabs waiting, although many of them don't take credit cards.
- The Airport Shuttle is $15 and goes between airport and any hotel. Downside is your trip might be longer depending on where your stop is on the route.
posted by radioamy at 7:53 PM on June 9, 2009

I primarily have one really important question: I'm going to need a towel aren't I? Is it generally acceptable to stagger around in your underwear with a towel around your neck or should I pack an air-conditioned space suit or bring enough Peltier chips to coat my body or what?

Look, I lived in Phoenix where it hit 100-120 with humidity in the 80s and up. It's lethal.

Please, just don't make fun of me if I'm sweating like a lawn sprinkler and I have bags of hotel ice shoved in my pockets. I'm totally acclimated to the cool fogs and breezes of the Pacific Northwest. Summers in San Francisco are surprisingly cold. We need it since we spend so much time slogging up and down hills out here where the crust likes to fold up and hang in the air in earthquake country.

Hell, I don't even think I even own any wearable shorts any more. I'm all about scarves and hats and big jackets most of the time.
posted by loquacious at 12:32 AM on June 10, 2009

loquacious: this is new orleans. new. orleans. you can stagger around with just about anything on or off, as long as you've got a song in your heart. and if that song in your heart makes it to your lips while you're staggering around the right places, we call it busking.' you might even make some $. ; )
posted by msconduct at 6:31 AM on June 10, 2009

Well, according to this streetcar schedule and this streetcar schedule, you'd only HAVE to take a streetcar if you wanted to leave the party after 2:45 AM but before 5:10 AM. Sure, you'll probably want to take a cab (for which I agree with the United recommendation, ask for a van), but if you don't the streetcar has pretty long running hours.
posted by Night_owl at 11:51 AM on June 10, 2009

Also, why does this thread not show up in my recent activity?
posted by Night_owl at 11:52 AM on June 10, 2009

All right I made my reservations at the Pelham which looks totally charming and totally affordable. Getting excited now!
posted by WolfDaddy at 7:12 PM on June 10, 2009

Allright, dear-hearts. Thank you for your patience. You've all been lovely. I've confirmed today that the Saturday night meetup will be at the Columns Hotel on St. Charles starting at around 8pm. It's a quick cab or streetcar ride into the Garden District from downtown. We are still negotiating on the price of drinks and appetizers, but there will definitely be an OPEN BAR and a few hot southern treats to snack on. I'm keeping frugality in mind as far as a cost at the door, but I'm confident that we'll be able to keep it under $30.

All of you fence sitters, get your ass off. Come down to New Orleans and join the parade. Where y'at?
posted by ColdChef at 6:03 PM on June 11, 2009

there will definitely be an OPEN BAR and a few hot southern treats to snack on

SON OF A GOD DAMN AWESOME TIME

ALL RIGHT
posted by Greg Nog at 6:39 PM on June 12, 2009

Will y'all be in Albertine's Tea Room or the Victorian Lounge?
posted by StickyCarpet at 1:04 AM on June 13, 2009

StickyCarpet: "Will y'all be in Albertine's Tea Room or the Victorian Lounge?"

Ummmm...not sure what to call it...the room on the west side that is sometimes used for private parties?
posted by radioamy at 5:57 AM on June 13, 2009

and a few hot southern treats to snack on

I feel so ... complimented.
posted by WolfDaddy at 3:15 PM on June 13, 2009

I'm there from the 15th to 22nd.....anyone want to do a cemetery tour?
posted by brujita at 4:45 PM on June 13, 2009

Fuck yes. Somehow this dropped out of my recent activity, so I'm glad I went looking. Totally going to reserve the room now.

I am so goddamn excited about this. The only thing that has diminished that excitement was when I went for a jog tonight through 150% humidity, and then had the thought: You're going to be in FARTHER SOUTH. In JULY.

I expect to be attacked by mosquitoes worthy of Half Life 2. Any less than that and I'll be disappointed. Speaking of running, though, assuming I stay near the quarter, are there any areas I should avoid when going for a Saturday morning jog?
posted by middleclasstool at 8:56 PM on June 13, 2009

MCT, you could just run along the streetcar tracks on st. charles. once you cross the highway there's ample neutral ground and folks run over there all the time. i wouldn't go above rampart near the quarter, or above st. charles unless you're well into uptown.
posted by liketitanic at 10:43 PM on June 13, 2009

Sounds perfect. I know every major city has its own good-street-bad-street game, so I wanted to be sure.

Incidentally, this thread isn't staying in recent activity at all for me. Is this a feature or a bug? I didn't hit the remove link, I know.
posted by middleclasstool at 8:18 AM on June 14, 2009

Right, I'll be there. Now I just need to figure out whether to book the hotel I want now or Priceline/Hotwire combination and risk a much cheaper but semi-random place by booking a few days before...

I'll be driving Fort Worth to New Orleans on Friday and back on Sunday afternoon/evening. Open to car sharing, I'll have space for 2-3 passengers and I'm flexible about routes, so let me know here or via memail if you're interested.
posted by Nice Guy Mike at 9:17 AM on June 14, 2009

From all the people I've spoken to that moved to Houston from New Orleans after Katrina nearly every one of them agreed that Houston is much much MUCH more humid. So that's something, I suppose.
posted by WolfDaddy at 9:21 AM on June 14, 2009

Will be there - and we have floor space, without wifi, with a cat and two children. It's on the westbank, but you won't be sleeping in the back of a rental car, as dirtdirt suggested. DEFINITELY not the Ritz, but you don't have to pay and we think it's fun.

There's also a recording studio with musical instruments of all types, if anyone would like to convince my husband to play around with his stuff. Send me a memail if you want to stay.
posted by mitzyjalapeno at 11:08 AM on June 14, 2009

This is gonna rock.
posted by nola at 2:43 PM on June 14, 2009

The wife and I are confirmed. Good work setting all of this up.
posted by y6y6y6 at 4:56 AM on June 15, 2009

recent activity is back, thanks to pb
posted by CunningLinguist at 5:25 AM on June 15, 2009

^{^}Greg Nog: SON OF A GOD DAMN AWESOME TIME
ALL RIGHT

I approve of this comment, and to it I add a hearty, "FUCK YEAH!"

I will try to be a tad more refined in my diction while at the soirée. I look forward to visiting your fair city in a month!
posted by not_on_display at 8:42 AM on June 15, 2009

I added some new threads on the New Orleans page, FYI
posted by radioamy at 4:24 PM on June 15, 2009

I'm thinking we're going to want to be there early to get photos of the place - the The Columns history page is really interesting.
posted by batgrlHG at 7:21 PM on June 15, 2009

I will try to be a tad more refined in my diction while at the soirée.

NOT ME
I'M GONNA SPEAK IN CAPS LOCK THE WHOLE TIME I'M THERE
WHEN EVERYONE GRACEFULLY EXTRICATES THEMSELVES FROM CONVERSATION WITH ME AND LEAVES ME BY MYSELF I'M GONNA BE ALL "INVIZIBLE FRIENDZ LOL"
posted by Greg Nog at 9:54 AM on June 16, 2009

At the risk of sounding horrendously ungrateful about all the work you guys have already put in re: the Saturday meetup (which I'm not, honest!), I was wondering if there were still plans for a somewhat more informal gathering on the Friday for those arriving early?

I ask because I'm trying to figure out whether to book one hotel in the Garden District for both nights, or have one night in the French Quarter and one in the Garden District.
posted by Nice Guy Mike at 8:54 PM on June 16, 2009

Augh. Tipitina's just announced the awesome Playing For Change musicians (previously on Metafilter) will be at Tips that Saturday night.
posted by CunningLinguist at 2:57 PM on June 17, 2009

Nice Guy Mike: "At the risk of sounding horrendously ungrateful about all the work you guys have already put in re: the Saturday meetup (which I'm not, honest!), I was wondering if there were still plans for a somewhat more informal gathering on the Friday for those arriving early?

I ask because I'm trying to figure out whether to book one hotel in the Garden District for both nights, or have one night in the French Quarter and one in the Garden District."

We had thought about that too, but I'm not sure what the decision was...I'll talk to ColdChef
posted by radioamy at 6:08 PM on June 18, 2009

I should be there Thursday afternoon/evening, departing Monday. Anyone else going Greyhound? No? Heh. :P

I'm operating under the assumption that we should at least meet somewhere Friday night.

And Sunday is picnic and/or walking or something for whomever survives Saturday?

I'm actually considering bringing my tripod and a couple of my old Nikon CoolPix. If anyone has a Nikon external flash they're not using I have a hotshoe mount/bracket and I know how to do bounce or soft flash with minimal materials.
posted by loquacious at 4:03 PM on June 19, 2009

My husband, some hotshot.
posted by subbes at 8:17 PM on June 19, 2009

Made our reservations at the St. James. Going to be there starting Thursday night. Less than month. So excited!
posted by lilywing13 at 9:00 PM on June 19, 2009

I'm operating under the assumption that we should at least meet somewhere Friday night.

I like this assumption. I'll probably (hopefully) be getting in around nine-ish on Friday, and wouldn't mind a short meet.
posted by middleclasstool at 8:14 AM on June 20, 2009

Apparently there are some awesome WPA murals in the Greyhound station, loquacious.
posted by liketitanic at 10:22 AM on June 20, 2009

I ask because I'm trying to figure out whether to book one hotel in the Garden District for both nights, or have one night in the French Quarter and one in the Garden District.

The French Quarter and the Garden District are about ten minutes apart by cab. So changing hotels is not necessarily required.

My plan is to check into the Pelham as early as I can on Friday and then stroll the French Quarter, sweating and dancing for loose change. We should decide a bar to try to congregate in Friday evening. Something informal and loose that doesn't charge a cover. The revolving bar at the Monteleone Hotel is pretty swank, but it ain't cheap, so I may hit that one early, before lowering my standards.

Maybe there should be an additional thread for Friday night activities?
posted by ColdChef at 10:34 AM on June 20, 2009

The person who was crashing in my living room cannot make it, so my queen size elevated airbed is still open. Our apartment is here. We live in the awesome orange building. It is walking distance to the columns. The previous non-scary requirement still stands. And if you have a few people, our couch is also open. We are 23 and 28. We have a wine bar. Lets ROCK!
posted by domo at 5:57 PM on June 22, 2009

I'm afraid I'm going to have to bow out of this one. I just can't afford to go out of town at the moment. *swears at house repairs* Sorry y'all.
posted by sperose at 9:26 AM on June 23, 2009

Question about the cover for the booking - are we paying in advance, and if so how, or on the night?
posted by Nice Guy Mike at 11:28 AM on June 26, 2009

I have to go to a conference, and now I can't go. I'm leaving on the 16th, so everyone have a drink for me, and maybe I'll be drunk in Texas.
posted by mitzyjalapeno at 1:15 PM on June 26, 2009

Made our reservations at the St. James.

The hotel, or the infirmary?
posted by StickyCarpet at 3:11 PM on June 26, 2009

StickyCarpet, both. I hear one can never be too careful in New Orleans. /joke

(Yeah, the hotel, but you knew that already.)
posted by lilywing13 at 9:20 PM on June 26, 2009

Nice Guy Mike: "Question about the cover for the booking - are we paying in advance, and if so how, or on the night?"

Cash, night of.
posted by radioamy at 12:54 PM on June 27, 2009

Greg nog: Juan's is pretty awesome. It's not "trendy fusion of two completely different styles of food" or anything, just a local twist on Mexican. I will warn you that the servers are all tweaked-out tattooed hipsters who move at a snail's pace, but that's about the only negative.
posted by radioamy at 12:57 PM on June 27, 2009

I'm friendly with the staff at the Juan's on Magazine since I work a few doors down from there, and they may be tattooed and punk-esque, but they're some nice people.
posted by Night_owl at 4:38 PM on June 27, 2009

Greg nog: Juan's is pretty awesome.

Thanks! It's already on my list in the food-specific NOLA thread! Man oh man, I am excited.
posted by Greg Nog at 10:41 AM on June 29, 2009

who move at a snail's pace

My experience as a New Englander in the South is that this is true in almost every food situation you are likely to be in while you're in NOLA, unless you stop by Cafe du Monde.
posted by jessamyn at 1:13 PM on June 29, 2009

Juan's actually is even slower.
posted by liketitanic at 1:37 PM on June 29, 2009

This is a huge thread. Is there a specific slate of events, or is it just 60 people in a city hoping to run into each other?
posted by absalom at 12:42 PM on July 2, 2009

Specifically in regards to Friday evening or sunday afternoon? I know that Saturday is the throw down, and I know I missed out on an awesome dinner party Friday night. :(
posted by absalom at 12:43 PM on July 2, 2009

That's all that's been scheduled at this point.
posted by jessamyn at 3:40 PM on July 2, 2009

Snake n' Jakes is a bar on the corner of Oak and Hillary Street that looks like a condemned auto-parts garage with some Christmas lights on it. I used to live around the corner from Snake's, and it was my neighborhood bar, like Cheers, but with worse lighting. I decided to move to another part of the city when one day playboy featured the best dive bars in America and I showed up in a picture.

That said: On Friday night, I can throw caution to the wind and be at this bar. if you can find this bar, I will buy a schlitz beer for the first five people at Snake n' Jakes that I am convinced are mefites. This will cost me a total of $7.50.

Furthermore, the first person that shows up will get a drink known as a Possum Drop, gratis. This is a drink me and a buddy invented at Snake n' Jakes shortly after a possum fell through the ceiling tiles and landed on said buddie's lap. It's like an Irish Car Bomb, but worse for you.

This bar opens at 7 PM, and closes at 6 AM. I can be there around 9. Early on you meet some real interesting people, and it's still quiet enough to talk to them. I've met some of the most fascinating people I've ever met around 10 or 11 on a stool at Snake n' Jakes. Around 4 the jackasses pour in from a bar called the Boot. The taxi ride home is your responsibility. If you are interested in this venture, let me know. If no one is interested I will stay home and read james joyce or something.
posted by gordie at 9:07 PM on July 3, 2009

Okay, it looks like this. Also, I'm not one of the guys on the right holding their head in despair.
posted by gordie at 9:34 PM on July 3, 2009

That place looks pretty amazing, gordie.
posted by tizzie at 5:14 AM on July 6, 2009

One week to go!

If you've changed your mind about attending, make sure to remove your name from the list. We're confirming all of our details tomorrow!
posted by ColdChef at 12:27 PM on July 10, 2009

I'll be there with bells on.
posted by nola at 4:41 PM on July 12, 2009

Can't wait!
posted by tizzie at 9:48 AM on July 13, 2009

I'm not going to make it. Life happens. Drink, sweat and do something stupid for me, eh?
posted by loquacious at 1:33 AM on July 15, 2009

That's too bad! I will tell you the story now that I otherwise would have told you this weekend, then: that I recently saw a woman at a nearby movie theatre wearing a nametag reading "Laquacious". I was amazed!
posted by Greg Nog at 5:46 AM on July 15, 2009

Dude, why didn't anyone tell me DaShiv was coming? Now I have to like, fix my hair.
posted by cabingirl at 6:42 AM on July 15, 2009

Typically at meetups we're just a small group sitting around one table. So people introduce themselves to the table when they show up and introductions are done. But with 50+ people showing up in a big room, that just isn't going to work. I imagine everyone will end up getting asked 50 times, "So what's your username?" Not to mention trying to remember who people are when we tag photos.

Should we do the cheesy name tag thing?
posted by y6y6y6 at 9:07 AM on July 15, 2009

Yes, I bought cheesy nametags this morning. They'll be at the front door when you arrive.
posted by ColdChef at 9:20 AM on July 15, 2009

loquacious you're making it really hard to stalk you. Oh well I guess I can still get drunk and pass out on Bourbon Street.
posted by nola at 8:16 PM on July 15, 2009

I'm not going to make it. Life happens. Drink, sweat and do something stupid for me, eh?

Our long-standing tradition of not meeting is thus upheld.
posted by WolfDaddy at 11:03 PM on July 15, 2009

I am also bowing out, some widgets have broken and were in the wrong bucket.
posted by bigmusic at 12:30 AM on July 16, 2009

I'm currently in Kenner and will be in the Quarter by 4pm CST.
posted by lilywing13 at 11:42 AM on July 16, 2009

Okay. Small problem.

We found my old MeFi shirt with the username and number on the back. I no longer fit into it, so she'll wear it. So *please* do not harass my wife about all the asshole pranks and comments I've made over the last 9 years. The person in the y6y6y6 shirt is *not* y6y6y6. She's a very nice person, not like me.
posted by y6y6y6 at 2:31 PM on July 16, 2009

not_on_display and I are in Newark, and en route!!
posted by jessamyn at 2:49 PM on July 16, 2009

I'm going to be carrying a stuffed bat (plush, not taxidermy, I'm not that weird yet) - and I'm going to put MetaFilter on it in some fashion, just trying to figure out how. Will post Flickr photo link of it eventually.

And no y6, they won't think I'm you if I wear your shirt!
Er, I don't think so anyway.
Please do feel free to harass y6 however. I'm quite ok with that.
posted by batgrlHG at 4:11 PM on July 16, 2009

New Orleans, LA — Organizer: radioamy

New Orleans Planning Thread
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New Orleans, LA — Organizer: radioamy

New Orleans Planning Thread May 5, 2009 8:01 PM Subscribe

New Orleans Planning Thread
May 5, 2009 8:01 PM Subscribe