Boston/Cambridge Planning Thread

May 6, 2009 8:50 AM

We need to pick a date and time between July 17 and July 19 and a location.

Due to popular request, it's the Boston area Metafilter Tenth Anniversary Celebration!

Mathowie suggests that this sort of thing should be at a bar, but who are we to follow the rules? If someone has a place they can host a BBBQ (the extra B stands for BYOBB*), a weekend in the middle of summer seems like the perfect time for it!

Toss some ideas out there, and let's make this happen!

*That extra B is a typo

posted by explosion to Boston, MA at 8:50 AM (129 comments total)

My vote is for Saturday, July 18th. Saturdays just always feel like the best days to me.

As for venues, Sunset Grill in Allston has a phenomenal beer selection, is well-priced, and does crowds pretty well. I don't know places where they actually have function rooms we could ask to have set aside, but that's what this thread's for!

On a side note, Giraffe and I are getting married on May 24th, so while I'm willing to do a bunch of grunt work to pull this together, my attention is pretty limited until after May's over.
posted by explosion at 8:55 AM on May 6, 2009

Explosion, I do not know you, but I applaud you. I'll so be there.

When we were planning the ROFLCon-augmented meetup last year, a couple places with private rooms were suggested: John Harvard's (pricey), Boston Billiards (although they say they're 21-and-up only). Jilllian's has a bunch of options, and I always see Boston Stone Pub advertising on craigslist (but I've never been there).

You don't win friends with salad.
posted by Plutor at 9:29 AM on May 6, 2009

Wow - you beat me to this thread. Anyway, I'm happy to help with the planning.

We don't really have enough room to host at our place, but I'm happy to help with set-up if there is anyone in the area who has room. Otherwise, we have had under-21 Mefites at some past meetups, so it would be nice if we could find a place that is inclusive.

Also, either ample parking -or- proximity to mass transit is key, I think.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 10:06 AM on May 6, 2009

I also vote for Saturday.

Thanks for getting this started, explosion!
posted by mds35 at 10:08 AM on May 6, 2009

Another option is Beer Works on Canal St. Their Party Planner PDF has a lot of details. Platters of food, bar options, etc.
posted by Plutor at 10:21 AM on May 6, 2009

mds35, I think we should end all of our comments like that. Explosion!
posted by Plutor at 10:26 AM on May 6, 2009

I would love to come, and I'm fairly certain that that weekend will work for me. This will be my first MeFi meetup!

Thanks for organizing, explosion!
posted by cider at 10:55 AM on May 6, 2009

I like Saturday too, I'm probably flying out that Sunday. I've got housematies so I don't think I can host but I'm happy to help and/or show up as required.
posted by nat at 12:19 PM on May 6, 2009

My husband and I just moved to a new place in March, with a smallish backyard, but with a back porch and patio. It's a great place to entertain and my husband has been dying to have some kind of BYOBB. So I just yelled out, "want to host a BBQ for a bunch of Internet people I've never met?" and he yelled back, "only if I can host one this summer with my World of Warcraft guild." so I think he is for it.

The only thing is that we live in Waltham. Our street does have tons of parking but it's not really on the T. (there is a bus route, though, the 70, and we are only about a 15 min drive from Alewife). But maybe we could arrange carpools or something?

Anyway, I am just puttig that out there. We are good hosts and are always up for meeting new and cool people.
posted by sutel at 12:40 PM on May 6, 2009

If we end up doing a BYOBB somewhere outside the city, I'm willing to drive a carpool from Broadway station on the red line. I can fit five (including myself). I'd be surprised if there weren't others with cars or Zipcar accounts willing to arrange similar situations.
posted by Plutor at 12:48 PM on May 6, 2009

I too have a Zipcar account, if'n it comes to that.
posted by explosion at 12:54 PM on May 6, 2009

Horace Rumpole & I live close to Alewife we can fit 2 or 3 people in our Jetta, if we're looking to carpool out to Waltham.

On the other hand, I heart Boston Beer Works. The Canal St. is the one by North Station, right?
posted by DiscourseMarker at 2:25 PM on May 6, 2009

sutel- where in Waltham are you? I live in Waltham, too and know some of the secret (ok..not so secret) parking areas.
posted by zerokey at 2:39 PM on May 6, 2009

Oh wait, if you're near the #70, then you're off of Rt. 20. So am I. I REALLY hope you aren't my new and annoying neighbor ;)
posted by zerokey at 2:41 PM on May 6, 2009

I'm considering "organizing" a Providence meet-up, if that's more convenient for anybody.

I'd also be willing to consider going up to Boston, but no way am I driving anywhere. It's gotta be on the T!
posted by grapefruitmoon at 3:03 PM on May 6, 2009

Oh wait, if you're near the #70, then you're off of Rt. 20. So am I. I REALLY hope you aren't my new and annoying neighbor ;)

I AM off Route 20! Oh no, I hope we are not your new and annoying neighbors either. Heh.

I'd be willing to go pretty much anywhere but thought I would offer up my place in case anyone is really hankering for a bbq.
posted by sutel at 3:21 PM on May 6, 2009

Here's a message from the NYC meetup thread. We've been talking about having a live audio visual hookup with New Orleans.

We'll have the usual skype etc. with all the meetups, but we were also thinking of one or two other continuous live hookups. My sister lives in Wayland, and I could come up for some fine tuning, or to loan some gear. If Boston wants to help tie some of these meetups together, keep it in mind.
posted by StickyCarpet at 9:51 PM on May 6, 2009

Since a date has been chosen already, maaaaaybe we should hold off on a location until more people have had a chance to say yes or maybe? (Since, in this case, size matters so awfully much).
posted by moxiedoll at 11:15 PM on May 6, 2009

Oh definitely, moxiedoll. I think mostly we're just throwing it all out there for brainstorming purposes. So far it looks like we're leaning toward Saturday, but nothing's set in stone.
posted by explosion at 3:26 AM on May 7, 2009

Note: Everyone needs a 10th anniversary party.
posted by Eideteker at 7:30 AM on May 7, 2009

I'll volunteer my place, too, if you want more options. I live in North Cambridge, walking distance to Davis, and there's a yard and grill. There's definitely enough space for 20+ people, but seating might be a little tight.

If you want more of a "venue", I'll second the Sunset Grill.
posted by backseatpilot at 9:49 AM on May 7, 2009

I count myself in as a strong maybe. Make that a highly probable yes. Sunset grill rocks but isn't the best for crowds as far as I can recall, unless they have a separate room I don't know about. I think it would be preferable to have a place where we can mingle a bit rather that sitting at one big table.

If we do go to Waltham, I have a minivan and can pick people up from a T stop in downtown Boston. Explosion!
posted by emd3737 at 12:05 PM on May 7, 2009

Sunset Grill is not really a good place for a party of a 15 or more. And they will not seat you unless half your party has already arrived. And one of my friends is always late because goes to the Sunset Cantina accidentally.

I sat downstairs once and it was a bit cozier and quieter, but I doubt we could commandeer the entire area, considering they don't take reservations.

Still. BBC Coffee Haus Porter.. Sigh.
posted by giraffe at 12:21 PM on May 7, 2009

Sunset Grill does have a private dining room that fits 30 in a reception-style, but there's a kilo-buck minimum for weekends.
posted by Plutor at 12:49 PM on May 7, 2009

I'm down with Saturday, and am pretty flexible about the location.
posted by pxe2000 at 1:20 PM on May 7, 2009

My only qualm about a house party in the suburbs is that it's awfully discouraging to first timers. I've met some of you and I'm not shy so I would actually go to a train station and get in a stranger's van and be driven to a stranger's house where I had to stay until the party was over - but I totally would NOT do that if I hadn't been to a meetup before.
posted by moxiedoll at 1:39 PM on May 7, 2009

I've been to meet-ups before, and I'm totally not going to the suburbs in someone else's van having no control over when I leave. I'm not distrusting, I'm just a total fusspot and I need a lot of beauty sleep.

Also: I will be hell of jetlagged for this event and will thus probably leave at a random time.

No 'burbs! Down with the 'burbs!
posted by grapefruitmoon at 2:03 PM on May 7, 2009

Huh. I had no idea Sunset has private function space.

The Milky Way just opened up again. Unfortunately, the website is kind of worthless at the moment. I remember their party planning costs being.. not horrible.
posted by giraffe at 2:27 PM on May 7, 2009

Plutor, I'm not sure how you found that site, but it's for a Sunset Grill in Tennessee. The Boston Sunset Grill & Tap (caution, Flash-tastic website) is another story.

I called over just now, and there's no minimum charge as long as we're getting food, the guy said they'd probably set us up at Big City (their upstairs place). So it's definitely an option.

Explosion?
posted by explosion at 2:46 PM on May 7, 2009

Some more options, off the top of my head:

"Lounge"-type places - The Living Room (downtown), The Savant Project (South Boston), Orleans (Davis)

Brewpubs - Boston Beerworks (downtown or Fenway), Cambridge Brewing Company (Kendall), John Harvard's (Harvard)

More traditional bars - the Burren (Davis), Sunset Grill (Allston), An Tua Nua (Brookline), The Publick House (Brookline)

All of those are easily accessible by T. Most of them have back rooms, too.

Or, we could go all "This American Life" on this shit and simulcast the party to movie theaters across the globe!
posted by backseatpilot at 2:46 PM on May 7, 2009

Another venue option - the Alewife Summer Shack is good for T-folks, good for suburbians, good for big groups.
posted by daisyace at 6:16 PM on May 7, 2009

Does the Alewife Summer Shack serve beers? I've only been there with my dad, who is more of a "root beer" kind of a guy.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 7:08 PM on May 7, 2009

I vote for Deep Ellum.
posted by setanor at 9:55 PM on May 7, 2009

Alewife Summer Shack is right near Lanes and Games (which also serves alcohol, and lets you go bowling -- candlepin and tenpin...)

I'm going to be attending the New Orleans bash, so I won't make it to this one, but I hope to see some of you at another meetup, another time. (I say "some of you" only because I'm sure I'll never meet all of you, not because I have any sort of grudge against a person or faction. yet.)
posted by not_on_display at 4:44 AM on May 8, 2009

Summer Shack has a pretty respectable tap list, yeah... I had a party at the one near ICA back in January, and it worked really well as a venue for 15+ people. We'd probably stand a better chance of getting our own corner of any place we want if we show up late-afternoon and stake it out for the evening. At that point, though, I'd vote for blocking out as much room as we can in the back room of the CBC... love that place.

I'm not 100% sure I'm going to be in town that weekend, but I'd happily go to any of the places that have been thrown around so far.
posted by Mayor West at 4:54 AM on May 8, 2009

explosion: "Plutor, I'm not sure how you found that site, but it's for a Sunset Grill in Tennessee."

Google search for Sunset Grill. Click first result. Tunnel vision for private rooms. My bad.
posted by Plutor at 5:03 AM on May 8, 2009

How big a crowd shows for something like this? And are they afternoon or evening, er and do we wear blue or green depending on where we've posted... ;-)
posted by sammyo at 5:18 AM on May 8, 2009

There's a lot of variation. I've been to Boston meetups where there are half a dozen people, and to ones where there are 20 or 30. But I'm betting that this one will end up being on the high end of the spectrum.
posted by Plutor at 6:31 AM on May 8, 2009

Another vote for T-accessible, please. I, too, would be unlikely to go somewhere if I was dependent on car-sharing.
posted by marginaliana at 6:32 AM on May 8, 2009

Reservations work better for everyone than staking a place out. Please, let's not make the waitstaff want to kill us. They need table turn over and we need to not die!

Should we make a reservation at The Summer Shack with the possibility of extending our activities to the bowling whatnots?
posted by grapefruitmoon at 6:36 AM on May 8, 2009

I haven't been to the Summer Shack yet, and it's walking distance from my house... I would definitely be up for that.
posted by backseatpilot at 6:56 AM on May 8, 2009

I'm up for the Summer Shack and had no idea it was near a bowling alley! Neat.
posted by sutel at 7:06 AM on May 8, 2009

I pretty much loathe seafood, but even beyond my biases, Summer Shack near Alewife seems to be kind of expensive and gets poor reviews. I also can't find their beer list on their web site. (To be honest, the whole look/feel makes me think of an overly-kitchy "family" restaurant, but I'll stop my kvetching here.)

I'm definitely more inclined toward a place that's vegetarian-friendly, but even more important, has good beer. I'm strongly leaning toward Cambridge Brewing Company, Boston Beer Works, or Sunset Grill. Cambridge Brewing Company is right next door to Flat Top Johnny's, if people wanted to play pool, and Boston Beer Works is a quarter mile from Jillian's.
posted by explosion at 8:09 AM on May 8, 2009

I love seafood, but I agree that Summer Shack looks really kitschy. Plus the vegetarian-friendly thing is a big sticking point; it's going to be hard enough to get Mrs. Plutor to agree to come as-is.
posted by Plutor at 8:18 AM on May 8, 2009

The summer shack is faux-kitsch and is quite delicious, but it is very pricey. While it might be part of the downscale movement (or tried to be) it is still Jasper John. The two locations are pretty much identical in terms of food/service, the only difference being that Alewife is easier to part at and get to from the suburbs and Boston is next to a bowling alley and is walkable for many.
posted by allen.spaulding at 8:55 AM on May 8, 2009

I have been to the Summer Shack and was NOT impressed. I would vote no on them. Sunset Grill and Boston Beer Works are my two favorites mentioned here. I would lean a bit towards Boston Beer Works for accessibility but Horace Rumpole reminds me that Sunset Grill has the edge when it comes to beer selection.

Both places would be accessible to our under-21 Mefites, it seems.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 8:56 AM on May 8, 2009

Ooh - but what about internet access if we want some kind of live hook-up with other meetups?
posted by DiscourseMarker at 8:57 AM on May 8, 2009

If we do the CBC again, we should definitely call ahead and give them a heads up. They were pretty gracious about accommodating the huge crowd after ROFLCon, but it was pretty tight.

They have beer towers, too, which seemed to work pretty well last time.
posted by backseatpilot at 8:58 AM on May 8, 2009

...not for climbing, they didn't!
posted by not_on_display at 9:18 AM on May 8, 2009

I vote Beer Works....the one by North Station has an upstairs bar that we may be able to reserve. Good food, vegetarian options, good beer, and no need for me to drive anyone in my creepy minivan.

I'm not a fan of the Summer Shack- expensive and kinda touristy. I love the Sunset but as mentioned above, it's not ideal for big groups.
Beer Works North Station!
posted by emd3737 at 10:05 AM on May 8, 2009

The Beer Works' blueberry ale has this strange property that I haven't noticed with any other blueberry ale. They add blueberries to the glass (which is fairly unremarkable), but the blueberries will rise and sink in the glass like those old nickel submarines you'd buy from the back of Boys Life and fill with baking soda. I end up buying the blueberry ale just to watch the berries float around.

I'm not sure if that will influence anyone's decision; I just thought I'd put it out there.
posted by backseatpilot at 10:33 AM on May 8, 2009

O'Leary's in Southborough does the same thing with their blueberry ale, the difference being that there it tastes like butt. (Unlike the rest of their beers, which are great.)

I'm hearing a lot of pro-Beer-Works stuff. Someone (explosion?) should call them up and see if we can reserve a room and just get the subsidy's ($50-100) worth of appetizer platters and then have a cash bar.
posted by Plutor at 10:39 AM on May 8, 2009

Beer works sounds good to me, if we're voting. I don't drink beers, but I'd really like to watch other people's blueberries floating around.

(Man, that sounds like a euphemism.)
posted by grapefruitmoon at 10:57 AM on May 8, 2009

Any time
any where
my ass will be there
posted by auralcoral at 3:01 PM on May 8, 2009

Oooh, I had a Wachusetts Blueberry Ale at wherever the last meetup was, and it had the floaty-sinky berries. Delicious and mesmerizing.
posted by Metroid Baby at 3:04 PM on May 8, 2009

It seems like every time someone orders an Ipswich blueberry when I'm around, there's a 50/50 chance for bouncy party blueberries (vs. a clump of sad, cowering blueberries). Is it the beer or the berries? Or me?

I've never been, but Boston Beer Works sounds promising. The Jonas Brothers are at the Garden that night (I'm sorry I know this). Just in case anyone has a phobia of twelve-year-old girls.
posted by giraffe at 4:29 PM on May 8, 2009

Are the 12 year old girls going to be in the bar? I'm confused.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 4:34 PM on May 8, 2009

Hopefully not! I was thinking about public transportation.
posted by giraffe at 9:34 PM on May 8, 2009

I for one welcome the opportunity to make fun of 12-year-old girls on the T.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 9:43 PM on May 8, 2009

hahaha
posted by auralcoral at 12:12 AM on May 9, 2009

Beer Works at North Station is a good venue for something like this. Can we agree to do that? I'm not sure if I'm going to make it or not (babby makes everything complicated), but I think it's a sensible location even though I'd be going in on the red line and walking from Park Street (switching trains on the weekend is for suckers).
posted by Mayor Curley at 11:41 AM on May 9, 2009

I'm down with Beer Works. I won't be internerd accessible later today, or I'd offer to "make the call" so to speak. (That is, the call to make the reservation, not the call as in the decision.)
posted by grapefruitmoon at 11:46 AM on May 9, 2009

The Beer Works sounds great...for Saturday, right?
posted by Biblio at 1:53 PM on May 9, 2009

Okay, everyone-

I called the Beer Works on Canal St. near North Station to ask about Saturday, July 18th and they were very polite and accomodating. Since it's their slow season (no Bruins or Celtics) and they could use the business, they can offer us either a private room or we could use their upstairs bar area (although non-metafites might be roaming about). No fee for either the private room (it's big and has pool tables) or the bar area- I told them people would be eating and drinking and paying individually. I estimated around 40 people but that was just sort of a random guess.

So, I went ahead and booked us for Saturday, July 18th and will talk with them next week to firm up the arrangements. I hope I didn't step on anyone's toes, but if there is another venue that people prefer I can just call and cancel.

Also, getting a rough headcount at some point would be ideal so they know how many people to staff for our group. Also, what time were people thinking? An evening thing, starting at 7:00 or so?
posted by emd3737 at 2:40 PM on May 9, 2009

!Yay¡
posted by Mayor Curley at 3:18 PM on May 9, 2009

Horace Rumpole and I say Yeah! to Boston Beer Works. We shall be there.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 3:48 PM on May 9, 2009

emd3737, that's great. Thanks for making the call.
posted by explosion at 4:58 PM on May 9, 2009

OK, Boston Beer Works, Canal St (North Station) location, Saturday July 18th.

What time works for folks? Is 7pm good? Too early? Too late?
posted by explosion at 5:03 PM on May 9, 2009

I will be there with bells on...or pancakes, or something!
posted by Biblio at 7:47 PM on May 9, 2009

7PM sounds great! I'll be there!
posted by grapefruitmoon at 7:24 AM on May 10, 2009

That is also where I'll be on that date. Go ahead and lock in the place and time, explosion, I don't think anyone's going to have a big problem with it.
posted by Plutor at 9:11 AM on May 10, 2009

Likely to go.
posted by Miko at 9:14 AM on May 10, 2009

Thanks emd!

I put my name under "maybe" but it's a pretty good bet that ignignokt and I will be there.
posted by Metroid Baby at 7:39 PM on May 10, 2009

Sounds good!
posted by marginaliana at 6:29 AM on May 11, 2009

Mr. Spatch and a partner in crime would like to be marked down as a Definite Maybe.
posted by Spatch at 6:30 AM on May 11, 2009

I will be there!






Explosion!
posted by mds35 at 12:37 PM on May 11, 2009

I can't wait to see you guys again!
posted by bensherman at 3:13 PM on May 11, 2009

I'm excited. It's like next week, right? (Explosion!)
posted by Plutor at 3:52 PM on May 11, 2009

Oof, how did I not notice this thread? I'm almost certain to be there. Thanks everyone! BOOM!
posted by Humanzee at 7:19 PM on May 11, 2009

Is an RSVP required or can I just wing it? I completely forgot that 7/18 is my stinky nephew's 1st birthday, and there will be family festivities, including out-of-town grandparents and the like. I'm going to try and escape at some point (as I said, my nephew IS pretty stinky, after all), but I just want to make sure that I can just show up at any point in time without a definite confirmation.

¡explosión!
posted by zerokey at 7:00 AM on May 12, 2009

Hi everyone,

In terms of RVSPs, it's helpful if we can get a headcount beforehand so we can tell Beer Works how many people to expect. But of course, the more the merrier, so if you're not sure or haven't comfirmed, don't let that deter you from stopping by!

I estimated 30-40 people and told Beer Works that I'd get them a more exact number in early July. Also, if you haven't been to a meet-up before, don't be intimidated! I've only made it once and was nervous about it beforehand but everyone was nice and welcoming. Oh, and did I mention delicious beer and food? And mezmerizing floating blueberries? EXPLOSION.
posted by emd3737 at 7:09 AM on May 12, 2009

aw heck. i can't make it on the 18th. (family obligation. i should ditch my family. METAFILTER WILL BE MY NEW FAMILY. there's more of you, anyways.)
posted by rmd1023 at 4:52 AM on May 13, 2009

I sure hope you guys show up. I don't want a repeat of the last meetup I went to.
posted by mds35 at 4:00 AM on May 14, 2009

Should we bring board games again? I've been dying to play Scrabble lately for some reason, even though a) I've played maybe a dozen times in my life, b) I don't own a copy of the game, and c) I'm terrible at it.
posted by backseatpilot at 6:45 AM on May 14, 2009

I'll happily play board games; they're a great icebreaker and besides, I do much better socially when my poor intellect is openly mocked. I've got Scrabble, Boggle, Outburst and Go, as well as some card games (Uno and Lunch Money). I've been meaning to pick up Cranium (which is my favorite board game ever!), so I may just do that is board games are a go.
posted by zerokey at 9:19 AM on May 14, 2009

I might be planning a mid-July trip, but I hope to make it to the meetup. I'll give a definite answer in the next month or so. (Explosion?!)

Interrobangs are fun.
posted by kwaller at 9:56 AM on May 14, 2009

I've got Munchkin, Guillotine, Apples to Apples, Balderdash, Settlers, Taboo, and Cranium if anyone wants me to bring any of those.

(Yes. The 'moon household is a very nerdy one. Even the cats enjoy board games. Mostly sitting on them.)
posted by grapefruitmoon at 2:29 PM on May 14, 2009

Alcohol only helps Apples to Apples.
posted by Spatch at 6:24 AM on May 15, 2009

They went over pretty well at the last meetup, as did Broken Picture Telephone. I can bring pens and post-its as well as Robo Rally and Bohnanza.
posted by ignignokt at 9:33 AM on May 18, 2009

I still have leftover pens+postits from last time, although I think we should entrust any results to someone other than me.

I might bring a few portable-ish games (Bang, Set, Race for the Galaxy, etc). It'll be interesting to go to a Boston Beer Works that is somewhere other than the airport...
posted by nat at 12:50 PM on May 18, 2009

HI all,

Just wanted to mention that we are also planning a Portland, ME, meetup. Since I live about equidistantly from both cities, I might attend both - but I came back here because DiscourseMarker mentioned the idea of attending both. If anyone's so inclined, the Portland meetup will likely be on Sunday the 19th - so a drive up to sunny Vacationland might be a great Stage 2 10th anniversary meetup - think about it!
posted by Miko at 3:37 PM on May 18, 2009

Oh boy, the gf got me Ticket To Ride for my birthday! I think I'm going to bring it.
posted by backseatpilot at 7:02 PM on May 18, 2009

Robocop and I are pretty strong maybes.
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 9:32 AM on May 20, 2009

If you haven't been there, the upstairs space we have "reserved" at Boston Beer Works on Canal is perfect for this . . . there are pool tables and as mentioned with no Celts or Bruins should be relatively uncrowded. Whether we get 30 or 100 there's enough room and of course downstairs if there's overflow . . .

Unfortunately I just paid a deposit on a house in Wellfleet for 7/18-7/25 (poor me!) but I may just delay heading down there . . . I'm new here and would really like to meet some of you folks!!
posted by eggman at 11:33 AM on May 20, 2009

Even though no one knows I'm alive...I shall be there!
posted by prufrock at 11:33 AM on May 22, 2009

Sorry so late to the party, but I was supposed to be out of town during Anniversary Weekend and now I'm not, so...I'm in!
posted by rollbiz at 8:40 AM on June 3, 2009

Already in, How can make it me plus 1?
posted by bensherman at 10:26 AM on June 13, 2009

At the bottom of the main page for this meetup, there's a pull-down labeled "Guests?"
posted by explosion at 2:53 PM on June 13, 2009

I'll probably attend as long as I can get past my crippling social anxiety. You people are scary!
posted by Diskeater at 7:57 AM on June 18, 2009

Dubitable & I will be coming! We're both looking forwarding to meeting you all!
posted by min at 5:58 PM on June 20, 2009

Explosion!
posted by mds35 at 10:21 AM on June 26, 2009

I gave a call over to BeerWorks just now to give them an update on our head count. Looking forward to meeting you all and seeing so many people!
posted by explosion at 9:16 AM on July 9, 2009

Switched from NYC to here. Sorry, not bringing sockington.
posted by jscott at 1:11 AM on July 13, 2009

Looks like I'll be bringing 'moonMan (or rather, Ponzimoon, as I finally bought him an account and I think he's made all of two comments with it).

Also: I don't mean to be a total boner here, but NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY. Seriously. I have faulty brains and that stuff makes me ill like whoa. If I am in the same room with it, I will have a seizure after photo #5. My seizures are petit mal and really boring, so it would be of negative amusement value for everyone if I had one during the meet up. Honestly, it's underwhelming to watch.

So yeah, take as many photos as you like, but I apologize if there's low-light and no one gets to have those evil red eyes in photos because ARGH THE FLASH IT BURNS US.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 8:26 AM on July 13, 2009

This will be interesting, because I am definitely going to use flash photography.
posted by jscott at 12:48 AM on July 14, 2009

I am definitely going to use flash photography.

wait - are you joking?
posted by moxiedoll at 4:32 PM on July 14, 2009

I was going to hit the New Orleans party, but decided last minute I'd rather be in Boston. I will be there with bells on, but not sure if'll I bring a guest.
posted by Ryvar at 7:30 PM on July 14, 2009

Please be joking.
posted by mds35 at 9:42 PM on July 14, 2009

This will be interesting, because I am definitely going to use flash photography.

Dude, I was seriously in no way joking, so I really really REALLY hope that you are.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 6:37 AM on July 15, 2009

I'm going to avert this little "crisis" and choose to attend another venue for this event. Happy tenth, everyone.
posted by jscott at 4:53 PM on July 15, 2009

Grapefruitmoon's photosensitive epilepsy does all of us a favor. No one actually likes flashes going off in dark bars, and the photos always end up washed out and shiny-faced anyhow. As long as a few someones bring decent cameras that can do high-ISO, we'll get some good shots flash-free.
posted by Plutor at 5:35 AM on July 16, 2009

I will be indeed bringing a decent camera that can do high ISO! I am doing my best to help the cause, not hurt it!
posted by grapefruitmoon at 7:18 AM on July 16, 2009

Flashing? I vote yes for anyone but me. (cuz I'll break your precious high ISO camera).
posted by zerokey at 8:14 AM on July 16, 2009

Puns make me mildly nauseous, so none of those. Actually, it looks like I won't be able to make it, which is a bummer. Have six or seven beers for me.
posted by allen.spaulding at 10:57 AM on July 16, 2009

Crap, I don't think I can make it either! Work dinner party to attend :(

have fun, y'all.
posted by emd3737 at 11:14 AM on July 16, 2009

What if, instead of pictures, we all pitch in and hire a courtroom artist?
posted by danb at 6:46 PM on July 16, 2009

nobody knows me, but I should be there!

How do I find the group? Is there a room or a big sign? Do I ask for the Metafilter gang?
posted by canine epigram at 8:18 PM on July 16, 2009

Look for (at the very least) someone wearing one of these.
posted by zerokey at 9:05 PM on July 16, 2009

The last I heard something definitive from emd3737, she said "either a private room or ... their upstairs bar area"^[1]. They're expecting our group, and they've likely been told we'll have something on the order of fifty people. If it's not obvious which inebriated group of people is us, I'm sure you can ask someone who works there and they'll have a good idea.

Or you can find one person who looks Internetual and ask "are you from MetaFilter?" I've actually never failed to pick out the right person.

[1] emd3737, it's too bad you won't be able to show after the work you did to get us lined up with Beer Works. Can't cut out of the dinner party early?
posted by Plutor at 5:14 AM on July 17, 2009

If I have it in my sweaty little hands by then, I'll be wearing my MetaFilter tshirt.

If not, I'll have a sign around my neck indicating that Flash Photography Is Not Allowed In This Exhibit. Either way, I'm pretty easy to spot (I've got a ponytail and what could in some countries be considered to be "too much" eyeliner) and I'll probably be there earlyish since I'm lame like that.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 6:09 AM on July 17, 2009

I just volunteered to bring nametag labels in the other planning thread, if people are interested in wearing nametags (instead of writing our names on napkins and craning our necks to figure out who everyone is). Or we could just write KICK ME on them and stick them on each other's backs.
posted by Metroid Baby at 6:28 AM on July 17, 2009

I am a fan of nametags, since I can't ever remember people's names, even people I have met multiple times. Just ask my wife, good old what's-her-name.

Also, WRITE BIG PLEASE. I'm super nearsighted and too embarrassed to stare at your chest for more than a second.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 7:13 AM on July 17, 2009

Ok, I got name tags! Or, really, mailing labels, since I couldn't actually find any name tags.

Also I got 2000 animal stickers which I will use to favorite you all. They say clever things like "Seal of Approval" and "My Dawg."
posted by Metroid Baby at 8:01 AM on July 17, 2009

Sadly, I'm going to miss this. I'm flying up to Ottawa tonight and then driving two hours North to a summer cottage, so I can't even make an Ottawa event. Anyone up for a Lac Pemichangan meetup? I'll supply the bacon grease with which to fry the freshly caught bass.
posted by bondcliff at 8:02 AM on July 17, 2009

Yeah, I am holding out hope that I could show up around 10:30 or so and people will still be there. There have got to be a few night owls in the crew, right? Either that or I could come right at 7pm and grab a beer before my obligation.

Also, Explosion took over the reigns and confirmed our reservation and gave Beer Works the head count, so he should have a good sense of which room we'll be in.
posted by emd3737 at 8:16 AM on July 17, 2009

Anyone know what the parking situation is like around there on a Saturday night? I agreed to drive some friends to the P-Town ferry before heading over, so my original idea of taking the T won't work and it's been a long time since I've had to deal with parking around North Station (I used to work in the Navy Yard and would hop the Partners shuttle, but I know the weekend schedule isn't what it used to be). I also understand that there's some stupid concert going on at the Fleet center, or whatever it goes by these days. Will parking make me poor?
posted by zerokey at 8:51 PM on July 17, 2009

Nevermind looking for me, while I like getting places early, I'm not dedicated (or insane) enough to get there at 6 - the commuter rail offers me few options, so I'll be there at 8ish.

I trust there will be a large enough group by then that someone I recognize will be there, but if not, I'll just ask people if they're from the internet. That's always a hoot.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 8:49 AM on July 18, 2009

I'm underway. Arriving around 8:15? Ish? Due to an emergency surprise birthday party, I am sans +1.

Oh and I brought a long-sleeve shirt in case my surgical wound freaks anyone out.
posted by Eideteker at 4:28 PM on July 18, 2009

That was fun. Except the hangover part. Some mighty fine folk here in Boston. Hope to see you all again soon.
posted by mds35 at 7:51 PM on July 19, 2009