Chicago Planning Thread

May 7, 2009 9:09 AM

The Chicago MeFanniversary Party is a GO! Your Chicago Cabal Approved* scapegoats will be eamondaly and misskaz. Hooray!

We'll pick a date and a venue later on in the month, so use this thread to get your yayas out before we start TEH SERIS BIZNESS of party planning.

*TINCC

posted by eamondaly to Chicago, IL at 9:09 AM (39 comments total)

While I genuinely prefer the dungeon like confines of the Billy Goat (reminds me of home), may be we can do something outside? Of the BBQ fashion?
posted by wfrgms at 9:39 AM on May 7, 2009

I demand video uplink!
posted by crush-onastick at 10:42 AM on May 7, 2009

If it's on Friday or Sunday (ha!) I'll attend, otherwise I'll be at the Milwaukee meetup on Saturday (date for that not firm yet). Of course you're all also invited to that.
posted by desjardins at 10:56 AM on May 7, 2009

Aw man, you put my name in print and everything? Guess I can't back out now.
posted by misskaz at 12:56 PM on May 7, 2009

A promise is a promise, regardless of sobriety!
posted by eamondaly at 1:27 PM on May 7, 2009

I would like to attend, as it would be my Chicago swan song. I'm moving out east at the end of July.

If packing and preparations permit, I'll be there.
posted by felix betachat at 4:25 PM on May 7, 2009

I just might take this opportunity to visit my first mefi meetup. Woohoo, ten years!
posted by verb at 5:26 PM on May 7, 2009

I really need to figure a Saturday/Sunday date as I have prior obligations on Friday. I like the idea of outside--depending on how many people are interested, we could look at a few options:

Bucktown/Wicker Park (North/Damen/Milwaukee). Northside seems big enough and has a patio. Silver Cloud has a small patio.

Ukrainian Village/West Town (Chicago/Western). Black Beetle has a small patio. Tuman's has a small outside patio as well.

Roscoe Village (Damen/Roscoe). There are a couple of places up there (whose names I cannot remember) but I don't think that they have patios. The Hungry Brain is over that way as well (which is one of my favorite low key drinking spots).

Mysterious Hinterland (Elston/Division). The Hideout has a small patio in front.

Mysterious Hinterland II (Elston/Addison). Chief O'Neil's has a HUGE patio. I haven't seen one bigger.

So, these are just a few. To factor: some have access to excellent public transportation, some are more "dive bars", some are cheaper, etc. Let's figure out what we are looking for and I will try to tie down the locale.

Thoughts?
posted by zerobyproxy at 5:30 PM on May 7, 2009

Please try to make it close to public transportation. Will be my first meetup as well. Looking forward to meeting everyone!!
posted by sk381 at 5:59 PM on May 7, 2009

I want to go too!
posted by amethysts at 8:05 PM on May 7, 2009

YAYAYAY! I shall try my very best to be there. I agree with sk381... the closer to the South Shore & bus routes, the more likely I'll be able to make it. I'd really rather not have to take a cab to catch my train, and I hate driving in Chicago.

Here's the stations: http://www.nictd.com/stations.html

Assuming Millenium Station (which is where I'd get off for the Billy Goat) I (and any other northern Indiana people riding the train) have to leave the meetup to catch the 12:45am train (at the latest) in order to not be stuck there until 8am (if the meetup is on Friday or Saturday - 6:10am if it's on a Sunday). So if we could start the meetup a little earlier rather than later, that'd be great.

Video uplink is not a problem, assuming we have Wifi access... I have a laptop, although someone else might have a better webcam than I do. It's a 640x480 Logitech $20 thing.
posted by IndigoRain at 10:26 PM on May 7, 2009

Sorry eamondaly--I didn't see that you had grabbed the reins. Thanks! Let me know if I can help.
posted by zerobyproxy at 3:56 AM on May 8, 2009

I might come. Depends on details.
posted by LSK at 5:31 AM on May 8, 2009

Oh noes! felix betachat, I will truly sorry to miss your last Chicago meet-up (especially since it's been so long since I've been at a meet-up that you were also attending).
posted by crush-onastick at 7:06 AM on May 8, 2009

Does commenting in this thread make it appear in Recent Activity like a normal thread? Those of you who have posted know, but I do not. The great thing is that by asking, I will find out instantly.

I agree that outside is great, but it should definitely be outside with a not-much-worse inside contingency. Mid-July has equal potential to be rain or way too hot.
posted by SpiffyRob at 10:35 AM on May 8, 2009

Mwhaha. Now I know.
posted by SpiffyRob at 10:36 AM on May 8, 2009

Who what where? I've never been to a Chicago MeFi Meet-Up. I am intrigued!
posted by tzikeh at 11:01 AM on May 8, 2009

As much as I'd love a north side meetup (Moody's or Fireside would be awesome) I think we may have to stick to downtown to be, as we say for the regular meetups, equally annoying for everyone to get to. First thing that comes to mind is Rock Bottom (State and Grand), which has a roof deck (not sure if it can be reserved for parties.) I believe Lizzy McNeil's was also discussed the other night.
posted by misskaz at 12:35 PM on May 8, 2009

It's a bit early to really dive into a venue discussion, but yes, definitely start thinking about places in or around the loop. Pity the poor Metra people!

For those curious, here's my general plan:

- Solicit RSVPs until we get at least 10 attendees.
- Start a thread to pick a date
- Start a thread to pick a venue
- Start a thread to discuss general ideas for Stuff To Do
- Assign Stuff to People
- Party
- ???
- PROFIT
posted by eamondaly at 2:00 PM on May 8, 2009

Good plan. You're all organized and stuff.

I'm really good at making paper carnations, like for the prom. You know, just in case we need decorations.
posted by misskaz at 2:25 PM on May 8, 2009

Looks like I can't put myself as a maybe for two different meetups. Anyway, I live near the Illinois/Wisconsin border and spend my weeks working near Chicago and my weekends in Milwaukee so which meetup I attend (if any) depends on how the scheduling shakes out.
posted by indyz at 2:38 PM on May 8, 2009

Solicit RSVPs? What is this, an Amway meeting?

I just think some of those "maybe" attendees need to toughen up and commit.
posted by wfrgms at 9:56 PM on May 8, 2009

I would like to make a stronger committment but I was in a bad car accident today and now my attendance will depend on my recovery and what happens with insurance, doctors, and if there is a lawsuit or not. (It was not my fault, a kid with no license pulled out in front of me. A police officer saw the accident.)
posted by IndigoRain at 10:35 PM on May 8, 2009

Oh, this is exciting! I'm about to move to Chicago from Los Angeles, and will be living there in time for the meetup. I'd love to meet some fellow Chicagoans! Is that a word? Chicagoite?
posted by MythMaker at 11:25 PM on May 8, 2009

Chicagoans is generally the word, yes.
posted by IndigoRain at 11:46 PM on May 8, 2009

Saturday or Sunday works best for me, and I'd go for somewhere closer to downtown as well. I haven't been to a meetup in forever - looking forward to seeing everyone again!
posted by SisterHavana at 7:54 AM on May 9, 2009

I am an utter maybe depending on my schedule, which will be decided for me and much closer to the date of the actual event. Hooray, though!
posted by HeroZero at 12:09 PM on May 9, 2009

IndigoRain: "Chicagoans is generally the word, yes."

But not used as frequently as "Windy City Wallamatusins."
posted by WCityMike at 1:59 PM on May 9, 2009

IndigoRain, sorry to hear about your accident. Hope you have a swift recovery. I also hope that kid's parents are north shore yuppies...

MythMaker, welcome to Chicago. Some unsolicited advice:

- Cubs or Sox. Pick one. Stay with it. (Hint: Our president likes the Sox. So should you.)
- Ketchup on a hot dog? Never.
- Yes, the weather sucks, but you're only allowed to bitch about it your first winter.

You should also realize that Chicago has very diverse and distinct ethnic neighborhoods. For instance:
- Italian guys with gold chains and expensive sunglasses live in the Gold Coast.
- Trixies live in Lincoln Park
- Hipsters live Wicker Park and Bucktown (but are just one service industry job-loss away from being out on the street, or worse - forced to move back home to the suburbs.)

PS - Chicago hates your car.
posted by wfrgms at 4:54 PM on May 9, 2009

Oh yeah, one more:

The Italian Beef is our version of the Philly Cheesesteak, only it's better and we don't make such a damn big deal out if.
posted by wfrgms at 4:57 PM on May 9, 2009

Sweet. Thanks for the heads-up. I'm going to be in Chicago this week looking for apartments, and looking in the Wicker Park/Bucktown area, so I'll be on the lookout for hipsters. I live in Silverlake in L.A., so I don't know if I'll be able to recognize them. ;)
posted by MythMaker at 6:34 PM on May 11, 2009

You know, speaking of apartments, if anybody knows of any vacancies, please feel free to MeMail me. I'd really appreciate it.
posted by MythMaker at 8:53 PM on May 11, 2009

Thankss wfrgms. And yes, the Italian Beef is awesome. :)
posted by IndigoRain at 3:34 AM on May 13, 2009

MythMaker, sent you a MeMail. I have a friend trying to rent out his condo in West Town.
posted by misskaz at 7:31 AM on May 13, 2009

I'm in: any day ok but I vote for Ukranian Village or Wicker Park
posted by Lylo at 8:27 PM on May 14, 2009

This is coming up soon ... has there been any consensus? I've never attended a MeFi meetup (largely using MeFi for AskMeFi), but I wouldn't mind meeting some interesting denizens of this screwed-up city. (It does hate my car, dammit.)
posted by korpios at 3:29 PM on May 15, 2009

You can keep up with all the latest news on the main Chicago page. Come on over!
posted by eamondaly at 8:28 PM on May 15, 2009

korpios: those who largely use mefi for askme and those who have largely abandoned mefi for mecha and those who read but never ponied up the five bucks are welcomed with as much gusto as everyone else at Chicago meet-ups. So, uh, don't let that stop you (or come up with a better excuse!)
posted by crush-onastick at 4:36 PM on May 16, 2009

it turns out that I will be taking mom back the the airport on the 18th. So, instead of attending Ann Arbor, I may be heading to your block party... are meddling parents welcome?
posted by phytage at 5:38 PM on June 24, 2009