Dallas Planning Thread | MetaFilter 10th Anniversary

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

Dallas hasn't always been tops for meetup attendance, but maybe we can bring some folks out for this whole 10th thing. I'm gonna let this go organically - you guys suggest something & we'll work out the details.

posted by item to Dallas, TX at 8:48 AM (97 comments total)

Did the April meetup come off? That thread kind of sputtered out.
posted by ormondsacker at 9:14 AM on May 13, 2009

I'm in! I'd feel more comfortable if we didn't make it super drinking/bar-centric, though, cause I'm underage.
posted by MadamM at 9:30 AM on May 13, 2009

I'm relatively new to town, so I have zero venue suggestions. But I'm game for anything, if I end up being able to make it.
posted by Shohn at 10:36 AM on May 13, 2009

Well, as far as making it non bar-centric, I have no ideas. Maybe a restaurant? I'd prefer something Downtown or in East Dallas, as these are the most accessible areas for me. I'll think about it for a day or two & return to this thread bursting over with at least one suggestion.

Also, I don't have a Paypal account & would prefer to not have to get one for this event. It would, however, be nice to receive our 50 Mefi bucks to blow on candy & whatnot. Speak up if you've got one & plan on attending & we'll forward your info to the proper authorities.
posted by item at 12:41 PM on May 13, 2009

I'm totally down for something. I'm in North Arlington, so...

Addison comes to mind as a somewhat centrally located place for both Dallas-area and Fort Worth-area people, and has *plenty* of non bar places to meet up at.

Like Item, I'd have to think about it a tad, but, I'm sure we can find something.

There's a lot of places on Belt Line Road, around the Tollway that might work.
posted by mrhaydel at 1:44 PM on May 13, 2009

I'm in Denton but willing to travel south into the big cities. I also have no idea where to do this but unless something big comes up that weekend I'm there. I'm excited to meet some Mefites!
posted by shmurley at 3:45 PM on May 13, 2009

Bricks in the Wall are playing at Firewater on the 17th...
Just sayin' is all...
posted by TigerMoth at 7:39 PM on May 13, 2009

If my calendar permits to have a longish weekend, I'm thinking I might try to catch the NOLA party just to get out of town for something different.

But if I can't get out of town, I'll keep an eye on this.

As for as locations, I could name some bars (including some that wouldn't harass MadamM at all), but if there is an issue with that, then I would like a restaurant with at least some music would be good.

But as a different idea, let me throw out 300 Dallas. It's a bowling alley, but its actually a nice one as opposed to the old rundown ones we think about. My firm has had an annual tournament there and we had fun. It's located in Addison not too far off the Tollroad. They have a bar and drinks galore for those who partake. Then there is bowling (of course) music, pool, and decent food. There is a sort of private 6 lane area that you can book for parties. Just a thought.

Though I'm a downtownish Dallas homebody, I think Addison is probably a better central area and has lots of options in close proximity in case you want to move.
posted by dios at 9:00 AM on May 14, 2009

Huh, I kinda like the idea dios suggested about 300 Dallas.

Sounds like there'd be plenty of options for entertainment, and possibly even an area we could book and have to ourselves.
posted by mrhaydel at 9:06 AM on May 14, 2009

I can get behind the 300 Dallas idea. I like the thought of a reserved area just for the meetup, if we can swing that. I'm really open to just about any location though.
posted by owtytrof at 10:51 AM on May 14, 2009

I'm cool with 300 Dallas, save for the fact that I'll have to make it there & back via DART unless one of you guys'll be headed through East Dallas & would be willing to carpool.
posted by item at 11:26 AM on May 14, 2009

I like bowling and I'm close to the Tollway. I like the idea of a private area but are there going to be enough of us to use 6 lanes?
posted by shmurley at 11:45 AM on May 14, 2009

shmurley has a good point.

I mean, you can usually fit what, at least 5 or 6 people per lane right?

Of course, is the 6 lane area all or nothing? Meaning, do we have to rent all 6, or is just a flat fee and you get all 6 regardless of whether they're used?
posted by mrhaydel at 1:24 PM on May 14, 2009

I'm totally down for bowling. That place sounds awesome, and exactly the right vibe.
posted by Shohn at 9:52 AM on May 15, 2009

I've been meaning to check 300 out, but the only word-of-mouth I ever hear about it is that it's really expensive.

I'm in S. Arlington myself, but wouldn't mind a Dallas-ish venue.
posted by sapo at 4:06 PM on May 18, 2009

hey guys, I actually live by 300, so I can give the low-down on that...

If you want to bowl on individual lanes, it's like 7.50 for shoes, then something around $5.95 per game. When I usually play 1 game, it's about $15.

I did the VIP area once...it's not all or nothing. You can rent it on a per lane basis. When I did it, there was another group there. I think it was $75 per lane per hour, but we negotiate down to $50 a lane I think...everyone ended up paying around $20, and we played about 2 games.
posted by unexpected at 7:16 PM on May 18, 2009

That doesn't sound totally out of the realm of possibilities price wise.

I guess we'd need to figure out how many people we can fit per lane, and then once we know roughly how many people to expect, rent that many lanes.

Of course, I imagine not everyone will want to *just* bowl, if at all, so maybe we can even get by with just one or two lanes.
posted by mrhaydel at 7:19 PM on May 18, 2009

Some Addison restaurants with private rooms:
Two Rows
Cape Buffalo (my company has had several events here and the private area is good for mingling)
Nazar Turkish Restaurant
Blue Mesa
Londoner

There's more, but the food prices start creeping up pretty high.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:54 AM on May 19, 2009

A trolling Okie, or two may cross the Red River to attend (you guys can promise not to secede while we're down there, right?)
posted by HyperBlue at 3:47 PM on May 20, 2009

Hey gang, it looks like I won't be able to do the New Orleans party after all, so I'm up for a Dallas one.

Bricks would be great fun...but I don't think Firewater allows minors in. I could be wrong, I'm willing to check if that gets a lot of thumbs up.

Bowling could be kosher. I don't think I can bowl after the knee replacement, but I'm willing to laugh and clap and keep score.

Also Nazar sounds great. They'll let you reserve the private room for free, if you reserve it in time. The food is great, the prices are reasonable, there's no age limit, and they have belly dancing on the weekends. Plus...Turkish coffee. Wheee! This would be my vote, were we voting.

The Londoner on the weekends has many hipsters, and the prices are, imho, ridiculous for the quality. I'm not a big fan of the place. But then, any of the places where "the pretty people" congregate tends to make me twitchy. I'm just like that. (Short, round, and 39ish...not really the target demographic for the hipster dives. Heh.)

Also, I have a paypal account if nobody else does.
posted by dejah420 at 3:09 PM on May 21, 2009

Ok - I apologize for being absent from this thread for so long. So it looks like Addison gets the general vote, which is cool. I'll likely try to bum a ride home from one of you guys, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

I like Nazar. Been there, like it. Give me a couple of 'yays' & I'll go ahead and make plans to make reservations. By that I mean I'll try to tally up how many of there'll be so's that I can give them a reasonable estimate sometime in the next couple of weeks. Which brings me to something we haven't really discussed yet: a date. I'm cool for either Friday or Saturday & I'd prefer to not do Sunday. Feedback would be good on this as well.

Should be fun.
posted by item at 10:18 PM on May 26, 2009

Saturday would be preferable to me. Friday's aren't so great, unless it's "later" - say 8 or after.
posted by owtytrof at 7:31 PM on May 28, 2009

Saturday is fine with me. So is Nazar. Number-wise, I may or may not be bringing someone- if I do, it'll most likely be a friend to make my parents feel more comfortable letting me hang out with a bunch of random internet people :).
posted by MadamM at 7:45 PM on May 28, 2009

Yeah Saturday would be preferable for me as well.

I certainly don't mine Nazar (sounds pretty yummy), but, I dunno, what about post-dinner entertainment or something? Not that good ol' fashioned conversation with fellow MeFites won't do it, but, I thought maybe that was the draw of places like that bowling joint.

Just sayin'.
posted by mrhaydel at 2:43 AM on May 29, 2009

Saturday is good for me as well. I don't go to Dallas much so where ever ya'll decide is fine with me.
posted by shmurley at 8:02 AM on May 29, 2009

Saturday it is, then?
posted by item at 4:27 PM on May 29, 2009

Saturday is preferable for me, and Nazar sounds great. If we decide that we want to go bowl or something after a while, there's nothing stopping us. We can fly casual, so to speak.
posted by Shohn at 11:54 AM on May 30, 2009

Saturday is good for me. Nazar is good for me. If we want to find something to do after the food and bellydancing and general merriment, that could be cool too. :)
posted by dejah420 at 2:33 PM on June 1, 2009

If any north/central Arlingotn MeFites'd be up for offering me a ride-- I am of age, I just don't have a liscence. I'd be willing to pay for gas money, though.
posted by ShawnStruck at 4:48 PM on June 1, 2009

I'm going to go ahead & make the reservation then. As of right now we've got 9 attending & 22 maybes, so between 20 & 30 should work.

Any objections?
posted by item at 1:26 PM on June 3, 2009

And there we go. Just made the reservation for Saturday, July 18 at 7:00 for between 20 & 30 folks - and I'll be letting 'em know a week or so beforehand a more exact number. There's a private room that we'll most likely get as long as a larger party doesn't make a reservation for the same night. Either way, they're going to take care of our internet asses.
posted by item at 1:41 PM on June 3, 2009

Awesome Item, thanks for taking care of that.

I'll be there for sure, plus 1.

What's next to take care of? Moolah?
posted by mrhaydel at 6:18 PM on June 3, 2009

It's on my calendar. Yay!
posted by dejah420 at 12:21 AM on June 4, 2009

I'll be there. Plus one. Yay!
posted by shmurley at 6:26 AM on June 4, 2009

I'm going to do my best to be there, + or - 1.
posted by owtytrof at 2:24 PM on June 5, 2009

I will have just moved into town on the 15th, but I'll try to find this place, too! If someone could send me a message with how all this works (Paypal? Mefibucks? how to officially +1 myself?) I'd really appreciate it.
posted by Gneisskate at 6:53 PM on June 18, 2009

Never mind, reading the faq helps...
posted by Gneisskate at 9:00 AM on June 19, 2009

Happy you figured it all out, Gneisskate, and look forward to seeing you at the meetup!
posted by item at 6:09 AM on June 20, 2009

man, I'd really like to go to a big, proper Dallas meetup, but I'm working in Tulsa for the summer, so getting down for the weekend is dicey.

But I'll try my best. Hope to see y'all!
posted by grandsham at 8:54 PM on June 29, 2009

Terrific, I'd like to try to meet up at this as well :-)
posted by hillabeans at 4:34 PM on July 4, 2009

Hi All,
I will be driving in from Fort Worth along 183, then up 635. In an effort to keep myself from chickening out and falling asleep, I am willing to pick anyone up who may live along the way. I know ShawnStruck was looking for a ride. My car will hold 3 other adults, 4 if you like each other a lot.

Send me a mefi mail if you're interested.
posted by haunted by Leonard Cohen at 8:13 AM on July 5, 2009

Alright, I'm in. Woo, tenth.
posted by ormondsacker at 8:17 PM on July 9, 2009

Oh yeah: yesterday I called & confirmed the reservations. I told 'em to expect 20-25 attendees, so some of you non-committal types had better show up.

Also, they led me to believe it wouldn't be a problem if more showed.
posted by item at 8:44 PM on July 12, 2009

Hey Item, do you have a contact there? I should probably call and find out if it's ok for me to bring a cake before I spend the time doing one. Some restaurants will not allow you to bring anything in, and some places are fine with it if it's a decorated-type cake.
posted by dejah420 at 4:34 PM on July 16, 2009

dejah: check yr Mefi mail.
posted by item at 6:57 PM on July 16, 2009

Hey guys:

If you're undecided you should try to let me know if you'll be coming by Saturday afternoon. Right now we have 15 confirmed and, as I mentioned, I made the reservations for up to 25. I'd like to call ahead on Saturday to give a more accurate number - they seem pretty cool & I'd hate it if they set placed for that many & only like 8 people show up. On the flipside, it shouldn't be a problem if we have more than 25 but I'd still like to let 'em know if this ends up looking like it's gonna happen.

I'm now going to go spam the fuck out of you undecideds. You really should come. I hear there's gonna be special surprises.
posted by item at 1:01 AM on July 17, 2009

Also, I don't own a decent camera. I'm sure someone'll bring one, but just in case: someone bring a camera. Bonus if you somehow have the ability to upload photos to flickr remotely - you know, like if you have wireless broadband or a really long ethernet cable or some sort of technological telepathy.
posted by item at 1:01 AM on July 17, 2009

I has a camera, but would need to bring my wifi enabled laptop to upload, which I can I suppose, just remind me to bring my cable-thingy since I killed my card slot one day in a fit of stupidity. If anyone else cares to bring a laptop, I'm good with that too. Let me know.

I'm now going to go spam the fuck out of you undecideds.

I enjoyed that.

I'm pumped.
posted by haunted by Leonard Cohen at 7:27 AM on July 17, 2009

How are we for signs and whatnot? Do we need signs and/or whatnot?
posted by ormondsacker at 8:29 AM on July 17, 2009

You feel like making signs, by all means go ahead & make signs. I don't think it'll be very hard to figure out who the Mefites are without a sign, though.
posted by item at 1:40 PM on July 17, 2009

Make whatnot, though.
posted by item at 1:40 PM on July 17, 2009

Sign, whatnot are go. Repeat, whatnot is go.
posted by ormondsacker at 10:12 PM on July 17, 2009

Zooming in at the last minute!
posted by jinjo at 10:23 PM on July 17, 2009

I'm gonna be late. B-day party that one of my kids is going to in f-ing Forney is supposed to go 'till 7:00. and the wife may not make it.
posted by Shohn at 6:27 AM on July 18, 2009

Item, just memailed you. I am TRYING valiantly to be able to make it, and will confirm ASAP so your headcount isn't hosed.
posted by pineapple at 7:46 AM on July 18, 2009

@ShawnStruck (or any other North/Central Arlington MeFites)

Did you ever find a ride? The girlfriend and I are gonna go, so I'll have room for two more comfortably, 3 less comfortably.

I MeFi mailed you and emailed you to cover my bases.

Anyone else interested email me at michael dot haydel at gmail dot com or call me at 262.MRH.MRH1.
posted by mrhaydel at 8:12 AM on July 18, 2009

I may be a little late. I've had a bit of a setback making a cake that is "overthinking a plate of beans". But, the second attempt is about to go in the ovens...so there's still hope for it. :)

That said; I'm coming from east of Dallas (out by the lakes), so if anyone along the tollway routes needs a ride, let me know.
posted by dejah420 at 9:37 AM on July 18, 2009

Last minute attendee here ... hope that's okay.
posted by bwanabetty at 10:10 AM on July 18, 2009

Yay, bwanabetty!

I'm bringing my pocket camera, but it's not wireless or anything cool.
posted by dejah420 at 11:19 AM on July 18, 2009

Just found out i'm gonna be late..don't know how long all you kids are planning on sticking around, but I'll do my best.
posted by sapo at 12:55 PM on July 18, 2009

*fidgety excitement growing*
posted by YoBananaBoy at 1:02 PM on July 18, 2009

I finished the cake! I rushed it a bit, so there are a few technical issues...but as funny concepts go...I have truly overthought a plate of beans...

The trick is going to be moving it, and getting it there in this heat, given the various country roads I'm going to be traveling. But, hope springs eternal and all that, so cross your fingers for me.
posted by dejah420 at 2:05 PM on July 18, 2009

I'm totally coming, having never managed to make a MeFi meetup yet, this seems an ideal time.
posted by angeline at 2:05 PM on July 18, 2009

That cake is made out of 110% awesome.
posted by item at 2:42 PM on July 18, 2009

Wow, beautiful.

So is everyone all set on transportation? I'm coming from East Dallas. Item, did you find a ride?
posted by bwanabetty at 3:14 PM on July 18, 2009

That cake is *amazing*. I can't believe I'm going to be seeing it in person in just a few hours! As far as pictures go, I have an iPhone and a rarely used flickr account. We can make this happen.

PS, how are we going to find each other at the restaurant? Just wander around looking for people in Metafilter shirts or what?
posted by MadamM at 3:36 PM on July 18, 2009

Yeah, the cake alone is going to be worth the trip.

Coupled with whatnot, this should be epic.
posted by mrhaydel at 3:37 PM on July 18, 2009

As for finding people, didn't Item reserve an actual separate room for everyone? I assume it will be relatively obvious to find it.

Barring that, sure, just look for great Metafilter shirts. Me, I'll be in a maroon Threadless tee.
posted by mrhaydel at 3:39 PM on July 18, 2009

I'm about to leave, I'll be the short, round lady in black, with a cake. I should be easy to spot. ;)
posted by dejah420 at 3:58 PM on July 18, 2009

bwanabetty, yeah, no problem getting there or home. Thanks!

See y'all in an hour.
posted by item at 4:04 PM on July 18, 2009

Oh, and half the fun of a meetup is asking everyone in the place except the group you're looking for if they're from the internet.
posted by item at 4:05 PM on July 18, 2009

Haha. Wonderful. I need more social awkwardness in my life :P. I'll be wearing a tl;dr tshirt, for easy recognition, and I look like my profile picture minus the ridiculous facial expression.
posted by MadamM at 4:21 PM on July 18, 2009

This was really fun gang! Thanks to everyone who came. I had such a lovely time meeting all the new people and catching up with old friends! Yay, team!

We have to do this more often. I'm serious about having a pool party before the end of summer! Everyone should come out here, we'll bbq, ride the 60 foot water slides and terrorize the teenage lifeguards!

I had a really lovely time. Thanks, everyone!
posted by dejah420 at 11:58 PM on July 18, 2009

Yeah, totally had a blast being around fellow (just as nerdy as me) MeFites, and all the fun that came with it.

Let's do it again soon!

Maybe we *can* really go to a Wizard's Ball next time. I'll work on trying to be a wizard for then.
posted by mrhaydel at 6:10 AM on July 19, 2009

I should have my cruddy pix posted soon. Forgive me if I get your names wrong. It was a real joy folks, thanks for a great evening.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/auntlaura/
posted by haunted by Leonard Cohen at 8:35 AM on July 19, 2009

BOO. I got my schedule all messed up and didn't go. I'm sad I didn't get to meet you all or eat any of dejah420's cake. Next meet-up, I'm there!
posted by shmurley at 8:49 AM on July 19, 2009

WHAT UP DALLASSSSSSSSS

Lovely to meet you all, it was much fun. If any of you don't want to appear online in pics, MefiMail me (memail? mmmmail?) and I'll either pixelate you or paste a cartoon head on you or not identify you, as you like.

Thanks for coordinating us, item.

mrhaydel - remind mrs mrhaydel to sign up. Give her the five bucks, man!

I didn't see this thread earlier where we had pre-negged Londoner as a meet spot... sorry we ended up there anyway! (It wasn't my idea, I blame Lyn.)
posted by pineapple at 10:16 AM on July 19, 2009

Hey, thanks to everyone for coming. I had a great time. Good eggs, the each & every one of you.
posted by item at 3:26 PM on July 19, 2009

Oh, I didn't even think about pixelating anyone out of the shots. I was just coming in to say that I had posted pics here. If anyone would like something removed or edited, please just let me know!
posted by dejah420 at 8:00 PM on July 19, 2009

What's up y'all? mrhaydel didn't give me $5, but I am here! :) (He bought my dinner last night, so I can't complain, right?!?!)

pineapple, be nice to me now! lol

Was nice meeting all of you. :)
posted by residentoddball at 8:47 PM on July 19, 2009

Yay! That was a lot of fun!

ITA with the vague consensus that it should be done again.
posted by angeline at 1:12 AM on July 20, 2009

Yea, residentoddball! Welcome to the crazy!
posted by pineapple at 6:38 AM on July 20, 2009

That was a blast. I'm definitely up for the next time.

You know, I've met people from the internet before, but they didn't provide cake.
posted by Shohn at 6:38 AM on July 20, 2009

Severly disappointed to not have made it out. I'll keep my eyes(and hopefully schedule) open for next time.
posted by owtytrof at 10:46 AM on July 20, 2009

I've added username notes to this pic...for those whom I could associate usernames. I didn't want to use anyone's real name, which is all I could remember. Short term memory...it's not my strong suit.

If anyone wants to drop me a line either via memail or gmail and tell me which one you are, I'll be happy to tag you too! :)
posted by dejah420 at 11:22 AM on July 20, 2009

I updated a few usernames...
posted by pineapple at 12:25 PM on July 20, 2009

Don't have a flickr account to comment there, but I believe that's gneisskate between jinjo and bwanabetty in the front row. Thanks for the hospitality, all!
posted by ormondsacker at 1:28 PM on July 20, 2009

okies, I think I've got everyone all updated and appropriately tagged. :)
posted by dejah420 at 1:38 PM on July 20, 2009

This probably isn't relevant to meetup-type stuff, but I'm pretty sure I just saw Mustafa at a used car lot in Garland. I don't know- maybe he's following me.
posted by Shohn at 3:37 PM on July 20, 2009

Well, Shohn...you *are* pretty adorable...
posted by dejah420 at 4:50 PM on July 20, 2009

Wow, awesome job dejah and pineapple! Thanks for tagging that photo. I need to bookmark it and be sure to study it one more time before the next meetup (which, hopefully is sooner than another 10 years).
posted by mrhaydel at 7:37 PM on July 20, 2009

Dallas, TX — Organizer: item

Dallas Planning Thread
May 13, 2009 8:48 AM Subscribe

Dallas, TX — Organizer: item

Dallas Planning Thread May 13, 2009 8:48 AM Subscribe

Dallas Planning Thread
May 13, 2009 8:48 AM Subscribe