Buffalo/WNY meetup?

December 13, 2007 9:37 PM

We made a first stab at having a Buffalo area meetup last year; how about another go?

I propose a meetup in the Allentown area, perhaps in the first few weeks of January. Gabriel's Gate, maybe Sunday, January 13? I'm open to suggestions.

posted by Riverine to MetaFilter gatherings at 9:37 PM (44 comments total)

Interested, but I can't do the 9th--13th; in New Orleans for a conference.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:53 PM on December 13, 2007

I'd be interested. I don't know my schedule for work yet, but I'd definitely be interested in going.
posted by Verdandi at 10:22 PM on December 13, 2007

Thanks for starting this thread, Riverine. I'm in, as is munchingzombie.
posted by voidcontext at 6:35 AM on December 14, 2007

ROU_Xenophobe, would the weekend of the 5th/6th be possible for you?
posted by Riverine at 8:55 AM on December 14, 2007

Probably, but biscotti will know better than I and she's not off work until ~6.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:11 AM on December 14, 2007

I am in. But have you been to Gabriel's Gate recently? They have replaced all their servers with listless golems. But if we are just there for drinks they should be able to summon the ability.

Thank you for setting this up.
posted by munchingzombie at 12:54 PM on December 14, 2007

MZ, I'm no fan of GG. I'm happy to go elsewhere.

A place I've been wanting to go is the Swannie House, down by the grain elevators. It's a pub with food that has been open since 1892. Maybe folks would be interested in that, if transportation isn't an issue?
posted by Riverine at 7:42 AM on December 15, 2007

with $2 pints that sounds like a winner.

If rides are an issue and you live in the elmwood area I would be happy to give a ride to someone who isn't a murderer or smelly.
posted by munchingzombie at 8:21 AM on December 15, 2007

Is Jan 5 or 6 OK then?
posted by voidcontext at 2:38 PM on December 16, 2007

Jan 5 or 6 is good for me as long as everyone else is good with it.
posted by Verdandi at 9:50 PM on December 16, 2007

Gabriel's Gate's head chef went to Gallighers and took his amazing hamburgers with him, that's why the food there isn't very good anymore.
That weekend is fine for me.

I'd really prefer something remotely near the subway if it is outside the Elmwood Village or Allentown. The grain elevator area is pretty pedestrian/public transit unfriendly. (you would not believe the route NFTA suggested- walking a mile, under the 190! ha!).

You know, unless someone who promises up and down that they're not a crazy serial killer wants to give my carless butt a ride. (I'm in Allentown).
posted by Kellydamnit at 9:58 AM on December 17, 2007

Kelly: I used to be a serial killer but havn't murdered in weeks. So you would be pretty safe. Voidcontext is also getting a ride with me and he would keep me in line. So you are safe.
posted by munchingzombie at 10:44 AM on December 17, 2007

Works for me! I'll send you my address.
posted by Kellydamnit at 10:56 AM on December 17, 2007

Kelly, I can drive, but I can also vouch for Void and Zombie. You're in good hands. And I am excited we have a date set!

Well, almost. Any preferences between Sat and Sun? I am flexible.
posted by Riverine at 12:37 PM on December 17, 2007

There is a 2 PM hockey game on that Sunday, no Sabres game on the saturday. So if this place is like every other bar in the county, I bet we'll have better luck finding seats and not being crowded out on Saturday.
posted by Kellydamnit at 2:25 PM on December 17, 2007

Saturday would be better for us two, too.
posted by voidcontext at 3:04 PM on December 17, 2007

Great! How about 2pm on Saturday, January 5?
posted by Riverine at 3:31 PM on December 17, 2007

Works for me.
posted by Kellydamnit at 3:33 PM on December 17, 2007

Date is done, so is the place definitely Swannie House? We can get this sucker posted to the side bar. Otherwise we need to pick a place in Allentown / Elmwood Village.
posted by voidcontext at 6:13 PM on December 17, 2007

If anyone objects to the trek to the First Ward, I don't mind another location, but let's choose quickly.
posted by Riverine at 12:53 PM on December 18, 2007

OK, Swannie House it is. Just making sure. Looks like we are all set, and I see it's in the side bar already. Looking forward to meeting you all.
posted by voidcontext at 12:58 PM on December 18, 2007

I'm psyched.
posted by Riverine at 3:46 PM on December 18, 2007

munchingzombie has assured me he's not actively a serial killer (and I can assure you, if I do smell, it is faintly of vanilla), so I have a ride, and the first ward is OK by me.
(I'm just seriously shocked at the lousy public transit to there, though. They really think a mile walk under the 190 is a reasonable option? I can see that in the burbs, which have crappy bus service, but not in the city!)
posted by Kellydamnit at 6:45 PM on December 18, 2007

In my day we walked three miles under the 190, and we liked it, gosh darnit.
posted by voidcontext at 6:50 PM on December 18, 2007

In the summer, it is a superb bike ride, but yeah, it sucks. I'm a bit surprised, because that is where the General Mills plant is--do all the workers drive? It also seems to me that Seneca Street is just a few blocks up--does that bus route do some weird thing which takes it away?

I just looked at the map, and I can see how scary it looks. But walking Louisiana or Michigan under the 190 is actually very simple. I think it will simplify as you you are driving to what I hope will be a fine afternoon pub hang.
posted by Riverine at 9:00 AM on December 19, 2007

I've actually done the walk before, to Social Security after my ex passed, and while it wasn't bad per se, it was very isolated, and very desolate. It was a pepper-spray in-hand kind of walk.
posted by Kellydamnit at 11:01 AM on December 19, 2007

I wish I could make it, but that 's the one weekend I'm out of town in January. Count me in for the next one.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 8:17 AM on December 20, 2007

One week away, looking forward to it. See you all next Saturday!
posted by voidcontext at 9:50 AM on December 30, 2007

I am looking forward to Saturday! Any more WNYers around?
posted by Riverine at 5:36 PM on January 2, 2008

Former Cheektowagan.... I'll be there in spirit!

Have some wings for me.
posted by Doohickie at 12:27 PM on January 3, 2008

ROU_Xenophobe and biscotti, still come if you are available today!
posted by Riverine at 8:32 AM on January 5, 2008

We are afflicted with sore throat bugs and our heags are full of bucus, to our annoyance. I don't think y'all want a dose of what's going 'round Chez Xenophobe.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 10:26 AM on January 5, 2008

We were four:



It was rain/snowing. I had a sign that said "Hi MeFi" but it can't be read. Munching Zombie, Riverine, voidincontext, Kellydamnit.
posted by Riverine at 1:09 PM on January 5, 2008

Art Garfunkel made a surprise visit! You guys missed an amazing meet up.

Thanks to the lovely Riverine for arranging everything.
posted by munchingzombie at 1:25 PM on January 5, 2008

Sorry about that. I feel bad for skipping, especially after y'all shifted the date to avoid my conference. But, seriously, I don't think you wanted to be near our germs.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 1:25 PM on January 5, 2008

We'll have to do it again sometime! (and there is a nasty bug going around... my roommate's got it, too. Seems unpleasant. so I'm avoiding him.)
posted by Kellydamnit at 2:04 PM on January 5, 2008

Sadly everyone, I was wrong.

The clashes Paul Simonon did not write a cook book or have a cooking TV show.

Rather, he was in a DJ Dangermouse project called "The Good, the Bad, and the Queen". A video for one of their songs featered Paul chopping onions. Vanity Faire food columnist David Kamp remarked on this and I read it in his blog. Which you can read here.
posted by munchingzombie at 2:09 PM on January 5, 2008

I'm sad I missed this! I was sick as well--nice coughing/sneezing cold that makes me feel like my chest is full of cotton. I think the bog monster lives in my nose now.

Definitely up for it next time!
posted by Verdandi at 7:39 PM on January 5, 2008

I'm thinking maybe in the next season we can meet up again.
posted by Riverine at 10:29 AM on January 6, 2008

Sorry I missed it too. I had to be in Boston for family stuff. I'll definitely make the next one.
How is that Swannie's anyway?
posted by kuujjuarapik at 3:10 PM on January 7, 2008

Pics?
posted by bingo at 10:31 PM on January 8, 2008

I'm down for Meetup Round Two. FWIW.
posted by sacre_bleu at 7:12 AM on January 9, 2008

eff me! I just found this!
posted by jdfan at 7:31 AM on January 9, 2008

bingo, see the top of this page for a link to pics.
posted by Riverine at 1:10 PM on January 9, 2008