Ia! Ia! Cambridge, MA Meetup!

April 11, 2008 10:31 AM

The mystical calculations and dire sacrifices have been made. As foretold by Mad Seer Wendell, there shall be a strange and wondrous confluence of mods in the Cambridge, MA on April 26th for a dread convocation. Surely we mere mortals may appease these inscrutable powers by drinking and feasting in their honor! The Stars Are Right, my friends, and you too shall be Right if you arrive at the Cambridge Brewing Company from 7PM to help toast our weary mods after they finish with their horrible rites!

The Cambridge Brewing Company is but a hop, skip, and a slither away from the Kendall Square T. It is also located around the corner from one of those dens of sin and pleasure known as a pool hall should brave souls wish to place their very souls in danger.

The brave and the bold, the curious and the fearless are all invited to attend. But, hearty soul, please speak thy name here that I may have a proper accounting for Dread Reservator, toothed gatekeeper of beer and entertainment.

posted by robocop is bleeding to MetaFilter gatherings at 10:31 AM (166 comments total)

FIRST POST!
posted by Eideteker at 10:38 AM on April 11, 2008

How is parking in Cambridge on a Saturday night, assuming I'm on a motorcycle and am quite content to park perpendicular to the curb? I can go straight to the meetup, or I can park at work and take the T from South Station.
posted by Eideteker at 10:40 AM on April 11, 2008

POST FIRST!
posted by quin at 10:42 AM on April 11, 2008 [1 favorite]

Crap. I'll be flying from Boston to Portland that weekend (to visit the other Mefite Mod, oddly enough). I have missing meet-ups down to a science.
posted by French Fry at 10:43 AM on April 11, 2008

Are you sure, FF? You're not flying American Airlines, are you?
posted by Eideteker at 10:46 AM on April 11, 2008

Parking's a pain but doable as long as you're willing to flout the law (not a problem with a motorcycle) or pay up (as in $20)
posted by Ryvar at 10:49 AM on April 11, 2008

Oh, and I will definitely be there.
posted by Ryvar at 10:53 AM on April 11, 2008

I am actually going to be able to make it to this one, unlike the last three in random cities that I thought I would be in. So, yeah, count me in.
posted by backseatpilot at 10:54 AM on April 11, 2008

I'm in.
posted by danb at 11:06 AM on April 11, 2008

This one I should be able to make, by Jove!
posted by Kattullus at 11:06 AM on April 11, 2008

I think that "w00t!" is a reasonable response to such news.

I'll be there, and I'll likely bring the non-MeFite boyfriend. (We like beer.)
posted by kwaller at 11:08 AM on April 11, 2008

I think I can make it. Perhaps Mrs. Bondcliff as well, if we can get a sitter.
posted by bondcliff at 11:14 AM on April 11, 2008

I think I can make it.
posted by allen.spaulding at 11:20 AM on April 11, 2008

Eideteker: "How is parking in Cambridge on a Saturday night, assuming I'm on a motorcycle and am quite content to park perpendicular to the curb?"

When I drive to Kendall, I almost always have good luck parking on Portland St south of Broadway.

Needless to say, I'll be there. *starts collecting goats' blood coupons*
posted by Plutor at 11:21 AM on April 11, 2008

Damn. I have always wanted to meet Plutor.
posted by Mister_A at 11:26 AM on April 11, 2008

I think I can make this one, too... CBC's good drinkin'.
posted by Mayor West at 11:57 AM on April 11, 2008

this sounds like a hoot.
more's the pity I'll be working.
worth the commute, I'd say.
posted by Busithoth at 12:00 PM on April 11, 2008

Happy Birthday French Fry!

Oh yeah, I'll be there.
posted by jessamyn at 12:08 PM on April 11, 2008

Hell to the yes!

Robocop is bleeding, I'm looking forward to you telling me all about life in a different tub.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 12:15 PM on April 11, 2008

I'll be there!




In spirit.

Drink a lot of spirits for me, y'all.
posted by rtha at 12:17 PM on April 11, 2008

After spending the day volunteering for the Cambridge Science Festival's opening carnival, I expect to be in great need of beer.
posted by nonane at 12:22 PM on April 11, 2008

Mister_A: "Damn. I have always wanted to meet Plutor."

I had lunch with him today. He's not really that interesting.
posted by Plutor at 12:33 PM on April 11, 2008

Regarding parking:

Cambridge Brewing Company is at One Kendall Square (Bldg 100).

One Kendall has a seven-story parking garage (across the street from the complex and next to the Kendall Square Cinema).
posted by ericb at 12:47 PM on April 11, 2008

I'll be there if I don't chicken out.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 12:53 PM on April 11, 2008

Directions to the garage are mentioned on the brewery website.

Also note: "We validate for the garage Mon. - Fri., after 5pm and all day Saturday and Sunday." Be sure to take your ticket with you to get it stamped.
posted by ericb at 12:56 PM on April 11, 2008

Cat Pie, I almost chickened out on the Western MA meetup last weekend but I'm really glad I didn't. Even though I hadn't interacted on (or off) board with most of the people there I found them all friendly, warm, fun, and surprisingly fresh-smelling.
posted by bondcliff at 1:02 PM on April 11, 2008

Aw, I miss the CBC. And here I am in Los Angeles. Well, have fun for me - and drink a nice tall glass of their amazing barleywine on my behalf!

(I highly recommend stopping by on Tuesday nights to hang out with the Burning Man crowd, too.)
posted by mykescipark at 1:03 PM on April 11, 2008

I never, never go anywhere. Homebody. For the first time in years I'm going to California, and to have a meetup, YOU PICK THE WEEKEND I'M GOING!!!
posted by Melismata at 1:04 PM on April 11, 2008

Ooh yay, I think I can make this! Any central mass folks want to carpool? I'll be designated driver.
posted by Biblio at 1:19 PM on April 11, 2008

I found them all friendly, warm, fun, and surprisingly fresh-smelling.

It's the Herbal Essence and the double chocolate beer.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 1:49 PM on April 11, 2008

I sidebarred the meetup. Hope I did that right.
posted by Eideteker at 1:55 PM on April 11, 2008

Crap. I'll be flying from Boston to Portland that weekend (to visit the other Mefite Mod, oddly enough). I have missing meet-ups down to a science.

It's okay, dude. We'll have our own meetup. We can go to the county lockup and rofl some cons.
posted by cortex at 2:49 PM on April 11, 2008 [2 favorites]

All 3 in one place at the same time? Isn't that a big risk? I hope the shadow government is prepared to step in and maintain order if the worst comes to pass.
posted by contraption at 4:02 PM on April 11, 2008

You just saw the shadow government telling you what he plans on doing that weekend. SYIHF.
posted by jessamyn at 4:24 PM on April 11, 2008

I'm in.
posted by daisyace at 4:38 PM on April 11, 2008

Ooooh, the third "mod" link goes to pb! I didn't realize there were 4. What a relief!
posted by contraption at 5:20 PM on April 11, 2008

37th POST!!
posted by not_on_display at 6:39 PM on April 11, 2008

Oh and yeah, I'll be there. And, Horace Rumpole, it will be beer and not cough syrup making me act all cloudy and incoherent! ha HA!
posted by not_on_display at 6:49 PM on April 11, 2008

Count me in.
posted by brett at 9:20 PM on April 11, 2008

Three mods walk into a bar, the bartender says...
posted by mathowie at 10:19 PM on April 11, 2008 [1 favorite]

Even though I've never twittered before, I'm going to learn how so I can take you down during your panel. Then I'll show up to the meetup and live blog about how nice you are in person. Is there a template out there for LOLing a photo on the spot, 'cuz we'll need the "O Hai" and the "Oh Noes" generators.

PS - I'm in even though "The Party of the Internet" is happening at the same time. Can someone look into trademarking that so we can use it instead?
posted by DonnieSticks at 10:37 PM on April 11, 2008

I think we can call our get together something like "The Party of the Internet Shadow Government" and that should raise sufficient confusion.
posted by jessamyn at 5:30 AM on April 12, 2008

and surprisingly fresh-smelling.

well, i had a conflict in my schedule.
posted by quonsar at 8:31 AM on April 12, 2008 [1 favorite]

Three mods walk into a bar, the bartender says...

..."Which one's Linc?"
posted by quonsar at 8:35 AM on April 12, 2008 [1 favorite]

Awwww, I'm out of town, sadly. But how nice of you all to get together for my er 40th birthday!

I can haz shoutout plz?
posted by initapplette at 2:17 PM on April 12, 2008 [1 favorite]

Shoot! I want to come but we're expecting another little lurker any day now. If I can steal away, I will.
posted by mds35 at 5:22 PM on April 12, 2008

for my er 40th birthday

Impossible. You can't be a day over 25. As a 23-year-old, I should know.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 6:26 PM on April 12, 2008

I can't get there until 10 or so...do you expect the festivities to continue on to the later hours?
posted by emd3737 at 10:53 AM on April 13, 2008

I hope so. We'll either be at CBC or around the corner at Johnny Flat Top's.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:12 PM on April 13, 2008

My cell phone number is still 508-415-9074 if anyone needs to locate us in a pinch.
posted by jessamyn at 8:18 PM on April 13, 2008

I would be down for a shadow meetup with Cortex in Portland if it wasn't for the fact that I'll be in Spokane that weekend pimping software at a medical convention. Oh joy of joys.

But Eastern Washington is Eastern Washington, so I shall tip an appropriate beverage, tip an inappropriate cow and then rofl a couple sheep in honor of the event.
posted by afflatus at 9:08 PM on April 13, 2008

I'd like to make this. Volunteering @ an event that night in town, but hope to make it later. Jessamyn, can that # of yours be texted to find out where you all are?
posted by jdl at 1:21 PM on April 14, 2008

Jessamyn, can that # of yours be texted to find out where you all are?

Hope so!
posted by jessamyn at 1:28 PM on April 14, 2008

This is sounding like a Perfect Storm meetup for me: I have no other plans, I'm in town, it's close enough, I have the cash, it sounds like a goodsized crowd. I am planning on it.
posted by Miko at 8:54 AM on April 15, 2008

Count me as a maybe. I need to see if I can dig up a place to stay in Boston. I think everyone I knew there moved away, but we'll see.
posted by rusty at 12:13 PM on April 15, 2008

If you're all set but for a place to stay rusty, I can probably figure out something for you if other MeFites can't come through.
posted by jessamyn at 12:25 PM on April 15, 2008

Hmmmm.....Opens wallet, scanning for monthly T pass and smatterings of cash. check. check.

I'm in.
posted by Rafaelloello at 5:25 PM on April 15, 2008

Opens wallet

Oooh, hmm. Hrm. That doesn't look up to code. When was—when was the last time you got it emissions-certified? Oh. Never? Huh. That's not really legal, is the—

You know, well, look. I don't want to make a big thing of it. If everything checks out, I'll let you go with a warning. But I'm really going to need to inspect that.
posted by cortex at 5:44 PM on April 15, 2008 [1 favorite]

Hopefully my currency situation isn't too dire to make this one.
But it might be.
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 8:56 AM on April 16, 2008

I'll be at the meetup and at roflcon.
posted by martinX's bellbottoms at 9:19 AM on April 16, 2008

So, apparently my brain is on autopilot today, because I typed "April 26th" into the google search box and then clicked on the wikipedia link in order to find out what day of the week that is.

It did answer my question though.
posted by smackfu at 3:49 PM on April 16, 2008

Who's going to ROFLcon and where are you staying? I got a $40/night bed at the Boston hostel. Cheap, but it is a hostel. If anyone has better (i.e., nicer but slightly more expensive) options, I'm all ears.
posted by DonnieSticks at 6:13 PM on April 16, 2008

Mulp, do you need cash for gas? I'd hate to see you miss this one.
posted by Eideteker at 6:27 PM on April 16, 2008

Yeah Mulp, we'll pass the collection plate, seriously.
posted by jessamyn at 6:58 PM on April 16, 2008

Even without a collection plate, you probably won't have a problem. martinX's bellbottoms managed to make a profit at the last meetup without even trying. Mefites (at least the sorts that show up to meetups) are almost universally kind, generous, and gainfully-employed. So college-esque "come on, who didn't put any money in" check games are essentially unheard of.
posted by Plutor at 7:16 AM on April 17, 2008

No offense intended towards Mefite students or the unemployed.
posted by Plutor at 7:16 AM on April 17, 2008

I said I might go to the Western Mass one, and then didn't. So I'm not going to say that I'll be able to attend this one, in hopes that I can.
posted by anastasiav at 8:19 AM on April 17, 2008

Oh, you folks are sweet. I think I'll probably have enough for the train, though I might end up needing a place to crash.
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 4:01 PM on April 17, 2008

Or a ride back to the Providence area, if anyone's heading back this way afterwards.
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 4:03 PM on April 17, 2008

Wow, ROFLCon sounds awesome. Registration closed - bummah.
posted by Miko at 7:12 PM on April 17, 2008

Oh, plus - rideshare available from the Portsmouth NH area, for anyone nearby or north of here.
posted by Miko at 7:14 PM on April 17, 2008

For those keeping score at home, I count 30 probablies or yeses.
posted by Plutor at 7:24 AM on April 18, 2008

I'll probably be going, Great Big Mulp, and if I am we can ride there and back together.
posted by Kattullus at 9:52 AM on April 18, 2008

So if a giant meteor crashes out of the sky and lands on the bar, vaporising every living thing inside, this would leave cortex in charge.

You have taken this possibility into consideration, haven't you?
posted by essexjan at 10:58 AM on April 20, 2008

o_0
posted by jessamyn at 11:20 AM on April 20, 2008

Man, think of all the really good scotch I could by with your salaries.
posted by cortex at 11:23 AM on April 20, 2008

Spend some of it on spelling lessons.
posted by jessamyn at 11:27 AM on April 20, 2008

"by with" is a prepositional phrase functionally similar to "furth of", fyi.
posted by cortex at 12:31 PM on April 20, 2008

functionally similar to "furth of"

"Furth of" is a prepositional phrase that is spellingly similar to "fuck off." Make sure you spend extra for the Canadian/UK lessons, they'll come in useful here.
posted by jessamyn at 1:03 PM on April 20, 2008

LA LA LA CAN'T HEAR YOU LA LA LA SPENDING YOUR PAYCHECK ON GLEN GARIOCH LA LA LA
posted by cortex at 1:30 PM on April 20, 2008 [2 favorites]

I think that this situation calls for some of that sarcasm stuff I've heard about.
posted by Plutor at 3:19 PM on April 20, 2008

I sent off a reminder to CBC that we're enroute. 30 people is way too many to seat, so we'll use superior numbers to grab stools and tables as needed.

I have also updated my profile to contain my horrible visage in a beer-drinking state to hopefully aid recognition.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 10:18 AM on April 22, 2008

I didn't know there was a dress code for this.
posted by backseatpilot at 7:01 PM on April 23, 2008

crap. i can't make it. unless it runs remarkably late. what're the odds y'all will still be mefing by, say, 11?
posted by rmd1023 at 6:26 AM on April 24, 2008

So, turns out I'll be in Boston, too. But booo, your convention sounds cooler than mine.

If someone can explain in small words to me how to find you in Cambridge from public transit, I could possibly attend.

But if anyone wants to hang with me in Back Bay, let me know. (Also, MeMail me some resto recs, 'kay?)
posted by desuetude at 7:23 AM on April 24, 2008

That reminds me, anyone who's looking for something fractionally as awesome as ROFLcon to do should go to the surprisingly great Breakonomics, a nationally-attended breakdancing competition in the MIT Student Center this Saturday. I went last year and loved it so much I'll probably be there again this weekend.
posted by Plutor at 7:39 AM on April 24, 2008

If someone can explain in small words to me how to find you in Cambridge from public transit, I could possibly attend.

- get to the subway - it costs $2
- follow maps or use trip planner to get to Kendall Station [on the red line]
- have Google Maps tell you where One Kendall Square Cambridge is from the subway (which we call "The T"). Actually, just print this. It's about a 15-20 minute walk I think?
posted by jessamyn at 7:57 AM on April 24, 2008

The street address for One Kendall Square is kinda nuts. This is more like it. And unfortunately, I can't map that there's a shortcut between Main St and Broadway. Just go straight through the hotel that's right in front of the T stop (a Marriott, I think).

CBC is visible on the left side of the square as you enter from Hampshire St. Flat Top Johnny's requires you to go through the square, and up a few stairs towards the right.
posted by Plutor at 8:27 AM on April 24, 2008

It's about a 15-20 minute walk I think?

I just walked by on my walk from Beacon Hill to Somerville and it took me 10 minutes tops. But then again, I knew where I was going.

For folks coming out of the T, walk down the street (Main) away from the river. When you see a weird looking Frank Gehry building on your left, turn right (on to Galileo). Turn left at the next intersection. You will cross some train tracks. Stay on the right of this road (Broadway) and follow the first road that branches off of it after the tracks (Hampshire). You will walk past a building for lease on your right. CBC is tucked into the back left in the courtyard that follows on your right hand side. If you reach the Dante Alighieri Italian Center, you have gone too far. Turn around and backtrack.

Note that Jess's map has you circling the block for some reason. That's fine if you're driving as it'll put you near a garage, but is some wasted steps if you're on foot.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 1:29 PM on April 24, 2008

Yeah my map sucks and I've replaced the link with the one Plutor suggested.
posted by jessamyn at 1:58 PM on April 24, 2008

"For folks coming out of the T, walk down the street (Main) away from the river."

If you're arriving around 7-8PM, head towards sunset.
posted by Eideteker at 1:20 PM on April 25, 2008

trew story:

lil esdebah was excited to discover a mefi meetup planned to go down in what was essentially his backyard. Elated, he walked the half a block from his house to the CBC. He looked around, scratching his lil head and straining his lil eyes, trying to recognize folks like Matt or Jessamyn from photos. The bar, howevs, was packed to the gills with roflcon folks, most of which were indistiguishable from your typical and/or atypical mefi.

After skulking around the bar like a sullen adolescent his first high school dance, lil esdebah returned home to skim the metatalk thread again for info. He then looked up folks online to try to get good, recognizable pictures of them. Having done this, he returned to the CBC for more skulking. Finally, he returned home for more skimming and happened upon Jessamyn (famous librarian superhero) West's telephone number. He gives her a call.

The nice lady informed lil esdebah that the meet up is in fact tomorrow. She does this calmly and kindly, using her herculean admin and librarian powers to avoid the use of words like "noob," "dumbass," or "please read the entire thread before posting yourself to the CBC." What a dear she is!

Now he just hopes he can make it tomorrow night.
posted by es_de_bah at 5:04 PM on April 25, 2008 [2 favorites]

I will be there.
posted by Schmucko at 8:09 PM on April 25, 2008

If you're arriving around 7-8PM, head towards sunset.

That's in Allston, dude.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 9:21 PM on April 25, 2008

Holy crap - I'm coming. This is literally 2 blocks from my house.

And this is only my second post. Some of you may know me from a friendly place as "steeltoe."

See you in 15 hours.
posted by bensherman at 11:51 PM on April 25, 2008

'She does this calmly and kindly, using her herculean admin and librarian powers to avoid the use of words like "noob," "dumbass," or "please read the entire thread before posting yourself to the CBC."'

es_de_bah, with meetups it's traditional to save the namecalling and insults for face-to-face interaction. Usually 2 to 3 beers into the evening. I'm personally looking forward to calling several users "jerkpants" "assburger" "skankmonger" and "cheesestain".

As for me, you'll know me when you see me. I'm the guy from the hamburger train.
posted by Eideteker at 8:39 AM on April 26, 2008

If my post to lurk ratio is the same at the meetup as it is on the site, I'll stand around from 7pm till about 1 minute before you leave, scream LAST POST and then walk out.
posted by bensherman at 9:44 AM on April 26, 2008

If my post to lurk ratio is the same at the meetup as it is on the site, I'll stand around from 7pm till about 1 minute before you leave, scream LAST POST and then walk out.

Does that mean I have to make up a song every half-hour or so?
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 10:27 AM on April 26, 2008

In a just world, yes.
posted by cortex at 10:39 AM on April 26, 2008

What a dear she is!

Hope you come back this evening!
posted by jessamyn at 11:07 AM on April 26, 2008

If there are reservations to be made and we can still sign up, heresiarch and I will probably be showing up around 7:30. I will be wearing an awesome Firefly shirt. (Who just got her ThinkGeek delivery today? Oh yes I did)
posted by olinerd at 1:17 PM on April 26, 2008

Oh my 35 minutes left. I am going to be wearing a shirt with a crab on it. And a pipe.

Or one that says [this is good].

And I'll have an NSFW license plate with me.
posted by bensherman at 3:28 PM on April 26, 2008

HOLY FUCK IS IT CROWDED IN HERE
posted by danb at 6:51 PM on April 26, 2008

I didn't see anyone, did I miss out?
posted by allen.spaulding at 8:46 PM on April 26, 2008

Video of the big crowd from the bar. Pretty much everyone you can see near the bar is with the mefi group. It took a while for me to meet everyone.
posted by mathowie at 8:46 PM on April 26, 2008

I came, I drank too much, I have to get up to early to catch a plane.

Thanks for the tall beers whoever was buying them. Nice to meet everyone. I forgot my camera cable, but I'll post pics on Tuesday when i get back to Mpls.
posted by DonnieSticks at 8:49 PM on April 26, 2008

HOLY FUCK IS IT CROWDED IN HERE

Danb speaks the truth. What an awesome meetup! Robocop is bleeding, Banjo and the pork, Not on display, Anastasia, The Great Big Mulp, Eideteker, Nonane, Es de bah, Katullus, Masterbisson, Nonane, MartinX's bellbottoms, DonnieSticks, Biblio, and of course the holy trinity of mods, it was a pleasure to meet/see you all. It was the perfect end to a day in which I got to sit next to, and chat with, Tron Guy.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 8:49 PM on April 26, 2008

Huzzah!
posted by grobstein at 9:12 PM on April 26, 2008

It's over! That was the most fun I've had with a group of strangers since the first day of space camp.

You are all wonderful people!
posted by bensherman at 9:12 PM on April 26, 2008

I just want you to know that I am dedicating an Epic Pee in y'all's honor now,
posted by robocop is bleeding at 9:18 PM on April 26, 2008

That was so much fun! You guys all rock!
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 9:24 PM on April 26, 2008

That was really cool. By my count we broke 40 people around 8:30 PM - I'm pretty familiar with the Boston meetup crowd and there had to have been 20 people I didn't know there.

We gotta have a bigger / more open venue if we ever approach this size again.

Which we should attempt in the not-too-distant future.
posted by Ryvar at 9:27 PM on April 26, 2008

For those of you who went home with iron-ons...

- set iron to hottest setting NO STEAM
- push iron over decal with steady pressure & rotating iron motions for 30-45 seconds or until iron-on is stuck to shirt
- allow two minutes to cool and peel off backing

I had a super good time, thanks to everyone for coming out.
posted by jessamyn at 9:29 PM on April 26, 2008

I enjoy eating Sludge!

Also, I am enjoying about learning what a Bad Idea it is to leave One's MeFi account open while your husband is tipsy and in the room.

Also, BOOGERS!
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 9:33 PM on April 26, 2008

Plutor, I found parking pretty much right where you said.

Thanks, everyone. That was a really fun meetup. I overcame my fear that I would have nothing to say to mathowie in conversation. I met some really cool people (now we have to get them back) and hung out with "The Boston Regulars". danb, martinX, and brett came up with a fun meetup game: see how long you can hold a conversation without mentioning video games (which I promptly lost). And my girlfriend now has a functioning account she will never log into even if she could remember the password.

I'm sorry I didn't get to meet/talk to everyone!
posted by Eideteker at 9:37 PM on April 26, 2008

There were iron-ons?

*cries*

But I could feel y'alls vibrational energy all the way out here on the left coast. Way to have a good meetup!
posted by rtha at 9:40 PM on April 26, 2008

see how long you can hold a conversation without mentioning video games (which I promptly lost).

I think I'm gonna need a handicap to play this one in future meetups.
posted by Ryvar at 9:42 PM on April 26, 2008

Oh, and kwaller and I were talking about getting some kind of karaoke meetup happening in the near future. I don't know any karaoke places around here, but would love suggestions of ones with deep, deep catalogues (I've done Possum Kingdom before, but never Prison Sex). Village Karaoke in NYC had rooms you could rent out so you didn't have to wait through all these performances by strangers not in your group.

bensherman also mentioned bowling. I don't know about you, but I've got my own bowling shoes. I think we should do a bowling meetup at some point.

"and of course the holy trinity of mods"

Hah! Suck it, cortex! Suck from the crab pipe.
posted by Eideteker at 9:45 PM on April 26, 2008

Holy shit, that was fun.

That is all.
posted by not_on_display at 9:53 PM on April 26, 2008

That was fun! I apologize to the people I talked to towards the end of the evening, when I was not making nearly as much sense. Especially to brett on the T.

I also apologize to martinX for our complete failure to talk about something besides video games. Ryvar, I think you were actually better than brett and I at that game.

I am flattered and a little bit frightened that a couple of people recognized my username. That's never happened to me before, and maybe means I need to find another hobby.

As it turns out, grobstein and I debated each other while we were in high school. Though neither of us remembers exactly when, or on what topic, we reached the consensus that he probably kicked my ass.

kthxbai!
posted by danb at 9:58 PM on April 26, 2008

Since I didn't take any pictures, some topics of conversation:

How long you've been on the internet (I was in this conversation twice tonight)

Noam Chomsky (second time in as many meetups for me)

MetaFilter exploits and the hackers who love them

Filk

Truck Nuts

Mass transit

A standup videogame convention (which turned into a video game standup routine: "Ya ever play PacMan? What's the deal with the Pink ghost?")

MIT's women's studies department (not actually part of their Biological Engineering program!)

Going to school with Lex Luthor

IRC

gopher

2 Girls, 1 Cup

Rick Astley and 80s cassingles

underage drinking ("and that was the night MetaFilter went to jail")

various types and states of proxy (another strangely recurring topic)

For me, the high point of the evening was when I called Plutor a skankmonger. For all of us, really.

posted by Eideteker at 10:02 PM on April 26, 2008

Man, all y'all are wonderful people.

I'm not drunk!

Okay, so, maybe I am.
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 12:31 AM on April 27, 2008

pb's photos are up.

Thanks, pb, this is really going to help my run for office.
posted by Ryvar at 1:47 AM on April 27, 2008

I'm fairly certain I didn't get to meet everyone, despite my efforts. That was a grand time. Probably the biggest Boston meetup of all time. Let's do it again.
posted by Plutor at 5:38 AM on April 27, 2008

You are all such good fun!

Next time Plutor makes me defend Library School, I may need some help from you other librarians (jessamyn, robocop is bleeding...). I don't think I did it justice!
posted by jdl at 5:55 AM on April 27, 2008

In my own defense, I was only trying to find out why someone with no intention of being a librarian would go to librarian school. I didn't mean it to come out as "wtf, lol".

Oh shit oh shit *runs from book-armed mob*
posted by Plutor at 6:29 AM on April 27, 2008

Holy biscuits, mathowie is tall.

evalenza and I had a lovely time regret having to bail early for another social obligation. I'm sad I didn't get to talk to everyone, alas.
posted by enfa at 6:43 AM on April 27, 2008

huh, I had to defend, or at least explain, library school to someone too, but I don't think it was Plutor. It was great to meet interesting folks and mill around awkwardly with them!
posted by nonane at 6:52 AM on April 27, 2008

What a blast! I only took about four photos.

It was great to meet some of the old-timers and some newer folks as well. Sorry I didn't get to chat with more people.

I am still amazed that someone had a crab vs. pipe t-shirt. That's just about the most obscure thing I've ever seen on a shirt. Well, until I make my "note: Everyone needs a hug" shirt.
posted by bondcliff at 6:56 AM on April 27, 2008

There certainly were a lot of people there, packed into a smallish area. I knew I didn't meet or introduce myself to everyone, but I didn't know until this morning that two of them were pb and bondcliff! Sorry guys; but it was nice to meet the folks I did get around to and say hello to the ones I had seen before!

One anecdote: as I was waiting in South Station waiting for my 11:20 train and munching an Auntie Annie's pretzel, just as the announcement came over the intercom 'THIS IS THE FINAL BOARDING CALL FOR THE 11:10 TRAIN TO PROVIDENCE, NOW BOARDING ON TRACK FIVE...", two young guys came FLYING through the station at about 100 miles an hour, hit the doors and zoomed to the track without slowing down a step.

It was amusing to me to be able to say to myself, "Huh. That was katullus and The Great Big Mulp".
posted by yhbc at 7:54 AM on April 27, 2008 [4 favorites]

that was fun. sorry i missed many of you, and i think all the mods left before i had a chance to say hi to them.
posted by rmd1023 at 8:02 AM on April 27, 2008

Wow, that was crazy!

I just want to thank Matt (and PB) who, after what I'm sure was a grueling week of travel and at the end of a very long day were gracious and funny and willing to talk to all the fanboy/girl nerds crushed into that bar.

And, yeah, wow is Matt tall. (Must be the timezone difference.)
posted by anastasiav at 8:08 AM on April 27, 2008

hope i didn't scare anyone with my poop themed conversation... and thanks for the new handle, evilenzyme.
posted by evalenza at 8:10 AM on April 27, 2008

Yup! That was us, yhbc. We made the train in seconds flat. The train was about to pull out. We were even made to enter through the caboose!

This was a triumph. I'm making a note here: great success! oh shit, did I just lose the game.

I have now added everyone I remember meeting, but I know there are some I'm forgetting. I suppose compiling a masterlist of everyone that was there is kind of hopeless. But here's my list:

allen.spaulding
anastasiav
backseatpilot
banjo_and_the_pork
bensherman
biblio
boncliff
brett
daisyace
danb
desuetude
DonnieSticks
Eideteker
enfa
es_de_bah
grobstein
heresiarch
Horace Rumpole
jdl
jessamyn
Kattullus
martinX's bellbottoms
mathowie
misterbisson
nonane
not_on_display
olinerd
pb
Plutor
Rafaelloello
rmd1023
robocop is bleeding
Ryvar
schmucko
The Great Big Mulp
yhbc

Which by my count is 36 people. Then there was Eideteker's imaginary girlfriend and a guy called Rob. Who am I forgetting?
posted by Kattullus at 8:11 AM on April 27, 2008

Oh yeah! And evalenza!
posted by Kattullus at 8:12 AM on April 27, 2008

"That's just about the most obscure thing I've ever seen on a shirt. Well, until I make my 'note: Everyone needs a hug' shirt."

Hah! Just wait until I make my "note: Everyone needs a 'note: Everyone needs a hug' t-shirt" t-shirt.

My arbitrarily complex nesting of tags is broken.
posted by Eideteker at 8:13 AM on April 27, 2008

I hope you know I'm just teasing, Plutor. It was fun talking to you! I promise no book-armed mob will be chasing you down. Well, at least I hope not...
posted by jdl at 8:18 AM on April 27, 2008

Kattullus: Also add kwaller and her non-imaginary boyfriend.
posted by danb at 8:30 AM on April 27, 2008

Kattullus: Mrs. Plutor was there (not a mefite, I think) which brings us to 42.
posted by Ryvar at 9:28 AM on April 27, 2008

Who was the Harvard student who wrote his thesis about MeFi? Username started with an E I think...
posted by jessamyn at 10:49 AM on April 27, 2008

I'm really sorry I missed this great constellation of a meetup. Glad it was fun. Hope to meet y'all another time soon.
posted by Miko at 1:12 PM on April 27, 2008

Who was the Harvard student who wrote his thesis about MeFi? Username started with an E I think...

Was it Quartermass: "My thesis is on Metafilter" and discussed in this MeTa thread?
posted by ericb at 2:29 PM on April 27, 2008

"Capital and Stratification within Virtual Community: A Case Study of Metafilter.com" -- but, the thesis was for his "MA requirements for Sociology at the University of Lethbridge in Southern Alberta."
posted by ericb at 2:32 PM on April 27, 2008

Yeah no, he just wrote his thesis on MetaFilter. Super nice guy, I don't see him in the photos. Anyone else catch his name? Did I dream the whole thing?
posted by jessamyn at 2:34 PM on April 27, 2008

Such good times! Hooray!

It was a pleasure meeting all of you. However, there were many I meant to meet but never met, so yes, let's do this again soon! Karaoke sounds like fun.

I will show you pictures of my cat.
posted by kwaller at 2:37 PM on April 27, 2008

What up Jessamyn - it's me. It was great to meet you last night!
posted by ersherr at 4:27 PM on April 27, 2008

What up ersherr? Likewise!
posted by jessamyn at 4:33 PM on April 27, 2008

Last night was a blast! I blew off a high school theatre reunion thingie to attend and I'm glad I did. You guys are MUCH cooler than the drama divas of St. Mary's.

One important thing I learned is that you should never offer a ride to an out of town Mefite when you yourself are from out of town. Let's just say that desuetude and I had a bonding experience while driving around the Metro Boston area looking high and low for her lodgings!

I am totally up for bowling or karaoke...I have my own karaoke machine. I'm thinking mini-golf would be awesome too!

Sorry I rickrolled some of you. I was just so excited to meet people who knew what that even meant!
posted by Biblio at 6:18 PM on April 27, 2008

Wait... Biblio, you rickrolled people in person?

How did you do that?

Also, waaaaaaaaaaah why didn't you do it to me? waaaaaaaaaaaaaah
posted by Kattullus at 5:15 AM on April 28, 2008

biblio has MAD rickrolling skills.
posted by rmd1023 at 5:29 AM on April 28, 2008

Plutor: Hi, I'm Plutor
Biblio: Nice to meet you, I'm Biblio. We're no strangers to love.
Plutor: Um, yeah, I guess we're not.
Biblio: You know the rules and so do I
Plutor: I certainly do. Would you like a beer?
Biblio: A full commitment's what I'm thinking of. You wouldn't get this from any other guy.
Plutor: Mm-hm. Mm-hm. *steps away slowly*
posted by Plutor at 6:16 AM on April 28, 2008 [1 favorite]

On the streets of Cambridge, being rickrolled means getting beaten up in the bathroom and left for dead. Thankfully Plutor will be making a full recovery, but he'll never be able to write greasemonkey scripts again.
posted by nomad at 8:03 AM on April 28, 2008

No, but oddly enough he will be obsessed with working on his Greasemonkey Opera.

Wow, talk about levels...
posted by Eideteker at 8:36 AM on April 28, 2008

jessamyn, you didn't dream the thesis guy. I heard him talking about it too, but I didn't catch his name either. He mentioned something about Harvard not wanting him to share it until it's published. (Or something like that.) So he might be in stealth mode.
posted by pb at 8:49 AM on April 28, 2008

Thankfully Plutor will be making a full recovery

We're passing the hat to buy him a greasehelpermonkey.
posted by cortex at 8:59 AM on April 28, 2008

I thought we agreed that money was for a Perl necklace.
posted by Eideteker at 9:39 AM on April 28, 2008

I have a very tiny Rick Astley secreted about my person for just such occasions. Next time, I will bring my lolrus. My very, very small lolrus.
posted by Biblio at 9:43 AM on April 28, 2008

nomad: "Thankfully Plutor will be making a full recovery, but he'll never be able to write greasemonkey scripts again."

You call that a full recovery? I call that "envying the dead".
posted by Plutor at 9:49 AM on April 28, 2008

Next time, I will bring my lolrus. My very, very small lolrus.

CAN HAZ THIMBLE
posted by cortex at 9:56 AM on April 28, 2008

For Biblio: A delicious rickroll.
posted by desuetude at 1:51 PM on April 28, 2008

Oh, hey, Boston MeFites -- I have a few bucks left on my Charlie card from this weekend. Who wants it? I'll gladly sacrifice the price of a stamp for the principle of not throwing away money.
posted by desuetude at 1:54 PM on April 28, 2008

it would be cool if ersherr's thesis were to be posted somewheres, in due course.....
posted by Rumple at 2:18 PM on April 28, 2008

If we ask him very nicely, and send PhD-themed hats and underwear, there's a chance he'll post a PDF to Projects after his defense. (Which I believe he said is this Friday, good luck, ersherr!)
posted by Plutor at 4:51 PM on April 28, 2008

Six hours and no takers? For fuck's sake, don't let the man win.
posted by desuetude at 8:07 PM on April 28, 2008

I'll take it!
posted by bensherman at 8:23 PM on April 28, 2008

Desuetude - glad to see you made it home okay. I was afraid I'd released you into the wilds of Beantown never to be seen again!

Anyway, those rick rolls are awesome.
posted by Biblio at 8:05 AM on April 29, 2008