Because beer makes fire better

June 8, 2008 5:41 PM

All right, andycasses: Chicago meetup on July 3rd, 6pm, Billy Goat on (under) Michigan

Dark Beer! Light Beer! Other Beer! Double burgers! Steak and Egg! Chips! Then, with our drink and food on, we'll go out and watch Daley set the sky on fire!

Or something else, of course.

posted by eriko to MetaFilter Gatherings at 5:41 PM (95 comments total)

No can do. I fly west at noon on the 3rd.

I'll pencil y'all in for August, however.
posted by crush-onastick at 6:02 PM on June 8, 2008

What is this cass-andy you speak of?
posted by [NOT HERMITOSIS-IST] at 6:02 PM on June 8, 2008

I tell you what, I bet a lot of people are already going to have plans for that night. I personally don't, but am not sure I want to deal with transportation in and out of the city with you CRAZIES on the loose. :)

I don't actually worry about teh crazy, just the sheer volume of loose critters. And actually, I don't worry about that either. I'm just sayin', regular ole week nights after work tend to be better for these things. But, y'know, I go where the andycasses go.
posted by iguanapolitico at 7:08 PM on June 8, 2008

If they do, we move it. No big thing. I just like the idea of doing this on a night where I don't have to get on a plane the next morning at oh-dark hundred.
posted by eriko at 7:46 PM on June 8, 2008

I'd go, but I'm too young for the alcomohols. Can I meet up with you guys for the fireworks or something?
posted by mismatched at 8:34 PM on June 8, 2008

Let's move the party to NOT HERMITOSIS-IST's place. He seems to like hanging out in our threads, so he should be cool with having us hang out at his place, right? ;-)

Don't think I'll be able to do it on the 3rd, alas...
posted by adamdschneider at 8:35 PM on June 8, 2008

If you're still hanging out late, I work downtown but am usually stuck in the office until 1230am or so. Hopefully someone will have an iPhone or something so they can post venue changes in this thread the night of.
posted by jtron at 9:18 PM on June 8, 2008

I'm still recovering from the last meetup, plus I'll be out of town that weekend.

Can we do the next meet up on Dec 24th?
posted by wfrgms at 9:31 PM on June 8, 2008

I will be leaving town that very morning.

Otherwise, I would make you all drink to my impending birthday (which is also that weekend), while I remain entirely sober.
posted by sparkletone at 3:53 AM on June 9, 2008

mismatched: the Billy Goat Tavern does not check ID at the door--I guess because it's a hamburger joint not a bar--so you could meet us there, at our usual spot and watch us all imbibe. The odds seem to be stacking against the 3rd, however. Does the 2nd work or shall we wait until everyone gets back into town the next week?
posted by crush-onastick at 6:28 AM on June 9, 2008

I'll be out of town that week and the next (in Crete!), but don't let that stop any festivities.
posted by hydrophonic at 7:08 AM on June 9, 2008

I'll jump on the out of town bandwagon. I'll be in San Diego until the 6th.
However, the following week would be grand.
posted by Arbac at 7:55 AM on June 9, 2008

I'm available up 'til and including July 17th. And then the 28th thru 31st, for whomever is keeping the official calendar.
posted by iguanapolitico at 8:09 AM on June 9, 2008

EDIT:

All right, andycasses: Chicago meetup on July 8th, 6pm, Billy Goat on (under) Michigan. No burning sky, but more people.
posted by eriko at 8:17 AM on June 9, 2008

I can do the 8th. And yeah, mismatched, I believe the Billy Goat is all-ages. I've seen a lot of people who were obviously not 21 come in for a burger and chips, and I've never seen anyone chased out.
posted by eamondaly at 8:39 AM on June 9, 2008

8th should work for me.
posted by adamdschneider at 9:17 AM on June 9, 2008

8. 8 is a good number. I'm in.
posted by iguanapolitico at 10:12 AM on June 9, 2008

To make it official: July 8th, 6pm, Billy Goat on (under) Michigan. Seconded?
posted by eamondaly at 11:12 AM on June 9, 2008

Seconded. Sounds good.
posted by veggieboy at 11:24 AM on June 9, 2008

Done.
posted by eriko at 12:44 PM on June 9, 2008

Like the idea and will try to be there.
posted by mosessis at 1:15 PM on June 9, 2008

I need to stop blowing these off, so count me in.

Hold me to it. Seriously.
posted by SpiffyRob at 2:38 PM on June 9, 2008

I would like to make it to this ... the 8th seems much more reasonable than the 3rd, which would be utter insanity as far as traffic etc...
posted by twiggy at 3:04 PM on June 9, 2008

Candy asses is my favorite insult of all time.
posted by Corduroy at 5:11 PM on June 9, 2008

Argh. I just remembered that I'll be out of town then, but that's good to know about the place being all ages.
posted by mismatched at 6:24 PM on June 9, 2008

Sorry if you've heard this one before--but I love this story. Once, I was working a homicide trial with a prosecutor who while thinking on her feet, during direct or cross examination, would repeat the witness' name, rather than saying uh or um or some other vocal tic. You know, "So, Mr Smith, when you arrived at the scene was the door opened?" "On the night in question, Mr Smith, how were you dressed?" and so forth. At any rate, one of her witnesses was a police officer, named Candianus. Say it out loud. Now, imagine you're in the tedious part of the homicide trial, haven't slept in about a week because when the court day ends at 5pm, you still have 4-5 hours of work to do, and every time the prosecutor opens her mouth, she says "So, Officer Candianus". I was always proud of myself for not giggling uncontrollably. She was a good prosecutor, by the way.
posted by crush-onastick at 6:28 PM on June 9, 2008

The 8th?

I'm there!
posted by sparkletone at 9:07 PM on June 9, 2008

Krrrush-Onastix: Please to be writing down any and all anecdotes you intended to relate to us at the meet up. They will be read aloud, dramatically, so that your absence isn't quite so... obvious.
posted by sparkletone at 9:12 PM on June 9, 2008

sparkletone: "Krrrush-Onastix: Please to be writing down any and all anecdotes you intended to relate to us at the meet up. They will be read aloud, dramatically, so that your absence isn't quite so... obvious."

Sparkletone, it is actually K'roo Shonn Hasteek, the warrior barristress of the Court of Cook.
posted by WCityMike at 12:12 PM on June 13, 2008

Nobody tells me anything.
posted by sparkletone at 6:16 PM on June 13, 2008

I'll try to make it, first timer for a Chicago meetup. Why are these always at Billy Goat, anyways?
posted by rabbitsnake at 4:39 PM on June 14, 2008

Not to speak for others, but: It's pretty easy to get to, plus there's good food (that is bad for you) and (allegedly good) alcohol, in addition to being quiet enough that we can talk in normal voices and be heard.
posted by sparkletone at 6:28 PM on June 14, 2008

I like to think it's because it's inconvenient for everyone, which means we always have something to talk about.
posted by eamondaly at 1:17 PM on June 15, 2008

Listen to Eamon Daly; the man is a legend among those who Speak the Truth. And have mustaches.
posted by crush-onastick at 5:32 PM on June 15, 2008

those who Speak the Truth. And have mustaches.

Oh, please. That's, like, 3 people and eamondaly is two of them.
posted by sparkletone at 6:51 PM on June 15, 2008

That's, like, 3 people and eamondaly is two of them.

Well, yeah. Sentient Mustaches, pretty common in these parts.
posted by eriko at 8:21 AM on June 16, 2008

Hey, it's more than I've accomplished! Sentience in facial hair *and* rising to the top of the class in it.
posted by crush-onastick at 6:58 AM on June 17, 2008

I don't understand what's happening here.
posted by eamondaly at 7:33 PM on June 17, 2008

Magic, baby. Pure magic.
posted by adamdschneider at 10:13 PM on June 17, 2008

I should hopefully be there. Don't see any reason right now why I wouldn't. :)
posted by WCityMike at 11:05 AM on June 18, 2008

Carry on, then.
posted by eamondaly at 12:23 PM on June 18, 2008

Sounds fun, I'll make it there if possible.
posted by applemeat at 8:58 AM on June 19, 2008

I'll try to be there. Are we going to be an identifiable group for this one or are we just going to mill around as anonymous strangers like last time?
posted by shakespeherian at 10:19 AM on June 22, 2008

Well, last time we had a sign courtesy of misskaz (who hasn't spoken up and therefore I assume won't be there this time; since he got there so early last time, maybe eamondaly can do it this time). I believe you're referring to the time before that, at Quenchers.
posted by adamdschneider at 1:19 PM on June 22, 2008

In stead of a sign wouldn't it be easier to have people just walk around the Billy Goat saying "Marco" and then follow the "Polo" response? Even if you don't end up with MeFites you'll at least get to hang out with someone that had the good sense to say "Polo" to your "Marco".

On second thought, yeah a sign. That'd be good.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 9:20 PM on June 22, 2008

I think we need a secret handshake. or a lapel pin. I will attempt to have flowers in my hair.
posted by crush-onastick at 6:54 AM on June 23, 2008

I can sum up my thoughts on sign-making in two words: Garish and neon.
posted by sparkletone at 7:09 AM on June 23, 2008

We should all wear these.
posted by adamdschneider at 8:08 AM on June 23, 2008

I'll be wearing my FNORD tshirt.
posted by sparkletone at 2:24 PM on June 23, 2008

Yeah, the Quencher's debacle is what I meant to refer to. My fiance and I were there for an hour trying to decide if we could, collectively, summon enough extroversion to talk to the various large table groups. (The answer is: NO)
posted by shakespeherian at 4:19 PM on June 23, 2008

The meetups I've been to, it's worked well to go around and ask people if they are there with Matt Haughey. None of the strangers seem to think it's very weird, I don't have to disclose that I'm there for an internet party of imaginary friends, and the people I'm looking for immediately know I've found them.
posted by mosessis at 5:25 PM on June 23, 2008 [6 favorites]

Ha, good one, mosessis, I never would have thought of that. Have no fear, shakespherian, because if all else fails, I'll bring a sign, though I won't get there until 6:30 again, and by the time I got there last time the party was already swinging.
posted by adamdschneider at 6:07 PM on June 23, 2008

The "who are we" scenarios of which you speak illustrate one of the best answers for rabbitsnake's question about why we meet at the Goat. It's the type of place where there just isn't a question who your group is (no matter what group you are part of) and if there were a question, it's easy to ask around.
posted by iguanapolitico at 8:14 AM on June 24, 2008

Somehow I missed this! July 8th should work for me, and if so I will bring a sign again. Not sure if the fiancé will join me - I think you guys scared him a little bit last time.
posted by misskaz at 10:57 AM on June 24, 2008

One could also peruse the prior meet-up threads for mugshots. That's not in the least bit creepy.
posted by crush-onastick at 12:39 PM on June 24, 2008

misskaz: my bad! I'll buy him drinks by way of apology, I swear!
posted by eamondaly at 1:21 PM on June 24, 2008

I think you need to apologize to me too, then.
posted by adamdschneider at 2:16 PM on June 24, 2008

adamdschneider: you knew the job was dangerous when you took it.
posted by eamondaly at 9:17 AM on June 25, 2008

I have yet another rock bound excuse not to show (since it can't possibly be my fear that I am a shy and uninteresting rube), namely that I broke my ankle and the Billy Goat is down an awful lot of steps. Have fun, I'll come to one of these one of these days...
posted by nax at 1:34 PM on June 25, 2008

crush-onastick: "One could also peruse the prior meet-up threads for mugshots. That's not in the least bit creepy."

Uh, sorry about that, then.
posted by WCityMike at 7:29 AM on June 26, 2008

Why haven't I checked for one of these in so long? I'm totally in.
posted by kpmcguire at 9:56 PM on June 29, 2008

Why haven't I checked for one of these in so long?

Weakness of character.
posted by sparkletone at 7:16 AM on June 30, 2008 [1 favorite]

it' that damned batsignal over the Gotham National Bank. It interferes with the integrity of the Get Your Drunk On Signal.
posted by crush-onastick at 7:39 AM on June 30, 2008

Woo, man, is this ever going to be a party. Get ready to call off on Wednesday, kids.
posted by adamdschneider at 7:49 PM on June 30, 2008

Hey, I'm free for this one! Consider me there.
posted by me3dia at 4:04 PM on July 2, 2008

Ditto me3dia. See you all there (and this time I promise to show up. Really.).
posted by MeetMegan at 1:29 PM on July 3, 2008

FYIs, I'm iffy. I'll be there, or I won't. :) If I'm not, then there'll be more beer for you.
posted by iguanapolitico at 4:35 PM on July 3, 2008

I'm still in the running for showing up, but I won't be able to get there by 6pm so hopefully the meetup doesn't migrate to some other location within the first hour or so...

Do we have some kind of a final [probable] roll call tallied up?
posted by twiggy at 5:19 PM on July 6, 2008

I'm obviously mostly a lurker; is our kind welcome at these shindigs? I won't really know anyone there and no one will know me. Maybe that's the point? hmm.
posted by metaldark at 8:14 PM on July 6, 2008

I don't think we've ever left the primary location any earlier than 9pm, so no worries there. And lurkers are absolutely welcome.
posted by eamondaly at 9:27 PM on July 6, 2008

Update: our neighbor passed away over the weekend and the wake is tomorrow, so there's a good chance I'll be late or absent.
posted by eamondaly at 8:31 AM on July 7, 2008

metaldark, I'm also a lurker and no one here knows me either, so if you come we can feel awkward together! Or, you know, know that the other quiet person down the table is also feeling awkward. Or something. I'm sure we'll be able to work it out.
posted by mosessis at 4:19 PM on July 7, 2008

I will also probably be there around 6:00. See you all then.
posted by MeetMegan at 4:31 PM on July 7, 2008

Looking forward to it, definitely.
posted by metaldark at 9:19 PM on July 7, 2008

I'm unfortunately bowing out. I was up for a few hours in the middle of the night, unable to get back to sleep; I know this means that I'm going to start crashing and crashing hard in the late afternoon or early evening. To boot, for some reason I thought the meetup was tomorrow, not today. Anyway, hope you guys have a great time and I'm really not planning to miss the next one.
posted by WCityMike at 5:37 AM on July 8, 2008

I have, unfortunately, made promises that I cannot break. I'm out. Weakness of character, indeed.
posted by kpmcguire at 7:28 AM on July 8, 2008

I am so there. Have to get up at 4.30 the next morning, so I may not be the one who lasts the longest, but I'll be there around 6 and I'm looking forward to meeting everyone.
posted by veggieboy at 10:04 AM on July 8, 2008

Count me out. I am officially an Andy Cass. I'll try to catch you next time.
posted by SpiffyRob at 12:51 PM on July 8, 2008

Yeah, it's 4pm and I'm leaving work within a half hour. I'm riding my bike home to the burbs, which means I'll still be on my bike at 6pm. And after that I'll probably be in a hot bath. So you guys just have your beers and think about me in my bath. Have fun!
posted by iguanapolitico at 2:05 PM on July 8, 2008

This is bad news. I just got a project dropped on my desk that has to be done in time for it to be Fed Exed tonight. Yeah. Fun. I will miss you guys. Especially since I would rather be drinking a beer than working on this stuff. This is what I get for sticking around after 5:00!
posted by MeetMegan at 3:26 PM on July 8, 2008

MM, don't you think you'll NEED a drink after that?

The rest of yous: sit tight! I'm on the train!
posted by eamondaly at 5:03 PM on July 8, 2008

Sorry guys - for some reason I thought this was happening on Wednesday night - I'm tied up tonight.

But I'm still thinking about iguana in the bath. Rawrr!
posted by wfrgms at 7:47 PM on July 8, 2008

First one home, suckas! It was awesome. Mosessis, enjoy Chicago while you're in town!
posted by rabbitsnake at 10:13 PM on July 8, 2008

It was great to meet all you fine people! Proposed site for next meetup: farmers market.

[crickets]
posted by veggieboy at 2:43 AM on July 9, 2008

Speaking of weakness of character: Somehow between leaving work and getting home I switched to thinking that today was the 8th?

What the fuck, man.

Next time: I will be there.
posted by sparkletone at 5:30 AM on July 9, 2008

PS: If it helps any, the brats I ended up making myself for dinner last night were at least as delicious as the steak+egg, and only half as likely to kill me!
posted by sparkletone at 5:56 AM on July 9, 2008

wfrgms & sparkletone: deamondaly & I were discussing this. That we both expected the meet-up to be Wednesday (as per usual) and had to make a concerted effort to show up on the appointed day, a Tuesday. But we managed. Unlike the person who set everything up. Some people just don't care enough. *sigh*
posted by crush-onastick at 6:23 AM on July 9, 2008

Yeah, I think the Tuesday bit threw a lot of people off. But hooray for everyone who came! Good times. And no one punched me in the face!
posted by eamondaly at 7:54 AM on July 9, 2008

Ah, man, we forgot the traditional face punch! Nice meeting everyone I hadn't met before, looking forward to the next time.
posted by adamdschneider at 8:38 AM on July 9, 2008

That was a great time! I'm working on typing up that list and posting it to Travel. I'll link when I'm done. Thanks for all your suggestions!
posted by mosessis at 4:54 PM on July 9, 2008

Unlike the person who set everything up.

Yeah, I suck. Work intervened.
posted by eriko at 6:33 PM on July 9, 2008

Were we really as mellow as these photos imply?
posted by me3dia at 1:21 PM on July 11, 2008

When I lived near Chicago, I once went to the Billy Goat Tavern. As usual, they yelled "Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger, Double's the Best!", etc. But I said, I don't eat beef. And suddenly the place was absolutely silent (my friend I was with was quite a regular, and had never experienced such quiet). A minute passes, and then one guy in the back squeaked out, "Grilled Cheese?" So fun (and a pretty good grilled cheese)! I miss Chicago. I hope y'all had a good time.
posted by bluefly at 5:01 AM on July 12, 2008 [1 favorite]

The party only started when Eamon introduced the absinthe.
posted by rabbitsnake at 9:02 AM on July 12, 2008

And absinthe then bought three rounds of long island ice teas.

I knew that stuff would get you fucked up, but wow.
posted by eriko at 9:09 AM on July 14, 2008