Portland, ME meetup on July 2nd?

June 29, 2008 3:44 PM

Short notice: meetup in Portland, ME on July 2nd?

MEP and I will be staying a night in Portland July 2nd. We'd like to have dinner and drinks w/any willing Metafilter people. Cap'n Newicks (dammit!) Gritty McDuff's, Sebago Brewing, an Amato's?

Barring that, we'll be out on Chebeague Island for a week or so, and it'd be fun to have an island meetup. July 8th or 9th would be best. Anybody in?

posted by cog_nate to MetaFilter gatherings at 3:44 PM (50 comments total)

Portland is awesome, but that's totally a work night.

I hear there are things happening in Maine in August, though.
posted by Eideteker at 5:03 PM on June 29, 2008

WRONG. DAMN. ONE.

Yeah, have fun... whatever...
posted by sleepy pete at 6:24 PM on June 29, 2008

[the 2nd]: I'd like to, as I've never been to a meet-up before, but I'm tag-team creative wrestling a project that night. Plus, I'm apparently allergic to drinking now.

[8th or 9th]: I don't know yet. Maybe? Maybe yes maybe?

GOD-DAMMIT WHY CAN'T I COMMIT.
posted by Minus215Cee at 7:40 PM on June 29, 2008

hm hm hm

It sounds great, and Portland ME meetups have a history of being awesome. We'll have to see though - a school night in a busy holdiay week! Will watch for updates.

And yes, psst secret, we're looking toward an August 9 meetup, details to follow.
posted by Miko at 8:11 PM on June 29, 2008

Gritty's has good bar food, good beer. I'm up for it.
posted by theora55 at 8:16 PM on June 29, 2008

Theora55 is in....strong gravitational pull...
posted by Miko at 8:33 PM on June 29, 2008

Theora55 and Gritty's? I'm in. What time?

Resistance is futile, Miko.
posted by Elsa at 10:25 PM on June 29, 2008

WRONG. DAMN. ONE.

I know. We'll make it out this fall, promise.

Gritty's it is. Since it's a weeknight for you working stiffs, let's say the festivities will begin between 7 and 7:30.

I have a tendency to blend in -- being so bland looking 'n all -- so I'll be wearing an obnoxiously orange hawaiian shirt.

First beer's on me, Miko (and you, theora55 and Elsa and anyone else who shows). Hope to see you there.
posted by cog_nate at 6:30 AM on June 30, 2008

Beer?!

I will be there.

Just to throw in a suggestion - I like The Porthole for summer evening drinks and food. But it can be hard to find. Maybe we could migrate over there after a drink at Gritty's if the weather and company are amenable.
posted by suki at 6:38 AM on June 30, 2008

I have class until 7:30 but I might be able to make it afterward. It's supposed to be a gorgeous day (finally) so I agree about the Porthole.

I've never been to one of these things. Is there a secret code? Rose in the lapel? Secret handshake?
posted by miss tea at 6:52 AM on June 30, 2008

Can we have a photo of an attendee drinking a sombrero?
posted by Mayor Curley at 7:23 AM on June 30, 2008

Is there a secret code? Rose in the lapel? Secret handshake?

Nope, just a dopey-looking guy in an orange hawaiian shirt.

We could develop a secret handshake, or maybe adopt terrorist fist bumps.
posted by cog_nate at 9:27 AM on June 30, 2008

"Is there a secret code?"

You're thinking of MetaChat.
posted by Eideteker at 10:49 AM on June 30, 2008

Hmmm. I'm supposed to be working on the 2nd from 5-10 pm, so I don't think I'll make it, but I'll mark my calendar since that could possibly be changed. Especially since I work, oh, mere feet from Gritty's.......

August 9th is pissing me off. I'll be driving home from PA that day after a two week camping trip. Fifteen hours in the car with smelly camping gear and a two year old. Why couldn't it be the following weekend. Sigh.
posted by anastasiav at 11:05 AM on June 30, 2008

Maybe. I'll have to see how things go on that day. Should we all be wearing Hawaiian shirts in solidarity?
posted by mikepop at 12:31 PM on June 30, 2008

Should we all be wearing Hawaiian shirts in solidarity?

OH NOES! I don't own a Hawaiian shirt!

Would Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen do?

Rose in the lapel?

miss tea, as Miko said the first time I met her, somehow you just... kind of.. know the MeFites when you see them. At my first meet-up, theora55 recognized me as a Mefite because I was standing there, looking around like a dope. Don't knock it --- it worked!

But the orange shirt should help. See you there!
posted by Elsa at 2:14 PM on June 30, 2008

Yeah, walking up to strangers in bars and saying, "Hi, are you here for the meetup?" turns out to be a darn useful social skill. Suki's right, the Porthole has a really nice vibe, and a great view. if we leave Gritty's, we should leave a note on the door.
posted by theora55 at 4:37 PM on June 30, 2008

Oh, the Porthole - I know that place! Always wanted to hang there. It looks awesome (and very much Old Portland). Great idea.
posted by Miko at 5:34 PM on June 30, 2008

Wait. I don't live in Portland, ME.

My bad.

*[hangs head in shame...wonders about getting presciption eyeglasses again]*
posted by Minus215Cee at 6:02 PM on June 30, 2008

Ha! Well, I will see you all Wed then. Looking forward to it! I should be there around 7:40-- I'll come straight from class. (I won't be wearing a hawaiian shirt.)
posted by miss tea at 4:16 AM on July 1, 2008

This sounds good. See you all tomorrow evening.
posted by cog_nate at 6:24 AM on July 1, 2008

I don't think I have any Hawaiian shirts anymore, so if we can make it, I'll wear my ridiculous green guyabera festooned with white donkeys.
posted by Miko at 6:51 AM on July 1, 2008

OK, just to be sure we're all on the same page: Gritty McDuff's tomorrow between 7 and 7:30, then probably hopping down to the Porthole a little while after.

Also, thanks for putting this on the meetup list, whoever did that.
posted by cog_nate at 8:53 AM on July 1, 2008

Oh hell yes. Finally, all the elements come together! It's within stumbling distance of my boat home, and the rest of my family is leaving for CA the morning of the 2nd. I am so in.
posted by rusty at 11:16 AM on July 1, 2008

(I will be the one looking around like a dope, btw).
posted by rusty at 11:21 AM on July 1, 2008

I think I'll have to wait for August -- school night and all.
posted by JanetLand at 12:51 PM on July 1, 2008

I might be able to make it for a beer or two. Gritty's is cool, but Novare Res is also cool (in case you want to try it during your stay, cog_nate, map on the site). Huge deck outside and zillions of beers to choose from. But I'll follow the pack. Pleasingly plump woman with curly hair (done up in a bun this time of year, yikes is it humid right now) and pink metallic glasses.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 3:36 PM on July 1, 2008

Marie, Mon Dieu! That place looks amazing. That's next on my Portland list.
posted by Miko at 4:13 PM on July 1, 2008

Oh yes - that looks great! I've been wanting to check it out!
posted by suki at 4:24 PM on July 1, 2008

just to be sure we're all on the same page: Gritty McDuff's tomorrow between 7 and 7:30, then probably hopping down to the Porthole a little while after.

Sounds good, and then we can move on or not, as the mob desires. I'll be there closer to 7:30 than 7. Tall gray-haired woman, probably wearing blue top and black skirt. I'll look for the Hawaiian shirt!
posted by Elsa at 7:27 AM on July 2, 2008

I found Novare Res thru the Portland Twitterers. It is an awesome place, the inside is done up like an old-time pub, very clean tho', no rushes on the floor. If I go to the Old Port tonight, I'm getting a ride and taking a taxi or bus home tho'. Parking's a beeyatch at this time of year.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 7:36 AM on July 2, 2008

I'll probably get there around 7:30 as well. I'll be the blond/redhead with tattoos who will probably trip on the step going into the bar.

As for parking - I have luck with slightly outer Commercial Street, or Center or Cross Street.

Map.

Marie - I am interested in hearing about Portland Twitterers! And I can't wait to meet/see everyone!
posted by suki at 9:26 AM on July 2, 2008

I am very, VERY sorry to have to come here and say this...because I was really looking forward to going...but I have just been pressured into accompanying my SO to meet some friends of his from Way Back When who are in town for Just One Night. So, no go to Portland.

It's a total bummer because I've been looking forward to this since it came up. So sorry, cog_nate: I hope you have a great time and that I can meet you again. And Mainers, I hope it's not long until next time we can have a get together.

Rats.
posted by Miko at 11:47 AM on July 2, 2008

Miko: On behalf of all of us, we're sorry to hear you can't make it, and you suck.

We'll erase all your posts now.

Sorry, been reading the ridiculous Violet Blue clusterfuck mega-thread half the day...
posted by rusty at 1:24 PM on July 2, 2008

we're sorry to hear you can't make it, and you suck.

I kind of feel the same way.

It means you all have to drink and eat that much more to make up for the slack I'm dropping. It will be hard work, but you can do it.
posted by Miko at 1:31 PM on July 2, 2008

OH NO, old friends in town! Man, friends are the worst. Have a great time, Miko!

I might have to bow out of tonight's meet-up; my back is in spasm, and it might keep me in bed this evening. If I do make it, you'll know me by my halting, zombie-like gait. Please do not destroy my head or remove my brain.
posted by Elsa at 2:02 PM on July 2, 2008

I'm sorry guys... but...

There is NO way I am putting on make-up! This is Maine, after all, the way life should be, and it's just too hot to paint my face. I'll be down there by 7:15 latest, early as usual (I was the table holder at the NoHo meet-up).

Tan shorts, Tweety Bird top, pink glasses, slightly rotund, with blue toenails, I don't think I'll be hard to miss. Purple leopard print purse and mini butterfly tote (for my camera! So I can take pics of all of you and my notebook for shout-outs, heh).

Ayup. I got Mack the Knife in my head now, after lookin' at Suki's profile, so let's do this, people. Be there or be square.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 3:59 PM on July 2, 2008

Totally awesome meet-up! cog_nate and MEP, hope you guys have an awesome time in Maine. You are such nice people.

Also thanks to Theo for giving me a ride home. So glad to have met you all, you all were also such nice and cool people.

Pics posted on the sidebar up above.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 8:04 PM on July 2, 2008

Goddamnit, Portland! I love you. Seriously, Portland is just so awesome. *snif* I needed that.
posted by Eideteker at 8:47 PM on July 2, 2008

Dang, Eideteker, hoping you don't play golf, I'd worry about you getting a Lee Trevino. Hope everything is okay!

p.s. I added captions to the photos, please let me know if I misspelled anything and/or feel free to leave your own comments under them.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 3:11 AM on July 3, 2008

Hey all, bummer I missed you. I just... hit the wall and needed my couch. Long days. August should be much mellower (no school).
posted by miss tea at 3:12 AM on July 3, 2008

Yay, pictures! Thanks for the shout-out, guys --- I would much rather have been with you.

I toasted y'all with my ginger beer as I lay in bed, ice pack on my back.
posted by Elsa at 6:36 AM on July 3, 2008

That was great!
posted by suki at 10:13 AM on July 3, 2008

pssst!
posted by Miko at 12:57 PM on July 3, 2008

Suki, check your MeMail for a link to the Portland local Twitterers!

Miko, I am good for both dates in August, should I add my name to both or ??? I might need a ride from Portland, as hubby usually works Sat. a.m. until early afternoon. Anyone? I will chip in for gas.

(used to work at Shaheen's arcade in Salisbury Beach, MA, as a teenager, and I ran the skeeball prize ticket counter as well, muhahaha, I am a little rusty but not half bad at skeeball)
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 3:52 AM on July 4, 2008

Please do, Marie Mon Dieu. I wanted to start canvassing at the MetaChat Wiki because the idea has been in discussion over there, but when the date is picked we'll bring it over here for a full announcment.

Those pics were great. Though my evening ended up being lovely, I missed the chance to see all you fine people. Portlanders are the best! Thanks for drinking for me, Suki. I know it was a sacrifice but I appreciate your dedication and bravery!
posted by Miko at 7:44 AM on July 4, 2008

Pics look great! Would it be possible for the person who made the nametag stickers to post the file? It'd be great to use at other meetups. Thanks in advance!
posted by junesix at 6:07 PM on July 9, 2008

Thanks for the link to Novare Res - I'd heard about the place but didn't know its name. Even better, it's right around the corner from work.
posted by Icky at 12:22 PM on July 10, 2008

Mainiacs and friends, I need a favor!

We're all set to post the York Beach meetup for Aug. 16. BUT, I went and used my rationed MeTa post on seed saving. So is there one of you that would kindly post this to the grey?

****

Announcing: York Beach, ME, Meetup & SkeeBall Tourney, August 16!

[More inside] Summertime on the Maine Coast is something everyone should experience it. Come spend a day on the beach relaxing, have a stroll out to the lighthouse and lunch on some fried scallops or the like, swim, surf, and take on the SkeeBall Tourney challenge -- competing for the title of MeFi SkeeBall Overlord. Wind up with some drinks and really good pub grub. This makes a really good weekend getaway, if you're of a mind to do that!

All the meetup details are here on this wiki page, and transportation information including air, train, bus/trolley, and ground transport is forthcoming from Elsa.

Hope a lot of folks can make it. Psst - it's crazy beautiful.

***thanks in advance to whoever can post it. I'll buy ya a drink!
posted by Miko at 2:01 PM on July 10, 2008

Thanks, Marie Mon Dieu, for posting those pictures. And thanks, Portland and Casco Bay Metafilter people for making us feel welcome. We thoroughly (borderline excessively) enjoyed ourselves.

By the way, MEP and I stopped by the liquor store catycorner from Casco Bay Lines before catching the ferry to Chebeague. Can't remember the name of it at the moment, but it looked as if they stocked most of the beers Novare Res served. (Not that people shouldn't go to Novare Res, but that you can purchase nice big bottles of most of those Belgian beers at that store.)
posted by cog_nate at 10:19 AM on July 12, 2008