San Francisco meet up, by popular demand

October 3, 2008 8:20 PM

How about another San Francisco meet up, say October 24 or 25? Someone was just asking when the next meet up was, and mrzarquon happens to be visiting from Seattle that weekend.

Mrzarquon wants to go see the new Cal Academy of Sciences building, as do I, but that's a bit spendy for a meet up.

Something involving drinks on Friday or Saturday evening would also be good. Any ideas? Who's interested?

posted by gingerbeer to MetaFilter Gatherings at 8:20 PM (76 comments total)

I'm definitely in. As usual, I have no good suggestions for where we should go, but I will be happy to show up!
posted by rtha at 8:40 PM on October 3, 2008

Fyi, Bridge School Benefit concert is that weekend. It is at the Shoreline, but everything else makes up for that. I've gone year after year and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Bonus: it's a really excellent cause. If anybody is going, I'd love to meet you there!

If this meetup ends up on a Friday, I'll try to make it too!
posted by iamkimiam at 10:39 PM on October 3, 2008

Oh man I am going to have basically 0 time until mid-November.

So put me down as a maybe :D
posted by aubilenon at 10:48 PM on October 3, 2008

I've missed the last couple, so I definitely want to go. I'm also trying to get brundlefly to co-host a Berkeley meetup.
posted by The Light Fantastic at 11:25 PM on October 3, 2008

Totally in.
posted by potch at 1:48 AM on October 4, 2008

Either a San Francisco or Berkeley meetup, or both, sound good to me.
posted by lore at 7:24 AM on October 4, 2008

Berkeley would be awesome. We always talk about the EB meetups, but they never happen. :(
posted by iamkimiam at 9:16 AM on October 4, 2008

Metafilter's absolutely uncanny ability to know when I am out of town strikes again. I'm going to be in so cal with my band.

I am also in support of an east bay meetup, preferably sometime when my band isn't playing.
posted by smartyboots at 9:24 AM on October 4, 2008

Ooh, ooh, a meetup on Saturday the 25th at the new Academy of Sciences sounds like a blast! Even if we don't officially meetup there, I'd be happy to visit the Academy with mrzarquon unofficially. (MeFiMail me, dude.)

Otherwise, the usual beer-at-a-long-table format on Friday evening would work for me, if the venue is BART-friendly.
posted by Quietgal at 9:56 AM on October 4, 2008

Berkeley would be awesome. We always talk about the EB meetups, but they never happen. :(

Yeah, I noticed that! Let's do one soon.
posted by The Light Fantastic at 10:29 AM on October 4, 2008

I too will sadly be out of town. But if any of you are in the Truckee/Tahoe City area that weekend, we can fake another meetup.
I'd also like to tag along on the coattails of this meetup thread by asking "What about Halloween?" I would love to have Mefites join my party in San Rafael.
posted by wzcx at 10:55 AM on October 4, 2008

I'm in!. I'm happy to carpool if there are interested folks from Santa Cruz or the South Bay.
posted by annaramma at 11:20 AM on October 4, 2008

I think my tentative plan is to visit the academy saturday, and then try to get to the meetup wherever it is, for dinner and drinks and so on and so forth.
posted by mrzarquon at 11:49 AM on October 4, 2008

I'm busy on Saturday during the day but I'd probably be up for something either Friday or Saturday evening or on Sunday.
posted by tangerine at 5:59 PM on October 4, 2008

Hey, I live in Berkeley, so a Berkeley meetup would be great. I'm also interested in checking out that Academy of Science thing.
posted by ambulatorybird at 6:57 PM on October 4, 2008

out of town, unfortunately
posted by jewishbuddha at 9:08 PM on October 4, 2008

Perhaps, but I might be in the throes of nicotine withdrawl.
posted by loquacious at 9:21 PM on October 4, 2008

Hrm. I, uh, maybe? I think I went to one long ago when parmanparman moved here. And I almost never post, and I'll have hopefully gone to the Cal AoS well before the 25th, but I will likely want to go again (I already bought a membership on that assumption). So, sure?
posted by R343L at 10:34 PM on October 4, 2008

I can only visit Cal Academy on Sunday, so that would be my preference, in addition to an evening drinking-type event.
posted by gingerbeer at 10:45 PM on October 4, 2008

Perhaps, but I might be in the throes of nicotine withdrawl.

I have snus!
posted by The Light Fantastic at 1:03 AM on October 5, 2008

I could do either Friday or Saturday. If it's Saturday, I could get someone in with my membership.
posted by junesix at 9:06 AM on October 5, 2008

Perhaps, but I might be in the throes of nicotine withdrawl

Don't worry about it! It's just fine to speak as slowly as you like.
posted by tangerine at 11:49 AM on October 5, 2008

I have snus!

I, err... I don't need another form of addiction. :P

Don't worry about it! It's just fine to speak as slowly as you like.

From previous attempts, speaking at all would be the main problem. Also, speaking without disembowling whomever I'm speaking to is also rather difficult. If I forgo attending for these reasons, it's merely because I like you people and I'm rather concerned for your safety and well being.
posted by loquacious at 1:40 PM on October 5, 2008

junesix: ahh yes. I should mention that as well. I could get one more person in too.
posted by R343L at 7:25 PM on October 5, 2008

Also, speaking without disembowling whomever I'm speaking to is also rather difficult.

Welcome to my world.
posted by The Light Fantastic at 12:31 AM on October 6, 2008

I will have to miss this one as I'll be underwater in the antipodes then. I hear the new California Academy of Sciences is pretty awesome, though!
posted by ooga_booga at 1:15 PM on October 6, 2008

I'm in, and I'd be up for the Academy as well. I made a stab at going on opening day, but once I saw the crazy line snaking out along JFK Drive I elected not to. But I've heard that it's really awesome.
posted by whir at 1:32 PM on October 6, 2008

What about a Friday evening event, maybe back at Frijtz, and then a Sunday Academy of Sciences visit?

Frijtz has the advantage of being BART-accessible, and generally public transit accessible, if not great for parking. It is oddly uncrowded for a Valencia Street place, has both food and beer, and is conveniently located near many other drinking establishments should folks feel like wandering. The downside was the arrangement of tables into the long and narrow, but we may be able to re-engineer the layout some. Friday at 6 pm?

Cal Academy opens at 11 am on Sunday. Mrzarquon is inquiring about group tickets, in case there's a cheaper option for us.
posted by gingerbeer at 8:33 PM on October 6, 2008

That sounds good, though if I make it to Frijtz on Friday it'll be a lot later than 6.

Looking forward to the Academy. Museum meetups are the best and we should all have lots of them in every city.
posted by tangerine at 10:35 AM on October 7, 2008

Sounds great.

Poking around on the Cal Academy site, I noticed that they are looking for penguin volunteers (that is, not penguins who want to volunteer, but people who want to volunteer to feed penguins). We have a former housemate who used to do this, and we helped her once - amazingly smelly, but very cool.
posted by rtha at 12:00 PM on October 7, 2008

Oh, and as usual - for Friday night and/or Sunday, if latecomers want to find out if we're still around, call my cell. Mefimail me if you don't already have it.
posted by rtha at 12:02 PM on October 7, 2008

My position in the queue was 11 waiting to get information on group reservations for 15 or less (nothing specific about rates). If things are quieter at the office later, I will give them a call again.
posted by mrzarquon at 1:58 PM on October 7, 2008

Friday at Frijtz and either Saturday or Sunday at the Academy would be dandy for me. Hubby will be in town that weekend, so I'll probably have him in tow.
posted by Quietgal at 7:25 PM on October 7, 2008

I'm down for Friday and Sunday! Can we get this on the Meetups list now?
posted by iamkimiam at 9:05 AM on October 8, 2008

rtha, I applied for the penguin volunteer position back in June. Even 4 months back, they were already turning people away from the "special" volunteer positions and steering everyone to the Academy guide positions. Can't imagine how competitive it would be now.
posted by junesix at 10:36 AM on October 8, 2008

Meet up part 1: We'll meet at the Valencia St. Frijtz starting at 6pm on Friday October 24th. Short walk from BART or the J Church, convenient to the 22, 33, 26, or Mission St. busses. Parking sucks - use the garage on Hoffman if you can.

For confirmation, directions, checking to see if we're still there, etc. MeMail rtha or me for cell numbers.

We'll have some sort of Metafilter sign, and maybe we can convince mrzarquon to wear his metafilter t-shirt.
posted by gingerbeer at 11:08 AM on October 8, 2008 [1 favorite]

Meet up part 2: It's an outing to the California Academy of Sciences. Let's meet up at 11 am Sunday October 26th at the front entrance. Look for the dodgy, disreputable looking set of folks.

We can then twitter our way through the museum (or not).

Buying tickets online ahead of time is recommended. mrzarquon was checking on group purchases, but I don't know if that got resolved, in terms of how many people we need for a group. If you want to rsvp to this thread we can get a head count and see if we have the minimum needed. Also, if you have a membership and want to get someone else in for free, speak up.
posted by gingerbeer at 11:17 AM on October 8, 2008

I'm definitely in, so factor me into your headcount if we're trying group tickets.
posted by potch at 4:32 PM on October 8, 2008

About the Sunday thing, I need to be in the Mission at 1:00, so I'll probably show up to the Academy early and then meet up with y'all outside at 11:00 and take off a bit early. I've been thinking about getting a membership so I may be able to jump one other person in (not sure yet, but at $100/year vs. $25/ticket it seems like a pretty good deal).
posted by whir at 6:12 PM on October 8, 2008

Also: courage, loquacious! Just remember, you don't have to quit forever, just until the craving leaves you.
posted by whir at 6:13 PM on October 8, 2008

Group rate is only for 15 or more, and they all have to be purchased at one time (so no hold the tickets and hope 15 people show up). If someone wants to be in charge of collecting and holding the tickets, etc. it may make sense, but I don't know if we will get 15 definite will shows.
posted by mrzarquon at 10:58 AM on October 9, 2008

I don't think you'll get 15 definite shows ... esp as several of us have memberships.
posted by R343L at 8:43 PM on October 9, 2008

I'll try to make the meetup. But another thing -- check out Sarah Vowell's schedule! I'm going to either the SF one or the Menlo Park one or both.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 10:19 PM on October 9, 2008

Otis24 and I are definites for the A of Sciences on Sunday! We still trying to do a group tickets thing, or should we go ahead and buy 'em online?
posted by iamkimiam at 9:51 PM on October 16, 2008

I believe it is going to be everyone fend for themselves, or find a buddy who already has a membership to sneak you in.
posted by mrzarquon at 10:39 AM on October 17, 2008

I'll actually be in town on Sunday the 26th, visiting from the other coast. I don't know my schedule yet, but I'll try to make it to the Academy of Sciences.
posted by bassjump at 9:31 AM on October 18, 2008

I'd like to come. Can members get me in for a discount? Is that the deal?
posted by special-k at 4:17 PM on October 18, 2008

Members can bring one guest for free.

I and R343L have memberships. Anyone else? Should we save them for people who come to the meetup without ordering a ticket online?
posted by junesix at 7:34 PM on October 18, 2008

If either of you can spot me, that would be awesome.
posted by special-k at 3:02 PM on October 19, 2008

Maybe I didn't look carefully enough, but is there any interest in an election day meetup? Granted, Tuesdays aren't great days for heavy partying, but I have a feeling that this year might be a bit different.
posted by UrineSoakedRube at 2:56 PM on October 20, 2008

Turns out I bought concert tickets for Sunday, but if the Friday night thing is happening, I am there.
posted by potch at 5:30 PM on October 20, 2008

I'd love to go to either meetup. Might not make it tomorrow night, but I'll be there on Sunday. I do have a membership, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get anyone in (SO might come along, but even if he doesn't, his name is on the temporary card and I'm not sure how that'll work).
posted by kiripin at 9:32 AM on October 23, 2008

Friday night is definitely happening! We will see you there.

I'm borrowing a kid from the neighbors to bring on Sunday - other kids are welcome as well.
posted by gingerbeer at 12:21 PM on October 23, 2008

I should be there tonight and Sunday.
posted by loquacious at 10:25 AM on October 24, 2008

We'll be there tonight...probably around 7ish!
posted by iamkimiam at 12:24 PM on October 24, 2008

We're here, on the left, middle of the room, acquiring critical mass already.
posted by gingerbeer at 6:16 PM on October 24, 2008

Have a beer for me! I'm too broke to drink........
posted by The Light Fantastic at 6:30 PM on October 24, 2008

Oh, sweet blood blisters on Satan's scrote I'm hung over. Argh my head.
posted by loquacious at 1:50 PM on October 25, 2008

I said have a beer for me....not 20!
posted by The Light Fantastic at 2:36 PM on October 25, 2008

loquacious: you drink more after Fritz's?
posted by special-k at 2:55 PM on October 25, 2008

Yes. Bad idea. Blaaaargh.
posted by loquacious at 6:13 PM on October 25, 2008

Ok. What I thought was possibly the worst hangover of my life wasn't actually a hangover. I caught a cold. Damn and blast. I don't think I'm going to make it to the museum.
posted by loquacious at 12:47 AM on October 26, 2008

It doesn't look like I'll make it today either. I hope everyone has a good time, though, and hopefully I'll make it to the next meetup!
posted by kiripin at 9:41 AM on October 26, 2008

Aw hell. I have a pile of tiresome things that have to happen today so I won't be able to make it either. I miss you all and wish I were there right now.
posted by tangerine at 11:13 AM on October 26, 2008

I had a bit too late of a night last night to make it to this, alas.
posted by whir at 11:19 AM on October 26, 2008

We are in the lobby, waiting for a few more folks in the ticket line. Memail or call if you're trying to find us.
posted by gingerbeer at 11:30 AM on October 26, 2008

Hey, it was a great time folks, glad to meetup with people on friday and sunday. I hope to come back and visit your city soon. I should have some photos from my weekend up also.
posted by mrzarquon at 3:16 PM on October 26, 2008

Photos have been uploaded.
posted by mrzarquon at 3:20 PM on October 26, 2008

The embeerification on Friday was fun and the Academy of Sciences today would have been great if it wasn't so crowded - it was like being inside a gigantic pinball machine the whole time. Let's do another SCIENCE! meetup some time later when the crowds have thinned out, OK?
posted by Quietgal at 5:10 PM on October 26, 2008

Sorry I couldn't make today's outing. I'll catch y'all at the next meet up. I had fun on Friday.
posted by special-k at 7:28 PM on October 26, 2008

That was a fantastic time, everyone! I hope we don't wait too long to do it again.
posted by potch at 7:34 PM on October 26, 2008

Great googly-moogly, what a great pair-o-meetups. Academy of Sciences was indeed packed and jammed and overfull of people, but there were still amazingly amazing things to look at.

I heart meetups. Always fun.
posted by rtha at 7:58 PM on October 26, 2008

That was soooper fun. Frjtz was awesome; Cal Sciences was amazing. So glad I got the membership because we were kicked out at 5! Must go back!

Pictures from Friday and Sunday are in separate sets, at the link at the top of the thread.
posted by iamkimiam at 9:57 PM on October 26, 2008

Oh, and...
What time is it?
Time for a MeFi SHOUTOUT!
posted by iamkimiam at 10:19 PM on October 26, 2008

Thanks for the shoutout, San Francisco!
posted by languagehat at 12:34 PM on October 28, 2008

Whoo! I haz shoutouts!
posted by desuetude at 4:06 PM on October 29, 2008