Election Watch '08

November 4, 2008 5:51 AM

Do we need an (un)official election watch meetup thread?

If so, I'll get it going. I'm joining a group at Madhatter in DC. I'm the tall one in this picture, though I imagine I'll be sitting down; still, the big, ponytailed guy in a black shirt is usually easy to find. Getting there 6-ish, staying late. MeMail me if you need more details.

posted by MrMoonPie to MetaFilter gatherings at 5:51 AM (92 comments total)

For those of you in the Boston area, I'll be sitting at Crazy Dough's on Boylston with about five pitchers of PBR. We'd love some company.
posted by Diskeater at 6:06 AM on November 4, 2008

I will be at the NYC Meetup. Look for the moustachioed man drinking by himself around 6pm waiting for the rest of the people to show up at 7pm. And by moustachioed I mean a barely visible strip of dark hair on my upper lip. Like the last picture on this page.
posted by Grither at 6:15 AM on November 4, 2008

I'll be up the road from my house in VT watching the election (and this site) at my friends' house on multiple laptops. If people are nearby and want company, MeMail for details.
posted by jessamyn at 6:18 AM on November 4, 2008

I don't understand totally and I have some questions:
* What election
* What does the watch look like
* Can I buy one even if I don't attend the meetup
* How much does it cost
posted by tellurian at 6:19 AM on November 4, 2008 [4 favorites]

I will probably start at Orange County Social Club and move over to The Station at Southern Rail, (both in Carrboro) to see if North Carolina turns blue. If anyone wants to join, let me know and I'll save you a chair.
posted by thivaia at 7:00 AM on November 4, 2008

The Nov 4th London Meetup is, in a sense, two meetups.

Folks are meeting at a pub in Central London around 6-7pm. After that, there's the later election night watch at Optamystic's place. I'll be at the first but, regrettably, not at the second.
posted by vacapinta at 7:05 AM on November 4, 2008

I asked this in the main election thread, but in retrospect, it wasn't the best place to put it. So:

Are there any plans for a Metafilter IRC channel to cover the election? I know about Metachat, but I wonder if there should be something different for this event.
posted by adrianhon at 7:27 AM on November 4, 2008

Chicago, I'll be downtown trying to sneak into the rally. Look for me. I'll be wearing an Obama t-shirt.
posted by felix betachat at 8:16 AM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite]

I'll be at this hipster douchebag party in DC, I hear they have Palin Piñatas!
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:26 AM on November 4, 2008

I'll watch TV and check web sites while drinking beer and noshing. Maybe I'll post right in this very thread.
posted by fixedgear at 8:30 AM on November 4, 2008

In Toronto I think the place to be is Dundas Square once things are in the bag. I was planning on heading there tonight. Not sure where to go before hand. Maybe Gretsky's.
posted by chunking express at 8:57 AM on November 4, 2008

I will also be at the Obama rally in an Obama shirt, squealing like a schoolgirl. (My particular shirt says "Vote Nov 4" on it.)
posted by Metroid Baby at 8:58 AM on November 4, 2008

We'll be having post election beers, bourbons n burgers at MacSorley's Music Bar, Glasgow UK if anyone wants to celebrate / drown sorrows with us tomorrow night (Wednesday 5th).
posted by theCroft at 9:15 AM on November 4, 2008

I'll be with some friends at the Wild Colonial on Water St. in Providence, if any of y'all are in the Rhode Island area would like to join us.
posted by xbonesgt at 9:16 AM on November 4, 2008

I'll be at the Black Chamber of Commerce party at Stoudemire's in Phoenix. The other two black Mefites who live in Phoenix are welcome to come ... as are the other Valley Mefites.
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 9:23 AM on November 4, 2008

Chicago, ticketless, meeting my mom downtown (she's taking the train in from Wisconsin just for this). Not sure where we'll end up. I can't wear political stuff to work so I'm in all black. (Doesn't signify anything; that's my normal attire.)

Any Chicago peeps who want to hook up, drop me a line. I'll be checking MeFi until 7, then Twitter on my phone (desjardins).
posted by desjardins at 9:37 AM on November 4, 2008

MrMoonPie, I will drop by for one or two on my way up 18th to another party for which I had to get tickets.
posted by parmanparman at 10:08 AM on November 4, 2008

I might swing by, MrMoonPie!
posted by peachfuzz at 10:11 AM on November 4, 2008

Hallo Berliners. I'm going to try for tickets to the Dems Abroad party at Babylon Kino around 10, and since I am assuming there will be no tickets to be had, will then head over to Neukölln to join Kolophon and possibly CreasyBoy.
posted by foxy_hedgehog at 10:13 AM on November 4, 2008

Bay Area: I will be at the House of Shields and I will be trying to get there before 5:00p.m. There are probably better venues for election coverage watching, but I thought that that area would have good energy.

By the way, I am totally amenable to switching venues if there is an impromptu Bay Area meetup elsewhere.
posted by UrineSoakedRube at 10:16 AM on November 4, 2008

I will be at the Parkway Theater in Oakland around 5, and staying until I'm tired of hugging strangers and drained of all my joyful tears. I'm on Twitter, or e/MeMail me.
posted by iamkimiam at 10:36 AM on November 4, 2008

Oh, and if you don't see us in the main bar area, do try upstairs, in the back.
posted by MrMoonPie at 10:37 AM on November 4, 2008

I know there aren't many long island mefites, but for those of us who live here, let me say that if you're in the mood I'll be at one of the fantastic bars in Huntington Village on the north shore between suffolk and nassau, The Nag's Head. My name is Adam, and you can check my profile pick to recognize me visually. If anyone wants more info, feel free to mefimail me.
posted by shmegegge at 10:42 AM on November 4, 2008

Any other SF folks want a meetup today?

I live really close to Wild Side West and The Stray Bar. Also, St. Mary's is just down the road and is an actual living dive bar. Wild Side West probably has the best outdoor patio/garden of any actual bar in SF.

Or I could just as easily have a ton of folks at my place. The beer vending machine is unfortunately empty, but the corner store is a short walk away. There are is also many computers as well as wireless available for news-watching.
posted by loquacious at 10:47 AM on November 4, 2008

I'll be celebrating to Back in Black this Friday here in Toronto at the AC/DC concert. If you people don't pull through, it'll be a Highway to Hell.
posted by gman at 10:48 AM on November 4, 2008

theCroft wrote: We'll be having post election beers, bourbons n burgers at MacSorley's Music Bar, Glasgow UK if anyone wants to celebrate / drown sorrows with us tomorrow night (Wednesday 5th).

Cool. I'll defo pop down for a burger and, er, a Laphroig in a Jack Daniels glass.

(Is that you, M.D.? Hello!)
posted by jack_mo at 10:51 AM on November 4, 2008

I'll be meeting up with the remainder of my housewarming scotch and the flag queue, wondering if and when I should sigh with relief and boot up Fallout 3.
posted by cortex at 10:52 AM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite]

I will be at Hough's in the Greenfield neighborhood in Pittsburgh starting at 8:00 pm tonight. There is plenty of parking and regular buses stop nearby. I'll be in a blue dotted dress with a red shrug.
posted by Alison at 10:53 AM on November 4, 2008

Seattle: I'm going to be at Tom's house at 5. He asks that everyone bring a side dish.

And after Tom's I figure we'll go out on 45th in Wallingford somewhere unless the crowds are gathering elsewhere: Seattle Center? Capitol Hill? The free Stranger party at the Showbox sounds interesting, but likely mobbed. So yeah. But I'll start off at Tom's.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 10:55 AM on November 4, 2008

wondering if and when I should sigh with relief and boot up Fallout 3.

I think you'll find that Obama's got a solid lock on the ghoul vote, although McCain's more popular with the feral ghouls.
posted by shmegegge at 11:02 AM on November 4, 2008

I'll be at Breakfast in America in Paris to dinner around 21h, and then over to Palais M. at Porte Maillot for the Americans Abroad for Obama party (5€ cover, tv coverage). Woot!
posted by LMGM at 11:12 AM on November 4, 2008

Hampton Roads: meeting a group of people, and waraw and wavering, 7.30ish at Red Dog on Colley Avenue in Ghent if anyone is looking for something to do in Norfolk.
posted by sephira at 11:12 AM on November 4, 2008

The Nag's Head

Ah man, I do enjoy Nag's Head, but it's a hell of a hike for me. I'll be at a shitty sorta-chain bar just steps from my home, mostly because of the cheap beer. After a few pints of something good and, uh, brown, I'll switch to $5 pitchers of High Life. It's the American Way.
posted by uncleozzy at 11:20 AM on November 4, 2008

I have 10 or so RSVPs so far, about half Metafilterians (not including the ones who've posted in this thread). Should be a good group.
posted by MrMoonPie at 11:31 AM on November 4, 2008

(I should also point out that I don't actually live at the coordinates listed in my profile; that's Mr. Beery's, which is a bar actually owned by a guy named Beery.)
posted by uncleozzy at 11:51 AM on November 4, 2008

So where the San Francisco citizens at?
posted by alexei at 12:13 PM on November 4, 2008

I'm ready for a sf meetup tonight! Let's figure out a place soon (loquacious or somewhere else?). I am off to a meeting so I would appreciate some sf mefite dropping me a Memail with a location and time.
posted by special-k at 12:36 PM on November 4, 2008

*Waves @ Jack_Mo*

Yeah, come along n bring friends! JD Twitch is playing records too!
posted by theCroft at 12:43 PM on November 4, 2008

I've just been invited to hang out at an SF house for election stuff but if enough folks are interested I'll stick around here to host what should be a nail-biter of an after party.

If you've never been to my place before there's LOTS and LOTS of room. As in there are about five couches and numerous chairs just in the main space area. I have more seating and space than most of the bars we could visit. I'm located in SF near the Alemany Farmer's Market at the 101/280 interchange. Drinking and smoking is allowed and encouraged - but if you're smoke adverse it should be much, much less smoky tonight as a bunch of folks are out of town on a tour.

I'm currently watching/listening to the MSNBC stream and just kicking it. Shoot me a message, mail or post here if you're interested.
posted by loquacious at 12:46 PM on November 4, 2008

I should also point out that I don't actually live at the coordinates listed in my profile; that's Mr. Beery's, which is a bar actually owned by a guy named Beery.

1. I love Mr. Beery's. They serve Stone Porter there, though the bartender has talked down to me about beer for this very reason as though I didn't know what Stone brewery was. Nevertheless, I love Mr. Beery's.

2. My girlfriend's best friends all live around there and actually play shows at Beery's rather frequently. small world.

3. They never come to Nag's, either, because one time someone was a dick and made one of them take his boots off the table in back. c'est la vie.

so there you go. enjoy your election night!
posted by shmegegge at 12:51 PM on November 4, 2008

How’s about Portland, Oregon? I’m looking for something to do.
posted by parhamr at 12:53 PM on November 4, 2008

I'll be in Raleigh at the downtown Marriott. If anyone else wants to come, memail me and we can figure out how to meet up.
posted by Stewriffic at 1:12 PM on November 4, 2008

Mefi Ustream.tv live feed is in the hizzouse!

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/mefi-london-live
posted by adrianhon at 1:24 PM on November 4, 2008 [2 favorites]

I should point out that that's for the London party, whoops
posted by adrianhon at 1:24 PM on November 4, 2008

Count me in for Madhatter.
posted by djb at 1:28 PM on November 4, 2008

Also wondering about plans in Portland. Anyone?
posted by herichon at 1:39 PM on November 4, 2008

Grand Central Bowl might be a good bet for Portland fun.
posted by parhamr at 1:46 PM on November 4, 2008

Also wondering about plans in Portland. Anyone?

I'll be at work 'til 11 or 12 tonight. After getting here at 7:30 this morning. After leaving here at 11:30 last night. After &c.

Good times. Good times. Enjoy your parties, you fucks.
posted by dersins at 2:31 PM on November 4, 2008

Did I mention I don't get paid OT?
posted by dersins at 2:31 PM on November 4, 2008

In Chicago? Don't want to deal with the crowds downtown at the rally? From 8-10 I'll be on my girlfriend's radio show on WLUW 88,7; afterwards we'll be headed to Quenchers on Western and Fullerton to watch the rest of the states come in, I'll be the tall guy with glasses and a cane
posted by jtron at 2:39 PM on November 4, 2008

OK, I'm heading out to Raleigh. Damn traffic. I'm wearing a red hoodie and royal blue cords. I'm a female. I have short hair. Come say hi!
posted by Stewriffic at 2:40 PM on November 4, 2008

New Brunswick, NJ anyone?
posted by jeffburdges at 2:58 PM on November 4, 2008

Am looking for good websites to watch the election returns: this aggregate seems good: Google maps maybe? The CNN tracker. any better suggestions?

Will one of you guys at a meetup give me a call so I can say hello? I want to say hello to my fellow MeFites on this amazing day.
posted by nickyskye at 3:05 PM on November 4, 2008

Oh no, this isn't looking good so far:

Obama
Electoral Votes 0
Popular Vote 40%
1,210

McCAIN
Electoral Votes 0
Popular Vote 59%
1,816
posted by nickyskye at 3:08 PM on November 4, 2008

Nickyskye, what's your number? Mefimail me
posted by adrianhon at 3:09 PM on November 4, 2008

oh YAY! Hi Adrian, just memailed you with my number.
posted by nickyskye at 3:14 PM on November 4, 2008

Adrian, you're in London!? I'm in NYC, that's too far for you to call, isn't it? But thanks for the good thought! :)
posted by nickyskye at 3:17 PM on November 4, 2008

Obama
Electoral Votes 0
Popular Vote 51%
13,025

McCAIN
Electoral Votes 0
Popular Vote 48%
12,170
posted by nickyskye at 3:34 PM on November 4, 2008

Oh YAYY hearing a cheer from London MeFites! whoo hoo! Cheers and love, thank you Adrian. That was a real treat.
posted by nickyskye at 3:40 PM on November 4, 2008

Always glad. if anyone else wants a call from mefi London, just drop me a line!
posted by adrianhon at 3:43 PM on November 4, 2008

Links to live results (mostly maps)
posted by desjardins at 3:57 PM on November 4, 2008

Where's the IRC meetup?
posted by jessamyn at 3:59 PM on November 4, 2008

Don't know - last I looked, #mefi were talking about the election, but they seemed a bit unhappy about the newbie invasion. But come into http://www.ustream.tv/channel/mefi-london-live for the Mefi London TV stream and chat!
posted by adrianhon at 4:04 PM on November 4, 2008

Go Vermont!
posted by fixedgear at 4:05 PM on November 4, 2008

* kermit arms *
posted by jessamyn at 4:21 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite]

Obama: Electoral: 3 Popular: 344,889 (46%) McCain: Electoral: 8 Popular: 397,533 (53%)

McCain won Kentucky, Obama got Vermont

Obama
Electoral Votes 3
Popular Vote 46%
344,889

McCAIN
Electoral Votes 8
Popular Vote 53%
397,533
posted by nickyskye at 4:28 PM on November 4, 2008

nickyskye - don't fret too much yet: the map I see on CBSNews.com only lists Kentucky (red) and Vermont (blue). 583 predicted those states from some time back.

I'd suggest a central/southern California meetup, but there's little chance I'll do more than go home and relax, perhaps partake of some noxiously delicious Eggnog from CostCo. Also, the last meetup in this neck of the sand-duney woods was back in 2007, and they read like some last attempts at gathering dispersed forces, which makes me think of Marooned in Realtime, but I digress.

A toast, to all MeFites and meetups. Now I toast with the dredges of cold coffee from a travel mug, later with something more potent and lively.
posted by filthy light thief at 4:35 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite]

Omg I can see you London MeFites live on webcam! This is so cool!

Who are you guys?
There's a woman in midcenter.
Two men on laptops on either side near the cam
one with glasses,
guy in striped top in back,
person sitting behind the armchair of the man in glasses, can't see them clearly.
Woman in pink top in back,
guy in teeshirt with round design.
Man with laptop in back with beard,
blond guy in glasses.
posted by nickyskye at 4:36 PM on November 4, 2008

Hehe - I just got the image of everyone in the webcam holding up signs, declaring who they are. Something like cartoon speech or thought bubbles.
posted by filthy light thief at 4:47 PM on November 4, 2008

omg, I went to cook squash and make some soup, I missed that. drat.
posted by nickyskye at 4:55 PM on November 4, 2008

Please do it again, I'm watching now. Pretty please.
posted by nickyskye at 4:56 PM on November 4, 2008

Obama: Electoral: 81 Popular: 2,576,761 (53%) McCain: Electoral: 39 Popular: 2,298,445 (47%)

Obama
Electoral Votes 81
Popular Vote 53%
2,576,761

McCAIN
Electoral Votes 39
Popular Vote 47%
2,298,445
posted by nickyskye at 5:02 PM on November 4, 2008

Guy in front is yawning, past 1am in London.
posted by nickyskye at 5:09 PM on November 4, 2008

Meetup offer update: I'm kicking it and making some comfort food. Nap may be ensuing.
posted by loquacious at 5:12 PM on November 4, 2008

Still nothing for PDX, eh? I'm in the SE and don't know of a good bar/something to meet at but I'd be willing to trek out nearby-ish... Any suggestions?
posted by oreonax at 5:42 PM on November 4, 2008

Portland Election Parties.
posted by sleepy pete at 6:05 PM on November 4, 2008

Picking up where nickyskye left off:

Obama
Electoral Votes 206
Popular Vote 50%
24,617,924

McCAIN
Electoral Votes 135
Popular Vote 49%
24,827,338

For anyone in the dark about what these "electoral votes" actually are: Electoral College.

I am getting harder by the minute. Step back!
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:16 PM on November 4, 2008 [1 favorite]

Oh, and the missing 1% belongs to Ralph Nader, btw.
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:19 PM on November 4, 2008

Go Ralph! If he takes all the remaining states...
posted by telstar at 8:04 PM on November 4, 2008

OBAMA has WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted by nickyskye at 8:12 PM on November 4, 2008

I'm in no condition to get down there, loquacious, but I'll happily take a rain check.
posted by alexei at 9:37 PM on November 4, 2008

Just got home. djb, NortonDC, YurikoKinje, webcoyboy, eviltiff, and I watched the show, then I walked down to Lafayette Park to see the very, very wild scene across the street from the White House. Crazy down there, with the chanting and dancing and drumming and celebrating and horns and saxophones and trombones. Oh, my.
posted by MrMoonPie at 10:57 PM on November 4, 2008

Also wondering about plans in Portland. Anyone?

If only I hadn't had an evening class, I would have been delighted to watch the election with fellow MeFites.

I was in an accounting class tonight from 5:30 to 9 PM, and had no way to follow the election results. On my way home from class, I heard people screaming and whooping it up. I still didn't know Obama had won, so I had a brief moment of hope, then quickly quashed it: "Could it be...? Nah, I'd better not get my hopes up; I'm not sure I could handle having them dashed again." Then I checked MetaFilter when I arrived home, and after a moment of disbelief - I actually had to pinch myself to be sure I wasn't dreaming - I finally allowed myself to cheer.

The elation in the streets is just remarkable. Really awesome. I wish I had been part of it! I live such a sedate geeky life these days, studying all the time, and excitement like this is rare. Maybe we Portlander MeFites should have a celebratory meetup? Yes, we did have a meetup quite recently, but this is a special occasion!
posted by velvet winter at 11:31 PM on November 4, 2008

I'm down for a meetup, velvet winter. I tend to avoid them because I'm not a fan of bars, but I'd really like to celebrate with you and any other Portland Mefites up for it.
posted by melissa may at 7:20 AM on November 5, 2008

I'm down for a meetup, velvet winter.

Excellent! I'm not a fan of bars, either - I usually prefer quiet environments, and I don't drink alcohol anyway. Perhaps a coffee shop, or some kind of place that serves alcohol but isn't really a bar? We'd need one with a large table, though. There were 20+ people at the last meetup.

Time for me to run off to class now, but I'll try to come up with a suitable place for us to celebrate, and then start a new thread to see who else is interested.
posted by velvet winter at 12:41 PM on November 5, 2008

So....how are those thoughts about an inauguration day meetup?
posted by Miko at 1:24 PM on November 5, 2008

You mean at the actual inauguration? I'll be there, for sure; I live just over a mile away. Man, it's going to be crowded, but I'm in.
posted by MrMoonPie at 3:23 PM on November 5, 2008

I feel moved to report boast that Len and I were on the victorious team in the Glasgow meetup's America-themed pub quiz. We won £100 and a case of beer! Woo-hoo! Thank you MetaFilter for filling our brains with useless US trivia.

I think it was theCroft's gang that won, er, a tin of sliced carrots for having the best team name, which I didn't quite catch, but had something to do with Todd Palin's chafed thighs.
posted by jack_mo at 8:05 AM on November 6, 2008

Yup, a tin of slice carrots for our glorious team name, yup, The Todd Palin's Chafed Thighs.

Can't believe Len nailed the £100 question about the number of presidents since Lincoln. He's from Kirriemuir right? He just shouldn't know these things!
posted by theCroft at 9:27 AM on November 7, 2008

Well shit, MetaFilter quiz team's went 2/2 on election night in DC!
posted by NortonDC at 8:32 PM on November 8, 2008

0/1 on apostrophes, though.
posted by NortonDC at 10:06 AM on November 9, 2008

Or 1/0.
posted by NortonDC at 10:06 AM on November 9, 2008