Comments on: DC Meetup 1/19/09 Respondez, si vous plait!

DC Meetup 1/19/09 Respondez, si vous plait!

anotherpanacea — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:49:37 -0800

Pre-inaugural headcount: Taken Outtacontext has graciously agreed to be our 'unoffical' host and intermediary with the cafe, so if you'll be at Kogod Courtyard in the Smithsonian American Art Museum between 2 and 5 on Monday, January 19th, please say so here!

Attempted headcounts from last thread: 1, 2, 3. Numbers vary from 13-30+ and we apparently need a concrete number for the staff.

By: Taken Outtacontext

Taken Outtacontext — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:01:42 -0800

I told them 30. This was just a general heads-up. Thx.

As you can imagine, things are starting to get a bit busy in downtown DC. ;-)

By: MrMoonPie

MrMoonPie — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:09:29 -0800

If the actual turnout is low, I pledge to drink extra. Just doing my part, y'know.

By: EarBucket

EarBucket — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:17:34 -0800

Missed the last headcount--I and MrsBucket will be there, so add two more.

By: exogenous

exogenous — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:18:02 -0800

Wait, they have booze?! Yes!

By: Kattullus

Kattullus — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:25:16 -0800

I'm a definite (unless something happens to my friend's car).

By: Potomac Avenue

Potomac Avenue — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:39:28 -0800

I will be bringing my liver (unless something happens to its sidecar).

By: plexi

plexi — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:43:15 -0800

Man that place is going to be packed.

By: ShawnString

ShawnString — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:43:49 -0800

Again (and just to be all offical about it ;) count me and Mrs ShawnString as there.

(aside note...stoked today, got to pick up my tickets from my Senators office this morning. Silver area but still....i feel like Charlie Bucket)

By: empath

empath — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:46:32 -0800

me.

By: JoanArkham

JoanArkham — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:55:06 -0800

Looks like it's going to be a balmy 36...be sure to bring your swim trunks!

By: hellboundforcheddar

hellboundforcheddar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:13:16 -0800

The Hellbounds (2) will be there, pending childcare, tentatively...

By: anotherpanacea

anotherpanacea — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:55:54 -0800

If the actual turnout is low, I pledge to drink extra. Just doing my part, y'know.

You're a giver.

By: NortonDC

NortonDC — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:44:28 -0800

I can only say "maybe." We have an extremely busy weekend, and I'm on the hook to work at least some time on Monday, so I don't know If I'll be able to make it all happen.

By: dog food sugar

dog food sugar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:30:44 -0800

robot rex and I, plus one friend will be there. That's 3 that are a 99% sure thing.

By: MrMoonPie

MrMoonPie — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:33:40 -0800

OMG--my brother got me and my wife tickets to the swearing in. Sweet!

By: bardic

bardic — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:17:34 -0800

I'm jealous, man. You guys are going to witness the greatest positive moment of American history in our lifetimes, while I'm stuck in Asia. Alas.

My sister had her wedding photos taken in the Kogod Gardens. Beautiful spot.

Cheers to all.

By: inigo2

inigo2 — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 07:28:14 -0800

Surprisingly, bars weren't too crowded last night. Makes me wonder if inauguration will have fewer people than projected...

By: juliplease

juliplease — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 10:04:09 -0800

Can I say maybe, too? I hope to make it!

By: zennie

zennie — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:30:56 -0800

Me also.

Surprisingly, bars weren't too crowded last night.

It was 12 degrees last night with a -10 wind chill.

By: necessitas

necessitas — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:34:45 -0800

I could have sworn I counted in in the last thread. Count me in!

By: little e

little e — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 19:17:26 -0800

I'll be there unless my out of town guests show up much, much earlier than expected. I'm pretty excited about getting to interact with human beings who don't work at furniture stores, since that's been my entire weekend thus far.

By: Taken Outtacontext

Taken Outtacontext — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 05:05:22 -0800

Just a heads up about the food/drink situation: because the museum is within the restricted zone trucks (and their deliveries) will be spotty if at all. Bear that in mind and adjust your expectations as necessary. Every eatery within this large downtown area is in the same boat (the closest Starbucks to us has been sporting a large refrigerator within this very small Starbucks for a week to stock up).

By: djb

djb — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:42:09 -0800

As long as I can get on the Orange Line, I'll be there.

By: inigo2

inigo2 — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:17:01 -0800

It was 12 degrees last night with a -10 wind chill.

What better time for a drink?
That said, last night was pretty crowded, so people are definitely here...

By: gsteff

gsteff — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 19:00:41 -0800

I'll be there.

By: exogenous

exogenous — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 05:20:57 -0800

I suddenly found out we have houseguests coming in this afternoon, so I'll probably have to skip the meetup.

By: ibmcginty

ibmcginty — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 05:46:44 -0800

Didn't see this thread til now-- I think I will make it too, depending on just exactly when my houseguest's Amtrak makes it here... Sorry for the late vagueness.

By: little e

little e — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 07:15:51 -0800

My out of town guests just called and they are going to be here early. So I guess I'll have to catch the next meetup :(

By: onlyconnect

onlyconnect — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 07:20:22 -0800

Can anyone report on the metro and bus situation today? I'm 7+ months pregnant and am trying to avoid getting stuck anywhere for a long time without a bathroom! (There were some difficulties after last night's concert, I think?) Might still come out, just not sure.

By: hellboundforcheddar

hellboundforcheddar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 07:27:08 -0800

Washington Metro Area Transit Authority has info on closures for tomorrow. It looks like today things are operating normally. Use the trip planner to figure out the status of your route/s today. Go to Inauguration link for status tomorrow.

The hellbounds are still coming.

By: JoanArkham

JoanArkham — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 07:27:25 -0800

Don't know how much you trust WMATA but they are currently reporting everything as being on time.

Assuming we can find parking way out here at the end of the line we will be there...probably closer to 3.

By: Taken Outtacontext

Taken Outtacontext — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 07:38:24 -0800

Onlyconnect, you should know, if you don't already, that Metro stations do have bathrooms (where you enter the turnstiles). They are generally not marked and you have to ask the guy in the kiosk if you could use it. But they generally do. Something to know.

By: hellboundforcheddar

hellboundforcheddar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 07:38:44 -0800

@takenouttacontext: so... will you be wearing a sandwich board or something?

Gorilla suit? Ultraman t-shirt? How will we find the group (other than simply looking for the clever teeshirt/snarky crowd)?

By: Taken Outtacontext

Taken Outtacontext — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 07:40:00 -0800

I've got my red vest on and am just about to leave for the museum (will be down on the first floor in the Folk Art Collection if you get there early). My name is Jeff, btw.

By: MrMoonPie

MrMoonPie — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:55:33 -0800

I'm heading out in about an hour, with the MrsMoonPie. We're stopping off to meet up with another friend first, then getting to the museum by 3 at the latest, I expect. We look like this, and I'm 6 1/2 feet tall.

By: Taken Outtacontext

Taken Outtacontext — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:55:33 -0800

Great to meet all of you f2f!! Thanks for stopping by. ;-)

By: MrMoonPie

MrMoonPie — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:14:23 -0800

Thank you, Jeff--that was really great.

By: JoanArkham

JoanArkham — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:14:08 -0800

Thanks Jeff! That was a great first meetup.

Djb, I just saw you in this thread...did you make it? Did I get to talk to you? I was your Secret Quonsar!

By: odinsdream

odinsdream — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 07:43:02 -0800

Anyone have photos? The original thread didn't have anything posted yet - and I heard Gandalf was there!?

By: hellboundforcheddar

hellboundforcheddar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:41:23 -0800

Gandalf was there... and he ignored me both times I tried to get him to not ignore me.

By: Taken Outtacontext

Taken Outtacontext — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 06:16:22 -0800

Did you all go to the Inaugural? I took my 12 yo daughter. We were situated at the slope leading up to the Washington Monument. Here are some of my photos. If you took pics it would be great to see them.

By: ShawnString

ShawnString — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:07:37 -0800

I went to the Inauguration... heres the shots I took

By: djb

djb — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:57:13 -0800

JoanArkham - I was the one wearing a MetaFilter shirt. Sorry we didn't get to talk, your gift was a great addition to my collection of historical ephemera.

By: JoanArkham

JoanArkham — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:32:31 -0800

Yeah, just saw you in the panorama shot. I never managed to get to the other side of the circle...

We'll have to do this again, under less crazy circumstances!

By: Kattullus

Kattullus — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:58:58 -0800

Yeah, Ian McKellen was there. I know brownpau took pics. When McKellen walked in and sat down all 30 of us promptly failed our saving throws vs. lose dignity.

By: Kattullus

Kattullus — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 04:33:19 -0800

Shouldn't we make a list of everyone who was there. I'll start with those who first come to mind, even though I haven't had coffee yet this morning and don't have a functioning brain.

clockworkjoe
empath
onlyconnect
nortondc
Potomac Avenue
brownpau +1
anotherpanacea +1
hellboundforcheddar +1
zennie
djb
MrMoonPie +1
JoanArkham +1
Taken Outtacontext

And a whole lot of other people whose MeFiNames escape me and I need coffee so someone else take over :)

By: ShawnString

ShawnString — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:48:51 -0800

I actually felt kinda bad, because I wasnt able to actually talk and meet everyone that was there. BUT would I do it again, hells yea.

By: ShawnString

ShawnString — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:51:05 -0800

another aside thing, waiting in the hell that was the line for the Silver Gate... who do i see? None other then Potomac Avenue (Peter). That was very cool in all those people to actually run into someone I knew.

By: Kattullus

Kattullus — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:46:35 -0800

I guess it's up to me to figure out who was there so that I can be a proper obsessive and make sure I add every MeFite I've met as "met" in my contacts. Here's my amended list.

clockworkjoe
empath
onlyconnect
nortondc
Potomac Avenue
brownpau +1
anotherpanacea +1
hellboundforcheddar +1
zennie
djb
MrMoonPie +1
JoanArkham +1
Taken Outtacontext
EarBucket +1
ShawnString +1

Come on, people... help me out! :)

By: MrMoonPie

MrMoonPie — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:16:05 -0800

MrMoonPie's +1 is AKA eviltiff, if you're looking for total accuracy.

By: dog food sugar

dog food sugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:59:45 -0800

Kattullus I don't know if you met my husband, Robot Rex who was also there. Wish we had been able to talk with more people! Such an interesting lot. Thanks for a fun afternoon everybody!

By: ShawnString

ShawnString — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:28:44 -0800

amen, dog food sugar.

I only met maybe 1/3 of the people there. We really do need to do this again

By: Kattullus

Kattullus — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:06:29 -0800

I tried to say hi to everyone, dog food sugar, so I'm sure I did! Either way, I've added him as a contact.

By: dog food sugar

dog food sugar — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:10:23 -0800

I got a cute picture of eviltiff looking at MrMoonPie.

And a blurry celeb sighting picture of BOTH the CSI guy and Gandalf.