Sooo, doing anything Bastille Day?

March 17, 2009 12:37 PM

What's the plan for Metafilter's 10-year anniversary?

Last I heard, there were gonna be parties on seven continents, and we were going to hire a jet so we can celebrate in eighteen timezones.

But seriously, what happened to the documentary idea? Did it just peter out?

Other than that, are there any other preparations in place for the big day?

posted by goodnewsfortheinsane to uptime at 12:37 PM (157 comments total)

We all fire our AK-47's into the air.
posted by Ironmouth at 12:38 PM on March 17 [6 favorites]

I was gonna pour some pancake batter on the ground for my dead homies.

What up y'all.
posted by eyeballkid at 12:39 PM on March 17 [11 favorites]

But I only have a Kalashnikov!
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 12:41 PM on March 17

Baseball T-shirts!
posted by mattdidthat at 12:41 PM on March 17

Yes, the documentary idea pretty much flamed out. I've had ideas on relaunching it, but it would require quite a bit of user generated content.
posted by Derek at 12:43 PM on March 17

I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but I bought a scanner and declawed my cat just in case.
posted by burnmp3s at 12:45 PM on March 17 [10 favorites]

I heard that mathowie plans to rent a small country called The Netherlands for the week of July 12-18. Lucky for you, gnfti, no traveling.
posted by Cranberry at 12:46 PM on March 17

Hand jobs. That's my answer for everything.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 12:46 PM on March 17

Real ponies.
posted by studentbaker at 12:48 PM on March 17 [3 favorites]

Yea, if something's happening, now would be a good time to say so; the day is fast approaching.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:49 PM on March 17 [1 favorite]

I heard that mathowie plans to rent a small country called The Netherlands for the week of July 12-18. Lucky for you, gnfti, no traveling.

Harumph. Well alright, invade of you must, but remember, I have a Kalashnikov.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 12:49 PM on March 17

Weren't we going to do a big meetup in New Orleans?
posted by ryanrs at 12:50 PM on March 17

That's a shame, Derek. If it's resurrected I'd love to contribute.

Those baseball jerseys do look awesome.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 12:51 PM on March 17

There can be no celebration if you don't get this man to attend.

On preview:

That's my answer for everything.

You think I got kicked out for just the aquarium? Nah. That ain't it. It was the hand job.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 12:51 PM on March 17

Okay, but then I want the "best-dressed brat" kid with the cane, too.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 12:53 PM on March 17

The plans were destroyed in the great server hackening along with the Mods' decoder rings.
posted by chillmost at 12:55 PM on March 17

We should totally have an all-metafilter meetup. Since travel logistics would make it impractical for us to all meet at a single location, I suggest that we hold the meetup in the comfort and privacy of our own homes or workplaces, and network them together somehow.
posted by ook at 12:56 PM on March 17 [16 favorites]

Weren't we going to do a big meetup in New Orleans?

I am so down for that. I'm pretty sure ColdChef, darainwa, umbu and others would agree with me!
posted by radioamy at 12:56 PM on March 17

The Metalands

I'm under the impression that only a small subset of mefites regularly read metatalk.
It would be great to put a notice about the upcoming 10th metaversary in the sidebar on the blue at an appropriate time. That way we'd hopefully get mefites from all over the European continent to convene in A'dam.
Which would be great.
posted by jouke at 1:13 PM on March 17

We were going to do a New Orleans meetup, but I have grand plans for a multi-city thing instead, and a way to coordinate all of the cities on the site. I was going to announce it around May, and I was planning to explain it fully on the next podcast, because it's kind of a lot of things at once. I'd explain more here, but we're still working out some details and I think talking it out over a recording with other mods will help solidify the ideas and we can debate the finer points then.

So we're working on it, expect to hear more in the next podcast (probably next week).
posted by mathowie at 1:15 PM on March 17 [16 favorites]

Yay! I'm excited. I loved the idea of a New Orleans meetup, but with the economy such that it is, I wasn't sure how many people were going to be able to travel out for it (getting laid-off probably killed my chances of making it out).
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:18 PM on March 17 [1 favorite]

What's the plan for Metafilter's 10-year anniversary?

I'm going to get my t-shirt signed, that's what!

See y'all in NOLA!
posted by Afroblanco at 1:19 PM on March 17

Oh wait, you mean we're not doing NOLA now? CRAP!

(genuinely disappointed!)

I thought the grand multi-city plan was in addition to (and not instead of) the NOLA plan?
posted by Afroblanco at 1:20 PM on March 17

Fuck the podcast, nobody listens to those.
posted by ryanrs at 1:21 PM on March 17 [1 favorite]

No NOLA? Damn! I already told all my friends I was going. Now they'll think I'm a complete flake. Oh. Wait. They already know that.
posted by mygothlaundry at 1:23 PM on March 17

Well, I'm semi-glad that it looks like New Orleans isn't happening because I might be in the US Northwest around that time anyway. Well, all that's immaterial as all of my plans are kind of up in the air right now due to unexpected money drains.
posted by Kattullus at 1:26 PM on March 17

If we make plans for NOLA, I will here and now commit to going. God damn, do I miss New Orleans.
posted by Astro Zombie at 1:29 PM on March 17

I think the multi-city thing is a better plan; if it was in a single place, straight up somewhere other than Portland, I wouldn't be able to go, and I'm sure that's the case for many people who want to, in many different cities. Not that I wouldn't love to go to New Orleans, but there's no way that's in the cards for me.
posted by Caduceus at 1:30 PM on March 17

Cast my vote for a New Orleans Meetup.
posted by ColdChef at 1:30 PM on March 17

Also, Wikipedia says that July is the hottest, wettest month in New Orleans. That sounds horrible. (NOLA mefites: is it?)
posted by ryanrs at 1:31 PM on March 17

Gosh, I was just hoping for a quiet dinner somewhere nice.
posted by Meta Filter at 1:31 PM on March 17 [5 favorites]

You know, I really see no reason why we can't do the NOLA thing in addition to the multi-city thing, as per the original plan.

I was really looking forward to that!
posted by Afroblanco at 1:31 PM on March 17

New Orleans in the summer is...sultry to say the least, but the hotels run cheap, the drinks are cold and the food is spicy and sexy.
posted by ColdChef at 1:32 PM on March 17

Also: there's always a chance for a hurricane which means: END OF THE WORLD SEX AND DRINKING!
posted by ColdChef at 1:33 PM on March 17 [11 favorites]

Yeah, as much fun as a giant aggregate NOLA meetup would've been, there's no way I could afford that.

Though in the interest of pulling in as many people as possible into a central location, I think it'd be feasible to have something like a big NY meetup or something that the Toronto, Ottawa, etc. Eastern Ontario people could attend as well.
posted by Phire at 1:33 PM on March 17

And with respect to NOLA versus satellite meet-ups - I had the impression it was an issue of whether or not the five mods would make the trip out to NOLA? And that actively trying to plan something in NOLA while saying "here, have some satellite meet-ups too" would be really ... discouraging, almost to those people who are trying to plan the satellite meet-ups.
posted by Phire at 1:36 PM on March 17 [1 favorite]

Dude. If I can afford it, I'll fly out to NOLA. What's the when and where? Cold Chef, will you be my big bro on this one? I've been meaning to take a trip back to visit my college friends, and this would be lovely.
posted by brina at 1:36 PM on March 17

Cold Chef, will you be my big bro on this one?

I have no idea what that means, but yes.
posted by ColdChef at 1:39 PM on March 17 [1 favorite]

Thanks for the info, Matt.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 1:41 PM on March 17

I need to get my passport.
posted by ODiV at 1:42 PM on March 17

Nooooooola! I wanted to meet everybody.
posted by umbú at 1:45 PM on March 17

actively trying to plan something in NOLA while saying "here, have some satellite meet-ups too" would be really ... discouraging, almost to those people who are trying to plan the satellite meet-ups.

I don't think that's true. It wouldn't be less discouraging then saying, hey guys, we're having a big anniversary party in the middle of the country; those of you who can't come can just sit at home and suffer.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:47 PM on March 17 [1 favorite]

ThePinkSuperhero: those of you who can't come can just sit at home and suffer.

But sitting at home and suffering IS THE POINT OF METAFILTER!

or have I been doing it wrong?
posted by Kattullus at 1:59 PM on March 17 [14 favorites]

Well wherever it happens there's sure to be a sock puppet meet up right next door.
posted by Sailormom at 2:00 PM on March 17

Another vote for NOLA. I've never been there, and I have had a section of my liver reserved for it for years.
posted by loquacious at 2:05 PM on March 17 [1 favorite]

I'm pretty sure that anyone who just wants to go to New Orleans that week is still allowed to, and stuff, so, you know. NOLA satellite meetup go!

But yeah, I'm liking the distributed meetup thing we've been talking about and it's probably about time we sat down and talked out the details some more.
posted by cortex at 2:06 PM on March 17

It wouldn't be less discouraging then saying, hey guys, we're having a big anniversary party in the middle of the country; those of you who can't come can just sit at home and suffer.

Agreed. Uluru in winter is so stunning; people would be rightfully jealous.
posted by UbuRoivas at 2:08 PM on March 17 [2 favorites]

How about a book?
posted by b33j at 2:14 PM on March 17

Please, please discuss it here, not on the podcast.
posted by ryanrs at 2:17 PM on March 17

Well wherever it happens there's sure to be a sock puppet meet up right next door.

That would be kinda hilarious. Everyone would wear bags over their heads, disguise their voices, and do all their talking through actual sockpuppets.

May not be that much fun, though. So far as I can tell it would just be a bunch of people sitting around and asking each other embarrassing questions.

.... and then suddenly, they hear a haunted, forlorn voice issue from a speaker near the ceiling. The disembodied voice is in obvious pain, and needs an immediate answer to a urgent, scary question! All of the sockpuppets are confused, until finally it dawns on them. That voice ...... is Anonymous Ask Metafilter!
posted by Afroblanco at 2:18 PM on March 17 [2 favorites]

Please, please discuss it here, not on the podcast.

The podcast is a likely time for us to discuss not because podcasts are magical agenda-setting beasts but because that's probably the next time we'll actually all be conversing with each other, is all.
posted by cortex at 2:24 PM on March 17

ThePinkSuperhero: "I don't think that's true. It wouldn't be less discouraging then saying, hey guys, we're having a big anniversary party in the middle of the country; those of you who can't come can just sit at home and suffer."

I'm confused. Actively planning something in NOLA wouldn't be less discouraging than just telling people to suffer at home? Isn't that... what I said about being discouraging to everyone not in NOLA?
posted by Phire at 2:27 PM on March 17

I messed up my negatives; that's what I get for commenting as I run out the door.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:37 PM on March 17 [2 favorites]

The Tenth Anniversary is aluminum or tin.

I say we all get hats.
posted by The Whelk at 2:38 PM on March 17 [4 favorites]

Oh. But I thought all the mods lived at mathowie's house?
posted by ryanrs at 2:43 PM on March 17 [2 favorites]

Yeah, fair enough. I don't know, maybe it's because the max attendance at Ottawa meet-ups in the past two years has been five, I can't help but feel like if I went to a satellite anniversary meet-up, there'd be a sense of "dammit I wish I was in NOLA with everyone else who could actually afford to fly across the country".
posted by Phire at 2:44 PM on March 17

Er, continent.
posted by Phire at 2:44 PM on March 17

Maybe, but I'd rather feel that way at a party with MeFi friends than home alone.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:49 PM on March 17 [1 favorite]

If there's anything going in the US Northeast, I'll do my best to be there, but I can't go to NOLA because my cat is a dick.

Actually because I have a lot of travel that I HAVE to do to the Midwest this year and I didn't get any bonuses from AIG, so I can't fly my private jet to NOLA. But my cat is also a dick.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 3:11 PM on March 17

(or world, as the case may be)
posted by UbuRoivas at 3:21 PM on March 17

But I thought all the mods lived at mathowie's house?

That was the idea, but then Matt started a band with Shaniqua and didn't tell the rest of us first and they were playing drums right in the middle of Jessamyn's fondue birthday party and that was like totally ruined, and so Jessamyn completely flipped out on me like I had anything to do with it when I never even liked Shaniqua in the first place, and so me and and Jareth made a pact to both move out of The House, but then he was I guess screwing Shaniqua behind Matt's back and Jessamyn knew about that the whole time but I didn't find out until after I'd already packed all my stuff, and I was like, what the hell, Jareth.
posted by cortex at 3:26 PM on March 17 [15 favorites]

Can't wait to see what the plan is. I'll try to attend if it fits in my schedule. And I'll bring the plastic because there is a small fortune worth of drinks I would like to buy for people.
posted by dios at 3:26 PM on March 17

Just to clear one thing up: Having a giant new orleans meetup we all fly to attend seemed like putting all our resources and energy into one huge party and asking a lot of people for a one-time thing. The alternative of having some coordinated way to do many meetups in many cities seemed more democratic and in line with the distributed nature of site members. That doesn't mean there can't be a NOLA meetup in connection with this, it just wasn't going to be the one super duper bash for the earth like originally thought.

It's a all eggs in one basket vs. many eggs in many baskets thing.
posted by mathowie at 3:27 PM on March 17 [2 favorites]

How about a book?

The 10^th Anniversary MetaFilter Bathroom Reader!

Including:
Should I Eat it? A definitive guide to the expiration of food left on your kitchen counter.
So You Killed a Prostitute... An almost scary flowchart on how to get rid of a body.
DTMFA... Advice that will solve all of your relationship troubles.
Cortex, is he a robot, or just that fucking awesome?
...And MUCH, MUCH MORE!!!!11!!!

Purchase of this book also comes with 1000 free minutes on the distinguished website that started it all! A fifty (50) dollar value!!!! (MetaTalk not included)
posted by clearly at 3:37 PM on March 17 [16 favorites]

For whenever two or more are gathered in his name, there he is in the midst of you.
--Matthew (Haughey) 18:20
posted by Ufez Jones at 3:41 PM on March 17 [21 favorites]

Hm...

MetaFilter was founded on my 20th birthday.

First of all, I think it was pretty inconsiderate that no one gave me a call about it, and instead left me to my own devices. I only got around to reading it in late '08.

Second, can you please put a footnote on all subsequent communiques to the MeFi community that they should also be celebrating my 30th?

Cheers,
Orville
posted by orville sash at 3:52 PM on March 17

MASS BANNINGS
posted by turgid dahlia at 3:55 PM on March 17 [2 favorites]

Oh, man. I was unable to make it to the meetup on Mardi Gras, but tenth anniversary? As if I had anything better going on....

One of the satellites had BETTER be NOLA.

Also, when this is discussed on the podcast, can someone post a transcript here in MeTa?
posted by Night_owl at 4:11 PM on March 17

Oh, and August is worse than July. And there's plenty of air conditioning to go around.
posted by Night_owl at 4:12 PM on March 17

I love you people, truly madly deeply, but there is no way no how I am going to Louisianna in AUGUST. Can we not due this in a civilized climate?
posted by DarlingBri at 4:29 PM on March 17 [1 favorite]

Did I hear Uluru? I could be there mid winter. Or Sydney or Melbourne or Canberra or something like that. But we should definitely have an Australia meetup.
posted by mosessis at 4:31 PM on March 17

if the plan is still what I recall, I propose the name be called "24 hour mefi people".
posted by boo_radley at 4:38 PM on March 17 [3 favorites]

I'm going to New Orleans even if the rest of you go elsewhere.


(Re weather: I was there last August and it wasn't anywhere near the choking humid hell I expected. Indeed, I now suspect the natives let us tourists believe the worst about the climate so that once a year, they get a nice relaxed city, cheap prices and room to dance up front for themselves.)
posted by CunningLinguist at 4:39 PM on March 17

posted by Night_owl

Dude, I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but you sucked in Watchmen. You couldn't act to save your life, and you weren't even pudgy for chrissake. I mean, you weren't as bad as Silk Specter II (I don't think anyone, ever, has been), but still...
posted by dersins at 4:41 PM on March 17 [1 favorite]

Oh, also, I strongly favor the idea of widely-attended, widely-distributed multiple simultaneous meetups over one central thing that only the few, the proud, the un-laid-off will be able to afford to attend.
posted by dersins at 4:42 PM on March 17 [1 favorite]

wait, my Shaniqua? WHAT THE FUCK??
posted by waraw at 4:43 PM on March 17 [1 favorite]

Dude, I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but you sucked in Watchmen. You couldn't act to save your life, and you weren't even pudgy for chrissake. I mean, you weren't as bad as Silk Specter II (I don't think anyone, ever, has been), but still...
posted by dersins

what
posted by Night_owl at 4:52 PM on March 17 [3 favorites]

I guess screwing Shaniqua behind Matt's back and Jessamyn knew about that the whole time but I didn't find out

Wait, I don't remember you from thespot.com, cortex.
posted by GuyZero at 5:12 PM on March 17

That doesn't mean there can't be a NOLA meetup in connection with this, it just wasn't going to be the one super duper bash for the earth like originally thought.

I'm not flying there unless it's going to be super duper. Promise me a super duper bash, pls.
posted by ryanrs at 5:14 PM on March 17

what
posted by Night_owl

Pretty easy Google, that was. Dude's voice weirds me out.
posted by gman at 5:18 PM on March 17

A distributed meta-meetup? I'm imagining a DHT with beer bottles for nodes and edges made of outrage. Pretty rad image actually.
posted by Skorgu at 6:09 PM on March 17

MASS BANNINGS

Mass Bannings would be an awesome name for the hero of a pulp novel.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 6:37 PM on March 17

Online real-time MeFi meetup. But thread-like, not chat-like? (Well, kinda like this thread, meandering and free.)
posted by five fresh fish at 6:52 PM on March 17

July is the hottest, wettest month in New Orleans. That sounds horrible.

It weeds out the sissypants, if that's what you mean -- which is good. New Orleans is not for the weak.

Sadly, or happily, actually, I plan to spend the intar week of July 11-19 underground, out in the godforsaken hinterlands of west Texas, so y'all might have to do this without me. I know, I know, but you'll manage somehow, I swear!
posted by Devils Rancher at 7:06 PM on March 17

Miss Bannings would be an awesome name for the admin assistant at a 50s-throwback Metafilter LLC.
posted by cortex at 7:06 PM on March 17 [1 favorite]

Mass Bannings...he's the man with the name you'd love to touch! But you musn't touch!
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:25 PM on March 17

Well, it would be nice if there were a few big distributed parties. I mean, moonbird and I could throw a meetup and sit around and drink a few beers but frankly we tend to do that anyway so, um, it's not like it would be celebrating Metafilter or anything. More than usual, I mean. I suppose we could both wear blue and drag one or two other Asheville lurkers out (lazaruslong, I'm looking at you) but . . . but it's just not the same as a big party with lots and lots of mefites! So here is a plaintive call from the Southeast - if these distributed parties don't all happen in NYC and Seattle, that would kind of be very awesome.
posted by mygothlaundry at 7:37 PM on March 17

Yes, big parties! Let's really do this right. Like, don't have a party in Boston and New York and DC, do a party in Boston or New York or DC. I could swing a bus trip in either direction.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:41 PM on March 17 [2 favorites]

some coordinated way to do many meetups in many cities

Sounds great.
posted by bru at 7:44 PM on March 17

Her name was Juanita, but everyone knew her as Miss Bannings. She had a face that was easy to forget, like a leftover grilled cheese sandwich, but she had the personality of a beauty queen. "I was seven months pregnant with Hansford when I rode in the Rose Parade," said Juanita. "So Hansford's actually been riding horses since before he was born." Her bubbly goodness reminded everyone of a grocery store champagne.

But 12-year-old Hansford, and his older cousin, Matthew, 21, rode off on an entirely different trail than their mother ever dreamed of attempting: Both boys became computer dweebs. The elder boy, the son of Juanita's sister who married that Haughey boy from the sheep ranch, attended one of those hifalutin' big city colleges that turn them into pinkos, and nerds, and bicycle riders. Think of those poor lonely horses, and sheep.

Not long after college Matthew started his own business, on of all things the Internet, and moving to that place where all the hippies live and don't wear clothes and live in tents and such. Hardly a rodeo anywhere. Fortunately for poor Hansford, he just got interested in banotechnology and wore a white lab coat, with wrap-around sleeves. Juanita could accept that. She didn't need her son cavorting all over creation talking about sinister geekage like blogs and tweets and p2p. WTF?

But when Juanita was down and out because there weren't much call for cowgirls and rodeo queens and mother's of banotechs, there was her nephew Matthew, of all people, coming through with an admin job at his blockbuster internet company. She took to it like Dale Evans, with a toothy smile and that down-home politeness and generosity not seen since before LLC was just glint in young Haughey's eye. "Hello, I'm Miss Bannings. Welcome to MetaFilter. How may I help you today?"

And so she did. The membership just grew and grew, by leaps and, more leaps. From 10,000 to 30,000, to 80,000 and all because of Miss Bannings and her rodeo girl charm. As the tenth anniversary of MeFi approached, Juanita poured all her hope and energy into the big celebration. It was gonna be a doozy with horses and cowboys and girls and clowns and beauty queens, and sheep. Matthew was so pleased, well sort of. But still, in her honor he named the one thing that was cherished above all else at MetaFilter, that brought out the pitchforks and torches, the languagehats and gawkers... all the greylings now bow before the Bannhammer. All hail Miss Bannings!
posted by netbros at 7:48 PM on March 17 [8 favorites]

Hey there's this program that helps with distributed parties we could use that. It's called Skynet and seems to work really fast!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:58 PM on March 17

It would be super if there was a meetup in Philly for me to not go to!
posted by Mister_A at 8:08 PM on March 17

Yes New Orleans is a sweltering mess in July, but that's part of the fun of it! And everything is air-conditioned.
posted by radioamy at 8:32 PM on March 17

At first I was kinda pissed when I heard the Nola rumor. I had a great time at the 8th Anniversary meetup in Portland and was really hoping #10 would be there as well, as it's right down the road from me. But the multiple-distributed-simultaneous-meetup thing seems wrong. Please, please don't do this. Much as I love 'em, we have our local meet ups all the time. I want to see mathowie and jessamyn and cortex again, and meet Cold Chef and Astro Zombie. And this sounds like a hell of a party.

And I say this as someone who lives in the opposite corner of the country from New Orleans.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 8:37 PM on March 17

I'm so down for a NOLA meetup. Even if it can't be everybody in one location, I'll be there sweating it out with the other NOLA mefites.
posted by darainwa at 8:40 PM on March 17

And I say this as someone who lives in the opposite corner of the country from New Orleans.

Think of the peoplewholiveoutsidetheUS! Why won't somebody think of the peoplewholiveoutsidetheUS?

*wails*
posted by crossoverman at 8:44 PM on March 17

I think Matt just started crunching the numbers on an open bar and got a bit freaked out.
posted by Meatbomb at 11:14 PM on March 17

I don't know, maybe it's because the max attendance at Ottawa meet-ups in the past two years has been five, I can't help but feel like if I went to a satellite anniversary meet-up, there'd be a sense of "dammit I wish I was in NOLA with everyone else who could actually afford to fly across the country".

Well, Canada's Big Easy is smack-dab in the middle of the country, so it's easy to get to, no matter where in the Great White North you are!

I'm just too lazy to drive anywhere and too cheap to fly.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:30 PM on March 17

Did someone say open bar?
posted by subbes at 11:35 PM on March 17

Well, I'd vote Austin...but that's cause I'm a slacker who could crash at my sister's house if it were there.

But I could probably be persuaded to head to New Orleans, especially if someone volunteers to go to Bayona with me. Gods, I love that place.
posted by dejah420 at 11:40 PM on March 17

Alvy Ampersand: Well, Canada's Big Easy is smack-dab in the middle of the country, so it's easy to get to, no matter where in the Great White North you are!

Obligatory link to Weakerthans' One Great City! (a.k.a. the "I hate Winnipeg" song) at any mention of Winnipeg.

Every single time I read a reference to or hear someone mention Winnipeg in my head I hear John Samson sing "I hate Winnipeg!" in my head. Every single time.

I've never been but I hear it's a lovely place. Oddly enough Weakerthans were introduced me back in 2002 as an Icelandic band, which confused me until I realized that they meant Canadians of Icelandic descent.
posted by Kattullus at 11:50 PM on March 17 [2 favorites]

This would be a good enough reason for me to get off of my butt and try to organize a Seoul meet-up.

If you can't make it to Nola, come to Korea!
posted by bardic at 12:54 AM on March 18

It wouldn't be less discouraging then saying, hey guys, we're having a big anniversary party in the middle of the country; those of you who can't come can just sit at home and suffer.

The middle of the country sounds good. It is rainy but that just makes the Forest of Bowland that much prettier. I suppose we could move it a bit eastward to Yorkshire too.
posted by vacapinta at 2:38 AM on March 18

Count me in for a Southeast Asian meetup! I would so be there! Any country!
posted by Lush at 3:12 AM on March 18

I thought they closed New Orleans. Did they get to reopen? Did they get their liquor license back?
posted by JohnnyGunn at 3:58 AM on March 18

They got the license back but all the liquor was looted so it's a moot point.
posted by turgid dahlia at 4:17 AM on March 18

Dammit. If there's going to be a NOLA meetup, we can make it if I get the dog's pet passport right now. Even with the ginormous pain in the ass this would be, I would still cast my vote for a main event in NOLA and regional events for people who can't make that trip.
posted by DarlingBri at 4:43 AM on March 18

For Meta's anniversary, I will be having sex with all of you. In my mind.
posted by Evangeline at 4:50 AM on March 18 [1 favorite]

I'd prefer to do something I don't do every other day. Special occasion and all that.
posted by dg at 4:57 AM on March 18

I'd prefer to do something I don't do every other day

You have sex with all of us every other day? You seem to have left me out. :(
posted by Mikey-San at 5:06 AM on March 18

We'll be hungover before the rest of you crack open that first beer!

Asia. We are the future.

Goes outside to move her flying car.
posted by gomichild at 5:25 AM on March 18 [6 favorites]

I actually wouldn't mind Winnipeg too much; I have friends there, so it's not like I'd be shelling out a couple hundred bucks to go to an Internet thing.
posted by Phire at 5:44 AM on March 18

Maybe we could use some of that whiz-bang video conferencing technology to link all the meetups into a Meta Meetup.

Or we could be fair to everyone, rent a big boat and meet at ">0°, 0°
posted by double block and bleed at 5:57 AM on March 18

Something in New York? I never get to go to local-ish meet ups because finding a sitter and trying to get there when I don't drive is a pain. But for a 10 year anniversary party in NYC I'd try super hard to attend.
posted by FunkyHelix at 5:58 AM on March 18

I love the NOLA idea ... and this is coming from someone far from NOLA, and who was just there recently.
posted by rottytooth at 5:58 AM on March 18

Oops, bad link. Try this.
posted by double block and bleed at 5:59 AM on March 18

But I only have a Kalashnikov!

That's what an AK-47 is—it stands for Avtomat Kalashnikova obraztsa 1947 goda, "Kalashnikov's automatic rifle, 1947 model."
posted by languagehat at 6:05 AM on March 18 [1 favorite]

Ohhh, I lurve my Philly MeFites but I love New Orleans and need a good excuse for a trip there. I will flounce dramatically until this is resolved.
posted by desuetude at 6:49 AM on March 18

I've never been but I hear it's a lovely place. Oddly enough Weakerthans were introduced me back in 2002 as an Icelandic band, which confused me until I realized that they meant Canadians of Icelandic descent.

And I can't hear mention of Toronto without spitting out "I don't want to go to Toronto!" from Radio Free Vestibule.
But I like both Toronto and Winnipeg.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 6:51 AM on March 18

Argh. Why did I quote the wrong bit?
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 6:52 AM on March 18

Yeah, I understand the thinking behind the distributed meetup, but all the same, I'm still pretty disappointed. I had such a great time at the Portland meetup a few years ago! I was totally looking forward to meeting a bunch of people who I'd probably never get to meet otherwise. I even imagined whole exchanges where I'd meet people who I've disagreed with a bunch and then found out that they weren't so bad once I'd met them in person. The videoconferencing thing sounds cool, but more like a gimmick than anything else. It's nothing compared to actually getting to sit down and talk to someone in person. I thought that was the whole point of a meetup?
posted by Afroblanco at 7:03 AM on March 18

Durn Bronzefist: "
And I can't hear mention of Toronto without spitting out "I don't want to go to Toronto!" from Radio Free Vestibule. "

"I hate the skydome, and the CN Tower, too
I hate Nathan Phillips Square and the Ontario Zoo
The rent's too high, the air's unclean
The beaches are dirty and the people are mean
And the women are big and the men are dumb
And the children are loopy 'cause they live in a slum
The water is polluted and the mayor's a dork
They dress real bad and they think they're New York
In Toronto
Ontarioooo."
--Ontario Sucks, Arrogant Worms.

The views expressed above represent the artists' personal opinions and do not in any way reflect those of this Ottawa resident.
posted by Phire at 7:08 AM on March 18

It's nothing compared to actually getting to sit down and talk to someone in person. I thought that was the whole point of a meetup?

I've sat down and talked with Afroblanco. Twice. New York and New Orleans. It's all you've ever dreamed or imagined that it could be. And more.
posted by ColdChef at 7:25 AM on March 18

I had much the same sort of expectations as Afroblanco, but instead of realizing that certain people are actually pretty okay, I just punch them in the dick at the outset.
posted by Navelgazer at 7:28 AM on March 18

I'm a big meetup fan. I've arranged them, and have been to many. I really like meetups. And I love New Orleans, and have had some great times there. But I've been to New Orleans in July, and won't ever be doing that shit again.
posted by MrMoonPie at 8:23 AM on March 18

Phire, that song was actually performed by Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie.
posted by kldickson at 8:28 AM on March 18

One of the satellite parties has to be on the moon.
posted by klangklangston at 8:38 AM on March 18 [1 favorite]

Austin, New Orleans - let's just split the difference and hold it in Houston.
posted by chrisamiller at 8:53 AM on March 18

I'm also into the idea of a big meetup. It's a big anniversary and deserves a big meetup.

Also, flying down to the states isn't that expensive comparatively speaking. Usually Yellowknife to Edmonton makes up the bulk of my travel expenses.
posted by ODiV at 8:58 AM on March 18

Oh, for the love of ...

I knew there was something happening this July. As we were looking at available dates, I heard the nagging voice in the back of my head, and I thought, "What is it? Someone's birthday? Someone's anniversary? What?"

But I never did figure it out, and so we went ahead and set the wedding date without consulting Metatalk. Stupid stupid stupid!

Raggle-fraggle rasslefrass curseword!

Have a great time!
posted by Elsa at 9:05 AM on March 18

OMG MEETUP AT ELSAS WEDDING
posted by jacalata at 9:32 AM on March 18 [10 favorites]

OMG MEETUP AT ELSAS WEDDING

open bar?
posted by double block and bleed at 9:47 AM on March 18 [2 favorites]

most definitely elsa should get married at the meetup!!!!!!!! wherever it is! marriage & honeymoon in one!
posted by msconduct at 10:20 AM on March 18

I think we should do it so that everyone has to celebrate on their ten year MetaFilter anniversary. Just Matt and his faceless horde of test user submissions on the first day. A whole bunch of people who have long since forgotten MetaFilter will be required to celebrate "sometime in 2009". Then we'll have a steadily growing number until the huge festival of angry Nader supporters (and the people who want them dead).
posted by MarkAnd at 10:49 AM on March 18

most definitely elsa should get married at the meetup

Yeah, I can see that now.

"'I, Elsa, do take this man...'"
"I, Elsa, do take this man..."
"DOUBLE!"
posted by cortex at 10:54 AM on March 18 [7 favorites]

most definitely elsa should get married at the meetup

And I suppose we'd throw rice and beans?
posted by ColdChef at 11:29 AM on March 18 [2 favorites]

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit the internets. Love is not love
Which filters when it filter-ation finds,
Or bends with the admins to remove.
O no! It is the ever fixèd mod
Who looks on doubles and is never shaken.
It is the star to ev'ry Viking god
(A metaphor, though opposing views be taken).
Love's not MeFi's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within AskMe's sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with AskMe's brief hours and weeks
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me hosted
I never writ, nor no user ever posted.
posted by Elsa at 11:49 AM on March 18 [15 favorites]

I was just on my porch drinkin' whiskey and airguitaring to "N.I.B.". I happened to look across the street as I was thrashing around and on the porch of that rowhouse was a young woman on the telephone. She...waved at me. I've never met her before. I've become a neighborhood character: The Weird Drunk Who Thrashes On His Porch.

I can live with that.
posted by jonmc at 12:01 PM on March 18

most definitely elsa should get married at the meetup
And then walk down the aisle to a rousing chorus of "DTMFA!"
posted by Killick at 12:09 PM on March 18 [2 favorites]

"Elsa, do you take X as your spouse in matrimony, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, to post personal questions about anonymously on the green, till death or a greater than 50% DTMFA consensus do you part?"
posted by UbuRoivas at 12:41 PM on March 18

BASS MANNINGS would be a great name for a rubbish german metal band.

How about a mass meet-up in which Rev. Mathowie marries us all off, moonie style, matched by tag preference.
posted by freya_lamb at 2:17 PM on March 18

Anyone who wants to come to Cleveland, Ohio...

(Oh wait. Yeah, like that's gonna happen)

Unless Drew Carey is a secret MeFite.
posted by bitter-girl.com at 2:22 PM on March 18

I am badass enough to visit New Orleans in July. Ha!
posted by desuetude at 2:29 PM on March 18

durn bronzefist: And I can't hear mention of Toronto without spitting out "I don't want to go to Toronto!" from Radio Free Vestibule.

Oh hey! Radio Free Vestibule! I love their Bulbous Bouffant sketch but I never managed to track down any of their other stuff back in the 90s. I need to look for more. Also, 3 Dead Trolls in a Baggie... good times. Their War in 1812 song is a particular favorite.
posted by Kattullus at 3:08 PM on March 18

GAZEBO!
posted by grapefruitmoon at 3:25 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]

Apparently it'll cost me eight hundred euro to fly to New Orleans. Irish satellite meetup?
posted by minifigs at 4:30 PM on March 18

I think Matt just started crunching the numbers on an open bar and got a bit freaked out.

Ok, screw it. Drinks on me in New Orleans.

Offer void for anyone who doesn't favorite this comment.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 4:53 PM on March 18 [7 favorites]

Come to New Orleans; you can all stay at my house. Errr... yeah!
posted by goneill at 6:38 PM on March 18

Austin, New Orleans - let's just split the difference and hold it in Houston.

Get OUT! I will drive around that... thing... to get from Austin to N.O. whenever I go.
posted by Devils Rancher at 7:20 PM on March 18

What actual day is the anniversaryand, I guess, the anniversary party? Cos I'm gonna be in Japan for the first half of July.
posted by shelleycat at 7:42 PM on March 18

....and I just realized that I will turn 21 a mere 5 days before. Check the title. Bastille Day is July 14. Coincidentally, it is the 220th anniversary of the storming of the Bastille.
posted by Night_owl at 10:59 PM on March 18

What's the plan for Metafilter's 10-year anniversary?

We DTMFA.
posted by holgate at 12:21 AM on March 19

Well, I reckon we'll do about like every good family does for their children when they turn 10: take 'em down to the whorehouse and have a professional pop their cherry. And then 12 is even more exciting, 'cause that's when you get your anal cherry popped. That one was my favorite birthday.
posted by Netzapper at 4:53 AM on March 19

I could have gone my whole life without hearing the phrase "anal cherry".
posted by Evangeline at 1:46 PM on March 19

It seems to be everywhere today.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 1:59 PM on March 19

I like New Orleans in the summer. The heat and the humidity squeeze the booze-sweat right out of you, so after enough coffee and beignets you're ready to start drinking again.

I just don't want to go there when the giant freakin' caterpillars are all over the place because the last time that happened I was totally squicked out. (and I wasn't hallucinating: other people saw them, too. They were EVERYWHERE -- the sidewalks were a slick slurry of caterpillar guts and they'd fall out of trees into your hair and oh god I can't even think about it without shuddering uncontrollably...)
posted by BitterOldPunk at 3:28 PM on March 19

Caterpillar season is starting. It'll be done by the time you get here.
posted by Night_owl at 3:17 PM on April 9