It's not like we'd tell you if there WAS a Chicago Cabal.

July 29, 2009 10:57 AM

Announcing the August Chicago meetup.

August 5th, evening, Billy Goat on Michigan. Come one, come all, or post your lame excuses here. That is all.

posted by adamdschneider to MetaFilter gatherings at 10:57 AM (61 comments total)

I am a huge lame-ass, but I will be there.
posted by SpiffyRob at 10:59 AM on July 29

I was just going to "im visiting chicago" meetup.

I am going to be in Chicago from the 2nd until the 6th for work. They have me at the holiday inn on west harrison. So I can make the 5th, but I'll be up for meeting mefites all week in the evenings when I'm free, and pointers on where to go while I am in town would be pretty awesome also.
posted by mrzarquon at 11:00 AM on July 29

I'll be at work. I only met one Mefi person (my esteemed spouse Reverend John, who is awesome IRL [oh yeah, RJ: my girlfriend knows you; MeMail for details]) at the 10th thing 'cause everyone was watching Labyrinth. But maybe I'll duck out, see if paphnuty wants to come along...
posted by jtron at 11:43 AM on July 29

I'm out this round due to a work conflict in the suburbs. But since that's sort of lame excuse, I'd like to change my reason to "I can't make it because I'll be working with disadvantaged pack animals, mostly teaching awkward llamas the joys of bike riding and how to safely throw a lawn jart."
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 12:28 PM on July 29

I will not be a) at a work reunion; b) a family reunion; c) a legal aid hotline; d) a philanthropic board meeting; e) a therapy session for disadvantaged pack animals; f) karaoke for the socially misfit; g) having an MRI of my ankle (it's!fine! leave!me!alone! let me wear my @$#!#!!@ cute shoes again or I will hurt you) or h) a work event at the Holiday Inn on West Harrison. Therefore, I will be joining SpiffyRob at the lame table.

Whooo!
posted by crush-onastick at 12:40 PM on July 29

not sure. last time i was at the goat, they were out of ouzo.
posted by lester at 12:56 PM on July 29

Holy cats! Is it that time already? Did we still want to hit The Skydeck afterward?
posted by eamondaly at 12:59 PM on July 29

Hell yeah, that should be fun.
posted by adamdschneider at 1:10 PM on July 29

How late is the Skydeck open? I'm not sure I can be drunk enough to do that.
posted by crush-onastick at 1:24 PM on July 29

10pm. I was thinking we could head over around 8pm.
posted by eamondaly at 1:26 PM on July 29

My lame ass excuse is that I work approximately 84 miles from downtown (well, feels like it).
posted by desjardins at 1:36 PM on July 29

karaoke for the socially misfit

I think we did that at #mefi10.
posted by desjardins at 1:37 PM on July 29 [1 favorite]

My lame-ass excuse is that I'll be on vacation approximately 350 miles from downtown for the next couple of weeks. Have a hell of a lot of fun, guys!
posted by Iridic at 1:53 PM on July 29

I want to go. Obvious question powers activate: I'm underage, can I get into the Goat?
posted by Askiba at 2:19 PM on July 29

Askiba: yes, AFAIK, as they serve food. You might want to call ahead, though.
posted by eamondaly at 2:21 PM on July 29

Alright, thank you eamondaly. If that's not the case I'll just try to meet you guys at the Skydeck, that's always fun.
posted by Askiba at 2:22 PM on July 29

I was at the Billy Goat with an out of town friend last Friday night, and there were a number of underaged (at least appearing) patrons there, for what it's worth.
posted by carrienation at 2:42 PM on July 29

Yeah, there were a couple of families with kids around for the June meetup.
posted by adamdschneider at 2:58 PM on July 29

mmm ouzo
posted by jtron at 3:32 PM on July 29

I think I might actually make it out to this one.
posted by burnmp3s at 10:19 AM on July 30

WAY TO SET UP A MEETUP TWO DAYS BEFORE I COME INTO CHICAGO FOR LOLLAPALOOZA.

Actually, it's half for Lolla and half to interview for jobs because I'm moving there at the end of the month. This will be the last Chicago meetup that doesn't have a drunk Juliet Banana making people uncomfortable. Relish it.
posted by Juliet Banana at 12:59 PM on July 30

well, then, JB, the Cabal will declare the September Meet-up the Welcome to Chicago Juliet Banana Meet-up. Just see what happens when you're too busy unpacking to make it that one. . . .
posted by crush-onastick at 1:02 PM on July 30

JOOOIIIN USSSSS.
posted by adamdschneider at 2:59 PM on July 30

i'm going to come!
and meet you all!
hoorah!
SOCIABLE
posted by chickadee at 6:36 PM on July 30

I'll be there!

Yesterday I found out that because the printers goofed up, I have a poster version of the Mefi10 flag. I've been wondering what to do with it. Table covering? Door prize? Bring scissors, staplers and rubber bands so we can all make party hats? I await directive from the cabal.*

*TINC
posted by hydrophonic at 10:00 AM on July 31

I think you should send it to #1.
posted by eamondaly at 2:12 PM on July 31

About two hours until I go catch my plane to visit your fair city, looking forward to seeing you all at the Billy Goat on wednesday.
posted by mrzarquon at 10:26 AM on August 2

What time does this meetup start?
posted by achmorrison at 2:41 PM on August 2

Usually it gets going between 6 and 7. I'm often one of the first there, around 6:15-6:30 or so.
posted by SpiffyRob at 4:21 PM on August 2

By the way, I'm told the line for the Skydeck can sometimes be long, so don't forget a camera and a soda* for the wait.

* How you alter said soda is up to you.
posted by eamondaly at 11:11 AM on August 4

Crap, I've gotta make one of these.
Crap, I've gotta early flight thursday.
posted by eriko at 11:42 AM on August 4

I think you should send it to #1.

Done!
posted by hydrophonic at 6:45 PM on August 4

I may try to make it to this one, given the fact that I already need a drink at 10 am. (Talking to an insurance company will do that to you.)
posted by carrienation at 8:18 AM on August 5

arrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhhh I really want to go. Any of you a state trooper? Can you shut down the Eisenhower for me at 6?
posted by desjardins at 10:56 AM on August 5

Any of you a state trooper? Can you shut down the Eisenhower for me at 6?

No, and yes.

How far do you want to take this?
posted by adamdschneider at 11:30 AM on August 5

Wow, are you God?
posted by desjardins at 1:14 PM on August 5

I won't be there this time, folks. There are times when the shit life throws at you calls for a stiff drink with friends, and other times it requires circling the wagons. This is a circling the wagons time. I'm sorry I'll miss it.

Enjoy the sky deck, and hope to see you all next time!
posted by misskaz at 1:31 PM on August 5

sorry to hear it kaz. Keep the wagons good & tight and I hope it gets better soon.
posted by crush-onastick at 2:00 PM on August 5

going to try to catch a cab from my hotel to the billy goat, don't know if I can stick around for the skydeck, but I am looking forward to meeting you chicagoans.
posted by mrzarquon at 3:44 PM on August 5

Woops. I totally forgot about the meetup tonight. :-(
posted by wfrgms at 6:45 PM on August 5

At the John hancock after going to the sears tower, very expensive evening of elevators so far
posted by mrzarquon at 8:37 PM on August 5

Thanks again for the great meetup, and showing me the chicago skyline from two of the cities sky scraper landmarks.

Also, my cabbie didn't try to rip me off either.
posted by mrzarquon at 10:06 PM on August 5

Well that was certainly a hoot! I've always wondered what it would be like to stand 238 Obamas above Chicago and watch back to back fireworks shows! Pew pew pew!

Sorry I had to peel off a little early, but we're moving into the city next weekend, so I should be able to rock longer, harder, and stronger at subsequent meetups. Assuming crush didn't bolt in the night with the souvenir photo, I'm pumped to see it!
posted by SpiffyRob at 4:59 AM on August 6

That was a fun meetup, and I'm glad I got to meet some of the Chicago mefites that didn't make it to the 10th party and the visiting mrzarquon. Also, I'm pretty sure we set the records for highest meetup (in altitude) and most total time spent in elevators during a meetup.
posted by burnmp3s at 5:24 AM on August 6

I totally made off with the souvenir photo. and some souvenir bourbon. and a small child. Anyone want it?

I'll have the photo scanned and uploaded tonight when I get home from what promises to be an excruciating day at work. Good to see the usual suspects; awesome to meet the new ones. wfrgms, you were with us in spirit.
posted by crush-onastick at 5:45 AM on August 6

crush- I am looking forward to the wallet sized set, since it saved us the trouble of having to actually tour all those locations.
posted by mrzarquon at 6:22 AM on August 6

Good times.
posted by adamdschneider at 7:53 AM on August 6

Records (possibly) broken:

- Highest meetup above ground level (1,353 ft.)
- Second highest meetup above ground level (~1,021 ft.)
- Highest vertical speed achieved during a meetup (20.5 mph)

Any others?
posted by eamondaly at 7:57 AM on August 6

most methods of transportation used in a single outing? did anyone take the river taxi?
posted by crush-onastick at 8:00 AM on August 6

Or ride a pony?

also, poking around flickr, there are a ton of awesome ledge photos.
posted by mrzarquon at 8:22 AM on August 6

Everyone make sure to check out the pics carrienation added. As for this one, there was no camera hallucination, eamondaly and I were just starting to fade because Payne's mission to rewrite the past almost failed. Thankfully, the steak and the egg kissed at the Enchantment Under Mich. Ave dance, and we were saved!
posted by SpiffyRob at 8:58 AM on August 6 [2 favorites]

Another possible record:

-Types of booze brought through a security checkpoint: 3(?)
posted by SpiffyRob at 9:00 AM on August 6 [1 favorite]

As I am preparing to leave your fair city, I have discovered that you Chicagoan's really are some tough bastards, you don't even mind arming your terrorists, because you know you will kick their asses anyway.
posted by mrzarquon at 3:53 PM on August 6

dang!
couchsurfing emergency hit!
next month - it is a date.
posted by chickadee at 4:15 PM on August 6

Hmm. I can't seem to add my photos, but they're here for the giggling if someone wants to add them for me.
posted by eamondaly at 6:29 PM on August 6

Damn - now I hate more job more than ever seeing what I missed!!!!
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 6:54 PM on August 6

So...spelunking in September, then?
posted by carrienation at 7:09 PM on August 6

Only if there will be a fireworks display.
posted by hydrophonic at 8:53 PM on August 6

Crap...my schedule was borked this week. Hope for next time.
posted by achmorrison at 9:56 PM on August 6

What the fucK?!? There's a fucking flag?!?! What is wrong with me? Why have I been missing all this fun!??!

!?!?!?!?!
posted by wfrgms at 2:44 AM on August 7

Damn. Chicago was a little out of my way for a weekday meetup now that I'm working in Rockford, IL and I'm still moving into my new place, basically, otherwise I'd have SO went to this. Of course, Chicago probably has more meetups than Fort Lauderdale so I'll try to make the next one.
posted by Green With You at 6:11 PM on August 7