Deviated Chicago Meetups R Us.

August 24, 2009 6:26 PM

Oi, Chicago! Meetup Time, and I'm throwing a wrench into the Chicago Cabal's great plans. (TINCC)

I keep wanting to make meetups, but I either have to be up at 4AM the next morning for a flight, or I'm on the upper peninsula of the upper peninsula of Michigan.

And this must stop. My steak and egg quotient is sadly low. I must have beer in thick mugs. Which means we need to meet up on something OTHER than Wednesday, and Thursday is Right Out.

Thus: Meetup. Same Place. Different Time. The Billy Goat, on TUESDAY, September 8th. 6PM.

TUESDAY. That's like Wednesday, but younger.

If you really can't cope with that, just keep drinking, it'll be Wednesday soon enough.

posted by eriko to MetaFilter gatherings at 6:26 PM (92 comments total)

I'm not part of the Chicago Cabal so my word means nothing. So I say Tuesday sounds great.
posted by Green With You at 9:10 PM on August 24

whoah. that's all kinds of bizarro meet-up. Tuesday, the second week of the month. at least it's not that freakish anti-Goat, with french fries.
posted by crush-onastick at 6:45 AM on August 25

Heresy.
posted by adamdschneider at 7:28 AM on August 25

If there is no cabal, then there can be no apostates, so I don't see what the big deal is here.
posted by Cold Lurkey at 7:57 AM on August 25

Well, after Labor Day I'm back to my school-year schedule so it doesn't work for me. If this is supplanting the regular scheduled meet-up, how about Sept. 1st? Still a Tuesday, but on the same week. If this is an additional meetup, how about something mid-month so as not to risk meet-up fatigue.

By the way, I'm especially proud of my local cabal that we risk meet-up fatigue. Or I would be, if there were a cabal.
posted by hydrophonic at 7:57 AM on August 25

I'm down with whatevsies.

But yeah, no bizarro Goat, please. I've got the willies just hearing about that place.
posted by SpiffyRob at 8:19 AM on August 25

Meet-up fatigue doesn't exist. We've had meetups within days of each other in the past with no fatalities.
posted by eamondaly at 8:34 AM on August 25

well, no recorded fatalities at any rate.
posted by crush-onastick at 8:37 AM on August 25

I will be in a strange place where the water is to the WEST and the mountain are to the EAST, and I suspect they have ketchup on the hotdogs on Sept 1st, so, err, I'd rather not.

Note I said *The* Billy Goat, not some ersatz copy.
posted by eriko at 9:04 AM on August 25

Tuesday, huh? Feels weird, but it could work.
posted by misskaz at 10:20 AM on August 25

I'm sleepily driving my moving van full of Hello Kitty housewares and broken furniture into Chicago on the first so I should be able to make my FIRST...CHICAGO...MEETUP...EVER...

Dear Chicago Cabal, my name is Juliet Banana, I have a surprisingly high tolerance for beer for someone the size of a twelve year old, and I can't wait to meet you.

If we had the [img] tag, right here there would be a photo of me dancing around obnoxiously dressed like a hot dog. Just close your eyes and picture it.
posted by Juliet Banana at 11:22 AM on August 25

I would love to come, but the Mrs & I will be at the P-Furs/Happy Mondays show that night. I need me some meet-up action, so I'm already blocking out time for the next shin-dig.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 11:45 AM on August 25

We have a date, because someone added it to the official calendar. I would suspect the Chicago Cabal, but there is no Chicago Cabal. But if there was a Chicago Cabal, that's exactly how they'd do things.

But there isn't.
posted by eriko at 11:46 AM on August 25

you are correct, sir, there is not. and there are no recorded fatalities. and no fries.
posted by crush-onastick at 11:55 AM on August 25

Can someone explain the deal about no ketchup on hot dogs? I don't get it.

I'm a cheesehead-in-exile. Ketchup is de rigeur in my part of the world.
posted by desjardins at 1:01 PM on August 25

also, can't do tuesdays.
posted by desjardins at 1:01 PM on August 25

I think that ketchup annihilates the delicately spicy bouquet of the local Vienna Beef hot dog. Mustard and the other condiments complement and complicate, rather than cover, the flavor of the sausage.

But if you like ketchup, slather away! People who get all purist on the point would seem to like indignation better than hot dogs.

(Oh, and I'll be there on the eighth.)
posted by Iridic at 5:45 PM on August 25

Wow, Juliet Banana, I'm doing the same damn thing, only with not so much Hello Kitty and instead many books and colored lights and painting supplies, and (moving gods willing) I'll be getting there a day earlier.

Steak, eggs, and beer in thick mugs (good beer? yes?) all sound like good ways to recover from moving, so, uh, provisionally there?
posted by ubersturm at 9:23 PM on August 25

Ha ha, ubersturm, we need to have a contest to see who gets adapted to the city first! WHAT BLOCK NUMBER IS ADDISON? WHAT SIDE DO THE DOORS OPEN ON AT THE FULLERTON STATION? QUICK, WHAT'S ON A CHICAGO DOG?
posted by Juliet Banana at 7:25 AM on August 26

Just a heads up to you newbies - Billy Goat has ok beer (Berghoff, brewed locally, get the dark) but its charm isn't what is on tap. I wouldn't want you showing up expecting Dogfish Head, Three Floyds, Magic Hat, et al.
posted by misskaz at 7:48 AM on August 26

Whatever, unless I can order Chambly Noire and get it in a chilled tulip glass I'm going to throw my beer in someone's face and stomp out, petulant.

Kiddding, kidding. Though I was at a bar with 50 beers on draught this Monday and man, Hopsun, where you been all my life, baby?
posted by Juliet Banana at 8:03 AM on August 26

If you go and change the day, I will have to come up with entirely new excuses for not being there. This will not stand.
posted by nax at 8:13 AM on August 26

as I was explaining to a friend last night, we meet at the Goat precisely because everyone gets a little less than they would prefer, everyone (Kaz excepted) has to go a little out of their way to get there, but everyone gets a seat, we're not yelling over bad music, and we stopped bickering about where to go. I mean, c'mon, I'm sipping my whiskey from a shot glass cause I can't get it in a whiskey glass, but you don't see me staying home.
posted by crush-onastick at 8:14 AM on August 26

Juliet Banana and ubersturm, you need one of these.
posted by nax at 8:24 AM on August 26

Ooo, a day that works for me. I might have to crash this one. Will there be sock puppets?
posted by lholladay at 2:43 PM on August 26

I wouldn't want you showing up expecting Dogfish Head, Three Floyds, Magic Hat, et al.

Man, I love it when you talk all sexy like that.
posted by eriko at 5:33 PM on August 26

Juliet Banana, in your new-to-Chicago AskMe, I promised you a Chicago Bike Map if we run into each other at a meetup. Remind me about this - if I don't have it with me at the Billy Goat I can run to my office and grab it. But hopefully I'll remember.

Man, I love it when you talk all sexy like that.

You don't know the half of it. I have a couple bombers of 3F's Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout sitting in the pantry.

And to tie the two subjects of this comment together, my husband and I have been talking about biking to Dark Lord Day next year...
posted by misskaz at 1:36 PM on August 27 [1 favorite]

Ah, shit, I just realized I'm flying back in to town Tuesday night and so more than likely won't be able to make this. We should totally have our regularly scheduled meetup next Wednesday as well.
posted by adamdschneider at 1:43 PM on August 27

I have a couple bombers of 3F's Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout sitting in the pantry.

Okay. I've got a bottle of the 2007 Schlafly Bourbon Imperial Stout, a 2008 Schafly Barleywine, and a 2008 Stone Double Bastard in the cabinet myself. Along with the Hacker-Pschorr Brau Wiess and the New Holland Full Circle Kolsch in the fridge.

We clearly need to have a meetup somewhere where the beer is better....
posted by eriko at 7:57 PM on August 27

Ah, shit, I just realized I'm flying back in to town Tuesday night

Get to airport early, stand by on earlier flight, take Blue or Orange line into town, ????, Meetup!
posted by eriko at 7:59 PM on August 27

So wait, are we doing the normal one AND the Tuesday one? And are we doing the normal one in October AND the special Saturday cortex one?

I am fine with four meetups in two months, I just wanted to be sure.
posted by SpiffyRob at 4:33 AM on August 28

If there is a regularly scheduled Wednesday 2 September meet-up--I will not be in attendance. I plan to be at the bizarro Tuesday 8 September meet-up, however. For those of you who believe meet-ups live and die upon my attendance, there's your answer. For those of you who do not, I got nothin'.
posted by crush-onastick at 6:04 AM on August 28

I've been trying to go to a Meetup for a while now and the 2nd just wasn't going to work. Bizarro!Tuesday meetup might work, although I'll have to skip my usual Tuesday beer drinking appointment.
posted by Bunglegirl at 1:39 PM on August 28

Sadly, it looks like I won't be able to make the regular Sept. 2 meetup either. But on the upside, my department is taking everyone at work out for an end-of-summer blowout!
posted by hydrophonic at 3:06 PM on August 28

Another noob here, moving into Evanston next week. Can I get a link for this Billy Goat you speak of?

I have a couple bombers of 3F's Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout sitting in the pantry.

I come from the East, bearing bombers of Portsmouth Brewery's Kate the Great.
posted by HumuloneRanger at 11:57 PM on August 28

Another noob here, moving into Evanston next week. Can I get a link for this Billy Goat you speak of? (HumuloneRanger)

Billy Goat Tavern.
posted by WCityMike at 7:07 AM on August 29

We meet at the one on the underside of Michigan. Any of the others will not do.
posted by crush-onastick at 12:50 PM on August 29

Yeah. They have fries (shudder)
posted by eriko at 8:14 PM on August 29

I will be there on Tuesday.

I would be bringing some Dark Lord as well, but my ex got that in the "settlement".
posted by baxter_ilion at 7:47 PM on September 1

So is anybody going to drop by the Goat tonight?
posted by Iridic at 12:10 PM on September 2

Doesn't really seem like it, unless people are being quiet about it.

'Til Tuesday!
posted by SpiffyRob at 12:20 PM on September 2

Yeah, I know I advocated for the regular meetup, but I underestimated how beat up I would feel after moving. I'll just see you guys on the 3rd of Oct, probably.
posted by adamdschneider at 12:30 PM on September 2

I'm getting my ass kicked, so no Goat for me tonight.
posted by eamondaly at 2:34 PM on September 2

Yeah, I'll be there Tuesday.

That's what I always say, of course.

We'll see; maybe this time I speak truth!
posted by Windigo at 1:58 PM on September 3

Is that the song you'll be singing at the Bong afterwards, SpiffyRob?
posted by misskaz at 10:20 AM on September 5

Correct me if I'm wrong (and lordy, I hope I'm wrong) but isn't the Billy Goat within the stretch of Michigan Avenue (from Ohio to the bridge, looks like) that's going to be closed off for the fucking Oprah taping?

It closes at midnight tonight and reopens Wednesday morning. Is it just closed to traffic, or are we going to fight through crazed Oprah fans and police bloackades to get to The Goat?

I'm coming with Windigo so I'm trusting that together we can form some sort of Super Power Ranger mecha machine and crush the housewives beneath our metallic mass, but I thought I'd give the rest of you a warning.
posted by Juliet Banana at 4:36 PM on September 6

Also PS I have never been there so if I'm totally wrong about where The Billy Goat is, please reassure me and mock me mercilessly.
posted by Juliet Banana at 4:36 PM on September 6

Is it just closed to traffic, or are we going to fight through crazed Oprah fans and police bloackades to get to The Goat?(Juliet Banana)

It's on Lower Michigan Avenue – my guess would be that Lower Michigan won't be blocked off. Anyone remember what cross-street leads in from the east into the tavern?
posted by WCityMike at 4:58 PM on September 6

Yeah, Lower Michigan should be more or less fine. At least I hope so - that's where my building's bike racks are and how I plan to get to/from work on Tuesday. The cross street is Hubbard.

I believe the street is only closed to car traffic anyway. Pedestrians can still get through. I like to think that if the roads were closed off entirely they would have informed those of us that work on Michigan Ave so we could stay home that day.
posted by misskaz at 5:07 PM on September 6

Sorry to miss all the new Chicagoans-- going out to dinner with my two oldest buds for a birthday celebration (maybe I'll propose going to the Billy Goat....). Guess I'll have to go back to missing Wednesdays.
posted by nax at 5:36 PM on September 6

Is it fairly obvious who there is part of Metafilter? I doubt you'll all be wearing name tags saying "Hello, I'm Mefite X!"
posted by Green With You at 10:08 PM on September 6

I think they'll be the table where everyone is eating A) pancakes B) beans.
posted by Juliet Banana at 8:10 AM on September 7

When you walk in, there's a grill behind a counter in the center, a bar to the right, and some tables to the left. We typically set up shop at the tables to the left. If you want to have faces to look for, there are pictures of some of us in the thread for the last meetup.

My Bong karaoke selection will remain under wraps for the time being. It's not this, this, or this.

It might be this.
posted by SpiffyRob at 9:28 AM on September 7

Well, I just got to work. For those that don't know, I work in the office building above the Goat, which also happens to be ground zero for the Oprah thing. So far Lower Michigan is fine, but you will definitely want to avoid upper Michigan if at all possible getting here. There is already a mass of people in the closed off street, pressed up against barricades, waiting to get closer to the stage. Sidewalks are very clear for now, but I can't imagine that will last.

I'm not sure if the Goat will be crazy packed because of its proximity to the madness, or empty because we'll be there during the taping itself (which begins at 5)... Here's hoping for empty as usual. I'll head down early to scope things out.
posted by misskaz at 6:50 AM on September 8

I knew Oprah had it in for Metafilter.
posted by Juliet Banana at 9:26 AM on September 8

I think it's really great how they closed off the street for us.
posted by nax at 9:34 AM on September 8

Wow -- I'm not sure if the taping is happening at the same time is making me more or less excited to attempt this shindig

Though I did think this morning, since the Black Eyed Peas are performing, that I might want to attend that -- not because I'm a fan (though some of their hooks are contagious, so is H1N1) but because I want to raise a sign that says "Thank you for punching Perez Hilton in the face (allegedly)."

But if I feel up to it and can figure out how to get there from the other side of the river, I'll see you tonight.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 10:01 AM on September 8

I just went out there to grab some lunch. The sidewalk is crowded, but it's not so bad. You can definitely get around. I got lunch at Corner Bakery and it wasn't busy at all. And CB is much more suburban-mom-friendly than the Goat, so I bet we'll be fine.

I did tweet a couple pics if anyone's interested (twitter account in profile).
posted by misskaz at 10:11 AM on September 8

Thanks for the updates, misskaz--I've been wanting to go but am skeered of the Oprah hordes. I've been imagining something like this.
posted by carrienation at 11:04 AM on September 8

So I was totally on-board with the whole "let's do it on Tuesday!" plan, but never actually thought it all the way through. Short version: Tuesdays are terrible days for me to do this sort of thing.

REGARDLESS. A lot of new people seem like they might be coming, and I love me some Oprah madness, so I'm still planning on coming. Don't be surprised, however, if I show up late and leave early, because that's the plan.

/ready for fingers.
posted by SpiffyRob at 11:50 AM on September 8

DAMN IT OPRAH WHY WON'T YOU LET US BE GREAT?
posted by Windigo at 12:49 PM on September 8

DAMN IT OPRAH WHY WON'T YOU LET US BE GREAT?

I think Oprah through The Secret teaches us that we are all responsible for our own greatness.

Just sayin'...

Seriously though, because I've decided that I'm tired of everybody downtown and beyond complaining about Oprah's road closure as if its an unplowed snowstorm or putting ketchup on your hotdog, I'm definitely going to the Meetup in defiance of the idea that this is some sort of massive undertaking.

We should be the change we want to see in the world. Like Oprah says. Probably.

To be clear, I don't really think that the MeFi worries about how they will be affected by Oprah is senseless complaining since it involves nearly the exact location where said event is taking place. But discussing something in a MetaTalk post is not the same as something being front page news.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 1:10 PM on September 8

I was a little annoyed at the short notice, but to be honest it looks like everyone's having a good time down there. They taught the audience a dance routine to one of the Black Eyed Peas songs while they were waiting, and they had the whole thing very orderly to prevent any stampeding of the stage or anything.

Of course my coworker got pretty pissed when the hired security said he couldn't stand next to our building to have his cigarette. I guess they are being pretty ruthless about keeping the sidewalks flowing.
posted by misskaz at 2:01 PM on September 8

Ok guys, final update. The sidewalk is a bit nutso on upper Michigan now. (pic) You cannot cross the bridge on the upper level at all - it's completely barricaded off. Lower is apparently still open.

I scoped out the Goat and lower Michigan and all seems fine. Goat is empty, lower Michigan totally navigable.

I'll be down there around 5:30. I'll make a sign and am wearing a Bright Fucking Orange dress.
posted by misskaz at 2:51 PM on September 8

Thanks kaz. I'm leaving work shortly, so I'll see you in the world, MeFites.
posted by lholladay at 2:58 PM on September 8

On the train, should be there in 15-20. Will need to visit the little goats' room soon after arrival.
posted by SpiffyRob at 5:00 PM on September 8

I wanted to come, but obviously have not. BUT MY EXCUSE IS AN ADORABLE AND SICK KITTEN.

So you can just say/think anything you like.

Kitten.
posted by sparkletone at 9:12 PM on September 8

I was there, at the great Tuesday meetup of September 2009. I was the one that had 2 lagers and left at 9pm who said "I'm Danny". I haven't had a time so good since... well at least since I've been in Illinois. I hope to have a repeat next month.
posted by Green With You at 9:25 PM on September 8

It's near two o'clock Chicago time,and I'm too drunk to type anything but...

I got home safe.

THANKS TO NO ONE.

HEKSDKSEHJSEFHSPELLCOREEEDTIONDNBDKWHFLKEW
posted by Juliet Banana at 11:40 PM on September 8

Juliet, I thought someone took you to the Red Line?
Be assured there was much fun had in your absence. We even got SCORE 100 on a song. Though no one can remember what song.
posted by lholladay at 12:29 AM on September 9

That...was fun. I am so drunk that my cabbie seemed genuinely concerned for me...and yet, here I am, at home, safely and soundly. I promise to end my evening without a Toto cover--even I am not that drunk!
posted by carrienation at 12:50 AM on September 9

Wow, it sounds like the party kept going for some as long as I anticipated it might. I'm sorry to have missed the Chicago Meetup (extended remix), but since I was home in bed by 10:30 (having missed my movie because I didn't get there to line up hours -- who does 9 think it is? Oprah?), and I still managed to sleep through my alarm (thanks little beers), it was probably for the best.

Thanks to everyone present for the two+ hours of good fellowship I did manage to squeeze in. (And I apologize for any mocking I may have done earlier in the day re: Oprah-crowd anticipation; seeing the est. 20,000 on television from home, I can see how it might have been quite...something.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 6:48 AM on September 9

So. Much. Fun. Husband totally made fun of me this morning for my hoarse voice.

You can just call me Cyndi.
posted by misskaz at 6:52 AM on September 9

Wow, sounds like the Bong saw some action last night? Sad I had to leave early.
posted by Windigo at 7:20 AM on September 9

I felt like Gulliver in Lilliput, so tiny were the beers!

Glad to hear the rocking went well into the night. I'm sorry I missed the late rock, and I promise to rock along with you on any night but Tuesday going forward. Rock rock.
posted by SpiffyRob at 7:50 AM on September 9

Blurgh.
posted by eamondaly at 8:04 AM on September 9

Seriously though, I thought everyone's ride home was covered! Juliet, didn't someone take you over to the Red Line? And carrienation, I thought you were taking the bus! Did the 22 not show up?
posted by eamondaly at 8:05 AM on September 9

A complete blast. Eamon, Carrie was actually on the 22 with me, so I'm not sure ... I think she was going to get off at Lawrence & Clark and take another bus, so maybe she just decided to take a cab from there instead?
posted by WCityMike at 8:11 AM on September 9

Sounds like a great time. Sorry I missed it. I am #00FF00 with envy.
posted by adamdschneider at 8:14 AM on September 9

I got home safe. THANKS TO NO ONE. (Juliet Banana)

Wasn't the whole point that he was going to walk you back to the Red Line, because you didn't want to take the bus later on, and you knew your way home from the Addison Red Line stop?
posted by WCityMike at 8:20 AM on September 9

Ha ha, I was kidding. What happened was HumuloneRanger and I got to the Red Line safe and sound, and then we chatted breezily and nonchalantly while sitting on the wrong sides of the train platform (I was supposed to be going South,and he North) and then I got on the wrong train. Which he was supposed to take, and didn't. I guess he had to wait 20 more minutes for another train to Howard, while I had to turn around.

Still! Thank you, Humulone! I did figure out I was on the wrong train pretty quick (...ok not until it got to Howard) but I got turned around and guessing by the fact I currently want to murder my drilling-and-hammering neighbors with my bare hands I must have been pretty drunk last night. Which is why none of this made sense.
posted by Juliet Banana at 8:35 AM on September 9

I got Juliet safely to the Red Line, but managed to get turned around on the platform at Bryn Mawr. So I put her on the train to Howard. My train to Howard.
posted by HumuloneRanger at 8:40 AM on September 9

Yeah, I decided to take a cab rather than waiting for the Lawrence bus once I got off the 22, so no complaints from me (well, other than the mild headache I have now, which I'll choose to blame on Toto and not on the 39 beers I had last night).
posted by carrienation at 9:32 AM on September 9

39 tiny beers.
posted by eamondaly at 10:14 AM on September 9

Metafilter: There's a whole fucking book of them!
posted by lholladay at 11:20 AM on September 9

Metafilter: Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, and fuck you.
posted by misskaz at 1:40 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]

Metafilter: Wait, what was my line again?

I quite possibly had a bit too much to drink, but it was fun. I will make it a point to thwart convention at a future time, otherwise, feel free to return to your normal Chicago Cabal (TINCC) issued meetup schedule.
posted by eriko at 5:46 PM on September 9

Photos. I barely remember taking them, much less everyone's name, so please be a dear and comment with your name.
posted by Juliet Banana at 10:51 PM on September 9

Wow - I was going to be really worried that I had such a scowl on my face the whole time as I did in this pic -- until I went one back in the screen and saw this beauty of me stuffing my face. Awesomely embarassing
posted by MCMikeNamara at 10:03 AM on September 10

Nah, Mike, I was sitting across from you and don't remember that scowl--might have been a momentary post-cheezborger digestion thing, who knows (in my case, it's usually more of a, oh no, not pictures! thing). Ah, the joy of candids. Rest assured, no candids can fully capture our collective attractiveness/awesomeness, what are you gonna do?
posted by carrienation at 12:02 PM on September 10

It was so great to meet you all. You all aren't nearly so scary as I thought. Sorry I had to leave so early, but it'd been a REALLY long day with the whole coming straight from the airport from Seattle. Next time I'll come _without_ luggage and stay past 7:30.
posted by betty botter at 12:47 PM on September 10

I thought someone took a picture with me in it, but I don't see me in any of those photos! Oh wait, there I am. You have a couple of very good shots of my back.
posted by Green With You at 7:39 PM on September 12