Seattle Meet-Up Mooting May 16, 2010 2:00 AM   Subscribe

Seattle Meet Up, June 1st?

Mrs Gratishades will be off doing her own thing in the wilds leaving poor furriner me at a loose end in Seattle for 1 day and night, 1st June, during our holidays to your fair shores. Anyone at a loose end for some school night drinks (it's a Tuesday I'm afraid)? I know close to zero about the city so very easy as to suggestions of venue. Cheers.
posted by Gratishades to MetaFilter Gatherings at 2:00 AM (91 comments total) 2 users marked this as a favorite

YES PLEASE. I'm there. I don't care where we go. I'll drag mezamashii there too.
posted by kthxbi at 7:23 AM on May 16, 2010


The concept does have merit but I am as yet of no fixed opinion in regards to this matter.

My idea once was the Eastlake Zoo and I know for a fact that we would be welcome there And blasdelf, Slarty, Tube and I had great fun canoeing . How that would scale up, however, is another matter. But it is a thought.

But, you know, that set up at that Elysian meet up down by the Kingdome that silkygreenbelly incited was very nice, if not the best .meetup. ever. in the Seattle division.

The waiters had photographic memories on the orders and tabs, there were sofas and chair along with tables and booths and it was not too loud. Most of the time. That one worked very well. More like that please.

And I know for a fact, too, that ravindave has researched the bumpercar ride at the remains of the Fun Forest at the Seattle Center and found that it can be rented out after hours for a not entirely nominal sum per person. But I know I would be willing to pay it. It's bumper cars, man ! We can T-bone each other ! The young people can run the old people down! And there are beau coup old school arcade video games there, to boot. And when the ADD kicks in and people get bored with all that, there are several beverage dispensaries in the near neighborhood where everyone can drink and yell at each other. So, there is another thought.
posted by y2karl at 7:58 AM on May 16, 2010


I can do that. (although this time I'll arrange other transport... curse you, Lincoln Towing!!)
posted by The otter lady at 7:59 AM on May 16, 2010


I am totally up for a meetup right 'bout now, but Tuesdays are universally bad for me. I will say that for a Seattle tour guide, your hands-down best bet is y2karl, and any of his suggestions merit Special Consideration.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 9:19 AM on May 16, 2010


Tuesdays are not so great for me either. We'll see.

As a side note, I would be enthusiastic about joining some canoeing fun at the Waterfront Activities Center this summer. I'm a UW employee so I can get a small discount.
posted by grouse at 12:08 PM on May 16, 2010


Tuesdays at 9pm I am almost always at Clever Dunne's for trivia with friends. If nothing else gets organised you can join me there - they ask a lot of stupid questions about American states and sports and pop culture, but then they make up for it with the occasional Star Trek themed round and questions about obscure cities in Europe that I can actually answer. I think we're friendly but I'm biased, I dragged lattiboy along once so you can get his second opinion if nervous :)

If there's something happening earlier that evening in the Capitol Hill region I could probably make it for a while.

On grouse's side note: I have just started thinking that I need to do a bit more outdoor activity this summer, so I'd be up for some canoeing.
posted by jacalata at 3:46 PM on May 16, 2010 [1 favorite]


I can attest to the funness of Celever Dunnes (and jacalata!)
posted by lattiboy at 11:48 PM on May 16, 2010


Thanks jacalta, if idea of sizable meet-up putters out then would be great to join you (I'll keep my fingers crossed for European geography questions as won't be much good on the US front).

So y2karl and The otter lady, what say you, should we try to firm something up or is this looking too small and tame? Worth keeping this open for a few days to see if any others want to join? (Not too sure of Seattle logistics, so don't know if y2karl's suggestions and jacalta's openness to something near Capitol hill match in any way.)
posted by Gratishades at 4:20 AM on May 17, 2010


I live on Capitol Hill as well, if that is any help, and I am open to suggestion. Just as long as it is not loud at the location suggested.
posted by y2karl at 11:36 AM on May 17, 2010


I'll be there, wherever there ends up being.
posted by vapidave at 4:57 PM on May 17, 2010


Unless there is Cleveland, because, well, you know...
posted by y2karl at 5:25 PM on May 17, 2010


The Elysian was a lovely location for the Kitsap contingent. I like to think that we either liven up a party or, failing that, we will loosen the everloving fuck out of your lugnuts.
posted by stet at 8:24 PM on May 17, 2010


Chiming in on the Elysian as nice for those of us in The Western part of western WA.
It's the only one I've ever gone to, but it was way fun.
posted by dbmcd at 9:37 PM on May 17, 2010


In regards to canoeing, I suggest we wait for the next weekend when the 520 bridge will be closed for the annual maintenance and inspection work. It is so much cooler to glide by and under the bridge in the quiet. And from what I read on its recent closures page, that will likely be some around four to six weeks from now. And chances are that the weather then will be more amenable then, as well. So, I will monitor this.
posted by y2karl at 8:46 AM on May 18, 2010


Excellent idea, y2karl. I'm going to pencil that in my calendar now.
posted by grouse at 9:39 AM on May 18, 2010


I'm nthing the "I live on capitol hill" though that doesn't really contribute much to this thread. I also will nth all outdoor meetups. And indoor meetups. And anything that involves me interacting with people.
posted by kthxbi at 9:18 PM on May 18, 2010


I feel this fading fast! Somebody (not me, because I will probably not be there) should side bar this thing.
posted by lattiboy at 3:25 PM on May 19, 2010


Yeah - please sidebar, with a place/time - because I'm easily confused...
posted by dbmcd at 3:46 PM on May 19, 2010


I will endeavor to Be There where-ever There ends up Be-ing; It would help if There included alcohol because I am a fan of that.
posted by The otter lady at 7:03 PM on May 19, 2010


OK guys, looks like Capitol Hill is where it's at then? May I suggest that someone proposes exact venue and I'll sort out a side barring? 7pm a reasonable time? In deference to The otter lady I'll second the request for libations to be easily available at venue of choice.
posted by Gratishades at 3:52 AM on May 20, 2010


tbd 7pm ?
posted by y2karl at 11:14 AM on May 20, 2010


Hmm. I don't go out much in Capitol Hill, but ... Six Arms? We could try to take over the upstairs bit. Or Linda's has a nook-ish sort of area where I had a largeish meetup once. Or ... ?

However, have just learned we'll have several (25) few-day-old baby turkeys at home, so we may not be able to get away from the house for that long, depending on the temperature.
posted by librarina at 1:27 PM on May 20, 2010


Baby turkeys? Bring them along!
posted by The otter lady at 9:35 PM on May 20, 2010


Can we turn this into something to help loquacious out? http://metatalk.metafilter.com/19313/An-honoured-mefite-in-trouble
(Asking for ideas, not permission.)
posted by librarina at 11:19 AM on May 21, 2010 [1 favorite]


This is slipping and loq deserves some local support. Also, it's THREE PAGES back from all the recent MetaTalk activity. I'm calling this shit:

Clever Dunnes
1501 East Olive Way
Seattle, WA 98122
Tuesday, June 1st
8PM

Obviously we can change this if needs be, but it's a solid choice for a cool time. Let us figure out how we can help out loquacious
posted by lattiboy at 11:59 AM on May 21, 2010 [6 favorites]


Also, we can WIN TRIVIA AND DONATE IT TO LOQ! Seriously, if two or three teams of MeFites can't win at bar trivia I demand my $5 back!
posted by lattiboy at 12:02 PM on May 21, 2010


I'll vouch for Loq as a good house guest, if anyone in Seattle knows a situation that would work for him.

Also, you are all on notice Seattle, I'm moving to Portland next week, so I plan to find excuses to head north for a weekend or two this summer.
posted by mrzarquon at 1:09 PM on May 21, 2010


Will be there, applying my brain the size of a planet to the cause.*

*not to scale
posted by Errant at 1:32 PM on May 21, 2010


I'll be there.
posted by jacalata at 1:47 PM on May 21, 2010


Excellent, thanks for making the call, lattiboy. Hope to be there (sans turkeybabies, unfortunately).
posted by librarina at 2:04 PM on May 21, 2010


I will be there as well and I am good at Trivial Pursuit, so maybe I will have some skills there. Just as long as it's not a sports question. There I will defer. At any rate, I will donate to the cause one way or another.

And perhaps librarina could provide pix of the turkey chicks ? I am interested in what they look like and how they compare to chicken chicks on the adorability scale.
posted by y2karl at 3:36 PM on May 21, 2010


Hey guys, can we get a RSVP going? I'm going to call ahead and see if we can get some reserved tables and a drink discount.

Bars are hurting now and there's no reason we should just GIVE these people 10-30 customers. I literally used to do this as a job, so I can turn the screws......
posted by lattiboy at 5:17 PM on May 21, 2010


stet and I are in.

We'll bring pics of baby chicks (also arriving that week) and turkeys. The tiny turks look pretty much the same only they can stretch their necks out longer. They start looking noticeably different by the 2nd or 3rd week, if I recall correctly.

Oh man, if there is an auction like they are discussing in the other thread, we will contribute a turkey or two! (at Thanksgiving, ded and ready to cook) for local folks only.

My brain is a trivia warehouse. We will win. Unless it's sports, or the 80s.
posted by librarina at 7:39 PM on May 21, 2010


If there are animal questions I shall smite them. Also perhaps obscure literary stuffs.
posted by The otter lady at 9:25 PM on May 21, 2010


Woo hoo! I'm in- thanks for calling it lattiboy! Look forward to seeing you fine folks- time for me to brush up on my knowledge of American states, sports and pop culture (Michael Jackson still plays for the Seattle Marinaras ice football team- yes?)
posted by Gratishades at 4:07 AM on May 22, 2010


As far as the RSVP - I'll be there and I'll be bringing my pre-husband Mezamashii too.
posted by kthxbi at 9:40 AM on May 22, 2010


Baby turks also sleep on their faces. First batch we got I kept going out to check on them and thinking OMFG THEY ALL DIED RIGHT NOW! I expect we can also rustle up some (also dead and ready to cook) chickens for the auction that'll be ready in about seven weeks for the slightly less patient mefite.
posted by stet at 1:46 PM on May 22, 2010


Okay, so far I'm seeing roughly eight RSVPs. I wouldn't be surprised if we get double (or triple) that, but I'll probably tell them at least ten people. Don't know if we can get much besides some reserved tables for that amount of people, but I'll see what I can do.

Still thinking about how our (mostly) poor asses can raise a little $ for loq besides trivia booty. Any ideas from the peanut gallery are appreciated and encouraged.


Livestock auction is fucking awesome, by the by....
posted by lattiboy at 9:21 AM on May 23, 2010


While I profess to be suffer from "the old", I do love me some trivia. ;-) I'm in, as well as my better half...**cough** who is way better at trivia than I am.
posted by realafterglow at 10:27 PM on May 23, 2010


Oh hell, so myself, Mrs. Bot (+the .5) will be in Seattle 29th, 30th and 31st for a getaway if anyone wants to drop us a line or toss in some pre meetup boozin.
posted by iamabot at 11:56 PM on May 23, 2010


Who'da thunk, lattiboy calls another meetup!

Tuesday's suck for me but with all the warm schmoopy around here these days, I will try to make it happen. Plus, you guys are going to need me for trivia, on account of my big-ass brain.

Big Ass-Brain is my new sock puppet.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 1:54 PM on May 24, 2010



Still thinking about how our (mostly) poor asses can raise a little $ for loq besides trivia booty. Any ideas from the peanut gallery are appreciated and encouraged.


I'd buy like a hundred eggs from stet and librarina.

I don't have too many talents but I'm willing to steal instruments from work and offer $5 pap smears.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 1:57 PM on May 24, 2010


You know, I was attempting to decide a location for a date with another very laidback person. After about 30 minutes of hemming & hawing I came to the conclusion that amiable people suffer from a "leadership vacuum" when making these kinds of decisions. Apparently MeTa meetup threads were the catalyst for me just deciding shit for groups of people.....
posted by lattiboy at 2:33 PM on May 24, 2010


You're a born leader and I appreciate that. I would proudly follow you into battle against terrible odds and certain death.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 3:05 PM on May 24, 2010


Put me down for one of those pap smears.

And here's hoping we don't end up being the '68 Colts of trivia.
posted by vapidave at 8:19 PM on May 24, 2010


Baring travel issues, I'll be there. Props for sticking a flag in the mud, lattiboy.
posted by whycurious at 1:14 PM on May 26, 2010


My neck of the woods!

I have another thing at Cornish until 8ish, but I'll be there afterwards.
posted by O9scar at 2:40 PM on May 26, 2010


Crap, turns out librarina and I won't be able to make it as I'll be up north at a poultry workshop all day and she'll be at work so the both of us are going to need to run back to the farm for dealing with the week-old peepers.

Maybe we'll call the next meetup for somewhere that's conducive to the First Annual MetaFilter Livestock Auction and Benefit.
posted by stet at 6:57 PM on May 26, 2010


Well, Looks like I just found out about this one in time.

Count me in!
posted by Relay at 8:40 PM on May 26, 2010


Correcting stet (ha?): one of us can make it, but not both. We are currently engaged in an extensive battle of rock-paper-scissors.
posted by librarina at 10:36 PM on May 26, 2010


wow, that must be a hell of a rock-paper-scissors championship you guys are running. Is anyone ahead yet? :)
posted by jacalata at 2:38 PM on May 27, 2010


Um, maybe for me? We'll see. I'm super busy with work and stuff. And *stuff*. Who knows.
posted by R343L at 10:22 PM on May 27, 2010


I don't know. Still teaching this week, still trying to get the new house ready to be moved into, still completely overwhelmed.

And still apparently have a job, though don't know how.
posted by dw at 10:10 AM on May 29, 2010


Is there anyplace to park, safely (as in not getting towed) near the pub?
posted by The otter lady at 7:16 PM on May 29, 2010


You should be able to find street parking within a couple of blocks, I think. Worst case there'll be paid parking available.
posted by jacalata at 7:50 PM on May 29, 2010


I'm a maybe, maybe.
posted by jragon at 8:18 AM on May 30, 2010


Parking does kind of suck, but if you give yourself 10 minutes you'll probably find a spot. I'm getting there early so I don't have to pay for it. There's a paid lot up Olive on the left side of the road next to the Starbucks.
posted by lattiboy at 2:48 PM on May 30, 2010


maybe. i'm in redmond now so I may or may not be able to get over.
posted by silkygreenbelly at 12:01 AM on May 31, 2010


So forgive me if this has already been addressed but is someone going to get there early and grab a table? The last time I was there (four weeks ago) it was wall to wall people. What are people's ETA for tomorrow?
posted by realafterglow at 8:01 PM on May 31, 2010


I don't think it's been addressed, but IME it shouldn't be a problem (trivia itself starts at 9/9.30, so getting there at 8 should be before it gets crowded). What day were you there?

Trivia outline: 5 rounds, 10 qs each. 2 hosts, one is in Seattle SemiPro wrestling for those who have seen that. Questions are written with wikipedia and current events open in another tab, so a knowledge of famous people who have died in the last week is useful. max 6 to a team (although you can nominate some at a table as 'non playing'). The bar serves bar food.
1. easy stuff.
2. usually Seattle themed (occasional sponsorship from MOHAI)
3. pictures of people.
4. music. 2*30seconds snippets of 10 songs are played. Guess the artist and title.
5. harder. most questions in this round are worth 2 points.
generally winds up by about 11.30

Free entry. Prizes (I think)
1st place $40
2nd place $30
3rd place $10
best team name a pitcher of beer, where 'best' ~= 'most hilarious/offensive/topical/all of the above '.
posted by jacalata at 8:17 PM on May 31, 2010


Hooray, I won the rock-paper-scissors contest!

However, I'll have to skip out to catch the 10pm ferry. I was thinking trivia started at 8, and I didn't think it would go that long! Dang.

That said -- I'll be hanging around way ahead of time! Going to the Showbox after work to pick up show tickets (New Pornographers and Old 97s -- anyone else interested?) but then will have a couple hours to kill before 8pm. Should I just go straight to Clever Dunne's with my book and wait for whoever? (Is it a random-girl-with-book-or-netbook* sort of place?) Or what else is nearby? OR, do folks want to meet up somewhere else first?


* Netbook contains pictures of baby turkeys AND chicks, for important cuteness comparison purposes.
posted by librarina at 11:04 PM on May 31, 2010


I am a maybe maybe maaaaaybe.
posted by Mizu at 11:20 PM on May 31, 2010


Did anyone actually tell loquacious about this thread?
posted by librarina at 11:23 PM on May 31, 2010


He definitely knows about it because he mentioned "I might even be able to make it to the meetup on Tuesday" sometime last week.
posted by kthxbi at 11:35 PM on May 31, 2010


Yay.
posted by librarina at 11:55 PM on May 31, 2010


It's a pretty good random-with-a-book place, but if you wanted somewhere else you could go to Bauhaus, a coffee shop on Pine that is entirely populated by randoms with a book or Mac. I won't be there before 7.30 at very earliest.
posted by jacalata at 11:59 PM on May 31, 2010


Can't be there -- gotta be somewhere else. It would be nice to make it to a meetup again... it's been about 8 years or something crazy like that. Maybe next time.
posted by litlnemo at 6:24 AM on June 1, 2010


Fates are conspiring to keep me on the eastside tonight. Have fun! I'll (hopefully) be at the next one!
posted by silkygreenbelly at 8:49 AM on June 1, 2010


Ridiculously, I might not be able to make it! Ugh. Anyway, I called, but they won't reserve tables on trivia night because it's always busy. Whoever gets there early should be able to grab a table or two for the cause.
posted by lattiboy at 12:30 PM on June 1, 2010


I might not be able to make it myself. I have a lot on my plate today and a limited amount of energy/time to get it done. I'm applying for the studio apartment in 20 minutes, doc appointment later and hopefully moving my luggage from the hotel to my new place tonight or tomorrow. Wish me luck!
posted by loquacious at 12:38 PM on June 1, 2010


Hey loquacious let me know if you need a lift to your new place. I've got a nice and ugly rental PT cruiser on me right now that has been sitting in the garage since we drove it home from the airport and I'm not starting my new job until Monday so I'm free all day every day.
posted by kthxbi at 1:50 PM on June 1, 2010


I should be able to grab a table v early, 7 at latest. Speccy scot with white tshirt and a Flashman novel in tow.
posted by Gratishades at 3:28 PM on June 1, 2010


Nope, I lied. Can't come at all! I'm pouting, but not as much as I would be if we could have a meetup that didn't revolve around alcohol. Maybe next time? A picnic?

I hope the MeFi contingent wins the entire pot for loq tonight!
posted by Mizu at 3:35 PM on June 1, 2010


I'm sorry, I'm not going to be able to make it tonight. I didn't get paid for my last pet sitting gig yet, and even just the ferry over is like $25 round trip. :( Sorry.
posted by The otter lady at 3:38 PM on June 1, 2010


Whaaa, otter lady, where are you coming from? Or are you talking about driving on? You could walk on and bus up pretty easily -- the 14 goes straight to the bar, and the 12 leaves from 1st and Marion so right at the terminal, but then requires a bit of a walk to the bar.

I'll be there pretty early, probably by 7ish; will look for you, Gratishades.
posted by librarina at 4:48 PM on June 1, 2010


I will be sporting the always fashionable TL;DR metafilter shirt so when ya'll see me wandering around trying to spot you but too shy to say "are you with metafilter?" "are you with metafilter?" can you just grab me? kthxbi ...
posted by kthxbi at 5:37 PM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]


I'll be heading down there shortly.
posted by Errant at 6:33 PM on June 1, 2010


My regrets for not attending. By the way, one of the answers tonight is "Helen Reddy." Just trust me on that.
posted by dw at 9:02 PM on June 1, 2010


As the loser of the aforementioned rock-paper-scissors w/ librarina, let me just state that, as a consolation, I have both gotten a handle on the logistics of a rent-a-rolling-slaughterhouse business and witnessed a bald eagle snatch a chicken off the ground from about thirty feet away. The eagle was more exciting. Do you have any idea how loud the beating of their wings is? I sure as hell didn't.

Another answer is "Bell Centennial." You can thank me later.
posted by stet at 9:38 PM on June 1, 2010


I am pleased to note that I correctly assessed the bar patrons when I arrived -- a bunch of folks actually at the bar, and one guy with glasses and a big fat book alone in a booth, who I asked "are you from the internet?" Success! Good to meet you, Gratishades. Hope you have fun in Seattle.

Errant, I meant to leave some dollars for the cheese thingies. I'll owe you next time.

Wish I hadn't had to run out early! Let us know how trivia went.
posted by librarina at 10:32 PM on June 1, 2010


Can I just say FUCK YES to our team "Community Web-blog of Antisocial Bastards (CWAB for short)" for getting 2nd place in the pub trivia game and winning $30 for loq? Shoutout to Relay, O9scar, Mezamashii, Gratishades, and the random non-mefi guy (who asked me if I used to experiment with boys, asked if mezamashii's beer was a social beer we could all drink from, and told me since I took one of his nachos it meant I needed to come home with him to repay him) for winning the dolla dolla.

And congrats to the other mefi team whose name involved naughty things for winning the free pitcher of beer for best name.
posted by kthxbi at 12:14 AM on June 2, 2010


Yeah ... that was totally wicked!
posted by Relay at 12:18 AM on June 2, 2010


That was fun. Nice to meet new faces, and a couple of familiar ones as well.

I never imagined the obscure shit I store in my brain (like Darling Nikki) to have a practical purpose.

And on the personal note, there may have been the makings of an I Saw U involving me and a cute girl on a bus. And if nothing else, said cute girl smiling at me, so that made my day.
posted by O9scar at 1:29 AM on June 2, 2010


Our name was awesome and I would like to claim my 90% credit for it now. For posterity, it was "I like my women like I like Gary Coleman, short black and dead." So what if I couldn't answer a single question during the actual trivia competition?
posted by jacalata at 4:57 AM on June 2, 2010 [3 favorites]


Oh that is terrible. Terribly good.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 6:13 AM on June 2, 2010


"I never imagined the obscure shit I store in my brain ... "

Yeah, like making sure that we got both Ks in Darling Nikki, for one. And good news on the cute girl (and I hope it gets even better).

And yes, I must tip my hat to jacalata for coming p with a very, very great name.
posted by Relay at 8:51 AM on June 2, 2010


I don't about how the rest of the attendees felt but I found that the trivia MC was most annoying. It was like open mike comedy night for one with him. Masturbation jokes only open mike comedy night, that is.

As for the contest, I recognized Sean Connery in his Zardoz bondage outfit, knew that Carl Douglas was the singer of Kung Fu fighting and remembered that Dennis Hopper was in Giant. But apart from that, I suck at trivia, I have decided.

And my friend Susan was once again very impressed with what a smart crowd you all are and, even if she is the least lurkingest lurker that ever lurked, loved the meetup as per usual.

And now she knows what kthxbi stands for. Oh, well--for two years, I lived across the alley from a guy whose car's vanity plate read 10SPLR. And I didn't figure that one out until a year after he moved away....
posted by y2karl at 10:46 AM on June 2, 2010


Thanks all, mega night. Semi-apologies for having my maniac magnet powered fully last night as the 1st random guy was very strange, but got us some points so hey ho. While I was happy to win the dollars I was very jealous of the name of the other Mefi team.
posted by Gratishades at 11:50 AM on June 2, 2010


I just remembered - as per the discussion of Foursquare: New Social Networking Site Changing The Way Oh, Christ, Forget It
posted by O9scar at 10:55 PM on June 2, 2010 [1 favorite]


Not sure if anyone reads the posts down here, but I met up with loquacious today and gave him the money that other team won, you know, the one with the lesser and frankly embarrassing name. Plus a little extra.

It is not a stretch to say that your contributions helped immensely, nor that your generosity is remarkable. Once it was known around the tables we claimed that I was going to see loquacious in the near future, hearts and wallets opened up without bidding. I'd finish a conversation to turn my head and see that someone else was handing me a buck, ten, twenty, to make sure that loquacious was doing a little better for it.

He should get the keys to his new place on Monday, assuming no unlikely setback. You can read his own recent posts for what that means and how overwhelming and gratifying it is; for my part, I'd just like to thank you again. I know I'm proud to be part of this community, and not for the first time I can point to a reason why.
posted by Errant at 2:40 AM on June 6, 2010 [1 favorite]


Awwww shuckers. Yayyy!
posted by kthxbi at 6:15 AM on June 6, 2010


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