10.9.1, it's on.

June 6, 2010 2:02 AM

It Has Been Decided (beer may have been involved). MeFi PDX 10.9.1 at Enchanted Forest. Logistics and details within.

Thinking around high noon for carpool goodness. Village Inn at Bridgeport has lots of room for pre-caravan planning. Otherwise, Barbur Transit Center seems to be a good midway meeting point for those that rely on TriMet (the 12 runs like every 45 seconds or something). (I can take one more). What say ye, stumptowners?

posted by geckoinpdx to MetaFilter Gatherings at 2:02 AM (83 comments total)

Oh, also it's 26 June. As in three weekends from now. As I said, beer may have been involved.
posted by geckoinpdx at 2:03 AM on June 6, 2010

beer may have been involved

Darn well better be! Beer or no, though, I'm in.
posted by Greg_Ace at 2:10 PM on June 6, 2010

All right, let's try this again! The 26th is good for me, and, as stated previously, I will need a ride.
posted by maqsarian at 4:02 PM on June 6, 2010

I'm going to be in Portland round the 26th, (for a conference) and I think I can make it to this enchanted forest, if some body please translate the post for a non-portlander? Caravans? Ti-met? Hope me!
posted by dhruva at 4:49 PM on June 6, 2010

dhruva, you should totally come. Enchanted Forest is a local crappy/awesome theme park, Trimet is public transit (a fair number of us don't drive), and caravans because Trimet doesn't go all the way south to Salem, where Enchanted Forest is.
posted by maqsarian at 4:57 PM on June 6, 2010

hm it seems a bit complicated because the 26th is a conference day, and it ends late in the evening. dammit.
posted by dhruva at 5:30 PM on June 6, 2010

As per my recent ask meta I will be moving to Portland on the 17th. I hope I can get away from my new job to meet you all.
posted by munchingzombie at 5:35 PM on June 6, 2010

Not sure if I'll make it to Evolution but if I do, then heck yeah.
posted by special-k at 5:39 PM on June 6, 2010

Heh I'm going to the Evolution conference as well.
posted by dhruva at 5:44 PM on June 6, 2010

Minor quibble: Why is this numbered 10.9.1? As you may observe from the obvious sequence [self-link to image depicting timeline of 10.x mefi meetups] we should logically be numbering this release as 10.9.
posted by spherical_perceptions at 8:14 PM on June 6, 2010

Yeah, exactly what version and build number are these beans, anyway??
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:14 PM on June 6, 2010

Because I'm a dumbass and forgot that Prost was 10.8 and not 10.9. Almost 4l of dunkel probably had something to do with it.
posted by geckoinpdx at 9:26 PM on June 6, 2010

Is this still happening?
posted by geckoinpdx at 5:58 PM on June 12, 2010

I'm still up for it.
posted by maqsarian at 6:18 PM on June 12, 2010

If not, please have a normal meetup in a normal pub or something, and I'll have a good chance of making it.
posted by dhruva at 6:41 PM on June 12, 2010

It closes at 6 so we'll likely end up meeting at said normal pub for beery goodness somewhere intown after. Watch This Space.
posted by geckoinpdx at 10:23 PM on June 12, 2010

perfect.
posted by dhruva at 8:18 AM on June 13, 2010

So I am in, and it looks like I am still driving Cortex and Secretariat down.

Do we maybe want to tentatively schedule something at like 8pm back in town, so folks who can't make it to the forest can just make there way to that locale and maybe stake some ground for us travelers to return to?
posted by mrzarquon at 8:15 PM on June 14, 2010

Though I have a tendency to resist "Come ON, we've got to GO" deadlines, due to my inclination to get lost in endless photographic opportunities, I must admit that a "beers by $agreed_upon_time at $pre_arranged_place does sound like a good idea. But do let's allow for plenty of travel time so that we have a chance to relax and enjoy the Enchantment first!

Also, it might be wise to work out carpool arrangements ahead of time so we don't end up with twelve passengers and two vehicles...unless one of them is a bus, or something, I guess....

Okay, I'm done being an OCD grown-up.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:32 PM on June 14, 2010

Well, it looks like they will kick us out at 6pm, it's a 1 hour drive, allowing for bickering, pee stops, and possibly dropping off stragglers who can't make it to the second meetup, 8pm would be a good meetup time back here, I think. And that way people who can't make it to the enchanted forest can get their drink on while they wait for us.
posted by mrzarquon at 9:33 PM on June 14, 2010

East Burn again? Other ideas? Prost rocked my world, but the sheer business and having to wait anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes to get a drink really screwed with the neurodivergent in me.
posted by geckoinpdx at 11:30 PM on June 14, 2010

Green Dragon? Or is it too close to the 11th Anniversary? I really like the Green Dragon.

Another place I've been meaning to try is Amnesia Brewing. Does anybody know if that would be good for a meetup? It looks like they have a nice patio (I say optimistically as I look out my window at the fulminous sky).
posted by Secretariat at 12:45 PM on June 15, 2010

I don't recall having ever been to Amnesia Brewing...
instantrimshot
posted by Greg_Ace at 2:30 PM on June 15, 2010

So, is Barbur Transit Center the staging area, then? When should we meet?
posted by maqsarian at 11:45 AM on June 16, 2010

Or Village Inn? Either is fine with me.
posted by maqsarian at 11:48 AM on June 16, 2010

Either is fine with me, too. I suggested that because it's relatively easy to get to, big enough to hold a dozen or two of us and I'll need to eat something before I go (hotdogs and pizza have their place, but I'd rather not).
posted by geckoinpdx at 4:41 PM on June 16, 2010

I don't know where this Village Inn is, causing me to opt for Barbur Transit Center (which I know I can easily get to)....
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:36 PM on June 16, 2010

The Village Inn is here.
posted by maqsarian at 7:43 PM on June 16, 2010

If you're at the mercy of Tri-Met, the 76 is your best bet, it goes right there (catch it at Beaverton TC). From there it's like a two block walk north. Just use the trip planner and specify your end destination as "Bridgeport Village".
posted by geckoinpdx at 2:54 AM on June 17, 2010

OK, I can live with that.
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:01 PM on June 17, 2010

I am in for both parts. I can provide a ride if needed.
posted by spherical_perceptions at 7:28 PM on June 17, 2010

On the subject of rides: If anyone is driving down Barbur Blvd - I literally live about 50ft. off of it - to get to the meeting point at Village Inn, I wouldn't mind a ride. I can get there by bus, but it would take almost an hour (and to think TriMet is one of the best public-trans systems in America...).
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:52 PM on June 19, 2010

I'm pretty sure fiercekitten and I are in.
One minor problem, however....I have to work until noon. Fortunately I work about a mile or so from the Village Inn so we could probably make it there by 12:15 at the latest.
Our car can fit 2 passengers semi-comfortably, or 3 uncomfortably.
posted by nickthetourist at 10:00 AM on June 20, 2010

Oh, and I am always up for meeting at the Green Dragon.
posted by nickthetourist at 10:01 AM on June 20, 2010

[geek mode]

In the past when multiple cars have been involved, FRS/GMRS radios have been useful to coordinate impromptu "seeing a man about a horse" stops, fuel emergencies, speed trap info, etc. I have a pair of FRS/GMRS radios and can lend one radio out - if enough people who have them bring a pair along we could totally make this work.

Even inside the park we could use them for coordination, ".... Team Mefi 1, we have a blue witch sighting, .... I repeat, we have a blue witch sighting, .... over".

So how many people have a pair??
[/geek mode]

(Legal reminder that a valid FCC licence is required for GMRS mode operation, but FRS mode at low power does not require a licence.)
posted by spherical_perceptions at 10:23 PM on June 20, 2010

nickthetourist: the idea was that everyone plans to meet around high noon and possibly get fed before heading down, 12:15 should be fine. I figured we'd start to meander around 13:00 or so, or whenever everyone is ready. We are talking about Internet Time here after all...

That'd still get us there well before 14:00 and trust me, four hours is more than twice the time we'll need, even with the water show at the end.

spherical: ok, I've been outgeeked.
posted by geckoinpdx at 2:34 AM on June 21, 2010

spherical_perceptions: So how many people have a pair??

I do - brass-plated, even. ...But I'm not sure that's what you're talking about.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:58 AM on June 21, 2010

I think we have a pair of shitty walkie talkies, yeah. I'd have to find them, though.
posted by cortex (staff) at 12:51 PM on June 21, 2010

The Lucky Lab on SE Hawthorne is another option that has lots of indoor and outdoor seating and decent beer. It is not far from The Green Dragon and might be a good option if we want to mix it up by going somewhere else in advance of the anniversary next month. If it is especially nice Apex on lower Division is fun and they allow you to bring food over from the fine Gorditos mexican place next door.

Check out this video from Beaverton's Helio Sequence which features among other attractions footage of the Enchanted Forest.
posted by komakino at 2:08 AM on June 22, 2010

Can we get this in time?
posted by mrzarquon at 10:35 AM on June 22, 2010

Ok, so what's the official deal for Saturday? I'm still down, and I can fit 3 or 4 people in my car. Are we meeting at the Village Inn at 12?
posted by Lutoslawski at 9:38 AM on June 24, 2010

And who all still needs a ride?
posted by Lutoslawski at 9:39 AM on June 24, 2010

AFAIK, we're still on target for Bridgeport at high noon ...ish.
posted by geckoinpdx at 10:59 AM on June 24, 2010

Yes, I think the plan is:

12:00-12:30: Everybody Arrives
12:30-13:00: Hungry People Eat, Stragglers Arrive, We Maybe Play with Walkie-Talkies
13:00ish: Caravan Departs

I will need a ride, and I expect Greg will, though I don't know if anyone has arranged to pick him up by Barbur or not.
posted by maqsarian at 11:28 AM on June 24, 2010

I am picking Greg up on the way to the meeting point.

Maqsarian, it might help if you specified your departing position, then offers of rides would (presumably) increase...
posted by spherical_perceptions at 2:17 PM on June 24, 2010

Oh, sorry, I just meant a ride from Village Inn to Enchanted Forest, and then back to Portland. My Trimet-fu will get me to Village Inn no problem.
posted by maqsarian at 3:46 PM on June 24, 2010

Do we have a car to people ratio estimate yet? Assuming Greg also rides with me (*) for the Village Inn -> Enchanted Forest leg, that leaves two spare seats in my car. First come/reserved, first seated. Maqsarian has first refusal for one of two said seats.

(*) I.e. if he is not by then absolutely terrified of my driving like a European maniac on the calm and tranquil US roads. (Actually I drive the speed limit here because your draconian auto insurance schemes are worse (for foreigners) than any European traffic cop.)
posted by spherical_perceptions at 4:50 PM on June 24, 2010

Spherical, if you've learned the knack of driving on the appropriate side of the road, I'm good. :) As for ratio, I've gotten a rough impression from the thread that we may have more seats offered than rides solicited. But I haven't, like, actually counted or anything.
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:24 PM on June 24, 2010

Greg_Ace, you're probably thinking of the British. Belgians drive down the centre of the road.
posted by geckoinpdx at 10:48 PM on June 24, 2010 [1 favorite]

Ah yes, the old "taking their half of the road out of the middle" ploy....
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:36 PM on June 24, 2010

I can fit 3 more comfortably, 4 if they squeeze. If we have more seats than necessary, maybe we can arrange the car pool and have less cars, you know, 'cause of that whole "oil" thing or whatever.

What's the plan as far as being back in pdx? I was thinking about trying to make the Coco Rosie show...
posted by Lutoslawski at 10:15 AM on June 25, 2010

Lutoslawski - see mrzarquon's comment upthread. TL;DR: 7-8pm.
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:56 AM on June 25, 2010

Slightly confused: maqsarian claims that Bridgeport has a Village Inn but when I try to pinpoint it exactly I can't find it. Further, the Bridgeport directory does not list it. According to their website, the nearest Village Inn is actually 2 miles further south. I don't mind either, and Bridgeport is probably easier to find for most people, but the point is we should define a target within Bridgeport, as it is quite big and parking can depend on where in it one needs to get to. Either that or the real Village Inn, located at 17070 SW 72nd Ave, Tualatin, OR 97062-0564. Someone who knows please.... advise.
posted by spherical_perceptions at 8:21 PM on June 25, 2010

Yes, 17070 SW 72nd Ave is the correct address. The Village Inn is not technically part of the Bridgeport Village mall complex; it is across the street (the street being 72nd Ave) from the Crate & Barrel on the east side of the mall. My first map link pointed at the intersection; the one above is the actual building. Sorry about any confusion.
posted by maqsarian at 9:44 PM on June 25, 2010

The Village Inn is across the street, on the Crate and Barrel end of it. It's also across the street from the Transit Center and next to the carpool parking. If you're heading south on I-5, take the Bridgeport exit, turn right, then turn right at the light. You can't miss it. Map
posted by fiercekitten at 9:52 PM on June 25, 2010

oreonax has proposed that people meet up at the Clinton Street Theater tomorrow evening for a screening of Serenity. So there's another post-Enchantment possibility, for anyone who's interested.
posted by maqsarian at 10:19 PM on June 25, 2010

Oh: the Clinton Street Theater.
posted by maqsarian at 10:23 PM on June 25, 2010

Do we have a rough head count? I figured it'd be nice for the first to arrive to give the server/host(ess) a rough idea how many to expect. My ballpark estimate is about 15 or so.
posted by geckoinpdx at 10:27 PM on June 25, 2010

Ok so Jai is gonna come with me, but we aren't leaving pdx until 12:30, so we won't be to Bridgeport until 12:45 or so. Also, my seat capacity has been reduced by one.
posted by Lutoslawski at 9:35 AM on June 26, 2010

I'll be bringing Cortex and Secretariat, we will have one extra spot, Komakino (this guy) will have space in his car as well.
posted by mrzarquon at 10:35 AM on June 26, 2010 [1 favorite]

So post enchanted forest meetup is at the green dragon? If so could somebody tell me where it is?
posted by dhruva at 11:08 AM on June 26, 2010

Green Dragon
posted by mrzarquon at 11:44 AM on June 26, 2010

We are also at the village inn, getting food right now, then we'll be hanging out in the parking, just like in highschool.
posted by mrzarquon at 11:50 AM on June 26, 2010

Running late but will be there.
posted by geckoinpdx at 12:18 PM on June 26, 2010

Possible band name #1: Velociraptors of the Showbird Circuit.
posted by cortex (staff) at 12:32 PM on June 26, 2010 [1 favorite]

Beaverton theme song:

Mowin' down the lawn
Smokin' Pall Malls
Sippin' on Jamba Juice
Laid back
With my mind on my mortgage and my mortgage on my mind
posted by cortex (staff) at 12:55 PM on June 26, 2010 [1 favorite]

Mondor ride guy: how was the ride?

Me: it was awesome it would better with scotch

Guy: this job would be better with scotch
posted by mrzarquon at 3:59 PM on June 26, 2010 [2 favorites]

Mondor vs MeFi: the challenge begins!
posted by geckoinpdx at 4:20 PM on June 26, 2010

The real challenge of Mondor - putting up with the cheesy LOTR-style music!
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:40 PM on June 26, 2010

Flash news report
posted by mrzarquon at 7:11 PM on June 26, 2010

So we went from the Village Inn, to the Enchanted Forest (where we challenged the wizard Mondor), to the Green Dragon. This meetup sounds like like sort of fairy tale quest. With terrifying rabbit heads.
posted by maqsarian at 10:14 PM on June 26, 2010

Also, yeah, good meetup, everybody!
posted by maqsarian at 10:15 PM on June 26, 2010

Ideas for near future meetups: Mini golf, The Horses Brass, Portland Pirate Festival. I guess we could do all of them in one day, but I don't think I could handle that.
posted by fiercekitten at 10:27 PM on June 26, 2010

It was lovely to meet you all!
posted by tragerstreit at 11:01 PM on June 26, 2010

Very glad we finally made this happen. Thanks, everybody.

For the interested, my pics are up.
posted by geckoinpdx at 1:02 AM on June 27, 2010

That was rad-tastic. Sorry Jai and I didn't hit the Green Dragon. We headed out to catch a show. Will upload photos and videos soon.
posted by Lutoslawski at 10:56 AM on June 27, 2010

Good meetup choice! It was kind of neat to meetup in motion rather than sitting. Followed, of course, by some excellent sitting and drinking. And the tipsy distiller, passionate about his Oprah story.
posted by Secretariat at 11:29 AM on June 27, 2010

Yeah, I was wondering about that whole Oprah thing.... strange. If you're not impressed by celebrity, why drone on about it? Or maybe I was not understanding what was going on. I was hungry and he was sort of an odd duck. But hey, free booze!
posted by geckoinpdx at 2:08 PM on June 27, 2010

Terribly sorry and sad that I couldn't make it to the green dragon. This meetup has been totally jinxed for me. I was all set to head to the pub when we found out that the car we were using had been broken into, and the thieves left the door open, so the batteries drained and by the time we got it towed it was close to midnight. Ah well, I guess I will meet you lot some other time. Other than this, i'm really enjoying Portland, it's a beautiful city.
posted by dhruva at 2:46 PM on June 27, 2010

Ah hell, dhruva, that's crazy. Sorry we didn't see you.

My photos are up now; I still need to sit down and figure out what to do with the video. Anybody else who got video, feel free to send me your choicest bits and I'll see about incorporating them in the whatever the hell I may end up putting together.
posted by cortex (staff) at 4:06 PM on June 27, 2010

My pics are up as well.
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:37 PM on June 27, 2010

Great pictures, everybody. Wish I could have made it.
posted by churl at 4:17 PM on July 2, 2010

You kids and your wacky enchanted forests!
posted by dersins at 5:35 PM on July 2, 2010