Survey: Metafilter Retreat!

February 26, 2013 11:29 AM

A group of us excited about planning a possible Metafilter retreat have put together a survey and a tentative planning timeline.

Please take the survey so we can get a sense of what folks are hoping for. It's brief (9 questions and an option to leave an e-mail address for periodic updates from yours truly), and will be open until March 12th at 11:45 pm PT.

Once data collection is closed, the "planning committee" (there's about a dozen of us at the moment, give or take) will review that data and pick a date, city and general price range by late May/early June. We hope to have nailed down a venue, detailed price breakdowns, etc, later in the summer, at which point we can start working on fun stuff like food, carpools, skits, buttons, whatever.

Any questions? Please holler, either in this post or via MeMail/email. I think this will be the last MeTa post on the retreat until we have finalized the date/location/venue this summer, so definitely leave an e-mail in the survey if you'd like updates as we go. I promise not to send too many.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero to MetaFilter-Related at 11:29 AM (230 comments total)

Question #3 - does that include hotel? Or just facilities cost?
posted by jbickers at 11:32 AM on February 26

Done. Did it. Compile my answers, they are the correct ones.
posted by shakespeherian at 11:32 AM on February 26 [7 favorites]

Question #3 would include your hotel/lodgings cost, yes.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:34 AM on February 26

done, with a yay!
posted by iamkimiam at 11:34 AM on February 26

Done. Did it. Compile my answers, they are the anti-shakespeherian ones.
posted by phunniemee at 11:35 AM on February 26 [3 favorites]

Thank you so much for your hard work on this.
posted by the young rope-rider at 11:40 AM on February 26 [8 favorites]

Done! Is there a reason the first three questions let you pick more than one thing?
posted by griphus at 11:41 AM on February 26

Also, yes, thank you TPS and the Planning Committee.
posted by griphus at 11:42 AM on February 26

Is there a reason the first three questions let you pick more than one thing?

Uh, guess we figured people might be open to a lot of different things and wanted to give them the option to express as many choices as possible?
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:44 AM on February 26

Oh, then I did it wrong. I would accept a lower priced hotel option, but marked the highest I would accept.
posted by 26.2 at 11:45 AM on February 26

Done, and I will bring the T-shirts, so you should host it somewhere I want to go.
posted by Devils Rancher at 11:45 AM on February 26 [1 favorite]

This is interesting and I am interested in learning more and I have completed the survey.
posted by Kpele at 11:48 AM on February 26

Compile my answers, they are the anti-shakespeherian ones.

Out of spite, phunniemee answered as though she lives by the Baltic Sea.
posted by shakespeherian at 11:49 AM on February 26

...we figured people might be open to a lot of different things...

It won't let me go back and see the survey again, but I'll just go ahead and assume I misread what the question was asking. The answers are still right, though.
posted by griphus at 11:49 AM on February 26

Oh, then I did it wrong. I would accept a lower priced hotel option, but marked the highest I would accept.

That's a good way to do it. We can assume that lower would be OK.
posted by Miko at 11:53 AM on February 26

Hell!!! There is no option for Minnesota in #8. I guess I'm an Other.
posted by Elly Vortex at 11:53 AM on February 26 [1 favorite]

If a guy would be traveling from MN, do you want that listed as East North Central [with WI] or West North Central [with the Dakotas]?

Iowa is similarly missing.
posted by chazlarson at 11:54 AM on February 26

Thank you so much for taking the lead on this, TPS and group that has taken the lead on this.

Out of spite, phunniemee answered as though she lives by the Baltic Sea.


It only feels like that to Chicagoans who never leave the loop or the north side.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:55 AM on February 26 [1 favorite]

Ahhhh! I knew I should've triple-checked that section. My apologies.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:55 AM on February 26

Just an FYI - Canada is approximately 5,800 miles wide and someone from Vancouver and Halifax would have vastly different geographic challenges getting to a retreat. Canadians may want to write in their location.
posted by Rodrigo Lamaitre at 11:56 AM on February 26 [7 favorites]

Minnesota and Iowa are considered part of "West North Central"; thanks.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:57 AM on February 26

Won't accept my answers. All questions have checks, but "[!] This question requires an answer."
posted by chazlarson at 12:02 PM on February 26

Are you sure this isn't a Reddit plot to isolate all of us together in one place, like a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean? Do we have a continuation policy yet to force mods to take separate flights and limit how many are at the same convention at the same time?
posted by ceribus peribus at 12:02 PM on February 26 [4 favorites]

And, hypothetically speaking, what is the order of succession? It's by user number, right?
posted by ceribus peribus at 12:04 PM on February 26 [2 favorites]

Um, sorry, I'm pretty sure that Canada is just one homogenous blob, and I'm also pretty sure that you just made up this "Halifax" business to trick us all.
posted by phunniemee at 12:04 PM on February 26 [9 favorites]

Can we see the running tabulation of the survey?

How can I rig the survey without data?
posted by 26.2 at 12:04 PM on February 26

Won't accept my answers. All questions have checks, but "[!] This question requires an answer."

Hmm, not sure why that would happen. Did you choose at least 3 for question 7?
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:05 PM on February 26

Wait there really is a Canada?

I thought that was just a story mothers told their children to get them to behave.
posted by shakespeherian at 12:06 PM on February 26 [10 favorites]

I thought that was just a story mothers told their children to get them to behave.

Unfortunately, Harper isn't a myth.
posted by arcticseal at 12:10 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

Did you choose at least 3 for question 7?

5 are checked under #7.
posted by chazlarson at 12:12 PM on February 26

Wait there really is a Canada?

So, we joke, but I learned all growing up that China was the biggest country in the world. And then I was floored--floored--when I was 19 or so and it suddenly occurred to me to look at a map, and I went around telling everyone in my dorm, because lol small southern school. But it wasn't just me! Several of my friends (who grew up all over the country) ALSO had grown up learning that China was the biggest country in the world.

Russia I can handwave away and chalk it up to don't-talk-about-it-because-the-Cold-War-scared-folks. But Canada--it's just further proof that Canada isn't real.
posted by phunniemee at 12:12 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

Survey complete! I'm looking forward to seeing how this all pans out.
posted by Arbac at 12:12 PM on February 26

I had two entries checked under #1. As soon as I unchecked one, it went through.
posted by chazlarson at 12:13 PM on February 26

Weirdly, I could only choose one answer for the first (checkmark box) question, but multiples were fine after that.

On preview: I got that "This question requires an answer", changed my response to a single checkbox, then resubmitted and all was well.
posted by maryr at 12:14 PM on February 26

Thanks for the feedback; I updated question #1 to be clear.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:15 PM on February 26

I just submitted my answers, and it told me I'm a "Samantha"
posted by Greg Nog at 12:16 PM on February 26 [18 favorites]

I've been a lurker for a long time and just joined a little while ago, but I filled it out. I'd really enjoy meeting the MeFites I've been reading for so long! (I realize that sounds creepy, but...oh well)
posted by HermitDog at 12:17 PM on February 26 [2 favorites]

I just submitted my answers, and it told me I'm a "Samantha"

American Girl or Sex and the City? I need to know for my own personal bookkeeping purposes.
posted by phunniemee at 12:28 PM on February 26 [4 favorites]

American Girl or Sex and the City?

There are fewer differences every day.
posted by shakespeherian at 12:30 PM on February 26 [2 favorites]

Um, sorry, I'm pretty sure that Canada is just one homogenous blob, and I'm also pretty sure that you just made up this "Halifax" business to trick us all.

Just because our national dish is a homogeneous blob of fries, cheese curds and gravy does not mean we're all one blob!

That said, after enough poutine and beer, we're all a lot closer to it than we used to be.
posted by Rodrigo Lamaitre at 12:31 PM on February 26 [3 favorites]

American Girl or Sex and the City? I need to know for my own personal bookkeeping purposes.

Elizabeth Montgomery in Bewitched
posted by griphus at 12:32 PM on February 26 [2 favorites]

Done! Yay!
posted by gaspode at 12:33 PM on February 26

Are you a Dick York or a Dick Sargent?
posted by shakespeherian at 12:35 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

York obvs because he was in that great Twilight Zone episode.
posted by phunniemee at 12:36 PM on February 26

Your mom is a dick sergeant.
posted by cortex (staff) at 12:37 PM on February 26 [21 favorites]

Both and all; I am the Ur-Dick
posted by Greg Nog at 12:37 PM on February 26

OH GOD I'M RELAPSING
posted by cortex (staff) at 12:37 PM on February 26 [6 favorites]

100 responses already! You guys are fast :)
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:41 PM on February 26

A full resort may be the only thing that can handle us. We contain multitudes.
posted by readery at 12:47 PM on February 26

Are you sure this isn't a Reddit plot to isolate all of us together in one place, like a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean? Do we have a continuation policy yet to force mods to take separate flights and limit how many are at the same convention at the same time?

You're close. Our plan involves Kool-aid. Blue Kool-aid.
posted by orange swan at 12:51 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

A full resort may be the only thing that can handle us. We contain multitudes.

I am envisioning a lodge with a big industrial kitchen wherein I get to make pancakes for breakfast. Funfact -- I am an early riser and actually love cooking breakfast.
posted by Devils Rancher at 12:51 PM on February 26 [10 favorites]

A full resort may be the only thing that can handle us. We contain multitudes.

Whitman's Resort
US-51, Hazelhurst, WI 54531
posted by zamboni at 12:52 PM on February 26

Do I favorite myself? Very well, then, I favorite myself.
posted by Greg Nog at 12:54 PM on February 26 [5 favorites]

Let's dump everyone's lat/long into a GIS database and pick the centroid.
posted by desjardins at 12:56 PM on February 26 [3 favorites]

With any luck it will be Tuscon.
posted by shakespeherian at 1:01 PM on February 26 [2 favorites]

My fingers are extra crossed for summer or fall 2014, otherwise I will be in the rainforest without internet or the ability to make friends with metafilter.
posted by ChuraChura at 1:03 PM on February 26

I am calling this thing "LARPers and Lushes."
posted by jph at 1:03 PM on February 26

I missed the original post, but this sounds awesome! I'm in if at all possible.

Please, please, please let it not be on a boat.
posted by JoanArkham at 1:06 PM on February 26

Man I can't wait to go to Camp Crystal Lake with you guys!
posted by klangklangston at 1:07 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

*sneaks off to the woods with klang*
posted by shakespeherian at 1:11 PM on February 26

Canada is big, but IME the airfare from Toronto to $MAJOR_US_CITY isn't hugely different compared to the airfare from Vancouver or Calgary or Halifax. Hurray, international flights.

phunniemee, have I got a song for you.
posted by Phire at 1:11 PM on February 26

Please, please, please let it not be on a boat.

Seconded, thirded, fourthed, whatever. My love for you all is trumped only by my desire not to puke until I die.
posted by ambrosia at 1:12 PM on February 26 [4 favorites]

I am going to propose a research program at work wherein I size the parachute necessary to airdrop cases of beer on the party.
posted by backseatpilot at 1:13 PM on February 26

Thank you for your efforts, planning peoples!
posted by houseofdanie at 1:14 PM on February 26

Phire: "Canada is big, but IME the airfare from Toronto to $MAJOR_US_CITY isn't hugely different compared to the airfare from Vancouver or Calgary or Halifax. Hurray, international flights."

Big difference for those of us who'll drive though.
posted by Mitheral at 1:15 PM on February 26

Devils Rancher, I would cook with you, if you'd have me. I lovelovelove cooking breakfast and any reason to whip up a batch of maple glazed cinnamon rolls with candied pecans makes me very happy indeed.
posted by cooker girl at 1:20 PM on February 26 [2 favorites]

With any luck it will be Tuscon.

If I could make this event also count as a trip to visit my Tucson based in-laws, I would definitely feel like the luckiest man alive. "We're visiting but we have a built-in excuse for not staying with you" meets "Oh, dear non-Mefite partner, you're tired of the Metafilter folks so you're just going to hang out with your Tucson friends." Yeah, I'm not totally voting for Tucson but I'm not totally not voting for Tucson.

Do I favorite myself? Very well, then, I favorite myself.

I wanted to favorite that comment but then I felt like I was stepping on the joke, so I'm just saying it here. I believe in you my soul, the other I am must not abase itself to you, And you must not be abased to the other.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 1:21 PM on February 26

I took it, but I really don't see how this works any where other than a resort/cruise ship/the woods. Ideally, the woods because you can pee outside and peeing outside the best.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 1:23 PM on February 26 [2 favorites]

and peeing outside the best.

Sounds like someone here has a penis.
posted by phunniemee at 1:26 PM on February 26 [16 favorites]

WHAT

who
posted by shakespeherian at 1:27 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

Well, to be perfectly honest, I can't see the list of options but if we're talking the list that was 'cruise ship/large city/small city/etc.", I'm pretty sure "cruise ship" is the only option on the list where I have not peed outside. Because I have never been on cruise ship.

(I do agree that peeing outside is always the best. Even when it is cold. Because melting.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 1:28 PM on February 26

I'm too much of fuddy duddy to pee outside in the city.

Okay one time after a meet up in Arlington, but that barely counts as a city and I was pretty drunk and orthogonality was there and I'm pretty sure being with him is like international waters.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 1:31 PM on February 26

Big difference for those of us who'll drive though.

Oh, yeah. Some people have cars.

/sad
posted by Phire at 1:39 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

If it's on a boat I'm definitely not coming.

Oh hell, who am I kidding, I probably wouldn't be coming if it was held in my backyard, what with the two kids and the wife and the warehouse full of bowling balls and all that.
posted by slogger at 1:44 PM on February 26

Some people have cars, but not me.

/Happy!
posted by trip and a half at 1:45 PM on February 26

Devils Rancher, I would cook with you, if you'd have me.

Three words: Eggs Motherfucking Benedict.

Are you strong enough?
posted by Devils Rancher at 1:46 PM on February 26 [3 favorites]

DOLLYWOOD.
posted by jph at 1:46 PM on February 26 [4 favorites]

Three words: Eggs Motherfucking Benedict.

Okay. This thing is ON.
posted by trip and a half at 1:48 PM on February 26 [3 favorites]

Dibs on the candied bacon.

Both on the making it and on the eating it.
posted by phunniemee at 1:49 PM on February 26

Done.
Hopefully mine wasn't so open as to be completely useless to you, I checked a whole bunch of boxes. I'd be cool with just about anything except Cruise Ship *shudder* or West Coast because we'd most likely be driving (from Toronto.)
Maybe 'pets' might be another box-possibility down the road? It would be cool to be able to bring our dog if it was a more camp-type situation, or not, depending on how others feel about that.
posted by chococat at 1:49 PM on February 26

We're not going to make any further updates to the survey; I think we'll leave the question on whether or not pets can come to the chosen venue.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:52 PM on February 26

Agreeing with chococat: I'd like to have a dog-cool option, too.
posted by trip and a half at 1:53 PM on February 26

Ha cross-posted. Just thinking maybe pet people could find a nearby alternative.
posted by trip and a half at 1:54 PM on February 26

Yes, my dog could come please and thank you.
posted by phunniemee at 1:55 PM on February 26

If one tries to answer #7 with Other and then writes in an answer, the following error occurs:
" This question requires an answer."

I had no idea the survey was so placist.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:57 PM on February 26

If Canada doesn't exist, where the hell have I been these last 13 years?!

Also, I checked other and put in PNW/British Columbia or somefink like that.
posted by deborah at 2:03 PM on February 26

Do I favorite myself? Very well, then, I favorite myself.

Don't you realize that favouriting yourself is not only degenerate but could make you go blind?
posted by orange swan at 2:15 PM on February 26

phunniemee's dog can come and griphus's dog can come. All other pets must pass a written test.
posted by shakespeherian at 2:21 PM on February 26 [3 favorites]

My dog has a PhD.
posted by trip and a half at 2:24 PM on February 26

Metafilter Retreat!

Never retreat. Never surrender.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 2:26 PM on February 26 [5 favorites]

Am I right to assume that location wise it's looking pretty US-centric right now? just wonderin ..

Plus I've only just noticed that underneath the comment box is says "Everybody needs a hug" so I am offering free hugs to anyone's that wants em.

Just don't be pinching my bottom, ta.
posted by Faintdreams at 2:27 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

phunniemee's dog can come and griphus's dog can come.

Well, that saves me the effort of buying a baby carriage and clothing and claiming she is the baby.

Okay maybe just the carriage.

THIS PRESS CONFERENCE IS OVER
posted by griphus at 2:30 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

My dog has a PhD.

Doctorates from Canadian schools don't count.
posted by phunniemee at 2:31 PM on February 26

Doctor is from AMERICA! (Okay, probably South America. And he can't put his paws on his diploma right now because circumstances. Still.)
posted by trip and a half at 2:41 PM on February 26

Dogtorates are fine.
posted by shakespeherian at 2:41 PM on February 26 [4 favorites]

I really don't see how this works anywhere other than a resort/cruise ship/the woods.

We're going to need a bigger boat.
posted by ceribus peribus at 2:41 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

I'm not sure how you expect us to believe you have a dog without providing pictures.
posted by phunniemee at 2:42 PM on February 26

Dogtorates are fine.
For PET scans, sure. But not for CAT scans. No way!
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 2:43 PM on February 26 [2 favorites]

I would like for there to be a "scholarship" option to bring along a couple of folks who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford such an outing.
posted by batmonkey at 2:47 PM on February 26 [8 favorites]

I am poor and I endorse this message.
posted by shakespeherian at 2:49 PM on February 26 [5 favorites]

Three words: Eggs Motherfucking Benedict.

Are you strong enough?

Pfft. My moniker isn't just for looks. I was trained, in the classic French way, in the culinary breakfast arts, by a cranky old Irish chef who did his stages in Paris.

Bring on the motherfucking hollandaise.
posted by cooker girl at 2:55 PM on February 26 [8 favorites]

DAAAAAAAAMMMNNN

Shit just got HAUTE
posted by shakespeherian at 2:58 PM on February 26 [10 favorites]

I'm not sure how you expect us to believe you have a dog without providing pictures.

The Doctor will see you now.
posted by trip and a half at 3:01 PM on February 26 [3 favorites]

Just an FYI - Canada is approximately 5,800 miles wide and someone from Vancouver and Halifax would have vastly different geographic challenges getting to a retreat.

This reminds me of friends from LA. I was visiting and then returning to Toronto and the next week they were going to be in Vancouver and they said I should "stop by". I told them that by going to BC they would be further away from me than they were when they were in LA and they laughed and thought I was joking.
posted by dobbs at 3:04 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

I was trained, in the classic French way, in the culinary breakfast arts,

The arcane breakfast arts, you mean. It's gettin' real in here.
(I went, at 18, straight from McDonald's to here, and later here where I breakfast cooker-guyed on the line & lunch prepped for long enough to know better. )
posted by Devils Rancher at 3:10 PM on February 26 [3 favorites]

Devils Rancher: I am envisioning a lodge with a big industrial kitchen wherein I get to make pancakes for breakfast. Funfact -- I am an early riser and actually love cooking breakfast.

I'll take the late night chocolate chip cookie shift. I am also very good at grating cheese and peeling/cutting apples, if anyone needs help with those things.
posted by maryr at 3:10 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

oh god now i am so hungry
posted by Devils Rancher at 3:11 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

The arcane breakfast arts, you mean.

I meant more like being constantly yelled at, called "love," getting shit for being a woman, and then grudgingly given respect because I rocked the shit out of the kitchen and had (have) knife skills that make the baby Jesus cry (OUT OF JEALOUSY).

But sure, arcane works, too.
posted by cooker girl at 3:15 PM on February 26 [3 favorites]

Par Example

MODERN MIDI CLASSICS

totes legit
posted by Doleful Creature at 3:16 PM on February 26

They shall besmirch the breakfast arts at their peril, for we have knives.
posted by Devils Rancher at 3:19 PM on February 26 [2 favorites]

Ooopsies wrong thread. *runs away*
posted by Doleful Creature at 3:19 PM on February 26 [2 favorites]

So I noticed that the Tenderloin District wasn't an option but thank gods for write-in votes because even though I owe this guy named Bullpen who hangs out on a corner there like $44 I think that if I had the Mefite numbers behind me I'd be safe because you guys are a bunch of strongarms right?!?
posted by item at 3:45 PM on February 26 [2 favorites]

slogger: "Oh hell, who am I kidding, I probably wouldn't be coming if it was held in my backyard, what with the two kids and the wife and the warehouse full of bowling balls and all that."

I AM INTRIGUED BY YOUR IDEAS AND WISH TO SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR NEWSLETTER
posted by scrump at 3:47 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

One of my first jobs in high school was as a dishwasher in one of the nicer restaurants in town. But that doesn't mean I volunteer to wash all the dishes. I will help, though.
posted by TedW at 3:59 PM on February 26

Bummer, no Joshua Tree / other desert-like option (unless you mean truly outside of Vegas), but I'll take anything far from civilization. Thanks for doing this!
posted by mykescipark at 4:23 PM on February 26

QUESTION FOR THE ANTI-CRUISE PEOPLE! Have any of you ever been on a cruise ship? It is not like a little boat, if you are worried about seasickness. Coming back to the US in the Fall, you might get some choppy seas, but these ships are like huge hotels with built-in stabilizers--you barely feel any movement. I like the rocking sea stuff, personally, but you only get that on little boats, not cruise ships.

Bonus for family-type folks: kid-friendly activities, third and fourth passengers in cabins get a much cheaper rate.

Bonus for adult types: cruise ships have lots of lounges, bars, pools, etc. for mingling and whatnot.

Extra Bonus: Lots of cruises leave from FL, and I can house some Mefites if we leave out of Port Canaveral and possibly out of Port of Tampa, too, depending on dates. Maybe a total of seven bedrooms?

Extra Bonus bonus: If we get enough people I can finagle free cabin(s), possibly for scholarship Mefites.

I am not in any way pushing cruises! I'm open to hotels, cabins, resorts, pretty much anything! I enjoy all of those options, too.*

I just don't get where the automatic cruise hate is coming from. So, just consider that maybe if you haven't ever been on a cruise, you may be basing your objections on prejudice or stereotyping.

I've been on just short of a dozen cruises, so hit me up if you want more info on any cruise-related stuff.

*The only option I am not up for is camping, where camping means sleeping in a tent on the ground with the bugs and no showers, because ugh. I also do not have the correct plumbing to indulge in outside peeing parties.
posted by misha at 5:30 PM on February 26 [4 favorites]

Damn, y'all are considering Memphis? That's awesome. Maybe we could finally have a buncha meet ups!

If it winds up being here, which granted I doubt will actually happen as we're not glamorous or exciting enough, everyone coming from other cities will gain 10 pounds over a weekend due to the nexus of fried chicken, barbecue, and bacon in every vegetable dish. Just a (delicious, lazy) heads up.
posted by ifjuly at 5:41 PM on February 26 [2 favorites]

Speaking only for myself, I don't like the idea of cruises because if something goes wrong, you're stranded in the middle of the ocean.

This was my feeling prior to Triumph. This remains my feeling.

Love boats. Love sailing. Never want to go on a cruise.
posted by SpiffyRob at 5:46 PM on February 26 [3 favorites]

I just don't get where the automatic cruise hate is coming from. So, just consider that maybe if you haven't ever been on a cruise, you may be basing your objections on prejudice or stereotyping.

My personal objections to doing a cruise are the limited price/housing type flexibility and the fact that one would be required to commit to a full week instead of a long weekend.

I'll be interested to see what the survey results say, but personally this is the kind of thing I'd like to do as a 4-day thing, so I probably wouldn't attend something at an awesome looking place like Camp Paxson. No direct flights from NYC + car rental + 1.5 hour drive would be a bit much for a long weekend.
posted by lalex at 5:54 PM on February 26

I'd rather not do a cruise because there's no flexibility in start-end dates. If the ship leaves on Monday and gets back on Friday, you're booked from Monday to Friday. This is a restriction that exists solely because it's on a boat. If we were to have a retreat pretty much anywhere else, I'd be able to show up on Tuesday or leave on Thursday if I had to.
posted by Elly Vortex at 5:58 PM on February 26 [3 favorites]

Everything Misha said, and I can host overnight guests if you need a place to crash.
posted by _Mona_ at 6:09 PM on February 26

DOLLYWOOD.

Oh YEAH! And even better, it's near Rock City. But anyway.

I don't want to go on a cruise because I just don't support the whole cruise industry thing. It's very commercial and anti-place-based and forced and separate from an actual experience in a location ad has negative impacts on local economies and all that. My expectations for food would be low. It's just a non-starter for me, unless it's like a barefoot windjammer cruise, or maybe Alaska.

I know it would be super easy to host a big event on a cruise, but it's still not appealing to some people by virtue of what it is.
posted by Miko at 6:20 PM on February 26 [3 favorites]

Man I love boats so much.

But I am not sure I would want a gigantic meet-up on a boat. I would go to a small meet-up on a boat though.
posted by mountmccabe at 6:55 PM on February 26

Metafilter Retreat!
Then why is there no option for a location in France?
posted by dg at 7:07 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

Because of the French.
posted by maryr at 7:41 PM on February 26

I'd go to a meetup on a boat as long as it's traditional rig.
posted by Miko at 7:43 PM on February 26

Cruise = no. Um: Poseidon Adventure, Titanic, Lusitania, Costa Concordia, Triumph, Love Boat, [insert cruise ship disaster here], bad food, no way out, [plethora of other reasons here]. Also, I don't think cruises allow dogs. And dogs are real and adorable.
posted by trip and a half at 7:51 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

misha, I have a bunch of friends who just got back from JoCo Cruise Crazy 3, on a Carnival ship, and a number of them who were fine on the first two cruises were quite ill at the end of this one, thanks to weather.

My husband and I have both vomited and nearly fainted in the ocean snorkeling. I have a fair amount of experience, when I was younger, on giant ferries from Sweden to various European ports, all of which I spent puking. He can't even sit in the back seat of a car. Add to that mild claustrophobia co-morbid to the kind of social anxiety disorder characterized by the need to GET OUT NOW, and the idea of being trapped on a boat is - as much as I'd like to be cooler than this - unbearable. If you also roll in my inner-ear issues that make even flying sometimes a festival of barrel rolls...there's not enough Klonopin or Dramamine in the world.

It's just not possible for me. I recognize the convenience, but I know I'm also not alone on one or more of the above points.

That said, if a cruise it eventually turns out to be, I will send some gifts along with someone more sturdy than me and hope y'all have an awesome time.
posted by Lyn Never at 8:06 PM on February 26

Survey completed, and I want to chime in that I would love to have a scholarship fund to contribute towards. Mefite retreats for everyone!
posted by msali at 8:14 PM on February 26

Your mom is a dick sergeant.

Oh yeah? Well, your dad never even made sergeant!
posted by octobersurprise at 8:29 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

item: "I'd be safe because you guys are a bunch of strongarms right?!?"

We're arranging a massive meetup for people who only know each other (for the most part) via the internet for a site that looks like it did back in 1999. What do you think?

misha: "I just don't get where the automatic cruise hate is coming from."

Not hate in my case I just wouldn't participate because they are:
-Cost prohibitive.
-Even a one week cruise is going to chew up a week and a half in total travel at a minimum.
-Cruises seem to be breeding grounds for disease only surpassed by day care centres and if I never get smegging Norwalk again it'll be too soon.
posted by Mitheral at 8:47 PM on February 26

desjardins: "Let's dump everyone's lat/long into a GIS database and pick the centroid."

Did that in the last thread. It's the Indiana Dunes. Technically, Gary Indiana.
posted by IndigoRain at 8:53 PM on February 26 [3 favorites]

misha: "QUESTION FOR THE ANTI-CRUISE PEOPLE! Have any of you ever been on a cruise ship? It is not like a little boat, ... but these ships are like huge hotels ... "

That, and being trapped in the middle of the ocean should something go wrong, is why I don't want to go on a cruise.
posted by deborah at 9:02 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

Not Louisiana, Paris, France, New York, or Rome, but--
Gary, Indiana,
Gary, Indiana,
Gary Indiana,
My home sweet home.

(NB: not really my home.)
posted by trip and a half at 9:03 PM on February 26 [2 favorites]

I'm only in for Memphis.
posted by Eideteker at 9:06 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

I doubt a cruise will the popular option in the survey. I checked everything but. Not that a cruise might not be a fun thing for you, personally, but it's a really bad idea for a lot of folks in this thread and the original. I can go on a cruise with my mom -- which would be fun for me & Mom.

It's become obvious we must have a central kitchen of some sort, for breakfasts at least. I object to having the talents of determined, competitive breakfast cooks be tossed aside in favor of [alternative]. I can survive on the sublime with a side of bring-it-on. The other meals will get sorted out. I can wash dishes.

Thanks to you who've worked hard to bring this to life. I appreciate it.
posted by wallabear at 9:31 PM on February 26 [3 favorites]

I think the best option for a good turnout would be a city that lots of people would visit even if the gathering wasn't happening there. Otherwise, we're limiting ourselves to (A) really hardcore MeFites who happen to be single and (B) really hardcore MeFites who have very, very, VERY understanding SOs.

To that end, I think PDX, NOLA, Chicago, and Vegas would be the best options, in that order.
posted by Afroblanco at 9:47 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

Also, that would kind of address the kid problem, since all those cities have tons of stuff you can do with kids.
posted by Afroblanco at 9:49 PM on February 26

Personally, I feel like having it in a city at a hotel would make it less Metafilter-centric. I know that I can't be the only shy person on this site, and I think a city situation would make it a lot harder to mingle with Internet strangers. I have a hard enough time at academic conferences, but have always done well in big group camping situations.

That's just my two cents. I'd go to a city event, but I think a big lodge or summer camp like situation would be best for fostering new f2f relationships among Mefites.
posted by k8lin at 9:57 PM on February 26 [3 favorites]

We had all these discussions, round and round, in the last thread, that's why we're voting now. :)
posted by IndigoRain at 10:19 PM on February 26 [4 favorites]

Funfact -- I am an early riser and actually love cooking breakfast.

Then keep making it! Everywhere I go they always quit making breakfast before I get up. Like breakfast means "before noon" or something.

Tucson you say….
posted by bongo_x at 10:56 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]

Why is there no option for Africa on the Survey?
posted by Gringos Without Borders at 12:09 AM on February 27

"Let's dump everyone's lat/long into a GIS database and pick the centroid."
Did that in the last thread. It's the Indiana Dunes. Technically, Gary Indiana.
Wasn't that more like 'let's dump everyone that lives in the US's lat/long into a GIS database and pick the centroid?
posted by dg at 2:50 AM on February 27 [1 favorite]

I just hope it's in the East North Central West North West state group.
posted by fleacircus at 2:55 AM on February 27

No retreat, baby, no surrender. Unless it's on the east coast or I am suddenly simultaneously rich and unemployed!
posted by Mister_A at 3:39 AM on February 27 [2 favorites]

I'm fine with no cruise, and if we officially have ruled it out, that's hunky-dorey. For the record, though:

There are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 day cruises. Any given weekend, you can take a 3 or 4 day cruise from your choice of, lessee, 5? I think 5 different ports in Florida*. Most weeks you can find a 5 day cruise, too. Some weeks have 6 and 8 day cruise. There is no cruise = 1 week rule. There are inside, outside, balcony, doubles and triples and quad cabins (and family rooms and suites on really long cruises, though who would shell out that much money and not just get two cabins?). You have just as much flexibility as with hotel rooms, pretty much.

Ice skating on a cruise ship is amazingly fun.

I cannot even begin to explain how snorkeling and ferries differ from cruise ships. I have snorkeled in rough seas and felt nauseous and I've been a little green on ferries, too. Big ferries are not even on the same scale as cruise ships. Ya'll remind me of my son, when he was little and about to go on his first cruise. He said, "Mom, if I jump up and down, will the deck break?" His favorite movie used to be Titanic, too. You just can't really describe it, you have to experience it.

Not saying you can't get sick on a cruise ship, because obviously you can. If you hit rough seas, you can absolutely get seasick. Unless you are going in the fall (hurricane season), if you're getting sick on a cruise there is usually alcohol involved, though. Exception for the smaller boats, maybe. But you'd get seasickness even worse on a Windjammer. I've always wanted to go on one of those, though. Sound like a lot of fun.

You can also hit turbulence in an airplane and get really sick. I find airplanes are more of a breeding ground for germs than cruises, too, on account of the unfiltered air and tiny claustrophobic space. If a kid next to you is sick on a plane, you can't just get up, put about a football field between you and the kid, and breathe in the salty sea air instead. Plus you never see dolphins leaping next to the plane, unless you're on mushrooms or something.

Oh, and I've been delayed many times in airports and had flights cancelled, but I've never been stranded on a cruise. I can't even imagine how awful it must have been for those folks on the Triumph who were, but that's incredibly unlikely to happen.

Food can be meh on a cruise. It can also be very very good. Reviews help weed out the meh. I find that hotels in Vegas have lousy food across the board. I got food poisoning from a frickin' Cheesecake Factory in Vegas. I'm all for Mefites rustling up the grub instead. I can bake you bear claws**, cookies and cupcakes and even make homemade gummy bears. Except I usually do little gummy lego guys or other shapes rather than bears.

The cruise industry does have some serious negatives to it, Miko's right about that. They take you into ports where, when you first get off the ship, you'll find stores full of overpriced touristy crap. They also try to sell you on expensive excursions instead of supporting the local people and cultures. You don't have to go along with that, though. You can search down the local markets or hang with the giant iguanas instead. Barter, snorkel, drink, hit the nude beaches, whatever. Mefites are good at figuring stuff out.

I'm done with the cruise exposition now, promise. I didn't even particularly want to go on a cruise to begin with, I was just taken aback by how many people seemed prejudiced against the very idea. For those of you with terrible motion sickness, I sympathize, and I definitely see why you'd never want to set foot on any boat at all!

trip and a half, are you also hyperbole and a half? Because your dog looks just like hers! Too cute!

*Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Cape Canaveral, Tampa, Jacksonville.

**No bears are harmed in the making of said bear claws. Especially not Swiss bears.
posted by misha at 6:28 AM on February 27 [1 favorite]

I could bring my daughter to a Florida meetup and she could regale y'all with her usage of "adorbs" and "whatevs."
posted by Devils Rancher at 6:35 AM on February 27 [2 favorites]

You don't have to go along with that, though. You can search down the local markets or hang with the giant iguanas instead.

You don't individually have to go along with that, but the people of the town/country that has decided to cash in on the "cruise destination" ticket has no choice but to go along with that. And the economic disruptions, reorientation of society toward pleasing tourists, corruption and skewed power relationships come with it, and no amount of "let's find the real Jamaica in our six hours ashore!" on the part of a small minority of people can really make up for that.

I'm sure a lot of people do find cruises fun, but there are so many opportunities for you to take one with other people that love them - go for it. Also, there's nothing stopping anyone from calling a cruise company and setting up a group tour option for a cruise and signing up some MeFites. You probably only need to bring, like, 25 people to get your own ticket free. So if it's something you really want to set it up, you can set it up, even if the survey reveals that most people prefer something land-based.
posted by Miko at 7:11 AM on February 27

I've wistfully completed it, on the off-chance that I might come into enough money between now and then to be able to skip over the Atlantic and join the party
posted by greenish at 7:37 AM on February 27

Ok, we plugged all the numbers and decided to go with the population centroid. Turns out to be a remote location somewhere north of Reno called "Black Rock Desert." Should be easy to reserve since it's so isolated. Everyone wanted summer 2013, so how does the week before Labor Day sound?
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 7:37 AM on February 27

Seriously,though, as someone who may or may not come, and who is not terribly strapped for cash, I would be willing to participate in some kind of scholarship/sponsorship program. It would take a little organization if enough of us were interested. I mean, I would want to make sure it went to someone who A. Really participates on the site B. who really wants to go and C. Really would not be able to go otherwise.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 7:44 AM on February 27 [2 favorites]

I agree with everyone else about the scholarship thing. I imagine there will be some administrative costs associated with setting this up, so maybe when we pay our registration fees there could be an option to pay a bit more and have it go into a fund for Mefite scholarships?

Also I vote group camping somewhere in the Southwest (but not Death Valley.) I will bring the laminated paper wallet-sized funnels my dad invented for myself and the other ladies so we can feel like part of the peeing outside club.
posted by WidgetAlley at 8:10 AM on February 27

I love the scholarship idea and would totally contribute, but I'd be uncomfortable with a "participates a lot on the site" criteria to the fund distribution. We see a lot of lurkers show up at meetups and the people who come to IRL are often an entirely different contingent from the people who post on the site, and it seems like it'd be kind of unfair to exclude them.
posted by Phire at 8:25 AM on February 27 [4 favorites]

We will figure out a scholarship/sponsorship option and will announce it at the same time we announce final venue & costs.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:30 AM on February 27 [3 favorites]

There is no cruise = 1 week rule.

I think the point was that if the "retreat" is scheduled for one week, but an individual could not attend for the full week, then you could just arrive a couple days later or leave a couple days earlier for any of the land based options, but not so if it's a boat. The non-boat options have much more flexiblity for individual participants (also if you hate it you're not trapped there).

I'm tickled that Cooper's Lake is on the list, but I spend two weeks a year there anyhow.

I want a spa option. If I'm going to spend a lot of money and travel it would be more enticing to have a hot stone massage and maybe a pedicure available.
posted by anastasiav at 9:04 AM on February 27 [1 favorite]

One caveat for me: Remote locations are great/awesome, as long as I can get there without spending an arm and a leg.

A lot of small airports can be surprisingly cheap to get to, while other (central and non-exotic locations) are inexplicably f--ing expensive (I'm looking at you, Detroit!).
posted by schmod at 9:23 AM on February 27

Huh. My guess is that you're not a hub for Delta/Northwest, as that makes getting to Detroit pretty cheap.

And Detroit has a lot of really nice natural areas around it, or close enough to it. Hell, Detroit itself has a lot to offer. The DIA is spectacular, especially now that they've finished all the renovations.
posted by klangklangston at 9:39 AM on February 27

I really doubt we'll be able to get over to the USA for a MeFi retreat, but I'm going to fill the survey out anyway because I would really love to come.
posted by daisyk at 10:01 AM on February 27

Quick debug note: I filled out the survey and also got a "! This question must have an answer" note on q1. I tried submitting it with two boxes, three boxes and one box checked and it only went through when one was checked.
posted by daisyk at 10:06 AM on February 27 [1 favorite]

but I'd be uncomfortable with a "participates a lot on the site" criteria to the fund distribution.

I only meant in the sense that I'm not paying for some guy who posted a single AskMe about defragmenting his drive in 2007 and never visited the site again to get a free trip to Vegas.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 10:48 AM on February 27

Well, but wouldn't he be punished by having to spend all his time with MeFites in Vegas?
posted by klangklangston at 10:52 AM on February 27 [2 favorites]

special exceptions could be made for the guy who's used to being silenced all his life, or the person who was just looking for a used car
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 10:54 AM on February 27 [1 favorite]

Well, but wouldn't he be punished by having to spend all his time with MeFites in Vegas?

But the state of his hard drive just depresses the hell out of me and would ruin my trip.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 10:55 AM on February 27 [1 favorite]

I suggest choosing the scholarship recipients the exact same way the Western university system has done it for centuries: chess boxing.
posted by griphus at 11:00 AM on February 27 [1 favorite]

If this happens, I am baking cookies for EVERYONE.
posted by rachaelfaith at 11:27 AM on February 27 [1 favorite]

cue gigantic thread re: type of cookies and whether we are allowed to eat them in our bunks
posted by twist my arm at 11:29 AM on February 27

Cookie selection would theoretically include the following:

-Peanut butter
-Snickerdoodle
-Oatmeal cranberry

Someone else can make chocolate chip. After many years of futzing with 'the perfect chocolate chip recipe' in all of its various offerings and only come up with mediocre results, I have given up and assumed I am not meant to bake chocolate chip cookies.

Here is the result of my last cookie-baking frenzy.
posted by rachaelfaith at 11:37 AM on February 27 [7 favorites]

Oooh! I can bake the chocolate chip cookies! And brownies. Really, really good brownies (not THOSE kind, jeez).

Also, I can make salted caramel ice cream. And other stuff.

But mostly let's concentrate on breakfast and sweets.
posted by cooker girl at 11:42 AM on February 27

We're definitely going to be talking about food prep once we figure out a date and location!
posted by Sophie1 at 11:56 AM on February 27 [2 favorites]

All I know is that if I am lucky enough to be selected for a scholarship to attend the inaugural Camp MeFi (first annual? feel free to chime in with proper naming conventions) I will bring trunk cookies for everyone, wear a fedora everywhere, and insist on giving all the pretty girls banjos to play. It'll be amazing!

However, if I happen to wander away from camp and ruin my perfectly nice sweater, the mods better pay to replace it!
posted by Arbac at 12:29 PM on February 27 [3 favorites]

Filled out the survey, where I learned much about places of interest in the US that I was previously unaware of. I'm normally a city girl for home and travel, but voted heavily for the more remote locations because I am envsioning Camp MetaFilter (we hold you in our hearts!) and it is a vision of awesome. But I imagine the awesome would follow us wherever we went so honestly I'm in whenever, wherever.

Well, almost. Can we take place relative to weather in consideration? Because as much as I love NOLA and will jump on nearly any excuse to go there, I'm not sure even Camp MetaFilter could lure me there in the summertime.

And count me in for kitchen duties! I'm more than willing to help keep us all caffeinated with my travel coffee setup.
posted by rhiannonstone at 12:49 PM on February 27

Yeah, I hear that. I actually think NOLA is maybe the ideal place in that it's laidback/relatively cheap as hell but very festive (maybe Las Vegas is similar in my mind in terms of working really well though, granted, but I've never been there), but then it becomes a matter of constricting when it happens due to weather and popularity to a degree that might be problematic. Hrmmm.
posted by ifjuly at 1:01 PM on February 27

rachaelfaith: "If this happens, I am baking cookies for EVERYONE."

Judging by your comments, you already have.
posted by scrump at 1:01 PM on February 27

Eponysterical, ifjuly.
posted by rhiannonstone at 1:14 PM on February 27

Here is the result of my last cookie-baking frenzy.

What's the word for love when it's not a romantic love, because hey I'm married & all that, or even a platonic love because I don't really know you, but a food love? There's a word for that, right? Perhaps it's German.
posted by Devils Rancher at 2:00 PM on February 27 [1 favorite]

inFATuation
posted by phunniemee at 2:13 PM on February 27 [1 favorite]

The committee will factor local weather into the conversation about survey results and venue selection.
posted by Miko at 2:45 PM on February 27

Camp Metafilter
We hold you in our [+]
And when I think about you
It makes me wanna [!]
posted by maryr at 3:30 PM on February 27 [9 favorites]

For those of us who won't be able to attend:


SKYPE PRESENTS
The Camp MetaFilter
Remote Camping Pavilion

I'm only half-kidding.
posted by Room 641-A at 4:38 PM on February 27 [2 favorites]

If this happens on a cruise ship, I'd worry about all the buffets being stocked only with lots of beans, and lots of plates.

and us all coming down with norovirus
posted by davejay at 4:47 PM on February 27 [1 favorite]

We could set up a laptop with a live feed if there was electricity and internet. Somehow the idea deeply amuses me.
posted by Deoridhe at 4:54 PM on February 27

I wonder how many of us are students, teachers, or academics of some sort, and who therefore would prefer a summer gathering? I put a wide range of dates, because I really, really want to come, regardless, but summer would certainly be most feasible for me.
posted by ocherdraco at 5:26 PM on February 27

If we go camping we have to make lanyards and there has to be an option for earning merit badges.
posted by bibliogrrl at 6:32 PM on February 27 [7 favorites]

There's no time of year that will be ideal for everyone. Summer is the toughest time of year for others to get away. But once the results are in, the folks on the committee will take general preferences of those who have responded into account.
posted by Miko at 7:05 PM on February 27

Of course. That's the point of the survey. I'm just idly wondering.
posted by ocherdraco at 7:40 PM on February 27

Will the survey results be made public?
posted by lalex at 7:41 PM on February 27

trip and a half, are you also hyperbole and a half? Because your dog looks just like hers! Too cute!

Heh -- just saw this. No, I'm not she (I'm not even a she), but I do like her blog and her dog!
posted by trip and a half at 7:51 PM on February 27

lalex: "Will the survey results be made public?"

Hell no! You didn't join the planning committee, you don't get to see them! They're ours, all ours! /hamburger

I can't see any reason we wouldn't release them.
posted by IndigoRain at 11:02 PM on February 27 [1 favorite]

uh because i thought the list of preferred bunk mates was going to be private
posted by klangklangston at 11:33 PM on February 27 [2 favorites]

We will probably include a summary of the survey results in a future post, yes.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 3:31 AM on February 28

I've wistfully completed it, on the off-chance that I might come into enough money between now and then to be able to skip over the Atlantic and join the party

Same, but completed with grim determination. Ia! Ia! MeFi fhtagn!

However, if I happen to wander away from camp and ruin my perfectly nice sweater, the mods better pay to replace it!

That was a really weird thread.
posted by ersatz at 3:37 AM on February 28 [1 favorite]

385 responses thus far.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:28 AM on February 28

there has to be an option for earning merit badges

OK, if the camp idea is happening, someone definitely needs to come up with merit badges. I want a damn merit badge!
posted by Sophie1 at 7:58 AM on February 28 [2 favorites]

I have been thinking a lot about merit badges lately because I'm so annoyed with the badges my daughter is earning in Girl Scouts (etiquette? really in 2013?). If this happens after I'm out of grad school (Aug 2013!) I'd like to work on some MeFi merit badges.

Ideally I'd like to work with some artsy people on developing cross-platform badges using a combo of Mozilla's Open Badges and physical badges. I've been wanting to dig into Open Badges anyway, and this would be a fun way to do it.
posted by jeoc at 8:29 AM on February 28 [1 favorite]

Honestly jeoc, I've been wanting to create badges for years, but I have to upgrade my sewing machine. Perhaps this is a good time.....
posted by Sophie1 at 8:45 AM on February 28 [2 favorites]

Here is your merit badger.
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:56 AM on February 28 [2 favorites]

What's the word for love when it's not a romantic love, because hey I'm married & all that, or even a platonic love because I don't really know you, but a food love? There's a word for that, right? Perhaps it's German.

I'm asking the same question, except I'm single, so there might be some romantic love involved here.


Also, I'm totally down for helping with these early morning breakfast shenanigans.
I have a thing for large kitchens.
posted by Folk at 9:11 AM on February 28

I'm really hopeing Cortex and Chococat and the others from MefiMusic bring their jams. That might be the most exciting part.
posted by Folk at 9:18 AM on February 28

Okay, now I know you're gonna hate me for suggesting something like this so late in the game, but please hear me out :

What about two gatherings?

It seems like two main contingents have formed : (1) people who want an intimate, MeFites-only thing, someplace remote, like a campground or something, and (2) people who would prefer it happen in a fun, interesting city they'd want to visit regardless.

Why can't we do both? For example, the city meetup would be something informal and open-ended, like the 8th Anniversary in PDX. People would be free to find their own accommodations, and we could also try to work out a group rate somewhere. It would take place over a weekend and have a rough agenda that people could follow or disregard as they pleased. This sort of thing would involve far less in the way of logistics, so we could have it sooner -- like, this summer or fall.

And then the camping meetup could be there for the really hardcore folks with the really really understanding significant others and families. They could get their MeFi-on in the company of their fellow hardcores, in pleasant, intimate surroundings, over the course of a weekend or a week, or whatever. This would obviously involve more-involved logistics, so it would make sense to have it sometime next year, during whatever season makes the most sense.

Just a thought....
posted by Afroblanco at 9:30 AM on February 28

I imagine something like the city meetup you suggested will spring up organically around the 15th anniversary, the way it did for the 8th in PDX and the 10th in NOLA, so in a way you can already count on that being a Thing. This Giant Vacation we're planning would be some version of the intimate MeFites only meetu. Not an explicit distinction with two planning committees or whatever, but the same end result, more or less?
posted by Phire at 9:35 AM on February 28 [2 favorites]

There can be as many gatherings as people want. We'll be planning the one we plan. Feel free to plan something different once you figure out exactly what you hate about the one we haven't started planning yet.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 9:53 AM on February 28 [15 favorites]

Okay, I'm all caught up on both threads and did the survey, Woot!

Venue
Sorry I derailed with the cruise stuff, as I didn't realize that had been hashed out earlier.

Seems like a place that handles large groups with a variety of comfortable accommodations, from rustic cabin style to inn/hotel rooms is what we need. And they actually exist!

Everybody, before you do the survey, I recommend you check out Miko's suggestions from the earlier thread for Block Island and the NE area, theyoungroperider's Bretton Woods proposal, and paulsc's really enthusiastic and charmingly detailed Memphis ideas (even a Mefi parade!). New Orleans is always in the mix, but may be a 14th anniversary spot, and Portland was also pretty enthusiastically proposed, but may be tough for some to get to. Anyway, good stuff in that thread.

Food
Sounds like we want to have some food-making options in the mix, for sure. Lots of awesome cooks on Metafilter.

Merit badges
I can embroider merit badges on my embroidery sewing machine if I have designs! But not, like, thousands of them.

Activities
Love the idea of board games and such
Would also really enjoy some pub trivia type matches
Geocaching could be fun
I am against the "no WIFI access" idea, because I think some video cams, live blogging and stuff could be fun for attendees and non-attendees alike.
posted by misha at 9:55 AM on February 28 [3 favorites]

Just adding on that The Whelk's little video at the Guy Fiero event was fun for me, as a non-attendee, to share, so that kind of thing should be encouraged!
posted by misha at 9:58 AM on February 28 [2 favorites]

TPS : whoa whoa whoa whoa, slow down! Nobody's hating anything. I was just offering a suggestion. Not trying to get all up in your bidness.

geez.
posted by Afroblanco at 10:11 AM on February 28

Geocaching could be fun

We could set up some Amazing Race style events.

I am against the "no WIFI access" idea

I hear you but it's a little likely to be in conflict with some of the camplike settings. We'll see what we have for actual options when we get to the point of knowing what destination(s) are most preferred.
posted by Miko at 10:12 AM on February 28

Phire : this is the first I'm hearing about a 15th anniversary party. I could be game for that...
posted by Afroblanco at 10:15 AM on February 28

This will likely happen right as Ms. Mintcake and I are experiencing the joys of Brand New Parenthood. You guys enjoy, and WHELK, TAKE VIDEO PLEASE.
posted by mintcake! at 10:18 AM on February 28 [1 favorite]

If it's camping, I'm the queen of lanyard making - box, barrel, double box and the oh so impressive double barrel. And ... the reversy.

Just putting that out there.
posted by 26.2 at 10:22 AM on February 28 [4 favorites]

You want Whelk to film the birth?
posted by 26.2 at 10:23 AM on February 28 [2 favorites]

OH WOW WHELK, MEMAIL COMING
posted by mintcake! at 10:25 AM on February 28

I love all the camping suggestions. If we do end up with a camping scenario, we totally have to do activities, like lanyards and stuff, have badges, s'mores, ghost stories, you name it. Might as well do it up. I'll bring my guitar and best campfire classics and plenty of progrma ideas (Capture the Flag....)

My 8 summers on camp staff wasn't for nothin'.
posted by Miko at 11:07 AM on February 28 [4 favorites]

I am in favor of color wars and also crafts hut.
posted by asperity at 12:17 PM on February 28

I do not understand the point of camping without s'mores. Camping, nay, any outdoor fire, intentionally set, should never be done without s'mores.
posted by Sophie1 at 12:32 PM on February 28

I am all fine with marshmallow roasting but I have never really liked s'mores. I have never had them done right.

My family/camping friends have tended towards engineers so when I think best campfires I think of drawing glass and casting aluminum.
posted by mountmccabe at 1:37 PM on February 28 [1 favorite]

bibliogrrl: "If we go camping we have to make lanyards and there has to be an option for earning merit badges."

I can suggest some merit badges.
posted by workerant at 2:04 PM on February 28 [3 favorites]

Can I add something to my response to the survey?

Because I have just discovered that the actual camp where they filmed the movie "Meatballs" is AVAILABLE FOR RENT.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:04 PM on February 28 [2 favorites]

Wow that camp is so close to where I spent my summers growing up at the family cottage, but I had no idea it was there.
posted by mannequito at 4:21 PM on February 28

EmpressCallipygos, I just turned to Mr. 26.2 and told him that if I'd have know the Meatballs' camp was available we would not have gotten married in Maui. We'd have had a destination wedding to Meatballs Camp.

Planning vow renewal now.
posted by 26.2 at 6:28 PM on February 28

dude film your own birth.
posted by The Whelk at 9:49 PM on February 28 [1 favorite]

I mean not literally.
posted by The Whelk at 9:49 PM on February 28

but that would be awesome.
posted by The Whelk at 9:49 PM on February 28

Why don't you come anyways mintcake? I'm sure we have some midwives among us, I volunteer to be your wife's doula, and we can all earn our birth merit badges! And your baby would have the honor of being the first Mefi baby also delivered by Mefites!
posted by IndigoRain at 11:04 PM on February 28

Wow that kid would be f- uh, interesting, to be sure.

But seriously, happy procreation, mintcake!s!

posted by zoinks at 12:24 AM on March 1 [1 favorite]

I can coach:

"Auugh!! She's having the baby!! Auughh!" *runs, flails arms*
posted by Devils Rancher at 10:44 AM on March 1 [1 favorite]

"Auugh!! She's having the baby!! Auughh!" *runs, flails arms*"

BABY!
posted by Room 641-A at 10:59 AM on March 1 [2 favorites]

BREAKING: comedy podcast network Maximum Fun is launching a cruise
posted by Bwithh at 10:12 PM on March 1

I answered, but grumpily. I do not like having to pick a good time. There are no good times. All times are bad. Eventually I picked all the times, because all times are equally bad, so I guess that also means they are equally good. But I spend too much time on mefi so I had to come share my grousing with all of you anyhow.
posted by nat at 11:10 PM on March 4

I would like to be a planner for the event. I am impatient and I want the planners to have a Fun Event in NYC or a camping location near Boston in Summer 2013. Why wait to Have Fun?

I took the survey, signed up for email, and will provide (small amounts of) graft to have mny choices.
posted by theora55 at 7:42 PM on March 10 [1 favorite]

Last day to take the survey!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:30 AM on March 11

Survey data is in, we're starting to look at it. I e-mailed it out to everyone who messaged me, I think; if you didn't get it, please drop me a line.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:29 AM on March 17