Metafilter New Year's Gala October 29, 2020 3:38 PM Subscribe
Hey, MetaFilter, we're having a party, and you're all invited! On Saturday, January 2, we're going to have a live gala via Zoom, celebrating Metafilter and our users, showcasing some of the amazing people and talents on the site, and debuting some NEW MERCH. Come inside to find out what we have planned and what we'd like from you!
Where: MetaFilter Gala, live on Zoom, streamed to YouTube, with a Metatalk thread on the side to chat by text if that's how you roll
When: January 2, 2021
What: We've got a million ideas, and we're sure you've got a million more! We want to feature you guys and your talents, live or recorded. Play music? Do spoken word? Hit us up. But we're also going to showcase visual art, do some trivia, shoot the shit, see your pet pictures. We'd love to hear what other ideas you have!
Timeline:
November: Think of what cool stuff you want to perform or share! If you want to record it, go ahead and record -- we love early birds! The team will be collecting pet pictures and visual art pictures that we'll turn into a reel, e-mail those here with the subject GALA PICS.
Also in November, if you have amazing ideas for more things we could include in the gala, even if you don't want to participate in them yourself, tell us about it! Tell everyone about it!
December 1: We'd like to have all proposals by December 1, so we can start to see the shape of what we're looking at.
December 18: Deadline for getting us photos, pre-recorded performances, and related things.
January 2: GALA!
And now the most important part:
FOOD!
At a gala you gotta have food! But we all can't be in the same place to share *sad face*! So Eyebrows McGee is compiling some Official Gala Recipes -- some very simple, some very complex -- and Signature Gala Drinks, and we'll be providing those to you in the lead-up to the Gala so you can eat and drink along with your fellow Mefites. Got ideas for signature MeFi dishes? Email us with the subject line GALA MENU
Where: MetaFilter Gala, live on Zoom, streamed to YouTube, with a Metatalk thread on the side to chat by text if that's how you roll
When: January 2, 2021
What: We've got a million ideas, and we're sure you've got a million more! We want to feature you guys and your talents, live or recorded. Play music? Do spoken word? Hit us up. But we're also going to showcase visual art, do some trivia, shoot the shit, see your pet pictures. We'd love to hear what other ideas you have!
Timeline:
November: Think of what cool stuff you want to perform or share! If you want to record it, go ahead and record -- we love early birds! The team will be collecting pet pictures and visual art pictures that we'll turn into a reel, e-mail those here with the subject GALA PICS.
Also in November, if you have amazing ideas for more things we could include in the gala, even if you don't want to participate in them yourself, tell us about it! Tell everyone about it!
December 1: We'd like to have all proposals by December 1, so we can start to see the shape of what we're looking at.
December 18: Deadline for getting us photos, pre-recorded performances, and related things.
January 2: GALA!
And now the most important part:
FOOD!
At a gala you gotta have food! But we all can't be in the same place to share *sad face*! So Eyebrows McGee is compiling some Official Gala Recipes -- some very simple, some very complex -- and Signature Gala Drinks, and we'll be providing those to you in the lead-up to the Gala so you can eat and drink along with your fellow Mefites. Got ideas for signature MeFi dishes? Email us with the subject line GALA MENU
Are we pronouncing it 'Gae-luh or 'Gal-uh or 'Gall-uh? Please provide your answer in the form of a gif.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:15 PM on October 29, 2020 [38 favorites]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:15 PM on October 29, 2020 [38 favorites]
I love this idea and I shall email in my hurricane recipe. It's just like being on Bourbon Street, but I'll assume your home smells much better.
posted by COD at 4:20 PM on October 29, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by COD at 4:20 PM on October 29, 2020 [6 favorites]
Actually, my home currently smells like bleach. Long story.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:23 PM on October 29, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:23 PM on October 29, 2020 [5 favorites]
(also this is great, thank you mod-staff for doing this)
posted by curious nu at 4:58 PM on October 29, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by curious nu at 4:58 PM on October 29, 2020 [2 favorites]
Sounds like fun. I may mail in some cookie recipes. And cat picture. Always cat pictures.
posted by kathrynm at 5:23 PM on October 29, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by kathrynm at 5:23 PM on October 29, 2020 [2 favorites]
Neat! Anyone who's ever wanted to meet my dog, rest assured he will be in attendance.
posted by phunniemee at 5:34 PM on October 29, 2020 [11 favorites]
posted by phunniemee at 5:34 PM on October 29, 2020 [11 favorites]
I think a cat picture montage would be delightful.
posted by jessamyn (retired) at 5:36 PM on October 29, 2020 [18 favorites]
posted by jessamyn (retired) at 5:36 PM on October 29, 2020 [18 favorites]
I'm in. Or, Almond. One of those. Wait what was the question?
Yeah, this sounds like fun. Thanks for doing this.
It's the worst candy. Brings no one joy.
posted by Stanczyk at 5:40 PM on October 29, 2020 [1 favorite]
Yeah, this sounds like fun. Thanks for doing this.
It's the worst candy. Brings no one joy.
posted by Stanczyk at 5:40 PM on October 29, 2020 [1 favorite]
Also, I ordered a tuxedo for an upcoming awards ceremony I'm attending via Zoom. If it actually fits, I'll wear it for this too. Then it's a guaranteed tax deduction. But don't get your hopes up. It is highly unlikely to fit this quarantined bod.
posted by Stanczyk at 5:45 PM on October 29, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by Stanczyk at 5:45 PM on October 29, 2020 [6 favorites]
I just want to briefly mention that this past weekend a group of us had a halloween party which was going to run on Zoom for large events and then use Discord for breakout sessions and text chat, and by the end of the first night we had entirely abandoned Zoom and did everyone on Discord. Pretty robust video chat and the the entire thing was just so much EASIER than Zoom once we understood the interface.
The party ended up being a whole lot of fun, and a lot of us are still hanging out "at the party" so to speak.
Might be worth looking into the difference before deciding on a setting for the party, because our experience was very much slanted toward Discord by the end of 3-4 days of hanging out.
posted by hippybear at 5:50 PM on October 29, 2020 [6 favorites]
The party ended up being a whole lot of fun, and a lot of us are still hanging out "at the party" so to speak.
Might be worth looking into the difference before deciding on a setting for the party, because our experience was very much slanted toward Discord by the end of 3-4 days of hanging out.
posted by hippybear at 5:50 PM on October 29, 2020 [6 favorites]
Oh yeah, the size of the halloween party was as large as maybe 50 logged in at once at one point and probably a out 120 total visitors across the party.
posted by hippybear at 5:52 PM on October 29, 2020
posted by hippybear at 5:52 PM on October 29, 2020
This sounds like a great idea! Now to come up with some sort of talent where I won't need to pause for three hours while some glue dries.
posted by bondcliff at 6:06 PM on October 29, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by bondcliff at 6:06 PM on October 29, 2020 [6 favorites]
This sounds like a great idea! Now to come up with some sort of talent where I won't need to pause for three hours while some glue dries.
I mean, we're gonna party all night, soooooo....
posted by curious nu at 6:32 PM on October 29, 2020 [1 favorite]
I mean, we're gonna party all night, soooooo....
posted by curious nu at 6:32 PM on October 29, 2020 [1 favorite]
I have no ideas to share but this is so exciting!! I can't wait!!!
posted by youarenothere at 6:32 PM on October 29, 2020
posted by youarenothere at 6:32 PM on October 29, 2020
"Now to come up with some sort of talent where I won't need to pause for three hours while some glue dries."
feel free to do a timelapse video! Or just send us a picture of the finished product!
posted by Eyebrows McGee (staff) at 6:59 PM on October 29, 2020 [1 favorite]
feel free to do a timelapse video! Or just send us a picture of the finished product!
posted by Eyebrows McGee (staff) at 6:59 PM on October 29, 2020 [1 favorite]
Oooh, this sounds like so much fun!
posted by SisterHavana at 7:40 PM on October 29, 2020
posted by SisterHavana at 7:40 PM on October 29, 2020
Date marked in calendar. Thread added to activity! May just be a passive spectator this time, but every party needs those too!
posted by ipsative at 7:49 PM on October 29, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by ipsative at 7:49 PM on October 29, 2020 [1 favorite]
I will be there, lurking lurking ever lurking. I may get inspired, however, by my beer muse and start doodling frantically and possibly singing too, basso profondo of course and announcing my presence in ways that will undoubtedly leave me hideously embarrassed the day after.
Sounds fun, I'm in!
posted by h00py at 2:46 AM on October 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
Sounds fun, I'm in!
posted by h00py at 2:46 AM on October 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
This sounds awesome! Could it possibly be recorded and available after? For those of us who may be at work.
posted by cozenedindigo at 6:36 AM on October 30, 2020
posted by cozenedindigo at 6:36 AM on October 30, 2020
We definitely want to have a recorded version for folks who can't make it live. (Or who can't make it to the whole thing live.)
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 8:00 AM on October 30, 2020
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 8:00 AM on October 30, 2020
I'm in! Just sent pictures of my cats and a few visual art pics.
posted by wicked_sassy at 8:05 AM on October 30, 2020
posted by wicked_sassy at 8:05 AM on October 30, 2020
I'm currently scheduled to be quarantining that weekend for work-related reasons, so this sounds like a great way to relieve the isolation and monotony!
posted by backseatpilot at 8:15 AM on October 30, 2020
posted by backseatpilot at 8:15 AM on October 30, 2020
This should be in with the recipes. It comes with an Instructable.
posted by aniola at 8:36 AM on October 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by aniola at 8:36 AM on October 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
> debuting some NEW MERCH
T-SHIRT CANNON! T-SHIRT CANNON!
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:52 AM on October 30, 2020 [5 favorites]
T-SHIRT CANNON! T-SHIRT CANNON!
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:52 AM on October 30, 2020 [5 favorites]
Ooh, could we do a slideshow of Mefite Highlights of 2020? Photos of brand new babies, people holding diplomas, etc?
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:55 AM on October 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:55 AM on October 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
You’re having a birthday party for my baby?! You shouldn’t have!
posted by Night_owl at 9:59 AM on October 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by Night_owl at 9:59 AM on October 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
LOL I pronounce it GA-lah. No "L" sound in the first syllable. Anyway, I'm in. I have no ideas though, I'm bad at those.
posted by foxjacket at 10:29 AM on October 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by foxjacket at 10:29 AM on October 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
can we play among us please
posted by Kitchen Witch at 11:03 AM on October 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by Kitchen Witch at 11:03 AM on October 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
for merch you should have a mefi branded cat scanner - a fully functioning computer aided tomography device - for auction
or how about the worlds biggest portobello mushroom
and a bunch of items whose bid maximum is twenty dollars the same as in town
i am available for consulting at very reasonable rates for practical assistance
posted by lalochezia at 11:39 AM on October 30, 2020 [5 favorites]
or how about the worlds biggest portobello mushroom
and a bunch of items whose bid maximum is twenty dollars the same as in town
i am available for consulting at very reasonable rates for practical assistance
posted by lalochezia at 11:39 AM on October 30, 2020 [5 favorites]
I feel like the difference between a t-shirt cannon capable of addressing MeFi's global audience and a weapons system is.. probably minimal.
posted by Alterscape at 2:00 PM on October 30, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by Alterscape at 2:00 PM on October 30, 2020 [5 favorites]
The cats and I shall attend. Some of us will put on fancy outfits for the occasion.
posted by gingerbeer at 2:03 PM on October 30, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by gingerbeer at 2:03 PM on October 30, 2020 [3 favorites]
Really, all t-shirt cannons are ballistic t-shirt cannons; it's just a matter of trajectory.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 3:11 PM on October 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 3:11 PM on October 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
How will time zones and different continents be considered?
It's such a great idea to have something to look forward to with happy anticipation. Love this.
posted by mightshould at 3:29 PM on October 30, 2020
It's such a great idea to have something to look forward to with happy anticipation. Love this.
posted by mightshould at 3:29 PM on October 30, 2020
How will time zones and different continents be considered?
I believe we're aiming for a big chunk of time that should hit either morning, evening or mid-day in most of the places where we have members.
posted by jessamyn (retired) at 4:04 PM on October 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
I believe we're aiming for a big chunk of time that should hit either morning, evening or mid-day in most of the places where we have members.
posted by jessamyn (retired) at 4:04 PM on October 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
I 100% will wear a ball gown.
posted by thivaia at 4:38 PM on October 30, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by thivaia at 4:38 PM on October 30, 2020 [4 favorites]
Good heavens, wherever did I put my tiara and monocle!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 4:55 PM on October 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 4:55 PM on October 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
I 100% will wear clothes.
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:21 PM on October 30, 2020 [8 favorites]
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:21 PM on October 30, 2020 [8 favorites]
Good heavens, wherever did I put my bra and pants!!!
(this is an awesome idea, mods!)
posted by vers at 6:08 PM on October 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
(this is an awesome idea, mods!)
posted by vers at 6:08 PM on October 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
We should pronounce "gala" much the same way cortex pronounces bagel.
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 9:25 PM on October 30, 2020
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 9:25 PM on October 30, 2020
I 100% will wear a ball gown.
Much to my sorrow, I felt compelled to shed my ballgowns before I returned to Europe. Otherwise, I absolutely would join you in wearing a ballgown. In the absence of a ball gown, I will join you wearing something else that is also festive and encourage everyone to consider dressing up as a visual treat for those who have been confined to limited areas for way too fucking long.
Thank you so much for this idea. I am literally making a survival plan for the next five months because it gets dark at 4 PM here and, eventually, will get dark at 3 PM. So I need things to look forward to; this will be one of those things.
posted by Bella Donna at 8:09 AM on October 31, 2020 [7 favorites]
Much to my sorrow, I felt compelled to shed my ballgowns before I returned to Europe. Otherwise, I absolutely would join you in wearing a ballgown. In the absence of a ball gown, I will join you wearing something else that is also festive and encourage everyone to consider dressing up as a visual treat for those who have been confined to limited areas for way too fucking long.
Thank you so much for this idea. I am literally making a survival plan for the next five months because it gets dark at 4 PM here and, eventually, will get dark at 3 PM. So I need things to look forward to; this will be one of those things.
posted by Bella Donna at 8:09 AM on October 31, 2020 [7 favorites]
This is a great idea!!!
posted by Foci for Analysis at 10:09 AM on October 31, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Foci for Analysis at 10:09 AM on October 31, 2020 [1 favorite]
Gala pronounced like "Layla" from Derek and The Dominoes,
"Gala -- You got me on my knees
Gala -- I'm beggin', darlin' please
Gala -- Darlin' won't you ease my worried mind"
etc and etc
posted by dancestoblue at 11:12 AM on October 31, 2020 [3 favorites]
"Gala -- You got me on my knees
Gala -- I'm beggin', darlin' please
Gala -- Darlin' won't you ease my worried mind"
etc and etc
posted by dancestoblue at 11:12 AM on October 31, 2020 [3 favorites]
I would love to be here for this, although I usually have to work on Saturdays... do we know what time things will be getting rolling?
posted by CarrotAdventure at 1:35 PM on November 1, 2020
posted by CarrotAdventure at 1:35 PM on November 1, 2020
I am gonna need a reminder about this, but some friends and I are working on brainstorming some performance stuff that might be submittable for here, even if it's for a Christmas show.
Or uh, there could be a slide show of stuff I made :P
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:59 PM on November 1, 2020
Or uh, there could be a slide show of stuff I made :P
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:59 PM on November 1, 2020
I’m not sure I have much to contribute beyond dog pictures, but I will be lurking, waiting for my opportunity to buy merch. MERCH!
posted by Kreiger at 10:41 AM on November 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Kreiger at 10:41 AM on November 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
Idea: speed meetups. This is something my company has been doing during the pandemic over Zoom - people who are interested in spending 10mins talking to another random employee sign up to join the session, there's a host who assigns people into randomised breakout rooms, people talk in their breakout rooms in pairs (or bigger groups) for 10mins, then everyone goes back into the main Zoom call and gets reassigned to meet up with another person/group. Conversation prompts are usually helpful and we try to have a theme for each session.
Suggesting because I'm unlikely to join a big unstructured hangout, but would be more up for the idea of spending an hour or two having mini-conversations with a random selection of MeFites.
posted by terretu at 7:27 AM on November 20, 2020 [16 favorites]
Suggesting because I'm unlikely to join a big unstructured hangout, but would be more up for the idea of spending an hour or two having mini-conversations with a random selection of MeFites.
posted by terretu at 7:27 AM on November 20, 2020 [16 favorites]
Oh, this sounds like a fun time, I'm in, assuming I can make it. Which I can, because never leaving the house. I bet I can even dig up some pics of the cats.
I 100% will wear a ball gown.
I'll do a gown too. Gowns for everyone.
posted by mrgoat at 5:13 PM on November 20, 2020 [2 favorites]
I 100% will wear a ball gown.
I'll do a gown too. Gowns for everyone.
posted by mrgoat at 5:13 PM on November 20, 2020 [2 favorites]
I'm sure you are, but please make sure to follow best practices and have a sign-up form beforehand (Zoom offers this option), restrict somehow to only folks with a username here, don't post the link publicly, and take other steps to mitigate z o o m b o m b i n g. Learn from my and others' experience on that front; it's not fun.
And this idea does sound fun! I kinda wish they'd had virtual galas back when a summer program I went to had regular reunions. Hmmm.
posted by limeonaire at 5:49 AM on November 21, 2020 [5 favorites]
And this idea does sound fun! I kinda wish they'd had virtual galas back when a summer program I went to had regular reunions. Hmmm.
posted by limeonaire at 5:49 AM on November 21, 2020 [5 favorites]
I've been quite lonely lately and this sounds like a really nice break from that. I hope to make it.
posted by crunchy potato at 1:03 PM on November 21, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by crunchy potato at 1:03 PM on November 21, 2020 [5 favorites]
I just suggested a MeFi music 'challenge' to help provide the soundtrack. Participation over there has been a tad slow lately, but hopefully this project will spark some interest. Either way, I have tons of recorded music and should be able to crank something out just for the occasion.
Here's one of my old posts that kind of fits the upbeat mood for a New Years Eve celebration (the solo reminds me - we lost Eddie Van Halen this year, too - feels like forever ago, doesn't it?):
https://music.metafilter.com/7943/Game-Night
posted by AppleSeed at 2:26 PM on November 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
Here's one of my old posts that kind of fits the upbeat mood for a New Years Eve celebration (the solo reminds me - we lost Eddie Van Halen this year, too - feels like forever ago, doesn't it?):
https://music.metafilter.com/7943/Game-Night
posted by AppleSeed at 2:26 PM on November 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
Not all of us can or want to drink or eat to celebrate. This has always been my major issue with IRL holiday gatherings and to be honest I'm relieved and glad to be rid of the obligation to attend any.
However, I'd like to attend this one without all the distractions. Wondering if we could reserve a half hour just to hang out without all the consumables, maybe the first half hour of the gala.
posted by Sheydem-tants at 2:59 PM on November 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
However, I'd like to attend this one without all the distractions. Wondering if we could reserve a half hour just to hang out without all the consumables, maybe the first half hour of the gala.
posted by Sheydem-tants at 2:59 PM on November 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
So, where do we send proposals? His thoughts were red thoughts and I have a video that would be fitting. (Apologies if this is completely obvious to other less literal minded peeps).
posted by kjs4 at 10:56 PM on November 22, 2020
posted by kjs4 at 10:56 PM on November 22, 2020
I’m hoping for a festive mocktail recipe or two for those of us who can’t do alcohol. Cheers!
posted by kinnakeet at 3:30 AM on November 23, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by kinnakeet at 3:30 AM on November 23, 2020 [3 favorites]
Excellent! You can put ideas/proposals here in this thread or bring them to the contact form (or just send an email to: admin at mefi.us). Put the word "Gala" somewhere in the subject line. Thank you!
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 11:06 AM on November 23, 2020
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 11:06 AM on November 23, 2020
For the video and photo reels, will they exist on metafilter in perpetuity or disappear after the gala?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 1:10 PM on November 23, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 1:10 PM on November 23, 2020 [1 favorite]
I have a bomb-ass mocktail ready to go (it's blue, and it's delicious).
As for eating and drinking, we won't be eating and drinking AT each other, we'll just be providing some recipes so people can feel like they're sharing a meal no matter where they are, if they want to. Or they can just enjoy the show. We're still working on the whole format, and parts will be interactive, and other parts will be more "host introduces someone who performs a song." So we won't all be on zoom staring at each other eating. :)
posted by Eyebrows McGee (staff) at 1:30 PM on November 23, 2020 [2 favorites]
As for eating and drinking, we won't be eating and drinking AT each other, we'll just be providing some recipes so people can feel like they're sharing a meal no matter where they are, if they want to. Or they can just enjoy the show. We're still working on the whole format, and parts will be interactive, and other parts will be more "host introduces someone who performs a song." So we won't all be on zoom staring at each other eating. :)
posted by Eyebrows McGee (staff) at 1:30 PM on November 23, 2020 [2 favorites]
I want a sing along. Maybe Auld Lang Syne would be appropriate, but I'm open to just about anything with an anthem sort of feel, or anything out of a classic musical, or pop songs from the 80s, or folk music. There need to be enough singers that nobody can actually hear me, but somehow we sound awesome together. I think we should do a few songs, cause how long is this thing anyway?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:03 PM on November 23, 2020
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:03 PM on November 23, 2020
Virtual parade floats!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 9:43 AM on November 24, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 9:43 AM on November 24, 2020 [2 favorites]
I'm holding out for the drink-along.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:47 PM on November 25, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:47 PM on November 25, 2020 [3 favorites]
This really sounds fun!
posted by freakazoid at 5:52 PM on November 25, 2020
posted by freakazoid at 5:52 PM on November 25, 2020
I have a pre-recorded video all ready to go that would be a good fit for the gala I think. Is it ok to submit something that has existed for a few months, or would it be preferable to record something newer for this? I'm fine with the latter - just thought it wouldn't hurt to ask!
posted by nayantara at 2:30 PM on November 26, 2020
posted by nayantara at 2:30 PM on November 26, 2020
Totally ok for something from earlier, just maybe give us a few words to contextualize it so we can give it a proper intro.
posted by jessamyn (retired) at 3:12 PM on November 26, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by jessamyn (retired) at 3:12 PM on November 26, 2020 [1 favorite]
I will grab some people and make this happen !
posted by infini at 6:40 AM on November 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by infini at 6:40 AM on November 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
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posted by warriorqueen at 3:58 PM on October 29, 2020