Photos of last night's Los Angeles meetup. May 19, 2005 8:19 PM   Subscribe


In attendance were: Asparagirl, DaShiv, Hatred (MoFi), Hands of Manos, mandyman (MoFi), mzurer, nomad, Plutor, schyler523, scody, sexyrobot (MoFi), Space Kitty, spacekitten (MoFi), splatta, and four guests.

Apparantly Angelinos are notoriously fickle when it comes to MeFi meetups, and it took an unholy convergence of next-gen consoles, booth babes, gaming schwag, Star Wars, and my presence via a roadtrip (the main attraction, of course) to draw so many MeFites together. The world may never see such a gathering again -- at least, that's what Guelaguetza (the restaurant) is hoping, in any case.

Props goes to splatta for skillfully shooting using my manual rangefinder camera while I was circling about grabbing candids and shoutouts. There were no shortages of big fancy cameras present and way more shoutouts than I could have shot by myself, so I'm sure more shoutouts will be posted once everyone has recovered from the week (and from E3). Incidentally, since I'm traveling and had worked on these using a non-calibrated monitor, the colors may be off by a bit (skewed toward either yellow or red/magenta since I erred on the side of warm). Sorry about those of you looking a bit jaundiced or red-faced.

Hi everyone!
posted by DaShiv at 8:20 PM on May 19, 2005


Beautiful photos!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:21 PM on May 19, 2005 [1 favorite]


cool! great pics, and thanks for the shoutout--you had a good crowd. : >
posted by amberglow at 8:23 PM on May 19, 2005


Wow! I didn't realize spacekitten was Janeane Garofalo! Cool!
posted by caitlinb at 9:02 PM on May 19, 2005


Those photos were gorgeous. kudos to the photog. See, this is why I live in NY, because everyone in LA is apparently hip and attractive. WHERE ARE THE UGLIES, YOU BASTARDS!?
posted by shmegegge at 9:04 PM on May 19, 2005


You sir take some very fine photos.

Plutor looks Kottkesque. And this is great.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 9:05 PM on May 19, 2005


/me hugs mzurer
posted by Stynxno at 9:13 PM on May 19, 2005


wow, those are some attractive mefites.
posted by delmoi at 9:19 PM on May 19, 2005


Awesome photos, as usual, DaShiv.
{whistles at splatta}
posted by bonheur at 9:22 PM on May 19, 2005


Hottest meetup crowd yet? Yes, I think so.
posted by amandaudoff at 9:41 PM on May 19, 2005


Here is a picture of DaShiv and his shout-out haiku. To prove he was there and all...

I can't wait till the next one! (there IS a next one right?)
posted by schyler523 at 9:46 PM on May 19, 2005


Wonderful photos! It looks like a great time. (Hands of Manos: you're teh funny. Schyler523, can I have your t-shirt?)
posted by taz at 10:15 PM on May 19, 2005


LAMefites are teh hawt!
posted by Lynsey at 10:17 PM on May 19, 2005


More photos here from Hands of Manos, a.k.a. sThig.
posted by Asparagirl at 10:27 PM on May 19, 2005


So glad it came together at last.

If northern and southern California can agree on anhthing, it's that being photographed by DaShiv is like getting a manicure, haircut, and fasion makeover all in one. Ain't it great how fine that motherfucker makes you look? You poor bastards have never felt so sexy.

Okay, maybe you have seeing as you're all frikkin' hot as hell.

And I like how this one captures the sweat and toil that goes into it.
posted by scarabic at 10:31 PM on May 19, 2005


...and more photos here, from me.
posted by Asparagirl at 10:41 PM on May 19, 2005


This looks like it was a fabulous good time. How nice that so many turned out for the event. Way to represent metafilter! ...and schyler523, you rock and roll and what not for the shout-out!
posted by naxosaxur at 11:10 PM on May 19, 2005


Aww, mzurer, you gave a shoutout to the #mefi junior cabal! I can only assume this means you gave away OUR TOTALLY SECRET PLANS. Well done.
posted by jenovus at 11:39 PM on May 19, 2005


There is but one king o' photography, and DaShiv is his name -- the man could make a plate of sick look dashing. My hat is off to you, sir! (And seriously: it was the best fucking time.)
posted by scody at 12:24 AM on May 20, 2005


You're a damned attractive lot.
posted by seanyboy at 12:24 AM on May 20, 2005


i have to admit, LAMefites rock something hard!
posted by Hands of Manos at 2:46 AM on May 20, 2005


"WHERE ARE THE UGLIES, YOU BASTARDS!?"

your answer
posted by Hands of Manos at 2:55 AM on May 20, 2005


thanks for teh shoutout!

OK, no curls, but I almost got it.
posted by matteo at 3:27 AM on May 20, 2005


caitlinb wrote "Wow! I didn't realize spacekitten was Janeane Garofalo! Cool!"

Well at least we all know who the subject of jonmc's next crush will be.
posted by iconomy at 4:15 AM on May 20, 2005


Hottest meetup crowd yet? Yes, I think so.

No offence to anyone at all but this is a joke, right? Then again on the nerdscale of beauty... ;-)
posted by i_cola at 6:02 AM on May 20, 2005


No, it's not a joke. Those are attractive people by most definitions I'm aware of. Where do you live? LaCĂ´te d'Azure or something?
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 6:08 AM on May 20, 2005


Hottest meetup crowd yet? Yes, I think so.

No offence to anyone at all but this is a joke, right?


i_cola, if you'll be kind enough to send me a plane ticket and an invite to the next non-joke meetup, I'll happily bring my cameras along to validate your claim. Heck I'll buy you a drink, even, if you'll introduce me to the ladies there. :)
posted by DaShiv at 6:22 AM on May 20, 2005


You're a damned attractive lot.

Must be all that fucking sunshine, if it wasn't so cold and gloomy in NYC, we'd all look that good. not. Somehow always pictured Hands Of Manos looking like a mad scientist in a Japanese monster movie. I'm gravely disappointed.
posted by jonmc at 6:36 AM on May 20, 2005


Looks almost like a Microsoft ad, but without the guy in a wheelchair and the afro-carribean dude smiling at how fully-featured MSN messenger is.
posted by fire&wings at 6:53 AM on May 20, 2005


God, I miss California. Of course, if I had been there, I wouldn't have had a picture of me taken, as I'd have been under the table.
posted by WolfDaddy at 6:58 AM on May 20, 2005


wow. monocultural or what.
posted by andrew cooke at 7:09 AM on May 20, 2005


DaShiv: Nice try. All the meetup charity cash is going to the 'Get stavrosthewonderchicken to a meetup' Fund ;-)

Anyway, we've all got bad teeth here in England. But how come it's just about the attractive ladies all of a sudden. For shame...so sexist...
posted by i_cola at 7:22 AM on May 20, 2005


Who^H^H^Hwhat would you have been doing under the table, hrm?
posted by loquacious at 7:22 AM on May 20, 2005


I'll try and get a photo of i_cola next weekend...
posted by blag at 7:44 AM on May 20, 2005


Huh! Hands of Manos has remarkably un-terrifying hands, and Hatred is a snuggler! All my preconceptions are destroyed, and I'd like my money back.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 7:45 AM on May 20, 2005


Hey! You don't have to be Renoir to be able to appreciate art!
You'd better be a good photographer...I look even worse than normal thru a lens.
posted by i_cola at 8:02 AM on May 20, 2005


hawt babes!
posted by quonsar at 8:29 AM on May 20, 2005


Yeah, if I'd known I was palavering with such a buncha hotties, I'd've worn pants.
posted by jonmc at 8:33 AM on May 20, 2005


Jay-zeus. You guys should spend a weekend in Brighton. You'd explode...
posted by i_cola at 8:35 AM on May 20, 2005


Just teasin, mate :)

And, no, I suck at cameras. If, by some miracle, I take a good photo and people are expecting a DaShiv-style explanation using terms like "f-stop" and "bracket" they'll be disappointed. "Well... there's this silver button on the top and I pressed it..."
posted by blag at 8:36 AM on May 20, 2005


...don't worry. I'm wearing my David Hasslehoff mask. Super Sexy!
posted by i_cola at 8:48 AM on May 20, 2005


DaShiv: as with your last set of meetup pics, just gorgeous. What were you shooting with? Geeky details, please!
posted by Mid at 9:12 AM on May 20, 2005


speaking of Dashiv...he is "da shit" for being one of the nicest and most pleasant guys I've ever talked to!

Here is HIS call out for Scarabic and Matthowie and Haikus

by the way, I'm an east coast Atlanta boy...so I really didn't fit the mold of the hawt cali people...but I will confirm...they were teh hawt.
posted by Hands of Manos at 9:21 AM on May 20, 2005


Best looking meetup?

Ha!

Obviously you've never met tog.
posted by dios at 9:24 AM on May 20, 2005


MetafilterLA: best. evar.
posted by Hands of Manos at 9:29 AM on May 20, 2005


Oh, my first shoutout. Thanks. I feel loved. And like many of the other commenters, I can think of at least a few of the pictured MeFites whose love I would be more than pleased to feel. (Then again, there are some New Yorkers I think I'd take home without a second thought, too. Which makes me ask, DaShiv, when are you going to come up here and make us look pretty? Because some of us are and just photograph badly.)
posted by dame at 9:31 AM on May 20, 2005


MeFites whose love I would be more than pleased to feel.

That sounds very hawt when said in a Barry White baritone. But then again so does suppository instructions.


Because some of us are and just photograph badly

Eh, who are we kidding? We're ravaged from the toxic are and life on da mean streets. No camera can save us.
posted by jonmc at 9:44 AM on May 20, 2005




madamjujujive & quonsar preparing to scuba in aruba.

Now that is a sexy meetup.
posted by dios at 10:37 AM on May 20, 2005


dios, this is hardly an appropriate place to show off your wedding pictures.
posted by jonmc at 10:38 AM on May 20, 2005


*gouges own eyes out*

Strangely enough, I remember making a comment about that very picture at the meet-up...but the context escapes me...
posted by schyler523 at 10:44 AM on May 20, 2005


b00beez!one
posted by Hands of Manos at 10:45 AM on May 20, 2005


So when do spacekitten and Space Kitty have their ultimate showdown?
posted by kenko at 11:15 AM on May 20, 2005


            I LOVE SCODY
ROWR!
posted by quonsar at 11:16 AM on May 20, 2005 [1 favorite]


Gawd, my first shoutout (thanks Schyler!). I'm stunned at the sheer numbers of mefites. I mean, good lord. And, like everyone else has already said, how beautiful. < envy>
posted by moonbird at 11:18 AM on May 20, 2005


I'm the mom, I already win.

spacekitten may disagree
posted by Space Kitty at 11:27 AM on May 20, 2005


quonsar = rofl
posted by Hands of Manos at 11:29 AM on May 20, 2005


Quonsar, if you make me that shirt, I will wear it!

Heh. What's amusing is that A) I made DaShiv show me all his photos so I could nix the unflattering ones, and B) given that this is L.A., the closest I ever get to being the hot chick is when I stand next to some up-and-coming starlet and her breasts at the grocery store.
posted by scody at 11:34 AM on May 20, 2005


Her breasts go all the way to the grocery store? Yeah, it's LA.
posted by WolfDaddy at 11:37 AM on May 20, 2005


scody, when I first saw your shirt that night, I thought it said "melons" I had to take a double take...
posted by Hands of Manos at 11:41 AM on May 20, 2005


Oh my GOD, so that's why I always get attention when I wear it! I just thought there were a surprising number of Mekons fans out there... ;)
posted by scody at 11:44 AM on May 20, 2005


In the other meetup thread, scody mentioned "impromptu faux-Tom Waits lyrics-on-a-napkin."

One night me, vidiot and chicobangs had a similar experience when we went to the bowling alley in Port Authority (yes, you read that correctly).

Best I could do was:

In a bus station bowling alley
I met a one-eyed hooker from Mill Valley
We bought rubbing alcohol from a midget named O'Malley
and drank ourselves to sleep...

[kazoo/jew's harp/washboard solo]
posted by jonmc at 11:45 AM on May 20, 2005


Nice shirt, scody.
posted by dobbs at 11:45 AM on May 20, 2005


Then again on the nerdscale of beauty... ;-)
posted by i_cola at 6:02 AM PST on May 20 [!]


Teh nerd hot is mysterious.
posted by Mean Mr. Bucket at 11:50 AM on May 20, 2005


Ah, I loves me some Sally Timms, dobbs! (Now I really want that shirt...)

And jon, that is an excellent Waitsian turn. I feel a blog coming on -- "Lost Tom Waits Lyrics," perhaps accompanied by "Lost Tom Waits Yoga Positions," including Downward Facing Drunken Sailor, Slouching Hooker, and Exultant Crazy Guy on the Corner.
posted by scody at 11:52 AM on May 20, 2005


well I am a melons fan...
posted by Hands of Manos at 11:56 AM on May 20, 2005

including Downward Facing Drunken Sailor, Slouching Hooker, and Exultant Crazy Guy on the Corner.
Huh. Sounds like you drove through my neighborhood on the way home from the Brass Monkey.
posted by mzurer at 12:14 PM on May 20, 2005


Exultant Crazy Guy on the Corner

That's just Chuck E. Weiss.
posted by kenko at 12:18 PM on May 20, 2005


including Downward Facing Drunken Sailor, Slouching Hooker, and Exultant Crazy Guy on the Corner.

What about the Jockey Full Of Bourbon?
posted by jonmc at 12:20 PM on May 20, 2005


See, mzurer, you shoulda come with us!

jon: he can't stand up.
posted by scody at 12:24 PM on May 20, 2005


The Blue Hawaiians do a nifty semi-hula exotica version of "JFOB."
posted by jonmc at 12:25 PM on May 20, 2005


jonmc writes "What about the Jockey Full Of Bourbon?"

Hopefully you were referring to a person that rides horses, and not a supportive undergarment filled with whiskey...gives a whole new meaning to cup of whiskey...let alone a double...
posted by schyler523 at 12:27 PM on May 20, 2005


"The most important piece of equipment is called 'the cup.' It ain't no coffee mug and it ain't no dixie cup, and you sure as fuck don't want to be drinkin' nothin' out of it..."

Actually, the supportive undergarment is known as a "jock," jockeys are just a brand name for tighty-whiteys. Although, there are websites devoted to hot girls wearing jockstraps and little else, which is one bewildering fetish, if you ask me.
posted by jonmc at 12:30 PM on May 20, 2005


Also, if I can bend your ear, I have a wonderful story on the subject.

When I was 8, I started little league. My Dad dropped me off at a local park where I was assigned to a team. I desperately wanted to be a catcher, so I could have a nifty mitt and wear the mask and chest protector. The coach informed us that if we wanted to be catchers, there was another peice of gear that was required.

So, towards my father up in the stands with the other parents, I ran full-tilt boogie and loudly yelled "Dad! I need a protective cup!"

I still don't think he's forgiven me.
posted by jonmc at 12:34 PM on May 20, 2005


Sorry I wasn't able to make it, but how did my restaurant suggestion go? I love that place and have seen some pretty rowdy groups in there before... but it sounds like you were the rowdiest??

anyway, looks like fun!
posted by chaz at 12:37 PM on May 20, 2005


Thank you thank you thank you for the shoutout, scody (and mandyman's thumbs-up); it was the nicest thing that's happened to me all week.

(When the meetup was starting I had just gotten home from the hospital where they had decided NOT to roto-rooter my arteries; currently on heavy medication, low activity and a strict diet, I'll be a very cranky online presence for the foreseeable future, all this Too Much Information provided as context for the following:)



Hopefully, the medical care I'm now getting will make me 49% certain to make it to future L.A. Meetups at least 6 weeks from now. If so, I'll be the Exultant Crazy Guy on the Corner, and maybe I can disprove the theory that DaShiv's cameras can make anybody look good.
posted by wendell at 12:57 PM on May 20, 2005


DaShiv: as with your last set of meetup pics, just gorgeous. What were you shooting with? Geeky details, please!

Thanks -- most of the photos were taken with a Canon 20D and the EF 85mm f/1.2L, handheld at ISO 800 wide open. The camera body is a fairly unremarkable workhorse, but that lens is magical. It's a shame that I'm usually working in my comfort zone in the 24-35mm range (up close and personal) and portraits aren't really my cup of tea.

The vast majority of the post processing work was just balancing colors from the mixed lighting (fading sunlight from windows overhead, incadescent bulbs as main light source, and some flourscents on one end of the table from the adjacent bar) and tweaking the exposures (I'm fairly bad at nailing them and wind up fixing almost exposure afterwards). Very little post processing otherwise -- the hawtness is just a natural by-product of people having a good time.

Well okay, working with vibrant Los Angeles women has something to do with it too.
posted by DaShiv at 1:46 PM on May 20, 2005


these Los Angeles women...they vibrant?
posted by jonmc at 1:52 PM on May 20, 2005



posted by wendell at 1:54 PM on May 20, 2005



posted by wendell at 1:58 PM on May 20, 2005



Just call me the "Man of Tungsten"
posted by wendell at 2:13 PM on May 20, 2005


Aw, pants. This was last night? That's what I get for not checking out the Gray.
posted by RakDaddy at 2:18 PM on May 20, 2005


People, we're getting derailed. The point is that the LA meetup was hot hot hot.

Hot.

Focus... focus..
Ah. Now that's better, isn't it?
posted by metaculpa at 3:39 PM on May 20, 2005


The "pants off" is a fine tradition, and I'm pleased to see MeFites joining in to celebrate our shared cultural history.
posted by cali at 4:11 PM on May 20, 2005


I dunno, this mefite was just confused by the pants removal. But delighted by the clayuda con chorizo y queso.

thanks for not posting the pic where I try to fit the whole thing in my mouth, DaShiv.
posted by mzurer at 4:16 PM on May 20, 2005


Does this mean Saddam is a MoFite?
posted by wendell at 5:01 PM on May 20, 2005


I guess appearing at that waits function required an invitation from the blue gray?
posted by shmegegge at 6:07 PM on May 20, 2005


Huh?
posted by mzurer at 6:30 PM on May 20, 2005


It was a great time, thanks DaShiv for letting me play with that beautiful camera.

Scody, you're the only person I know who has a mekons shirt, and has kissed two of my musical heroes.

jonmc: unless you have an irish accent, and a castle, she's out of your league ;)

and BTW my Tom Waits lyric was:
She's got kitten heels on those chinatown shoes.

California is nice, but I'll be glad to get back to my toxic city.
posted by splatta at 6:43 PM on May 20, 2005


mathowie: "Plutor looks Kottkesque."

I win the meetup!

Truly fantastic photos, DaShiv. Again, it was a pleasure meeting all of you, including the vibrant LA women. And not a valley accent in the house. Keep May 10-12, 2006 open on your calendars; that's E3 next year.
posted by Plutor at 6:53 PM on May 20, 2005


Oh, and amanda, I'm sorry I spilled water on your bag! If it helps any my right shoe got wet too.
posted by splatta at 7:02 PM on May 20, 2005


...DaShiv, when are you going to come up here and make us look pretty? Because some of us are and just photograph badly.

It's true! : <
posted by amberglow at 7:07 PM on May 20, 2005


(or jon's right) : >
posted by amberglow at 7:09 PM on May 20, 2005


jonmc: unless you have an irish accent, and a castle, she's out of your league

Or is a founding member of the Clash! ;)

posted by scody at 7:25 PM on May 20, 2005


It's OK. I'm taken anyway. ;)
posted by jonmc at 7:26 PM on May 20, 2005


Or is a founding member of the Clash! ;)

You'd so settle for Jon Langford.
posted by eriko at 8:34 PM on May 20, 2005


Settle? SETTLE!?

You do not settle for Jon Langford, you embrace him for every one of his quirky brit-cowboy molecules.
posted by splatta at 8:48 PM on May 20, 2005


Yeah, I've embraced Langford too, but that's a whole 'nother drunken story.

ANYhoo: Wendell! I hope you feel better!
posted by scody at 1:34 AM on May 21, 2005


scody is a woman? I had no idea.
posted by bshort at 4:45 AM on May 21, 2005


I'm jealous of scody's t-shirt, and suddenly I miss LA.

But:

This is what I get for leaving NYC.
posted by languagehat at 8:48 AM on May 21, 2005


Hey, Dame! Pay attention to us!
posted by caitlinb at 9:51 AM on May 21, 2005


Oh my, caitlin. I am so embarrassed. Thank you for my first ever shoutout. On a pizza thing no less. Los Angeles, you are number two.
posted by dame at 11:16 AM on May 21, 2005


Man. 2700+ comments and a thousand+ answers to AskMe, but no one ever shouts me out. I'd like to believe it's because my username is just too long, but it's probably just because no one likes me.

/sad
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 11:29 AM on May 21, 2005


Welcome to the club, Civil_D. And I've done much more blatant self-promotion. That's why the full-page shoutout from the Mekons Lady was such a spirit-lifter.

Then again, as long as I'm taking desperate actions...

Either that, or there's a finger in the pepperoni.
posted by wendell at 11:35 AM on May 21, 2005


I can totally see it, Wend!
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 2:46 PM on May 21, 2005


More photos are up here.

There are some from the E3 trip, some from the main meetup, and some from a smaller, unplanned meetup on Friday night at Barney's Beanery in Hollywood. Plutor, scody, boo radley, and myself were there.
posted by splatta at 5:03 PM on May 22, 2005


scody is teh hawt. Smokin'!
posted by geekyguy at 4:07 AM on May 23, 2005


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