LA meetup December 20, 2007 10:07 AM   Subscribe

I'll be in LA between the 29th and 7th...meetup?

Right now it looks like the only day I can't do is the 5th, since that's my aunt and uncle's silver anniversary party.
posted by brujita to MetaFilter Gatherings at 10:07 AM (97 comments total)

Could an admin put the key point of this post ("I'll be in LA between the 29th and 7th...meetup?") on the front page?
posted by matthewr at 10:21 AM on December 20, 2007


Tweaked.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:25 AM on December 20, 2007


I'll be back (with Amy) on the second.

I say YES to an LA meetup.

Is a weekday better for folks? Or a weekend?

I'm not sure when Mandyman gets back…
posted by klangklangston at 11:36 AM on December 20, 2007


We'll be moving through there from the 28th to the 1st going to the desert.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 11:49 AM on December 20, 2007


Gonna come back through here or circumvent?
posted by klangklangston at 12:08 PM on December 20, 2007


Depends wholly on how much of a swamp work is for me at that point (No! Sleep! Time Off! Till Brooklyn! March!), so determine a time/place amongst yourselves and I'll cross my fingers I can make it.
posted by scody at 12:34 PM on December 20, 2007


I'll be back the 31st, so anytime after that is ok by me.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 1:06 PM on December 20, 2007


Yeah, after the New Year is best for me, too...
posted by MythMaker at 2:06 PM on December 20, 2007


My god Slab City is a long drive from here. Might make this the 28th thru the 2nd. Pick a date and a location pepples! I've never been to Medieval Times... hint hint, and I have a clooooooak...
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 3:00 PM on December 20, 2007


Medieval Times has shitty food, especially for vegetarians. My cousin used to wench for 'em, and she warned me off but good. Let's just say that, at least in Chicago, their dedication to period extends to food safety.
posted by klangklangston at 4:08 PM on December 20, 2007


Medieval Times has shitty food

And it's not in LA. It's not even Los Angeles County.
posted by dhammond at 5:12 PM on December 20, 2007


How about the Edison?
*ducks*

Seriously, if y'all hammer out a time/location and it's amenable to my crazy work schedule, I will say I'll be there and then probably wuss out again. But I'll regret it afterwards, promise.
posted by carsonb at 6:32 PM on December 20, 2007


818? As a resident of the gorgeous San Fernando Valley, it is my duty to ask.
posted by dhammond at 8:17 PM on December 20, 2007


I'm 818 raised (when it was STILL 213!), but I'm staying in West LA. How about Ethiopian? Merkato and Messob are my favorites on Fairfax (Rosalind's and Nyala not so much), but I also see that some new places have opened. If this is too out there, we can do Miceli's or Palermo for pizza.
posted by brujita at 10:33 PM on December 20, 2007


God, I love Ethiopian food. For a true cross-cultural experience, we could hit Molly Malone's just down the street afterwards?
posted by Space Kitty at 12:12 AM on December 21, 2007


Won't be back until the 5th, but i'll check back later.
posted by Derek at 12:49 AM on December 21, 2007


Ethiopian + Molly Malone's (if there's no cover) sounds pretty good for me, but I'm only at about a 50/50 - my usual, at this point...
posted by mzurer at 5:05 AM on December 21, 2007


I had a bad experience at Molly Malone's, so no-- I prefer Tom Bergin's. I do drink, but I'll be driving, so I'd prefer just a restaurant. How does the LA contingent like Milk? I've never been there.

I get in VERY late the 29th, so that day won't be good.
posted by brujita at 8:01 AM on December 21, 2007


Paging DaShiv.....
posted by brujita at 8:31 AM on December 21, 2007


Philippes' is great, but they close at 10:00.

Plus you'd have to spend the whole meetup standing on the drum machine.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:38 AM on December 21, 2007


There's a place on, what, Sawtelle, around the corner from the Nuart, that has decent Middle Eastern food and hookahs. I went there for dinner with a bunch of pals and it was pretty dece.

Maybe 6th or 7th, since that looks like when most people are back?
posted by klangklangston at 9:56 AM on December 21, 2007


I leave the 7th and am allergic to tobacco smoke. That hookah place took over a fondly remembered coffee shop...grrr!
posted by brujita at 9:58 AM on December 21, 2007


note to self: never make plans with anyone who brags about having a cloooooooak...
posted by davejay at 10:27 AM on December 21, 2007


If you guys live in LA and still think pining for Medieval Times as an adult is anything but hilarious, I don't think I can be of any help. So put me down as "having my body servant, Yrdred, shampoo my flaxen plaits in the chill water of the moat, regrets."
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 10:59 AM on December 21, 2007


I will most likely have a glass or two of tej at the Ethiopian place...but I'd rather the focus be on the company rather than what's in the glass.
posted by brujita at 11:18 AM on December 21, 2007


f you guys live in LA and still think pining for Medieval Times as an adult is anything but hilarious, I don't think I can be of any help.

Story checks out.
posted by dhammond at 12:38 PM on December 21, 2007


MT leaves me cold...too much driving, crappy theme restaurant food.
posted by brujita at 1:03 PM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]


If you guys live in LA and still think pining for Medieval Times as an adult is anything but hilarious...

It was really more about the clooooooooak part.

I'll show up, if you are all attractive and pleasant. Is there a way to find out in advance, short of walking in and looking around?
posted by davejay at 12:06 AM on December 22, 2007


'cuz nobody walks in LA. or looks around, presumably.
posted by davejay at 12:07 AM on December 22, 2007


How about those who are more inclined to be picky choose a place and then we'll go from there? The way of the last meet up thread was that someone would suggest a place and then other people would complain about that choice and not offer up any alternatives. That went on until most people lost interest in the thread.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 12:37 PM on December 22, 2007


Messob is the more interesting of the Ethiopians I know; and my pick since no one has put in their 2 cents about newer places.
posted by brujita at 1:08 PM on December 22, 2007


Doesn't look like we'll even get sidebarred until we choose a date.

Anyone?
posted by Space Kitty at 3:08 PM on December 22, 2007


The 3rd.
posted by brujita at 3:16 PM on December 22, 2007


I'm in! Messob on 1/3 - time?
posted by Space Kitty at 4:47 PM on December 22, 2007


7ish
posted by brujita at 5:25 PM on December 22, 2007


Gigging that night, sorry.
posted by the_bone at 5:34 PM on December 23, 2007


Yay! The 3rd is open for me (for now) so unless my horrendous case of social anxiety takes over I should be there.
posted by carsonb at 9:20 PM on December 23, 2007


Never mind the date; I still need to know if you're all pleasant and attractive.

disclaimer: I may not be either
posted by davejay at 10:44 PM on December 23, 2007


No, I bite.
posted by brujita at 11:02 PM on December 23, 2007


Scody, optamystic and bingo know what I'm like.
posted by brujita at 11:34 PM on December 23, 2007


As does DaShiv.
posted by brujita at 9:03 AM on December 24, 2007


Looking forward to some Ethiopian food!
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 7:58 PM on December 24, 2007


Why are you so concerned with our looks? Are you thinking about cheating on your wife? Also, it's been my experience that truly nice people let others come to their own conclusions, rather than vociferating about how much they are.
posted by brujita at 6:27 AM on December 26, 2007


I'm SO maybe there.
posted by katillathehun at 12:27 PM on December 26, 2007


Reservations are recommended for parties of 5+. I'll make reservations at Messob for Thursday, January 3 at 7 pm, code name: Matt Haughey. So far, I see tentative confirmations from:

Me +1
brujita
klangklangston
holyrood
mandyman(wasregistered)
carsonb
davejay
katillathehun

I'll round that off to a table for 8, so if we're going to be significantly +/- let me know. Happy New Year, and see you there!
posted by Space Kitty at 4:34 PM on December 26, 2007


Me + 1 too? Still time to get me in? I keep meaning to come to a meetup, and I think this is the time I will actually make it! Also, I'm no DaShiv but I do have a camera with some glass that makes pretty bokeh...
posted by mullingitover at 5:12 PM on December 26, 2007


I won't be around, which sucks, because I missed the last meetup too, but I can personally attest to mandyman's attractiveness, for those concerned about that kind of thing.
posted by speicus at 6:17 PM on December 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


I'll suck on a yam ball in your honor, speicus.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 6:43 PM on December 26, 2007


I will almost certainly be attending. Please add me +0. And I'm HOTTTTTTTT if you dig the whole Anthony Michael Hall in Sixteen Candles vibe.
posted by dhammond at 7:06 PM on December 26, 2007


Well, I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I've been told I'm hot like Linda Blair. *files nails on shirt* No one has yet specified whether that's pre or post pea soup.
posted by katillathehun at 7:42 PM on December 26, 2007


Pre-post soup, katillathehun.

Pre.
posted by Space Kitty at 9:07 PM on December 26, 2007


Thanks, Space Kitty! I won't be bringing my laptop.
posted by brujita at 10:12 PM on December 26, 2007


Why are you so concerned with our looks? Are you thinking about cheating on your wife? Also, it's been my experience that truly nice people let others come to their own conclusions, rather than vociferating about how much they are.

You're true to your word, inasmuch as it appears you do bite. I guess you didn't get the joke, or didn't see the disclaimer that revealed it.

Also: if taken at face value, I'm also concerned with whether or not you're all pleasant. I'll put you down for "no".

Can't stay; gotta go sign up for a sockpuppet account now that you've outed my marital status. That's what I get for linking to her in my profile as "spouse" and talking about her (and my kids) in threads all over the place. Dammit, when will I ever learn?

next time, I'll ask her how to go about seducing mefites; she's got some experience at it, seeing as how she's seduced me.
posted by davejay at 1:05 AM on December 27, 2007


Note to self: move Space Kitty to "Good List" prior to taking over world by force via Doomsday Machine in year 2020.
posted by katillathehun at 1:09 AM on December 27, 2007 [1 favorite]


Busted!!!!!!!!

(BTW, he's both)
posted by OhPuhLeez at 1:11 AM on December 27, 2007


I apologize, OhPuhleez.
posted by brujita at 8:26 AM on December 27, 2007


davejay, I think it's best if we don't see each other for a few weeks until this all blows over.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:45 AM on December 27, 2007


And thanks for making that reservation, Space Kitty!
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 9:30 AM on December 27, 2007


Space Kitty, could you add one more? I've missed two meetups in two different cities so far, and am determined not to miss another...
posted by Lillitatiana at 7:41 PM on December 27, 2007


Isn't LA where Team Vag originated?
posted by brujita at 10:06 PM on December 27, 2007


davejay, I think it's best if we don't see each other for a few weeks until this all blows over.

Dammit! My whole house of cards is falling apart!
posted by davejay at 11:18 AM on December 28, 2007


Davejay:

I called this meetup to get to know the LA contingent better (of whom the only one I've met in real life is scody --I see that she links to several people who have posted in this thread; some of whom have also attended past LA gatherings. I think that she is one of the gems of the community and I trust her opinion), not to be judged for my looks....and I did NOT see any disclaimer the FIRST time you posted this question, which did not need to be repeated.

It may well be that you are your wife's sort of person, but I seriously doubt that you are one of mine.
posted by brujita at 2:36 AM on January 1, 2008


Goddamit, I'm not back until Friday. Why do you keep scheduling meetups for times when I am away? Do I smell? Is my breath bad?
posted by Justinian at 9:19 AM on January 1, 2008


It may well be that you are your wife's sort of person, but I seriously doubt that you are one of mine.

More for me!

...what?
posted by katillathehun at 10:01 AM on January 1, 2008


It may well be that you are your wife's sort of person, but I seriously doubt that you are one of mine.

Okay, this is getting uncomfortable.
posted by dhammond at 3:50 PM on January 1, 2008


Seriously, y'all. We're breaking bread with each other in two days. You folks are gonna make me cry, and my tears are made of burning acid. They didn't call me "Little Burning Flower" at Mrs. Sullivan's Ninja School for Girls because it was cute.
posted by katillathehun at 6:11 PM on January 1, 2008 [2 favorites]


katillathehun took the kettle out of the cupboard.
"Tonight I will burn this mother down," she said.
She put a kettle on her lap.
"Now," said katillathehun,
"I will begin."
katillathehun sat very still.
She began to think of things that were sad.
"Chairs with broken legs," said katillathehun.
Her eyes began to water.
"A song that cannot be sung," said katillathehun,
"because the words have been forgotten."
katillathehun began to cry.
A large tear rolled down and dropped into the kettle where it hissed madly and left a bubbly hole.
"Spoons that have fallen behind the stove
and are never seen again," said katillathehun.
More tears dropped down into the kettle, which began to melt.
"Books that cannot be read," said katillathehun,
"because some of the pages have been torn out."
"clocks that have stopped," said katillathehun,
"with no one near to wind them up."
katillathehun was crying. Flames crept outward from the gathering puddle below the ruined kettle.
Many large tears dropped through the kettle. The drapes began to burn.
"mornings nobody saw because everybody was sleeping,"
sobbed katillathehun.
"Mashed potatoes left on a plate," she cried,
"because no one wanted to eat them.
And pencils that are too short to use."
katillathehun thought about many other sad things.
She cried and cried.
Soon the mother was burned down.
"There," said katillathehun.
"that does it!"
katillathehun stopped crying.
She put the kettle on the stove to boil for tea. The shrieking inferno that used to be her home collapsed in a brilliant cloud of sparks and acidic smoke.
katillathehun felt happy as she watched the blaze.
"I like Ethiopian food and internet friends as much as the next MeFite,"
she said,
"but they didn't call me Little Burning Flower at Mrs. Sullivan's Ninja School for Girls because it was cute."
posted by carsonb at 11:24 PM on January 1, 2008 [2 favorites]


We're breaking bread with each other in two days. Ripping injera, actually....:-) Hope you can make it, scody--and I look forward to meeting other simpaticos!
posted by brujita at 2:01 AM on January 2, 2008


There it is, people. When it all goes down, you can't say carsonb didn't warn you.

Now, if you'll excuse me, someone left the cake out in the rain, and I don't think I can take it.
posted by katillathehun at 10:04 AM on January 2, 2008


Is it too late to RSVP? I'd like to show up.
posted by Argyle at 7:30 PM on January 2, 2008


Last call!

Last call for alcohol!

I'm calling to reconfirm our reservations - let me know if you're in!
posted by Space Kitty at 9:16 PM on January 2, 2008


My attendance is now solely dependent upon how soon the check against my parking tickets is cashed. But I've got a cool Jackson burning a hole in my pocket and a bunch of stuff to take to Amoeba tomorrow*, so I'd say chances are good.

*Anyone know of a better place to take used CDs between Echo Park and Hollywood?
posted by carsonb at 9:29 PM on January 2, 2008


Here's what I have currently:

brujita
me + 1
Josh
Amy
Amanda
katillathehun and her Doomsday Machine
mullingitover +1
dhammond
Lillitatiana
Argyle
Carson b (maybe)
davejay (maybe)

If I get a table for 14 and only 8 of us show up, Matt Haughey will never be welcome at Messob's again..... (The reservation currently stands at 8.)
posted by Space Kitty at 9:30 PM on January 2, 2008


I am so totes there still. Thanks again for organizing our lazy asses, Space Kitty.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 12:52 PM on January 3, 2008


OK, good to go. See y'all in a few hours.
posted by carsonb at 4:57 PM on January 3, 2008


Oops, I didn't RSVP. Can I come?

I'm way out in Topanga, I should probably leave now to get there before midnight...
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 5:25 PM on January 3, 2008


Good seeing you guys! No tears were shed. The world *sigh* ...is safe again.
posted by katillathehun at 10:41 PM on January 3, 2008


No tears? I stabbed my eye on that fucking tree on the way out.
posted by klangklangston at 10:43 PM on January 3, 2008


Did you apologize to the tree? Manners, man. MANNERS.
posted by katillathehun at 10:51 PM on January 3, 2008


An eye poke is nothing. I got a $45 parking ticket 'cause I couldn't parse the 4 signs on the same pole.
posted by Argyle at 11:13 PM on January 3, 2008


After your good karma for giving us all Molskine notebooks? So not fair!
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 11:35 PM on January 3, 2008


Dear Diary,

I had a great time at the Metafilter meet-up tonight! Everyone was REALLY nice and I can't believe how good Ethiopian food is!!!!!! The waitress seemed annoyed that we didn't know what to order (Hello, I don't speak Ethiopian!!!) but patiently waited while we figured out what we wanted. She wasn't as skinny as I thought she'd be. Oh well!

I'm really glad Bruhita decided to visit us. She's really really nice and there were so many people there I don't know how she organized it all.

There was a guy called Argyle there, he was so awesome. Someone said he was in a movie called Die Hards or something but he knows a lot about Pixies, where he works!!!! I want to have a job like his when I get older. And he gave me this diary! He was soooo nice.

There was guy named Klangklangson (I think) who was cool. He's from Detroit and likes the Pistons too! I hear there's a lot of crime there just like when we lived in Baltimore. He seemed to like it though.

I sat next to a girl who was wearing a TIE (like a man), how weird is that!!!!! but she was kind of cute so I think she's cool...more on that later, heh heh :-)

Oh, I almost forgot...mandyman is not a guy (what's up with that name? Only in LA!!)

Anyway, gotta go! I sneaked a smoke after leaving and have to go wash my face and change my shirt so mom doesn't find out....but that will be our little secret!!

♥♥♥

Doug
posted by dhammond at 11:54 PM on January 3, 2008 [1 favorite]


Dear Mullingitover,
I hope my freakish enthusiasm for the fact that you and my mother were born in the same small town didn't alarm you too much, especially after I insisted on writing down your last name so that I could ask my mother if she knew your family (because whenever she finds out someone is from that town, she asks their last name). And who knew that you and your lurker companion would get to share a plate of food with a stranger from the internet such as myself? What a night!

Peace out,
mandymanisnotaman
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 12:12 AM on January 4, 2008


Pictures are up on flickr, check 'em out!
posted by mullingitover at 1:10 AM on January 4, 2008


Dang. Looks like fun... Now that I have missed two (three?) LA meeups within 3 miles of my house, the next one is likely to be in Anaheim!
posted by mzurer at 7:23 AM on January 4, 2008


Yeah, I'm thinking I should have been there. Because I love Ethiopian food, and I don't know anyone else who does. Who also lives in L.A., that is. Oops/argh.

Plus, the kitten-chasing thing!
posted by tyrantkitty at 7:53 AM on January 4, 2008


Katilla's Log, Stardate -315009.2:

Encountered several members of the MetaFilter tribe last night during an away mission to the planet Messob. Anticipating an attack, I greeted them by regulation MeFleet standards, but they were impervious to my phasers.

One of them - a creature whose name can best be translated to "mullingitover" in a human tongue - shot at us several times. Barbarians, these MeFites. They would even shoot their own.

I called out to Ensign Brujita for aid, but it was already too late for her. Her final words were "The... sock... puppet..." I will have to notify her family.

So, there I was. Trapped - alone with my fallen crewman - under the menacing watch of MeFite sentinels. A creature who appeared to be a servant of some sort was kind enough to provide me with food, which I was forced to eat with my bare hands while these sentinels spoke of things I dare not repeat (Skullfucking. But I dare not repeat anything else!).

It would be a long night.

Fortunately, the communicator I had cleverly disguised as a necktie came back online, and I was able to get a message to my ship. Knowing they could not hold me and intelligent enough to realize that killing me would bring a war they hadn't the power to fight, the MeFites did nothing but taunt me.

One of them gave me this notebook shortly before the transporter beam appeared. I will never forget his chilling words.

"Use it to tell your children and your children's children of the time you, katillathehun, cowered before the MeFites!"

It's a nice Moleskine notebook. Lined. Has one of those handy pockets in the back for maybe some postage stamps or coupons. And these nightmares will never stop. The MeFite voices will haunt me until my dying day.

"Which is worse?" the voices ask me over and over. "To be a nerd or a geek?"

Nerd or geek.

Nerd or geek.

Nerd or geek.
posted by katillathehun at 9:41 AM on January 4, 2008 [2 favorites]


"Did you apologize to the tree? Manners, man. MANNERS."

T'hell with that. I'm making useless copies here at work in order to punish other trees for the misdeeds of that one. Sic semper arbus.
posted by klangklangston at 10:05 AM on January 4, 2008


Howdy party people!

I very much enjoyed the meetup. I had never had Ethiopian food before, so I was a bit perplexed, but in the end it was fine. I now have more than 4 people to call contacts!

Everyone was nice and the conversation was good. I hope the tech stuff and swag didn't make anyone feel strange. Too bad I didn't get to hear much from the other end of the table.

Revisiting our conversation:

I was the one adamant, ADAMANT, that geek is preferable to nerd.

Thanks to Chatwin we now have the code phrase 'bitten by a bat'.

I am grateful for the explanations of 14k/17k stuff and other member number stuff. Also, I learned that I need to watch my favorites ratio to 'win' at Metafilter.

We discussed the LA Hate thread a bit and I was able to foist off my "crazy people in LA are from somewhere else" theory easily.

The reason Rhode Island is named that when it is not an island:
In 1524, Italian navigator, Giovanni da Verrazzano was the first European to visit any part of what is now Rhode Island. He came to what is now Block Island and named it "Luisa" after Louise of Savoy, Queen Mother of France. Verrazzano described Luisa as "about the size of the Island of Rhodes". The official explanation by the State of Rhode Island is that Adriaen Block named the area "Roodt Eylandt" meaning "red island" in reference to the red clay that lined the shore, and that the name was later anglicized when the region came under British rule. (Ripped shamelessly form wikipedia).
The way people knew people's personalities from their user names was impressive. MeFi seems so overwhelming these days to me, but I'm a lurker.

As the old married man, I missed the post dinner drinking. Hopefully there was much mayhem and drama. Please share tales of love and loss that I missed.
posted by Argyle at 3:32 PM on January 4, 2008


This is the best meetup I didn't go to.
posted by jeffamaphone at 3:37 PM on January 4, 2008


Wonderful to meet more of the LA contingent....scody was missed! Also, props to Space Kitty for organizing and to Argyle for the moleskines!
posted by brujita at 1:57 AM on January 5, 2008


As the old married man, I missed the post dinner drinking.

I might've been the dork one out, but I think we all just dispersed after Messob.
posted by carsonb at 2:08 AM on January 5, 2008


Nothing bitten but the kitfo. ;-)
posted by brujita at 2:09 AM on January 5, 2008


So that gnawing sensation... wasn't... you?

[insert dramatic prairie dog here]
posted by katillathehun at 2:19 AM on January 5, 2008


Noooo....it was THIS!
posted by brujita at 3:13 AM on January 5, 2008


Well, that's a relief. I was concerned about His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, what with his "Conquering Lion" shtick.
posted by katillathehun at 11:29 AM on January 5, 2008


That was awesome. Pleasure meeting everyone! And next time 14 people rsvp I will get a table for 14!

Nice turnout, all!
posted by Space Kitty at 6:55 PM on January 8, 2008


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