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get out. meet people.
Meetup: Boston (Cambridge MA) - MeFi 25 - Reunion (July 14)
New England mefites, past, present, and future: let's get together this summer to recognize MetaFilter's quarter-centennial on Sunday, July 14th.
posted by enfa on May 02, 2024 at 8:02 AM
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Big yes. Location ideas?
posted by es_de_bah at 5:39 AM
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I would definitely attend. Maybe candlepin bowling?
posted by bshort at 6:53 AM
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Candlepins seems APPROPRIATE especially where there's a bar.
So, Sacco's in Somerville in Davis Square: They take reservations (via Yelp for normal reservations) for Fri–Sun, 10AM-8PM, for 8–18 people. For larger parties, email somerville@americanflatbread.com, and Victoria would contact you back within 24 hours. You can also call them at (617) 776-0552 (and hear the same recording I just transcribed or talk to someone in person). (direct website)
If necessary, I am sure we could collect a few $US each from attendees to cover the costs of that and some drink tickets. But that's just off the top of my head.
There may be larger, better venues, such as King's Bowl in Burlington, just off Rt 128/US-95—that could attract more prople from the outskirts of town. There are also King's in other towns. Here's the Burlington Event Planning contact page.
JUST ROLLING SOME SMALL IDEAS DOWN THE LANE
In general though, I don't think Sunday Evenings would be tough to book, especially this far out.
posted by not_on_display at 9:57 AM
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Wouldn't miss it. Up for anywhere.
posted by Ryvar at 10:55 AM
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I'm up for anywhere too. I love love love candlepin bowling so I'd be up for that, but I know with COVID some people might prefer an outdoor venue?
posted by rednikki at 2:32 PM
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I haven't noticed if they've built anything out this year but in years past Sacco's had outdoor seating set up on the street.
posted by rmd1023 at 5:25 PM
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This is a great idea! As an oddball suggestion, I'll offer that I could (probably) host at the Harvard Library Innovation Lab on the law school campus. BYOB, bring in some takeout food from Harvard Square, bring musical instruments or art supplies if you want, that kind of thing? Could be a quieter place to talk and more affordable than a bar. Feel free to Memail me if the group likes this idea, since I might miss updates to the thread. [Edit: hmm, we might be able to use the roof deck on the fifth floor as well.]
posted by john hadron collider at 6:51 PM
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I might be up for this, and my husband (He Is Only The Imposter) would probably want to come, too, if the final location is wheelchair accessible. I'll come back with more thoughts!
posted by gideonfrog at 7:51 PM
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Hey! I don't work Sunday and Monday so me and feistycakes could make it, but we'd need to make boat rezzys sooner rather than later. Somewhere with affordable hotels nearby would also help. The central MA/Worcester area was the capitol of candlepin back in the day, so there should be some venues there that might work.
posted by vrakatar at 7:58 PM
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Seconding Davis Square. Got a nice couple of parks if we want to be outside. Has a host of good spots to bar/nosh.
posted by es_de_bah at 9:28 AM
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I'd be up for anything anywhere. I have it set on my calendar, and will stay tuned.
I also wanted to say good luck, we're all counting on you.
posted by not_on_display at 11:10 PM
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enfa pinged me to ask about this, so I wanted to update that I can in fact host at Harvard if there's interest. This would be hosted by the Library Innovation Lab (where Jessamyn is a former fellow), in a space belonging to the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society (another old-internet institution slightly older than Mefi). You can see BKC's space in this page, the picture with the purple couches, and that space is adjacent to a roof deck that looks out over Cambridge Common.
Logistically this would be like, let me know roughly who's coming, text me to get into the building, bring whatever food/bev/games/art supplies/etc you want, and LIL can pitch in some supplies as well. I have a commitment until 4:30 so it would have to be after that. Let me know if I should set this up!
posted by john hadron collider at 6:37 PM
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This seems a good a venue, and I've no objections. @jhc, would you do the honors of setting this up, lets say for 430-8pm on Sunday, July 14th?
Parking in Cambridge on a Sunday should be free, but driving around that area is challenging for the unfamiliar. This is absolutely walkable from the red line Harvard MBTA subway stop, and served by a variety of busses.
I don't know much about the space - is the roof deck truly accessible for a wheelchair user? Do we have any specific concerns or questions about the space that might prevent someone from joining us?
posted by enfa at 7:36 AM
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There are elevators and the roof deck has a normal size door, so I think would be fine for a wheelchair user. Happy to answer any other questions that come up! Including specifics about accessibility if there's something I can check.
posted by john hadron collider at 10:59 AM
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Thank you so much! I'll update the post to reflect the above and make this a 'confirmed' event :P
Questions, thoughts, concerns? What has worked well for past mefi meetups, to keep people talking and make sure everyone gets out of this what they wish?
There could be board/video games, plates of beans, puzzles, art supplies, powerpoint karaoke...idk
posted by enfa at 11:58 AM
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enfa, I've gone ahead and reserved the space, so feel free to switch this from Proposed to Upcoming! The location is the Lewis Building, 1557 Massachusetts Ave in Cambridge. [edit: beat me to it!]
I'm excited about this -- keep ideas coming for anything I could have on hand or otherwise do to make things hospitable.
posted by john hadron collider at 12:00 PM
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Sounds great! I'm thinking of making a trip in for this from western MA. But I still avoid indoor events, so I'm wondering — is the roof deck the kind of space that some people are likely to linger? E.g., is there seating, shade, and good connectivity to the indoor space? Or would your best guess be that most everyone will be inside most of the time?
If the latter, or if the weather doesn't cooperate, I don't suppose anyone but me wants to make this a please-COVID-test event, right?
posted by daisyace at 6:31 AM
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> E.g., is there seating, shade, and good connectivity to the indoor space?
There is seating and umbrellas for shade, and it's visible from the indoor space. If it's a sunny day I'd also recommend sunglasses/sunhat/sunscreen.
posted by john hadron collider at 10:31 AM
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Sounds ideal! If the weather's decent, I'll see you there!
posted by daisyace at 7:42 AM
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FWIW daisy I will take a COVID test beforehand (I have a spare kit that expires in two months) and I always wear an N95 on the T since that is otherwise hotboxing Covid.
Question: is this a bring food event? I am happy to order or bring a couple pizzas, some Doritos, or soda. I don't consume alcohol so if we are bringing food I will leave that to others.
posted by Ryvar at 10:07 PM
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I've seen no objection to making this a more covid cautious event - I plan to test day of, and also wear a mask indoors. I hope to socialize/eat maskless on the deck if the weather holds.
Would it pose a problem for anyone who plans to attend to wear a mask while in the indoor space and/or show a negative covid test the day of?
Would decisions in either direction mean you, specifically, exclude you from attending?
memail me if you'd like...consent, accessibility, and health/safety are high priorities for event organizing, let's do this right so folks have a good time and are safe.
posted by enfa at 3:21 PM
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Thanks for the memail reminder - I unexpectedly have family coming internationally to visit that weekend. I will regretfully decline, as it sounds lovely - hope you all enjoy! Would love to see pics and any artwork that arises!
posted by seemoorglass at 3:08 PM
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Tentative for me, but likely not. If something changes, then I will try to make it.
posted by briank at 7:33 PM
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Shoot, I just had a conflict come up. Thank you so much for accommodating my covid-cautiousness, but unless other people want it that way, it's now very unlikely that I'll be able to be there. Sorry to most likely miss it!
posted by daisyace at 8:34 AM
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> Question: is this a bring food event? I am happy to order or bring a couple pizzas, some Doritos, or soda. I don't consume alcohol so if we are bringing food I will leave that to others.
How about, I'll supply pizza as a baseline, and people chip in a favorite snack, drink, art supply, lowkey board game, or whatever might make it a good hang for you.
posted by john hadron collider at 5:59 AM
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Sorry for indecision, but I'm still a maybe. I keep shaking the Magic 8-Ball to see what my weekend is going to look like and it's still unclear.
posted by rmd1023 at 5:21 AM
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This fits well, both into my schedule, and geographically; and it is relevant to my interests. Thanks for posting! Best of the web!
Also, I just wanted to say good luck—we're all counting on you.
posted by not_on_display at 11:49 PM
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I'm sorry, I don't think I'll be able to make it. Hope y'all have great fun!
posted by rmd1023 at 6:22 PM
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Today is the big day - Happy 25th Birthday, Metafilter! :)
I've created a shared google doc for ephemeral day-of information at https://bit.ly/MeFi25Bos for essential info like 'where am I going and how do I get into the building' and 'what is the wifi password'.
Be seeing you!
posted by enfa at 7:28 AM
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Ooh, great idea with the doc! I added some more details. Can't wait to see everyone! First round pizza order is in.
posted by john hadron collider at 8:07 AM
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I will (travel luck pending) see you all there.
posted by jessamyn at 8:37 AM
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I added to the doc: bringing some seltzer and some Blue Ribbon BBQ/rice&beans/collard greens/cornbread. And maybe a little other stuff.
posted by not_on_display at 10:30 AM
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Heading out, stopping at Porter to grab Doritos and Coke. ETA ~5:30.
posted by Ryvar at 1:51 PM
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Hey, that was fun. It's been too long since a good ol' IRL, and no better date to have it on. Thanks for coming, people!
posted by not_on_display at 5:59 PM
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Thanks everyone for showing up and being such good company. Jim and I often joke that there's no pizza flavor so good as "That which Harvard is paying for." Sorry I had to scoot early and head home but I'd go to another meetup! Anyone who wants a local-MeFi-Slack invite (if you're into that sort of thing, totally okay if not!) lmk and I'll send one.
posted by jessamyn at 7:38 AM
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