Chicagoland Meetup Weekend Officially March 18-19!
 

Alright...it's been said, and said, and said again. It's time to start planning! So, let's talk about a Chicago-land TFP get-together. What do we know? It should be in Chicago. What don't we know? Anything else at this point! For now, I want to hear who in the Chicago-land area (and out of it!) would like to be there, when you'd be available to be there, and what ideas you have for it. Get posting and let's make this thing happen - I know there are plenty of TFPers in the N. IL/S. WI/N. IN area...it's time to meet up in person!

Well, I'm obviously up for it! :) I do tend to have fairly busy weekends, but no matter when we have it I will make it possible for myself to be there. So, in general it would be good to get a feel for how soon or late people want to do this. If we can even narrow it down to a month that makes it easier to say, this weekend is definently fine, this weekend is not. Perhaps sometime in December would be best as all of us who are students would have time off. Like Secret said, I am open to really any suggestions of things to do at all, if I think of anything more specific I'll add that in. So, for now I guess I'm just saying you can count me in! :)

It's about time! You know shesus and I are up for it. I'm also hoping that if the timing is right, there might be some TFPers from a bit further away willing to make the journey. Chicago TFPers are quite awesome.

This is gonna be a sticky, right?

Once plans are more concrete I plan to make it a sticky. Right now I'm just interested in seeing who is interested in a Chicago meet-up and other preliminary info. I don't do too much in the city, and I also don't know what kind of thing other potential attendees might be interested in, so I'm also looking for anyone to make preliminary suggestions if they have a particular place in mind where it would be good to get together.

Like onodrim said, right now we're looking for what general time frame works best for most people. I live in Chicago and will be until June or so. After that I'll almost definitely still be around and available while living at home in the suburbs. So, I'm pretty much *always* available. So, for now, just let us know if there is any particular month or season that you'd prefer if you're interested in coming to a Chicago meet-up and we can go from there. The purpose of this thread is mainly to see who's interested and to try and find a way to accomodate the most people who aren't easily available - those who will have a drive of an hour or more and/or who will need to save up money to attend.

I would have interest but with how much I have going on it would not be able to commit to going until the date.

Chicago get together...eh, I don't know... ;)

Of course I'd be up for it anytime. :) Since jj and I live here it would be no problem. We will also have an extra bedroom and our apartment building has a decent priced suite for up to 4 guests. I think it's $130 a night. So, when the date gets closer let me know and I can set that up!

Come on, you know you all want to come to Chicago!!! :D

It would be the most likely opportunity for us to come. Chicago is something like an 8 hour drive (you'll have to ask hubby - he knows these things more than I do) but we are planning to be headed to Indy sometime around Christmas and until New Years - would be on our way even possibly.

It would all depend on the date, our finances ATM, and a sitter. I know we'd love to meet some of you in person. If we know the date at least a month in advance we should be able to handle the financial obligations.

Definitely up for it, but like ono, it's rough right now with school, so it may be best around December.

Alright, one more thing to consider...SiNi has recently moved back to the states and is getting settled in Minnesota. Perhaps a spring date would be better to give her time to get a job etc and be able to attend as well?

If that'd get SiNi down here, it'd be worth the wait. We need to get as many people as possible for this one.

If it's in Spring ... there is a BIG chance I'd be able to make it ... I hope to be moved by the beginning of March at the latest.

If it's in Spring, there's a better chance I'll have funds saved up to make it. The further out it is, the more likely I am to have money set aside for this. And yes, this would be worth slaving away for!

Let's see if it's in spring we can maybe have SiNi, amonkie, and onesnowyowl.....I say SPRING! :)

Definitely, this keeps getting better and better. :)

As I said earlier, anytime would work for me. However, if spring would get more people here and especially SiNi, monkie, and snowy, I say let's wait! :D

Well yeah, I'd be interested. Lemme know when. :D

Sounds interesting. Pretty easy for me; I'm in St. Louis for school, and I'm in Grand Rapids over the holidays, so not too far from Chicago in either case.

I'm in kalamazoo for school right now...I'd love to go to a get-together. It's the best excuse to check out chicago as well and make a small getaway for myself.

When ? That would depend mainly on my school schedule, but I'll be gone for all of december.... MLK weekend would be good for me, not sure of what other times would work as well.

catcha back on the flipside,
will.

Sign me right up! I'll just have to plan a spurious business trip ;)

d'oh, just saw the thread.

yes, my friends, I would love to go to chicago in the spring.
and if that could get snowy and monkie there too, even better! :)

Anyone up for Thanksgiving? I live in LA but can go to Chicago for Thanksgiving.

I like the spring idea too

(I will likely be moving back to Milwaukee-Chicago area in the next few months..)

I'll keep this in mind.

Sin, wanna car pool in the spring? I'm up for it providing the advance is long enough and I have the cash (like everyone else is saying lol).

Oooh I was hoping you'd chime in Rugger :D

OK....preliminarily...I am In


Timing is everything

Awesome, i'm up for it, it isn't too far for me to go there.

totally :)

provided you have the car ;)

i've no car or license currently.
it's possible i may have lic. by then, but surely not a car.

but, if you can/willing to drive, i'd be more than happy to throw some money at you and set us out on a lil road trip :D

Hey rugger, i'm about 10 minutes from the twin cities...maybe we can carpool?

If my husband gets the job he has interviewed for, he will have to go to some training in Chicago. If you have the get together then, I might be able to be there! I will let you know if and when it is.

I would be interested in joining in. My work has an office there that I can work out of when needed...

Maybe, though I just totalled my truck and am currently driving a 93 Cutlass that I'm a litlte concerned woudlnt' go that far. Depending on the date I would be glad to drive and pick up whomever!

My truck *tear*

Alright, we've basically settled on one of two weekends. Ohh_shesus has mentioned this in another thread, but I wanted to make mention of it here in GD where there is a broader audience.

So...*drumroll*...the next Official Chicagoland Tilted Forum Project Meetup will be...*drumroll continues*...

either the weekend of March 18 or March 25! With that in mind, I am about to make a poll on this thread to allow some voting!

On a side note, I am very happy because part of the reason we decided one of these two weekends would be good is because it is the week of onodrim's spring break so this way she'll be able to make it. As I was making this post, I realized that, since I normally have my spring break the week after onodrim's, I may have finals to study for over one of these weekends. The great news is that, for the first time in 5 years, ono and I have the same spring break :D

/me would really like to make it but i will still be stuck here in florida golfing...webcam?

And I saved a lot of money by switching my car insurance to Geico! :lol: Seriously though, this makes me VERY happy. :D

I knew that if I posted something small I would get secretmethod into action :lol:

Again, I hope that a lot of people can make it. We need some fun after the long cold winter in Chicago. :)

As I mentioned previously, we do have guest suites in out apartment and a spare room with an extra shower.

Well, it's more than likely I won't be able to attend a spring get-together as I am extremely low on funds and have some school bills in need of payment. However, I am attempting to save (thank God for pop cans) for the Rochester get-together in the summer, and hopefully I can arrange a long overnight layover in Chicago at that time :)

18 -19 works better for me, but I'm not 100% on it yet. I really want to make it to the meetup this time.

Ok update from me, I'll easily be willing to drive, provided if I get atleast 1 other person to go with, i'll definately have a reliable car to drive, plus doing a drive like that doesn't bother me at all.

There's only one thing stopping me, and that's finances. If the money can be scraped up, I'm SO there. :D

Gonna be a heck of a trip from Florida, but well worth it.

As finances are a concern for people.. something to keep in mind. During Spring Break, plane ticket prices go WAY up, unless they are bought early.

Its too early for me to plan that far ahead, so either is possible.

Sounds like fun. I can drive for that.

Who wants to lend me their floor in Chicago?

voted for both, because afaik either is doable.

I am totally planning on going, already looking forward to it :)

Most likely bringing the bf with (who *is* a tfp-er, just a new one ;) )

not sure how we'd get there yet ... but i'm certain we'd need some cheap accomodations.
we're both small, woudn't take up too much space ;)

SiNi, our place is cheap...it's free even. I don't think jj would mind if you guys crashed here. :D

The red couch isn't taken yet ;)
Oh yea and we have an air matress and a futon. We can easily sleep 5 people in our place.

I'd like to reserve a space then, Shesus, if you still have spaces open. PM sent.

ok even thou i have spring break i still probbaly have to work in the weekend. but i will try to find someone if possiblely sub me i hope i can find someone to do that . weekend means sat or sunday ?
both are ok with me since i will be in chicago anyway :) love to go heheheh but i am not 21 yet find something to do for me ! please lol i have 6 more months to wait on

once you guys get a date, I can book my ticket. I love getting free flights :)

I must amend my vote. I did not consider the babysitter possibilities before voting. It seems Dei37's parents will be free the weekend of March 18-19th. This does not mean that we could not make it on the second weekend but it will take more work to find a sitter for that one.

As long as we can plan this long in advance she SHOULD not have any trouble at all. We are looking forward to getting to meet some of you in person.

So, I took a peek at my bank account.

Unless I make a whole lot of money before then, I can't make it to either weekend.

Alright, the poll has been open for nearly 3 weeks and the votes are in! With the exception of just one person (sorry ruggerp11, hope you can still make it!), everyone who voted for the second weekend also voted for the first, bringing the vote count, effectively, to 13-1 for the weekend of March 18-19! (You can see this by clicking on any of the links for the number of votes in the poll if you've voted since I made it an open poll.)

Now it's time to move on to the other details. Who will definitely be there, who wants to make it but needs to carpool, etc. Also, what will we do?! :crazy: If anyone has suggestions on good locations to meet and hang out, now is the time to start letting us know. There are many different ways in which we can do this, and that's why we're having the discussion now, 3 months in advance, so that we can explore many ideas.

So, I'll start off by saying that onodrim and I will definitely be there. As for where to meet....that's going to take a bit more thought :)

Yea! I can't wait until March now. I'll start looking for affordable places to go and things to do.

As for a meeting place, we are right in the middle of downtown. We can secure a guest suite for about $125 a night and it sleeps 4 people, but if people don't mind crashing on the floor, it could sleep more. This is cheaper than a hotel for the most part and can be split up affordably. JJ and I also have room for 4+ people although SiNi has already requested the red couch ;)

I know that a couple people have asked already so jj and I will decide later who will crash here. We have a futon and an air matress. You can PM me if you are interested in the suite or our place.

Ideas are super and fun times are had in Chicago. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.

As far as things to do, I rounded up a few possible dinner options ranging in type of food and price. They all are generally friendly to big groups and a lively social environment. Rather than describe each one myself in detail, here are the websites, take a look for yourselves. I'm definently not trying to say these are the only options, there is so much more of course! Just wanted to get a feel out for what people are maybe looking for. :)

http://www.fogodechao.com/
http://www.cafeiberico.com/
http://www.maggianos.com/
http://www.sopranosrestaurant.com/

and as far as i know, i'mma still planning on using it, so keep my spot reserved, please :D

Ono, all of those with the exception of Soprano's are within walking distance from our apartment. That's very cool. I like any type of food with the exception of Inidan and sushi...I know I'm a weirdo. :o So we will let the visitor's decide once we get the tentative list :)
There are also other steakhouses closer to us if that's the consensus of the group. Some other places that could be an option too. I hope I don't overload the choices here :)

Ben Pao: http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/d...0,753299.venue
Rock Bottom: http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/d...,7770251.venue
The Kerryman: http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/d...,3970316.venue

Oh and SiNi, I put the no reservation sign up for the red couch ;)

http://www.blendchicago.com/fogodechao.html
A review of Fogo De Chao because I've always found it to be an intriguing place. On one hand, it may be a bit pricey for some people (including ono and I) at about $50 per person for dinner. On the other hand, if you read the review you'll understand why - it's all the meat you can eat!!! :crazy:

EDIT: Because I was apparently not clear, I don't really think this place would be a good idea ;) A Bit expensive for a meetup. I forget which one it is, but shesus suggested a place below that sounds like it might be good. Decent prices, pool tables, etc.

Since it's a good 3 months away I can't really say what I'll be doing right then, but school pending there's no reason I won't be there considering in live in the dang city an all :)

Although I can't say for certain quite yet, I would be very interested in meeting up with you guys face to face.

I am located in Green Bay, WI - so if anyone needed a ride, I'll probably be taking I-43 South to I-94 East. If you aren't too far off the beaten path, I'd be happy to pick you up. However, a warning - my car is pretty damn small, so if you have a ton of luggage, it probably won't fit. Also, although my car technically seats four, anyone sitting in the backseat would likely be very uncomfortable, so if more than one person wants to come that'd be fine, but don't say I didn't warn you :D

OK, I thought I'd make a preliminary guest list:

Spectre, SecretMethod, Onodrim, Toaster, JumpinJesus, KonichiwaNeko, Toaster

Possibly: SiNi, Analog, Tecoyah, VitaminH, NoSoup

If anyone else is interested PM me and let me know your plans. It's going to be on the weekend of March 18. Hope to hear from you soon....
Also, SiNi, Amonkie, and KonichiwaNeko are the only ones I know of staying here. Let me know if you need a place to crash...

Everyone should note Shesus is so excited to be meeting me she put my name twice. :)

:lol: Oops. Actually one of those was supposed to be amonkie, but due to multi-tasking (aka chatting) I must have made the error. Not that I'm not excited to meet you.

True, but I got top billing. :D

Okay, i'm tenatively in. :)

woot, i can't believe i'm going to fly halfway across the country to meet people... but what the heck, you're all so damn cool :D :icare:

trying to see if we can still crash on shesus's and j.j's couch :)

sweetpea

if bear hug sweetpea is going, I'll ask the crush if she wants to go and meet you guys :) I'm still in.

holy crap! you must, i insist. we'll be nice to her i promise... we won't tease her too much ;) :D

yeah! i'm looking forward to finally meeting you Koni!

sweetpea

Thanks to the lovely Shesus and J.J. for letting us crash at their place... (two of the nicest people in the world!)

I'm coming ! :D so excited, can't wait to meet all of you!!! :icare:

:)

sweetpea

Looking forward to meeting you too sweetpea. :)

I know shesus tried to start this a few posts ago, but it would really be helpful to get an accurate count of who is coming, who is not, etc.

From both the poll and thread this is who I have as yes atm:
amonkie
analog
asaris
JumpinJesus
kylie
Latch
maleficent
onodrim
reanna74
SecretMethod70
shesus
SiN plus 1
spectre
Toaster126
Konichiwaneko
VitaminH
NoSoup
sweetpea plus 1
and a maybe for UsTwo.

So - please reply and say one way or the other. :) And also if you still need car pooling, a place to stay, advice on how to get here, etc.

You are the second beautiful woman to have told me that today :icare: :)

Also... it's sweetpea plus 1 :)

sweetpea

I'm still looking to make plans for a place to stay so if anyone wants to discuss that with me, feel free to PM me.

We have a good group coming. Can't wait. :)

Looking forward to meeting you all; it sounds like fun!

Okay, well, i just bought my airline ticket... spent an arm and a leg... and they also asked for my first-born child ;) ... however... it's just money and i'll make more :D

I'm showing up on friday afternoon and i'm so thrilled to be able to meet all of you who are coming! :icare:


sweetpea
sweetpea

Sweety, where do you fly from? And what time are you getting in.

I'll probably be getting a car and flying into midway so if you guys need a ride I don't mind. I'm about to book my flight also.

We're getting in at 1:45pm C. time ... and yeah, we can ride with you if it'll save J.J and Shesus from picking us up :D

sweetpea

Sweetpea, you're going to look kind of funny missing an arm and a leg, but I'm glad that you can make it. ;)

And if neko can pick you up that's fine, but we really wouldn't mind the trip if necessary.

What a birthday weekend I'm going to have :D I get to spend it with some of my favorite TFPers.

I feel special :icare:

Yes indeedy, thanks for reminding me... you Need to tell us what you want for your birthday! :)

sweetpea

Silly Shesus you are special. In a non mental way. argh...that was meant as a compliment!

Anyways. Sure thing. Actually Sweety is it O'hare or Midway you are flying into? Airtran only flies into Midway so if that's the case then SheShe will have to pick you up.

I'll be renting something that can break through the ghetto of the midway area...while also stopping at a 7eleven for some random item.

drat. i'm flying into O'hare :/ so Shesus, you'll have to pick us up puullleaaasseeeee :D :icare:

sweetpea

hey now, onodrim or I can meet people at airports too. I'm pretty sure I'll be free then.

okay, let me rephrase and i was just going off what shesus said, i didn't know anyone else was free... getting picked up would be great, doesn't matter who and i'll buy you lunch :)

sweetpea

it's REALLLLY not that hard to get to their place if you've been on a train before - the El stop is really close... then JJ can stand on the balcony and look down to the street and go "OK! I see you!!" :p

hehe alright :D

sweetpea

I am still just a maybe...likely wont know more until March due to scheduling vacations for staff. Fingers crossed, and will post as I know more.

After much uncertainty, we finally come down to the harsh reality...

You'll have to see me in March! :)

well i can only be there sunday i would think or the late saturday cos i have to must have to work on saturday .>< sorry but i am in chicago so when you know more details and things you can always give me a call too :D
i cant wait to meet all of you .. even tho i dont know too much :) i tried to be on but school and work is a lot >< dont forget about me and keep me info with it ..

I don't know if I can stand that reality. :p

Yea! :icare:

See you in a month!! Let us know who you want to pick you up.

JumpinJesus on a Pogo Stick! there are a lot of people coming. This is going to rock. Of course, we must warn you that we're all pretty boring people in real life. We just kind of sit and stare at each other.

Have we established where the gathering place is going to be? With a group this large, we'll probably need to reserve a section or something.

Obviously, my loving husband doesn't listen to me (I must be boring) :lol:

We are meeting at Rock Bottom and as the time gets closer and we have a more definite number, I will call to see if we need to reserve a section. We will be going there on Saturday evening for those who are in town and want to meet up. :)

I'll have more exact times in the future.

Yea for everyone making the trek to see us. And yes, we do sit around and stare at each other a lot, but that's not a bad thing. ;)

Oh, I could have sworn I mentioned to you two that analog was considering coming and staying at my place. We'll be picking him up when he gets in, so you don't need to worry about it. :)

so it is gonna be a saturday ?
hmm i must have to work .. i am sorry then if i can be there >< even tho i really want to meet up

yes i believe so. And are you working all evening? Perhaps you can pop in and play some pool for the last couple hours or something? :)

sweetpea

I'm officially out - I won't be able to get the time off work in order to make it .. have fun!

Also, for anyone who is definitely making it but is having trouble finding a place to stay, our building has guest suites that sleep 4-6 people for $125 a night. Basically it is a 1-bedroom apartment with a sleeper sofa in the living room. You will be on the 17th floor with an amazing view. You will not find a hotel in this part of town with this size and view for cheaper. Plus, it's a 5-10 minute walk to the Rock Bottom from here.

This could be a great option for those of you coming from out of town. By splitting the cost between 4 people, you'd have the room for about $30 a night.

Let us know if you've confirmed that you're coming and you still need a place to stay and we'll have the office reserve it for us.

Okay, it looks like we've got one person so far who wants the guest suite. 2 or 3 more will make this a very good deal.

Also, we do have a parking garage for which we can get parking passes. They run about 10 dollars for a 24 hour stay, so if you need a place to park, we've got that covered, too.

/me is very disappointed i won't get to meet you in person Monkie! :|

very much looking forward to seeing you all !!

sweetpea

Count me as among the disappointed, too. I think we've sort of adopted you as a quasi-Chicago member. I'm sure those in Rochester will argue with us, but to that I stick out my tongue.

i am tied up that weekend, but will be in chicago a couple weeks afterward to start looking around for an apartment....

roachboy,

You're moving to chicago? We'll be glad to have you as a neighbor.

Hmm... DEN-ORD flights are going for $184 (3/17-3/19) right now. Hmm... hmm... hmm.

It would be great to have you oberon :)