Portland OR Pre-PAX Meet-Up(s)

Atratyys · July 2011

I've been talking to a few other Portland PAX goers and it seems about time to start up this thread.

Initial plans that have been tossed around are going out to dinner before heading to the 7/27 Last Wednesday Free Play at Ground Kontrol. That way we can gather and get to know each other before descending into the madness that is Wednesday Free Play.

Any other suggestions are welcome, and we can meet-up multiple times like we did last year. Just figured I'd get the ball rolling!

Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/125151277575949

Mini-Meet-Up: Ground Kontrol Free Play 7/27
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=105658516199871

First True Meet-Up: Dinner at Shanghai Tunnel followed by Ground Kontrol 7/29
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=225237347515051

2nd Unofficial Pre-PAX Portland Meet-Up: GK Free Play 8/11
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=191133620949979

OMSI Game On exhibit trip 8/13
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=156310007779154

Mogs · July 2011

I vote yes! But where to eat...

jdionio · July 2011

Mogs wrote:

I vote yes! But where to eat...

I would say Buffalo Wild Wings or Macaroni Grill.

MarySue · July 2011

I vote anywhere except Buffalo Wild Wings or Macaroni Grill.

Solelron · July 2011

Gah!. Midweek meetups are so rough, cause I have such an early alarm clock, but My wife and I would love to meetup with someone before we head up there the tuesday before.

Hope we will see some of you!

Atratyys · July 2011

Solelron wrote:

Gah!. Midweek meetups are so rough

I'm sure we'll have more than one meet-up, I'll shoot to organize another one on a weekend.

pillarofdawn · July 2011

I say we all go get a Big Ass Sandwich
http://www.bigasssandwiches.com/

artrulz · July 2011

Hey friends! Most of you know me but for those that don't, my name's Art and I'm the manager at Ground Kontrol. Thanks for planning to bring people down to Free Play, that's awesome. We do have a cool thing going on the next night, too, which is a 30th anniversary party for Donkey Kong followed by a special Nintendo-themed edition of our Video Game Quiz Show.

PAX people would be welcome at either! Get in touch with me if you want to set anything up. In fact I'd be happy to set up discount drinks. Does that sound good?

Looking forward to hanging out, too, I'll of course be at PAX again this year!

Atratyys · July 2011

artrulz wrote:

Hey friends! Most of you know me but for those that don't, my name's Art and I'm the manager at Ground Kontrol. Thanks for planning to bring people down to Free Play, that's awesome. We do have a cool thing going on the next night, too, which is a 30th anniversary party for Donkey Kong followed by a special Nintendo-themed edition of our Video Game Quiz Show.

PAX people would be welcome at either! Get in touch with me if you want to set anything up. In fact I'd be happy to set up discount drinks. Does that sound good?

Looking forward to hanging out, too, I'll of course be at PAX again this year!

Hey Art, drink discounts sound awesome of course. This is Andrew by the way if you didn't remember the user name. I'm normally busy on Thursdays but I may need to take that one off.

Nerdgasm · July 2011

I would really love to be part of a pre-PAX meetup. Since I'm new to PAX as well as Portland, this would be my first time to Ground Kontrol.

MarySue · July 2011

Nerdgasm wrote:

Since I'm new to PAX as well as Portland, this would be my first time to Ground Kontrol.

We shall welcome you to Quarter Nirvana in a proper fashion.

artrulz · July 2011

Atratyys wrote:

artrulz wrote:

Hey friends! Most of you know me but for those that don't, my name's Art and I'm the manager at Ground Kontrol. Thanks for planning to bring people down to Free Play, that's awesome. We do have a cool thing going on the next night, too, which is a 30th anniversary party for Donkey Kong followed by a special Nintendo-themed edition of our Video Game Quiz Show.

PAX people would be welcome at either! Get in touch with me if you want to set anything up. In fact I'd be happy to set up discount drinks. Does that sound good?

Looking forward to hanging out, too, I'll of course be at PAX again this year!

Hey Art, drink discounts sound awesome of course. This is Andrew by the way if you didn't remember the user name. I'm normally busy on Thursdays but I may need to take that one off.

Hey Andrew! I knew I recognized that username!

Tell you what. How about we have people RSVP here? I can then build a guest list for people that get a special wristband or something for discounts. If you're good with that, you should command people to RSVP here (or somewhere) and I'll check in. Feel free to bug me about it too. :0)

If you guys want any other ideas for things to meet up at leading up to PAX, you should check out GeekPortland.com!

Atratyys · July 2011

artrulz wrote:

If you're good with that, you should command people to RSVP here (or somewhere) and I'll check in.

I do command that all hence forth commitment shall be in the form of RSVP!

Mogs · July 2011

Well, now that I look at the calendar, I realize that my husband works that Wednesday, so we'll be missing dinner, but we will definitely be at Ground Kontrol. Depending on the timing for dinner, I might make it, and have him join me later.

ElmoFuntz · July 2011

I am game for this. Sounds cool.

sociald1077 · July 2011

I would love to be part of a pre-PAX get together here in Portland. And since the 27th is the day before the Brewers Festival starts, I have that night off

Never been to Ground Kontrol (only been around this area for a year) so I hope its fun.

Teknotronic · July 2011

Heyyyy so yea. While I know the Pre-Pax meetup has been at a free play night for the last couple years at least, I really think a different night would be best.

1. Lots of people work during the week so Wed night isn't going to work for alot of people, those that could make it probably couldn't stay as long.
2. While free play night is great cause its cheap, it's also one of the busiest (if not the busiest) nights at GK. When GK gets packed its really difficult to socialize, play games, etc. The point of a meetup is to meet right?

I of course do love GK, but I think a different night would be better. I know Fri/Sat nights are really busy too, but at least people would have more time to play with (generally) so people could hang around till the crowd thins out a bit.

Brew Fest is also that weekend so maybe that would cause the crowds at GK not to be as bad on the weekend. Heck we could meet up earlier at GK, play a few games then wander over to the Brew Fest. Sample some tasty beverages and then head back to GK :-P Food in there somewhere too.

Anyway just my thought/2 cents. I just know lots of people have missed out on previous meetup's due to it being during the week.

Mike - Teknotronic

Atratyys · July 2011

Teknotronic wrote:

Heyyyy so yea. While I know the Pre-Pax meetup has been at a free play night for the last couple years at least, I really think a different night would be best.

1. Lots of people work during the week so Wed night isn't going to work for alot of people, those that could make it probably couldn't stay as long.
2. While free play night is great cause its cheap, it's also one of the busiest (if not the busiest) nights at GK. When GK gets packed its really difficult to socialize, play games, etc. The point of a meetup is to meet right?

I of course do love GK, but I think a different night would be better. I know Fri/Sat nights are really busy too, but at least people would have more time to play with (generally) so people could hang around till the crowd thins out a bit.

Brew Fest is also that weekend so maybe that would cause the crowds at GK not to be as bad on the weekend. Heck we could meet up earlier at GK, play a few games then wander over to the Brew Fest. Sample some tasty beverages and then head back to GK :-P Food in there somewhere too.

Anyway just my thought/2 cents. I just know lots of people have missed out on previous meetup's due to it being during the week.

Mike - Teknotronic

This is some good input for sure. Just so happens a small group of us who tend to step up and make the post are always at Ground Kontrol Free Plays so we have tended to make the meet-ups to coincide with that. However I have no reservations to moving it to another night, Friday in particular could work well for me, I have a party on that Saturday which would make me unable to attend that night. What is everyone's opinion on Friday night?

I will also update the OP with a list of people who have expressed interest so far.

Mogs · July 2011

I'd prefer Friday over Saturday, but either works fine. I'll still be headed to Ground Kontrol for freeplay on Wednesday, if anyone wants to meet up then as well.

MarySue · July 2011

Argh, I totally didn't realise this was during Brew Fest week. I can't make it any time during... that time.

Alas, alack, oh well, maybe the next one.

Atratyys · July 2011

MarySue wrote:

Argh, I totally didn't realise this was during Brew Fest week. I can't make it any time during... that time.

Alas, alack, oh well, maybe the next one.

We'll likely have more closer to PAX, but it's nice to have them this early so people can start to get to know each other. Who knows, may take a page out of the book of some of the other cities that keep meet-ups going year round.

CutiePieXOXO · July 2011

I'd totally be down for some free play pre-PAX action on the 27th. I'm sure I could convince a couple of people from my caravan to come as well. Won't get off work till 8pm though so dinner may be out of the question.

Teknotronic · July 2011

Friday would be better than Saturday for me as well but Saturday is not a deal breaker.

I will also try to make it on Wednesday but won't be able to stay very long. So I hope Friday\Saturday works for the majority.

Solelron · July 2011

CutiePieXOXO wrote:

I'd totally be down for some free play pre-PAX action on the 27th. I'm sure I could convince a couple of people from my caravan to come as well. Won't get off work till 8pm though so dinner may be out of the question.

I think this would be cool to start arranging for later dates. you all of course are welcome to any of my weekend Board gaming demos and events!

Atratyys · July 2011

I will continue to update the OP with additional info of different meet-ups posted in the thread.

Considering making Facebook events that people could RSVP to, any interest in that?

Twizzle · July 2011

I'll be at GK on the 27th and where ever the Pre Portland PAX meet up is on 7/29 too

Teknotronic · July 2011

Twizzle wrote:

I'll be at GK on the 27th and where ever the Pre Portland PAX meet up is on 7/29 too

You will be huh. So I guess I WILL be at GK on Wednesday then :-P

Mogs · July 2011

Teknotronic wrote:

Twizzle wrote:

I'll be at GK on the 27th and where ever the Pre Portland PAX meet up is on 7/29 too

You will be huh. So I guess I WILL be at GK on Wednesday then :-P

Yay! Looking forward to seeing you guys again. We won't be down there until Carmine gets off work, though, maybe 8ish.

gorgeousplanet · July 2011

Hello!
Any definite idea of the official plan/date/time for this meet-up? My fiance and I would love to go, and if it falls on a night we can make it, so be it. Yes Atratyys, a facebook event thing would be a great way for everyone to keep in the loop. We have never done any pre-PAXiness and really want to make the most of this year! Soo excited to see you all!

Atratyys · July 2011

gorgeousplanet wrote:

Hello!
Any definite idea of the official plan/date/time for this meet-up? My fiance and I would love to go, and if it falls on a night we can make it, so be it. Yes Atratyys, a facebook event thing would be a great way for everyone to keep in the loop. We have never done any pre-PAXiness and really want to make the most of this year! Soo excited to see you all!

I'll make some FB events tonight or tomorrow and edit the OP. The main meet-up will be 7/29 probably aroun 7 or so, will hammer out those details soon, but it seems several of us will be at Free Play on 7/27 as well.

ElmoFuntz · July 2011

MarySue wrote:

Argh, I totally didn't realise this was during Brew Fest week. I can't make it any time during... that time.

Alas, alack, oh well, maybe the next one.

Ha don't feel bad I was thinking he meant the Wed before PAX. Silly me.

For those of us who have never been to GK can you provide some details including costs? Thanks!

Atratyys · July 2011

ElmoFuntz wrote:

MarySue wrote:

Argh, I totally didn't realise this was during Brew Fest week. I can't make it any time during... that time.

Alas, alack, oh well, maybe the next one.

Ha don't feel bad I was thinking he meant the Wed before PAX. Silly me.

For those of us who have never been to GK can you provide some details including costs? Thanks!

For Free Play it is $5 cover and games are all set to free, you just pay for drinks and food if you want it. Any other night there is no cover but games run on quarters.

Solelron · July 2011

Just a note if we want something different: 7/29 is also flicks on the bricks showing of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. This would be great chance to do boardgames and movie

ShadowMatt · July 2011

I second the Facebook Event idea. I'd love to start meeting all of you Portland folks before heading up to PAX. It's my yearly pilgrimage, and I'd like to see some familiar faces once I hit Seattle. Also, there's no reason this can't become a regular hang out... it's a bummer that PAX is only once a year.

Anybody like this idea? Facebook? Can we start a Google+ Circle for announcements? In the words of Vasquez, "Look, man. I only need to know one thing: where they are."

Anyone want to step up and organize the Facebook page and/or Google+?

If people want to form up into Voltron.... I mean a Google+ Circle, find me on Google+:
https://plus.google.com/118085865046319783623/posts//p/pub?hl=en

I say post your Google+ and/or Facebook details so we can start hooking up outside of this forum.

And somebody can tell me to shut up anytime.

Atratyys · July 2011

ShadowMatt wrote:

Anyone want to step up and organize the Facebook page and/or Google+?

I'll take care of this when I get some time tonight or later this afternoon.

ShadowMatt · July 2011

Epic. I've got four guys heading to PAX with me this year. I'll see if I can get us all to the meet up.

mochery · July 2011

Atratyys, mochery is a go - sans camera phone.

Atratyys · July 2011

mochery wrote:

sans camera phone.

Thank god

Atratyys · July 2011

Facebook group and events created and edited into OP.

Arkanoid · July 2011

Perfect! This is was fun last year, and I'm totally in for another trip to GK. I'll check the Facebook events, but there better be sushi. Just sayin.

ElmoFuntz · July 2011

Yeah Google+ bad idea ATM unless you are gonna toss me an invite to it. Silly beta invite only BS

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