Another BJ get together?
Is anyone in New York up for another Balloon Juice get together next Sunday afternoon? I was thinking the same place — because Walker’s was great I thought — but we could do something else somewhere else (e.g. a different part of town, but Walker’s was pretty subway convenient).
Let me know what you think.
That would be quite a drive for me but I have another question.
Does anyone know what time the President is going to be on?
Chicago meet-up has still gotta happen. I’m crazy busy but can do it with sufficient heads up.
Long time lurker, but I live in NYC, so I’m in.
@Jewish Steel: Crazy busy too but yes. Later this month? That way you’ll have time to prepare for your trip to the big city.
Query. Is there, meaning, should there be, a sort of designated thread were these sort of things are arranged. Are there and I just don’t know about them? I’m assuming a Chicago meeting wouldn’t be a front page event, and so it would be really possible to miss one unless I read all threads, intently, and I’m not quite at that stage yet.
@Jewish Steel:
I’d be down with that if there was plenty of lead time. Six hour drive from SE MN.
@scav: Good question, I’ll bet one of the FPs would lend a hand to promote comity among the commentariat (Why’d I go all flowery there? Sorry.)
@BGinCHI: You are crazy busier than me, no doubt. What with a little bundle of BG & all. When you are ready, name the date.
@Lojasmo: Dedication! I thought I was nobly sacrificing coming up 2.5 hrs from Central IL.
If folks are driving so far for the Chicago meet, I’m gonna have to ask that Cole rent us some suites at the W. We don’t want people driving home hammered.
@Ivan X:
Cool, I’ll have more details soon.
I’m up for it, too. Last time was awesome. Walker’s was great, but another part of town would be fun, too.
Same here. Long time lurker/occasional poster, but would definitely stop by. I’m across the river in Jersey City, so Walker’s is cool for me, but whatever everyone agrees on is fine.
@BGinCHI: It’s the least John can do, really.
Dang I’ll be in vegas on Sunday.
Look into Dymphna’s as possible venue. East 7th st tween 1st and A. Solid beer lineup; decent pub fare; ans ste. Dymphna is patron of psychotics so there’s that…
Very much in. Missed the last one.
OK, so people want to talk about NY and Chicago meetups. When in hell is the one for Southern California? I know there’s a bunch of us out there, and we’ve got better food to meet over. #fightingwords
Also subway accessible is PD O’Hurley’s at 174 w 72nd at the intersection of Broadway, Amsterdam and 72nd, my neighborhood hangout.
Either way if I’m in town I’ll try to be there.
A BJ party? Tell me more….
Sounds good, La C and I would love to see y’all again.
Not that this is a sales pitch cause I work 5 blocks from Walkers but 72 and Amsterdam is on the 1,2,3 like Walkers and the m5,m7,m11 and equidistant from the GWB and Lincoln Tunnel.
Yeah, and those of us who are “stuck in red” (to swipe a fellow commenter’s former nym) need to find a time, too. I’ve met JPL IRL and talked a few times with SIA, but I know there are plenty of other BJers in Georgia. Raven for sure, and AMomAnon, and lots of others who post occasionally.
I like the idea of a dedicated BJ meet up thread or parking lot for offers to get together. Also, like many of us, I travel some and it would be fun to meet people when I’m out of town and finished with work.
Definitely interested, with a preference for downtown — both Walker’s and St. Dymphna’s are good calls. That said, I’ve heard of 72nd & Broadway, and would be willing to pack a lunch and make the trip.
Dammit! I will be in New York the following Sunday, but not next one.
@Roger Moore: #fightingwords CA Born and raised, CHI Living, don’t count your superior meals too quickly. . .
(tight race, that’s all I’m saying. real tight race.)
Sure, I’m up for it.
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I think I’m on board! ETA–loud background noise causes me pain, so, any advice about noise level would be appreciated.
I’d love to do another meet up. Walker’s is okay but another place would be nice.
One thing someone should do though is call ahead to make a reservation or we take before hand about how we find each other.
@Jewish Steel:
@scav:
Maybe this thread should serve as a national call for Balloon-Juice people across the country to hold Balloon Juice Meet-ups in their local burgs on Sunday Feb. 12. It could be National BJ Hookup Day — wait, that didn’t come out right. But you get the picture. (And somehow that came out dirty, too.)
Anyway, I’m sure John Cole will be happy to host the West Virginia meet-up in his home.
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@PurpleGirl:
That’s an argument in favor of Walker’s. We already know how to find each other there.
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@Roger Moore:
Seconding the SoCal idea.
I’m in if it’s late afternoon/early evening.. Otherwise I’ll have to be with y’all in spirit while my physical form is stuck at work.
Kay and I were talking the other day and it turns out her daughter has moved to Pittsburgh. Meaning Kay is going to be a frequent visitor here. We were talking about a meet-up here. Tim F. is here and MikeinSewickley is here and I know there are others. I suggested meeting up at the Sewickley Hotel, but I’d be up for almost anywhere except the eastern suburbs. And Cole is close enough that he could make a super secret special guest appearance if he was so inclined (and his father’s health is good).
@Richard S: Your sales pitch works for me, since I live just a few blocks from there.
@Roger Moore: Ummm… No. As an LA native transplanted to NYC, IMHO New York food kicks LA ass. Sure, sure. There are individually great restaurants in LA, especially if you are ready to pay top dollar for a celeb chef. But in terms of the average restaurant… New York food is better. (‘Cept Mexican, of course. No one in New York can make a decent red sauce to save their lives). I think it’s just the competition is just so tough here – there are way more eateries per sq mile here, and if a place is just average it just isn’t going to make it for long.
That said… I missed the last one and would deff try and come. I’m Lower East side, so below 23rd street is great for me!
Missed the last one, would definitely come in for this one.
@Richard S: If we’re going that far uptown, what about Crocodile BBQ @ 125th & 9th? Not exactly charming NY, but good ‘Q.
Longtime BJ lurker as well and Manhattan-ite, would love to meet up.
I’d love to come to another one. I had a great time at the last one (please let me know if the toddler was too annoying and I’ll try to find a sitter).
Another NY’er who would love to meet up next week.
I’m in: I live in midtown Manhattan: depending on the number of attendees there is a great wine bar in my bldg. Also any number of other, larger venues as well. I’ll think on it.
Another New York City get-together is a terrific idea! Thanks for proposing it again, Doug-of-many-nyms. It’s always a pleasure to meet smart, engaged, quick-witted people. And if that’s not possible, Balloon Juicers make for a reasonable substitute.
At the last gathering, I enjoyed a number of wonderful and wide-ranging conversations; some of those have evolved into warm exchanges on these threads.
As the person who first recommended Walker’s, I’d be happy to return there for all of its definite pluses: good food and drink at reasonable prices, atmosphere, location, proximity to public transportation, and it worked well last time.
My one-cent on other venues that have been suggested above:
St. Dymphna’s: A fine and distinctive bar, a mash-up of NYC Irish pub and Lower East Side hipster haunt; one doesn’t go for the food; it’s not all that convenient to subways.
O’Hurley’s: Been there only once. It’s a standard-issue NYC Irish bar with all the pros and cons of that genre. If there’s a televised major sporting event next Sunday afternoon, I’d pass it by. The usually reliable website “Yelp New York City” is not too favorable.
Crocodile B-B-Q: ?? I’ve never heard of it and I can’t find any mention. Chasm, do you mean “Dinosaur BBQ”? That’s located at 125th Street/12th Avenue. Great ‘cue, incredibly loud, and kinda remote.
Obviously the above is one man’s opinion, with all the credibility that deserves. I am pretty familiar with most every Manhattan neighborhood and would be happy to make recommendations if there’s interest in trying an area other than Tribeca.
And Nicole: that toddler of yours is most welcome, if he doesn’t eat all the rolls again! :) :)
P.S. Maybe Corey Robin can be invited. I believe he lives in the city (Brooklyn?) and the Balloon Juice Reading and Debating Club seems to be on hiatus.
Longtime lurker here, emerging to say I’d love to come and lurk in person in NYC next weekend.
@handsmile:
Dinosaur does not really have very good food, in my opinion, but I’m happy to go there. There is no good BBQ in Manhattan anyway, though Fette Sau in Williamsburg is awsome, so that should settle it…Convenience or other criteria should determine the setting. I am the only person I know who lives in Midtown, so I’m used to traveling.
I’m game. Haven’t done a political blog meetup since 2004.
I’m leaning towards Walker’s again, because it worked out so well last time.
I like the 72nd Street West side area too, though. That was a bit my old stomping grounds.
Another long time lurker here from Brooklyn, NY. My vote is for Walkers or someplace else downtown or in the Union Square area.
MJ
Would love to go if work allows. Are you leaning towards early afternoon or more late aternoon/evening?
I’m in for sure. Can’t go wrong with Walker’s. Not only were the location and wine good, but the staff were very accommodating with the size of the group.
@Rita R.:
Maybe 3 or so?
Long-time lurker, occasional poster, would love to come to a meet-up. Where exactly is Walkers?
I may not even have a dog in this race. If circumstances work out wrong/right I might be out of town so knock yourselves out, I’ll see you if I’m in – if not, next time.
It’s a twelve mile long island – how far ‘uptown’ is 72nd? about half way by my measure (and I’ve walked it in the blackout of ’04).
I just enjoy our community.