Zbaguyl Tbng

posted June 21, 2012 4:07 AM | |

Wed July 11 at 6:00 PM, The Billy Goat Tavern

430 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL, USA (Map & Directions)

what.
posted by phunniemee at 10:28 AM on June 21, 2012

I've missed the last couple of meet ups for various unpleasant life reasons, so I'm looking forward to July, but I am indifferent as to whether it's the first Wednesday or not.
posted by crush-onastick at 11:10 AM on June 21, 2012

I have a puppy now! Let's do something outside where you can all meet my puppy!

Also, not on Wednesdays! I'm leading a Girl Scout troop now and our meetings are on Wednesdays!

Or whatever.
posted by phunniemee at 11:16 AM on June 21, 2012

You should propose a meet-pup.
posted by Evilspork at 1:24 PM on June 21, 2012 [3 favorites]

PUPPY!
posted by IndigoRain at 10:14 PM on June 21, 2012

I am leaving a comment to be able to follow GoatTrends®
posted by SpiffyRob at 4:38 AM on June 22, 2012

I'll be flying back from CA that night, so the 4th is a no-go for me.
posted by eamondaly at 6:26 AM on June 22, 2012

Bring the Scouts along!
posted by hydrophonic at 7:02 AM on June 22, 2012

I'll be in Venice, Italy. Sorry :P
posted by Windigo at 11:30 AM on June 22, 2012

Worst. Sorry. EVAR!

I vote Tuesday. I want to see the puppy.

(Not a euphemism.)
posted by eriko at 5:51 PM on June 22, 2012

As no-one has marked "attending", shall we put the July Goat off until the 11th? Favorite this comment and turn to page 72 if you put the July Goat off until the 11th.
posted by crush-onastick at 3:18 PM on June 24, 2012

Favorite this comment and turn to page 26 if you leave the July Goat on the first Wednesday, July 4th.
posted by crush-onastick at 3:18 PM on June 24, 2012

Favorite this comment and turn to page 11, if you would prefer a different option.

Note, that a chill and forbidding wind has begun to blow.
posted by crush-onastick at 3:26 PM on June 24, 2012

I hate the idea of changing it: can't people do both the 4th AND the 11th?
posted by eamondaly at 8:44 PM on June 24, 2012

I also hate the idea of changing it. We've always had auxiliary meet-ups in the past. Although it seems of late people aren't finalizing them. Fiat, people. Let it be done.
posted by crush-onastick at 6:02 AM on June 25, 2012

I suggest everyone bringing beer to my place and climbing up onto the roof to hang out and watch the fireworks. I do best at meetups where I don't actually have to go anyplace.

Unless someone has a better more awesome firework-viewing apartment building....

Or a boat.

Anyone got a boat?
posted by tzikeh at 11:57 AM on June 25, 2012

Thoughts from a non-cabal member (TINC): I've never been able to make it to the monthly Goat, since I have a standing Wednesday night thing, but luckily that's been moved to Thursday because of the holiday -- so I'd be able to make it on the 4th this time around. (Could possibly make Tuesday, too, if it gets moved to then.)
posted by orthicon halo at 2:41 PM on June 25, 2012

I would also like to follow GoatTrends®. I have a previous engagement on the fourth, open to all other suggestions.
posted by readery at 7:29 AM on June 26, 2012

I'm moving the "official" (for lack of a better word) day to the 11th for purposes of the attending list, and I figure we can have ad-hoc attendees for a 4th meetup here in the comments.
posted by Evilspork at 7:56 AM on June 26, 2012

FIAT!

I approve
posted by crush-onastick at 8:55 AM on June 26, 2012 [1 favorite]

If someone comes up with an alternagoat on a non-2nd-or-4th-Wenesday at a place where one can bring puppies, I will bring my puppy.

No Girl Scouts, though. At least not yet.
posted by phunniemee at 9:32 AM on June 26, 2012

You still haven't said what brand of puppy your puppy is, or posted any puppy pictures.

DISAPPOINTED
posted by Evilspork at 10:38 AM on June 26, 2012

This is Truman. He's a border terrier.
posted by phunniemee at 10:56 AM on June 26, 2012

HOLY CRAP IZZA PUPPY
posted by Evilspork at 5:07 PM on June 26, 2012 [1 favorite]

Finally! A Chicago meet up I can actually make it to. Woo!
posted by astapasta24 at 1:45 PM on June 28, 2012

I can only consume a few tiny beers but I intend to do exactly that.
posted by SpiffyRob at 8:07 AM on June 29, 2012

Rats! I will be in Indianapolis on the 11th. It is also 7-11 day.
posted by IndigoRain at 2:14 AM on June 30, 2012

Wednesdays have been bad for me for work reasons, but I have a vacation day scheduled on the 11th and was thinking of museum hopping that day. A meetup would be a great way to cap off the day. I miss you guys!
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 6:59 AM on June 30, 2012 [2 favorites]

Yay! Slack-a-gogo. I was just thinking that I hadn't seen you since M&J's wedding and then I thought I probably hadn't seen them since *my* wedding (which is not true, thankfully). And then I began to wonder when all my friendships had turned into wedding & funeral relationships. and then I was sad. But yay! meet-up!
posted by crush-onastick at 5:55 PM on June 30, 2012

So there's the 'official' monthly meetup on 7-11, and an unofficial meetup on 7-4 at unspecified house / boat?
posted by garlic at 11:24 AM on July 2, 2012

I thought the official and unofficial ones were at the same place.
posted by Evilspork at 3:33 PM on July 2, 2012

Yeah don't you people have work in the morning? Why always on Wednesday?
posted by bleep at 8:44 PM on July 2, 2012

Supplemental meetups, including those on weekends, are encouraged and often well-attended. But having a standing once-a-month weekend meetup would likely run afoul of peoples' plans more often than the Wednesday ones.

Speaking as someone who has work every morning after, early and far away, I can assure you that it's very possible to have an extremely good time without being any worse for the wear. Such is the benefit of starting at 6PM. And on that rare occasion when I don't have work in the morning, all the better!
posted by SpiffyRob at 5:47 AM on July 3, 2012

I should really start using "peoples" in non-possessive ways too.
posted by SpiffyRob at 5:48 AM on July 3, 2012

The process by which the monthly Goat-Up was established was arduous. It was exacting. It was nonetheless fair and accommodating. Now we are hide-bound to Goat-Up on the first Wednesday of the month (except when that is Independence Day). We start early. Some of us end early. No-one forces you to stay out past your bedtime--eamondaly notwithstanding. A few tiny beers--or some whiskeys in randomly sized glasses--and you're off to your cozy bed before work the next day. If an old folk like me can do it, why anyone can.
posted by crush-onastick at 10:01 AM on July 3, 2012 [1 favorite]

I...I think I can do this. I believe tomorrow night I will be drinking in Winnemac park watching fireworks. I just wish I could bring my kitty, who after initially being scared of the fireworks that mysteriously popped off in our neighborhood last week became totally enthralled with them.
posted by adamdschneider at 3:13 PM on July 3, 2012

I likely will not make it. I work until 1130-1200, and my buddy Jay has his first gig as karaoke dj at a bar called Miska's that night. Since it's less than a mile from where I work, I'll probably just go and support him.
posted by bryanthecook at 6:28 AM on July 5, 2012

I've never been out to a meetup, but I would like to! Would this be a good place to start? Are there any bizarre rituals I should be aware of?
posted by deathpanels at 7:14 AM on July 5, 2012

no more bizarre than your standard initiation into a combination cult / gang / boy band.
posted by garlic at 7:23 AM on July 5, 2012 [1 favorite]

You will be drinking heavily, pounding shots of Malört, and singing karaoke.
posted by bryanthecook at 8:58 AM on July 5, 2012

well, no. not really. We usually sit on the left side of the Goat. Many of us know one another by now, so there's not usually a sign or name tags or anything of that nature. Peruse flickr for mugshots. Cash only at the Goat. If you're a vegetarian, be aware the grilled cheese and the egg sandwiches are cooked right there with the cheeseburgers and other meat-food. We often decamp to a second bar (usually karaoke).

The Meet-up is a Safe Place.

Also, tip your server generously and NEATLY.
posted by crush-onastick at 9:05 AM on July 5, 2012

When did Malort start happening. :-/
posted by adamdschneider at 9:10 AM on July 5, 2012

Malort has been at every one I've been to.
posted by bryanthecook at 2:38 PM on July 5, 2012

Hey - who is the Cabalite who doesn't believe I exist? Is he/she going to be at this meet-up?
posted by tzikeh at 2:58 PM on July 5, 2012

It's me, you don't, and I won't.
posted by phunniemee at 3:30 PM on July 5, 2012 [2 favorites]

Probably.
posted by phunniemee at 3:31 PM on July 5, 2012

Hmphunniemee.
posted by tzikeh at 8:10 PM on July 5, 2012 [1 favorite]

tzikeh: I'm not in the cabal, but I'm not entirely convinced of your non-fictionality.

deathpanels, re: initiation
You may have feelings about karaoke. These may be negative or neutral feelings. If you have these feelings, these feelings are wrong. You are not a bad person for having these feelings, but know that they are there only because you have not yet encountered the true joy that is an eamondaly fueled karaoke-eamonathon that will change your whole perspective about the citizen-artist and their place in society. It's true!! It even happened to me! (several embarrassing attempts later).
It's not really like a cult, per se, but there could be some reverse brainwashing and driving out of negative-vibery demons, if you're game.
Initiation awaits!
posted by Cold Lurkey at 9:37 PM on July 5, 2012 [2 favorites]

By the way--there is no karaoke at the Goat--in case you're wondering.
posted by crush-onastick at 6:46 AM on July 6, 2012

Not yet, anyway.
posted by eamondaly at 7:38 AM on July 6, 2012 [2 favorites]

eamon, if anyone could get the Goat to agree to host Karaoke, it would be you and your rendition of "Sexy and I Know It."
posted by tzikeh at 8:51 AM on July 6, 2012

I'm just saying that I--personally--would never have gone to a meet-up if I was under the impression it was a karaoke meet-up--yet, you have all seen me do the karaoke thing. The Goat-Up is merely drinking and talking and fried sandwiches. That it oftentimes devolves into karaoke is A Thing but not THE Thing.
posted by crush-onastick at 10:01 AM on July 6, 2012

Clarity, inclusiveness, safe places and all that.
posted by crush-onastick at 10:03 AM on July 6, 2012 [1 favorite]

Anyone looking for a guide for meet-ups should look to crush-onastick's advice in this thread.

My first goat meetup was back in December, and I've tried not to miss one since because they're so fun. We are totally not scary, and welcoming to any mefite (or even redditor) who shows up. At the goat there is drinking of decent beer and eating of decent hamburgers for a few hours. If you're still around between 9-10, you may be encouraged to join us at the Blue Frog for karaoke, but it's not mandatory, nor is any particular arrival or departure time.

And as Cold-Lurkey said, even if you think you don't like Karaoke, we'd encourage you to at least see eamondaly serenade the bar with his latest pop favorite, because it is awesome. Mary Mac at the Blue Frog has 3 simple rules about Karaoke, one of which is "NO BOOING." So when one of the patrons does struggle through a song, everyone still cheers, or sings along to help out.

Also, if people are willing, we could add more photos to flickr of our mugs. Many of those are a year plus old.
posted by garlic at 12:02 PM on July 6, 2012

As Chief Czar of the Chicago Cabal*, I hereby forbid the use of my name in the rest of this thread. We are none of us the meetup!

* TINCC
posted by eamondaly at 12:28 PM on July 6, 2012

But anyway: yes, come. As mentioned earlier, the Goat is a Safe Place, strictly enforced with a ribeye gauntlet and a fried egg shield.
posted by eamondaly at 12:30 PM on July 6, 2012

[EDIT] I guess that's really TINCCCC.
posted by eamondaly at 12:31 PM on July 6, 2012

We are totally not scary...

EXACTLY WHAT A GROUP OF SCARY PEOPLE WOULD SAY
posted by Evilspork at 4:38 PM on July 7, 2012 [1 favorite]

Sure, it may be exactly what a group of scary people would say. But they'd be LIARS, which we are not. nor are we scary
posted by crush-onastick at 7:39 AM on July 8, 2012

You scare me.
posted by adamdschneider at 11:43 AM on July 8, 2012

Me? I, personally, scare you, Mr Adam D Schneider? Well,I don't know what to say.
posted by crush-onastick at 3:12 PM on July 8, 2012

"BOO!!!"
posted by Evilspork at 3:56 PM on July 8, 2012

Absolutely terrifying.
posted by adamdschneider at 5:37 PM on July 8, 2012

Can't make this one unfortunately. Enjoy!
posted by evisceratordeath at 9:16 AM on July 9, 2012

I'll be there, but it'll be late.
posted by bryanthecook at 10:07 PM on July 10, 2012

My vacation day is taking me West this afternoon, rather than East and closer the Goat, so I will not be able to join. We'll be drinking at the same time tonight, just not in the same city.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 7:56 AM on July 11, 2012

Goat goat goat, just a few hours til the Goat.
posted by misskaz at 11:38 AM on July 11, 2012

What kind of idiot schedules a 7:30am flight to Cleveland the day after the Goat? This idiot, that's who. I'll still be there, but instead of going straight to the Goat I have to go home and pack my bags first.
posted by Zaximus at 11:40 AM on July 11, 2012

What kind of idiot goes to Cleveland?
Obligatory: 1, 2
posted by phunniemee at 11:50 AM on July 11, 2012

Hey man, I LIVED there for a year.

Double Obligatory
posted by SpiffyRob at 12:15 PM on July 11, 2012

I cannot wait to devour a cheesebourger.
posted by youngergirl44 at 12:32 PM on July 11, 2012

For those unaware, you can get a free mini-Slurpee at the 7-11 on State and Hubbard until 7pm.
posted by eamondaly at 12:40 PM on July 11, 2012

What kind of idiot takes the train overnight to Erie, PA to a family reunion of in laws for the side of the family that even his partner hasn't seen in 20+ years?

(A loving idiot, I like to think.)


I was hoping to maybe meet up with you folks before catching the 9:30 pm train (thinking a few tiny beers might help with some sleep) but that would have required doing something sensible like packing last night. So have fun tonight and I'll chase an Ambien with an overpriced Amtrak beer, thinking of you.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 12:44 PM on July 11, 2012

Anyone gonna be there early? I need tiny beers, STAT.
posted by misskaz at 3:00 PM on July 11, 2012

Be there in 45 or so.
posted by SpiffyRob at 3:02 PM on July 11, 2012

Delayed?!? Boo to you, train tracker! Give me a number (of beers needed to forgive you.)
posted by SpiffyRob at 3:09 PM on July 11, 2012

Two trains both arriving in 3 minutes? Sounds hell of dangerous.
posted by SpiffyRob at 3:10 PM on July 11, 2012

I wrote a song about the red line. Some day I will sing it for you.
posted by SpiffyRob at 3:33 PM on July 11, 2012

brrroooooooow.
posted by zombiestripperjesuscat at 3:41 PM on July 11, 2012

We are at the Frog and you are not.We win.
posted by crush-onastick at 9:21 PM on July 11, 2012

Best night. BEST. NIGHT. Thank you all. <3
posted by misskaz at 12:58 AM on July 12, 2012

Ow.
posted by eamondaly at 9:31 AM on July 12, 2012

I think you mean "Ow. MY EYES!"
posted by crush-onastick at 10:09 AM on July 12, 2012

GUYS! Guys. Look.
posted by phunniemee at 12:42 PM on July 24, 2012 [1 favorite]