Taters Trivia Triumph Celebration
posted September 17, 2013 7:21 AM RSS | iCal | +googleCal
Sat October 26 at 1:00 PM, Lanes & Games
195 Concord Turnpike, Cambridge, MA, USA (Map & Directions)
Hey guys! We won $300 cash money in the Geek Elite trivia tournament. So this is the thread where we figure out what to do with our winnings.
We could use the money to simply pay for food/beverages at a bar/restaurant of our choice (but please, not Tommy Doyle's), or use it to rent a space where we bring our own food/beverages, etc. Or we could do something else?
As far as when - I propose the event should be on a weekend, so we can maximize participation. Maybe the first or second weekend in October?
What say you all?
(I put Cambridge in the location but obviously we have the whole Boston metro area at our disposal, though I think we should stick with places that are public transport-accessible).
As far as when - I propose the event should be on a weekend, so we can maximize participation. Maybe the first or second weekend in October?
What say you all?
(I put Cambridge in the location but obviously we have the whole Boston metro area at our disposal, though I think we should stick with places that are public transport-accessible).
Falafelshop has some amazing fries. That's a lot better than the first thing I thought of.
posted by ignignokt at 3:46 AM on September 18, 2013
posted by ignignokt at 3:46 AM on September 18, 2013
What about renting that little theater next to the Museum of Bad Art in the basement of Somerville Theater? It's BYO liquor and snacks, and fun! Besides, I missed HR's birthday party there a couple years ago. That said, I couldn't find the price on their website, so I dunno if it's out of range.
...and ignignokt's first thought iiiis pretty temptiiiing...
posted by not_on_display at 7:25 AM on September 18, 2013
...and ignignokt's first thought iiiis pretty temptiiiing...
posted by not_on_display at 7:25 AM on September 18, 2013
I'd absolutely love to do the Somerville Theater thing again. I sent the manager an email to check on whether that's a possibility and I'll report back.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 8:02 AM on September 18, 2013
posted by Horace Rumpole at 8:02 AM on September 18, 2013
Shrimp stroganoff, corn, peas, mozzarella and cream cheese
I guess that's the "freak" part of PotatoFreak.
I've never been to Saus but omgpoutine. Can we get $300 worth of poutine?
posted by Metroid Baby at 8:14 AM on September 18, 2013
I guess that's the "freak" part of PotatoFreak.
I've never been to Saus but omgpoutine. Can we get $300 worth of poutine?
posted by Metroid Baby at 8:14 AM on September 18, 2013
Shrimp stroganoff, corn, peas, mozzarella and cream cheese
This sounds like the opening to Are You Being Served? and I am unanimous in that.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 8:45 AM on September 18, 2013 [2 favorites]
This sounds like the opening to Are You Being Served? and I am unanimous in that.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 8:45 AM on September 18, 2013 [2 favorites]
Can we get $300 worth of poutine?
$5.00 for poutine, $295 for the angioplasty.
posted by bondcliff at 12:10 PM on September 18, 2013
$5.00 for poutine, $295 for the angioplasty.
posted by bondcliff at 12:10 PM on September 18, 2013
Report on Somerville Theater: The manager says they do still rent out the microtheater, but it's a slightly different deal than when I did it. It's $50 an hour for a weeknight, or $100/hour for a weekend (i.e. Fri-Sun.) and he said that weekends in October were already booked. He did have two Monday nights in October free if we wanted to revert to our regular trivia slot--we could presumably do something like 6-10 and still have $100 left over for beer and food. One of the open days is Columbus Day, the 14th, which I happen to have off, but I don't know how general that is.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 11:09 AM on September 19, 2013
posted by Horace Rumpole at 11:09 AM on September 19, 2013
I'm thinking now that it sounds like we could do better than the Somerville Theater... if we have $300, we can make that last a lazy weekend afternoon-into-evening somewhere where we could also talk about nerdy stuff.
...which made me suddenly think of Lanes & Games (they have a full bar!! and candlepin AND big-ball bowling!), and maybe dinner at Summer Shack around the corner (which I've never been to in spite of having lived around here for 20+ years).
posted by not_on_display at 9:00 PM on September 19, 2013
...which made me suddenly think of Lanes & Games (they have a full bar!! and candlepin AND big-ball bowling!), and maybe dinner at Summer Shack around the corner (which I've never been to in spite of having lived around here for 20+ years).
posted by not_on_display at 9:00 PM on September 19, 2013
Lanes & Games also has, like, a million pinball tables (ok, more like 8 or so, but still!) including the BEST PINBALL TABLE EVER, The Addams Family!
What I'm trying to say is three hundred dollars is a lot of quarters.
(The food at the bowling alley predictably sucks. Summer Shack is good but on the pricier side. I think the only other dining option in that immediate area is the Bertucci's in the Alewife T station.)
posted by backseatpilot at 5:07 AM on September 20, 2013
What I'm trying to say is three hundred dollars is a lot of quarters.
(The food at the bowling alley predictably sucks. Summer Shack is good but on the pricier side. I think the only other dining option in that immediate area is the Bertucci's in the Alewife T station.)
posted by backseatpilot at 5:07 AM on September 20, 2013
Well, they claim to have air hockey at Lanes & Games, so I'm sold.
I think we went to Summer Shack once, and I remember it as unwhelming, but that was also probably like 6 or so years ago, so who knows, maybe they've gotten better. There are a few more food options further down by Fresh Pond, including Genki Ya sushi (in the Trader Joes shopping center). Genki Ya is not cheap, though. There is also a Chipotle there.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 8:02 AM on September 20, 2013
I think we went to Summer Shack once, and I remember it as unwhelming, but that was also probably like 6 or so years ago, so who knows, maybe they've gotten better. There are a few more food options further down by Fresh Pond, including Genki Ya sushi (in the Trader Joes shopping center). Genki Ya is not cheap, though. There is also a Chipotle there.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 8:02 AM on September 20, 2013
Oh god please not Bertucci's. Summer Shack was OK.
Ma Magoo's is also around the corner and has great trashy food, but I don't know if they seat all that many people. If it was lighter out, we could grab some and take it to Fresh Pond.
Lanes and Games sounds great. I like the spectacle of pinball, and air hockey is good times. And maybe it's worth eating bowling alley food to not have to go to a second location?
And I'm cool with the theater thing, too, even if we have to do it on a weeknight.
posted by ignignokt at 8:47 AM on September 20, 2013
Ma Magoo's is also around the corner and has great trashy food, but I don't know if they seat all that many people. If it was lighter out, we could grab some and take it to Fresh Pond.
Lanes and Games sounds great. I like the spectacle of pinball, and air hockey is good times. And maybe it's worth eating bowling alley food to not have to go to a second location?
And I'm cool with the theater thing, too, even if we have to do it on a weeknight.
posted by ignignokt at 8:47 AM on September 20, 2013
I've been wanting to try candlepin bowling - Sounds fun!
posted by jpdoane at 8:54 AM on September 20, 2013
posted by jpdoane at 8:54 AM on September 20, 2013
Ma Magoo's honey mustard chicken finger sandwich is the best of all possible foods. I don't think it's feasible for us to get there from Lanes & Games, but I mention this as a public service announcement.
posted by Metroid Baby at 10:14 AM on September 20, 2013
posted by Metroid Baby at 10:14 AM on September 20, 2013
Regent and Capitol Theaters in Arlington also rent out the house. Don't know what the pricing is like.
posted by initapplette at 6:56 PM on September 20, 2013
posted by initapplette at 6:56 PM on September 20, 2013
I like the idea of bowling. I've passed Lanes and Games enough times that I'm curious to see what it's like inside.
posted by martinX's bellbottoms at 3:32 PM on September 21, 2013
posted by martinX's bellbottoms at 3:32 PM on September 21, 2013
The Capitol Theatre is owned by the same people as Somerville, and it appears the prices are the same.
It doesn't look from their website that the Regent has a separate, smaller theater. Renting out the whole space seems like it might be cost-prohibitive, and probably overkill for the number of people?
posted by DiscourseMarker at 7:55 AM on September 22, 2013
It doesn't look from their website that the Regent has a separate, smaller theater. Renting out the whole space seems like it might be cost-prohibitive, and probably overkill for the number of people?
posted by DiscourseMarker at 7:55 AM on September 22, 2013
Wow, if we're talking about the Capitol Theatre, I have no excuse not to walk up the street and meet you lovely people. (Been meaning to come to trivia night...)
posted by dywypi at 1:21 PM on September 24, 2013
posted by dywypi at 1:21 PM on September 24, 2013
Speaking from a position of nigh-total ignorance, all the options given so far sound good to me. I'd like to go bowling.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 4:55 PM on September 24, 2013
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 4:55 PM on September 24, 2013
Alright, fine I will make a formal proposition. How about Lanes & Games on Saturday October 12? We can either suck it up and eat there, or go somewhere else after for dinner? Do people prefer an afternoon or evening engagement?
posted by DiscourseMarker at 2:47 PM on September 25, 2013
posted by DiscourseMarker at 2:47 PM on September 25, 2013
Oct 12 looks good to me. Afternoon is probably better. If then, you should see see if we need a reservation, as they may have leagues or birthday parties on Saturday afternoons, and we don't wanna get there and be like, "What? No lanes?"
posted by not_on_display at 4:46 PM on September 25, 2013
posted by not_on_display at 4:46 PM on September 25, 2013
I could do the 12th. Afternoon would be best. That way, I wouldn't be going home later at night.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 4:57 PM on September 25, 2013
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 4:57 PM on September 25, 2013
Ma Magoo's delivers, by the way; we could ask the management at Lanes & Games if we can bring in outside food. (I can't remember their policy, since it's been at least a decade since I've attended a birthday party there.) But Ma Magoo's has the best haddock sub. Just sayin'.
That sayin' said, I don't feel the need to grab the wheel and steer the bus, so if someone else comes up with a better idea for feeding time, speak up or forever hold the mayo and pickles.
posted by not_on_display at 9:21 PM on September 25, 2013
That sayin' said, I don't feel the need to grab the wheel and steer the bus, so if someone else comes up with a better idea for feeding time, speak up or forever hold the mayo and pickles.
posted by not_on_display at 9:21 PM on September 25, 2013
Ah, just called Lanes and Games. They, in fact, do not allow outside food.
posted by ignignokt at 12:20 PM on September 29, 2013
posted by ignignokt at 12:20 PM on September 29, 2013
maryr says that she's out of town on the twelfth.
I may also go out of town that weekend.
posted by martinX's bellbottoms at 5:13 PM on September 30, 2013
I may also go out of town that weekend.
posted by martinX's bellbottoms at 5:13 PM on September 30, 2013
Ok so at trivia tonight we determined that the weekend of the 12th and the weekend after that were both bad. So we are now looking at the afternoon of October 26. Currently consensus is just to spend the cash picking up everyone's tab at Lanes & Games, and then if people want to go out for real food after, then that will be on your own.
If you like this option, please say yea, and I will change this to confirmed.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 6:29 PM on September 30, 2013
If you like this option, please say yea, and I will change this to confirmed.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 6:29 PM on September 30, 2013
I am commenting on this thread.
posted by maryr at 8:03 PM on September 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by maryr at 8:03 PM on September 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
PS: Thank you martinX, yes, the 26th would be better for me at the least.
posted by maryr at 8:04 PM on September 30, 2013
posted by maryr at 8:04 PM on September 30, 2013
That option for the 26th sounds good to me. Yea.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 8:18 PM on September 30, 2013
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 8:18 PM on September 30, 2013
yea!
posted by not_on_display at 8:34 PM on September 30, 2013
posted by not_on_display at 8:34 PM on September 30, 2013
And we can wear our Halloween costumes! I will dress up as a geek who drinks.
Which is to say I can make it.
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:12 AM on October 1, 2013
Which is to say I can make it.
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:12 AM on October 1, 2013
I may possibly be able to make the 26th, if this here shindig is open to occasional Tater team members who haven't gone in over a year.
I will also meet not_on_display for a haddock sub any time because I have never heard the term "haddock sub" until now but it seems like the sort of thing I should already have been aware of.
posted by bondcliff at 7:40 AM on October 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
I will also meet not_on_display for a haddock sub any time because I have never heard the term "haddock sub" until now but it seems like the sort of thing I should already have been aware of.
posted by bondcliff at 7:40 AM on October 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
Would definitely bowl in my Halloween costume. Which reminds me, I should order it.
posted by maryr at 11:05 AM on October 1, 2013
posted by maryr at 11:05 AM on October 1, 2013
I may possibly be able to make the 26th, if this here shindig is open to occasional Tater team members who haven't gone in over a year.
Yes definitely! All regular, occasional, irregular, and wannabe Taters should feel welcome to attend.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 12:12 PM on October 1, 2013
Yes definitely! All regular, occasional, irregular, and wannabe Taters should feel welcome to attend.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 12:12 PM on October 1, 2013
Hearing no further discussion, I am changing this to confirmed for the 26th.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 11:24 AM on October 3, 2013
posted by DiscourseMarker at 11:24 AM on October 3, 2013
Made a reservation today at Lanes & Games for 10/26, so we're in people!
posted by DiscourseMarker at 12:36 PM on October 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by DiscourseMarker at 12:36 PM on October 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
Looking forward to seeing y'all on Saturday. Will the Lanes & Games people yell at us if I bring cookies or something?
posted by maryr at 8:41 AM on October 24, 2013
posted by maryr at 8:41 AM on October 24, 2013
My brother will drop me off at Oak Grove that morning so I can get into town. I may arrive a little early or a little late, but not likely on time.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 9:28 AM on October 24, 2013
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 9:28 AM on October 24, 2013
Family obligations are making it more and more unlikely that I'll be able to attend. Bah! Stupid loved ones.
Have fun, all.
posted by bondcliff at 8:21 AM on October 25, 2013
Have fun, all.
posted by bondcliff at 8:21 AM on October 25, 2013
Will the Lanes & Games people yell at us if I bring cookies or something?
That would be crazy unreasonable of them. We would have to march right out and, I dunno, picket if they did that.
posted by ignignokt at 8:25 AM on October 25, 2013
That would be crazy unreasonable of them. We would have to march right out and, I dunno, picket if they did that.
posted by ignignokt at 8:25 AM on October 25, 2013
Turns out I should be able to make it to this after all.
posted by Diablevert at 8:53 PM on October 25, 2013
posted by Diablevert at 8:53 PM on October 25, 2013
Oh yeah, reminder for anyone on the other side of the river, Red Line is bussing over the Longfellow this weekend.
posted by maryr at 7:14 AM on October 26, 2013
posted by maryr at 7:14 AM on October 26, 2013
So Horace and I are here. Our reservation is for upstairs, so that's where you should go when you get here. Currently Horace is at the door with his MeFi shirt on.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 10:00 AM on October 26, 2013
posted by DiscourseMarker at 10:00 AM on October 26, 2013
I'll be a bit late.
posted by Diablevert at 10:16 AM on October 26, 2013
posted by Diablevert at 10:16 AM on October 26, 2013
Ok we just moved downstairs to play candlepin at of 2:20pm. We're in lanes 1 and 2.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 11:18 AM on October 26, 2013
posted by DiscourseMarker at 11:18 AM on October 26, 2013
Well, that was totally awesome. Thanks, all!
posted by koeselitz at 1:56 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by koeselitz at 1:56 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Good to meet all of you.
posted by klausness at 2:53 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by klausness at 2:53 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Well, now I'm home with nothing to do after an afternoon of fun and good company, so thanks for ruining my Saturday evening by comparison, guys.
I had a blast. Excellent use of our prize money, I think.
posted by maryr at 3:03 PM on October 26, 2013
I had a blast. Excellent use of our prize money, I think.
posted by maryr at 3:03 PM on October 26, 2013
Yay! I'm glad everybody had so much fun. So like, what other contests can we win?
Also - don't forget to post your pictures!
posted by DiscourseMarker at 3:22 PM on October 26, 2013
Also - don't forget to post your pictures!
posted by DiscourseMarker at 3:22 PM on October 26, 2013
Yeah, that was great! Thanks for setting that up!
The only pic I have is of the domed hockey foosball table, which I discovered is way more fun than regular foosball because of the rotating guys' ability to send the puck in any direction. Also, apparently jpdoane is good at every activity available at the place.
My only regret is that they turned down the sound so that we couldn't hear the national anthem.
posted by ignignokt at 4:16 PM on October 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
The only pic I have is of the domed hockey foosball table, which I discovered is way more fun than regular foosball because of the rotating guys' ability to send the puck in any direction. Also, apparently jpdoane is good at every activity available at the place.
My only regret is that they turned down the sound so that we couldn't hear the national anthem.
posted by ignignokt at 4:16 PM on October 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
London recognises the trivia skills of Mefites across the pond - congrats!
posted by ersatz at 5:03 PM on October 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by ersatz at 5:03 PM on October 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
OMG I took such a long nap when I got home. Y'all tuckered me out. Thanks!!
posted by not_on_display at 7:28 PM on October 26, 2013
posted by not_on_display at 7:28 PM on October 26, 2013
It was great fun - Thanks for setting this up, Horace and Discourse (and for leading us to trivia victory)!
posted by jpdoane at 5:46 PM on October 27, 2013
posted by jpdoane at 5:46 PM on October 27, 2013
I really enjoyed it! Then I was super tired for the rest of the weekend. Is bowling really that exhausting? Or was it the Metallica pinball?
posted by Metroid Baby at 6:07 AM on October 28, 2013
posted by Metroid Baby at 6:07 AM on October 28, 2013
Yeah, I was super tired afterward myself. Should probably do exercises to help me lift and throw bowling balls.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 9:19 AM on October 28, 2013
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 9:19 AM on October 28, 2013
Extra carbon monooxide in Lanes & Games? I also slept a lot. I would like to think that I am not so out of shape that bowling exhausts me.
posted by maryr at 10:01 AM on October 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by maryr at 10:01 AM on October 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
I would like to think so, too, but given that I haven't been in shape -
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 10:32 AM on October 28, 2013
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 10:32 AM on October 28, 2013
I had a blast-thanks for organizing Horace and DiscourseMarker.
As a former day drinking champ, I'd like to point out that sobering up, even after only one or two drinks, is surprisingly tiring. You don't notice if you usually only drink right before bed. The key, obviously, is to keep drinking until bedtime.
posted by martinX's bellbottoms at 3:02 PM on October 28, 2013 [3 favorites]
As a former day drinking champ, I'd like to point out that sobering up, even after only one or two drinks, is surprisingly tiring. You don't notice if you usually only drink right before bed. The key, obviously, is to keep drinking until bedtime.
posted by martinX's bellbottoms at 3:02 PM on October 28, 2013 [3 favorites]
Hmm. That may well explain my trouble.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 3:48 PM on October 28, 2013
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 3:48 PM on October 28, 2013
Hello, lovely Boston meetup peeps. i had a lot of fun at this meetup. I have a bit of a soft spot for pool, so I posted another event to see if anyone would be interested in that. Y'all were fun, so I thought I'd send out the bat signal in this old thread to see if anybody would be down for that. Cheers.
posted by Diablevert at 5:55 PM on October 31, 2013
posted by Diablevert at 5:55 PM on October 31, 2013
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by backseatpilot at 2:06 PM on September 17, 2013 [1 favorite]