Autodesk Design Gallery Tour (Beer/Wine Afterwards)

posted February 7, 2012 9:09 PM | |

Thu March 29 at 6:00 PM, Autodesk Gallery

1 Market St, San Francisco, CA, USA (Map & Directions)

I like: 3D Printing, March, & Cocktails.

So I vote yes!

Does this have to be a weekday during the day, though?
posted by aubilenon at 10:41 PM on February 7, 2012

This is intriguing, indeed! Especially if it can be done in the evening.
posted by mostlymartha at 12:25 AM on February 8, 2012

Sounds fun. It would be my 4th or 5th time at the gallery. You work at Autodesk, I take it?
posted by danny the boy at 1:00 AM on February 8, 2012

Yes, yes, yes, yes.

The extra yesses are from my 3d-printed clones.
posted by zippy at 1:15 AM on February 8, 2012

This would be very cool. I'm in.
posted by rtha at 5:41 AM on February 8, 2012

yes, please!
posted by bashos_frog at 6:31 AM on February 8, 2012

I'm in! Pretty much any day or time is OK for me.
posted by Quietgal at 8:57 AM on February 8, 2012

I've heard the gallery is very cool. I'd like to come! It would be best if it was after work, but I would probably play hooky to go.
posted by pombe at 9:08 AM on February 8, 2012

zippy, I didn't realize 3D printing technology had made it that far!

Anyway, I'm in if this fits my schedule.
posted by madcaptenor at 9:45 AM on February 8, 2012

If it weren't tax season, It'd be definitely yes instead of maybe yes.
posted by BrotherCaine at 10:10 AM on February 8, 2012

I am so there.
posted by asterix at 10:21 AM on February 8, 2012

Oooh, shiny! But please play nice with the 9-5ers.
posted by politikitty at 10:33 AM on February 8, 2012 [1 favorite]

Ditto politikitty.
posted by dame at 12:33 PM on February 8, 2012

yes yes yes yes yes!!!
posted by jasper411 at 12:41 PM on February 8, 2012

i would love to do this - yes!
posted by lapolla at 3:34 PM on February 8, 2012

This would be cool (as scheduling permits).
posted by loriginedumonde at 5:52 PM on February 8, 2012

Great to see so much interest! I will find out the protocol for after hours/Saturday tours. @danny the boy: yup, I am an official "Autodesk Ambassador". I have a badge and everything.

Stay tuned and I'll check on the non 9-5 tours.
posted by sfkiddo at 6:35 PM on February 8, 2012 [1 favorite]

Sounds fun, I'm in (also as scheduling permits).
posted by blm at 9:26 PM on February 8, 2012

Oh my goodness yes. I will be there and probably crying from thwarted ambition.
posted by casarkos at 9:34 PM on February 8, 2012

DO WANT!
posted by Pronoiac at 12:55 AM on February 9, 2012

Ooh, awesome!
posted by needs more cowbell at 7:00 PM on February 9, 2012

count me in.
posted by special-k at 10:20 PM on February 9, 2012

I would like to come also!
posted by Swisstine at 10:32 AM on February 10, 2012

I would also attend such a thing.
posted by sarahnade at 1:50 PM on February 10, 2012

I too am interested.
posted by ambulatorybird at 6:06 PM on February 12, 2012

I'm interested.
posted by dunk at 5:42 PM on February 13, 2012

Hellz yeah. I'm in.
posted by Pecinpah at 2:30 PM on February 14, 2012

Oh. I work in the same office building. Excellent.
posted by superquail at 5:00 PM on February 14, 2012

Not sure I can make it to the thing but re: bar info, I just went to the Americano in the Hotel Vitale a couple of weeks ago for happy hour with some co-workers and it was pretty good. Completely the opposite of the normal SF MeFite dive bar experience (in that it was packed with FiDi people all in their FiDi workaday finery) - BUT - the drinks were great, the food/snacks were great and they have a pretty big outside covered patio area. Also, it's close: on Mission between the Embarcadero and Steuart.
posted by hapax_legomenon at 6:13 PM on February 14, 2012

Also, it's close: on Mission

it's on Mission! lots of mefite-friendly bars are on Mission.

(okay, so they're also in the Mission.)
posted by madcaptenor at 6:21 PM on February 14, 2012

madcaptenor, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but "It's on Mission" is kinda like when my grandmother made plans to have a daytrip to Los Angeles, because "if I'm visiting California, I might as well stop by, and it can't be too far..."
posted by politikitty at 10:09 AM on February 15, 2012 [3 favorites]

politikitty, I am from a small state and so I do not understand this analogy.
posted by madcaptenor at 5:17 PM on February 15, 2012

But in this case the Americano is both on Mission and near the event. Everybody wins! (Except the people who want it to be in the Mission.)
posted by sfkiddo at 8:08 PM on February 15, 2012

To hapax_legomenon's point: I don't know what normal SF MeFite bar experiences are, but I do concede that every bar around the event will be a bit more... swankety-swank. But it's fun to dress up sometimes! Right? Right?!?
posted by sfkiddo at 8:11 PM on February 15, 2012

There's a Thai restaurant, Ohsa, with a full bar at the Hyatt that could be well suited to a MeFi meetup. Tasty appetizers, Manhattans, what else could we want?
posted by jasper411 at 8:58 AM on February 16, 2012

But it's fun to dress up sometimes! Right? Right?!?

I have seen us clean up real nice - at the recent gin meetup, and the whisk(e)y meetup(s) and I'm sure there's a few others.
posted by rtha at 9:21 AM on February 16, 2012

I looooove dressing up! Yes, lets!
posted by mostlymartha at 10:15 AM on February 16, 2012

jasper411, Osha is always a great bet. Good idea! I will check on getting a reservation for the bar area when the event gets sooner.
posted by sfkiddo at 7:23 PM on February 16, 2012 [1 favorite]

Thanks for organizing all this, sfkiddo. So looking forward to it!
posted by special-k at 4:30 PM on February 17, 2012

Update: I'll sent out an email to everyone on the Attending/Maybe list the week before the event. I'll also check the day before in case anyone else decides to attend. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for the final plan!
posted by sfkiddo at 6:52 PM on February 24, 2012

i really really wanna do this, and can be in the lobby of 1 california at 6:05. will that be ok, or will it be too late to get in on the autodesk tour?

i literally work across the street - at SF railway museum. which is housed in the hotel vitale building, which also houses the bar americano. if any mefites wanna check it out, feel free to come by before the autodesk tour!
posted by lapolla at 12:30 AM on February 26, 2012

sounds amazing! i am down. thanks sfkiddo!
posted by guybrush_threepwood at 5:15 PM on February 28, 2012

Hi everyone, it seems that six p.m. would work better for the group. I'm going to work on changing it to then. Feedback is always welcome!
posted by sfkiddo at 9:17 PM on March 1, 2012 [1 favorite]

Seven days and counting! Here are the next steps to attend the Autodesk Gallery Tour:

1. I will be sending you a MeMail tonight with detailed information and instructions.
2. If you stumble upon this after tonight, please MeMail me and I will get you the info.
3. When we settle on a drinks venue, I will update this thread for those who can only make the cocktails portion of the event.

I look forward to meeting everyone!
posted by sfkiddo at 8:55 PM on March 22, 2012 [1 favorite]

I never got a memail! I can haz one, plz?
posted by rtha at 8:51 PM on March 24, 2012

Oh yeah. Because I forgot to RSVP, as usual. It'll be me and gingerbeer.
posted by rtha at 8:52 PM on March 24, 2012

Finally figured out it might be easier to post in the comments then sending everyone their own email. Here's the instructions:

To attend the Autodesk Gallery Tour next Thursday, please do the following:
1. Send me your real name (and of your guests, if applicable) as I may need to have a checklist for building security.
2. Get to One Market Street, San Francisco by 6 p.m. Wait near the Autodesk sign near the security desk.
3. I will be waiting from 5:45-6:00 p.m. for the group.
4. We’ll then go up to the Gallery for the tour!

If you can’t attend the tour, are late, or would simply like to have drinks later, watch the comments: I will be posting the venue of the cocktail portion of the evening as soon as it’s decided.
posted by sfkiddo at 8:11 PM on March 26, 2012

i'm really looking forward to this!
posted by lapolla at 5:09 PM on March 28, 2012

Less than 24 hours before the event! Because it's close and I don't trust the weather, let's meet for cocktails at the Americano that is in the Hotel Vitale at 8 Mission between Embarcadero and Steuart. Note that, if you're late getting to One Market, you won't be able to get into the Gallery. However, you could go to the Americano, have a drink or so, and the rest of us will meet up with you then!

Wow, lots of people attending. I will do my best to be a good guide!
posted by sfkiddo at 7:33 PM on March 28, 2012

Because I forgot to memail you yesterday, I will memail you in just one minute. If, for some reason, we can't make the tour part, we'll catch up with y'all for drinks. Thank you so much, sfkiddo, for boldly trying to herd all us cats.
posted by rtha at 8:08 AM on March 29, 2012

I'm moving thomasbrobber and myself to the maybe list for this evening. Today is day one of new allergy medication.
posted by Nimmie Amee at 8:54 AM on March 29, 2012

Aw, shit. I just saw this post and I already have plans. This sounds amazing.
posted by brundlefly at 8:56 AM on March 29, 2012

I'm going to put myself down for maybe and see if I can rearrange things for tonight.
posted by brundlefly at 8:57 AM on March 29, 2012

Today is day one of new allergy medication.

Come on! Think how fun all the cool 3-D things will be when you're whacked out on allergy meds!
posted by rtha at 9:10 AM on March 29, 2012 [1 favorite]

Come on! Think how fun all the cool 3-D things will be when you're whacked out on allergy meds!

I said maybe!
posted by Nimmie Amee at 9:18 AM on March 29, 2012 [1 favorite]

I just decided to come to this. Hopefully it's not too late!
posted by zsazsa at 3:31 PM on March 29, 2012

brundlefly: Worst case can you email me an autocad file of yourself?
We will 3D print you at the meetup (woah, this is the future yo) and feed you beer, treats and take lots of pictures.
posted by special-k at 3:53 PM on March 29, 2012 [3 favorites]

Let's all go to the lobby;
Let's all go to the lobby;
Let's all go to the lobby
To get ourselves some Special-k


um yeah. Got here early
posted by special-k at 5:27 PM on March 29, 2012

So where is the entrance?
posted by madcaptenor at 5:45 PM on March 29, 2012

We're at the lobby near the entrance across Market from Noah's Bagels.
posted by Pronoiac at 5:49 PM on March 29, 2012

One Market, past the Bank of America (heading towards the Ferry Building)
posted by un petit cadeau at 5:50 PM on March 29, 2012

On bart, almost there.
posted by rtha at 5:51 PM on March 29, 2012

Ok, it's 6:00! We're heading up now. If you're here before 6:10ish, comment here an we MIGHT let you in!
posted by zsazsa at 6:02 PM on March 29, 2012

Thanks so much for putting the tour together. I'm so sad I couldn't make it. Tax season sucks.
posted by BrotherCaine at 6:17 PM on March 29, 2012

I crashed my car into the bay bridge and also ate some dinosaur.

Thanks for making it happen, sfkiddo!
posted by special-k at 8:11 PM on March 29, 2012 [3 favorites]

Thanks, sfkiddo, for an interesting and informative tour! Living in the future is pretty cool.
posted by Quietgal at 8:26 PM on March 29, 2012

for the most part, i love my job. sure, it's far from a wise career - part-tie, low pay, no benefits. but that struggle is usually worth it, cuz i like what i do. but every few weeks, there's just one of "those" days. one of those days when, the vast majority of people who walk through the door are assholes. either exhibit a vicious sense of entitlement, expecting you to gratefully service them, no matter how absurd their wishes, simply for walking into a free museum. and then there are the leeches who take advantage of your employment, and force you to be a captive audience. the minute you show them any hospitality, they corner ya, like a vampire, and suck out your soul. and yeah - it was one of those days, save for a few bright sparks of sane and charming people - all of whom i could count on one hand of 'em. worst part is, sales in the gift shop were miserable. the awful ones are often the cheapest bastards, to boot. but i was really looking forward to meeting up with fellow mefites, and excited to see the neato autodesk stuff. so i hung in there. the last hour before closing time was totally empty, and i got everything prepped and ready so i could shut the doors and roll outta there right at 6pm.

and then, at 7 'til, 5 people walked in. and i told 'em: i have to leave RIGHT AT 6. and 4 of them were cool with that. but then, there was this one guy, you know, that ONE guy, who is pissed because he thinks you exist solely to kow-tow to him and his credit card. and he starts to WORK me. but yeah - he's actually gonna buy something, so i put up with it. and he saunters up tothe register at 6, and then begins to dither. total passive aggressive manipulation. and i tell him, i'm leaving - now - because one of the few perks of myu job is that i can make that call. he buys the stuff. it only take me 3 minutes to ring him up, cuz i am MOTIVATED. and then, he lollygags. like, he stretches, and sighs, and won't pick up his bag, and starts asking me tourist questions. i guess i could have physically wrestled him out the door, but that creates its own set of problems.

i turn off all the lights. and he finally leaves, at 6:05. i set the alarm, lock the front door, and RUN - the one block up to market, across the crosswalk, the few feet up to reach the entrance of 1 California, and arrive into the lobby at 6:07.

i see no group, so i zip over to the lobby attendant, and ask about the group. he says to me, "well, you see, the thing is, you just missed up. they all just wnet up in the elevator. and the lady who is in charge told me that if anhyone else shows up now that they've gone, they are not allowed to join." and yes, he emphasized, rocked forward on his toes, and give me a smirk.

really? REALLY???

so ya know... i didn't feel like waiting around, sunk in disappointment. i didn't have internet access to check this thread. i'm staying all the way on the other side of town, so i figured i should just cut my losses and head home.

i didn't stand you all up. but i ain't drinking with ya tonight.
posted by lapolla at 9:33 PM on March 29, 2012

I am tipsy and have apparently promised to do a podcast with danny the boy on how to pick up girls. Internet what have you done to me.
posted by rtha at 9:43 PM on March 29, 2012 [5 favorites]

Oh lapolla, I am so sorry. I don't believe that I (the lady???) said they're not allowed to join as if it were a personal thing. Per building security, no one can go up unattended in the elevators without an escort after certain times. To be fair, I did not warn all the lobby people about a large group because, frankly, I did not expect the group to be so large. (But was delighted that it was!) So there might've been some element of that unexpected stress in his response.

However, don't despair: I am happy to do a personal tour with you whenever is convenient for us. Also, because there is so much to see in the gallery AND I want to arrange another tour when we can all get 3D models of our heads to manipulate, there will be more opportunities.
posted by sfkiddo at 10:22 PM on March 29, 2012

It was so great. Please do take our autodesk mefite up on her offer, and/or come to the next tour. Thank you so much, sfkiddo!
posted by rtha at 10:31 PM on March 29, 2012

Sfkiddo, that was an amazingly generous gift you gave us. Thank you SO much! Sorry for peeling away before drinks. I definitely owe you one!
posted by jasper411 at 10:37 PM on March 29, 2012

It turns out I didn't take much photos. But I posted them!
posted by aubilenon at 10:40 PM on March 29, 2012

I will enposten photos tomorrow. Sleepy now. Old.
posted by rtha at 10:47 PM on March 29, 2012

That was so fantastic. Thank you!
posted by w00bliette at 11:20 PM on March 29, 2012

Thank you so much, sfkiddo, for making my first meetup special. It was a little nervewracking meeting people from THE INTERNET, but I think I pulled through okay.
posted by un petit cadeau at 11:30 PM on March 29, 2012 [3 favorites]

That was a great meetup! I've put photos up. I didn't bother identifying anyone because there were so many new people that I didn't get to properly meet.
posted by zsazsa at 11:45 PM on March 29, 2012

BTW, it's my first time using Google Plus to share pictures publicly; let me know if it annoys you saying you need to sign in to view the pictures (or annoys you otherwise). I'm just kinda tired of using Flickr.
posted by zsazsa at 11:52 PM on March 29, 2012

It would be irresponsible for us not to share our wisdom.
posted by danny the boy at 1:09 AM on March 30, 2012 [2 favorites]

Well, that was a hoot - pretty mind blowing to see the stuff we saw in the Gallery, and the drinks and grub section of the evening was fab. I look forward to seeing the photos - and lots of fun to meet everyone. And thank you sfkiddo for being a gracious host. and lapolla, bummed you couldn't make it, but next shindig (Bourbon Day?) we will all make sure you are there, and will frog march out pesky museum patrons who stand in the way of your fun.
posted by rmm at 10:45 AM on March 30, 2012

Thanks sfkiddo! The gallery was super cool.

I am tipsy and have apparently promised to do a podcast with danny the boy on how to pick up girls

I am looking forward to this so much, I can't even explain.
posted by grapesaresour at 11:00 AM on March 30, 2012

Photos are up.
posted by rtha at 3:10 PM on March 30, 2012

zsazsa, where are your photos on Google Plus? is it some kind of secret friends thing?
posted by rmm at 3:36 PM on March 30, 2012

Let's all be secret friends, everybody! Ssssh!
posted by aubilenon at 3:43 PM on March 30, 2012

(rmm, everybody's photos are linked to up near the top of the page in the right column - I just tested zsazsa's in incognito mode, and it works, so I don't think you have to be secret friends to see them)
posted by aubilenon at 3:44 PM on March 30, 2012

ah, thank you - didn't see it at the top. I'm usually nobody's secret friend, so I just assumed I was, as per default, not one of the cool kids. Yay Last Supper Picture :D
posted by rmm at 5:21 PM on March 30, 2012

Bummed I missed the rest of the festivities. Would've stayed if I didn't have other plans after.
posted by special-k at 5:27 PM on March 30, 2012

Sfkiddo, you mentioned you'd post some links about Autodesk software, CAD/CAM and other neato stuff. No see. Did I miss it? Thanks in advance!
posted by Quietgal at 5:38 PM on March 30, 2012

I posted the info but it got removed because it's something I'm involved in. Sorry.
posted by sfkiddo at 9:59 AM on March 31, 2012

You can slap all the links here! Or, for those who don't have the deleted threads script, or are on mobiles, you can go look at them here.

(Yeah, the no-self-links thing is pretty much the solidest and most rule-like rule of this place. It's okay to self-link in comments if the linking is relevant and you disclose that it's your site/article/app/flickr photo, but doing so in fpps is definitely a no-no.)

Thanks so much again for the awesome tour! A+++ would totally tour again.
posted by rtha at 10:11 AM on March 31, 2012 [1 favorite]

My photos are up! The presentable ones, at least.
posted by casarkos at 9:50 PM on March 31, 2012

grar. why do I not pay attention to meetups.
posted by GuyZero at 11:32 PM on April 2, 2012