Toronto Meet Up !!! Feb 21 Matias Tour !!! *UPDATED WITH PICS PAGE 10*

[Hyde]

UPDATE:  Thank you for all that showed up !!!  It was fun maybe we'll try to have another meet up in the summer/fall !!!


So I've seen there's a lot of meet ups in the US and west coast.  Time for the east coast Canadians to have some fun too 

FIRST ANNUAL TORONTO MEET UP !!!  (Actually I'm not sure if this is the first also might not be annual but whatever lol)

Anyway I've actually never done this before so you guys have to help me out.  What do people usually do on keyboard meetup anyway?

Leave me a note and let me know the following:
1)  Are you coming?
2)  What keyboard you might be bringing.
3)  Preferred date.
4)  Preferred location.

===============================================================================================================================

Date Choices:
UPDATE: It has been decided that people prefer this date and Matias is only open on weekdays.
- February 21 (Thursday)

Matias Tour Info:
Tri-ad, 6150 McLaughlin Rd, Unit #1, Mississauga, ON, L5R 4C2.  https://maps.google.ca/maps?q=6150+McLaughlin+Rd&hnear=6150+McLaughlin+Rd,+Mississauga,+Ontario+L5R+4E1&gl=ca&t=m&z=16
12:30 - 01:00  Pizza lunch at Matias (free, yayyyyyy)
01:00 - 03:00  Board room presentation
03:00 - 04:30  Warehouse walking tour

- Due to the location of Matias warehouse, we'll most likely have to meet somewhere inside Toronto first then carpool there.  Anyone who has a car that can carpool people please let me know.  Personally I have a car that seats 5.

Post Tour Choices:
- Sushi Restaurant  This appears to be the most popular choice at the moment so let's stick to this for now.

05:30  Sushi dinner at Prince Sushi  http://www.princesushi.com/prince_sushi.php

- Bubble Tea  We can have this before or after dinner if there's time.
- Party Room / Meeting Room / Small Studio / Loft (We might need to all pitch in, I'll try to keep price low)  If everyone's willing to pitch in like $10 I can probably try to get a hotel with meeting room.
- Bar

I'm just throwing ideas that have been brought up before, if you have any other idea feel free to leave a comment and I'll update them.

[Hyde]

Attendance List:
Hyde - Car
Chaumeow - Going with Hyde.
Halverson - Car
Youngmichael88 (maybe) - Going with Halverson.
Sifo - No car.
Sifo's g/f (maybe)
p.s. - Car
nar - Going with his friend.
tsangan (maybe) - Might have car.
elton5354 (maybe)
Magnusian - Car
DarkShot (maybe)
overture1928 - Car
HaaTa - No car but has driver's license.
poxeclipse - Car
dfj - No car.
Rapid (maybe) - Car
Kraise
Doltoid

===============================================================================================================================

Keyboard List:
LOL I realize everyone has too much customization on theirs keyboards so I'm too lazy to list them all.  Don't worry about having a fancy keyboard I only have 2 stock keyboards at the moment, so anything is cooler than me 

So yeah like Halverson said if anyone wanna try something just post it I guess 

[Halverson]

Here we go!
I'll be coming along with Youngmichael88.
Umm could bring multiple boards. If people just say what they want to try, that would be a good way to determine what to bring.
Date? Anytime January, weekend preferred.
Location? Preferably somewhere chill to hang for hours. Options of food are good, as well as a place that sells liquor, but options for younger folks as well.

[Sifo]

1)  I'm comin'
2)  My pimped out Filco, hopefully it'll be near completion... and MX ergo-White Tenkey maybe.
3)  Anytime Jan/Feb sounds good, maybe we can celebrate my birthday and I can bring cake
4)  Anywhere a minor can get into

Jan 19th is okay, or whenever really.

Day tour at Matias sounds awesome. Bubble tea or sushi sounds fine too, bar is a no go for me.

[YoungMichael88]

I only have a vomit Race w/blacks and a Poker w/reds and all zinc caps(almost). Nothing special about the race but the zinc red poker feels....interesting. 

As for time?  Anywhere between jan 17th - 20th might be good for me (gonna have to confirm with work). OR 25th - 29th (again I need to confirm with work)

[Hyde]

lol yeah guys don't worry I only have stock keyboards so far, so all your keyboards are cooler than mine.

Though I really want to try Topre anyone has Topre here LOL.  Because I'm thinking to buy one end of 2013.  I might or might not acquire a Matias before this meet up depending on how thing goes 

Oh and at the moment Jan 19 seems to be the popular date.  Sifo when is your bday?  Because Jan 26th is actually Chaumeow's bday.

[Halverson]

I can bring a variable tkl Japanese layout topre. Hopefully I'll have my Kmac done to bring as well.

[Sifo]

Oh and at the moment Jan 19 seems to be the popular date.  Sifo when is your bday?  Because Jan 26th is actually Chaumeow's bday.

It'll be a month after that later in Feb, 27th. but who says I can't celebrate early?!?

[Hyde]

I can bring a variable tkl Japanese layout topre. Hopefully I'll have my Kmac done to bring as well.

LOL omg Topre and KMAC you're so balling.

It'll be a month after that later in Feb, 27th. but who says I can't celebrate early?!?

lol sweet maybe we can have combine early bday celebration.

Oh and how many "stops" would you guys prefer?  As in do you prefer in one place?  Or are you open to say...... eat sushi first then bubble tea after or something like that (can be something else just an example).

[p.s.]

1. Yes, I am coming.
2. A filco tenkeyless with brown switch, 2nd round dolch replica caps, white case. A filco tenkey numpad. An SSK. I also  have a few Pures with brown switch and green LED, a Unicomp space saver I can bring if necessary.
3. Any weekend will be OK except Jan 12 & 13, Mar 2 & 3 if we are planing for Jan and Feb.
4. I have no idea yet.

[Hyde]

lol sweet more people are coming ~

And damn too bad Matias didn't get back to me yet.  I wonder if they'll feel more motivated to reply to my message if I tell them we could potentially buy a lot of keyboards right on the spot LOL.

[Sifo]

uh... multiple stops would depend on the transit we have available really, if we have a lot of people coming and only one local with a bike, not gonna really work out. TTC isn't always the most reliable. If it's like right next door then why not. Keep in mind we're carrying and transporting hundred dollar keyboards man.

[Hyde]

lol well I'm guessing we'll probably have around 10 people by the way this is going so far.  And does everyone have access to a car?  Or should I pick a location that's more central inside the city?

But that's true I guess I won't pick places that's too far from each other if that's the case lol.  Maybe I feel obligated to plan a lot of stuff because people don't want to travel all  the way down just to meet for like 2 hours LOL.  But I guess we'll see 

[Sifo]

If we get a good estimate as to how many people are coming I can ask my gf to make keycap cupcakes :O (meaning, I'm bringing a +1 with me)

[nar]

I can come, but only on February 2nd, an alternative would be to hold it during reading week, I believe its February 16th or the weekend after for that.

I'll be bringing my Topre HE0100, maybe my Cherry G84 as well for the full selection of short throw switches, bonus for both being super small for transport.

No preferred location, but I most likely won't have access to a car so there's that.

[Halverson]

I have a car, but it would barely fit one more after me and Youngmichael. Mini coopers are mini.

[tsangan]

I can see if I can make it, no form of transportation at this time, but by Jan I should have a car again

As for keyboards I have a lot I guess I could make a list and you guys can pick and choose what you want to try/see

If by Jan I still don't have a form of transportation then not sure if I can arty around any keyboards to the meetup ;_;

[Halverson]

I can see if I can make it, no form of transportation at this time, but by Jan I should have a car again

As for keyboards I have a lot I guess I could make a list and you guys can pick and choose what you want to try/see

If by Jan I still don't have a form of transportation then not sure if I can arty around any keyboards to the meetup ;_;

Hmmm what do I want to steal from tsangan.....err I mean look at in person....yes, just look...

Worst comes to worse. A backpack or briefcase fits a board or two nicely.

[SmallFry]

Made you guys a Google Form, since I have nothing to do in U.S. History...
Form HERE

Results HERE

[tsangan]

I have much more then 1-2 boards hahaha

[SmallFry]

I thought you were keyboardless!

[Halverson]

I have much more then 1-2 boards hahaha

Well I just figured you didn't need to haul them all! Hah

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

Made you guys a Google Form, since I have nothing to do in U.S. History...
Form HERE

Results HERE

Someone has been having fun with your forms...

Timestamp                Username?       Are you coming?                 Where?                                      When?                                                                      What are you bringing?
12/12/2012 9:36:00   Ripster                  Maybe                      Planet Earth            Sometime in spring <-- For those that feel Jan/Feb is too rushy.         The #1 Keyboard Expert on the Planet
12/12/2012 9:38:02   Moar Ripster            Yes                       Under a Bridge            Sometime in spring <-- For those that feel Jan/Feb is too rushy.       Trolls
12/12/2012 9:42:03   Rip Ripster            Maybe                   In my windowless van       Sometime in spring <-- For those that feel Jan/Feb is too rushy.       My ego

[SmallFry]

No idea what you're talking about... (I already deleted his stuff)

[Halverson]

I'm not going to fill it out, I'll be good for any date. And up for anywhere.
Yes I'm difficult

[SmallFry]

* SmallFry sighs...

My wasted time in history going to waste... What a waste.

[Halverson]

* SmallFry sighs...

My wasted time in history going to waste... What a waste.

Lol, I'm sure most other people aren't as flexible with dates. Good work, who needs history!

[Hyde]

* SmallFry sighs...

My wasted time in history going to waste... What a waste.

LOLLL it's ok you get efforted +10.

Haha anyway I guess we should wait for nar.  Since we don't get too many geekhackers in Toronto so ideally I want everyone to attend.  So should we go for Feb 2nd or nar can you find out when your reading week really is?

As for transportation I'll most likely be driving Chaumeow but my car seats 5 so I can take 3 more within Toronto.  Unlike Halverson I have a small big car LOL (Honda CR-V)    tsangan if you can manage to get inside Toronto I can take you to where ever we're going after lol.

So at the moment to accommodate EVERYONE's needs, should we just get a loft/party room/meeting room ...etc then order sushi/pizza/food delivery and bring alcohol there too.  That way we don't have to travel if we manage to bring a lot of keyboards there that day and we don't have to worry about age restriction and stuff.

What do you guys think?

[Halverson]

Mmm I like the idea of going to a place to chill and bring/order out own stuff. Not sure what's available in Toronto for that. Penthouse suite? Lol

I used to have a suburban, could have brought us all hah. But the transmission went and I downgraded.

[Hyde]

My g/f found a condo suite that we can rent for 1 day, I'll look into the price and stuff.  Otherwise this would probably work best.

It's like house party at someone else's house... sorta 

I guess now we just need to figure out dates, guys vote for Feb 2nd or Feb 16 (Reading week turns out to be Feb 18 to 22).

I vote Feb 2nd LOL.

[nar]

Feb 16 is reading week. I should be ok for either date in feb.

Any update from Matias?

[Halverson]

I'll tell Youngmichael to check his work schedule, he works 4/4 5/5 so odds are he'll be off at some point during reading week

[Sifo]

Like I said I'm still good for any date ^^

[Hyde]

Ok cool keep us updated Halverson.  Oh and Matias just got back to me sweet ~

He says he's currently not in Canada now.  They're mostly operating in Taiwan and China now.  I'm guessing that's where the production is.  As for the Newmarket location is mostly for receiving mail.  So he's going to try to see if he can set up something in their Mississauga warehouse.

It is still 2 months away so I guess we still have time and we'll see what he says. 

And seems like anything keyboard related are all made in Taiwan or China these days LOLLLL

[elton5354]

I would like to try some Topres....

[Halverson]

I would like to try some Topres....

They'll be there, hopefully a few different ones. I'll probably end up bringing my whole damn collection for fun.....although it may not fit in my car. Hah!

Oh! Great news about Matias! Hope that pans out for us, warehouse party! I really want to try the new switches, I need an alps board. Maybe I can snag a bag o' switches lol

[Hyde]

I would like to try some Topres....

lol does that mean you're coming?

OH AND GOOD NEWS EVERYBODY !!!!!

The Matias rep from Mississauga got back to me and said we CAN have a local tour weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ~~~~~~~~~~  It will be in their conference room and we'll have a little talk about mechanical keyboards and they'll also let us try a few Matias keyboards and we'll be assembling/dissembling switches 

BUT !!!!!

The catch is it has to be Monday to Friday.  So we need to pick a WEEKDAY for this.  According to nar your reading week is Feb 18 to 22 (Monday to Friday) right?  Is everyone ok with that date?  Or is this going to be an issue?

Leave me a message if this is ok or if this will be an issue.  Ideally I'd like to go because I don't suppose we'll get too many opportunity like this. 

[Halverson]

Lets do it on a Friday! Day tour at Matias, then get wasted at our suite!!

[Sifo]

Sure lol I'm fine with any time still

Also MiMiC keeps telling me to try an HHKB. So someone please bring one

[Halverson]

Sure lol I'm fine with any time still

Also MiMiC keeps telling me to try an HHKB. So someone please bring one

If I have one by then, I'll bring it

[Hyde]

Ok I've sent the replied e-mail and I'll see what they say.  Currently it's set between Feb 18 to Feb 22. 

So now we need after tour plans.  I've talked to a few people regarding party room location and price.  It sounds the most cost effective plan is to go to a restaurant and request a private room.

That way we get a few benefits:
1)  No room rental fee
2)  We get food
3)  We get alcohol (hopefully they sell it there)
4)  No clean up after

Drawback is if we gonna showcase keyboards, we might not get too much table space.  Also if you're picky on your alcohol, they might have limited choices.  But otherwise this seems like the simplest/cheapest plan.  Let me know if this is ok.

Now we vote on food:

1)  Sushi
2)  Buffet
3)  Chinese Food
4)  Give me an idea on what else would offer private room.  I think generally only Asian restaurants offer private booth but I could be wrong so please let me know.

UPDATE:

Probably the best day for us would be Wednesday, February 20 or Thursday, February 21.

Now vote between those 2 days lol.  Sorry Halverson Friday wasn't a choice 

[Hyde]

Oh also let me know if you're bringing your significan others/friends ...etc.  So I'll have a proper number count to tell Matias.

Currently I'm estimating 15 people. 

EDIT:  Estimating as in I think we'll end up with 15 total by that date, lol sorry if it's misleading.  But right now we're at 9 people.

[Sifo]

Can't vote on a day... bringing girlfriend... I vote sushi. My birthday is on Feb 27th ^^ but will still not be old enough to drink ;(

[elton5354]

I'll come. Not sure if I'm free on those days yet though. Too far ahead to tell.

Currently 15 people eh? List them! I haven't eaten at a good buffet before, so I'll pass on that and choose AYCE sushi!

[Hyde]

lol sorry by estimate I mean estimate how many we'll have by the day of tour.  Currently we have 9 and I'll list people on the first page as they confirm their attendance 

Oh and sushi seems to be winning.

[Halverson]

Sushi sushi! Sake sake!

[Hyde]

LOL stop talking about food guys, help me pick a date.  Wednesday or Thursday?

[Halverson]

So Youngmichael works the 20 and 21. Dunno if he'll be able to take them off or switch shifts, hard to say right now.

[YoungMichael88]

Well....I'm working both those days unfortunately. Truth is weekdays in general are tough for me. As Halverson said I will see what I can do.

[Sifo]

Dunno if my girlfriend can come either if it's gonna be a week day :\