MN Twin Cities 3rd Annual Meetup - 2014

[HoffmanMyster]

Fellow Minnesotans!  Let's get together, ogle some keyboards, talk about things, and have a fun time.

In the past, inlikeflynn has organized the MN events, but I figured it'd be nice to give him a break, so I wanted to tackle organizing this thing - or at least getting the ball rolling.

Let's start talking about where we can have it (I can't exactly host it myself), and discuss some possible dates and go from there.

So if you're from MN or want to drive/fly to a meetup with some awesome people, post here suggesting dates/times/locations to meetup!

[dustinhxc]

Sweet I'm in as long as I'm free the night you choose. I'll be watching this.

[HoffmanMyster]

Sweet I'm in as long as I'm free the night you choose. I'll be watching this.

That's not what I asked for!  Throw out dates that work, and if you have possible locations to meetup toss those in too! 

[LONGZILLA]

Hmm, maybe I can convince my girlfriend to visit her family in MN

[HoffmanMyster]

Hmm, maybe I can convince my girlfriend to visit her family in MN

Family is good!  MN is good!  Come visit! 

[Wildcard]

Cool, I'll keep watching for updates. I could possibly make a short drive up for this.

[Melvang]

I would be down for this.  I am sure I can crash at my aunts place.  She lives in St. Paul Park.  Hell I will see if her and her husband want to come.  I got both of them mech boards for christmas (unicomp BS and Ducky with reds).

Edit:  Sorry didn't finish reading the OP.  Sorry i don't have any suggestions on dates or places as I live down in IA.

[HoffmanMyster]

I would be down for this.  I am sure I can crash at my aunts place.  She lives in St. Paul Park.  Hell I will see if her and her husband want to come.  I got both of them mech boards for christmas (unicomp BS and Ducky with reds).

Edit:  Sorry didn't finish reading the OP.  Sorry i don't have any suggestions on dates or places as I live down in IA.

Haha, no worries on not being able to suggest things.  I'm only joking about requiring that people have ideas for that stuff.    I'm also just gauging interest for it. 

That said, we do need ideas for locations, and if any weekends/dates work better for people speak up so we can start picking a date at the very least!

[dustinhxc]

Sweet I'm in as long as I'm free the night you choose. I'll be watching this.

That's not what I asked for!  Throw out dates that work, and if you have possible locations to meetup toss those in too! 

haha sorry, not sure where we could meet up. But usually I'm good with Saturday or Sunday Afternoons or Nights.

[CPTBadAss]

If I can make it, these suggestions will help:

- WEEKEND DATE
- Fall time period, like September
- I have no idea on places since I've never been to Minnesota.

Hoffman told me he'd bring me to get coffee and go check out record stores.

[HoffmanMyster]

If I can make it, these suggestions will help:

- WEEKEND DATE
- Fall time period, like September
- I have no idea on places since I've never been to Minnesota.

Hoffman told me he'd bring me to get coffee and go check out record stores.

Bro, you gotta visit sooner than that! I might be moving away in May, depending where I get a job.

[CPTBadAss]

The heart is willing but the wallet is hurting.

[inlikeflynn]

thanks for trying to get this going Hoff!

I heard a rumor that a certain girlshark might be coming though in April sometime, so maybe that will be a good time for something

[CPTBadAss]

Wait...if Girlshark is coming I might be able to tag along.

[inlikeflynn]

Wait...if Girlshark is coming I might be able to tag along.

maybe me saying this publicly will make it more than just a rumor 

[HoffmanMyster]

thanks for trying to get this going Hoff!

I heard a rumor that a certain girlshark might be coming though in April sometime, so maybe that will be a good time for something

Why wouldn't he tell me that?!  Well perhaps April would be a good time frame.  Still need to pick a location, but hopefully that will come together at some point soon.

[dustinhxc]

Thatd be awesome if girlshark and badass came! wow.. It would be epic!
If this was way in the fall time I cant imagine how many keyboards and caps Id have! 
But yeah spring time sounds great, weekends. 

[CPTBadAss]

HoffmanMyster has suggested he pay for part of my plane ticket if I visit MN before he graduates in May. If this is true, and Keycon isn't scheduled at the same time, I'd like to swing by in mid April.

[Wildcard]

Looking forward to a MN meetup since it's not too far from me. Once a date is set, I'm there

Plus I get to walk around at Ikea afterwards

[dustinhxc]

HoffmanMyster has suggested he pay for part of my plane ticket if I visit MN before he graduates in May. If this is true, and Keycon isn't scheduled at the same time, I'd like to swing by in mid April.

Thats awesome!

Looking forward to a MN meetup since it's not too far from me. Once a date is set, I'm there

Plus I get to walk around at Ikea afterwards

Sweet! Oh man I love going to Ikea, I have so much stuff from there. I have to go there to get new night stands!

[HoffmanMyster]

HoffmanMyster has suggested he pay for part of my plane ticket if I visit MN before he graduates in May. If this is true, and Keycon isn't scheduled at the same time, I'd like to swing by in mid April.

This is true. I'm currently voting for mid April for the meet up. You guys could all get me birthday presents too!   

Does anyone have any leads at all on a location? Even a home would be better than nothing if you're willing. I will look into hosting something on campus, but I think it has to be a student group...
Brb, founding mechanical keyboard student group.

[dustinhxc]

HoffmanMyster has suggested he pay for part of my plane ticket if I visit MN before he graduates in May. If this is true, and Keycon isn't scheduled at the same time, I'd like to swing by in mid April.

This is true. I'm currently voting for mid April for the meet up. You guys could all get me birthday presents too!   

Does anyone have any leads at all on a location? Even a home would be better than nothing if you're willing. I will look into hosting something on campus, but I think it has to be a student group...
Brb, founding mechanical keyboard student group.

Awesome man! My bday is in April too. The 30th.

[Melvang]

I can ask my aunt and uncle if they know anywhere.  They live in St. Paul Park. 

Better yet PM me.

[HoffmanMyster]

I just did a quick check to see if renting a room on campus would be feasible.     Looks like some of the cheaper options are about $400 for 5 hours.  So...yeah. 
Hell, I'd rather cram all you people into my apartment than do that.

[CPTBadAss]

That's, what, two Clacks? Barely a KMAC? Please $400 is nothing.

[HoffmanMyster]

That's, what, two Clacks? Barely a KMAC? Please $400 is nothing.

Hey, if you're selling, I'm game.

[inlikeflynn]

We can always have it in a conference room again out at my work's office, but that is way out on the west side of the cities as Hoff knows. April sounds good though, just as long as its not the last weekend in April.

[dustinhxc]

We can always have it in a conference room again out at my work's office, but that is way out on the west side of the cities as Hoff knows. April sounds good though, just as long as its not the last weekend in April.

That'd be rad. Anywhere in mn is fine even though I'm in Woodbury so I'm as east as it gets.
Yeah the last weekend is my golden bday so will Forsure be busy.

[HoffmanMyster]

We can always have it in a conference room again out at my work's office, but that is way out on the west side of the cities as Hoff knows. April sounds good though, just as long as its not the last weekend in April.

That'd be rad. Anywhere in mn is fine even though I'm in Woodbury so I'm as east as it gets.
Yeah the last weekend is my golden bday so will Forsure be busy.

I think the western side of the cities is fine for most people in the area, but for people who might consider driving from out of state it's either negligible (people coming from the south) or saves about an hour or so depending on traffic (people from the east - WI, IL) to have it more on the east side.  So at least for my consideration, I'd prefer to have it more easterly (if possible). 

That said, if there's only one location available we might just have to go with it regardless.

[Wildcard]

Did you guys ever decide on this?

[HoffmanMyster]

Did you guys ever decide on this?

Still working on securing a venue, unfortunately.  I've got some leads but haven't had ample time to pin anything down.   

If anyone wants to host in their house or similar, please help us out!    I'll buy you a case of beer or something.

[HoffmanMyster]

Okay guys, I've finally got ahold of some possible locations to host this, and of course at this time maybe people have lost interest.

BUT.  Here's what I've found anyway, and maybe we can discuss further / make something work.

There are rooms available in a hotel that we can rent, but it will cost $250 minimum for the day.  If we get enough people together we can make that work, but it seems less than ideal to pay that much.

Given the delay (sorry!) in planning, I'm thinking something the weekend of May 17/18 would be ideal, or possibly even May 24/25.  After that, I'll be moving back to WI.

So!  Thoughts?  Should we try to cram something in and make it work on the 18th maybe?  Wait until the 24th?  Try to smash into my apartment/room (which might be acceptable, depending on the number of people)?

Once again, sorry for going MIA on this, school got the best of me and I kept putting it off.  That's my fault, and I'm sorry.  I just hope we can save this and make something work. 

[dustinhxc]

Okay guys, I've finally got ahold of some possible locations to host this, and of course at this time maybe people have lost interest.

BUT.  Here's what I've found anyway, and maybe we can discuss further / make something work.

There are rooms available in a hotel that we can rent, but it will cost $250 minimum for the day.  If we get enough people together we can make that work, but it seems less than ideal to pay that much.

Given the delay (sorry!) in planning, I'm thinking something the weekend of May 17/18 would be ideal, or possibly even May 24/25.  After that, I'll be moving back to WI.

So!  Thoughts?  Should we try to cram something in and make it work on the 18th maybe?  Wait until the 24th?  Try to smash into my apartment/room (which might be acceptable, depending on the number of people)?

Once again, sorry for going MIA on this, school got the best of me and I kept putting it off.  That's my fault, and I'm sorry.  I just hope we can save this and make something work. 

Hey I appreciate you trying to set this up! Im low on funds right now so I am not interested in paying anything for a room at this time. But if we got like 20+ people magically then I may be willing. Id love to meet up though and show off my collection. Unfortunetly my newest custom will not be here for another month probably, dang. Its a secret still.

PS: I am open both of those weekends.

How far into Wisconsin? Im about 5 minutes from Hudson! I assume youre going way further in. Cool!

[HoffmanMyster]

Okay guys, I've finally got ahold of some possible locations to host this, and of course at this time maybe people have lost interest.

BUT.  Here's what I've found anyway, and maybe we can discuss further / make something work.

There are rooms available in a hotel that we can rent, but it will cost $250 minimum for the day.  If we get enough people together we can make that work, but it seems less than ideal to pay that much.

Given the delay (sorry!) in planning, I'm thinking something the weekend of May 17/18 would be ideal, or possibly even May 24/25.  After that, I'll be moving back to WI.

So!  Thoughts?  Should we try to cram something in and make it work on the 18th maybe?  Wait until the 24th?  Try to smash into my apartment/room (which might be acceptable, depending on the number of people)?

Once again, sorry for going MIA on this, school got the best of me and I kept putting it off.  That's my fault, and I'm sorry.  I just hope we can save this and make something work. 

Hey I appreciate you trying to set this up! Im low on funds right now so I am not interested in paying anything for a room at this time. But if we got like 20+ people magically then I may be willing. Id love to meet up though and show off my collection. Unfortunetly my newest custom will not be here for another month probably, dang. Its a secret still.

PS: I am open both of those weekends.

How far into Wisconsin? Im about 5 minutes from Hudson! I assume youre going way further in. Cool!

Don't you also want to see my collection?? 

I'll let others weigh in on their thoughts, but if we only get ~10 or fewer people (I'm thinking it'll be around 5-7) it might be better to find an alternative to the hotel.  I agree that $250 split 5 ways is wayyy too much.   

But if it is only 5 people, we can maybe swing it at my place.  I'll just have to get the go-ahead from the roommates.

And I'll be in Appleton, WI - a bit further away.    Probably 4 hours or so.  I'll come back and visit though, for sure.  Especially if you guys host another meetup next spring.    And anticipate an Eastern WI meetup hosted at my new place in WI.  It should be much easier to organize that as I won't be so cramped in an apartment.

[dustinhxc]

Okay guys, I've finally got ahold of some possible locations to host this, and of course at this time maybe people have lost interest.

BUT.  Here's what I've found anyway, and maybe we can discuss further / make something work.

There are rooms available in a hotel that we can rent, but it will cost $250 minimum for the day.  If we get enough people together we can make that work, but it seems less than ideal to pay that much.

Given the delay (sorry!) in planning, I'm thinking something the weekend of May 17/18 would be ideal, or possibly even May 24/25.  After that, I'll be moving back to WI.

So!  Thoughts?  Should we try to cram something in and make it work on the 18th maybe?  Wait until the 24th?  Try to smash into my apartment/room (which might be acceptable, depending on the number of people)?

Once again, sorry for going MIA on this, school got the best of me and I kept putting it off.  That's my fault, and I'm sorry.  I just hope we can save this and make something work. 

Hey I appreciate you trying to set this up! Im low on funds right now so I am not interested in paying anything for a room at this time. But if we got like 20+ people magically then I may be willing. Id love to meet up though and show off my collection. Unfortunetly my newest custom will not be here for another month probably, dang. Its a secret still.

PS: I am open both of those weekends.

How far into Wisconsin? Im about 5 minutes from Hudson! I assume youre going way further in. Cool!

Don't you also want to see my collection?? 

I'll let others weigh in on their thoughts, but if we only get ~10 or fewer people (I'm thinking it'll be around 5-7) it might be better to find an alternative to the hotel.  I agree that $250 split 5 ways is wayyy too much.   

But if it is only 5 people, we can maybe swing it at my place.  I'll just have to get the go-ahead from the roommates.

And I'll be in Appleton, WI - a bit further away.    Probably 4 hours or so.  I'll come back and visit though, for sure.  Especially if you guys host another meetup next spring.    And anticipate an Eastern WI meetup hosted at my new place in WI.  It should be much easier to organize that as I won't be so cramped in an apartment.

Oh yes of course I want to see you and others collections more then my own hehe

Alright that sounds fine if we do it at an apartment. We will see how much interest we get.  Appleton, oh ok. I go to Wauwatosa, WI sometimes not sure if thats near there. For family.

[HoffmanMyster]

Oh yes of course I want to see you and others collections more then my own hehe

Alright that sounds fine if we do it at an apartment. We will see how much interest we get.  Appleton, oh ok. I go to Wauwatosa, WI sometimes not sure if thats near there. For family.

Dude you should let me know next time you're in 'tosa!  I'm from just a bit west of there, and the place I'm moving to is only a little over an hour and a half north.  I would totally treat you to some brews in Mke or something.       (unless you're busy with family     )

[Melvang]

I will def be talking to the wife on this one.  Still very much IP on the air.  I can most likely get the time off work (6 days on 3days of schedule) bit I do not get any paid time off in the trades plus would be losing out on a significant portion of my check.  Sat is all time and a half and Sun is all double time.

[HoffmanMyster]

I will def be talking to the wife on this one.  Still very much IP on the air.  I can most likely get the time off work (6 days on 3days of schedule) bit I do not get any paid time off in the trades plus would be losing out on a significant portion of my check.  Sat is all time and a half and Sun is all double time.

Ahhh, that's quite a dilemma...      I wouldn't want you to give up too much to make it, but it would be fun to have you here. 

In more general news, it seems like at least a couple people are interested, so I'll start talking to the roommates and see how they feel about me hosting at the apartment.  In other words, there's still a chance it might not happen as currently being discussed.  So stay tuned.

[Melvang]

I will def be talking to the wife on this one.  Still very much IP on the air.  I can most likely get the time off work (6 days on 3days of schedule) bit I do not get any paid time off in the trades plus would be losing out on a significant portion of my check.  Sat is all time and a half and Sun is all double time.

Ahhh, that's quite a dilemma...      I wouldn't want you to give up too much to make it, but it would be fun to have you here. 

In more general news, it seems like at least a couple people are interested, so I'll start talking to the roommates and see how they feel about me hosting at the apartment.  In other words, there's still a chance it might not happen as currently being discussed.  So stay tuned.

Its not to bad.  I get paid weekly and pay period is Sun through Sat so if I took both days off the missing pay would be split between two different checks so that makes it easier to manage.  For me at least I have scheduling conflicts on the 17th (nieces birthday) but I am free-ish for the weekend of the 24-25 which is Memorial Day weekend I guess.  My brother wants be to go fishing but I really don't really want to go because he is just going to get hammered and the last time I saw him sober was over 10 years ago, sooo.

[HoffmanMyster]

I will def be talking to the wife on this one.  Still very much IP on the air.  I can most likely get the time off work (6 days on 3days of schedule) bit I do not get any paid time off in the trades plus would be losing out on a significant portion of my check.  Sat is all time and a half and Sun is all double time.

Ahhh, that's quite a dilemma...      I wouldn't want you to give up too much to make it, but it would be fun to have you here. 

In more general news, it seems like at least a couple people are interested, so I'll start talking to the roommates and see how they feel about me hosting at the apartment.  In other words, there's still a chance it might not happen as currently being discussed.  So stay tuned.

Its not to bad.  I get paid weekly and pay period is Sun through Sat so if I took both days off the missing pay would be split between two different checks so that makes it easier to manage.  For me at least I have scheduling conflicts on the 17th (nieces birthday) but I am free-ish for the weekend of the 24-25 which is Memorial Day weekend I guess.  My brother wants be to go fishing but I really don't really want to go because he is just going to get hammered and the last time I saw him sober was over 10 years ago, sooo.

So you're voting for the weekend of 24-25?  Does the 18th work at all, or is that a no-go because of the conflict on the 17th?

Also, I'll try to get some more locals who don't frequent the forums anymore to come.  Maybe I can convince inlikeflynn to come back for one last hurrah. 

[Melvang]

Let me get back to you on that one.  I would prefer the second weekend just for more planning on my side for a sitter for the kiddos (5 and 1.5 year olds) but I don't see why the 18 wouldn't work.

[physicsmajor]

First I'd heard of this - might be interested in future, but figuring out travel isn't possible this close.

[dustinhxc]

First I'd heard of this - might be interested in future, but figuring out travel isn't possible this close.

Where do you live?

[HoffmanMyster]

So obviously this isn't going to happen on the 18th. 

What are you guys thinking?  The 24th or 25th?  Which works better?

I think so far we've got

dustinhxc
Melvang
inlikeflynn
HoffmanMyster
physicsmajor (maybe)

interested.  Any others?  Speak up!  I know there are a few others in the area. 

[Melvang]

Let me get back to you.

[Melvang]

Sorry about the double post.  But I hate to say it but I won't be able to attend this weekend.  My shift is getting switched as I now have a "permanent" (as permanent as a position can be in the union construction trades).  Basically I have the next 3 days off, then 1st shift on Sat, then start 2nd shift on Sun, then work 8-9 days straight then I can get back into my 6 on 3 off rotation.  I don't usually have issues taking time off but I don't want to try it this close into switching shifts plus our work load is heavier on the weekends. 

Plus, I need more time than 3-4 days to line up a sitter for a 1.5 year old and a 5 year old.

[IvanIvanovich]

I would like to come up... but it all depends if I can manage to fix the busted TCU in my car before the weekend.

[HoffmanMyster]

Sorry about the double post.  But I hate to say it but I won't be able to attend this weekend.  My shift is getting switched as I now have a "permanent" (as permanent as a position can be in the union construction trades).  Basically I have the next 3 days off, then 1st shift on Sat, then start 2nd shift on Sun, then work 8-9 days straight then I can get back into my 6 on 3 off rotation.  I don't usually have issues taking time off but I don't want to try it this close into switching shifts plus our work load is heavier on the weekends. 

Plus, I need more time than 3-4 days to line up a sitter for a 1.5 year old and a 5 year old.

No worries.  This is my fault for the rushed planning, and I'm sorry about that guys.  I thought we could squeeze it in here, but maybe it won't work out this time around.  Congrats on the new position though!

I would like to come up... but it all depends if I can manage to fix the busted TCU in my car before the weekend.

If you're able to make it (which would be awesome), it'd be you + inlikeflynn + myself, likely.  Unless I can scrounge up some of the newer MN folk that I've seen around here.  So you are more than welcome to make the trip, but I'm not sure if it will be worth your time.     But!  I will be in Mpls and available, and I'm always game to make these things work.

[dustinhxc]

It is too bad, I really have been anxiously waiting for the MN meet since I joined. It is a bummer for me that it is this weekend. If you weren't moving and it was later on, that would've been great to meet everyone. Hope you guys have fun! 

[LONGZILLA]

*unrelated* I'm headed to Minneapolis, excited to checkout the MN state fair /tourist-mode-activated

Interested to checkout the area when it's not covered in snow for once