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Well, the Scienceblogs Million Comment Party, Minneapolis Installment, has happened. I'd love to hear from others, but as far as I can tell it went pretty well.
The Black Forest turns out to have been a perfect venue. The food was filling, the beer inexpensive, the room just the right size, the atmosphere rich in history and a bit dark. The maximum number of people who came may have reached about 40, with a little over 30 being there at any one moment.
Prior to the party, a few of us met up at Azia, the restaurant, not the country, where we enjoyed an excellent dinner, including the obligatory squid:
... but we were also surprised, and PZ utterly shocked...
to find that creationists are everywhere ...
(Note: Azia is not a creationist restaurant. It is OK to eat there.)
The Black Forest, as I said, was an excellent venue...
"I'm not sure if this was a good idea, Greg. The commenters. They're everywhere."
"I noticed that. Let's just back away slowly. Very slowly."
I know this looks like a poker game, but it really wasn't.
Mingling...
More mingling...
Bjorn the Button Man came through with a couple of gems:
Mrs. and Mrs. Almost Diamonds (Stephanie and Ben)
Amanda Laden (on the left) and Tangled up in Blue Guy and talk radio host Mike Haubrich.
More later when I process the movies.
Comments
I had a great time. Maybe someday there will be more of a "salon" movement. People who seldom get together with groups of bright, lively, articulate conversers over beer have no idea what they're missing. I always learn a lot around you guys and your groupies. Thanks so much for organizing it. (It actually seemed more like an emergent property than an intelligent design, but you know--setting boundary conditions for the shindig.)
Posted by: Greg Peterson | September 19, 2008 11:01 AM
From this picture it is easy to see why I am on radio and not TV.
I had a great time, too.
Posted by: Mike Haubrich, FCD | September 19, 2008 11:33 AM
Tell me about it, Mike. At least you weren't in the middle of saying something. Now no one's going to believe me when I say I'm much quieter in person than I am around here.
I had a great time too and an illustrative chat with Amanda. I am disappointed, though, that some of the people who suggested they'd be there didn't make it. (Ahem, ladies.)
Posted by: Stephanie Z | September 19, 2008 12:17 PM
Damn, I wish I could have been there. I didn't dare go since telling the guards at the border that I wanted to enter the States to hang out with a bunch of atheists and godless squid lovers might have gotten me banned from the US for life.
Posted by: Romeo Vitelli | September 19, 2008 12:19 PM
Mmm, squid...
Posted by: Ben Zvan | September 19, 2008 3:37 PM
The party looked pretty fab. I was sorry to miss the dark beer and heathenish science-related chit chat. Unfortunately, work, then a kindergartner, had all my attention last night. Maybe there will be more opportunities for beer and BS on NOT a school night?
Posted by: Monica | September 19, 2008 4:35 PM
Yes, Monica, we will make it so. Do you have a facebook account? Friend me and Greg, and Steph and Ben, and Bjorn and Jeannette, and we will find the time so that you can join a shindig.
Posted by: Mike Haubrich, FCD | September 19, 2008 5:26 PM
Monica: Jim made it!
Anyway, yes, we can and should have more such events.
Posted by: Greg Laden | September 19, 2008 5:30 PM
For those who were disappointed that they weren't able to meet Isis the Scientist (i.e., everyone who had a hint she might show up), she had bronchitis, which "prevented me from leaving [Major Research University] to make the long trip to Minneapolis." Like any good omniscient goddess, however, she heard that nice things were said about her, and she hopes to be recovered in time for the 2M comment party.
Posted by: Stephanie Z | September 19, 2008 6:42 PM
If anyone wants a limited edition button from last night's brew-ha-ha, arrrrhhhhh ya need t'do is email yar addarrrress to bjorn dot watland at gmail.org and they'll be mailed out promptly, ye scurvy heathens.
Posted by: Bjorn Watland | September 19, 2008 7:41 PM
Those buttons are pretty awesome!
Um... Avast!
Posted by: bug_girl | September 19, 2008 11:02 PM
Who's the James Randi lookalike?
Didn't PeeZed promise the presence of the pink 'pus? Or did she not arrive until after a suitable number of units of alcohol?
Posted by: Sili | September 20, 2008 10:14 AM
Sili: What, are you kidding? It was James Randi!
Youknow, I'm getting close to my 15,000 comment. We could have a party for that.
I think PZ must have left the pink thing in the car.
Posted by: greg laden | September 20, 2008 10:41 AM
Since when is asia a continent?
Posted by: flo | September 20, 2008 1:33 PM
Well, obviously that should have been: "Since when is asia a country?" Because, you know, it is a continent.
Posted by: flo | September 20, 2008 1:35 PM
Flo. Asia is a continent. I was talking about Azia.
Posted by: greg laden | September 20, 2008 1:38 PM
So that is what happened to cephalopod Friday . . . that fried dish will have to do.
Posted by: sara | September 20, 2008 6:01 PM
Dr. Isis has a fan?!? Stephanie, I hope you kissed that woman on both cheeks for me. I would have done it but I wouldn't want to pass on this horrid case of bronchitis.
Posted by: Isis the Scientist | September 20, 2008 8:49 PM
Sure, Greg, we could combine parties for your 10,000th and my 10th. It's gonna happen soon, I am sure of it.
Posted by: Mike Haubrich, FCD | September 20, 2008 9:39 PM
PZ at "More mingling..." looks as if he's saying, "Aaarrrr!"
If you want me to show up, you'll have to schedule one after the 2010 Wisconsin Ironman, say 2nd Sunday after Labor day.
Posted by: Monado in Toronto | September 21, 2008 2:26 PM