Any Ann Arborites want to meet up?

I've got a better idea of what my schedule is like, and even have a recommendation for a hangout tonight — would anyone care to join me at the Arbor Brewing Company tonight (Thursday) around 7 or 8pm? I'm going whether anyone shows up or not, and if nobody joins me, I'll be drinking alone…and how pathetic would that be?

Look for the bearded fellow with a copy of that book with a bright yellow cover titled "God is Not Great" — I'll be working on my Hitchens impersonation.

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I'd love to join you, but it's like, two states away. And I've got to get up early because I'm going fishing very early tomorrow AM ....

If you need to stock up on gourment cooking items, be sure to visit Zingerman's deli in Ann Arbor. Outstanding selection of cheeses, breads, olive oils, etc.

That's a very tempting offer and I might just take you up on it. If nothing else, getting away from work for a bit would be nice. I love my job, but on occasion (like this week) a quote package comes in for a new use of technology and I spend far more time that I expect designing some circuitry to meet automotive requirements.

Of course, I expect there to be a couple of hundred screaming fans surrounding your table while you exhort them to throw off the chains of magical thinking. ;)

An additional enticement is that the Arbor Brewing company makes some good beer. These days I keep a half-barrel of their Red Snapper bitter in my basement in order to maintain a clear perspective on reality.

-Flex

Aww geez - last night I got my order from a elementary schoolkid's fundraiser screwed up, so that she delivered me a bag University of Michigan-shaped pasta instead of Michigan State ... and now PZ is visiting the land of my arch-rivals? For shame.

(You should try and eat at Blimpie Burger while you're there, with an order of fried veggies. It's amazingly delicious.)

By DiscGrace (not verified) on 17 May 2007 #permalink

I'll be there. I'll look for the yellow book.

Perhaps if you were planning to wear a pretty red dress, I might make the haul from Wisconsin to buy you a drink.

Damn, missed you by a week. I'll be in Ann Arbor next week for a CUR Institute.

How was Arbor Brewing Company? I've been looking for recommendations for food & beer.

You should email Shelley Batts. Ask her to bring her St. Patrick's Day paraphanalia! I USED to party in Ann Arbor at Mr. Flood's Party, but I think that is now long gone...

"How was Arbor Brewing Company? I've been looking for recommendations for food & beer. "

Posted by: Jim Lemire

That place has good beer (they won an award for Irish Stout - in Ireland). Grizzly Peak, a few blocks to the west on Washington, is great for both food and drink (I'll know more about the ABC's food this evening).

Do you like Thai food? Cheap sushi?

PZ, there is a DL group meeting on the other side of campus tonight... they'll be at a nice local place that sadly closes up at 10pm. Don't be surprised if you get an influx of (very nice - I can vouch) DL'ers around 10:15...

By Steve in MI (not verified) on 17 May 2007 #permalink

who eats sushi while in the Midwest anyways?

Midwesterners.

at#2: Zingerman's is, incidentally, the only place in the US where my Dutch relatives' cheese is sold.

I'll stop by. Its not too far from where I work, and I leave at 7:00pm. Green and white shirt, yellow and black phone.

By chris rattis (not verified) on 17 May 2007 #permalink

DL is Drinking Liberally. I'd go to my local chapter, but I'm afraid of meeting new people and I don't want to be the only liberal bomb-chucker in a gaggle of nice, moderate midwesterners.

I don't live in Michigan anymore, and I really miss the beer. You're definitely stopping at the right establishment. Make sure you try the Faricy Fest Irish Stout.

This is very cool. You announce where you're going to be with a "y'all join me", or the midwestern equivalent. I'm almost finished with "god is Not Good" and am really enjoying it. You might prefer reading to chatting with strangers. And I'm sure Hitch would agree that drinking alone is not pathetic.

I'm mostly a lurker, but I'll certainly be there!

I'm a Michigan grad, but I've since moved West to Denver. My sister still lives in Ann Arbor, though, and I still have plenty of ties there. ABC is a great place for beer and food - one of the few places in Ann Arbor you can get good babyback ribs. Also, ditto on all the Zingerman's comments (though it was a little expensive when I was a student)

Anyways, I really wish I could be there. PZ, I'll bet you're a fascinating drinking buddy. Let me know if you ever come out West, I'd buy you a beer.

Hey PZ, when you gonna come down to Melbourne, Australia? I'll share a beer or two with you if you find yourself in the area.....

Hitchens impression? In a bar? Yikes. Sorry, can't give you any points for difficulty, I'm afraid.

What brings you to town? I hope it's not some sort of convention or talk you're giving and I've missed the memo.

If I didn't have an exam tomorrow morning, I'd certainly have bought you a drink. Curse these summer classes! Who needs to graduate, anyway?

Dang, saw this post too late.

Will you be around tomorrow night?

When are you coming to Toronto? We have Cameron's Auburn Ale, which is good for everyone, whether they're used to thin beer or want something with a little taste ans substance.

Now, stop drinking beer and let us know how it was!

Stogoe, thanks for the translation. Is that where liberal-minded people get together to commiserate and solve the world's problems?

Some of my favourites are: "Make companies using water take their water downstream of their own outflow" and "If someone's licence is suspended, impound their car!"

I would love to, but it's a bit of a trek from the UK !.
however, if you are over here again I'll be more than happy to buy you a pint or two.

By synthesist (not verified) on 18 May 2007 #permalink

Let's see,

There was Chris and Chris and Karl and Felix and Gary and Thomas and a philosophy instructor whom I know I was introduced to but regrettably have forgotten his name, and another fellow who I wasn't introduced to.
One of these was undoubtably the jdkbrown from the comments above. I also sincerely apologise to anyone who was there, but I have forgotten to mentioned. Speak up in the comments! Don't let me get away with forgetting people!
Then there was a table of people from the genetic programming conferance, who I never got a chance to talk with.

After the introductory table dance, Prof. Myers threw himself into the waiting gaggle of groupies who proceeded to... wait... I've said too much!

Okay, it was really an extended converstation of the best bar type. The topics included, but were not limited to: beer; the meaning of the phrase 'superiority of human experiance'; the work of Heinlein, Haldeman and E.E. 'Doc' Smith; Mac vs. PC; and the nature of personal experiance.

Which, as most of us had never met before, reminds me of one of my favorite observation. Every person on this planet is interesting, and it's worth the effort to break down any communication barriers between us in order to get to the interesting bits. The disparate group of people who met last night, who joined up in recognition of the power of Prof. Myers' writing and out of an interest and love of science, showed no concern over jumping (often loudly) into the conversation with their own experiances and ideas. That makes for a memorable conversation and an enjoyable evening.
The group broke up shortly after ten, so if any DL'ers showed up after Dominick's closed, I'm sorry we missed you.

So far as I could tell, a good time was had by all.

Cheers!

Damn, I live close by and just read this. Darn it.

I might do it again tonight -- once I knew my evening schedule a little better, I'll post an announcement about where I'll be. Any suggestions for places near the Bell Tower Hotel that wouldn't be too noisy or crowded?

I won't be able to make it tonight, but Middle Kingdom is about 2 blocks east of where we were last night. It's the Chinese restaurant we mentioned. Like Felix and I said, ask for the Chinese menu. It's in Chinese and English, and the food is really good.

By chris rattis (not verified) on 18 May 2007 #permalink

I also won't be able to make it tonight, due to previous commitments

By chris rattis (not verified) on 18 May 2007 #permalink

I'll be around to hopefully swing by and say hello. I thought I might have missed my chance last night. If you're looking for a place near the hotel, maybe Red Hawk? Good pub food and a nice, albeit small, bar.

PZ, it was great to meet you in person. And all the others too. (As promised, I'm no longer a lurker.)
Flex, the philosophy fellow's name was Josh.
- giri (not gary)

Thank you Giri,

I was afraid that I miss-heard your name.

Please accept my apologies and I'll try to do better in the future.

Dang, I figured there'd be a PZ-fest in A2! My attendance was foiled by business travel. Perhaps another time.

By Mosasarus rex (not verified) on 21 May 2007 #permalink