Chicagoland BYOAC meetup?

[DougHillman]

Why should the East Coasters have all the fun?   I know there's a good handful of us around Chicagoish.  

If there's some interest, we can start preliminary planning on a location and date.  

[Superdude]

I'll go, I'm sure there are few guys that would go like dmsuchy or sassquatch.

[Martoon]

I'm potentially interested, provided:

1. It's not on a Saturday.
2. It's worth a three-hour drive.    I live in Monmouth, IL, a little south of the Quad Cities.

[Ed ONeill]

Ok so you guys wanna have a get together like US east coasters (aka  New Englanders) ...that sounds COOL .

I'd like to come if it's not only for people from chicago...

I would be willing to come as long as I was welcomed and as long as southwest airlines keep offering the 29 each way to chicago airfares.

Oh and most Of all.... it would have to be a fairly close drive from the airport as well.

Signed
Ed

[crashwg]

Why should the East Coasters have all the fun?

Who you callin' a coaster???  

 

[DougHillman]

Certainly wouldn't be limited to Chicagoans only.  

Hosting at my place is not viable and my GF's place is a little small as well, depending on the turnout.  I may have something else in mind though.

Any other locals have cabs that could be transported and a way to do so?   Or if transport could be arranged, would be willing to drag their cab to a get-together?

D

[the3eyedblindman]

I live in Aurora IL but im 15 lol, and my cabinet isnt done, so im not very welcome.

[DougHillman]

I dunno what them stuffy East Coast guys do, but I'd think we'd want anyone and everyone who's interested in this stuff.    We'd certainly not disclude anyone just because they haven't got their projects comepleted (or even started) yet.  I'd look upon a meetup as a chance to yap about this stuff in person, share ideas & plans, and get inspired.  As well as getting to place some faces with some screen names.

I may be able to arrange an inexpensive place for us to get together and set up a coupla local cabinets for some game playing and whatnot.  I'm thinking about something along the lines of a LAN party for MAMErs.  Maybe have some demonstrations of cabinet building techniques or something along those lines.  Explinations of how to set up MAMEWAH or whatever.

In fact, I may try to set something up in conjunction with a LAN party that goes on around here somewhat regulalry.  They've had a company that manufactures emu cabs set up a few before, but I was far from impressed.  Maybe we can give a good showing of what can be done in the garage and drag a few more folks into the hobby.    


Oh, and 3eyedblindman, it's possible that if we ran something with the LAN gamers it'd acually be in Aurora.    You probably wouldn't even need to bum a ride, you could just walk on over.   You ever been to Walter Payton's Roundhouse?

[ErikRuud]

I'm in St. Charles so Aurora is very easy for me.  I've never gone to the Roundhouse though.

I think I can get my cab out of the basement, but I have not tried yet.

It would almost have to be on a saturday if I'm going to bring my cab.  

Weekday nights are going to be very busy after the scool year starts for my daughter.

[daeven]

I'll attend and can bring a cocktail and maybe an upright.  I'm in Naperville, but I'll show up wherever.

[johnnysmitch]

I'm in the northern suburbs of chicago - I'd dig going to an event like this; If my setup's done, I MIGHT be able to bring it, if there's a TV I could hook up to (mine's a showcase-style).  Even if it's not done, I'd like to come and maybe get some pointers (haven't even begun to setup the FE or anything yet...)

[Soulcon]

I am in Chicago Hieghts and would love to go. Ofcourse I doubt I could tear my daughter away from her cab long enough to bring it . But I used to work in Aurora so I wouldn't be against going there for a bit. I am all for meeting people with like minded ideas.

-Soul

[mr.Curmudgeon]

I dunno what them stuffy East Coast guys do

We sacrifice goats and pray to the pagan gods of Taito, Konami, Gottlieb, Atari, et al.

Beer is involved at some point.

[Bloinkxp]

I would be up for attending a BYOAC meeting.
I am in lombard, so I am close to the city or burbs...

[Snarbald]

I'm in Schaumburg, so maybe if I actually have a day off.

[Dartful Dodger]

I'd be up for it, I live near Aurora.

There's a Gameworks with a Mechanical Bull in Woodfield.  This way we can meet in a public area and avoid being jumped and thrown into a van with bars on the windows.

[Soulcon]

I am all for an abductionless gathering as well

-Soul

[Sasquatch!]

I'm in!  I have no idea if the cabinet would make it OUT of the basement, and the house is in the middle of remodeliing so hosting's out on my end, but it sounds cool.

I've never been to Roundhouse either, but I've meaning to go.  That sounds like it'd be a cool place.

I'll attend and can bring a cocktail and maybe an upright.  I'm in Naperville, but I'll show up wherever.

'Sup Naperville buddy?  

[dimebolt]

would it tolerate a lot of newbie questions?

[DougHillman]

would it tolerate a lot of newbie questions?

Tolerate it?  I think we'd welcome it.  An idea brewing in my head is some sort of panel or roundtable discussion where a couple of the folks who've built a cabinet or two would be available to answer questions and discuss their methods.

[shawnzilla]

Kansas City here...might be just close enough to make it :-)

[dimebolt]

awesome, im like 25mins from downtown and im gonna  be building my 1st cab soon, id love to be able to talk to some people who have completed cabs,


another idea too is if we have it at a commerical place, someone with a truck or trailer bring there cab for visuals

[ashardin]

I could do it, but My cab will be staying at home.  I just moved it upstairs to my new game room, and its not coming back down!

I live in Oswego and work in Naperville, I didn't realize we had a pocket of guys so close.

[DougHillman]

awesome, im like 25mins from downtown and im gonna  be building my 1st cab soon, id love to be able to talk to some people who have completed cabs,


another idea too is if we have it at a commerical place, someone with a truck or trailer bring there cab for visuals

Reading entire threads might answer many of the questions you have.  

Several people have already commented that they'd be willing to bring their cabs.

[anoon]

I'd probably be down for it. I live in the city proper. Name the time and date.

[southpaw13]

How about having it right before or after the Chicago Pinball Expo...two for one?

http://www.pinballexpo.net/

[scottp]

I am in the Detroit area and would love to meet up.   Chicago is a blast.   I could probably even help with some door prizes and whatnot.  

Scott
www.mamemarquees.com

[Soulcon]

Well lets shoot some dates out there I would love to do this before it gets cold again. Altough anyone from Chicago knows that it can Snow in the middle of summer so no counting on weather. But I am all for coming anywhere. I won't be able to bring my Cab because my Daughter is Glued to it so it is staying home. But it would be a blast to get something like this going.

-Soul

[southpaw13]

If it's in October, I will build a new one and bring it!

Southpaw

[Martoon]

Just about any Sunday would work for me.  Saturdays are generally not open for me until later in the evening.

We need to have it whatever day and time works best for the most people.  I'll put in my vote for a Sunday.

Actually, the Sunday that the Pinball Expo ends (Oct. 17) might not be a bad idea.

[Martoon]

Out of curiosity, how long do these get-togethers typically run?  I mean, just ballpark - like, an hour or so, or day-after-day-Woodstock-kinda-thing, or what?

[Soulcon]

I am all for a Sunday afternoon thing OCT 17 is possible I believe now we need a place that we can all agree on. Also I beleiev it would only last as long as people want to hang. If its ion a resturant I am guessing roughly around an hour maybe two. If we spring for a hotel to show off work I would guess more like 4 hours. But being this is a first I would suggest just doing a small resturant get together so we can plan a big one for a later date. It wouldn't do to set up a hotel and then no one show up and one person be stuck with the bill.

But it is upto you guys really! We just need to get some specifics set out or it will just be a long drawn out process of us all saying "yeah a get together sounds good" and then nothing happening. So hows this sound How about we say.......

Oct 17th Sunday

Time ?

Place?

Once we get a general time and place we will all be set.

-Soul

[DougHillman]

If a bunch of local folks would like to meet somewhere for dinner & talking, that's great.  I'd do an October 17th thing.

I'm planning on something much bigger.  Several cabinets, door prizes, raffle, discussion panels, etc.  More of a BYOAC LAN Party.  Probably don't have time to get it together by then, though.  

D

[Soulcon]

Aye I agree I would love to see that happen. However that might take use renting out a center or a small entertaining room at a hotel. Which costs money. I figure if we get to know eachother a little better maybe 2 or 3 of us could eventually plan a real get together. We could get some locals to come on down for auctions and the like. But before we make huge plans like that. Lets see who is interested. And by a personal meeting we can all see who would be in it for the long run money wise for a show.

IL doesn't really get any of these kind of shows often so if we get things ironed out........... This could be the start of more arcades flowing into IL instead of ST'LOUIS AND TN .

So what times would people like to meet up on OCT 17th And Where?

-Soul

[DougHillman]

Aye I agree I would love to see that happen. However that might take use renting out a center or a small entertaining room at a hotel. Which costs money. I figure if we get to know eachother a little better maybe 2 or 3 of us could eventually plan a real get together. We could get some locals to come on down for auctions and the like. But before we make huge plans like that. Lets see who is interested. And by a personal meeting we can all see who would be in it for the long run money wise for a show.

-Soul

Do you not read my posts?  

I've already stated that I'll probably be able to work out something with a LAN Party group that I'm associated with.  Great venue, food & drink provided, very reasonable pricing.  

There's already a dozen+ locals who've expressed interest (several willing to bring cabinets), as well as a few from further away who've said they might be interested in making it if it were something bigger (I've been in contact with some people who've not posted to this thread.)

Something like this will take some serious planning though, in order to get all to come together smoothly.  So it'd probably be several months away.  Your idea of getting a coupla locals involved in the works is a great one.  We could definately discuss that at a smaller meetup next month.

How about either the Dave & Busters in Addison offa 355, or the Gameworks at Woodfield?  Both are within about 20 minutes - half an hour of the Pinball Expo in Rosemont.  Sometime in the afternoon in case anyone has church stuff to do or something.  2:00?  3:00?  October 17th work for everyone?

[Sasquatch!]

Do you not read my posts?  

I've already stated that I'll probably be able to work out something with a LAN Party group that I'm associated with.  Great venue, food & drink provided, very reasonable pricing.  

There's already a dozen+ locals who've expressed interest (several willing to bring cabinets), as well as a few from further away who've said they might be interested in making it if it were something bigger (I've been in contact with some people who've not posted to this thread.)

Something like this will take some serious planning though, in order to get all to come together smoothly.  So it'd probably be several months away.  Your idea of getting a coupla locals involved in the works is a great one.  We could definately discuss that at a smaller meetup next month.

How about either the Dave & Busters in Addison offa 355, or the Gameworks at Woodfield?  Both are within about 20 minutes - half an hour of the Pinball Expo in Rosemont.  Sometime in the afternoon in case anyone has church stuff to do or something.  2:00?  3:00?  October 17th work for everyone?

Both/either of those sound cool to me.  Is one of those places better suited to having a large gaggle of people meeting up than the other?  I've been to D&B a few times, but I've only been to Gameworks once and I honestly don't remember all that much about it.

I do agree that a preliminary "meet and greet" sounds cool before we try to have a huge gala event.

[DougHillman]

I've actually never been to either of them.  I drive past both of them regularly, and have been to Streets of Woodfield theater many times, but haven't ever bothered going inside Gameworks.  Sometime this week I'll pop into both of 'em and check things out.  From what I understand though, they'd probably both be roughly the same.  I did jump on both of their web sites earlier and remember that one of them had half-price games on Sundays.  Don't remember which that was.  That may be our deciding factor though.  

[allroy1975]

Kansas City here...might be just close enough to make it :-)

if you go, you gotta pick me up in St. Louis.  Or mabye I'd take that leg of the trip, and you could leave your car in STL?



Allroy

[dimebolt]

im down for sunday the 17th

id prolly bring a friend as well.

the only thing i dislike about DB's is the possible dress code,

I beleived its nice clothes only and well, shorts and t-shirts

[Dartful Dodger]

Gameworks has lots of tables so it's a good place for a small informal gathering.  It also has a Mechanical Bull.

How about the October 10th or 24th?

My other expensive hobby has a race the weekend of the 17th, and I've already volunteered to help at it.

The race is up by Rockford, and it ends at 4, so if the meeting is after 6 I'd be able to make it.

[Soulcon]

It could be after 6 do to the pinball expo running until then anyway. so i bet we could stillmake it work for ya.

-Soul

[Dartful Dodger]

It could be after 6 do to the pinball expo running until then anyway. so i bet we could stillmake it work for ya.

-Soul

This was DougHillman

[DougHillman]

The Gameworks location is fine with me.

Let's get a concensus of who'd like it to be earlier in the day.  If there are folks who are driving a ways, it might be more convenient for them to do an early afternoon thing.  Thos of you hitting the pinball expo first, get your butts up and get there early.

I can do 6:00ish, but I'd much rather do something about 2:30 - 3:00.  

[Superdude]

Forget afternoon, Football is on.  

[DougHillman]

Forget afternoon, Football is on.  

Never been there, but I'd imagine that any place that predominantly caters to guys (such as Gameworks) would have some screens showing sports for those who cannot tear themselves away from it for a social activity with actual human people.

D

[Martoon]

Forget afternoon, Football is on.  

Never been there, but I'd imagine that any place that predominantly caters to guys (such as Gameworks) would have some screens showing sports for those who cannot tear themselves away from it for a social activity with actual human people.

D

Quote from the Gameworks website: "And there is no better place to watch your favorite sports teams in action than on our giant video screens."

[southpaw13]

So are we bringing our games?

[DougHillman]

Not to this one.  While we're gathered though, I'm gonna put forth some plans for a future event where we'd bring our games.  See who'd be interested in helping with the planning & logistics & such.

[Sasquatch!]

I can do 6:00ish, but I'd much rather do something about 2:30 - 3:00.  

Same here.  Also bear in mind that it'll be a LOT easier to get tables/seating for a group earlier than it will later.

[dimebolt]

im downw

posT some pix so we know who is who

here is meh

[crashwg]

Probably won't be hard to find dimebolt huh?

A few posts back somone asked how long these things usually last and I figgured that since we New Engladers are the only ones who've done this as of now I'll try to explain how things have gone for us.

Well, we're all obviously arcade fans so we start of the gathering at a place called Funspot.  It's one of the largest and best arcades in the world and certainly THE best one in New England.  Both times we met at Funspot shortly after noon.  I don't realy know much about Chicago so I can't suggest a place but I would recomend going to an arcade, it's a pretty good icebreaker for us arcade freaks.

A couple hours of gaming and reminising then we went to Ed's summer house.  If someone in your group has a place near the center of you all and prefferably near some sort of arcade, you should meet there and save your $$$ for beer and food!

The rest kinda just happens.  It's funny how a group of people not knowing one another but sharing a common interest can seem like they've known eachother for years in just a matter of hours.  

Keep in mind that this is just how things have gone for us and mearly a suggestion.  I'm sure no matter what you decide to do will work out.  Have fun!

[DougHillman]

dimebolt, what's your dye preference?

Mine was "Blue Mayhem" by Special Effects for the last coupla years.  I dyed it jet black about 6 months ago and am currently letting that grow out to my natural dirty blonde.

D

[dimebolt]

Its different now, its a darker purple  "Purple Passion" From Raw Color.

its nice =) except my shower is all purple tinted.

[Dartful Dodger]

Its different now, its a darker purple  "Purple Passion" From Raw Color.

its nice =) except my shower is all purple tinted.

You should post a more recent picture.  We wouldn't want to call a guy at Gameworks with a lighter purple mohawk, dimebolt.

[DougHillman]

dimebolt, what's your dye preference?

Mine was "Blue Mayhem" by Special Effects for the last coupla years.  I dyed it jet black about 6 months ago and am currently letting that grow out to my natural dirty blonde.

D

This is really bizarre, but it just occured to me that every Doug I've ever known in person is some shade of blonde.  I mean, I can think of actors, authors (Douglas Adams ), etc. that are non-blonde Dougs, but every Doug I've ever had contact with is blonde.  This can't be a coincidence.  I don't know how or why, but there's some kind of conspiracy here, and it's directed at me.  So whoever or whatever is behind this, I'm on to you!

It is in your best interests to erase your post and forget anything you might know.  

[Martoon]

dimebolt, what's your dye preference?

Mine was "Blue Mayhem" by Special Effects for the last coupla years.  I dyed it jet black about 6 months ago and am currently letting that grow out to my natural dirty blonde.

D

This is really bizarre, but it just occured to me that every Doug I've ever known in person is some shade of blonde.  I mean, I can think of actors, authors (Douglas Adams ), etc. that are non-blonde Dougs, but every Doug I've ever had contact with is blonde.  This can't be a coincidence.  I don't know how or why, but there's some kind of conspiracy here, and it's directed at me.  So whoever or whatever is behind this, I'm on to you!

It is in your best interests to erase your post and forget anything you might know.  

NEVER!!! The post will remain as globally published evidence that...  Argh!  The pain in my temples... must... erase... post...   Erasing, NOW!  Ahhh!  Noooo!

[dimebolt]

if the chance of another guy in there with a purple mohawk confuses you, I have a septum piercing and lip and a few in my ears.

[Sasquatch!]

im downw

posT some pix so we know who is who

I think we're all just gonna look for the purple mohawk at this point.  

Here is moi.  BTW, if you don't want to look like a superdork asking "Are you Sasquatch?", the name's John.

[Ed ONeill]

Just a suggestion from the New England get together part 2 there was a major accident on the highway you guys might want to have at least 1 cell phine number.

Just my 2 cents
Ed ...fore mentioned host of the N.E.BYOAC get together

[DougHillman]

Lets try and get a head count and see who's in for an earlier time.

Remember, there are big screen TV's for those of you who want to come to a social gathering and spend the whole time watching football.

October 17th.  Gameworks at Woodfield Mall.  I'm aiming for around 2:30ish.  Who else is good for that time?

No games this time around.  Just hanging out and getting to know some new folks.  Plus some discussion about holding something a little bigger in the spring.

D

[Soulcon]

I am all for that time and date!

Who all is going to the pinball expo nefore hand though? It would be great to meet up there as well for the early arrivals?

-Soul

[Sasquatch!]

Lets try and get a head count and see who's in for an earlier time.

Remember, there are big screen TV's for those of you who want to come to a social gathering and spend the whole time watching football.

October 17th.  Gameworks at Woodfield Mall.  I'm aiming for around 2:30ish.  Who else is good for that time?

No games this time around.  Just hanging out and getting to know some new folks.  Plus some discussion about holding something a little bigger in the spring.

That sounds like a perfect plan here.  I'm in.  

[DrewKaree]

I can't make that, but would be up for future meetings around Woodfield Mall area...it's a "day" for me driving down from WI, so the closest to that area, the best.  I used to live in Hanover Park and worked in St Charles, so I'm somewhat familiar with that area...

[DrewKaree]

What, did you guys do some wierd porno flick when you all met up and now are embarrassed to say you know each other?  

Wha hoppeened?

[Dartful Dodger]

What, did you guys do some wierd porno flick when you all met up and now are embarrassed to say you know each other?  

Wha hoppeened?

We all can't own time machines.  You'll have to wait for the rest of us to catch up to you.

[Martoon]

What, did you guys do some wierd porno flick when you all met up and now are embarrassed to say you know each other?  

Wha hoppeened?

We all can't own time machines.  You'll have to wait for the rest of us to catch up to you.

Porno flicks??? Time machines???  Somehow, I feel that I'm a little out of the loop here (and a little relieved that I am).

[DrewKaree]

We all can't own time machines.  You'll have to wait for the rest of us to catch up to you

And BTW, Dodger, don't wear those socks, or at least take them off when the fun starts....nevermind, I remember what you said when you showed up with them anyway.    

Nice try Martoon, but wait'll they see what you did about an hour into the get-together.  

[Martoon]

Nice try Martoon, but wait'll they see what you did about an hour into the get-together.  

Sssshhhh!

Geez, I guess $100 just doesn't keep someone quite anymore.

[Dartful Dodger]

The reason nobody talked about it, is because the get together is in three weeks.

I've got a race to go to so wont be able to make it, maybe next time.

^{Sorry, I didn't mean to highjack this thread with scifi/mystery nonsense.}

[DrewKaree]

I've got a race to go to so wont be able to make it, maybe next time.

^{Sorry, I didn't mean to highjack this thread with scifi/mystery nonsense.}

it's ok...but we talk about how your race went....sorry...it'll help you to know that we only made fun of you for a few minutes....about 60, I think it was  

[Dartful Dodger]

I've got a race to go to so wont be able to make it, maybe next time.

^{Sorry, I didn't mean to highjack this thread with scifi/mystery nonsense.}

it's ok...but we talk about how your race went....sorry...it'll help you to know that we only made fun of you for a few minutes....about 60, I think it was  

Don't worry if the guy at the next table follows you to your car.
It's just a coincidence.
 

[Sasquatch!]

Is anyone bringing their wife/SO, or is this going to be the usual sausage festival that BYOAC normally is?    I ask because if anyone's bringing their Missus, I'll bring mine - otherwise I won't.

[DougHillman]

Is anyone bringing their wife/SO, or is this going to be the usual sausage festival that BYOAC normally is?    I ask because if anyone's bringing their Missus, I'll bring mine - otherwise I won't.

I may have one of the two girls who've helped me with the cabinet with me.  Not for sure yet though.  Will know closer to the actual date.

D

[ErikRuud]

I'm not sure yet if I can make it.

Dodger, what kind of race?

[Dartful Dodger]

I'm not sure yet if I can make it.

Dodger, what kind of race?

It's a road race, so the cars accelerate, brake turn left and right.
I was thinking about stopping by Gameworks on my way home, to see if any of you were still there, but after a weekend of working at the track, drinking all night, and not showering, I'd be a little ripe.

[ErikRuud]

I love road races!  I love almost any racing. Good luck!

[DougHillman]

One week folks.  Would be nice to see a decent turnout.

[Sasquatch!]

One week folks.  Would be nice to see a decent turnout.

Still planning on it.  

[daeven]

I just read-read this thread.  As a reminder, we're talking about 2:30 this Saturday, right?  I've got a lot of work to do before the next gathering since I sold my cocktail table that I promised to bring with.  I've got three more in progress, so hopefully I can finish one of them!

Doug, any idea on the timeframe for the 2nd Chicago gathering?  Sometimes I need a deadline to finish my projects.

[Martoon]

I just read-read this thread.  As a reminder, we're talking about 2:30 this Saturday, right?  I've got a lot of work to do before the next gathering since I sold my cocktail table that I promised to bring with.  I've got three more in progress, so hopefully I can finish one of them!

Doug, any idea on the timeframe for the 2nd Chicago gathering?  Sometimes I need a deadline to finish my projects.

Nope, Sunday, not Saturday.

I haven't decided yet if I'm coming.  It's a 6+ hour roundtrip from Monmouth, so I'm not sure that's worth it since people won't actually be bringing their machines, etc.  But I might show up just to be involved in planning the next "real" get-together (which I hope will also be on a Sunday, since that's the only day I can make this kind of trip).

[daeven]

Whoops!  I meant Sunday!

[DrewKaree]

Want me to jump in the Time Machine and let you know?  

[Sasquatch!]

ROLL CALL!

So who's gonna make it?  I know DougHillman and myself are definites.  Who else?

And to clarify, I believe this is correct (if not, I'll edit this post)...
October 17th, 2:30pm at Gameworks in Woodfield Mall.

I gather just stand around the lobby?  By the way, my cell is 630-841-7276 if you get there and don't see anyone.

[Soulcon]

I am going to give it a shot to be there but have to pick up a Popeye cab that day so might not make it. Hoepfully you guys will take pictures!

-Soul

[daeven]

I will be there.

[Martoon]

I'm seriously considering it, but I'm probably insane to spend 6 hours driving just to hang out with some guys in Gameworks for a while.

Then again, one of those guys did invite me to come to his place afterward and take his sweet arcade cab for a spin.

<starts stopwatch to see how long it takes DrewKaree to comment on that last statement>

[Superdude]

I might stop by, I dont know for sure just yet!!!

[shawnzilla]

Unfortunately I can't make it this time...gotta hold an open house on Sunday.

I'll definitely make it next time.

[DrewKaree]

Then again, one of those guys did invite me to come to his place afterward and take his sweet arcade cab for a spin.

<starts stopwatch to see how long it takes DrewKaree to comment on that last statement>

TIME!  Mark it....dunno if there's a "record to beat" but....

Just be careful if, when you get there, he says "Dude, you gotta come down here and check out this sweet "joystick" I've got.  It's got some special controls, but you'll get the hand...er...hang of it in no time!"

Run.  Run quickly.  Run quickly, and whatever you do, DON'T LOOK BACK!

   Did I disappoint with the comment?

[Martoon]

TIME!  Mark it....dunno if there's a "record to beat" but....

Oooh, 3 hours, 29 minutes, 57 seconds - I have to say, a little disappointed in that time...

[DougHillman]

I'll have on my orange Atari shirt for identification purposes.  I dunno if it's possible but maybe whoever gets there first can grab us a table and inform the folks up front that the BYOAC group is there.

There's a very slight possibility that I'll be late.  Most likely I'll be early but it's possible I may not get there until around 3:00ish or a little later.

D

[Sasquatch!]

I'm seriously considering it, but I'm probably insane to spend 6 hours driving just to hang out with some guys in Gameworks for a while.

My in-laws from Monmouth are going to be in town this weekend, but yeah, they will be here longer than just a couple of hours.  (They're leaving Sunday, so if you do show, you'll probably pass them on I-88.)

Then again, one of those guys did invite me to come to his place afterward and take his sweet arcade cab for a spin..

Absolutely, Holmes.  If you DO make it, you're more than welcome to kill a bit of time at Casa del Sasquatch before driving home.

[Sasquatch!]

I'll have on my orange Atari shirt for identification purposes.  I dunno if it's possible but maybe whoever gets there first can grab us a table and inform the folks up front that the BYOAC group is there.

Grab a table for how many?  And does Gameworks know to expect a "BYOAC group"?

[Martoon]

Looks like I'll be there.  If I leave Monmouth by 11:00, I should get there before 2:30.  I'm wearing a black "Make better games" t-shirt.

Is anyone interested in any buy/sell/trade of any spare arcade parts?  I don't have anything to sell or trade right now, but I might be interested in buying if I see anything interesting and/or cheap.  I'm not talking about going to any effort like loading up a trailer.  But if you have a few smallish things you want to get rid of, why not throw them in the trunk?

[Snarbald]

Well, if I leave by 2:27 I just might be able to get there in time.

[dmsuchy]

Guys let me know how this went, I found out tooo late.

[daeven]

Sasquatch, Martoon and I were the only attendees AFAIK.  If anyone else was there looking for us, we missed you.  Despite the low attendance, we had a good time.  Plus we got to check out Sasquatch's nice upright cabinet.

I'm looking forward to the next gathering where we can drag a few cabinets with.  I'll have at least two to bring to such an event.

[Snarbald]

I was there but didn't find anyone. Oh well, $20 for 3 hours of unlimited credits.

[Sasquatch!]

Like daeven said, attendence was pretty thin.  Where was everyone who said they'd come??  I even wore my BYOAC cap for "identification purposes".  

We did have a good time, however.  The three of us sat at a table in the bar section, had some brews, and shot the breeze (which is never a bad time in my book).  We got along very well too, for a bunch of strangers.  Afterward we played a bunch of games (mostly the head-to-head driving ones), and then Martoon and daever headed over to my house to check out Arcade Paradise 3 and talk a little more shop.  All in all a good time was had by all.

Obligatory pictures (in order of appearance, of course)...

Sasquatch!:



Martoon:



daeven:

[Snarbald]

Damn, I walked past all of you on my way in.

[Sasquatch!]

Damn, I walked past all of you on my way in.

That's why I posted my cell phone # in this thread earlier YA NUT!

[Martoon]

Obligatory pictures (in order of appearance, of course)...

Holy crap! I wish I had looked at that picture on your camera before you posted it (I would have had you take another one!).  I look like I was completely hammered (which is a little ironic, since I was the only one not drinking   ).

Anyway, as Sasquatch and Daeven said, it was a good time (even worth a six-hour round trip).  Too bad at least one other person showed up that missed us.  Guess we should have had a better plan for meeting up.  We had good conversation, some fun games, and got to see Sasquatch's Arcade Paradise 3 (which is a very nicely finished cabinet, BTW).  I also learned that Daeven is the kind of guy who builds like a million cabinets, but never posts pictures of them.  Oh, and I learned that Sasquatch has an enormous dog who's fond of licking people.

What I want to know is, what ever happened to DougHillman (they guy who started this whole thread)?  We never did see an orange Atari shirt.  

[ErikRuud]

I got tied up with family stuff, so I couln't make it.

[Soulcon]

I was driving what seemed like a bajillion miles to Naperville to pick up my Popeye cab I had bought 2 weeks ago. This was the only day we both had avalible. I must apologize but my addiction got the best of me. I would love to plan another one this time though we actually rent out a place and see what we can't turn out. I figure I could get a good rate on a hotel near me and then we could actually get some out of state'ers in. But we will see because that would cost money and I would need people to actually give definates that they would be there.

-Soul

[Ed ONeill]

Hey ,

At least it worked out where a few of you got together...I am sure it was cool to put faces with the names.

Hopefully next time you guys who missed it will go.
Cell phone numbers are a must... I know peale missed us do to the fact that I posted my home number instead of the cell number.


Signed
Ed

[Sasquatch!]

Yeah, so...uh, I think this thread can be unstickied now.