I have not yet met any OSers in person. (Well, one, sort of--a friend from college joined several months ago but hasn't posted anything.) But what if meeting OSers in person were very high on my priority list? (I'm not saying that it's not, but you know how things go...) Here's a guide I've constructed, one that anyone could follow to arrange such a thing:
- Think of some OSers you would enjoy meeting in person. If you can't think of any, stop. This guide is not for you. Otherwise, go to step 2.
- Write a post saying, "I am going to [this location] on [this date]. Please join me." (You should probably use something specific for [this location] and [this date], because of course everyone is somewhere at some time--you want people to be in the same location on the same date.)
- Ensure that the date or dates you've given are sufficiently broad to accommodate the schedules of others. For example, I was recently in New York City, where it would have been fun to meet other OSers, but I judged that saying, "I will be passing through the Holland Tunnel between 10:23 and 10:26 on Sunday morning," would not leave enough flexibility for a good get-together.
- Provide a description of the given location that makes it sound as attractive as possible. For example, I might have added, above, "And the tile work in the Holland Tunnel is actually quite interesting. Did you know that it was built in the 1920s? And while it might seem hot there in the middle of July, there are fans, and we'll only be there a few minutes anyway." But as I've said, a more flexible location and date would be more workable.
- Arrange to be in the given location on the given date. If this is not possible, say to yourself, "I'm a total dumbass," and return to step 2.
- Post an occasional comment on your original post reminding people that you are going to be in the given location on the given date. Mention how much fun it will be. Tell people to comment on whether they can make it or not.
- Shortly before the given date, check your post. Has anyone said they'll come? If yes, go to step 8. If no, go to step 9.
- You are a lucky OSer. Write a new post listing those OSers who have said that they will attend the get-together. Commiserate with those who cannot make it. Go to step 10.
- You are an unlucky OSer. The people you'd like to meet, for whatever reason, can't manage it. The location is out of range; the timing is wrong; whatever. Optionally, write a post commiserating with everyone. Go to step 10.
- On the given date, go to the given location and enjoy yourself.
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Comments
RATED :-)
How logical and rational, Rob. One voice of reason in the midst of inconsequential chaos...thank you, Sir.
--rated--
And what the hell happened to the Jerky Boys? I didn't see any links to Jerky Boys videos or anything.
I am so not liking this.
Mothership, thanks for mentioning Verbal. I've described exactly what I remember her doing, though I didn't mention it.
Greg, you've identified a flaw in my plan, unfortunately.
Ah, Bill, Bill, it's all about odetteroulette, as usual.
Thanks for the stamp of approval, cartouche and Buffy, from actual participants in one such event. (Jealousing.) And thanks for the visit, Yarn Over and Just Cathy.
I'm actually in North Carolina, and I'm thinking about doing a get-together in August. I'll send out a post. Now, one possibility I didn't list was for me to say, "Come to my house, whenever," but that would entail my running criminal background checks on most of you, so... It'll be elsewhere. :-)
Is that a good example of a meeting setup?
If that doesn't work for you, I'm having a cleanup party at my house today! Work includes throwing trash into the next door neighbor's yard, assembling Cartouche cutouts, and cleaning the hallway bathroom if we can get Duane out of it!! Sounds like a whole lot of fun! And while we're working, we will be serenaded with my son Mike's latest hit song called "Drink More Robitussin!" I kid you not.
And via the comments, looks like plenty of OSers to meet, but since I'm in AZ, I guess it'll be Savers with Cindy Ross next weekend.
rated for Jerky Butts!
Thanks for visiting, all. I'll see you, in order, on some random street corner in Boise, ID; on Times Square next New Year's Eve; dressed appropriately for flashing in NYC in the Holland Tunnel some time afterwards (followed by a guided tour of Riker's Island, I expect); at the top of Dupont Circle in DC for a Krispy Kreme (yum, remind me to tell you about the annual, official Krispy Kreme Challenge); at Saver in Mesa, AZ; at the Wal-Mart in DuQuoin (no offense, bob, but I have to add, "wherever the hell DuQuoin is" :-);... all blindfolded.
And afterwards we'll meet at Cindy Ross's to trash the place--I mean, to clean up!
Cindy Ross!
Or, rather, "This is why we can't have nice things."
And I think I'm gluing these steps to my kitchen wall. hee hee
No, I really do.
In a completely unholy way.
[smooch]
Where would this place be without your indispensable FAQs and How-tos, Rob? I mean, really. We'd be even more lost than people at, like, The Huffington Post.
And we are blessed with a visitation from Verbal Remedy, the source of all good ideas on OS! My secret for a good post is now out: Watch what Verbal does, and write about it. Oh, crediting her would be nice, too. :-)
Lonnie, if we took a poll on the most envied man in OS, I think you'd win handily.
I was beginning to think that there was a conspiracy of gushing elitists to make me feel left out and unloved
OS Meetup in New Orleans this Halloween!
http://open.salon.com/blog/leeandra_nolting/2009/07/26/open_call_lets_have_an_os_meetup_in_new_orleans
what's a jerky butt?
Thanks for visiting, David and Leeandra. And to anyone else reading--the party's at Leeandra's (okay, in New Orleans, at least) in October! Be there or be... well, be slightly disappointed that you couldn't make it.
LOVE
Damn it! That's why no one ever comes to my dinner parties!
I love you too, Rob, but in a manly no-touch kinda way. Like, if we met, we'd do that man-hug where we stand far apart and mostly perpendicular and bang on each others' backs one-handed.
Oh, I'm doing it wrong?
Phaedo, I wish I lived nearer NYC. (Sometimes. But not in the winter.) This was a drive up from Raleigh, NC, with an overnight in Baltimore, MD, on the way there, and reverse on the way back, for reasons that are too complicated to get into. Spokane, hmm? You're at least in the same state as other cities I like. :-)
Anyone?
~rocco and rusty,
The Rescuers
:D