Let's have a Thank Goodness It's Ending Party on Sunday, November 30th (not to be confused with the TGIO - Thank Goodness It's Over Party on 12/5 in SF).
We'll have one last write-in to try to finish up our novels and run up the word counts for our final word verifications, some last word wars for the year, and start discussing future plans (anyone interested in continuing to hold periodic writing meetings to finish up novels, ready them for publishing, editing sessions?).
The location would need to offer electricity and internet (for people to submit verifications). Does anyone have any suggestions for locations that can offer both?
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80,409 / 50,000
Nov 20, 2008 - 22 30
I'll always suggest Panera in Hayward ;-) But it looks like there's one in Dublin:
Amador Plaza Road (map)
7030 Amador Plaza Road
Dublin, CA 94568
(925) 829-4401 | phone
(925) 829-4402 | fax
All have free wifi. I don't know about outlets at Dublin, but the Hayward and Fremont locations both have them in reasonable number and powerstrips can always be provided ;-) Plus, they have coffee and food. And it's pretty respectable food at that.
80,631 / 50,000
Nov 21, 2008 - 14 54
I know I'm planning on picking a Berkeley location and sitting there from whenever I get back into Berkeley on Sunday (I'll be out of town for Thanksgiving) until midnight. I think I might suggest Au Coquelet again, because although they don't have the best power situation, they have great food for celebrating a win and are open until midnight! Another possibility in the Berkeley/Oakland area would be Spuds. Berkeley-area, respond with suggestions!
26,008 / 50,000
Nov 21, 2008 - 16 35
I wouldn't mind going to Dublin for an event. Hayward's where I'm used to of course, but I can always try Dublin once. ^^
60,044 / 50,000
Nov 21, 2008 - 17 02
So should we do another split party like we did for the halfway; a party for each side of the tunnel with some joint competitions? Right now the competitions are stuck at a tie: Walnut Creek's halfway party had the fastest individual typist and produced over 20k total words, but the Berkeley side's writers generated the highest word averages during our joint word war.
Would you guys like a joint TGIE Party or a split?
The upside to a Pan-East Bay party: meet more writers, share more ideas, bigger celebration.
Downside: More people will be commuting from farther away, harder to find big enough locations.
What do you prefer?
50,111 / 50,000
Nov 21, 2008 - 17 16
I'd love the chance to meet more of my writerly brethren, but since my scooter's not highway-legal, I won't be able to make a gathering too far outside Berkeley. So I'd vote for split parties, but I understand if everybody wants to have one big one.
26,008 / 50,000
Nov 21, 2008 - 18 36
I think split parties would let more people participate, regardless of respective group sizes. Some won't want to go to Berkeley or Dublin as it's too far, or they can't go due to the distance. And considering how large the East Bay is, two parties would be smarter to cover as many as want to go as possible.
51,060 / 50,000
Nov 21, 2008 - 18 40
I agree.. It seems more people would be able to come if it were not so far for them to travel.
Judy ( n10ding)
80,409 / 50,000
Nov 22, 2008 - 23 55
Or if the areas weren't too scary at night. Dublin should be fine from that perspective ;-) Are there any other San Ramon-y, Pleasanton-y or Dublin-y locations that have 1) outlets, 2) food, 3) intarwebs and 4) coffee for those interested? Panera's the only place I know of for sure that has all of the above.
52,465 / 50,000
Nov 23, 2008 - 09 51
I like the Dublin Panera and would prefer that location over Berkeley.
50,019 / 50,000
Nov 23, 2008 - 10 40
Me and my friend would possibly be going to the Dublin one.
52,002 / 50,000
Nov 23, 2008 - 11 40
Put me down for Dublin, as well.
60,044 / 50,000
Nov 23, 2008 - 13 02
So Dublin's Panera will be the location for this side of the tunnel and we'll do a joint party. I look forward to seeing you there!
50,217 / 50,000
Nov 23, 2008 - 16 07
I'm familiar with the Dublin Panera. There's lots of space, and I've always seen several people with laptops when I drive by. Count me in for that one on the 30th!
51,060 / 50,000
Nov 23, 2008 - 16 22
I'm not familiar with Dublin at all, any directions to the Panera?
Judy
51,060 / 50,000
Nov 23, 2008 - 16 25
found the address.. all is well.. I plan on being there..
Thanks
Judy
52,002 / 50,000
Nov 23, 2008 - 18 10
What time is it?
I mean the TGIE Party, not right now. :)
May I suggest starting at around 4 or 5?
51,404 / 50,000
Nov 24, 2008 - 14 08
Once I've caught up with the rest of you, then my mind can comprehend "party." :D
91,788 / 50,000
Nov 24, 2008 - 16 50
I'm currently in the Rochester, NY area celebrating Thanksgiving with my family, but I will be back in the Bay on the 29th. I am planning on attending the party if only because I need motivation to do major revision on the manuscript I put together, but I'm a bit concerned that Google Maps is telling me I have to walk almost two miles to get from the Dublin BART to the Panera. Is there a shuttle or anything from the station to Amador Plaza Drive, or am I going to have to stop whining and use my spry legs to get my butt the 1.9 miles I need to go?
53,203 / 50,000
Nov 25, 2008 - 00 26
If there turns out to be only one party, Dublin wouldn't be too bad, but I'm for a split situation.
26,008 / 50,000
Nov 25, 2008 - 09 35
If so and you're feeling lazy, maybe you can catch a ride? ^^ Depending on what time we do settle on for Dublin I'll be driving out there so I might be able to catch you from the BART.
50,100 / 50,000
Nov 25, 2008 - 11 52
i agree with kiltlover. i drive so much during the week...i would much rather not head all the way out to dublin for the TGIE party.--not to be a pooper. i might make the effort anyways but if there were enough people interested in an oakland/berkeley location, i'd be super happy.
52,465 / 50,000
Nov 25, 2008 - 12 08
So, it sounds like split parties may be happening, with some definite interest in the Dublin Panera location. Late afternoon sounds like a good time to me. Does 5:00 work for others?
60,044 / 50,000
Nov 25, 2008 - 15 26
I know that Candace is planning to attend a TGIE party on Sunday in the Berkeley area; I'm not sure if she is currently able to post/check here, but the Berkeley/Oakland location is still in need of suggestions. Au Cocquolet (spelling?) or Spud's have been named as options. Do you those of you on that side of the tunnel have a preference?
53,203 / 50,000
Nov 25, 2008 - 15 51
Well, I like Spud's, mainly because they have free internet pretty yummy food options and it is spacious generally. However, frequently they have live music in the backroom that can be fairly annoying for people who are still writing and don't like it loud. I would check the calendar or give them a call to see if anyone is booked and what time. When we had the mid-way party there, it was pretty cool.
Au Coquelet Cafe is my second choice, only because of the internet situation. It does have later hours, depending on what time this shindig is happening.
I think it really depends on how many people need free internet or not. Again, I'm being non-committal, but that's my 2 cents:)
50,317 / 50,000
Nov 25, 2008 - 15 59
I vote for Spuds too, because it's close by. :)
80,409 / 50,000
Nov 25, 2008 - 17 12
5PM works for me :-) In Dublin, that is ;-)
26,008 / 50,000
Nov 26, 2008 - 09 31
5pm for Dublin sounds good, although depending on my travel time and searching for the place I might be there a bit later. ^^
50,100 / 50,000
Nov 28, 2008 - 17 34
Berkeley/Oakland nanowrimos!
there has been talk of au coquelet for the sunday TGIE party....
let's make it official!
readingredhead mentioned au coquelet or spud's. my vote is for spud's cuz of the outlet situation. (there are no outlets at au coquelet)
how does 5 pm sound? if we want we can relocate to au coquelet so we can stay til midnight after spud's closes...but i would go to either place.
80,466 / 50,000
Nov 28, 2008 - 22 00
My only concern with Spuds is that they close at 9...which I guess isn't that bad for those of us who have to go to work the next day, but isn't quite a sprint all the way to the end...I'll be wherever we decide.
50,100 / 50,000
Nov 28, 2008 - 23 58
a sprint til midnight does sound like a good option to have open, though i personally may need to get home for some shut-eye before then.
my computer battery only lasts 3 hours tops...
if we go to au coquelet....
can jwhawthorne or readingredhead do some fancy techno-stuff and bring extension cords and power strips? they've got to have at least ONE plug at au coquelet and maybe they'll be nice to us? :)
5 PM?