The Great Portland Meetup - Date To Be Determined, 2015

I thought it best to avoid having the thread announce Feb. 1 which is this weekend, I believe. I also think there might be a football game on that day....

Go Hawks!

Yes, go Hawks! I am in for the meet-up, and the only weekend that's totally out for me is the weekend of the 21st.

Do we want the same format, Powell's and then brew pub? And what do you all think of 2/28th as a potential date? Or would some time in March be better?

If I have enough advance warning, I can probably make it any weekend. I have a chance a week ahead to say when I'm "available" for Instacart and if I'm not "available" I do not get assigned a shift. Cool.

Portland has Instacart now, too, I think. Look on line for Instacart.com and you'll see what I do for pocket change.

March is a little easier for me. We have so many family birthdays in February! I like the idea of Powells and a brew pub again.

I vote for the beginning of March. I am good for the 28th of February or also the 7th or 8th of March. We have a lot of February birthdays as well so weekend of the 21st is out for me. I like Powell's and the brew pub again. Yay!

March looks fairly good for me. I already have big bookish plans March 12-15 with the Left Coast Crime Annual Mystery Convention happening here in town. But other than that weekend I'm available at this point.

Powell's and BrewPub is ALWAYS good!!!

So..... 7th or 8th of March ? I would probably prefer Saturday so I could use later Sunday for my drive back to Seattle.

What do you all prefer?

Can we do lunch on Saturday? I have a dinner thing that night that just came up and I kinda have to go. Open on Sunday.

lunch is OK with me.

I think I can do lunch on the 7th. My daughter is in town for spring break that week, so maybe another week could be better for me. But I ought to be able to manage lunch, at any rate.

Lunch on Saturday works for me.

So lunch and then Powell's or vice versa? Saturday March 7th, right?

As I'll be driving down from Seattle area, lunch and then Powell's makes the most sense to me.

OK, I have reservations at the Residence Inn, Marriott, for one night: 3/7/15. I'll arrive sometime on Saturday, assume books and fun for Saturday afternoon, evening, and then I'll drive back to Seattle on Sunday.

My room has a fold out sofa as well as a big bed, and I'll bring two friendly dogs. If any one is interested in sharing the space send me a PM and we can talk details. I'm friendly, and I read a lot.

I'm looking forward to this, as well as seeing my friends who live in Portland, too.

I have it marked on my calendar and I'm looking forward to it. Any suggestions on where we meet for lunch? The Deschutes Brewery was good last time.

I am good with the Deschutes again. I haven't been since our last get together there. Any one else have some ideas?

I have a little bit of "old lady" hearing loss and if the restaurant is full of loud background noise I usually can not hear what people are saying so if the Brewery meets that description it would be nice if we could find a quieter place; however, if most want to go to the Brewery, I can adjust and enjoy what I do hear, and eat.

I am looking forward to my mini-vacation in Portland!

It is strangely hard to find a good restaurant close to Powell's, and I think that Deschute's is probably the best bet.

Looking forward to the meet-up!

OK. I'm set to drive down to Portland, and Powell's on Saturday. I will have my computer with me so you can leave me messages here.

I am thinking that maybe there is no Meet-Up going to happen? Anyone?

I have it on my calendar - I just came here to check to see if we had a time set yet.

Is that this Saturday? For some reason, I thought it was the 14th! I think that I could make this Saturday, but I need to check with the family.... what time were you all thinking?

I just found this thread. I would like to go to a Portland meetup, but I can't this weekend as my son will be visiting from NY. If it happens this weekend--have fun everyone and buy lots of books. If it's to be rescheduled, let me know.

I can reschedule my reservations for next weekend if that works better for more people. How about we do a tally?

Prefer? this weekend or next weekend or either?

I'm recovering from knee surgery a little slower than expected so I'd vote for the next weekend.

I can do the 7th but not the 14th because I'll be at the Left Coast Crime Book Convention. It looks like the 14th might be better for most folks though. If that's the way it works out I'll just see everyone next time.

OK, Let's count

7th - SuziQoregon, banjo123 (?), Berly (?) - 1 for sure, 2 maybe

14th - maggie1944, Oregonreader. arubabookwoman (?), banjo123 (?) - 2 for sure, 2 maybe

I don't know what is best. Maybe we need to hear from Berly and banjo123

ETA: adding a maybe for Banjo124 on the 14th. And changing maggie1944 to the 14th.

I think that I am a maybe for both dates. I really want to come, but we have a lot of family stuff going on...

I am changing my reservation to the following weekend. This week is really busy, and I have an obligation on Sunday afternoon so I would have to hurry back on Sunday morning. I hope this works out.

Yeah - it sounds like next weekend is better for the majority of folks. Sorry I won't be there - have fun!! I'll see you at the next one.

I just cancelled my 3/7 reservation and will have to take some time soon to find a new one. I am sorry to miss you, but we can keep doing this, I'm sure, as Powell's is a mighty magnet.

Do you all think we should just reschedule for sometime a bit later, maybe in April?

I am completely flexible. Maybe Ellen could join us later, too. Seems like it might be a good idea.

Well since I can't be there next week. I'd love to find a date when we could get a good representation of the PNW contingent together.

However - that doesn't mean whoever is available should't get together next weekend because all meet-ups are fun.

Sorry for the slow response here. I have been under the weather and off LT lately. Just found out about a college visit my daughter wants to go to on Saturday and wouldn't mind changing the date to one where we can all come. I can't make next weekend either. If people want to change the get together till even later, can we do a headcount for all Saturdays in April and choose the one most can attend? That would be April 4, 11, 18, and 25th. I can make all of them (assuming the same lunch first and browse after plan), with the 18th being my least favorite.

And, of course, if people move ahead with either this Saturday or next, I wish them lots of fun and books!

If the weather is good in April, I may come over from Montana. I have been wanting to visit the Oregon coast for over a year.

That would be wonderful, I hope we can find a date that works for you!

>35 Berly: Excellent idea!

We have plans the first two weekends in April but nothing on our calendar at this point for the 18th or 25th.

Ah, that suggests the 25th which gives us plenty of time to make plans and let possible participants know... Cool!

The 25th would work for me.

OK - I'm putting a placeholder on my calendar for April 25th.

I may have a conflict on the 25th--I am checking on it.

ETA-- I did check and the 25th is OK. My other event is on Sunday the 26th.

April would work better for me too. I'll put the 25th on my calendar.

So far, on the 25th of April we have "Yesses" (in order of affirmation) from SuziQ, maggie1944, Oregonreader, banjo123, arubabookwoman, and Berly. Any other takers?

>36 streamsong: We have had the warmest winter on record, but who can say what spring will be like? It HAS to be warmer than Montana!! You should come!!

I noted on Ellen's thread that the 25th of April was our newest date and she did respond: that could work. So, it's affirmative, but not definite.

I am curious what all happens at these meet ups. I am in Cardiac Rehab after having a rather fun procedure and have to use my energy wisely, but a non medical activity sounds awesome at this point. So if someone who has been to one of these before can let me know what they are like that would really help me decide if I am in or not :-) Although it isn't like I need an excuse to go to Powell's if I am in the area :-)

Hi! My impression of these outings is that we sit and eat somewhere close to Powell's, where everyone can get to know each other. This can happen before or after depending on the outing. Then, at Powell's we usually spread out into little groups of twos or threes that keep changing as we bump into each other in the stacks. The book browsing can last as long or as little as you want.

Sorry to hear "Cardiac Rahab" but I am hoping things will improve quickly for you.

Any others want to chime in on our outing?

My experience with the last one was that we started by meeting, or checking in, with each other at a nearby coffee place; adjourned to Powell's to browse and buy for quite a good amount of time, and then recessed to a near by restaurant for lunch and drinks.

As I have some age related hearing loss the meeting and chatting at the coffee place and restaurant were less satisfying than the wandering about Powell's and striking up conversations with people I recognized from the first get together at the coffee shop. So obviously, it is a good thing to get together at least briefly before wandering into Powell's. We could even do that at the coffee shop inside Powell's.

I do enjoy the get togethers as it makes conversations here so much more fun. Being able to picture each other as we post is a nice enhancement.

I have to add that wandering about Powell's with a bunch of LT'ers is very fun. You get to egg each other on to buy more and more books!

that could be dangerous. I usually have to bring someone with me to talk me out of all the books I wind up with in my basket. Sounds like fun :-) Is there a time set for this yet?

Date is April 25th. Time to be determined but I love the idea of a little coffee shop meeting, book browsing, and then lunch and brews for those so inclined.

bump

wondering if there are more people who need to know about this?

Ah! Financial minor bumps in the road make it so that I can not spend the money to drive to Portland, stay the night, and buy books. Boo!

I did send Powell's a box of books (10) and they bought them, so now I have a credit balance with Powell's. That is a good thing.

Bummer! We will miss you.

I am sorry, too, but vet bills for one dog, and bigger than expected maintenance on the car! Double bummer, but we will rise again!

Sorry, I've been away from LT for too long and just catching up on things now. I have some tentative plans already on the 25th but count me as a maybe depending on the timing...or perhaps only catch up at the beginning or end depending on the schedule.

So what time are we hitting Powell's? And do we want coffee first or lunch after? Maggie, I am sorry you can't make it now since you were kind of a driving force to get this going. Hope your dog is doing well now.

Dog has major dental surgery scheduled for a week from now, way too much money, but you can't treat your pet like a junk yard dog and let him go with a mouth full of rotten teeth.

I hope you all have a great time!

>58 maggie1944: So sorry you can't make it.

I'm still available and open to pretty much anything in terms of coffee, browsing, lunch, etc.

>58 maggie1944: I feel very sympathetic, as we just went through dental surgery with our little dog. My advise is to advocate for plenty of pain meds. (Although Chica is a bit of a diva, maybe your dog won't need them.)

I think that browsing and then lunch is a good system, because then you can talk about the books you bought over lunch. But I am felxible.. What time are we talking about? Would Eleven-ish work

11 works for me. Any on else? There is a coffee shop inside. Let's meet there. We can hang out for a few until we make sure everyone is there. Then we can wander the shelves together. Who all is planning on coming?

Kim's suggestion works for me. 11:00 is a good time.

I'm still a maybe.

11am sounds good - I'll be there!

I'm so sorry I won't be able to attend after all. I know you all will have a great time, and I'll be thinking of you, and very envious of your Powell's explorations. Maybe next time. Keep me posted. Thanks, Deborah

Have a great time, everyone!!

Hope you all had a great time! Anyone going to share what books they picked up? Pictures? Amusing stories?

So bummed I missed it. I was thinking of going but ended up getting sick and staying in bed instead. Mostly better now but bummed I missed such a fun event. How was it? Did everyone buy lots of books? :-)

I posted the picture and my bounty list on my thread...

https://www.librarything.com/topic/189915

We had a lot of fun and we promise to do it again soon!!

Anyone going??

>70 Berly: Me!

What will be displayed? Art made from old books? Paintings of readers?

>72 maggie1944: Very cute. The Art Museum as a venue. I get it. But I think authors and their books are the art of the day. : P

http://www.literary-arts.org/what-we-do/wordstock/

I'm planning on going!

Yay!! Does this sell out? Do we have to register in advance?

I just checked their website. You can purchase tickets online. The ticket is $15 which includes admission to the museum and a $5 coupon to use at the event. I'm buying a ticket and would love to meet up with others.

Okay, I will get my ticket. Any favorite authors people want to check out? I have to go read the list again....

What a long list of authors participating! I am ashamed to say I am unfamiliar with most of them. But I do want to see Willy Vlautin. Several of us picked up a copy of "The Free" when we were last at Powell's. I also want to see Ari Berman and Brian Doyle.

I am in for Brian Doyle--reading The Plover right now.

Brian Doyle is very nice. I met him last year at a book-signing. Cheryl Strayed is a great speaker! I am excited for Jon Krakeur and Barry Lopez. And Patrick DeWitt as well.

Can't go - we've got houseguests that weekend

Krakeur would be good and Cheryl Strayed! What time are they?

Suzi--Sorry you can't come, unless the houseguests want to come...!!?? : )

Any further planning on the Wordstock event? Are you still going to be up for it, Kim?