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Just over one week from now, on August 1st, we will be having a small Arizona blogger get-together. We will be meeting at The Yardhouse (in the Westgate center) at 4:00(ish) and hangin' out till we get tired of the food and beverages.
We have RSVPs from some of the Exurban League, who will be making a brief detour to the Cabela's across the street. Voice of Liberty will be represented by John McJunkin (and possibly the lovely Mrs) The Misanthropic Jon will be there, it will be fun to meet him. John Moore also said he would try to make it. I got a "maybe...possibly..if I can" from Zonitics.It should be a pleasant gathering, but not a huge one.
Leave an RSVP in the comments and, if possible, post the info on your blog. My traffic ain't what it used to be so I'll need help getting the word out, post at your place if you can...even if you aren't attending.
To whet your appetite: the beer menu and the food menu
It looks like August 1st is our best bet for the next get-together, and The Yardhouse is the place to meet. Cirque du Soleil is at one of the arenas that day but, with shows a 3:00 and 7:30, getting together at 4:00(ish) should work out just right. (In between any potential crowd issues)
That should also give the east siders plenty of time to peruse the Cabela's across the street.
Leave an RSVP in the comments and, if possible, post the info on your blog. As I said, my traffic ain't what it used to be so I'll need help getting the word out ;-)
To whet your appetite: the beer menu and the food menu
It looks like July may be too busy for a lot of our AZ blogging crew to manage a large scale get-together. There was a request/suggestion of August 1st, how does that grab you? Or July 25th?
Still need to narrow down the locale. It seems that Westgate works out well due to it's proximity to Cabela's - and the Yardhouse does have a monster selection of brew (and for ExSteve, the eats are yummy, as well) Bonus: though it is "way out west" it is also right off the 101 so it should be easily reached by most.
A little more feedback and we will lock this shindig down :-)
I have been seriously slacking - the idea of a summer get together for our AZ bloggers was suggested to me weeks ago and I spaced it. The Exurban League guys have offered to come out to the west side since the last few have been out their way.
So, we need to pick a date and a place.
In the past we gathered at The Yardhouse in Westgate. They have a great beer list and yummy eats, and if we get there early enough we can grab some couches for lounging while we chat.
Also in the area is that BJs, one mile north of Westgate off the 101. We considered it before but never tried it.
If no one way out west is coming, we could stick to central Phoenix. There is always the old standby of Sonora Brewhouse. Or...?
Having ignored this blog almost to the point of abandonment since getting addicted to Twitter, I am sure my readership is at an all time low. So, those of you who still get decent traffic, could you post a little something and see if we can get some input re: place and date? Thanks
UPDATE: Fresher info here
I have been slacking on posting this, and now it is the middle of the night so I am just going to steal it word for word from ExLg:
Rio Salado Sportsman's Club, 1pm, Pistol Bay 3.Check in and pay ($5) at the main range first.
Bring eye protection and ear protection. (This is a MUST).
If you don't have a firearm, don't worry, just bring your own ammo (I have a 9mm and a couple of .22's I can loan out).
Hope to see you there!
Update:
Jim Neff of Generations Firearm Training will be there to give pointers and help steady our aim. Thanks for coming out, Jim!
UPDATE: Since most everyone seems to be out of town, this has been put on ice. Hopefully we can get a better turnout on his next visit home.
....Perhaps with Christmas beer.
Expat AZ Blogger Geistbear (@geistbear) will be in town for the Holidays (or between them, anyway) and has suggested a get-together. Sounds like an awesome plan to me!
Sunday, Dec 28th
Sonora Brewhouse
322 E Camelback Road, Phoenix
3ish - ??
Can you make it?
Still working on the details for Tuesday's party.
Currently expected attendees are listed here.
It appears we have an assortment of main dishes coming from Lori, and D will be making one of his yummy dishes, as well.
We have no commitment for beverages, adult or otherwise. Also, no appetizers.
Any takers?
Just one week until our election day get-together.
I have a condo booked for us that will allow for several TVs, full kitchen and WiFi.
I need RSVPs from those of you planning on attending. I won't know what unit number we have until Nov. 1st, so I will have to know who to contact with that additional info. I will also have to get the WiFi paid for, so I need to know for sure who will want it.
Lori suggested that we try to get creative with the food - or the naming of the food, anyway. I'd like to find out what everyone is bringing so we can be sure to have some variety.
Currently expecting:
John & Christa McJunkin
ExUrban Kevin (and the Mrs?)
John Moore (probably)
and, of course, Lori, who is helping with the hostessing duties, and her friend, Barb.
Oooh, almost forgot my sister! (love you, Sis)
Oh yeah, I'll be there with D.
Am I missing anyone? Do I have any of your RSVPs wrong or incomplete? Please let me know as soon as possible - hope to see you there.
Exurban Kevin has a reminder about our election night to-do (thanks, I've been slacking)
Speaking of citizen-journalists yahoos, look who's here today.
I hope we are all still planning to get together on Nov 4th to watch (and blog) the returns.
I have a condo booked for us that will allow for several TVs, full kitchen and WiFi. I need to find out who is coming, whether you will be needing/wanting WiFi and what ya'll can bring for the potluck.
I need RSVPs from those of you planning on attending. I won't know what unit number we have until Nov. 1st, so I will have to know who to contact with that additional info. I will also have to get the WiFi paid for, so I need to know for sure who will want it.
Lori suggested that we try to get creative with the food - or the naming of the food, anyway. For instance, I know that she is bringing "Maverick Meatballs", we'll have to have a few "Joe Six Packs" - there are lots of terms to play with this election season. I'd like to find out what everyone is bringing so we can be sure to have some variety.
Let me know
UPDATE: Lori has some more info and suggestions
UPDATE: I can get a two bedroom unit here, courtesy of the boss. That should give us at least two, maybe three, TVs. WiFi in the lobby and the room. There is a full kitchen so we can pot-luck & cook to our hearts content. Not to mention the fridge for drinks. The resort is in Scottsdale, but it is right off the 101, so it should be easy for everyone to get to. Let me know ASAP so I can get it reserved. Booked it, hope you will all come.
Here are the ideas/suggestions for our next get-together, which looks to be on Nov 4th.
Things we are looking for include: a TV or two, room for our group, good food and drinks, casual atmosphere, and (possibly) WiFi.
1) Lori's house.
Pros: I can vouch for her hosting skills, that girl throws a mean party. We could be completely casual and/or loud when hearing the results. Pot-luck would be cheaper and allow everyone to get what they want to eat and drink. No closing time.
Cons: No WiFi. Far west side. Pot-luck.
2) A centrally located hotel
Pros: lots of room. WiFi. Perhaps multiple TVs in room/bar/restaurant. No closing time. Room to sleep it off if anyone chooses to overindulge.
Cons: Cost of the room. Possible charge for multiple WIFi hookups.
3) Restaurant/bar such as:
Deemo's American Grill (24th & Camelback)
Boulders on Broadway (formerly the Tempe Old Chicago)
Rosie McCaffrey's (E of 7th St. & Camelback)
O'Connor's (Dunlap & I-17)
Seamus McCaffrey's (Downtown)
. . . all have WiFi (and I think the YardHouse at Desert Ridge does as well.)
Pros: WiFi. Variety of food & drink. Pretty casual.
Cons: Crowded. Closing time. Cost. Do they all have TVs?
4) Longshot - a timeshare condo
Pros: Very comfy. Lots of room. multiple TVs. WiFi. Pot-luck. No closing time.
Cons: Might not be able to get one. Pot-luck. Scottsdale.
Still looking for feedback. Anyone want to have a trial run for one or more of the debates?
(title comes from this, which plays in my head every time I hear that phrase)
(Moved this up to keep it from being lost in the weekends posts)
Well, our recent gathering of bloggers was one of the most political we've ever had. Who'd have thunk it, this close to the election? ;-)
Kevin suggested in the comments below that we plan a get-together for Nov 4th, where we can all monitor the election results together. Sounds good to me. John mention that WiFi would be a good idea for such a gathering, so...
Looking for a location that would feature, ideally; a casual atmosphere, a nice selection of food and drinks, room to be comfortable, and WiFi for all us geeks.
Any suggestions?
Perhaps we could do a trial run or two during some of the debates?
UPDATE: For the debates, we could try Paradise Bakery, though I don't think they have adult beverages. They aren't open late enough for election results (unless it is a blow out early) but, they should be good for a debate watching get-together. Yeah, forgot about that whole needing a TV thing. Don't know for sure, but I am guessing Paradise Bakery doesn't have one...
AZ Bloggers get-together, this Sunday.
Sunday, Sept 14th, 5:00 -> ?
Corbin's Bar & Grill
8729 N Central Ave
602-466-3201
Hope to see you all there.
AZ Bloggers get-together, this Sunday.
Sunday, Sept 14th, 5:00 -> ?
Corbin's Bar & Grill
8729 N Central Ave
602-466-3201
We previously had positive RSVPs from Special Agent Johnny Utah, John McJunkin, John Moore, & Anonymous Mike.
Still hoping Lori will come. Head over to her place and wish her a happy birthday...and see if you can give her a nudge. I'm up for buying her a drink or three to celebrate her birthday ....
I thought I would take a break from the Palin blogging to update the info on our next get-together.
Special Agent Johnny Utah will be back in town on the 14th, so I was hoping we could get some bloggers together for food and drinks.
Since the only west-sider who will be there is me, I thought we could aim for something a bit more central. How about Corbin's Bar & Grill? They have no happy hour on the weekends, so let's have some dinner. How about 5ish?
Here's what I am thinking:
Sunday, Sept 14th, 5:00 -> ?
Corbin's Bar & Grill
8729 N Central Ave
602-466-3201
We previously had positive RSVPs from Special Agent Johnny Utah, John McJunkin, John Moore, & Anonymous Mike. Lori thought maybe yes, but now it looks more like no.
Can you guys still make it? Anyone else?
UPDATE: New time, new location
I have it on good authority that, should we choose to gather on Sept 14th, we will have the pleasure of Special Agent Johnny Utah's company.
That is reason enough for me.
Unfortunately, the Cardinals are hosting the Dolphins at UoP Stadium that day (1:15 kick-off), so The Yardhouse is out. We could give BJ's Brewhouse a try.
2:00...3:00...?
Thoughts?
Well, it was a hot time in Tempe, but the beverages were chilled - and so was the conversation. I am thinking that outside was not a good choice for July.....
Movies, music...food, drink...campaigns, candidates...Phoenix in the old days, Phoenix now-a-days...light rail, copyrights, guns, etc. We covered it all.
Lori has a breakdown of the attendees and a handful of pictures.
Mat was the only new blogger addition, glad to have him. OK, my sister was new to the gathering, also, but I already know her pretty well ;-) Lori also brought a friend, who, with John McJ's wife, helped to increase the female, non-blogger contingent.
We have met in Tempe the last couple of times in order to entice the Exurban gang. They have agreed to make the trek next time around, and I think it is time to move back to the west side.
So, here are my thoughts (Keeping travel in mind, both restaurants are just off the 101):
We all seem to enjoy the Yard House which boasts no only a great beer selection, but also some choice martinis and fabulous food. Unfortunately, they have no Happy Hour to take advantage of on Saturday or Sunday. We also run the risk of running into some event traffic at one or more of the venues if I don't do my homework.
I recently saw that, just north of the Yard House, we have BJ's Brewhouse. I have no idea if this place is any good. They seem to have quite a beer list, a full selection of mixed drinks, and a yummy sounding menu. I think it is far enough from the stadiums to limit any sort of event issues. They don't list the days/hours for their Happy Hour specials. I may have to visit for a test run ;-) Lori should enjoy these choices.
I was thinking that late September or early October would be fun - is that too soon for you all? Do you think, if we meet almost in his backyard, that El Gringo will come?
A good time was had by all - I hope. I'll post more later, but for now you can amuse yourselves with these pics.
(Can't believe Lori already got those up - she works fast)
It is almost time for the Arizona bloggers to converge on Tempe!
OK, a few of us bloggers...less of a convergence, more of a happy hour (or 4).
July 26th, 3:00 - 7:ish
Four Peaks Brewery
1340 East 8th Street, Tempe, AZ
So far, we have RSVPs from:
Exurban League: Jon, Kevin & Steve (they started it, they better be coming)
Zonitics: Anonymous Mike
Voice of Liberty: John (maybe Krista, too?)
Macker's World: Macker himself (check out his picture so you can find us if you don't already know who to look for)
Desert Martini: Lori (hopefully)
Lion & Lambs: another maybe
Little Green Footballs: at least one, I believe....any confirmation or addition?
Anyone else? Drop a comment in the box so we know who to watch for.
Or at least get together and chat....
We are getting close to our next east side blogger gathering on the east side.
July 26th, 3:00 - 7:ish
Four Peaks Brewery
1340 East 8th Street, Tempe, AZ
Bloggers of all stripes, along with their readers and friends.
The beer is tasty, the food is scrumptious, the parking is.....well.....its....did I mention the beer?
******************************
It appears that we are expecting Voice of Liberty, Zonitics, Macker's World, a couple of Green Footballs, and at least 75% of Exurban League.
OK, I am making the call, going to skip right over my "30* and flirty" birthday and go the next week:
July 26th, 3 - 7....?
Four Peaks in Tempe
All Arizona bloggers, blog readers and blog friends are welcome.
Drop a comment in the box by way of RSVP so we know who to look for.
* actual mileage may vary, gifts are still welcome
OK, let's try this again.
Seems that the 12th won't work due to some previous commitments (darn Conservatives and their family values)
Any suggestions for a get-together date are appreciated.
If we do it the following Saturday, you have to be warned that it is my birthday. I might pout if I didn't get presents (I also don't know if D has made plans for us to do something, but he is pretty romantical)
We can also do it earlier, whatever works to get the highest turnout. What are your thoughts?
Apparently my calendar interpretation skills are lacking. I blame the public schools.
Since July 11th is a Friday, and most people have to work, how about we make that get together on July 12th instead.
Does that work for everyone?
Especially when the hint is dropped by Exurban League.
Since they brought it up, it looks like the East Valley again - can't complain too much, great food and beverages to be had at Four Peaks.
It appears July 11th is the favored date (probably around happy hour, 3:00?) - anyone else care to join us?
P.S. Woods', any chance you'll be in town?
Once again, some local bloggers have come up with an excuse to sample beer and eat too much bar food. Not that we really need an excuse ;-)
We will be meeting at Four Peaks in Tempe tomorrow, Sunday the 23rd, 3:00(ish)
Earlier mention lists our confirmed attendees - come on out and join the fun.
Looks like Four Peaks it is. Thomas, Anonymous Mike, ExurbanKevin, ExurbanJon, & me. Anyone else?
December 23rd...what time works for you?
UPDATE: 3:00(ish) it is.
UPDATE: Add John McJunkin, as well.
Macker, too.
At our last blogger gathering - which was very small - we decided to try for a Christmas get together - Sunday, December 23rd. I thought it would be good to try something on the east side, perhaps that will even persuade the Exurban crew to come out.
In keeping with our usual choice of venue, we are looking to meet at a brew pub. I know of Four Peaks and...is Yucca Tap Room a brew pub or just a bar? Would it work? Do you have any thoughts/suggestions?
At the latest AZ blogger get together, we all mentioned the number of drafts we write, and save...and never publish. We also decided to each publish one of those "stale" posts for all the world to see. Here is mine, originally begun on 12/26/2005 and titled "Movies, Old & New".
Unfortunately, I can't finish my thoughts on SAJU's King Kong post, since it seems to be unavailable in the Zonitics archives - I don't remember what else I wanted to address (I covered a lot in my original review). I am also not sure what some of my points were in reaction to...and they don't hold up so well without the counterpoint.....
Since it has been almost two years, I don't recall what I wanted to say about the other movies, either. I do remember thinking that Fun With Dick & Jane included unnecessary swipes at the Bush administration (completely out of place in what was billed as a light, 'fun' comedy), and I don't think I found it overly entertaining. I will have to watch The Patriot & Rocky again before I can review them fairly.
So, here it is - what there is of it - in all it's stale glory.
**********************************************
Just a few bit to keep up, I wanted to answer Special Agent Johnny Utah in his King Kong complaints (mostly because I had more to say and he gave me a jumping off point), and then I saw three more movies I want to chat about, as well, the new: Fun With Dick & Jane, and the old: The Patriot and Rocky (I had never seen either of those, can you believe it?)
King Kong: I don't really know that the 'story' was worth telling, but it was certainly worth retelling. What made this movie possible, and desirable, is that it is a remake of a classic film that has been in our collective consciousness for 70 years. When it was originally made in 1933, it pushed the boundaries of the special effects genre (and decency) while making us care about a giant gorilla - no easy feat. I believe the only relationship you need to care about is between Ann & the ape, the rest is just filler for the most part (Well, Carl and his greed play a big part, too).
The comparison to Jerry Macguire is completely out there - I don't get the connection? I can't directly relate to the stories in The Patriot or Rocky, either, but I'm not going to dismiss them because of it. Different genres, different aims, different results.
I actually thought the dinosaurs here looked better than those in Jurassic Park, though I did have some issues with the effects. My complaint was with the backgrounds, specifically the mountain ledge that falls away during that chase. There were anatomical errors with these dinos, but that was intentional as an homage to the errors in the original.
I am willing to suspend my disbelief regarding Ann's potential injuries, and justify her resilience based on her profession. As a vaudeville performer who specializes in physical comedy, she has practiced falling, so flinging herself on the rocks would be no different than flinging herself on the stage. The rides in Kong's grasp and on his shoulder seem much more brutal, but not fatally so.
Looks like there are going to be a few bloggers able to make it this Saturday.
Sonora Brewhouse
322 E Camelback Road, Phoenix
3ish - ??
Hope you can make it.
Now that the weather is cooling down (a bit), the beer bear is coming down to Phoenix for a visit. Of course, that means an excuse to get the local bloggers together for food and drinks....
How about Saturday the 24th? Sonora Brewhouse? Afternoon-ish?
What do you think?
Where: Yard House
9401 West Westgate Boulevard, Glendale, AZ 85305
When: March 24th at 4 pm
Be there or ... well, I don't know.
But it would be more fun if you showed up.
Thomas is putting together a blogorama, this time in the West valley.
Where: Yard House
9401 West Westgate Boulevard, Glendale, AZ 85305
When: March 24th at 6pm 4 pm now, though we will most likely still be around at 6...
re: Last night's get together.
I am such a light weight
Just a reminder to everyone who will be in the area tomorrow, December 27th, that we are having an impromtu bloggerama.
Same place as last time:
Sonora Brewhouse
322 E Camelback Road, Phoenix
3ish - 6ish
Hope you can make it.
I received an email from the Bear suggesting an impromptu gathering over the Holidays while he is in town. Sounds like a great idea to me.
How about Dec 27th? Same place?
Sonora Brewhouse
322 E Camelback Road, Phoenix
Thanks to all who showed up to our little gathering in Phoenix!
Prizes got out to Some Soldiers Mom, who not only came from Prescott, but who brought along the soldiers father & uncle, as well. Be sure to check out the books, The Blog of War & Operation Homecoming.
The distance traveled prize, though, definitely goes to Scott at Speed of Thought, who made the trek from Tucson - and brought the coolest toy (as Macker points out, 9 operating systems!)
Macker, however, had the coolest camera (he captured some of us) - and he wins for looking the most like his blog picture :-)
The early bird prize goes to Mike, who thankfully showed up in time to keep me from feeling like a total dork, sitting there guarding all those tables, all alone. Some of you may remember that Mike designed a Wordpress plug-in for my other blog, a cool little widget to make my life easier.
Our blog couple showed up, Karen from The View From My Chair and Norm of RCA77A. Yes, she is every bit a nice as you would expect from her blog, and he is just as wonderful as she has described him.
Jim from Rotisserie Baseball was there - Jim, I intend to read your blog so it is time to start posting some more.
Greg from Espresso Pundit stopped by, but I didn't get a chance to chat with him at all - I meant to tell him that he does great work, keep it up.
From Zonitics we had Anonymous Mike and the (unfortunately) retired Special Agent Johnny Utah. The party animals who apparently closed the place down....
Overall, I think the event was a success, though I could only consider it a coup if we had gotten the Zonitics trifecta and attracted "Edward Boyd" to table. This would have required the considerable Special Agent-y skills possessed only by SAJU. I have long considered "Edward" the Arizona Blogfather and he was one of the first whose writing I read on a daily basis - and whose posts I always looked forward to (yeah, he used to post quite regularly)
Michelle did a lot to help me spread the word, and it was so great to see her there, as well. Thanks - I owe you. The surprise attendee was my beau, who stopped by after his golf game (coincidentally, right after we were discussing golf) and took me to dinner after the shindig broke up (remember, I am very spoiled)
I appreciate the kudos from you guys, but I provided nothing more than the repository of information - you all helped spread the word and came out ready to have a good time making new friends. I am so glad to have met all of you and now have faces to put to the words. To those of you who couldn't make it, you were missed. I hope we can get you out next time! Granny J has suggested a summer get away to Prescott for a future gathering, which sounds like a grand idea to me.
I discovered a lot of great blogs in the days leading up to Blogtoberfest - and Granny J just sent me a list of a lot more. There is quite a bit of talent and passion out there - I am glad to have the opportunity to indulge in it.
It's just a day away - barely over 24 hours.
Looks to be a pretty good turn out, especially if our "maybes" can make it.
Look for me on the patio. With any luck I will have been able to secure us a decent block of space.
The details:
I lost your email address when my hard drive crashed, but I want to make sure you know that you are invited to the Blogtoberfest, also.
You have certainly been a regular here :-D
It has come to my attention that there are those who see this as being a gathering of Right Wing Fanatics (I think Michelle would laugh at being classified as Right Wing. No not insulted or angered, amused)
So far, those who have responded tend to be those who read my blog, they are likely to agree with me on some issues - though by no means on all. I have asked others to post the info on their blogs to widen the scope of potential attendees. I have asked that other bloggers spread the word to their friends. I had hoped it would be a bunch of people who live in a great state and make a hobby of posting trivial bits of their life online getting together for drinks and munchies.
I don't think we are going to end up talking politics all night, more likely the menu, the weather, our families, our jobs.
Please - come one, come all. There is no litmus test to attend.
I guess I should realistically give this shindig an end time, just to be tidy.
Anonymous Mike says Sonora Brewhouse's Happy Hour "has a great happy hour from 3:00 to 6:00 with excellent 1/2 price appetizers and a darn good beer selection with seasonals and a cask beer available." Since the Happy Hour is 3:00 - 6:00 , and we are starting at 3:00, 6:00 seems like a reasonable time. Hopefully, we will be having so much fun we won't even notice the time :-) I also hope we will stick around longer for our blogger friends who can't make the early start time.
You can view the menu online if you want to check out the eats.
Thanks to everyone who has been spreading the word on their blogs (or via their radio show, thanks Macker!) It looks like we are going to have a respectable turn out, but I still say the more the merrier. There are a lot of us blogging here in The Grand Canyon State - let's show up in force.
All Arizona bloggers are invited to come join us for Blogtoberfest:
If you know any of the bloggers we have not yet heard from, make sure they know about the festivities.
I plan to get there between 2 & 2:30 to start scoping out the place, if anyone would care to join me and help with that, I would appreciate it. It might be easier if you already know what I look like, but you can just start asking random redheads eventually you will get to me :-)
that should be a different redhead every time you load this post. Get it, she's random.....
I sent pings to these guys, the others don't accept pings that way.
www.brokenfall.net/blog
www.alittlegroup.com
ohmygodyall.com
www.artsyfartsy3d.com
www.tinyvital.com/blog/
www.coyoteblog.com
www.arizonawatch.com
www.ihaveacrazywife.com
www.nopunditintended.com
www.downtownchickchat.com
www.espressopundit.com
rwshell.wordpress.com
heightschurch.com/Altitude
www.girl-inchoate.com
logsniffer.livejournal.com
desertlightjournal.blog-city.com
blog.afaz.net
thehousingbubbleblog.com
www.iammikeb.com
www.capriciousthoughts.com
I stopped by Sonora Brewhouse (home of the $10 burger) today to check out the facilities.
I had hoped to give them a heads up to the potential extra workload, and ensure that they would be able to accommodate us. I was informed that any large groups are required to be on one check, and that an 18% gratuity is automatically added. I wasn't able to make her understand that this wasn't a "party" but simply a group of friends meeting at their bar. She said that, if we didn't push the tables together to accommodate everyone, that each table would have it's own check - but that they don't split checks. If none of us knew each other, and just met there and decided to have conversations, they wouldn't/couldn't do it. Why is it different if we know each other? </rant>
I figure if we show up around three, we can just carve out our own section - without being a "group". Can someone who is more familiar with the place second that opinion? Or perhaps make the case to the establishment, if you are that much of a regular?
BTW: This is one of my pet peeves when it comes to business - making it easy for the business, rather than convenient for the patrons.
Is it really that much more difficult to do 10 checks instead of keeping 10 people's orders on one check? Nope, but it is considerably more difficult for the customers.
It is also not reasonable to assign yourself a tip that is in no way based on performance, and it is completely in opposition to the expressed purpose of tipping. (I have also found that the servers end up with lower tips this way, as several people, on several checks rounding up their tips and feeling bad about being a large group, generally way over tip - at around 30%)
I believe a business should take into account their customers needs and preferences. Restaurants, and the tendency they all have to implement policies like this, drive me nuts. (guess that was a bit more ranting...sorry)
I contacted Granny J from Walking Prescott to invite her down, and she gave me a list of more Northern Arizona bloggers, "Plus a couple of PHX blogs ... plus one from Yuma"
I haven't made my way through them all, yet, so I am just posting the whole list for now. Take a few minutes to check 'em out....
http://freelanceforyou.blogspot.com/
http://myotherblog39.blogspot.com/
http://somesoldiersmom.blogspot.com/
http://logsniffer.livejournal.com/
http://lawlyeslog.blogspot.com/
http://blog.afaz.net/
http://oddballobservations.blogspot.com/
http://www.iammikeb.com
http://mondaynightbookclub.blogspot.com/
http://madweather.blogspot.com/
http://talesfromechocanyon.blogspot.com/
http://thehousingbubbleblog.com/
http://flagstaffdailyphoto.blogspot.com/
http://www.girl-inchoate.com/
http://heightschurch.com/Altitude/
http://sublurbia9.blogspot.com/
http://hikergirl.blogspot.com/
http://web.mac.com/coyoteradio/iWeb/Site/Blogs.html
http://lazyartistslounge.blogspot.com/
http://www.thetearsofthings.net/
http://desertlightjournal.blog-city.com/
http://rwshell.wordpress.com/
Looks like Sonora Brewhouse gets the nod.
October 7th
See previous post for list of attendees.
See this category for the latest updates.
Still need a name.....
UPDATE: Maybe Blog-tober Fest... it is in a brewpub, after all.
First off, this gathering needs a clever name - anyone?
Second, looks like October 7th it is. Mark your calendars. I was thinking mid-afternoon so out of towners who want to avoid an overnight stay can stay for a few hours and still get on the road before midnight. Also, less likely to be crowded at the restaurant so service might be less of a hassle with the group.
Third, we need to decide on a venue. The following three seem to be the most conducive to our event, and all three are smoke free/nearly smoke free. Spaghetti Factory and Sonora Brewhouse assure me that they have no issues that would cause problems for an electric wheelchair, however I suspect they would say that just to get business in the door. I have been to Spaghetti Factory and I know they have ramps, but I can't remember if they have the tables smashed close together or anything like that. I will run past there in the next day or two and check it out. Could someone who is close to/familiar with the Sonora Brewhouse give it a quick gander for accessibility? I would appreciate it.
Duck & Decanter has a nice outdoor patio which should be fine, but I don't know about getting through the store and/or into the restroom. I can run by there, too.
Bloggers and readers that I am currently counting on:
Other Arizona Blogs on my list that I have not heard from:
Then there are all the ones in the AZ Bloggers webring
It looks like we are looking at October 7th to get together, speak up if we need to reconsider the date.
Suggestions for venue so far are:
To the four or five of you who actually read this blog, please tell the other AZ bloggers you know about this. I would love to have a bigger turnout than my readership alone will get me.
Oh yeah, and you out of staters are welcome, too - come on over.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Macker gave us a shout out on his radio show tonight, over at Wide Awakes Radio Thanks Macker, it was fun listening to your views instead of just reading them. I have to give you the big thumbs up, too, for pronouncing my last name correctly...you wouldn't believe how that has been butchered most of my life (there was a decade there that I had a married name that got butchered)
Last year I suggested a gathering of Arizona bloggers. I thought it would be fun to meet the people behind some of my favorite sites. Unfortunately, I got very little response to the idea - until I canceled it. I mentioned it in passing again a few weeks ago, and a couple of people seem game - including the recently retired Special Agent Utah.
Last year, despite my rather hermit like tendencies, I had intended to have the party at my house. This year, that idea sounds less appealing. So, my suggestion at this point is that we meet at some casual restaurant near central Phoenix, or perhaps at one of the various parks in the city. Unless there is someone who is willing to volunteer their home for the invasion....?
I am thinking of late September/early October. I would happily take the lead and Michelle has offered her help, as well. Who would be interested?