Hey guys :D
I was wondering if there's any interest in having write-ins in Chula Vista (or maybe even somewhere else down here). I've hosted some in the past over at the Otay Ranch Town Center Barnes & Noble and once at the Plaza Bonita Borders. If anyone remembers the B&N ones I was the one with the smallest Dell laptop at the table (and probably one of the oldest, sigh).
I'm open to hosting again at either place as it wouldn't be any trouble for me to wear one of my NaNo shirts, drive over and plop myself down in a bookstore cafe for a few hours (yay bookstores! yay caffeine!). For me write-ins would be best on Saturdays (anytime) and/or Friday afternoons after 1pm. I have string ensemble rehearsals on Sundays and a full work week to slog through BUT Fridays are either half day or furlough'd.
Soooo ... thoughts?
- Bri (tothedawn)
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34,160 / 50,000
Nov 6, 2009 - 22 02
Hey :) I was hoping you'd be hosting South Bay write ins again, although this first weekend is not so good for me, I can definitely try for next weekend. Saturday is better for me than Friday, but just give me a time and place and I will try to make it. Go NaNo!
Christie (tally_96)
10,340 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2009 - 16 53
Really? Yay :D Turns out the first weekend (which is actually today/right now) didn't work out for me either cos I royally overslept, though I needed it in the end.
I shall try for next Saturday. I'll comment to this post with which bookstore I'll plant myself at and what shirt I'm wearing or whatever. I'm leaning more towards the Otay Ranch Barnes & Noble even though it's much further from where I live just cos I like that place more. That one cool with you?
- Bri
10,340 / 50,000
Nov 14, 2009 - 14 18
Hey guys!
I'm currently sitting at the Otay Ranch Barnes & Noble and will be until my laptop battery dies in about 2 hrs (around 4pm). I have my blue Camp NaNoWriMo shirt on and I'm in plain sight straight back from the cafe entrance.
Unfortunately I'm not only sitting at one of the small table (people sitting by themselves at the big tables, I frown at thee. bigtime) but it looks like this B&N put metal covers over their outlets! :( So it doesn't matter where you sit, you need to have your laptop fully charged before coming.
Argh. Can we say "this sucks"? Free Wi-Fi is great and all but not when my laptop's gonna die soon!
Next weekend I'm moving to the Plaza Bonita Borders because I don't think they covered their outlets.
If you can make it out here today that'd be awesome but if not maybe next weekend. I'm sorry for not giving more advanced notice about today's sort-of write-in but I wasn't too sure I'd be showing up as I've been having problems with my wrists.
My stubbornness keeps me from quitting NaNo XD
- Bri
10,340 / 50,000
Nov 14, 2009 - 14 39
UPDATE: my laptop literally just died on me (I think I need to think about getting a new one since that battery is going bad and that's the last one I have for it). I'm writing this on my iPhone :(
I actually have My Writing Nook on here so I'll stay until 3:30 and try to keep writing on my phone.
This has been an important lesson in making sure your laptop is fully charged before leaving for a write-in just in case there's no outlets where you go.
Sigh.
-Bri
34,160 / 50,000
Nov 14, 2009 - 20 59
Sigh indeed! How rude of them to cover their outlets- don't they know that there are aspiring novelists in need of power?!?! I sadly did not get this post until you were probably about to leave anyways. :p I know you said Sundays were bad, but I might try to go with Jon to the Plaza Bonita Borders for an hour or two tomorrow if you do turn out to be free. I'll update later with the time we'll probably be there. If you can't make it, no worries, we'll be noveling anyways :)
-Christie
10,340 / 50,000
Nov 14, 2009 - 22 51
I know right? That was such a shock to me cos I know if I had an outlet for my dead laptop to use I would've stayed longer AND probably bought another drink (I had already bought a bottled one and a brownie ... couldn't resist lol). I don't get what they're problem is. If it's because the WiFi is complimentary then well it's still rude because even with the outlets uncovered only 2, maybe 3 tables (one of them being small) would be in range of an outlet.
Ugh.
It really turned me off from going to that place for anything more than just the books.
Oh Sundays actually work right now since I can't go to string ensemble rehearsal while my wrists are both still messed up. I can at least type if I take breaks. Lots of them. Plus Plaza Bonita is WAY closer to me. Yay!
Just update with the time and maybe what to look for and I'll show up! :D
- Bri
P.S. Definitely charging my laptop now just in case XD I still have no idea what went wrong with it but at least my iPhone can be used as backup.
34,160 / 50,000
Nov 15, 2009 - 12 18
Ok, this is very last minute, but I'm heading to Plaza Bonita right now (12:00) I should be there by 12:20 or so and will probably be there for about an hour and a half before heading back to watch the Chargers :). If you are able to make it that's be great, if not, I will drink my latte in your honor as I type my retarded story :). Have a great Sunday if I don't see you, and happy writing!
-Christie
10,340 / 50,000
Nov 15, 2009 - 13 44
yikes there is nowhere for me to sit. this place is definitely more popular than I was banking on for write ins XD
I'm the confused girl in a minnie mouse shirt
[Edit] Actually I think I got here too late XD; Oops. Enjoy the Chargers game and let's try to have a write-in next weekend at the Plaza Bonita Borders (since their outlets are thankfully not covered up AND the wifi is free).
Just let me know what times work best for you. :D
11,323 / 50,000
Nov 17, 2009 - 18 22
Chula Vista what? I'm in to join ya'll if you are still planning to kinda sorta meet up. I can't say if the PB Borders covers the plugs or not but I know you have to fight for chairs. I know the food court isn't all the quite or serene but it migth have outlets we could use. I dunno. If you set it up I (most likely) will come. Keep me posted.
----------50,253 / 50,000
Nov 21, 2009 - 02 06
Hate to be obvious...Anybody think to try Downtown CV? Several places down there w/ free wi-fi, including a coffee shop and an Italian restaurant. Just throwing it out there...
34,160 / 50,000
Nov 21, 2009 - 11 08
I'm so lame- I live in CV, but my knowledge of 3rd Ave restaurants is limited :p. What is the name of the coffee shop? I also know that Corner Bakery at Plaza Bonita has Wi-Fi, but I'm, not sure about the outlet situation.
50,253 / 50,000
Nov 21, 2009 - 14 13
Coffee shop is D'Volada. Sits between Fudruckers and Pretty Kitty. Outlet sit is ok. *Most* of the indoor seating has outlet availability. If you have a good battery, outside seating is okay. They have good coffee, pasteries, and sandys if your stomach gets jittery. Also offer tea and smoothies (and yes, bottled water).
Open 7 am to 830 pm