Hi everyone! I'm the lucky ML who gets to give you the details about our rockin' kick-off party for NaNoWriMo 2007!
For those of you who are new to NaNo, the kick-off party is our annual, pre-November get-together where we can all meet face-to-face to plan, chat, and eat some really great food.
Last year, as some of you may remember, we had an issue with noise at out venue. This year, though, we're taking over a private room, so we can be as loud and excited as we want!
So, the info:
When: Sunday, October 28, 2007, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Where: The Royal Oak Pub, 161 Laurier Avenue East, Ottawa
We will be in the basement of the pub, so when you come in, turn immediately towards your right and descend into our Cave Of Awesomeness.
Getting there: If you're driving, well, I can't really help you. I don't drive! But you can mapquest the address above, and it's really quite easy to find. Parking will be limited, so you might want to come a bit early to try to find a spot.
If you're taking the OC Transpo, you'll be able to take any major Transitway bus (basically anything except the 101/102). Get off at Laurier Stop and walk about two blocks east.
HEY LOOK, A MAP! (man, I'm so on top of these things this year!) The Laurier bus stop is that little red square, and the Royal Oak is the letter "A".
If you have any questions about how to get there, feel free to ask, and we'll help you out as best we can!
**PLEASE BE AWARE!!!**
The kick-off party is in a pub. However, it is an ALL AGES EVENT. This means that, if you plan to have an alcoholic drink, you must be ready to produce and ID upon request.
If you're a minor and plan to be joining us, we definitely welcome you! Please let us know, and parents who have any questions can contact the MLs at ottawa_on@nanowrimo.org.
We hope to see you all there!
Michelle, Lee-Anne, and Kay
ottawa_on@nanowrimo.org
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Michelle (Aya)
ML for Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
ottawa_on @ nanowrimo.org
53,637 / 50,000
Oct 3, 2007 - 11 27
I am hoping to be there. Got there last year, before the move to place No. 2. This year, my sister-in-law has surgery, next week actually, and my parents who are hitting town shortly afterwards. They will be staying around till she's back up on her feet. This creates a possibility of family obligations getting in the way, but crossing fingers, I may make it.
50,013 / 50,000
Oct 3, 2007 - 12 41
I'm in! Good choice of venue.
55,016 / 50,000
Oct 3, 2007 - 19 19
I hope to be there. Hopefully, laptop is not needed then.
52,728 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2007 - 10 33
I'll be there, probably with support. Can't wait to see all you guys again, and looking forward to meeting the first years. :o)
0 / 50,000
Oct 9, 2007 - 17 26
Heh, I plan to be there. A first year writer in this format, but been writing for years personally. Writing a novel outside of this. Oy.
61,078 / 50,000
Oct 10, 2007 - 08 43
Yup! Count me in. I'll be there unless some dreaded thing causes me problems. (Note to gall bladder: Do not act up again until December.)
51,480 / 50,000
Oct 10, 2007 - 16 29
I will be there (I just got my gall bladder removed yesterday, so mine deffinately won't be acting up ever again!)
50,068 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2007 - 12 27
I'll be there.
That's the red building with the blue/black roof, right?
I can see it from here XD
Exciting.
25,735 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2007 - 13 05
My wife and I are doing the NaNoWriMo thing this year, and the Ottawa group sounds like fun. Count us in.
Cheers,
Grant
53,132 / 50,000
Oct 11, 2007 - 16 44
Lap-top is definately not needed! This is a meet and greet. A social event before we all curl up with our notebook in hand or lap top on lap.
51,194 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2007 - 09 04
I will be there!
61,864 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2007 - 19 46
I'm a first year participant and worried....but I hope to be at the get together! Can I bring my spouse?
3,735 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2007 - 22 22
I'll be a NaNo freshman, I hope I can make this event.
61,078 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2007 - 07 45
There were non-participants at last year's party. I believe you can bring anyone you like
MLs: please verify for this new person.
52,243 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2007 - 12 14
Argh! The agony of waiting!
I'll be there, unless I'm being swallowed by words. lol
789 / 50,000
Oct 16, 2007 - 14 23
I really wish I could go, but my parental unit's a total bummer.
53,132 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2007 - 08 16
Yes you can bring your spouse, significant other, parent, or children if they don't have someone else to watch them (Please let us know if you are bringing children along though. Since it is a pub we are trying to keep tabs on how many underage people are coming).
We just ask that you don't bring lots of people with you who aren't participating, as this is supposed to be a get together with the Wrimos. But if you need to bring one or two other people with you that is fine, as long as they are ready to participate in any fun events we have.
33,000 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2007 - 10 06
I'd really like to since I missed it last year, but I have to check on the work situation - we're pretty understaffed at the moment.
55,015 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2007 - 14 24
I can't go either :(
Same parental unit as mentioned a couple posts above, same total bummer...
0 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2007 - 20 37
Yo! This is my second NaNo year, but my first where I'm actually planning on going out and meeting people (yes! It's time to be a social butterfly!), so I'll be there. Fortunately, my parental thinks that I should be getting out and networking with the Ottawa writer's community, so she won't mind my attending.
Just for security's sake, though, as I am a minor and female, can I be assured of there being other women in attendance? No offence to all the nice men out there, but a 16-year-old girl would be fairly foolish to go to the basement of a pub to hang out with a bunch of strange men. Please let me know so that I can mark it down on my calendar! Thanks.
0 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2007 - 20 44
All the MLs are women. And lots of the people who'll be there are women, including me. I guess this counts as my RSVP? :)
50,247 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2007 - 20 48
I'm aiming to be there. It sounds like fun!
50,567 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2007 - 05 06
I'll be there. :-)
(I may or may not be bringing my husband. We shall see what he thinks. :-)
50,011 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2007 - 06 20
I would love to go, however that's the same day as the Dalai Lama's lecture (which my wife and I are attending). Depending on what time it ends and we get out of the traffic gridlock, we will try to stop by. I would really love to make it.
30,201 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2007 - 07 04
I plan to be there. I've already got my story idea, and mental overview of my story. I can't wait to start typing. Mind you, I'm out of town Nov 1-5, so I'm handicapping myself again at the start.
20,129 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2007 - 08 30
Planning to be there, and more socially active in general this year too. I've been out of school too long, gotta start putting interpersonal communication back on my schedule so I don't turn into a cave-dwelling hermit.
1,024 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2007 - 20 33
I"ll be there. Wouldn't miss it for all the tea in , what was that oriental country?
24,400 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2007 - 06 16
I'll be there, plus one :-)
Looking forward to seeing everyone!
72,146 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2007 - 07 15
I'm plannig on comming but might have to cut out early
53,132 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2007 - 09 00
Don't worry as Rii said, all of us ML's are women! I totally understand the need to ensure your safety.
And let us know if you need a buddy to walk you to a bus or anything after the event, one of us would be glad to do so.
And those of you who are having "parental unit" problems, they are more than welcome to come themselves if they are nervous about the event or one of the ML is willing to talk with them to reassure them that this is a safe event. Just let us know.