Is there anyone working downtown interested in an occasional NaNo gathering?
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| evergreenthompson | Downtown work day NaNo gatherings? |
    30,142 / 50,000 Joined: Jun 19, 2009
Location: Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN Posts:
143
Posted on:
Oct 5, 2009 - 12 43 |
Is there anyone working downtown interested in an occasional NaNo gathering? |
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2,346 / 50,000
Oct 5, 2009 - 21 41
I work right on Peace Plaza and am all for Nano type gatherings.
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33,687 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 07 59
I don't work downtown currently, but I do live just a few blocks from the downtown area. I think it's a great idea to have a couple mid-day or weekend write-ins in the downtown area.
Where would people like to meet? Starbucks or Caribou in the subway? Or do you prefer the Starbucks or Caribou across from the Methodist?
Let me know and we'll get something set up. :-)
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37,111 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 08 11
I work downtown, but I doubt there are many places which would appreciate the clackety-clack of my typewriter.
----------2,346 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 08 18
Well there's also the second level of the Galleria. Lots of tables, great place to people watch, and Starbucks in the Barnes and Noble is only a few feet away. Secondly there's always the library if you want somewhere that's exceptionally quiet. The only thing with Starbucks and Caribou during the weekdays is that they are overwhelmingly packed and noisy.
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33,687 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 08 53
Thanks for the feedback. I guess those locations can get busy during the day. Does the Galleria have free wireless available? If so, and we can get access to some power for people's laptops, that would be a great place to meet.
Any other suggestions?
www.43things.com/person/improg
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www.43things.com/person/improg
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30,142 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 09 30
B&N (serves Starbucks) is another option, and seems quieter that the one across from RMH. I've been to that one (across from RMH) a few times when the music has been so loud you almost have to shout. But then we're supposed to be writing and not talking, right? ;)
The Starbucks near Gallaria often has laptops whirring away, but not sure what they've got for power. But considering a daytime write-in would probably run about an hour or so (for me, anyway) it may not be too much of an issue.
Perhaps I'll go see who has Wi-Fi during my afternoon stroll.
----------30,142 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 09 38
Never know 'til you do it! ;) ----------
30,142 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 09 41
The Kahler and Marriot may have a few nooks that may work. Too bad Kahler did that remodel on 2nd; it really cut down on available space to sit and chill. Or hang with your laptop, as the case may be.
----------30,142 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 11 30
Scoped out a few potential sites...
B&N
Internet: yes
power: none observed
seating: main cafe area might be too busy and distracting, other seating often busy
Starbucks Galleria
Internet: seems to have
power: outlets spotted
seating: varies, seemed fairly peaceful at 2:00-2:15
Galleria food court
Internet: probably from U or nearby hotel
power: none observed
seating: tables, somewhat busy at 2:00-2:15, lunch time is a zoo
U of M, Roch (above Galleria)
----------Internet: probably from the U or a hotel
power: outlets observed
seating: mix of seating (couch, tables), seemed fairly peaceful at 2:00-2:15
2,346 / 50,000
Oct 6, 2009 - 20 41
Galleria has free internet supplied by the U of M. There are some outlets located randomly on a few of the pillars.
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37,009 / 50,000
Oct 7, 2009 - 07 53
I don't work downtown, but my day job often finishes in the morning-early afternoon. Don't plan a schedule around me, but I might be able to join a downtown meeting now and then :)
30,142 / 50,000
Oct 7, 2009 - 13 11
Scoped out another site this morning:
Caribou Subway
----------Internet: seems to have
power: outlets spotted
seating: varies; somewhat busy place, but the back seating area seems less busy and quieter
2,346 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2009 - 08 40
The subway! Why didn't I think of that? Probably because I spend most of my time in the Skyway. But yes, the Subway has a ton of little nooks that we could cram some writers in to.
Well, now that we've thrown around ideas for meeting spots downtown, how about some times? Do we want to do set times each week? Or have a "shout out" thread saying where we'll be and if you can make it, great. Both? I think having at least one set meeting time each week would be beneficial.
----------What times are people available? I can make write-ins before 1pm on the weekdays, after 2pm on the weekends.
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33,687 / 50,000
Oct 8, 2009 - 14 20
WOW!!! Great work Evergreen. We'll definitely have to get a few of these scheduled for the month.
Welcome everyone else too. Especially Olivander! Typewriter and all, Olivander was an ML for a couple years. :-)
Before anything else, though, we need to decide on a time and place for our kick-off meeting.
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30,142 / 50,000
Oct 9, 2009 - 20 12
I try to wander through the Peace Plaza across to B&N on my way to coffee and sometimes lunch or for a break, but now that it's getting colder it's a combo of subway and skyway.
What times are people available? I can make write-ins before 1pm on the weekdays, after 2pm on the weekends.
Set times would be good for me; it makes it easier to block out time on my calendar.
I can't do weekends, but for weekdays before 1pm I generally have Monday, Tuesday, and Friday open, but Tuesday would be my first choice. Does something around lunch work for everyone? I could pretty easily do an 11-1 gathering. I'd be open to more than one gathering during the week.
----------30,142 / 50,000
Oct 9, 2009 - 20 21
Welcome everyone else too. Especially Olivander! Typewriter and all, Olivander was an ML for a couple years. :-)
Before anything else, though, we need to decide on a time and place for our kick-off meeting.
Thanks! I see I still haven't made it back to the area above Kahler's lobby to see what's left for nooks, despite an OJ run to the popcorn shop earlier this week...
Also I think there are a few public nooks around Mayo Clinic. I need to remember to go on another scoping run!
----------52,421 / 50,000
Oct 10, 2009 - 15 57
Are we meeting to work or socialize? I'm OK with either but I'm a bit concerned with working in a coffee shop. There are tons of them that cater to writers, some that are pretty neutral, and another ton that are poor choices for trying to focus on anything. I have no idea how it is here.
Monday isn't a great day for me but the rest of the week works great. I work from home when I work so I'm a lot more flexible than many.
I we were to meet at the library (do they have a free space we could use?) would we be able to bring in food and/or a beverage? If so, it could be a good option.
I'm looking forward to learning what will be decided. Since we only have four weeks to get our writing done, I'm open to more than one meeting a week but I can see why others might prefer one.
Cynthia
30,142 / 50,000
Oct 10, 2009 - 16 55
November gatherings are generally for writing. The coffee shops in the skyway and subway seem pretty used to people camping out with their laptops. Some tend to be better than others. For example, the Starbuck's in the skyway by the Galleria is usually fairly calm. But the Starbuck's across from Rochester Methodist in the Kahler building often has the music so loud it's hard to believe anyone would want to try to work there, yet they do.
I we were to meet at the library (do they have a free space we could use?) would we be able to bring in food and/or a beverage? If so, it could be a good option.
I did some digging through the library's web site. If we request to use a meeting room, it looks like money will be involved. Covered beverages are allowed, but food is not.
Cynthia
Multiple gathering days could be helpful for those who might get stuck in a last-minute meeting thanks to an "emergency" at work, as they could look forward to the next gathering later in the week.
----------33,687 / 50,000
Oct 10, 2009 - 19 20
Thanks for the feedback everyone. Keep talking about what you like and by the time the month starts, I'll get some meeting times added to the official calendar. :-)
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30,142 / 50,000
Oct 12, 2009 - 08 08
More scopage:
Marriot, 2nd floor corner between piano and elevator
Internet: should be available
power: one outlet spotted (anyone have a powerstrip)
seating: lounge chairs with large coffee table in the middle, felt rather chilly today!
Kahler, 2nd floor lounge area... does indeed still exist!
Internet: should be available
power: yep
seating: lounge chairs and sofas, some with coffee tables; fairly quiet area
Starbucks Kahler
----------Internet: I assume so
power: I think so
seating: tables and chairs, there's one study table for 6, music was down to an acceptable level this morning
2,346 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 08 04
Okay, so I am downtown at the Library right now. It's Tuesday at what my computer tells me is 11:01 am. There's free wi-fi. Lots of empty tables, each one with plug ins beneath them. Only a small handful of other people. Plus there's a nice view out the rotunda windows.
----------Downside, covered beverages only! Tables are first come first served.
But still, I vote second floor of the library for weekday writing.
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30,142 / 50,000
Oct 13, 2009 - 12 51
Time time and place works for me. I could always snag something to eat on my way to/from the library.
Edit: To eat on the way to/from, that is. ;)
----------0 / 50,000
Oct 16, 2009 - 11 01
Ditto. Keep me updated.
30,142 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2009 - 07 31
Downside, covered beverages only! Tables are first come first served.
But still, I vote second floor of the library for weekday writing.
I'm going to try a practice run at the library today. I figure I'll get there 11:15-ish. ----------
30,142 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2009 - 10 20
Well, best laid plans fouled up by a surprise meeting at work. I plan to give it another try tomorrow. ----------
30,142 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2009 - 09 23
At the library, looking out over the river from 2nd floor by the New Materials section.
I gotta say, getting connected to the Internet using RPL's access point has been an exercise in frustration. Although I am connected, I can't access my virtual private network connection.
----------30,142 / 50,000
Oct 27, 2009 - 07 52
Heading to Rochester Public Library at 11:15-ish again today... 2nd floor, by the New Materials section.
----------2,346 / 50,000
Oct 28, 2009 - 08 11
Hey Evergreen, I will for sure meet you next Tuesday for some Nano type writing if'n you're still up for it :)
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30,142 / 50,000
Oct 28, 2009 - 17 52
Hey Bradly, I'm definitely up for next Tuesday. Tuesdays 11:15-ish to 1:00 at the library have been working pretty well.
I'm also considering adding Fridays, but have yet to give that day a try.
See you next Tuesday!
----------52,421 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2009 - 08 07
Hey Bradley and Evergreen--
I think I can swing next Tuesday at the library. I'm hopeful at any rate. New Materials, 2nd floor. I'm impressed we get to bring covered drinks. Looking forward to meeting you.