Please RSVP in this thread so I have an idea of numbers. Thanks!
The Kickoff Party is a chance for Wrimos new and old to hang out and get to know one another! The very best way to succeed at Nano is to get involved in the community--it provides support, accountability, and the spirit of fun to this endeavour, which might be called (by some) a little bit crazy. =)
At the Kickoff, we'll introduce ourselves, chat, eat, drink, be merry, play some writerly games, AND!!! give out your Official KWC Wrimo Loot TM. That's right! This year, for the first time ever (or at least since I've been ML, so...since last year) every Wrimo at the Kickoff will receive a pack of goodies to help them out with their novelling endeavours. I hope you're excited. I'm excited.
As with all our events, please buy at least a drink so you're not loitering. Though I highly recommend you try their paninis...and hot gelata... OK, everything.
Location
Whole Lot-A Gelata, in Uptown Waterloo (120 King St. S.)
map
Look for the Nano signs, and head upstairs. Spot your ML: orange hat (with ears!) & ML shirt of retina-bleeding green.
Transportation
Parking: There's street parking all along King St., a free parking lot on the southeast corner of Regina and Erb, or the Valumart/Town Square parking lot (accessible from King St. by the railroad tracks/Rude Native).
Bus Routes: Uptown Waterloo is accessible via the IXpress, all of the 7s, the 5, and the 35.
If any of this info is misleading or incomplete, people who know better, please correct me!
Questions? Ask 'em in the thread, or find 'em here:
1. Should I have dinner first?
You can if you like; Gelata has lots of goodies, gelato (obviously) and hot drinks you can get. Their 'real' food is largely limited to paninis, but I'll definitely be getting one of those, as they are delicious. Check out their website (above) for more menu details. (Also, strategic note for shy people: eating gives you something to do other than talking)
2. I'm new and/or shy. This party seems kind of intimidating.
It can definitely seem that way at first. But I promise you, we're all incredibly nice people, and a great many of us are shy types as well (after all, we're writers, not used car salesmen). My suggestion to you is to give it a shot and, if it puts you more at ease, come right at 6 or even a few minutes earlier. I'll be at the venue for 5:45 to scope out the room and put up signs, and I'm happy to say hi to you one on one. Then you won't know no one--you'll know me! I think this venue should be great, because unlike in previous years, we're not tied (in any sense!) to a dinner table, so it should be a little more casual and mingly. (And easier to escape, if you decide we're all grotesque.)
3. Do I have to come right at 6?
Nope! If you're working, schooling, or just want to make a dramatic entrance, feel free to come any time. We're happy to see you, for however short a time.
See you soon!
Cheers,
Jo
----------
ML for Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge
"merp! merp!" --bunnyhero
34,119 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2009 - 10 44
Likely to arrive, unlikely to be on time. As always.
0 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2009 - 16 35
I'll be in class until 5:30 so I'm up that way anyhow. I'll be there! :)
----------I'm gonna eat your socks!
23,612 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2009 - 16 52
Hello,
I plan to attend and meet everyone... I'll try to come over right after work (I work in Waterloo)
Cheers,
Annie
44,539 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2009 - 17 23
I plan on attending, I may also arrive early. I get off work between 5-5:30, and it is only a few minute drive from where I work.
----------Meow
42,442 / 50,000
Oct 14, 2009 - 19 11
I think I will be there. Might only have an hour, but that's better than nothing :)
----------Rachel Celeste
http://rachelcopland.wordpress.com
2008: 50,219 words
2007: 25,524 words
2006: <1,000 words
2005: 15,034 words
2004: 11,093 words
50,591 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2009 - 05 14
paninis and gelato ftw! i will definitely be there, perhaps on time. perhaps wearing my halloween costume. or at least a silly hat.
ness :)
31,137 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2009 - 06 41
I will definately be going this year! My roommate is coming as well, which works for me because he has a car and I do not.
----------Death Toll: 70
25,863 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2009 - 13 48
I work 'til four and need to go home and change first, so I might be a bit late, but I'll be there. :) Will try to drag a friend as well, to ease my shyness, gah. Also seriously in love with panini's, so that's a nice incentive. :P
----------叶うなら誰か俺に生きる意味を教えて下さい -- 明日舞き幸福, 呼笑亡き明日
If it's possible, somebody please tell me my purpose to live. -- Asunaki Koufuku, Koenaki Asu
2,920 / 50,000
Oct 15, 2009 - 19 01
I will be there as soon as I can. :) I work until 6:40ish, so I will be there as soon as I can be. :) I am excited to meet people, and to have yummmy gelato!
0 / 50,000
Oct 16, 2009 - 19 20
I'll be there as well, though I'll be late like many others.
Heather
----------Heather
Novel: Untitled
Description: I guess I should get on that...
38,438 / 50,000
Oct 16, 2009 - 20 36
I am planning on coming, barring illness or other unforeseen developments such as attacks of shyness. Someone needs to explain the concept of hot gelato to me. Sounds melty.
4,335 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2009 - 04 56
I'm coming :) mmm gelato.
41,378 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2009 - 05 01
It's gelato steamed with milk...like a hot chocolate, but with whichever gelato flavour you like (and you can get a gelatte, with a shot of espresso in it, if you prefer).
...And now I'm hungry.
----------ML for Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge
"merp! merp!" --bunnyhero
25,504 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2009 - 17 11
I plan on coming, like others I lean towards the shy side until I get to know people. See you all there, unless I chicken out! (Kidding....maybe not!)
80,036 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2009 - 18 36
Count me in =^_^=
40,021 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2009 - 11 52
GELATO = <3
I will be there for sure, probably early since I'm one of those shy ones and feel really awkward walking into a group of already established people =3
42,442 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2009 - 12 24
To all those who are saying there are shy, if it helps: last year was the first time that I went out to any Nano events. The first one I attended was a write-in at the KPL and I got there nice and early. A few people walked in and sat down one by one. I thought they might be there for the write-in but I didn't make a move. I saw Jo come in (orange hat and all) and still, I couldn't bring myself to join them.
I believe that I went on to the forum and posted something about being too shy to go over, so Jo eventually read it, and came over. I joined the group and all was well.
So, it's normal to be shy, but there is nothing to be worried about, none of us bite... hard.
;)
----------Rachel Celeste
http://rachelcopland.wordpress.com
2008: 50,219 words
2007: 25,524 words
2006: <1,000 words
2005: 15,034 words
2004: 11,093 words
43,267 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2009 - 17 58
I am going to do my best to make it! With any luck, I'll be working at the Kitchener office by then instead of the London one....
75,003 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2009 - 07 41
I'm not sure if I can be there, but I'll try. I might stay for a bit, but probably leave earlier since Thursday is Supernatural night, and that's one of my favorite shows.
----------___________________
That's Tee kee' rahm
The fox-like, auburn-furred, bushy-tailed alien
8,666 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2009 - 08 48
I plan on attending. Fingers crossed, as always, that I will finish and win. And a good start always helps.
I was part of the Guelph crowd, but I moved to Kitchener in April. So now I get to meet the KW crowd! Yay!
----------Sandra Regina
Hope Springs Eternal
40,240 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2009 - 16 16
I'm coming. :)
Although I don't think I'll be able to stay the whole time. :( I work early in the morning, haha, but I will be there to say hi and probably have gelato and what not. ;)
----------*************************
*Current Mood: Will my story BE long enough?!?! OMG!!!
*Cups Of Coffee Consumed: I'm gonna go ahead and guess around 17... :p
*Hours Of Sleep Lost: Fourteen and a HALF!!!
I love this insanity. :)
13,644 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2009 - 21 39
I'm in.
Should we wear name tags? lol.
----------41,378 / 50,000
Oct 22, 2009 - 05 01
Should we wear name tags? lol.
Name tags will indeed be provided! It sounds like we're going to have quite a crowd, so they're going to be very necessary. =)
----------ML for Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge
"merp! merp!" --bunnyhero
8,666 / 50,000
Oct 22, 2009 - 18 33
I will likely still have my work name/security badge on. So you'll know who I am.
----------Sandra Regina
Hope Springs Eternal
32,000 / 50,000
Oct 23, 2009 - 21 09
I'm definitely going! Can't wait! :D
----------38,547 / 50,000
Oct 24, 2009 - 14 23
I most certainly will be there this year! I didn't join the region until far too late last year. Can't wait! :)
17,549 / 50,000
Oct 24, 2009 - 15 34
I'll be there! I feel like I'll be the youngest :/
----------Oh well! I'm very excited.
:D
http://marymonster.tumblr.com/
that's just fine, that's just one of my names
NaNo 2009 - Heart of Gold
10,509 / 50,000
Oct 25, 2009 - 04 03
I'll be there! I've already cleared out my nonexistent schedule.
----------"Let the world change you, and you can change the world."
4,008 / 50,000
Oct 25, 2009 - 07 29
I would love to meet some fellow nanos in the area...positive peer pressure is huge for getting this thing done. See y'all on Thursday!
32,422 / 50,000
Oct 25, 2009 - 08 54
I'm thinking about going but I'm undecided. /: