KW/Guelph and Area meet-up: Nov 18

Only thekherham, Anduril_Elessar and I made it out to the Williams this past Sunday, so maybe we want to try that again? I thought it was a pretty good place. Lots of space, and they don't seem to mind people sitting around not buying anything for long periods of time. (Though you definitely should buy something when you get there, of course, so you're not loitering)

I think I could make it this Sunday any time 11 or later. Everyone else? Locations, times?

"merp! merp!" --bunnyhero
2005: Eleanor's Story (unfinished) | 2006: The Alchemy Project (65K) | 2007: Normal as a Coconut

Ah. I was hoping for a bigger crowd, but that seems to be the way things are going this year. Everyone is very busy.

Williams sounds good. I'm free in the evening, not in the morning though. Someone mentioned a pancake place for a previous meet-up location (probably you, merpy). Is that open on Sundays?

It is, but there had been talking of doing a second all-you-can eat pancake Tuesday, either the 20th or 28th. I don't know if that is too many pancakes...I don't know if there is any such thing as too many pancakes, actually. It's a deep philosophical question. If we were going to do that on the 20th it might actually be (I hesitate to say) too many pancakes in a short space of time.

Wrimos? Pancakes or coffee or gelato or random other location? What is your heart's desire?

*backs away from the forums to give people time to answer...and get some actual work done*

"merp! merp!" --bunnyhero
2005: Eleanor's Story (unfinished) | 2006: The Alchemy Project (65K) | 2007: Normal as a Coconut

The 17th is definitely out because I'm working on that day, but the afternoon of the 18th is fine with me. Williams is o.k., but I found it rather expensive. I wouldn't mind the all-you-can-eat pancakes, although three is about all I can eat. A Whole Lotta Gelata has always been one of my favorite places in previous years.

___________________
That's Tee kee' rahm

Thekherham: The Autobiography of an Alien
http://www.lulu.com/content/3016721

Hola all!

The all you can eat for 2.99 (or thereabouts) is only on Tuesdays (they might have an all you can eat for some higher premium on other days... don't know). I think the GG gets a bit crowded on weekends (it does during the day, because I think there's a brunch buffet--I don't know if that busyness carries on till the evening). Most other diner type places will be similar, whereas cafes and places like Williams may not be as busy (cause everyone's congregating at the diners). But I agree--Wms is a bit pricey for what you get, IMO.

And likely, the diner type places probably slow down mid-afternoon, after the brunch rush. Of that ilk, there's Mel's, Angie's, Benny's (I think? It's ~ across the way from GG). My husband is a fan of such spots, so we've been to a few... *sigh* ;-)

Lotta Gelata's pretty good--that upstairs area. I've had other meetings there and they've been good about us just hangin' for long periods of time. Not sure how late they're open on Sundays, however. I imagine if it's an afternoon thing, that should be fine. Their food is a bit pricey (again, for what you get, IMO... if I'm peckish, I'll sometimes skip the panini and stop at Subway a few doors down for a sandwich before returning to Gelata for dessert and coffee). Also, there's the Princess Cafe and 1842, in uptown Waterloo. Neither of them have the same kind of capacity as Wms, though so it would just depend on the kind of crowd we're expecting.

If we're doing an evening thing, Moody Blues Cafe is kind of funky (haven't been in a while, though, so I honestly don't know if it's actually still running). It's a bookstore cafe on the main floor of an old house on Regina in Waterloo and features a table-full of herbal teas. They only open in the evenings, though, IIRC (and as I say, if it is still running).

There's also A Matter of Taste, which is just up the street from the downtown Kitchener Wms. It's smaller (more on the scale of the Princess or 1842) and is more (IIRC) just a straight coffee place than an eatery.

I will try to make it out this Sunday. I think I should be in KW and if I am I will come. I'm flexible for location as I have wheels (assuming they don't break down between now and then...).

So, there's a long list (perhaps too many choices), but I have no particular preference of my own, I'll admit. I'll show up wherever. :-)

BTW, merpy, you're a vegetarian, no? If you don't know of it already, the Lotus Tea House on Regina has yummy vegetarian selections (well, I love them--it's exclusively veg food, actually), dreamy teas and they offer discounts with a valid student card. Also on the main floor of a house on Regina (just by the crossroad of Spring Street.).

I prefer pancakes myself.

With regard to the Golden Griddle, I do feel that I should comment that they have quite an extensive menu of non-pancake items as well. It's actually very much a "family restaurant" that just specializes in breakfast foods. (My partner much prefers the Twisted Chicken--chicken on a giant bagel--to the pancakes, the blasphemer.) It's moderately priced for the regular food, so more expensive than the Williams, but the food is way better. Stupid Williams and their sitting-out-all-day eggs. Boo!

You can check out www.goldengriddlecorp.com for the full menu if you're interested. Since Anduril_Elessar is correct in saying that the all-you-can-eat is only on Tuesdays (sorry, should have mentioned that) it might be worth looking at.

It may be busy on weekends, but if we went in the post-lunch hour time (say, 1:00 or 2:00) maybe it would be alright. Does anyone have any sense about that? It is a nice spacious place with good food, although there aren't any outlets for laptops, unfortunately.

P.S. A_E: thanks! I'll have to check out that place. I miss Vegetarian Haven in Toronto. :(

"merp! merp!" --bunnyhero
2005: Eleanor's Story (unfinished) | 2006: The Alchemy Project (65K) | 2007: Normal as a Coconut

I should be able to make it out on Sunday. Yay! Probably not for too long, though, considering I'm behind on my writing -- I was tied up all weekend and need to spend some serious time catching up this weekend. I'm not that fussed about place, but if I had to vote, I'd cast my ballots for either Matter of Taste or Whole Lotta Gelata.

I should add I'd be willing to go for pancakes. I've never been to Golden Griddle. Not the Waterloo one, anyway.

I would love to do a meetup, but it would have to be on the weekends for me. During the week I work afternoon shift and don't get out of work until around 1am (unless, of course, i'm sick like today).

Sunday would be a good time, and i'd prefer something in the Kitchener area, just because I don't know waterloo at all. Though, if it's near a bus stop i should be fine.

Also, I'm usually with my boyfriend on the weekends, seeing as how thats the only time we can be together. He hasn't joined NaNo, but he does write. Would it be blasphemy if he happened to tag along if he happens to be my ride? If so that's fine, he can learn to wait xP

Nikkular, we don't mind other people showing up. That's perfectly fine.

I think we're waffling on a location here. Lots of discussion, but no decisions. I like the idea of the all you can eat pancake thing on the 20th (though I won't be able to attend - again). So, I think the Griddle is probably not a good idea for Sunday. I'd be concerned of too many pancakes in so few days.

So, it's probably best to stick with a cafe. Lots of ideas have been posted. Can we get a concensus?

Ah that's good to know.

I think some sort of cafe would work best... one that's hopefully not overpriced. The only coffee place i know of that's a good price is Timmies, but I doubt anyone else would want to go there (and they dont accept debit >.>)

I think Williams would be the best choice, judging from what others said about the last time. Most places are too small or don't allow groups to hang out for a long period of time.

Well that's just my opinion!

Apparently not. :P

I'm going to be the decisive one here (for the sake of getting something definite planned before Sunday rolls around) and say let's make it Whole Lot-a Gelata on Sunday at 1pm, unless anyone strongly objects to either the time or the place. Admittedly, I am biased, because I missed the last session there, but it sounds like it has tasty desserts, and you can get lunch beforehand if you don't want to pay potentially high prices. I think GG is out because of the second pancake event planned, and I feel very lukewarm toward Williams. Some of the other places might be too small. So... :)

And, while I'm in here, I'll ask about the second all-you-can-eat pancake night as well: would you rather have it this coming Tuesday, the 20th, or the following week, the 27th? Note that it will be earlier this time, as I have now learned that it is only open til 7. Probably 5:30, I'm thinking. Vote now!

"merp! merp!" --bunnyhero
2005: Eleanor's Story (unfinished) | 2006: The Alchemy Project (65K) | 2007: Normal as a Coconut

"merp! merp!" --bunnyhero
2005: Eleanor's Story (unfinished) | 2006: The Alchemy Project (65K) | 2007: Normal as a Coconut

I think I'd prefer that we go on the 20th as I do believe I have some assignments due on the 28th. ;)

I am very new to this, and started my novel late, but i would like to come out and meet some others.

irongus

Pancakes this week!

I LOVE your word count merp. give 'er.

I'll second the vote for Whole-Lot-A. I won't be able to attend (life in the way again), but I will be there in spirit.

I'll also vote in for the 20th for the next pancake thing (and again - won't be present. Seems like my spirit is getting to do more things than my body).

I'm hoping to get back to the writing thing by the 19th. Merpy, your counts are fantastic. You and Thekheram are both inspirational to a slacker like me.

Alright, now I just have to figure out where that place is >.<"

Also, I'm not exactly sure what to expect. This is my first year here and what not, heh heh.

Hi Nikkular:

It's not too hard to find. Just come up King St. from Kitchener, and it'll be on the right. Here's a map:

http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF-8&q=gelata&near...

As for what to expect, expect to meet some friendly, not TOO crazy novelists, and spend some time typing/writing/talking/eating tasty foods!

"merp! merp!" --bunnyhero
2005: Eleanor's Story (unfinished) | 2006: The Alchemy Project (65K) | 2007: Normal as a Coconut

I was just looking at the map of the location of Whole Lot-A Gelata and it certainly is not near Central Street in Waterloo. That's where the pin is (unless my computer is trying to play games with me.)
The pin should be just north of William Street. Gelata is across from the Waterloo Square (well, close to it) and the LCBO store, and it is next to the Mystery Book Store (for some strange reason I can't remember the name). If you're looking for parking, the Waterloo Square would probably be the best bet. That's where I'm going to park (oh, did I mention that I'm o.k. for Sunday afternoon?)
Merpy, does your map show Gelata at the King/Central Street location or the King/n. of William St. location? I wouldn't want anyone to head to the wrong location.

___________________
That's Tee kee' rahm

Thekherham: The Autobiography of an Alien
http://www.lulu.com/content/3016721

Oh crap, there's more than one? As I said, I've never been there, so if you have a better map, it would be very helpful to me as well as anyone else I've successfully confused.

Sorry, guys! Where is the one we're going to then?

"merp! merp!" --bunnyhero
2005: Eleanor's Story (unfinished) | 2006: The Alchemy Project (65K) | 2007: Normal as a Coconut

As far as I know, there is only one. It is on King Street in Waterloo, beside, as was mentioned, the Mysterious Affair at Waterloo (or a name to that effect) and between William Street & Waterloo Town Square. If another has opened, let us disregard it, and meet at the one mentioned above (it is opposite a new-ish Starbucks, and other stores on the same side as AWLG include: Quiznos, Subway and Words Worth Books. I think Ten Thousand Villages is also along there, but don't quote me on that).

I think Google sometimes just calculates the location based on its sense of the spacing between different buildings. It gets the street right, but not the location of the correct number on the street.

See you all Sunday! OR at least, those of you who can make it!

Susan

I think the problem is that the map being rendered in question is actually pointing at 120 King Street North instead of South. Jo, if you want to go there together on Sunday, let me know. But yeah, it shouldn't be difficult if you just query for "120 King Street South, Waterloo, ON" at maps.google.ca.

Yay... I'll see you at Gelata at 1 PM Sunday!

I hope everyone had a good time. I'm sorry that I couldn't attend today. The CS assignment that I had been putting off was more difficult than anticipated. Namely, I'm still working on it right now. ;)