Forge Midwest Official Thread

[Matt Snyder]

The gathering is almost here! Man, I'm so ridiculously excited; it hasn't yet hit me that this weekend is here. It's like I'm a kid waiting for Christmas. There are so many games I want to play, plus run my own. Going to have to make some hard choices!

Folks, check out James' schedule. But, at the same time, heed Ron. We're going to be nearly 60 people total! It'll be a crazy event. PLEASE don't be shy. Everyone is there to play some fun games and connect with others who want to play fun games. If a time slot rolls around, and you're not in a game, ask someone! You'll find yourself in an awesome game before you can say Jared Sorensen.

Playing 52 pickup

We have 52 confirmations for the event. The actual number should be right around 52, as guests appear to be included on the count. But, others have contacted me that their guest won't make it. So, it'll be awfully close. I'm expecting 52-54 people. Yes, there will be name tags. Yes, they will be playing cards. Would you expect differently from the publisher who doesn't acknowledge dice? I thought not. Jared, the Ace of Spades is yours.

[GregStolze]

Whew.  It looks like the times I'll be able to get there are...

SATURDAY -- sometime fourish or after.

SUNDAY -- I'll guess around noon.

It sounds like several people are making an admirable attempt to organize and schedule things, but is it fair to say there's going to be a fair amount of spontaneous, "we can use the barn!" kind of play going on?  I know a game of DyFR only takes an hour.  I'm happy to leave it unscheduled and catch players as I can.  Similarly, can I hope to jump in to games when they reach a critical mass?

-G.

P.S.  If someone could PM or email me the address of the site, that would be swell.

[timfire]

Hey Matt Snyder,

When are you going to be showing up at the hotel on Friday? I'm curious when I (& others) should plan on showing up?

[Matt Snyder]

Good question! I should arrive between 4 and 5 p.m., if all goes well.

That said, by all means, start the social hour without me! I know people are flying in at various times throughout the day.

The only bummer for me is that I don't have a cell phone. So, here's my plan. I will arrive in the afternoon and check in. I'll look around the lobby, restaurant and bar for familiar faces. If I don't see any, I'll start calling people (especially my room mates) on their cell phones from my hotel room.

I'll get some supper around 6 or 7 with anyone who cares to join me (or whom I headlock into going). I can live with eating there at the hotel, but it's probably better to go out to nearby restaurants. Then, back to the hotel to meet and greet, drink, socialize, etc.

SAVE YOUR PAYMENT 'TIL SATURDAY. I'll hand out name tags and check you off the list when I gets me some cash. Simple as that.

FYI, it appears payment for each person will be around $16 (possibly as much as $18 with other fees/costs I incur, like name tags, tax/fees for the room rental, etc). Please try to plan accordingly in terms of cash.

[Nev the Deranged]

 K, so, will the schedule include who has signed up for each slot? Or is it just first come first serve, or what?

 I think I'm already down for that first TMW game Tim is running. I'd also like to put myself plus two friends down for that early morning Dogs slot, but if it's already full up we can find another game, no worries.

 I'd offer to run something, but I suck ^_^ I'm hoping to learn from watching this weekend and suck less afterward.

 so very psyched =D

[Nev the Deranged]

Local Restaurants That Don't Suck

Right down the way in Streets of Woodfield:
Chipotle (mmmm breeetoooz!)
Big Bowl
Wild Noodles
Jamba Juice
Cold Stone Creamery (if you've never been here, and you like ice cream at all, you *must* go)

There are others, but these are the ones I can personally endorse and highly recommend.

D.

[Nev the Deranged]

 Damn uneditable posts *grumble*

 Also close by in the other direction:

 Panda Express
 Old Country Buffet
 Subway
 Chicago Hickory Roasters (the pot roast here is excellent)
 Chipotle (again)
 Pappadeax (super expensive but very tasty seafood)

 I shall be arriving Friday evening after work, probably between 6 and 7. I have a couple friends who won't be able to make it Friday until midnight or later, will people still be up and chatting then do you think, or should they just wait until Saturday? (I don't think she's getting a room).

 Sorry for the multiposting, I'd have edited it all together except I can't.

 We should hold con-thingies two miles from my apartment more often ^_^
 
 D.

[Blankshield]

The schedule is only 'who's running what', not for signups; that's for the chosen method of each individual GM.  For myself, you must cross the lake of fire and bring me back the coffee of the gods before you may play in my games.

Actually Nev, you're the first person to say "I wanna play in the morning Dogs" so looks like you and your friends are in it.

I don't really expect the schedule to get a whole lot more crowded; I suspect a lot of guys are running, like Ron, by the chaos method, and just gonna go with what happens at the time.

We're smart folks, we'll work it out.

Friday night I imagine there'll be some folks up after midnight, but not a lot, and not for too too long, with all of that juicy gaming the next day, so if your friend's facing a drive, I'd say that starting Saturday with sleep under their belt is probably the better bet.

Thanks for the restaurant list, too!  I'm definately up for hitting Pappadeax if the fates align - I can't eat seafood at home 'cause it kills my wife.



James

[Thor Olavsrud]

Anyone know if  there are any decent vegetarian options nearby?

[Emily Care]

Just want to send you my love & envy:

love-love-love <3

envy-envy-envy  !!!

--Em

[Clyde L. Rhoer]

Thor,

Veggie burritos at Chipolte are great. Obviously there are veggie subs at Subway. Some Panda Expresses have a fried Garlic Tofu dish that is awesome. I think that most Panda's will have a Black Bean and not-fried-tofu dish. I would bet there is a Little Ceasers some where and their pizza sauce is Vegan. If there are other options I'd like to second Thor's curiousity.

[Clyde L. Rhoer]

Crap. Sorry to make two posts. I forgot that if you get veggie burritos at Chipolte choose black beans, the pintos are cooked with bacon.

[greyorm]

Yay! Other non-carnivores. Soon we will rule the world, forcing all meat-eaters to labor on our agricultural farms and fight in our grand arenas to satiate their own bloodlust! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...*ahem* I, too, am curious about local vegetarian dining options.

[Thor Olavsrud]

Thanks Clyde!

Raven, I must confess that I am an omnivore. But 50% of the Burning Wheel/NYC crew (Luke, Dro and Mayuran) are vegetarians. I'm worried about what they will do to the chick peas if they have to spend another con living on hummus and pita.

[Jared A. Sorensen]

I say we eat the vegeterians.

I'll be at OHARE ~9:30amish, preceded by the inimitable Andy Kit-owski (no relation to Sen-kowski).

Gonna get me a Jamba Juice!