Epinions' 5th Anniversary M&G Rocks Chicago!
Nov 15 '04
The Bottom Line To everyone I didn't meet: I wish I had. To everyone who didn't come: You should have.
I got to Chicago via AMTRAK at about lunchtime. I hailed a cab to take me to Fronterra Grill, where I was to meet Tom Barnes, Drdevience and whoever else showed up. I was all set for some of Chef Rick Bayless's authentic Mexican cooking, but it seems it wasn't in the cards that day.
I swept in the front entrance in all my resale shop finery and walked right past three folks who were all huddled in the entryway. It wasn't until a moment later when I came out that I heard this small blonde woman say, "It's Ed," and I stopped short to meet not only Doc, but Caroline, more commonly known as Dizzybint and her mate/partner/guest, Eugene. As we hugged and shook hands all 'round, Tom emerged and announced that there was an hour-and-a-half wait. He also said he had been unable to make a reservation because they will only take them for six or more.
After a moment's pause on the street to check maps and addresses, we decided to take the hike up to Dave & Buster's where Epinions was holding their 5th Anniversary Midwestern Meet & Greet. This event would be a chance for writers from the area (and farther) to all converge in one spot and get to know each other and have some fun. We walked . . . and walked and walked. After a few blocks, and let me tell you that Chicago blocks seem twice as long as the ones here in Milwaukee, this old Epinionator had to call for a few rest stops before he could go on. It was over six blocks and i got my exercise that day.
Finally, we reached our destination, and in we went like a herd of tourists. My first impression was NOISE, lots of noise. I thought, "Oh Jeez, what have I gotten myself into?" But we wanted food and while we were there, we also wanted to know where the Epinions function was going to be held. After a cursory glance at his printout, the Greeter directed us up the escalator to where all the noise was coming from. At the top was a barn of a space that was all done up in different levels and divisions with fake Tiffany lampshades (real plastic) and room dividers all set in what seemed to be dark wood of some sort. I should have gone up and thumped as I'd bet the wood was fake, too, but I didn't. Leave it to an old display queen to spot something like that: our whole world was make-believe.
We gawked at approaching waiters and indicated that we were starving. We were ushered to a somewhat less noisy area not far from the kitchen but near enough to the bar (where you could smoke) to make some people very happy. Being one of those "recovering types" I copped my superior attitude and ordered my usual . . . iced tea. We had a nice big round table with real linens and comfortable chairs. Orders were taken and food arrived in a trice. If you want to know more, just click on Doc's link and read the review. If you click on Tom's link you can read the review about where they stayed. I have to mention my trip to and from the john. If only Doc had warned me I would have sought out a potted plant somewhere. You had to walk through a brightly lit video game room and the noise was so loud I was almost deaf for a few minutes after I got back. My ears were ringing.
All I have to say is that there was food a-plenty and everyone seemed satisfied. Some folks had to have their after-food nicotine and headed for the out of doors. The rest of us pulled ourselves together and headed across the room to look for the Shopping.com/Epinions crew from Brisbane. As we turned a corner we saw not only what seemed to be hundreds of images of the site's logo in the form of the ubiquitous the Epinions dolls. There was a banner announcing our presence and we found the smokers puffing at the bar, a raised section in the middle of everything.
Someone spotted Garrett Gonzales, the liaison to the Epinions community, and in we went. We were the first to enter the party before anything was even set up. I might add we five (and more) stayed until the last dog was hung and participated in a mass picture-taking event at the entrance. I can't wait to see those. Inside there were two huge tables (actually pool tables) covered with white cloths, red napkins and strewn with bags of M&Ms and more dolls. Chairs were available but no one sat. The "crew" from Brisbane introduced themselves or we cornered someone and introduced ourselves. I dragged out my list of questions and several of them were answered on the spot, including that something would be done ASAP about that pesky glitch that is changing symbols into other bits of strange text in everyone's reviews.
People started to arrive, the place got nosier and more crowded. I kept hearing people who had been at other Meet & Greets say this was the best one so far. Our assigned waiter appeared and took drink orders. Ryan was (and still is I'm sure) a real looker and very efficient. So, sue me, he was handsome and it wasn't only the wimmens that was lookin' at him with that Desire Under the Elms look. As time passed, little groups formed and each category found friends. The Music people greeted each other effusively and were the most vibrant (and youngest) of the folks attending. I got to meet Eric and Paul, both of whose reviews I read not only to familiarize myself with current music, but because they both write so well. I've linked their names to their own reviews of this great party.
I saw Kathy, who writes wonderful children's book reviews. She introduced me to her husband Michael and Chalathra, one of her daughters, who was with her husband. They were all talking to my newest buddy and friend, Ruby950, a Chicago native who lived only a few blocks away. naturally we talked class and checked out each other's clothing labels. I met pearannoyed, an Advisor in Books who writes sci-fi reviews. She and her husband, Bob-Tomato had come all the way from Texas. I had to go to his profile page to make this link and while I was there I discovered that Andrew specializes in music reviews about Sting. I'll be back to read some of those. Now all I need to find is someone who does Annie Lenox.
Suddenly I felt a need to retreat to a back corner where I could see and be seen, but still have a place to lean against something. My back was giving out. Our handsome waiter kept me supplied with diet Coke and I noshed on a plate of fruit. There was a very nice buffet with hot and cold snacks all discussed elsewhere. Dave & Buster's did themselves proud. As I was minding my own biznatz someone came up and said, Hi Eddie." Now, no one has called me that since I was a kid and my head snapped up to see the one and only Grammar Curmudgeon, scmrak, more commonly known as Rex. He was even kind enough to bring along his very interesting friend Roxie, who was busily digging into the sheet cake the last time I saw her.
Another Chicago native I hoped to see came up and introduced himself. It was a real pleasure to meet Rmthunter. We talked books for a while and suddenly Kristinafh appeared for a chat. I've known of her and read some of her multifaceted reviews since my first days at the site. Later, when the Brisbane Crew had their pep-talk and asked folks to raise their hands for numbers of reviews written, Kristina topped everyone out with the highest number of reviews (1133 to be exact). She said she attended all six . . .(Correction, seven, someone keeps forgetting to count the first one on Florida.) of the Epinions M&Gs.
The three-hour session ended with that massive picture-taking session mentioned above and everyone who wanted them grabbed free Epinions beach towels and Epinions dolls. I left with Doc, Tom, Caroline and Eugene as we headed for the exit and a cab to their hotel. I was sinking fast and after a brief rest I taxied to Union Station to catch the last train home to Milwaukee. It was great meeting everyone and I can only say that those who didn't get to this event (there were four) missed a wonderful time. It was a pleasure to meet everyone and to be able to put faces with names.
Ed Grover – November 2004
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Epinions.com ID:
ed_grover
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 - Top 500 |
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Member: Ed Grover
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Reviews written: 332
Trusted by: 400 members
About Me:
Ed's last words for Epinions members and links to tributes are on his page.
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