Newgrounds Meet Boston Paxeast 2012

[Evark]

CRITICAL INFORMATION:
Who: Us.
What: Meetup.
When: April 6-8, 2012
Where: Boston, Massachusetts
Why? PAX East 2012 coincides with these dates. This gives extra incentive for you lazy fuckers who don't like socializing with NG people except through the safety of a computer screen (because video games).

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Those of you who actually read things will notice I linked to the PAX registration, which opened up one week ago. If you plan to come, invest in a pass to PAX ASAP... they sell out fast. Two years ago I was able to get in because Luis and Shawn are awesome (read: disinterested and had a pass to spare).

I've grown up in and around Boston, so I know the area well. I know the roads, highways, public transportation, geography, sights, and sounds of the city. I can speak the accent. I've had lots of fun with the meetups in Montreal, Philadelphia, and New York City... so it's only fair I repay the favor and host one here.

As an aside, I have no idea what staff participation in the meetup will be. I imagine they are always happy to see and interact with Newgrounds fans, but their primary focus will be organizing and running their PAX booth. Hopefully they'll come out for at least one night, but I expect everyone to be respectful regardless of staff participation in the meetup events.

Important considerations:

Age:
- PAX is an all-ages event, so I will not be enforcing any age restrictions for the meet. There will be 18+ activities, however. Nobody wants to babysit, so if your parents do not like the idea of you making your way alone in a strange city without adults around, we won't be able to help.
- I'll try to organize dinner at a pub Friday and/or Saturday so that we can include the under 21's (and the rest of us can have a drink with our meal). However, once the evening wears on it is increasingly likely that the 21+ crowd will find their way to the bars and other 21+ hotspots. If people are interested in live music, I will try to find places offering admittance to non-21 year olds, but for the most part those under 21 should plan on alternative events for the evening (after 10PMish). No, I will not be providing anyone with alcohol.

Transportation:
- The Google/maps link above includes an overlay for transportation. Boston's 'T' (operated by the MBTA) is one of the oldest subway systems in the nation. There are two major hubs: North and South Station. Access to the system costs $2 and change per use, however, you must purchase a charlie ticket or charlie card. There is a $.30 discount if you get the card over the ticket, so keep that in mind.
- Taxis: they're expensive and typically the drivers are douchebags. However, they're required by law to accept credit cards, so I guess that's something.
- Logan Airport: it's right in East Boston on filled land to the harbor. East Boston has no pedestrian access to the North End, nor South Boston's commercial district (where the convention center is). You will need to pay a cab, take a bus, or take the subway to get out of East Boston.

Entertainment:
- Bars
- Karaoke (also usually found in bars)
- Boston Common and public garden
- Theatres
- Sight-seeing (Boston's a small city when it comes to walking around... everything important is relatively concentrated)
- Your suggestions are welcome and encouraged.

Climate:
- Boston is cold in April, but it is the very beginning of the emergence of Spring. It is rare to have snow in April but it does happen. If we're lucky, it will be like two years ago when we had a random 60 degree day in early April during PAX. You should be prepared for both scenarios.

Hospitality:
- Everyone is responsible for arranging their own place to sleep. There are many hotels in the area, I would recommend staying close to the downtown area. The last subway trains run approximately in the ballpark of 12:35 AM at most stations, which is well-before last call of 2AM in most bars/clubs. You will either need to shell out for a cab, walk, or beg me for a ride (which I won't be capable of giving you because my BAC will be well over the legal limit).
- I have my own apartment with space to sleep several people. I have roommates, so I am restricting this offer exclusively to people I know (read: have met or have extensive online communications with) and trust.

Communication:
- You may send me a PM or email me [e-mail] with questions if you don't feel comfortable posting in the thread.
- Everyone who has confirmed their attendance I will make my phone number available to the week before the meet via PM.

Travel:
- Boston is a 5 hour drive from Montreal and New York City.
- Boston is a 6.5-7 hour drive from Philly
- Boston is a 8 hour drive from DC
- Anywhere further I recommend flying. Rush hour traffic: 7:30AM-9:30AM, 3:30PM-6:00PM. It is miserable, especially in the event of inclement weather and there is NO ESCAPE since Boston is so small and our suburbs so numerous.
- Use JetBlue if possible. They always have awesome fares and Boston is a major hub for jetblue. Travel considerations are your responsibility. Sorry Canada, JetBlue hates you.

As of today, there are 5 days less than 5 full months until PAX. Get your shit straightened out, start scrimping and saving, and get up here for some early/mid-spring fun in the hub!

[Luis]

I'll go, as will Tom

[MoriChax]

I plan for a PAX prime meet no one shows.
Screw your PAX East.

[Atlas]

I'd got but I'm way under the age of 21.

[Painbringer]

At 11/11/11 03:21 PM, MoriChax wrote: I plan for a PAX prime meet no one shows.
Screw your PAX East.

Maybe because PAX prime meetups are all PAX expo and no actual meetup (drinking, karaoke, touristy stuff).

[Chronamut]

hmm perhaps :)

[SineRider]

considering it, since I live so close

[Evark]

At 11/11/11 03:16 PM, Luis wrote: I'll go, as will Tom

Awesome. Just didn't want to put pressure on you guys to show up to any meetup related events if you're busy handling the craziness of organizing the booth.

At 11/11/11 03:21 PM, MoriChax wrote: I plan for a PAX prime meet no one shows.
Screw your PAX East.

Ha ha, well... I would've gone if I didn't have someone visiting me during the PAX Prime dates, if it makes you feel better. It's tough to get to Seattle though. Boston is within driving distance of Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Montreal, Quebec City, Providence, Hartford, Baltimore, Washington DC, New York City, Albany, Philadelphia, Trenton, Atlantic City... etc. All of those are no more than 12 hours drive away.

At 11/11/11 03:33 PM, BAKEdLays wrote: I would go just to take a picture of Toms ass.

It'd be the first real progress toward the final secret anyone's made in years.

At 11/11/11 03:40 PM, J-Rex wrote: I'd got but I'm way under the age of 21.

Not a problem at all if you can get your parents to agree to take you and stay with you.

At 11/11/11 04:32 PM, Chronamut wrote: hmm perhaps :)

Don't even play coy like that. MA is like, the fag capitol of earth. You'll be here.

At 11/11/11 04:35 PM, SineRider wrote: considering it, since I live so close

Holy shit yea you do. NO EXCUSE.

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Need to get this topic more exposure.

To start getting the ball rolling on some of the fun events, we will be doing the Sam Adams FREE Brewery Tour. I'm thinking Friday is ideal, as the brewery does the last tour at 5:30 on Fridays (later than any other day by two full hours). We're going to want to get there at 5 because it'd suck to get all the way out there and not get to go on the tour. Afterwards, we'll be walking to Doyle's... which is a stuffy old Irish pub with reasonable food. Why? Because if you bring your Sam Adam's brewery tour ticket, order a Sam Adams from Doyles, you'll get to keep the glass you drank it out of. Basically: everyone that participates will come out of this with three small helpings of delicious Sam Adams beer, a free tasting-sized glass from the brewery, and a free full-sized Sam Adams souvenir glass... all for the cost of dinner and a drink you were gonna get anyway.

[saltovergray]

Oh hey, a meet near me. Wish I could go, but I'm sure my parents wouldn't like it nor would any of you guys like having a boring 15 year old punk who likes to wander cities and eat cheese.

I hope the rest of you guys have fun going though!