unforum

[ubersaurus]

For those who need to get their Halo 2 on in Chicago, Anime Central is apparently running a Halo 2 tournament on saturday at about 5.

Of course last year's Halo tournament was so poorly organized and ran, but I'm hoping they learned their lessons.

[thebruce]

Man, Chicago transport looks so intimidating
I'm not a country-folk, but I'm nowhere near a big-city guy... just in the middle. and all this talk of mass transit confusion is just too much, maybe it's good I won't be making it next weekend

but sad, still... ah well.

[Fenwicked]

Yeah, it's pretty freaky stuff. I mean, Phoenix is a fairly big city and all, but EVERYONE drives everywhere. Sure, we have a bus system, but I've never had to use it. Next weekend is going to be... interesting.

[skybruin]

Remember, for those too scared to use the public transit system we may beable to provide transportation in vehicluar form. namely the minivan I am renting. I'll be near the anime convention and incyr's group but might be able to help with rides so long as we don't have to travel too much. I think i got the optional navigator software with the minvan to help me get around but will probably need contact numbers and people with cell phones to help navigate.

[ThaJinx]

Just to let you guys know, my cell phone seems to have completely vanished into thin air. I'll be ripping my entire room apart tomorrow night to find it in time for Chicago, but as of right now the battery is dead and I'm not getting any calls or messages. I'll have it by Wednesday, hopefully. Just a heads up.

EDIT: Fone phound

[The Watcher]

Now that we're closer to the date (can't wait!) are there any specific times we've thought of?

Like when do we meet for Friday dinner?

[krystyn]

I'd like suggestions, of course, but I should update that Monday during the workday, if I can, on the website.

I had a family issue crop up that distracted me, so my apologies for not setting times and such. I'd also like to upload some of atdt's maps and things, and maybe a few of my own ...

Also, there are full CTA schedules/maps available at many of the train stations. If I can, I will try to grab a stack, but I won't make any promises, just because they may not have 'em at the ready on my commute.

OK, let's say this: 6:30 PM for Friday dinner at Ed's? How does that sound?

[Twilight]

[krystyn]

Yes! The trip planner is wily like that!

I think, sometimes, the extra steps might be necessary for someone who cannot walk great distances, or who even has to make a detour mid-way through the route - those weird extra bus suggestions can help with that, or even give you ideas in case a train line gets stopped and you're made to ditch it.

So, you know, the first one or two options are generally the best (that is, if you've set all your settings the way you want), and then the others are either identical except for a bus line or walking a block in the other direction to catch a different train stop, or they get all weird and long and convoluted.

Hm, I managed to pick up one full paper format transit map. That's all they had at my train stop this morning, and then no one was attending the booth once I got downtown. I'll keep scavenging, but if you're coming into O'Hare or Midway, be sure to ask the CTA/platform peeps about them. They're handy to have as a point of reference in case you can't get to a computer with web access, and they also double as a fab little street map.

Barnes & Noble and Borders often carry Streetwise laminated fold-out card style maps that are very clear and nicely color-coded. I have a larger one I sometimes take in the car (like, regular map size, I guess), and a small compact-sized one for my Franklin planner. They will inevitably have an inset of the subway system on them. Ozy'll remember the 'short' walk I pointed out to him on mine, from Seanmeet.

[water10]

6:30pm for Ed sounds good.

Let's set up a time for Fogo de Chao. I'm thinking 12:30pm. What do you guys think? Oh, and who's planning to attend?

[krystyn]

cyber cafes in chicago

[Twilight]

I plan to come to Fogo de Chao. I am pretty flexible about meal times so 12:30 seems fine.

[krystyn]

12:30 sounds good to me as well!

[ROBOGriff]

Since I can't make it, this may not even be applicable to the group, but I figgure the timing of this article should serve as a reminder to everone heading to the windy city:

http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/digital-cameras/chicagos-big-brother-police-force-102757.php

[krystyn]

Hey, Noah once contacted me (and a few other beekeepers) about ilovebees for the NYT! Woot.

How ... creepy.