How about some after-hours drinks in Midtown Manhattan now?

[WorkInProgress]

I'm just now getting back from a lovely afternoon on Long Island organized by Mistress Mia, and I'm looking forward to seeing how this community shapes up.

I'm wondering, now, who would be interested in an evening of drinks in Manhattan, in late April or early May. This could include any of the people we had the pleasure of meeting today, plus some of the New Yorkers et cetera who weren't there.

I actually have a place in mind, because I think the bar we ended up at last time we did this worked out fine. I don't remember the name of it, but I think others might, like Shem the Penman and Nightfall. I'll see if I can scout it out when I'm in the neighborhood, too. It has the virtue of being a short walk from Penn Station.

We might even consider a couple of different dates, so different combinations of people can be accommodated.

And to all of the people I sat with or rode the LIRR with today--Nice meeting you! Hope we all stay in touch.

[Shem the Penman]

We ended up in Jack's Restaurant back in November. It's on 40th between Broadway and 7th, if I recall correctly.

[milagros317]

I would be interested in attending another munch there.

[ticklernyc]

I, too, am interested in getting together in Manhattan.

For me meeting the others was the best part of the munch. And it was nice meeting everyone for me, also.

Ticklernyc

[WorkInProgress]

Thanks, Shem. I think Jack's would be a great place to go back to. Are you and Nightfall in the market this time around?

[Shem the Penman]

Possibly, although of course everything depends on when.

[bluestreak]

I might be interested. I'd feel more comfortable if I knew that other females were going to be there, though. Keep me posted! (And thanks for taking the initiative..) :)

[waitin2btkled]

I'm definetely interested...i'm so agravated that i couldn't get off from work that saturday...but going out for a few drinks would definetely be good...lets set something up...

J

[Giggles]

I'm definitely interested. So you know you'll have at least one female there. ;)

I had a great time at the munch on Saturday. I enjoyed meeting everyone and I'm looking forward to another nice outing.

[WorkInProgress]

Okay, thank you all, and I definitely think now that we're ready to talk dates. So, let me propose a few and see if there's one that's good for us all.

Friday, April 25
Saturday, April 26
Thursday, May 1
Friday, May 2

Whatever night we meet, how's 7:30 for a starting time? Would 8:00 be preferable?

And now another thought, and then I'll leave it to the women to take the initiative from here. Because some of the women (and I know that Bluestreak isn't the only one) want understandably to be assured that there will be other women present, perhaps some of the women would like to meet up a little early, either at the same place or someplace nearby, and then join the rest of us together. After we agree on a date and a time, the women may want to correspond and form their convoy-caucus.

[milagros317]

April 25 and 26 conflict with the NYST Gathering, which I will be attending. I don't know how many others from here are also planning on being there.

May 2 would be best for me, either starting time.

[TickleWolf]

Hi,
I'm interested in meeting some folks. It would be a first for me & I'd be glad to hear more about it.

[WorkInProgress]

How is May 2 for other people?

And, now that the previous week has been taken off the table (because it should definitely be accessible to Milagros), I'm going to add a few more contingent dates.

Thursday, May 1
Friday, May 2
Thursday, May 8
Friday, May 9
Saturday, May 17

However, I'm all in favor of May 2 if that's good for most people.

So, anybody who is interested, would you please note which of those dates are best and which of those dates are impossible for you?

Note to TickleWolf: Speaking as an outsider in a lot of ways myself, I think you can expect to feel quite comfortable. It's just getting together for food and drinks, having free-floating conversation on topics including, but not limited to, tickling. It's all casual and respectful.

[Shem the Penman]

Speaking for Nightfall, I think we'd prefer a Thursday night if possible, as she usually leaves the city on Fridays.

[njjen3953]

Just remember, May 17th is the day before NEST. Probably not a good date for many. Definitely not for me as I will not be available for either. :(

[TickleWolf]

Thanks, WIP , I am looking foward to it. I guess time-wise early may would be better for me. I may have to do a bit of traveling later in the month. Take care & I hope to talk in person soon;)
TW

[WorkInProgress]

I'm still looking in on this thread regularly, but hanging back a little to see how much momentum it picks up from others carrying it.

Should we pick two different dates, and have some attend both and others just attend the one they can make? (I would attend both, and I'd want at least one woman to attend both in order that women in general could feel assured of not being too badly outnumbered.)

More responses? Any comments on the idea of Thursday, May 1?

And listen, if anyone reading this feels more like a curious onlooker than a seasoned community member, that makes two of us so please feel welcome.

[Mr. Hyde]

May 2nd sounds good to me, WIP. It's good to keep having these get-togethers and show people how enjoyable and "safe" they are. It encourages others who may be apprehensive to possibly come and get acquainted. That's how the community will grow! :dogpile:

[waitin2btkled]

may first or the second is definetely a go....keep us posted...

[WorkInProgress]

Hey Giggles, how do those dates sound to you?

And Bluestreak...I'm a little confused. Your profile says you're in Texas. Are you up here in the New York area now? How do the above-mentioned dates sound to you?

(Note: Responding to this post does not imply an iron-clad commitment to come, only a potential interest.)

[Giggles]

May 1 or 2 definitely work for me. In fact, I have a pretty flexible schedule so I can make any of the dates you listed. :)

[WorkInProgress]

Question to Milagros and Mr. Hyde:

Is Thursday, May 1, okay for you?

(I single these gentlemen out because they both expressed a preference for May 2, and I'm wondering if May 1 is doable Anybody else want to weigh in either yes or no for Thurs. May 1?)

[Shem the Penman]

May 1 might be tricky for me, as I have to be elsewhere that evening and probably won't be able to make any get-together in the city that starts earlier than 7:30 or 8. That said, I have no other problems.

[Ticklegrrrl]

Hey folks,
Tell me if you come up with a solid date. I'd definitely go out for some drinks (hey we're new yorkers after all!).



ticklegrrrl

[TickleWolf]

How about Fri 5-2? A few drinks after work never hurt no one ;)Beside, if it did alchol makes a terrific anesthetic!

[WorkInProgress]

Most seem to be leaning toward May 2, but I'd still like to know two things:

(1.) Which ones of you are definitively unavailable May 1, and which of you can do May 1?

(2.) Shem: I know you prefer Thursdays, but can you and Nightfall do Friday night, May 2?

And Ticklegrrl...we are getting closer to a solid date. What's your response about these two possibilities?

[ticklernyc]

Just so you know either May 1 Thurday or May 2 Friday, should be okay for me.

ticklernyc

[Shem the Penman]

Best I can say is: we'll try to be there on 5/2. The problem is, we don't have any idea where Nightfall is going to be on that day, so it's kind of hard to plan ahead.

[WorkInProgress]

Let's make it Friday, May 2, at 7:30, and let's also plan to have a Thursday night get-together a few weeks later if there are some people who wanted to come this come but couldn't make it May 2. How's that? (And please, speak up if you're one of the ones who can't make it May 2, and we'll be sure to schedule the next one when you can.)

The place that worked out well last time was Jack's Restaurant. That's at 147 W. 40th St., between Broadway and 7th. If you happen to be walking from the center of town, you can see the awning on your right, just past Giggles (which has the perfect name but turned out to be the not-so-perfect place last time).

So, Friday, May 2, 7:30, Jack's, 147 W. 40th St. Several of us have already met, and it's a small enough place that the rest will easily spot us.

[MistressMia]

Hello All,
Too bad for me...I work Friday nights and most weekends.:( I'll try to catch you guys another time.

Right now I'm trying to work out another LI Gathering for playtime.

Have fun at happy hour!

[WorkInProgress]

Thanks, Mia.

Everybody, I want you all to know that Mistress Mia is an excellent organizer, and also somebody you can feel comfortable with if you're cautiously checking out the scene. Her threads about upcoming activities are worth following.

[milagros317]

Just checked back to this thread and see that you've made the date and time definite. I'll be there, and thanks for organizing it, WIP.:)

[ticklernyc]

Something has come up for me, on May 2 Friday.

So, I will probably come late, at around 8:30 PM. I hope that is okay.

And thanks to WorksInProgress for organizing.

ticklernyc

[WorkInProgress]

That will work fine, arriving whenever you can make it. The whole thing will be the quintessence of informality and flexibility.

Suggestion, for anyone who arrives after 7:30 and is wondering which group to join: I figure we'll be at a table not too far from the entrance, and if you see a table where everybody looks 20-24 years old, you'll know that's not us, so by process of elimination you'll have a pretty good idea of which group we might be.

And if you use "work in progress" as the identifying phrase, then observers will think we're a writers' circle, which isn't even all that far from the truth because at least two avid authors will be there. And besides, one thing all of us are is works in progress.

[TickleWolf]

I'll be there;) Thanks for all your work organizing this WIP. I'm looking foward to meeting you and the who show up.
TW

[MidasTouch]

I work the weekends, Thur-Sun nights, so I'm bumming.
Maybe I'll just poke my head in for a quick drink and
just show up to work late :devil:

[Giggles]

Originally posted by WorkInProgress

So, Friday, May 2, 7:30, Jack's, 147 W. 40th St. Several of us have already met, and it's a small enough place that the rest will easily spot us.



I'll be there. Looking forward to it. :cool:

[WorkInProgress]

Midas Touch--Maybe later on in the season, we should plan for a Tuesday night out? See what combination materializes for that?

And on May 2, I don't mind showing up a little earlier if some of the others would like to. Since there's no agenda, but merely a table and drinks and food and sociability, there's loads of flexibility in arrival time.

[WorkInProgress]

Okay, let's reconfirm everything.

This Friday, May 2, at 7:30 (with some people joining us later), we'll meet at Jack's Restaurant, 147 W. 40th St., right by Broadway, in Manhattan. I've put in a reservation and requested, if it's feasible, to have table space close to the front windows. In any case, we are the "Work In Progress" reservation.

A note on what to expect: At this restaurant, the actual entrees are expensive, but the hostess (a young petite woman with an Irish accent) assures me that it's okay that some of us will order appetizers and some just drinks. To put it in perspective, the Caesar salad is about $9 and the Caesar with chicken is more like $12 or $13. Burgers are probably in the $9 or $10 range, though I'll admit I didn't look that closely at the menu when I went by last night. Again, though, it's okay to eat on the way and then just get drinks, and if you can afford to get something solid like an appetizer, I'd encourage that too.

Can everybody who's coming, whether it's definite or possible, please reconfirm it here so that I'm not holding either too much or too little table space when we arrive?

(Again, this isn't a structured activity, it's just hanging out for an evening. All I'm doing is showing up and being one of the ones hanging out.)

[milagros317]

Originally posted by WorkInProgress


Can everybody who's coming, whether it's definite or possible, please reconfirm it here so that I'm not holding either too much or too little table space when we arrive?

I reconfirm that I will be there at 7:30.:)

[WorkInProgress]

Let me add, by the way, that if anyone wants to E-mail me privately, I'm at workinprogress62@yahoo.com .

[TickleWolf]

7:30 , Jack's. Consider me confirmed.

[ticklernyc]

I intend on joining, this Friday evening, and shall mostly likely be late.

ticklernyc

[MidasTouch]

Thought I could show up late for work,
but I have to be there by 6:30.
Sorry that I'll miss the hang.

[WorkInProgress]

I'm already thinking in terms of having another evening out on a different night of the week, in late May or early June. I figure Tuesday will probably be a good night for people who don't have Fridays off. And, of course, some people will be there for both.

Incidentally, I've gotten a couple of RSVP's for May 2 by E-mail as well as here. As things stand now, including myself, we have six. Women are a bit under-represented among those six, and ladies-who-lurk, you can challenge that male-dominant ratio--join us!

[Shem the Penman]

Nightfall's current situation allows her to come up to the city this weekend, so looks like she and I will be there.

[WorkInProgress]

Excellent, all who are coming.

To those interested persons who can't make it this Friday, please let us all know if a Tuesday or Wednesday night a few weeks down the road would work better for you, and watch this board for discussion of the next evening get-together.

[WorkInProgress]

Hey, all, it went great. Seven of us made it and were there till a little after 10--nothing structured, just free-floating conversation and food and drink. I'm still thinking that in a few weeks we can do the same thing again on a different night of the week to see those who couldn't get to this one.

[dvnc]

Congradulations! Great to see folks having the social side of things spur 'em forward. Should've known it'd require a New York location. ;) Good on you!

[WorkInProgress]

>>
>> Should've known it'd require a New York location.
>>

Hi, DVNC, thanks for that post. Truth be told, there is something about being in a city like New York that makes this kind of thing easier. It's a bigger deal when you live in a town, and your "local" contacts are many towns away and have to drive an hour or two to get there. All I had to do was take a short walk from where I would have been anyway, and all most others had to do was hop on a train. (Two drove in together from out of town, and one crossed county lines probably via the commuter train.)

My suggestion for people in such areas--remembering my own days living in Maine--would be to form a group of two or three people to have dinner/drinks together at some easy-to-find casual spot in the nearest semiurban center--a place that's both easy to drive to and easy to drive through--and put the word out that others are welcome to join in. This can also happen in conjunction with scouting out good play spots.

Oh...and I may be naive here, but I don't think message board trolls will crash the party (and they haven't crashed any of the three get-togethers that I've been to), because I think the same ineptitude that makes them message board trolls will also keep them from showing up to meet anybody in person.

[dvnc]

Ah, that's the funny, really. Online trolls can be really cool people IRL. Some folks just don't translate well, online. Had more than one, at gatherings, that I'd liked already, only t'find that I disliked posts of theirs. Learned that sometimes, what you construe from what ya read ain't always meant.

Weirder, people online represent themselves differently, often, from real life. Weird but true.

Point bein' this - troublesome folk don't generally show to somethin' involvin' groups, but trolls online ain't always troublesome folk. Heck, I *know* some of the "troublesome" here, and even like 'em.

You folks have proved out there what I've always seen in mine in California. Munches are good places to gather and meet, socially, without the pressure associated with potential play. Hope more do as you've done!

[stacyshippen]

Damn, I'm sorry I missed the gathering (was travelling for business). If you decide to do another munch in May or early June, I'd like to try to come...not ready at this point with a gathering that implies "play" but a social event might be a less scary way to meet people...esp. if other women will be there.

Peace, Stacy