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UER Forum > Archived US: South > DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution (Viewed 126212 times)
RobertB 


Location: Skeeterville, TX
Gender: Male


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DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
< on 1/23/2008 3:42 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Last Saturday's DFW UER meet-and-greet was... personal. As in, there were three persons there, and two of them were me and my daughter. The other person was a lurker with some mucho mas awesome pix of some Henderson County abandonments -- but if we hadn't been there, he'd have been the only one. What's more, when he asked for the party of "Jeff", he would have been escorted to a small table populated by three candidates for the American Sumo Wrestling Team, each of whom was at least the size of the table. Fortunately, our visitor was pretty wiry, so they might have squeezed him in (literally).

With the pictures of the exploration playing on a laptop on the table (dude, I can't remember your handle, so please say hi), we were soon discussing how to get more people to attend the quarterly DFW meetups. Obviously, not everyone who hopes to make it will actually show up -- Mellon_Collie had an unexpected engagement, and I think there may have been child care issues affecting other "will be there" respondents. But really, even if everyone who said they'd come had made it, it wouldn't be a very big meeting for the entire Metroplex.

Thinking outside the box, we identified a couple of possible issues:

Point 1: It's at TGI Fridays. It's a big chain restaurant, just like every other big chain restaurant. We UER folks are the iconoclastic type... a chain restaurant may be just too unappealing. And let's face it -- we're probably not terribly appealing to them. On the other hand, I like to think we understand the importance of tipping well, even if we only order an appetizer.

Item B: It's at TGI Fridays. It's expensive, and getting more so all the time. Another attribute of the Urban Explorer is the allure of cheap thrills... it doesn't cost to get in an "accessible" building or to jump in a drain. If it costs to get in, we'll skip it... or find the back door. $20 can buy an appetizer plate... or it can buy gas for a trip to the Baker.

I bounced the idea of discussing the future of the DFW Meetup with Mellon_Collie, and he had no problem with opening the issue up for discussion. So here's my 2c:

A chain isn't our style. There are hundreds of hole-in-the-wall joints in the Metroplex, and there's got to be one that's relatively easy to get to from both sides of the county line. I don't know the places in Tarrant County, unfortunately, but I do know of some joints in Irving and Grand Prairie. The Irving joint would be ideal, I think: they have a pizza the size of a car tire for around $15 that would feed an entire underground army. The place is kind of cozy and dark, too... I know us drainers would feel at home. It's located on Belt Line north of Shady Grove -- how bad would that be for the Fort Worth UE crowd?

Thoughts? Suggestions? Wombats?

J'ai toujours fait une prière à Dieu, qui est fort courte.
La voici: "Mon Dieu, rendez nos ennemis bien ridicules!"
Dieu m'a exaucé.
Raticus 

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Re: DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
<Reply # 1 on 1/23/2008 5:00 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I was one that responded in the "Can't make it" category. Usually my problem is that I'm about 90 minutes east of you guys. So, me making it is not as dependant on where it is, as it is on what I have going on that weekend and whether or not I can afford to make the trip. Gas prices are hurting my hobbies. It's hard for me to justify spending the $40 or $50 it takes me round trip (literally, that's no shit).

But that aside, if I lived closer and made them on a regular basis, I think some off the wall place would be nice. Chains are usually loud, busy, crowded and like you said, getting more expensive all the time. As bad as I hate to admit it, money is becoming more of a problem for me with each passing week of this none-recession.

I do think it would be fun to make it something different though. If I did live close, I think it would be fun to just meet at some small pizza place or burger joint and keep the food bill small. After all, the main point of the meet is to get together with other explorers and talk about what we do. So where we do it is not as important as just doing it.

I wish I lived closer to the metroplex. But I don't. I was hoping to make one of the meets last fall but ended up with something going on that weekend and didn't get to make it. So I've said all this and probably really haven't said anything that helps.

I know that for some of the people, money is a huge issue for them. For me, it's not as easy as I wish it was, but it's not impossible to go to TGI Fridays or any other chain. But for some folks, it's a real problem. And no one wants to get there and have to not participate in food, tips, whatever. But if for them it means the difference between having lunch money for your kids or not, they're going to skip the meet. Or at least they should.

So bottom line I would think, do it somewhere that is not expensive. I also think it would help to have a planned (though not published) exploration for afterwards. Have you guys considered having it on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon? I've just about stopped all night explorations for a variety of reasons. Anyway, just thoughts. Hope some of it helps and I hope I can make 1 or 2 of the meets this year.
[last edit 1/23/2008 5:03 PM by Raticus - edited 3 times]

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BugPowder 


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Re: DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
<Reply # 2 on 1/23/2008 6:13 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Robert-

Thanks for bringing this to the forefront...
(One of us had to be brave, and I'm not quite the 'regular' you are!)
Thanks for the compliments on the photos, and thanks for giving more credit than due. Being that it was my first "Dee-Eff-Dub Meet 'n' Greet" I didn't know what they should be, or have been in the past.

...But I am happy to help in any way I can. I was so looking forward to meeting the people I've seen posting and talked with a little. But I understand other commitments come up. That's what kept me from the last couple of meetings, and has kept me off these boards since around September (when my house got broken into twice in three weeks. Is that UE karma, or just TMI for y'all!?!)

I'll end by saying I did enjoy meeting you and your daughter. Hopefully it'll happen again soon, will include more people, and preferably not at the TGIF. I didn't feel so good by bedtime that night!

*EDIT* I left my parenthesis open! It got drafty. :-p
[last edit 1/23/2008 9:11 PM by BugPowder - edited 1 times]

Teslapirate 


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Re: DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
<Reply # 3 on 1/23/2008 7:34 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
There was a get-together in the DFW area on Saturday? Dangit! I swear I have the worst timing..I just moved out here from Cali a couple weeks ago for school, and just yesterday I started looking around online to try to find any UE groups out here, and today I find out about this event I missed. Curse my lack of luck! If there's another one in the near future I'd love to go, I know nothing about this area and don't know anybody out here into UE, it'd be great to find some folks to go with.

BugPowder 


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Re: DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
<Reply # 4 on 1/23/2008 8:17 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I had the same problem Tesla, joined right after one of the monthly meetings, then other things got in the way of the second one. I wish I could say be patient, but that was a lo-o-o-ong wait!

musket boy 


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Re: DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
<Reply # 5 on 1/23/2008 8:17 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
i would have gone but i work every saturday

uering
BugPowder 


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Re: DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
<Reply # 6 on 1/23/2008 8:23 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Raticus... I also think it would help to have a planned (though not published) exploration for afterwards. Have you guys considered having it on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon? I've just about stopped all night explorations for a variety of reasons. Anyway, just thoughts. Hope some of it helps and I hope I can make 1 or 2 of the meets this year.


This actually came up. I think the meet 'n' greet is more for the benefit of the folks new to this community, so any planned expedition would NOT have to be real serious or very difficult/impressive etc.

But I like the idea.

musket boy 


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Re: DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
<Reply # 7 on 1/23/2008 9:08 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
i'd go on a sunday, any time of day

uering
Raticus 

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Re: DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
<Reply # 8 on 1/23/2008 9:27 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by BugPowder


This actually came up. I think the meet 'n' greet is more for the benefit of the folks new to this community, so any planned expedition would NOT have to be real serious or very difficult/impressive etc.

But I like the idea.


I was thinking of a small deal, nothing big. That's the reason I put the night comment in there too. I really don't do night explorations any more unless I'm with someone I really REALLY trust and I know they know what they're doing.

Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools speak because they have to say something.
Bustedknuckle 


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Re: DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
<Reply # 9 on 1/23/2008 10:01 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
TYLER STATE PARK MEET.......

"It's not a fanny pack, it's an exploring pouch!"
-"Yes it is, it has fanny written all over it"
don cornelius 

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Re: DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
<Reply # 10 on 1/23/2008 10:04 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
you texas folks need to fly a brotha out for a meet. Im broke and cant afford a ticket.

think of it as a "make a wish" type thing. =)

40+ year olds with Myspace pages are not cool, they are pediphiles on the prowl. Buyer beware.
Raticus 

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Re: DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
<Reply # 11 on 1/23/2008 10:04 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Yep, I could make that one.

Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools speak because they have to say something.
BugPowder 


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Re: DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
<Reply # 12 on 1/23/2008 10:13 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I would make a POINT to make that one, just so y'all could "put a face to the 'Powder!"


RobertB 


Location: Skeeterville, TX
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Re: DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
<Reply # 13 on 1/23/2008 10:47 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Bustedknuckle
TYLER STATE PARK MEET.......


I think we have a winner. Isn't that Tyler Dream Home currently underoccupied?

J'ai toujours fait une prière à Dieu, qui est fort courte.
La voici: "Mon Dieu, rendez nos ennemis bien ridicules!"
Dieu m'a exaucé.
Bustedknuckle 


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Re: DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
<Reply # 14 on 1/23/2008 11:13 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by u25680
you texas folks need to fly a brotha out for a meet. Im broke and cant afford a ticket.

think of it as a "make a wish" type thing. =)


I will send my private B2 bomber to get you

"It's not a fanny pack, it's an exploring pouch!"
-"Yes it is, it has fanny written all over it"
don cornelius 

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Re: DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
<Reply # 15 on 1/23/2008 11:18 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Bustedknuckle


I will send my private B2 bomber to get you


Still waitin on my Xmas money. that would help with the plane ticket.

40+ year olds with Myspace pages are not cool, they are pediphiles on the prowl. Buyer beware.
Happiedaze 


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Re: DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
<Reply # 16 on 1/23/2008 11:37 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I think I'm the one with 'childcare issues' you mentioned. If I am, you're right. I work weekdays, off on weekends. It's hard to find childcare on weekends, but I can manage sometimes. My roommate was going to babysit for me and she had something come up. I meant to go back and change my RSVP and just totally forgot. I'm really not one to say I'm going to be somewhere if I know I'm not, and if I can't, I usually let people know ahead of time, so I feel pretty crappy that I missed it and didn't say anything to anyone.


The last meet n greet that I went to went really well. There were at least 8 people there when I showed up, most of which I never see post anything anymore... but it was still cool.

I really like the idea of having it somewhere small and out of the way. Those are my favorite types of restaurants anyway, so when you guys come up with something, let me know.


Also, it's not like we HAVE to wait the 3 months. If this thread goes somewhere and you guys decide on a place, maybe we should have one sooner than that, seeing as how the last one pretty much bombed. *shrug* just a thought.

'Our plans are all laid out,
take all these unmarked roads,
we blaze the trails to places no one goes, yeah!' -Rise Against
don cornelius 

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Re: DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
<Reply # 17 on 1/23/2008 11:39 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Just waitin on my plane ticket =).

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Raticus 

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Re: DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
<Reply # 18 on 1/24/2008 2:03 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by u25680
Just waitin on my plane ticket =).


Well hell, if BK2 has the private bomber, he could just make arrangements to taxi all of us to and from the meets. Problems solved for all of us.

Hey BK2, I know some nice locations in New Mexico and Arizona too. Flight time wouldn't take to long to get there. hehe

Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools speak because they have to say something.
jewtewned 

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Re: DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution
<Reply # 19 on 1/24/2008 3:25 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I agree with happydaze-

Plus I missed it as well due to babysitting issues, (sorry for the no-show)
But doing the meet n greet in a better place would help. Maybe an IHOP. TGI's
is so busy on a Sat night anyway. IHOPs usually dont get busy until after midnight.



UER Forum > Archived US: South > DFW Meetup Discussion & Evolution (Viewed 126212 times)
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