Anticipating PAX 2011 (West)

Can any of the locals recommend some sushi places in Seattle? Me and my other landlocked buddies plan to do some splurging

Nerdtastic wrote:

Doc, I saw your post about doing a S&T at your new home... have we thought about doing one downtown, especially for people who can't make it far out of the city? Has anyone started planning this and I'm just not aware?

I'd love to have another get together at a local pub/restaurant like last year. Not sure who of the GWJ 'luminaries' are going this year, but I think it'd be great to have something official like.

Renji wrote:

Can any of the locals recommend some sushi places in Seattle? Me and my other landlocked buddies plan to do some splurging :D

Not a local, but I try to go to Blue C sushi any time I'm in Seattle, there is one half a block from the Convention center too.

Infyrnos wrote:

Not a local, but I try to go to Blue C sushi any time I'm in Seattle, there is one half a block from the Convention center too.

SOLD!

I need to get on the post-PAX thing. I think this fresh dose of social pressure ought to help. As for the during-PAX get together at a pub, I'll leave that for someone else. Umberto was kind enough to forward a few possible locales. I think I'll have to spend a lunchtime calling them and asking about availability during PAX.

It creeps ever closer...

EDIT: My house isn't near big enough to host all of us. That's why Umberto and I have been mulling over alternative locations for the post-party. It's all because SOMEONE is choosing smelly hippies over smelly geeks and won't be here for PAX.

Infyrnos wrote:
Renji wrote:

Can any of the locals recommend some sushi places in Seattle? Me and my other landlocked buddies plan to do some splurging :D

Not a local, but I try to go to Blue C sushi any time I'm in Seattle, there is one half a block from the Convention center too.

Able to leap tall fish in a single bound, is it a shark, is it a boat? No, it's Sushi(jon)man!

Blue C is mediocre and overpriced IMO, although it is damned convenient for PAX. HaNa, up on Broadway, is one of my favourite sushi joints. It's cheap and cheerful, and the sushi is superb.

Also up on Broadway is Aoki, which I really like too. It's a little pricier than HaNa.

Ototo, up on Queen Anne, is also good, but also a little spendy.

Dragonfish
is alright, not great, but is easily walkable from PAX.

One of my friends swears that Mashiko is amazing, but I've not been yet, so I can't speak to it.

Likewise, I've heard reasonably good things about Umi Sake House, which is downtown.

TL:DR version. If you're dead-set on kaiten-zushi (i.e. conveyer belt style), Blue C is convenient, but there are better options if you're not fussed by the lack of a conveyer belt. If you don't have wheels, Dragonfish or Umi Sake House are good bets, and Aoki and Hana are even better bets if you don't mind tromping uphill to Broadway (which honestly, if you've not spent much time in Seattle is worth doing just to be a tourist). If you've got wheels, venture further afield for more options.

docbadwrench wrote:

EDIT: My house isn't near big enough to host all of us. That's why Umberto and I have been mulling over alternative locations for the post-party. It's all because SOMEONE is choosing smelly hippies over smelly geeks and won't be here for PAX. ;)

Who's a big Meany McMeanypants?

Do you know it's been over 3 years since I last had a vacation that wasn't visiting family? And let's be honest, that doesn't really count as a vacation. As much as I love PAX, it's at home, so it doesn't feel much like a vacation. Burning Man, on the other hand, is going to be a full week of utterly bonkers nonsense in a stupidly incongruous place. That's my idea of a good vacation.

Anyway, I've got the Goodjers pencilled in for post-PAX 2012. Short of a heavily pregnant wife (which may or may not happen by that point), it's a pretty solid booking.

Jonman you're my hero!!

Would anyone be against going back to the pub we were at last year? I thought it was a pretty good spot, if the service was a tad slow. I also don't think they made us pay a deposit, just a reservation. I'm happy to make the reservation and set up a thread about it. What do you guys think?

Nerdtastic wrote:

Would anyone be against going back to the pub we were at last year? I thought it was a pretty good spot, if the service was a tad slow. I also don't think they made us pay a deposit, just a reservation. I'm happy to make the reservation and set up a thread about it. What do you guys think?

Rock Bottom was definitely satisfactory - it had enough room to accommodate, a decent selection of beers, booze and food, it was close to the con, etc. etc. I'd hit it again.

Had a great time last year, and the venue was a-okay! Far enough away from the convention centre to get away from some of the crowding, close enough for a short walk. I'm totally on board with visiting it again. Awfully thoughtful of you to offer setting things up, too.

I'm all for Rock Bottom. It was easy to find from the convention center, had good food and enough space for all of us. +1

Rock Bottom works for me. Plenty of room and the staff was very friendly.

I am filling out my schedule now since I am going to be a volunteer DM for DND, so have we picked a date and time? I'd like to go to the even and not miss everyone.

I am going to assume it's one of the nights, just pick Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Nerdtastic wrote:

Would anyone be against going back to the pub we were at last year? I thought it was a pretty good spot, if the service was a tad slow. I also don't think they made us pay a deposit, just a reservation. I'm happy to make the reservation and set up a thread about it. What do you guys think?

Would you set that up? Traditionally it's on Saturday night 6-ish, but we can adjust that if people chime in that we need to. We'll need a thread to track RSVPing, but just so you know last time around there were something like 80 people.

I'm sorry - I'm up to my eyebrows in alligators with my Daily Planet job and PAX and can't do this myself.

Have we made another thread I can't find and called the RB yet? If not, I'll call tomorrow on my day off and see if they have an opening.

I am out this year. Enjoy without me.

I don't see anyone saying they have called so I will be calling tomorrow before i head out to work. I just need to confirm we want Saturday PAX day, what time we want this at and if we're really expecting 80 or so goodjers.

It occurred to me I haven't figured out if I'm in need of a room, or just bussing in from the Eastside every day. Anyone have extra space in their hotel room?

Saturday sounds great! I think that's what it was last time, and it seemed like the perfect time. I can confirm two, if that helps.

More dinner reservation/ S&T information now in this thread. I'll update it as I hear back from the restaurant:
http://www.gamerswithjobs.com/node/108944

Since there is no schedule up yet, does anyone have info on what the schedule usually looks like? We're trying to figure out flights, and it's not clear if we should get in Thursday night, or Friday early, or what. Of course, last year's copy of the schedule isn't in the internet wayback machine, so I can't find what it would look like anywhere.

We just went ahead and got flights to bring us in late Thursday, and leave Monday. So we shouldn't miss anything. =)

Sorry I'm so late getting back - you made the choice I would have suggested. You need to get some rest before you hit the floor on Friday, and after it closes on Sunday night we try to have an S&T/get together so this way you can be there for that, too.

Okay, I've been away from the forums for a while. Like many of you, juggling a family and my gaming world can be difficult. I talked with my wife now that we've continued fixing up the house, and we have decided to have the after-party at our home (assuming you're all cool with that). The thing is, we have a garage (suitable for tabletop gaming), and perhaps a Rock Band setup.

Within the house itself, I can put together gaming stations from my many old keepsakes. The trick will be... a Rock Band setup. I know that momgamer had offered one to use. As we get closer to the date, I'm going to prepare a layout of my home in order to clearly delineate the different spaces. We don't have a tiny home, but it's not on par with Jonman, so I hope you like intimacy. If you have excessive space issues, I recommend the decks.

Anyway, let me know what you think. Once I get a floorplan worked up with my intentions, I'll shoot it into this thread. I can't wait for PAX!

I've got all my stuff, and I'm ready when you are. Just let me know what you need and when you'll need it.

You rock, momgamer. As soon as we wrap up the work in our garage, we'll have a clearer picture.

I am PUMPED!

I put in the time off for work today.

So, I want to DM a few D&D games for Goodjers on some modules I have done. Should I make a specific thread? I don't want to muddy the waters of this thread.

VANCOUVER PAX FOLKS:

I know I gave some of you hopes for travelling with me in a vehicle down to Seattle for PAX. However, things aren't looking good. I would plan on finding other means of transportation down there.

I couldn't get a van.
We're shortstaffed at work by one. I may not get any weekdays off of work to go, so I may miss friday
My assistant manager may take paternity leave that would extend over that weekend.
My manager may be going to a wedding that saturday.

I may well be f*cked out of this excellent opportunity to hang with my fellow gwj'ers. Will keep you posted. So sorry, guys : (