PAX 2009 Extra-curricular events/activites

[Rogue_hunter]

Even though the convention is Friday to Sunday, many people will be arriving early and/or leaving later than those dates. As such, there are also many other events or meetups that people might be interested in. (Events marked [21+] for those of an "adult" nature, i.e. lots and lots of drinking :D )
Map of Various PAX locations (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=http:%2F%2Fwww.darcness.net%2F~moe%2Fpax09.kmz&ie=UTF8&ll=47.610937,-122.332292&spn=0.01464,0.054932&z=15)

For CoG related stuff:

Mariners baseball game (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=6740), Wednesday at 3:40 pm
pre-PAX CoG meetup/dinner at Von's Bar/Restaurant, Thursday at 6 pm
Blue Skittle pre party (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=8953), Thursday at 8 pm [21+]

(this is all there is at the moment, at least, what has been communicated or speculated on)

PAX forum pre-PAX events:

Magical Mystery Tour (http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=85585), Wednesday and Thursday, all day both days. Local Seattle-ites lead a tour of various sites, socializing with other PAXers Registration closed
pre-PAX dinner (http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=95400), Thursday at 5 pm. Buffet dinner with forumers, special guests. Chris Taylor gave a speech last year. No special guests this year, or in the foreseeable future MUST RSVP, Admission $14, Admission and Food $32 Registration closed
2nd Annual Triwizard Drinking Tournament (http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=87180), Thursday, beginning at 8:20 pm, ending past Friday 1:20 am. Pub-crawl/light hearted drinking event with a Harry Potter theme [21+]


Ongoing things of interest:

Assassins '09 (http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=86965), social assassination game
forumer Alcohol exchange (http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=85412), get alcohols you can't get in your city/state/country! [21+]
Cookie Brigade (http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=96276), delicious cookies, with cost of the products going to Child's Play
Cosplay! (http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=80968) See your favorite videogame, book, tv, or comic character. Large focus on TF2 this year, with possible Left 4 Dead squads as well
Bring Your Own Computer LAN (http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=89478) (BYOC), ~350 computers on a LAN, showing off your "l33t haxor" rig, or your lowly Linux laptop. Additional Cost above the PAX pass. Coggers interest (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=9193) thread for further discussion.SOLD OUT
Buttoneering (http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=83266), button trading to meet/greet PAX forumers. Can be your avatar, or some unique logo to make people say "wow", or flat out advertising *cough*CoG, Co-Optimus, Immortal Machines, PlayItReviewIt, Johnny Gigawatt, FUDCast, Rainwave, In-Game Chat, The Weekly Release*cough* :D Expect to order 200 buttons. If you haven't ordered by now, TOO LATE!


Post PAX events:

(pure speculation) In-Game Chat post PAX podcast recording, somewhere big enough to hold all who want to join in. Last year had 30 people in one room, let's go for more!
(speculation) post-podcast recording dinner, likely to be at Von's Bar/Restaurant, as per tradition.
First Annual Post-PAX dinner (http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=87272), Sunday, after 6 pm. Dinner/drinks at the Taphouse Restaurant/Brewery. SOLD OUT


Methods of Getting to PAX

Flights! (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=6761), and more flights! (http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=87552)
Cross Country Super Trip (http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=79555) (CCST), driving in a caravan to Seattle from places east of the Rockies. Groups require 3 people per car, all with valid driver's licenses and HAVE to drive. Waypoints lead to Fargo, North Dakota, from which the main caravan heads west to Seattle. Departs depending on how close you are to Fargo, arrives at roughly 1 pm on Thursday. Departs Seattle Monday morning. Roughly 40+ cars have participated, and does not stop for longer than an hour at any one checkpoint. Two legs have already started moving!
West Coast Train Trip (http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=98794) (WCTT), the Amtrak Coast Starlight train up the West Coast from Los Angeles to Seattle. Departs Los Angeles Wednesday at 10:15 am, arrives Seattle roughly expected 8 pm, but can be early Friday morning, as the tracks are owned by Union Pacific and freight takes precedence over passengers. Departs Seattle Monday morning. Game tournaments and movie/tv marathons are planned events during the train up.


This will be updated as more information/more events are planned.

[Rogue_hunter]

I doubt anyone will be attending the forum pre- and post-PAX dinner events, since we'll likely have our own thing, but I put them up for completeness of events.

Anything I bolded was for important information pertaining to cost or time beyond what people may have planned.


As for myself, baseball, some MMT stuff Thursday morning, dinner at Von's (both times), Triwizard tourney, Buttoneering, and possibly cosplay are what I will be doing.

[Alatheia]

For anyone staying in Seattle extra days I'm more than willing to do tour guide stuff after I get off of work (noonish) :)

[shodan2020]

I'll be in Seattle around noon on the day before PAX starts, so I'll probably be up for the Von's meet up. I don't know about the Blue Skittle thing. I'll also try and stick around for the post-PAX In-Game Chat recording too.

I'll also be at PAX with my best friend, Adam so I'll have to try and split my time evenly, but I really doubt that he wouldn't want to hang out with you guys. If alcohol is involved, he's pretty much down for anything.

[Kielaran]

I doubt anyone will be attending the forum pre- and post-PAX dinner events, since we'll likely have our own thing, but I put them up for completeness of events.

Anything I bolded was for important information pertaining to cost or time beyond what people may have planned.


As for myself, baseball, some MMT stuff Thursday morning, dinner at Von's (both times), Triwizard tourney, Buttoneering, and possibly cosplay are what I will be doing.

Definitely Von's and the PAX concerts (may be worth adding to the list). Of course, I wouldn't miss the radio show, though I am wondering how we will fit everyone in a room this year.

I am still up in the air about Blue Skittle. I had a lot of fun just hanging out with everyone who didn't go and going with them to Game Crazy instead, but as Jackel told me when I mentiioned this, "Blue Skittle has an open bar," so obviously I am torn right now.

I'll also be at PAX with my best friend, Adam so I'll have to try and split my time evenly, but I really doubt that he wouldn't want to hang out with you guys. If alcohol is involved, he's pretty much down for anything.

Hmmm, good to know.:p

[Rogue_hunter]

map link added to initial post. Bars, restaurants, parking lots, hotels, notable places to see in Seattle.

[Sl1pstream]

I really want to do set-up, so I might do that on Thursday, depending on how many of us are in town already (and my hotel room, if I'm staying with other enforcers, I'll probably follow them to the set-up, I don't want to be the one guy that doesn't want to help). I'll still be at the Von's thing and Blue Skittle party though.

[Voodoo]

For anyone staying in Seattle extra days I'm more than willing to do tour guide stuff after I get off of work (noonish) :)
Count me in!

[Frohike]

I'll be in Seattle around noon on the day before PAX starts, so I'll probably be up for the Von's meet up. I don't know about the Blue Skittle thing. I'll also try and stick around for the post-PAX In-Game Chat recording too.

I'll also be at PAX with my best friend, Adam so I'll have to try and split my time evenly, but I really doubt that he wouldn't want to hang out with you guys. If alcohol is involved, he's pretty much down for anything.

I like how this post makes me look like an alcoholic. There are some things that i'm definitely NOT down with if alcohol is involved. (ex. mud wrestling with big hairy men... well there would have to be a lot of alcohol involved)

So yeah, i guess it's more or less accurate...

[shodan2020]

I like how this post makes me look like an alcoholic. There are some things that i'm definitely NOT down with if alcohol is involved. (ex. mud wrestling with big hairy men... well there would have to be a lot of alcohol involved)

So yeah, i guess it's more or less accurate...

Dude, you chug beers in the shower and you call Budweiser "diesel". You're a total lush. :)

[Frohike]

Dude, you chug beers in the shower and you call Budweiser "diesel". You're a total lush. :)

Ah, dude. You can't hate on the beer in the shower. It's awesome. The hot shower, and cold beer combo can't be beat. I think it's going to have to happen at PAX!

Also, had to stop calling it deisel since there's a shitty RTD out that is called Deisel... Bastards soiled the name!

[shodan2020]

You do that beer in the shower shit at PAX and that can is going right up your ass, kid! :)

[Frohike]

You do that beer in the shower shit at PAX and that can is going right up your ass, kid! :)

I sure hope you aren't going to be in the shower with me... cuz that'll be a bit awkward.... :eek:

[Suave Peanut]

This thread took a sudden gay, sexy turn.

[National Kato]

This thread took a sudden sexy, gay turn.

Fixed that for you, Peanut.

[Frohike]

Right, well... back to the fun! Does Seattle have any good micro-brews?

[Rogue_hunter]

Forum pre-PAX dinner info added.

Frohike: there's a few that were suggested last year, but I don't know if anyone was able to make it to any.

Pyramid Brewery (http://www.pyramidbrew.com/), across the street from Safeco Field, beer garden opens prior to Mariners and Seahawks homegames, both of which will be playing that weekend.
Elysian Brewing Co. (http://www.elysianbrewing.com/Elysian.html) on Capitol Hill
McMenamins (http://www.mcmenamins.com/), looks to be a chain? (Seattle-ites? confirmation)
Trade Route Brewing Co. (http://www.traderoutebrewing.com/)

[Alatheia]

Right, well... back to the fun! Does Seattle have any good micro-brews?

There are a lot of brew-pubs all over the area. Since you and Shodan2020 get in around noon and the next person gets in around 3 we could go to one that I know will give free samples to help you decide what to order :)

[Frohike]

awesome. gotta love free samples!

[Alatheia]

awesome. gotta love free samples!

Yeah, so those of us in town at that point can head over there for lunch :)

[flogging.joey]

id be up for some pub-crawling. i know a ton of places around the downtown area.

[Bad Buddha]

id be up for some pub-crawling. i know a ton of places around the downtown area.
Maybe those of us that don't go to the Blue Skittle party on Thursday can wander around and get our antics into the Friday edition of the Seattle Times.

[Kielaran]

:)Maybe those of us that don't go to the Blue Skittle party on Thursday can wander around and get our antics into the Friday edition of the Seattle Times.

Now that sounds like a good time!

[Psykoboy2]

Is there any interest in a friendly and fun game of poker to be had on possibly thursday or friday night?

[AgtFox]

Is there any interest in a friendly and fun game of poker to be had on possibly thursday or friday night?
I would...if I were going...

[Sandman]

Is there any interest in a friendly and fun game of poker to be had on possibly thursday or friday night?

I'm interested.

[Suave Peanut]

Is there any interest in a friendly and fun game of poker to be had on possibly thursday or friday night?
I need to get some practice as I haven't played in 2 years, but I'd love to play poker.

Maybe we can games in when I come down to record a pre-PAX IGC riiiiight?

[Psykoboy2]

Maybe we can games in when I come down to record a pre-PAX IGC riiiiight?

Maybe, but you know how late we get out of there.

[Mot Wakorb]

Poker games are friendly? I thought that shit always ended up with chips being thrown and tables being upturned.

[AgtFox]

Poker games are friendly? I thought that shit always ended up with chips being thrown and tables being upturned.
Maybe that's the way they do it in Wisconsin, but not elsewhere.

[Jackel]

I'd be interested but it would depend on the time.

[Sl1pstream]

There are a lot of brew-pubs all over the area. Since you and Shodan2020 get in around noon and the next person gets in around 3 we could go to one that I know will give free samples to help you decide what to order :)

So you'll be drinking instead of working? Boo!

[NFSMike]

Poker games are friendly? I thought that shit always ended up with chips being thrown and tables being upturned.

My thoughts exactly!

I'm too new to join in even if I was going, but I'm curious, what would the buy-in for said friendly game be?

[AgtFox]

My thoughts exactly!

I'm too new to join in even if I was going, but I'm curious, what would the buy-in for said friendly game be?
$10k...cuz that's how we roll! ;)

I think Scott talked about that at most he has $20 buy-in on the games he plays with the locals, so I would guess close to that.

[Sandman]

I've played Blackjack with $50 buy-ins before. I was actually betting $100 on some hands when I was up big.

[Psykoboy2]

I'd like as many people to play who can, so probably a $25 buy-in, with blinds starting at $0.50/$1.00

I'd rather not have an ante since it'll drain people's money faster most likely. Still, rules are open. I'm just trying to get a consensus of who would be up for a game.

[Rogue_hunter]

I'd be game, totally depends on the time though, since the PA Forums pubcrawl doesn't end until 1:20 am Friday morning. Though, it probably wouldn't work out because the pubcrawl goes so late.

[Alatheia]

So you'll be drinking instead of working? Boo!

They all know already that the reason I'm not going to be at setup is because I'm doing the taxi thing :p

[Uno Ill Nino]

So is the Von's meetup the same thing as the Pre-Dinner that costs $14 and requires RSVP? They're both at 5PM and I'm not sure if they're the same thing or what.

I'm flying in at 4:30 PM and probably won't be ready to go anywhere until 6:30 or so. How long does Von's last? Is there some unofficial place you might go afterward? I'd really like to meet up with some of you on Thursday if possible.

[Sandman]

So is the Von's meetup the same thing as the Pre-Dinner that costs $14 and requires RSVP? They're both at 5PM and I'm not sure if they're the same thing or what.

I'm flying in at 4:30 PM and probably won't be ready to go anywhere until 6:30 or so. How long does Von's last? Is there some unofficial place you might go afterward? I'd really like to meet up with some of you on Thursday if possible.

Vons is a separate COG only get together......and will likely cost more than $14. It'll probably break up around 8pm as groups of us go to other things.

[Psykoboy2]

So is the Von's meetup the same thing as the Pre-Dinner that costs $14 and requires RSVP? They're both at 5PM and I'm not sure if they're the same thing or what.

I'm flying in at 4:30 PM and probably won't be ready to go anywhere until 6:30 or so. How long does Von's last? Is there some unofficial place you might go afterward? I'd really like to meet up with some of you on Thursday if possible.

Von's is totally unofficial and just a tradition the lot of us here have done since the very first PAX we attended (2007). We probably won't leave there till about 8 or so, giving you plenty of time to get there.

After, some of us are going pub crawling while others are going to the Blue Skittle party.

[Psykoboy2]

Vons is a separate COG only get together.

It isn't actually COG specific. Anyone, and apparently their mother, are welcome to join us. COG member or not.

[Sandman]

It isn't actually COG specific. Anyone, and apparently their mother, are welcome to join us. COG member or not.

True but it's not like we advertise it anywhere else.

[Rogue_hunter]

So is the Von's meetup the same thing as the Pre-Dinner that costs $14 and requires RSVP? They're both at 5PM and I'm not sure if they're the same thing or what.


That $14 is admission only, it's $32 if you wanted food as well. That pre-PAX dinner is also in the PAX Forums section of pre-events, not CoG events. The link leads to the PAX forums thread about it.
There's no thread for Von's because it's mostly a CoG event, so people here know about it. But as Scott said, it's not exclusive to CoG, like all the PAX forums stuff is open to everyone but the majority of the people involved are forumers.

[Uno Ill Nino]

Yeah, I got no history with the PAX forums, and I've been listening to IGC since it was EvAv, so I like to feel like I "know" some of you in an unofficial sort of way. I just want to be wherever the CoG people are going to be. :)

[AniAko]

There are some other non-CoG community events going on as well. If anyone frequents Sarcastic Gamer, they have a get together Friday night. http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/2009/08/sumolounge-presents-the-sarcastic-gamer-pax-family-reunion.html

[Rogue_hunter]

There's also a Wizards of the Coast party Saturday night, but I can't find the link right now.

[Uno Ill Nino]

Does anyone want to go to Gameworks at some point?

[Kielaran]

Does anyone want to go to Gameworks at some point?

Maybe. The trouble is fitting it in. Last year, those of us who didn't go to Blue Skittle went there and had a good time. Just a note though, their bar is really expensive from what I remember.

[Rogue_hunter]

For info on the "official" Wizards of the Coast Magic: The Gathering after-PAX party (which ironically is on Saturday night), you can email zendikarparty@starfish-events.com for information, but not guaranteed entry. This party is 21+ only.

Wizards of the Coast info (http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/events/pax09)
PA Forums thread (http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=98585)

[Uno Ill Nino]

Saturday night, after the Brodeo Reunion panel, there's a 1UP.com meetup at Gameworks. I'll be going to that if anyone wants to join me.