Mostly lurker, occasional commenter, Big R will be in Boston over Labor Day weekend for the American Political Science Association Annual Meeting – doing business as the largest cattle call of polisci geeks in the known universe (trust me, it’s a cattle call!!!) – and would like to meet up with the Balloon Juice greater Boston area cadre. Here’s the details he sent along:
My schedule is fairly light; I have a teaching mini-conference on 8/29, I present on 9/2, and I have a few interviews lined up here and there. If BJ readers wanted to get together for a meal and/or a drink, I would be delighted to join them. If nobody wants to meet my lurker tuchos, then my feelings won’t be hurt.
Anyone from the greater Boston area cadre interested, please sound off in the comments. And I’m sure Big R would be greatly appreciative of recommendations about where to hold the meet up. I personally stopped going to APSA years ago for personal reasons, but the last time they held it in Boston and I was in attendance (early 00s), they held the meeting at the convention center and all the conference hotels were in close proximity. So unless Big R says otherwise in the comments, that’s where he’ll be most of the time.
Open thread!
Baud
I hope the So your president is a felon panel will be on C-SPAN.
Wyatt Derp
May be able to make it depending on where and when. Let me know details. Is the meeting still at the convention center?
E Schneider
I might be able to make it, depending on the final date/time…
Steeplejack
@Wyatt Derp:
Through the awesome power of the Google:
raven
I could have made it at Logan at 4:30 am two Sundays ago!
Anne Laurie
Looks like I’ll be out of town that weekend, unfortunately. It’s been more than a decade since I commuted to that area, but the Hynes Center is near Berklee Music and just off Newbury Street — there will be a *ton* of eating / drinking places within easy reach, for price points from ‘impoverished music student’ to ‘high-end global shopping tourist’.
Aleta
I bet this year will be pretty energetic and being Boston the poli sci activists will be in fighting shape. Go Boston. Keep organizing against immigrant detention, separation and abuse and keep expanding your influence.
FlyingToaster
@raven: Dude, we’re not looking to be put through TSA hell… Logan at 4:30 am is
NOT the happy camper shift.
Back Bay, where the Hynes is located, has nearly half of the decent eateries in town; someone should re-post on Monday afternoon so that the folks who work down in town (rather than in Cambridge or 128) can put in recommendations. All the places I used to hang out in the 90s are gone.
lahke
I’m pretty free most of the weekend (but with a preference to avoid Sunday), and no trouble coming into Boston for it. I’ve never been to Eataly and hear great things, and it sounds as it there’s a range of prices for folks on a budget. The Salty Pig (on Dartmouth) is really good but pricey. And of course there’s the Summer Shack, to celebrate the end of summer.
Now I’m hungry.
MoxieM
So, is the Pour House still there? I very much doubt it, but that would have been fun. Dunno if I can do the 2+ hour drive each way, although I would really like to. Fuckin’ A!
lahke
@MoxieM: Pour House is still listed, and seems very affordable. Not the healthiest menu……
Citizen_X
Put me down for a maybe.
Mnemosyne
If I may give some meetup advice: you’re usually best off picking a day and time first, and then deciding where to go.
Ceci7
Has anyone had a chance to check out The Bebop (Boylston St.)? It’s run by the folks who own the Burren in Davis Square (Somerville).
lahke
@Mnemosyne: So sounds as if we’re talking Friday night the 31st, Saturday, or Monday? How do folks feel about Saturday evening?
Tenar Arha
Hello! Sure, depending on other commitments, sounds good.
For cheaper & more vegetarian options, I’d recommend Trident Bookstore Café, but full disclosure they recently re-opened after a kitchen (?) fire, so their menu & inventory might be limited. (If I’m around there this week I’ll let you know)
I also often grab soup & salad & a glass of wine at Paparazzi’s bar, especially in fall & winter (their pasta fagioli is a complete meal) but their entrees are more pricey. (?♀️ Over why can’t I remember the more reasonably priced Greek place nearby on Newbury Street’s name?)
Regnad Kcin
wait, are we sure its Hynes and not Seaport?
good options in either loc, but they’re not easy walking distance from one another.
GregB
I might be able to make the trip down from NH.
RedDirtGirl
@Wyatt Derp: LOVE YOUR NYM!!!!!!!
That Guy
If my wife’s work schedule works out, i’d love to come.
Wanderer
Saturday evening is good. We would be 2 mostly lurkers but would enjoy talking polysci. Looking forward to hearing final date/time and place. Don’t know Boston well so will be happy to hear final choice.
Big R
Sorry I didn’t participate in the thread, I’ve been turning into a pumpkin very early this week. Saturday evening works. Let’s plan for a 7:30 meet. Who’s going to bring the green balloons to mark the BJ table?
As far as location, I’ll plan for Hynes, and then we’ll narrow it down a bit over the next week.
eric
I am travelling tons, but hope to be in town (and not on dad duty). will figure out for sure when date and time are solidified.
Rugosa
I’m a frequent lurker, an occasional commenter, and generally a hermit but I might come out. Anywhere the T goes, I can go. I’m above impoverished-student level but not anywhere near global-shopping-tourist.
Feathers
@lahke: Ah, the Pour House. Lived in the neighborhood some 20-odd years ago. Whenever a friend would tell me a horrendous boyfriend tale, I’d ask where they met and the answer was invariably “The Pour House.” The food is cheap and not intended to be eaten sober.
I’ll join in when ever and where ever, I am staying in town (Arlington) for the weekend. Big day Tuesday welcoming the new students!
Wyatt Derp
The Pour house sounds good to me. Is this on?