[Toronto] pre-NASL BBQ

After posting in the NASL event thread and getting some feedback, it looks like there's enough interest for a gathering of our fellow liquipedians before the NASL in Toronto.

edit: Please register on the facebook event page if possible. This will give me a good idea of how many people are coming and how much meat/drinks I need to buy. Thanks a lot guys
Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/events/425795977465348/?context=create

What: I will be hosting a BBQ at my house for those of us in the city to gather and chill, eat, drink and enjoy some pre-NASL shenanigans.

When: Friday, July 13. As of now, I have set the start time for 3pm. If this doesn't work for everybody/needs changing, post in the thread/event page on facebook and I will make changes

Where: 331 Betty Ann Drive, Toronto, Ontario. I live near the Bathurst/Sheppard area, and my house is about a 20 minute walk from the North York Centre subway station. If you choose to take the bus up Bathurst, there's a bus stop about 2 minutes from my house at the Bathurst/Ellerslie intersection.

According to the GTAA airport limo service website, they charge a flat rate of $50.00 to my neighbourhood. I have no idea if they're more expensive than the average taxi-cab (or if they even are an average taxi service altogether), but I'd imagine if you're planning to cab here that you anticipate spending anywhere up to that amount

Directions: You can google map out some driving directions, but here are a few different and detailed TTC directions for those of you coming here from the airport (and they'll be pretty applicable to people TTCing from anywhere south of my house)
+ Show Spoiler +

TTC Subway Map: http://www3.ttc.ca/Subway/interactivemap.jsp

1. Take the TTC's 192 Airport Rocket bus to Kipling Subway Station. From there you can either:
- Ride the Bloor line (green) to Bathurst subway station. Get on the 7 Bathurst North bus. Take north to Ellerslie Avenue stop(3 lights north of Sheppard Ave). Walk up the path from the park to Betty Ann Drive (this will apply to anyone coming up Bathurst) This bus trip will take anywhere from 30-50 minutes depending on traffic.
- Ride the Bloor line (green) to Bloor-Yonge subway station. Go north on the Yonge line subway (second yellow line you'll intersect) to North York Centre subway station. Walk west (away from Yonge Street) down Park Home Avenue until the street ends. One block north is Betty Ann Drive, continue west on Betty Ann 'til house 331.
- Ride the Bloor line (green) to Spadina subway station. Get on the University Line (first yellow line you'll hit) to Downsview subway station. Get on the 84 Sheppard Avenue bus (heading eastbound) to Bathurst Street. From here you can either walk ten minutes north to Ellerslie or take the Bathurst bus a few stops.

2. Take the GO transit bus to either Yorkdale Mall or York Mills subway station.
- Yorkdale is on the University subway line. If you take this route, go north on the subway to Downsview station. Get on the 84 Sheppard Avenue bus (heading eastbound) to Bathurst Street. From here you can either walk ten minutes north to Ellerslie or take the Bathurst bus a few stops.

- York Mills station is on the Yonge subway line. If you take this route, go north on the subway to North York Centre subway station. Walk west (away from Yonge Street) down Park Home Avenue until the street ends. One block north is Betty Ann Drive, continue west on Betty Ann 'til house 331.

For those going to North York Centre:
It's about a 5 dollar cab ride from North York Centre to my house. If you're going to be one of the first few TL'ers here we can arrange for me to pick you up from the subway station, but once people start arriving I'd prefer not to leave the house to get you.

note FOR THOSE OF YOU NEW TO TORONTO/THE TTC, YOU WILL NEED TO GET A TRANSFER AT THE DOWNSVIEW SUBWAY STATION TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE BUSES WITHOUT PAYING FARE AGAIN. This is not the case if you take the Bathurst bus north from Bathurst Station.

For those of you taking the subway, there's an exceptionally convenient LCBO inside Empress Walk, which is located at the North York Centre subway stop.

Notes:
- I will be buying burgers, hot dogs, pop and some beer. I emphasize some so that if any of you feel inclined to get particularly loaded on Friday, I'd truly appreciate you bringing some of your own booze so that there's enough beer for everyone haha.
- If anyone has allergies to anything, would like veggie burgers, or has any other specific accommodations they'd like made, please let me know ahead of time so I can see to it that they're addressed for you.
- I have a fairly large, yet overly friendly dog. If anyone has a problem with dogs you should be aware + Show Spoiler +
- I have wireless internet access at my house if anyone wants to bring computers to game, and there are several cyber cafes within a 15-20 minute walking distance if we feel like filling one up with drunken Starcraft fans.

I do not expect anyone to bring money or pay for this event, however if you're able to bring some munchies/pop/whatever it'd be much appreciated! (Or if you're feeling especially generous, even 5 dollars to offset some of the food and alcohol costs would be, as always, much appreciated)

I will update the OP with more information closer to the date (such as the actual time lol).
Feel free to PM with any questions.

Looking forward to meeting you all and having a blast (while in the meantime, if at all possible, keeping my house in one piece)!

Alex aka 'Durp'
@ledurp

Post BBQ Update:
Hey TL. A special thanks to everybody who showed up. It was an absolute blast hosting you all, and I had a truly amazing time. I really enjoyed getting to meet each and every one of you (yes, even CombatEX) and I'm exceptionally happy that this event was able to go through without a hitch.

Drinks and chills were a plenty, there were some epic Simpsons Chess games, some absolutely ridiculous discussions (14 year old's knowledge of STDs, prostitutes and Atlantis Spacebear) and no shortage of awesome video game conversations! (Seriously, the towns in original Pokemon are all named after colours?!? My mind is still blown). And, of course, some great NASL predictions (my Puma 3peat prediction didn't turn out as I planned).

I really, truly appreciate the generous contributions from everyone to help me offset the costs (you guys all pitched in well over one hundred dollars, thank you soooo much!) and to everyone who brought some booze, chips, or what have you- it's all gone to good use (though I'm still working on finishing off all the extra beer).

I hope you all enjoyed yourselves (I surely did!) and I'm looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow at the event and during the after party.

+ Show Spoiler +

Last edit: 2012-07-15 13:04:07

SOOOOOooooOOOOooooOOOOoo Many BANELINGS!!

Gulpttub Denmark. July 03 2012 06:24. Posts 16

Profile #

Not going, but, must say that you are an amazing person to throw this kind of party without wanting anything in return. Hope you have a great party that supports the spirit of SC2 and your generous offer to the community!

Respect from Denmark!

ChoiSulli Canada. July 03 2012 06:43. Posts 156

Profile Blog #

OH MY GAH! This is an amazing idea. Im so in!!

If there is one thing I love doing its bringing booze to a party. Thx for the LCBO heads up ^^

Hoping for a sunny day. Also how many people do you think can hang out in your backyard?

"MC should pay Flash a monthly royalty fee, Flash was so kind to let MC make a living for 2 years in SC2" - Day9

JamesArk Canada. July 03 2012 06:57. Posts 34

Profile #

Ahh if I lived in Toronto I'd be down, sadly I do not

best of luck

ayaz2810 United States. July 03 2012 08:10. Posts 725

Profile #

I, unfortunately, do not live in Canada.

You are an amazing person for offering to do this for your fellow SC2 fans. Huge props. I've said it in previous threads, but the generosity of TL.net members never ceases to amaze me.

Durp Canada. July 03 2012 08:19. Posts 2845

Profile Blog #

On July 03 2012 06:43 ChoiSulli wrote:
OH MY GAH! This is an amazing idea. Im so in!!

If there is one thing I love doing its bringing booze to a party. Thx for the LCBO heads up ^^

Hoping for a sunny day. Also how many people do you think can hang out in your backyard?

I can hold a pretty decent amount comfortably. Our deck can seat about 10 or 12 comfortably, plus there's a lower landing which can easily hold another dozen or so. Then, if it comes to it, there's enough space for folding tables in the backyard for yet another dozen. Conservatively I'd say I could have 30 or so people there comfortably.

On July 03 2012 06:24 Gulpttub wrote:
Not going, but, must say that you are an amazing person to throw this kind of party without wanting anything in return. Hope you have a great party that supports the spirit of SC2 and your generous offer to the community!

Respect from Denmark!

On July 03 2012 08:10 ayaz2810 wrote:
I, unfortunately, do not live in Canada.

You are an amazing person for offering to do this for your fellow SC2 fans. Huge props. I've said it in previous threads, but the generosity of TL.net members never ceases to amaze me.

Thank you so much for the kind words. I've always felt that this community is full of awesome people I'd like to get to know in real life, and I hope that more and more people start opening themselves up to interacting with others. It's absolutely my pleasure to host fellow starcraft 2 fans.

Last edit: 2012-07-03 08:21:04

SOOOOOooooOOOOooooOOOOoo Many BANELINGS!!

Pazuzu United States. July 03 2012 08:28. Posts 272

Profile #

the fact that people are beginning to do things like this is incredible. i won't be able to go but im so impressed. Good job OP and thank you for everyone!

"It is because intuition is sometimes right, that we don't know what to do with it"

Swilvan July 03 2012 08:38. Posts 110

Profile #

dang, if I wouldn't be half way across the world I'd marinade some chicken satay and come over to chill!

Build more stuff - QXC on low lvl terrans (such as myself) improving

GeedrAhsc United States. July 03 2012 09:15. Posts 93

Profile #

Wow, this is a really, really good idea and awesome thing to do. Alas, I don't live in the area, but that's fantastic to hear this stuff happens.

Galleon.frigate Canada. July 04 2012 02:10. Posts 710

Profile Blog #

Just pull the trigger and make it happen, if you have a group way of heading to the event even better, I'm not really in the area so prob won't make it, but I'm sure a few people will stop by

edit typo

Last edit: 2012-07-04 02:11:24

Durp Canada. July 04 2012 02:17. Posts 2845

Profile Blog #

On July 04 2012 02:10 Galleon.frigate wrote:
Just pull the trigger and make it happen, if you have a group way of heading to the event even better, I'm not really in the area so prob won't make it, but I'm sure a few people will stop by

edit typo

We've already got about ten people that are planning to come, the issue isn't whether or not to do it, but rather a time to start it that works for the group.

Hopefully you find a way to make it down

SOOOOOooooOOOOooooOOOOoo Many BANELINGS!!

Necro)Phagist( Canada. July 04 2012 02:19. Posts 4929

Profile Blog #

Damn I'm going to NASL with friends but we won't be heading up itll Saturday morning

Would have been awesome to come to this!

Edit: Are there games being played friday night? I haven't seen any schedule from NASL and there page says its for the 14th-15th which would be saturday and sunday??? If the games are friday I'll probably be in. Not sure if my friends can get that day off work now.. but if they can, you will have 3 more people

Last edit: 2012-07-04 02:22:21

"Are you talking to me? Because your authority is not recognized in fort kick ass!"" ||Park Jung Suk|| |MC|HerO|HyuN|

Durp Canada. July 04 2012 02:25. Posts 2845

Profile Blog #

On July 04 2012 02:19 Necro)Phagist( wrote:
Damn I'm going to NASL with friends but we won't be heading up itll Saturday morning

From my understanding they do not start until saturday

Hopefully you guys can get the friday off, would love to have you three down!

Last edit: 2012-07-04 02:25:18

SOOOOOooooOOOOooooOOOOoo Many BANELINGS!!

tMorris Canada. July 04 2012 02:40. Posts 9

Profile #

Is the time totally fluid? Or were you thinking mid day type thing?

I'm free after 5 and would be 100% be down to come after that

Irave United States. July 04 2012 02:47. Posts 7910

Profile #

Sounds like a good ol time! Enjoy yourselves, your dog looks awesome

Durp Canada. July 04 2012 02:49. Posts 2845

Profile Blog #

On July 04 2012 02:40 tMorris wrote:
Is the time totally fluid? Or were you thinking mid day type thing?

I'm free after 5 and would be 100% be down to come after that

As of now it really could be whenever. I have absolutely no start or finish time in mind, so definitely you should make it out!

SOOOOOooooOOOOooooOOOOoo Many BANELINGS!!

dde Canada. July 04 2012 02:55. Posts 695

Profile #

I wonder how far it is from the actual convention centre.

Last edit: 2012-07-04 03:12:21

yes

ROOTT1 Canada. July 04 2012 03:38. Posts 5630

Profile Blog #

i would have showed u my marinating skillz if i had the time..

ab = tl(i) + tl(pc), the grand answer to every tl.net debate - Remember KT.Violet 23/08/12 - ROOTMajor: "U put the tone and i add the symphony."

PhothreeniX Canada. July 04 2012 03:58. Posts 158