So, this is chaotic of me, but I’m going to be in Providence, RI — and though I have never been there, I thought, hmmm, surely there are some A+ members there who might want to meet up?
Long story short, my girlfriend has band practice (for a goth band) in Massachusetts so we have to drive all the way over there and then we thought we’d swing by Providence on the way back, stay a couple nights, poke around.
Nico, why not host a meetup in Pittsburgh where you actually live, you might ask? And the answer is: I am absolutely planning to! We’ll probably do something during the 13 Days of A+ but that is the future, and Providence is now. Consider this a test drive.
So, do you live in or near Providence? Should we plan a meetup? I am thinking it needs to be:
a) outside (because I am NOT intent on hosting a super spreader event okay?) so maybe in a park or maybe we can all go for a walk or just sit outside with coffee or play board games on outdoor tables or something
b) somewhere in or near to downtown where I am staying so I personally do not get lost as I am famous for getting lost
c) near accessible public transit stops
d) physically accessible (so not like in a part of a park that is up a bunch of stairs and relatively close to the public transit stops)
e) this should happen before dark / sunset
I also think we should all be masked! And while I love dogs, how do you all feel about inviting dogs? Where should we have this? Should we have this? What if no one actually lives in Providence? What if no one wants to come? What hour of the day on Monday should we have this? What are we going to do?
Let us discuss in the comments and then I’ll be sure to let everyone know what is actually decided in the A+ e-news!
By the way, did you know there is an A+ discord coming up?
👀
Like wow! Yes please, -dst->est time change – can deal. Post sunset and cooling temps are fine on an otherwise amazingly warm for season day.
This said, hard for me to make, I’ll have been out of town for weekend, amidst a work crunch, and pvd is an hour trip for me.
YES PLS
Lisa!! Would you come? Do you have suggestions?
obsessed with this off the cuff planning actually? i’m about five hours from providence so out of the cards for me but hey! keep asking!
hahaha thank you!
As a fellow chaotic, also obsessed!! But literally on the opposite end of the country so sending hugs from here.
I do live in PVD. I’m a new member and have never participated in anything else.
Assorted thoughts on Monday:
Before sunset will likely be tough for people with daylight savings time changing over the weekend. I believe sunset next week will be around 4:30.
If you are into board games, there is a queer meetup on Wednesdays: https://www.facebook.com/groups/384657613686544
India Point Park is a big and has parking. It’s near Narragansett Brewery if you want to move there.
The Pedestrian Bridge is nice and next to a vegan restaurant (Plant City). People can grab takeout and chill on the bridge and nearby park. I believe also on one side of the park they do a biergarten. Unsure if it is too late in the season for that. I personally don’t drink so I don’t pay attention to these things anymore.
I see your about me includes “witchy stuff”. Hocus Pocus 2 filmed throughout RI. You can go hang out at Dexter Park nearby one of the filming locations, the Cranston Street Armory. You can go to THE Walgreens on Atwells Ave at some point on your trip too. Lol.
Not related to your time frame but a cool local non-profit that has stuff to do: https://www.hausofcodec.org/
These are all cool suggestions! Thank you! Curious as to what people think of the pedestrian bridge idea. Also whoops about the daylight savings thing. At least the weather is supposed to be nice.
ALSO just noting that I checked the weather and it looks like high 60s low 70s on Monday so should be okay for hanging out of doors?
ALSO noting that obvs we should do after work hours :) I really failed at remembering daylight savings.¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
I might come depending on timing! I would be excited but I’m also about an hour away.
I hope goth band practice goes well! Should we go see the goth band somewhere?
they are only practicing not performing, so off the table for now! but hopefully sadie can also make the meetup should we have one. what does good timing look like for you?
omg nico please rest!!
i handle this kind of thing by saying ‘i will be in this park with my blanket and my book and snacks from this time to this time. come if you please!’ and then if no one comes, i have a lovely time in the park.
haha yes for sure!
Aw man. I’m in MA and only 45 minutes from Providence (more with the post-work commute), but I’ve got a Monday night class.
If you’ve got a car and are looking for places to eat on the way to or from, maybe you can check out this restaurant I’ve been dying to try: Sly Fox Den Too near Newport, RI. But call first to check if they’re open!
I love this but it depends on work/weather/I’m about 45 minutes away in MA.
Where is everyone who is 45 minutes away? *looking at a map*
I’m in central Mass. Not speaking for anyone else!
Boston
I live about 45 minutes away and I’m definitely interested!
Cool! Do you feel like 6 or 6:30pm somewhere is a reasonable time to get into the city?
Yes – very reasonable. I’m a teacher, so I probably wouldn’t stay out too late but it would be so great to meet you and other Autostraddlers (is that a word?) in person!
Yes please! I am in Providence and would love to meet others nearby-ish!
Where are the Rhodey Straddlers at? (Idk, is that a thing? I’m just excited at this idea!!)
Love that idea of downtown-adjacemt, like the bridge/park area.
*adjacent
i am nowhere near RI but i deeply love this chaotic energy
Yes! Moniker Brewery might be a good place to meet up; it’s in federal hill and a lot of queers meet there each week anyway. I’m so excited!
They also have outdoor seating with heaters.
This would be a great spot!
Okay okay so what I’m seeing are kind of 2 options that look pretty good:
1. Pedestrian Bridge? Which is apparently a bridge with seats. BYO whatever! We meet there at like 6pm and look out at the water and chit chat. 100% free to attend though. Outdoors.
2. Moniker Brewery – a brewery, so no that would mean we’re not having the event in a sober setting, so I would really want to make sure that no one feels excluded by this because then that’s a no-go, though they do have non-alc options. Also purchases will be expected. Outdoors with heaters. I’ll probably need to call ahead depending on how many we have?
ALSO when the discord opens today, I’ll make a little channel where we can discuss this! But also feel free to thread comments with your thoughts <3