OK, finally getting around to posting details of my proposed gaming meetup!!

EVENT: DivaLion's Super Awesome Gaming Meetup & Cheap Excuse To Meet Local LJ Friends In Person

LOCATION: Game Parlor, Sully Place Shopping Center, 13936 Metrotech Drive, Chantilly, VA

DATE: Sunday, Feb. 22nd, 2009

TIME: 3PM-9PM (store closes at 9, since Random will be there we don't HAVE to leave then, but it would probably be polite)

COST: Totally free!*

This is OPEN HOUSE style, so drop by for as little or long as you wish! If you don't think you'll know anyone, no worries-- it'll be pretty obvious who we are. If it isn't, just ask for DivaLion's group.

THE DEAL: We'll have some of the gaming tables reserved-- how many depends partly on how many people RSVP, but it's unlikely we'll be tight for space on a Sunday.

Come by whenever in that period of time you feel like showing up. Whatever you want to play, you should bring (unless you know someone else who's coming is bringing it). The store sells board, card, war, and roleplaying games but does not provide materials for the gaming tables.

I'd discourage any game that takes a really long time or is really intense, so people have the chance to mingle and play a bunch of things.

I plan to save some table space for people who just want to hang out; again, there'll probably be plenty of room. I'm really hoping that everyone gets to meet some new folks, so please, ask me to introduce you around if you're shy. I'll probably be doing more hanging out and hostessing than gaming, which is totally cool with me. I'll try to figure out something to wear or something that will make me distinctive in case you've never met me in person.

Coming just to hang out rather than game is OK, but I'd rather this be the "my non-gaming spouse wants to come with me" option rather than the default. There are options for non-gamers who want to wander a bit, including the best used-book store I know in this area.

This is a KID-FRIENDLY event, but if you bring your kids you MUST keep an eye on them and can't expect others to entertain them. If it seems like there'll be a few kids, I'll see if anyone is willing to run a kid's table of games, but no promises.

There are networked computers with several games on them that are available for hourly rent ($5/hour, bulk discounts available), so City of Heroes, WoW, and LoTRO LAN parties are an option as well as some non-internet but multiplayer-option games.

FOOD: You can bring food into the store to have at the tables, so feel free to bring your own dinner or order in. You CANNOT bring in food from the Chinese place next door (due to owners' feud.) I can recommend many different good food options (including alternate Chinese) both in the shopping center and within a short drive, and many of them deliver. There's a good coffee place a couple of doors down (though it'll close around 6 or so). Game Parlor sells soft drinks, water, and both salty and sweet snacks fairly cheap. I will probably bring a few healthy munchies to share.

TRANSPORTATION: You have to drive to get there. However, the Vienna Metro is a short drive away. If you can only make it if you get a Metro pickup, or you want to carpool with someone, please comment to that effect here. I'm sure we can work stuff out.

STORE RULES AND STAFF PET PEEVES: You must purchase product before bringing it back to the gaming tables. Try to refrain from cursing (store tries to maintain family-friendliness). What the staff says, goes. The staff HATES when parents expect the staff to babysit their children. They also HATE when people are piggy and cannot clean up after themselves. But the staff is really cool and friendly and enjoys having people there. Random will not actually be working but will be available to be a staff liaison. Or to provide a staff liaison. 'Cause he got a purty mouth and all. ;-)

Everyone on staff there, up to and including the owners, knows me and currently likes me. Please do not give them reason to feel otherwise!

THE OSCARS: This date happens to be Oscar night. Honestly, last year I didn't end up watching them and surprisingly didn't miss it much. However, my plan at the moment is to set the DVR to record it and start watching when we get home. It is possible we could be open to having a few folks join us. If you'd like to do that, chat with me about it here or offline. If seeing the Oscars from the start is important to you but you still want to come to this, plan accordingly!

FRIENDS: Feel free to bring a friend. Or two. Or, you know, a bunch. More the merrier!

INSTIGATORS: I would really love to have a few folks willing to be instigators, to help get games started, teach a new game, and/or draw in people who are curious but shy about jumping in.

IF YOU WANT TO COME TO THIS, PLEASE RSVP IN THE COMMENTS JUST SO I HAVE A ROUGH HEADCOUNT. If you feel inclined, note any games you either are bringing or really, really want to play; also if you need to make any transport arrangements; also if you are bringing kids.

*Yes, this is totally free. Game Parlor is incredibly generous in making so much gaming space available free of charge. Therefore, and especially because they (like all retail businesses) are hurting in this economy, I really encourage everyone to give back to the store a little if you can. Best ways to do this:

--Buy your beverages and/or snacks there
--Rent computer time if you're interested in LAN partying
--If there's any game-related stuff you've been meaning to get, buy it there. Besides actual games, they also sell minis and paint supplies; dice and other game-related supplies; magazines and comic books; sci-fi, fantasy, and horror novels; puzzles, kids' games, decks of cards, all kinds of stuff.
--There's a Carpet Fund to help pay for the recent expense of replacing a big section of water-damaged carpet. Tossing a couple of bucks in the kitty would be a help.

Hope to see you there!