The next Austin meet? (1 Viewer)

[Hank Frankenberg]

What's going on with the meet? Does everyone expect another guy to step in and make an agenda?

As I stated, I'm offering to be the last stop on the "meet" schedule. Show up at 5:00 or before, stay until 7:00. What's the vote - mini HT tour? Cancel the meet? Let's vote ASAP.
I vote cancel until the three HT's that are missing this Saturday will become available.

 

[Scott Oliver]

Hank, whatever happens I hope you still have a gathering at your place, some grilled fajitas and fixings sounds wonderful, plus I would love to play some poker as it has been awile.

As for the meet, since the interest seems to be minimal, I would have to vote cancel for this weekend.

With this meet failing and the last one in November only drawing 8 folks, I think we should re-examine the way we are doing these things, especially after we had the three page discussion about needing to do less poker, more meets and movie nights. What I am thinking is that perhaps we need some structure to our group, especially when it comes to trying to put together a larger scaled HT meet.

I think we need people in place who are in charge of promotion, planning, and budgeting (if needed) for these meets. This group would act as a subcommittee with everyone else acting as the voting board. So the group would need some determined level of approval for their ideas, ideas would also be welcomed from everyone not just them. Once ideas are developed and approved the group would draft an agenda. Get this draft approved, then go out and start promoting the event via emails and various forum postings (calls to local dealers if appropriate, so that they can spread the word as well). Along with the promotion they would facilitate communication via HTF postings as well as emails, so that we would keep those who do not check this forum often in the loop. This group would also be the driving force behind securing any special arrangements, like as a wild idea if we wanted to try and bring in a manufacturer's rep to demonstrate some product. Well this groupd would be in charge of either making the sales call and all arrangements themselves, or recruiting someone else who might have an insider's connection for example to do this instead.

Lastly our HTF group could benefit from a database being created to hold everyone's names, phone numbers, and emails. We could also have a sign-in sheet at each meet so that we can continue to make sure we reach every possible HT enthusiast in town. I believe this alone could be a major step forward for us.

Personally, I think we as an overall group would benefit as a whole from this bit of structure added to the group. The meet for this weekend's apparent failure is pretty obvious a result of a lack in leadership, communication, and promotion. I am not laying blame at all, for there is no one in charge of anything, so blame cannot be laid at anyone's feet except the group as a whole.

What do you all think?

 

[Steve Stogel]

Everyone in favor of Tubes as the HTF MOP (Meet Organizing President?) say aye.

"Aye."

As far as the leadership part goes, that has never been a problem in the past (I'd say it was this time but someone **coughcough**Nils**coughcough** just had a beautiful baby girl and could not do his -- or her, since I didn't name Nils...I mean names -- usual bang-up job in culling down the ideas and firming up the agenda).

I'd have to vote "postpone" on the meet for this weekend (even though I plan on being at Hank's, at a minimum, and at the meet & Hank's should the meet not get voted down) because it looks like the main HTs that piqued the interest behind the ideas for this meet are not quite prime-time ready.

When it comes to getting the meet attendance numbers up, I'm really at a loss, but I think Tubes' idea is a good one if it can be implemented (did I mention I voted "aye" for Tubes for HTF MOP?).

Well, regardless, I hope to see some of you guys this Saturday. Hank, I'll need directions to your house if you wouldn't mind shooting me an email or PM. Also, too, what can Toddles and I bring? An updated poker count would be nice, too, because my father-in-law would probably like to come if there's an open seat left. Thanks.

Steve

 

[John Prator]

Scott & Jonathan,
Thanks for your input on TT's. I'm new to this "new & improved" TT game. Sounds like I would probably be just fine if bought a decent TT with a good tonearm and a really good cartridge. Sound about right? I wouldn't mind buying a used table off of audiogon but I wouldn't know whether it was in good working order or not when I first got it so I must use caution there. I'm sort of a DIY guy but not much better than Tim the Tool Man Taylor(my wife thinks it's funny, I do bleed alot!! ), if I talked one or two of you guys into coming over(beer, food, music) and setting up my TT, would I have a hard time keeping my table up and running? Once set up are they pretty much easy to take care of after that? Is the learning curve really steep on them?

 

[John Prator]

I think some organazation may really help out. I am excited to finally be back in Austin and what a great group of HT/Audio people you all have here. You have no idea how lucky you guys are to have a group such as yours, most people in most other cities would kill for this comradirie! I know in Tulsa I was pretty much on my own, most HT'ers there were lurking in the shadows, VERY BORING. So if it takes some Cookouts, Beer, Poker, Girls im bikini's , Movies and Music, etc, to get you guys together then so be it. I'm a pretty good cook, lots of Cajun food, seafood, shrimp and crawdads, and I can cook some seriously mean fajiatas(but I can't spell it!). I haven't been able to get to any meets or get-together's because my Wife and I have been spending every minute of our time off trying to get our HT going but I would love to meet some of you guys. How many people live in South Austin? I live right near Slaughter & Manchaca. Anyone close by?

 

[Hank Frankenberg]

Tubes: Structure?? Planning?? In Charge?? Leadership??
Put the TP Report covers DOWN and STEP BACK!!
OMG, please, NOT the Austin loosey-goosey HT group! NOT organized! No leaders, committees, votes, STRUCTURE!
I'm past my eyeballs in $$ responsibility at work - they're trying to drive me insane. I'm on the board of the Austin Symphonic Band and manage to practice my horn a little. If I get any more organizational structure in my life, I will go over the edge! Do you hear me? Over the edge!
I'm here for stress-relieving fun, not additional responsibility-induced stress.

Serioulsy, I think this meet fell apart mainly because of the unavailability of Chad's highly-touted high-level dedicated HT as well as the unfinished HT. Colin hasn't been prodding us, but I don't think we should have to have that to motivate us. I do vote for more meets and movie nights rather than poker, but if I'm in the minority, I will freely admit so. The greatest attendance and enthusiasm that I've noticed were the meets that were more active than passive: Scott H and Jonathan's acoustic measurement/seminar coupled with my wood finishing demo; building acoustic treatments in my garage under Jonathan's mentoring; the pre/pro comparison at Frederick's. I really believe that more of those meets would draw the most participants.
Let the debate begin!
Tubes, BTW, what I wrote above was partially in jest, but with a thread of sincerity. Go ahead and organize away

Updated poker count:
Bogey
Wild Man
Tubes
Colton
Steve
Toodles
Gomez
I'm not counting on Nils (Kaboom!) because of the his new baby, so there's room for one more. Jonathan? Scott H?
Steve: I'll send you an e-mail.
BTW, What is the Meet status? Is anyone coming over at 5:00 for drinkin', HT-talkin' and grillin'? If so, I need a count ASAP. Doc and Igor: how 'bout a room acoustics seminar?

 

[Jonathan DA]

I'd love to do a more in depth acoustics seminar, but I have no bandwidth available right now to prepare it. Igor is under strict orders to stop me from taking on any more projects for the time being.

As for the organization, I'm split on that. I like the communal relaxed atmosphere of our ragtag gang, so I think I gotta go with Hank on this one, I get enough process and order at work. Maybe we could compromise and whenever a meet is around the corner we choose a Meet Leader for that event only. We could all chip in a couple of bucks and buy him or her a DVD or two as a thanks for letting the rest of us being lazy.

Hank, I plan on coming over at 5:00 to hang out and eat (what can I bring?). If there's a spot left at the table I'll stay for poker, but if someone else is just Jonesing, then I'll let them take my chair.

John, I think your turntable thoughts are sound, and I'd be happy to help set up your table, but Scott is the one with all the alignment tools.

 

[Greg Risley]

I also would like to swing by Sat. If there is an open spot I 'll take it. I don't shut down the shop till 6pm so I should be there around 7.


Greg

 

[Colin Dunn]

Hank -

I will be there at 5 for eating/drinking/HT stuff. Hopefully later in the year I'll have time to plan a meet. Right now my butt is getting kicked ... way too much stuff to do.

Do I need to bring anything? Food, snacks, beer, etc.?

 

[Hank Frankenberg]

Doc: come on over, you're officially the eighth for the 7:00 game. BTW, I was only suggesting another Acoustics 101, not a full-blown measurement session.

Greg: glad to have you when you get here. I usually lose my money fairly early and rarely re-buy, so there will most likely be a spot for you.

For the 5:00 crowd, as I stated, I'll provide the meat, so here are suggestions:
Guacamole: Tubes has spoken up to provide that.
Salsa: my daughter will make a batch of her vampire-repelling salsa (no open flames around it, please)
Pinto beans or refried beans
Good corn chips (lots)
Cheese
Big, segmented paper plates
Heavy-weight plastic forks and knives
Tortillas
Beer (need I have mentioned it??)
Sodas
Mixed Nuts (you know me)
Couple of Large trash bags
Good, funny jokes (engineers, ignore this one)

 

[Jonathan DA]

I'll cover the plates and plastic-ware. I think I may have some bad jokes around here too.

 

[Steve Stogel]

I'll snag some tortillas (HEB by my house makes pretty good ones) and Diet Coke. You think three dozen or four dozen tortillas?

Steve

 

[Gomez]

May not be able to make this one after all, just remembered Mothers Day is on Sun so I may have the parental unit in town or we may be going out of town.

 

[Hank Frankenberg]

Details, details, don't ask me details. As I keep telling them at work, I'm a concept man, not a detail man.

 

[Steve Stogel]

Okay, detail boy. How about this question: You expecting 10, 20, or 30 people around 5:00? I'll try to extrapolate the tortilla formula from that nugget of info, if you can give me an estimate

Steve

 

[Hank Frankenberg]

Steve: Nice try at asking the same question disguised. This boy didn't just fall off the breakfast taco wagon though. The detail needed is right here on these forum postings. No one has sent me any private e-mails saying they will be at the 5:00 gathering, so we should continue to rely on people to post here that they will arrive at 5:00. As I look back over the posts, I see:
Bogey
Wild Man
Tubes
Steve
Colin
Doc Trouble

If I missed anyone, just add 'em.



Eatin', drinkin' and HT-talkin'

 

[Colin Dunn]

I'll bring some Fat Tire and maybe another beer selection. If I find some other intriguing Atkins-friendly snacks, I may bring those as well...

Edit: By "Atkins" I mean the Atkins diet, not JonathanDA's last name...

 

[Jonathan DA]

Colin, if you're doing low carb, Michelob Ultra is pretty decent, or of course you can go no carb and drink whisky, tequila, gin, and vodka. Use diet tonic water or diet soda of course. If you like pork rinds (none for me, thanks) Central Market has flavored ones that kind of taste like the cinnamon twists at Taco Bell. And don't forget CHEESE, the ultimate Atkins friendly snack!

 

[Chad Anson]

Mmmmmh, cheese!

You kids have a good time. Hopefully, things will be a little less hectic in June for me and I'll be able to resume my regular donations to y'alls poker habit.

 

[John Prator]

Wish I could stop by and meet some of you guys. Hank, what area of town do you live in? I live near Slaughter & Manchaca. Reason I ask is I am wondering if it's close enough for me to just swing by to say hello.
John