New York City Trip - Update (Blog)

[Savage]

Use this thread to discuss the following entry from Steve Pavlina's blog:

New York City Trip - Update

[jfno]

I'm not a New Yorker, so probably some other people will have much better spot to suggest in Central Park. Anyway, I think strawberry fields is a pretty good place at least to gather everyone. It is on the west side of the park at 72nd street, there is a sub station at 72nd and Central Park West. Also it is a very precise place so it is a convenient meeting spot.

[openeyes]

"And of course you won’t want to miss the airing of grievances and the feats of strength."

Yay for Festivus

Festivus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[llong]

I live a short walk from Strawberry Fields, and it's near the B, C, 1, 2, and 3 trains.

It's a bit bigger that you'd think, so I usually just tell people to stand on the "Imagine" shrine.

[Love]

Yea! My hometown. I'll be there.

The first spot I think to meet at in Central Park is at the 59th street entrance on the west side. This entrance faces the new mall. There is a statue of a man or horse or something that is easily locatable. We could all meet at the statue, and then walk inside the park and just sit down somewhere. But it doesn't much matter. If there a single spot to begin, then we could go wherever. Space is a-plenty.

[Savage]

I think it's best we don't have a preliminary meeting location if we can avoid it -- that could get confusing for anyone who shows up late. But it would be good to meet somewhere specific that people can recognize.

[Vanessa]

Strange how you updated when you'll have a meetup so that it would work out to be just when I'm taking my trip back to nyc. strange how that works Steve!

[HealingMaven]

Central park on the 20th? I can do that! Please put me on whatever announcement list you're using for this!

I'm so excited that you guys are coming to visit! I was just thinking that it's too bad all the big PD seminars seem to be on the west coast. This isn't a seminar of course, but get-togethers can be great fun!

Welcome to NYC!

[babuji]

Steve.. I've been a big fan of your work and of course I'll make it a point to be at any meetup spot on Oct. 20th. Looking forward to meeting both you and Erin.

Nevertheless, for a meetup location, Bryant Park Bryant Park | Hours & Information

could be an option as it's pretty close to many of the major public transportation hubs in the city.

Nevertheless, do keep us updated.

[madgeylou]

Originally Posted by babuji

Steve.. I've been a big fan of your work and of course I'll make it a point to be at any meetup spot on Oct. 20th. Looking forward to meeting both you and Erin.

Nevertheless, for a meetup location, Bryant Park Bryant Park | Hours & Information

could be an option as it's pretty close to many of the major public transportation hubs in the city.

Nevertheless, do keep us updated.

that's true, and it's small enough that you can see the whole thing -- no one would go to the wrong field or something (central park is HUGE).

[Neutral]

I'll likely be there whatever the conditions.

Anyone, have suggestions for a contingency plan? I'm not familiar with the area.

[Savage]

We may not settle on a precise meeting spot until after we arrive on the 14th, so we can have time to scout a few locations and see if there are any storms expected on the 20th. But I'll give at least a few days advance notice of the exact location. We'll probably aim to meet around noon or 1pm so people can hang out for lunch.

[Brutha]

Maybe someone should post a Pin in the map - mark a spot; attach text; send to others address of the meeting location?

[boxofrain]

Originally Posted by babuji

Steve.. I've been a big fan of your work and of course I'll make it a point to be at any meetup spot on Oct. 20th. Looking forward to meeting both you and Erin.

Nevertheless, for a meetup location, Bryant Park Bryant Park | Hours & Information

could be an option as it's pretty close to many of the major public transportation hubs in the city.

Nevertheless, do keep us updated.

Much better idea than central park. It's better located, smaller and is completely under a WiFi cloud. I used to work right across the street. The only drawback would be if the fashion show was going on that weekend...could be a madhouse.

[sammysoul]

I live just a couple of blocks from Central Park and agree with my fellow New Yorkers that Bryant Park is probably the most convenient place to meet up. Close to Grand Central station and Times Square it's easy to find for people coming in from out of town. It has tons of chairs and tables since I presume that it won't be very cozy to sit on a lawn in October. We could pinpoint exactly on what side of the lawn to meet whereas Central Park locations are a little harder.

Nevertheless I have created a Google map showing Bryant Park as well as 3 locations in Central Park and a possible rain venue. Everybody, please take a look and let me know if you have any suggestions and I'll add them to the map:
Map of possible meeting places

For Steve and out-of-towners, once you're in New York, a great service to find your way around NYC by subway and bus is Hopstop; also works via phone or text message.
Finally, you could maybe post a broadtexter widget for us; that way you could notify everybody via text message in case of any changes.
Both services are free!

Looking forward to meeting you and Erin!

[Savage]

@sammysoul: Great map. I appreciate all the suggestions. I want to see what the weather is like before settling on a spot.

Erin booked our hotel. We'll be staying at the Hampton Inn in Midtown (52nd St & 8th Ave).

[babssoft]

Hi Steve, I am a huge fan. I might bring a friend, too.

[Love]

Of course, Bryant Park! Gotta love those chairs!
And the "lions'" library is right there for clean restrooms.

I also appreciate the website hopstop.

[Erin Pavlina]

If we met somewhere in the park how could we be sure there wouldn't already be people there? We couldn't really kick someone out of an area just so we could meet. Is that part of the park normally crowded? I like the idea of bathrooms nearby. That's probably something to consider.

[sammysoul]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

If we met somewhere in the park how could we be sure there wouldn't already be people there? We couldn't really kick someone out of an area just so we could meet. Is that part of the park normally crowded? I like the idea of bathrooms nearby. That's probably something to consider.

Erin,
Bryant Park is usually only crowded during the week from 1-2pm, when the office population comes out to soak up some sun.
On the weekends it's relatively empty. Plus, it has tons of chairs and tables than can be moved around, so it can accommodate any number of people that will show up for our meeting. We could also meet in the center of the lawn, easy to find and see for everybody.
Also, there are many delis and food vendors surrounding the park, so it's much easier to get lunch here than if we'd meet somewhere in Central Park.

[Savage]

Bryant Park is only a mile from our hotel, so it will be easy to scout it out after we arrive.

[Erin Pavlina]

I'm liking this Bryant Park idea. It sounds perfect.