kreacher

I actually prefer the options on the prix-fixe menu and it's cheaper. but if we go with the  other menu, what i'd choose based on what i'd eat would be:

ANTIPASTI  E  INSALATE Choose 3

Bruschetta (Grilled Italian bread with fresh tomato, basil, garlic, and olive oil)

....and that's it, the rest all have some things I dislike. Anyone want to trade this course for their desert?

ENTRÉE Choose 4

Penne alla Vodka (Penne with onions, ham, fresh tomato, light cream, parmesan cheese and a splash of vodka) - ham and vodka are a bit iffy, but if this is what others want i can make it work

Farfalle Isabella (Bowtie pasta with chicken, broccoli, roasted bell peppers sauce, garlic and olive oil) - this is my #1 choice! 

Pollo al Limone (Egg batter coated chicken breast sautéed with white wine, butter and lemon) - hopefully i won't be able to taste the wine 

No others. 

DOLCE Choose 3

Tiramisu

Crostantina alla Crema di Limone (Homemade Amalfi coast miniature lemon tart)

Sorbetti Misti

Too bad we can't order from the kids menu, they had a couple good options there

I can’t believe I forgot to post yesterday! It was BUN DAY MONDAY (bolludagur) in Iceland.

I’m not Icelandic, nor have I ever actually celebrated it, but ever since I heard about it from my Icelandic friend a few years ago I’ve wished we celebrated it here in the USA  ….well, the bun eating part at least, maybe not the spanking part

https://www.helloiceland.is/2020/02/the-curious-icelandic-tradition-bolludagur-or-bun-day/

5 hours ago, Hero said:

OK I'm confused. Are people

a) staying near the venue and travelling into Manhattan etc for sightseeing 

b) staying in Manhattan and travelling into Brooklyn for the concert

c) staying half in Manhattan and half in Brooklyn

d) something else? 

 

 

A!
My Airbnb is about a 10 minute walk from the venue but I’ll only be staying there Monday night. After the gig I’ll be heading to Penn Station in Manhattan to await my 4am train.

I figured I’d arrive Monday morning by train, take the subway to Brooklyn and do something fun there like go to Prospect Park Zoo or the Brooklyn Library (FYI the Botanical Garden and Brooklyn Museum are closed mondays) then checkin to my Airbnb at like 4 or 5pm(?) before heading back to Manhattan for the meetup. So,  lots of subway practice!

17 minutes ago, Hero said:

I can make it work, there's 2 starters and one dessert I can have, and one main if I scrape the mushrooms off.  

Does anybody want my spare mushrooms? 

sorry, mushrooms are like #7 on my list of things i never ever plan to ingest again. "Sautéed" sounds like they'll be chunky and obvious for you to find.

On 2/27/2022 at 10:35 AM, dcdeb said:

super fancy

we have vastly different definitions of "super fancy"

Bowlero sounds fun, but Gigino's seems like the best option. I've no special dietary considerations (other than a long list of things I don't ever want near my mouth but the winter prix-fixe menu has a couple okay options)

The location looks exciting! I've never really been in that area before

1 hour ago, Sivan said:

Me three!!!! 

Not me

lol jk me four ofc!!!!!  it’s getting real real now!

4 hours ago, holdingyourdrink said:

I really love that suit on him! Too bad we haven’t seen it since that photoshoot. 

Agreed. my first thought when I saw this pic was ‘damn he looks so good in that suit, it fits him so well’. 
My next thought was ‘if he wore the pants without the shirt he’d have just two random blood drops on his leg lol’

15 minutes ago, camille* said:

I have an extra early entry ticket if anyone is interested ..

i am! I’ll send you an mfc message

31 minutes ago, Hero said:

Oh! It says no bags larger than 12x12. In the FAQ on their website it says 14x14. 

 

I guess 12x12 is easier to remember, 1 foot square. 

the FAQs on their website were added more recently, so i think they updated the policy since the screenshot was taken

5 minutes ago, dcdeb said:

 

If you bought through the fan presale, you should be getting early entry for this gig, I think.

f*ck, i wish i'd known that 

15 hours ago, Hero said:

   oh my....  

 

Ahem. What I meant to say was, that's a really useful insight, thanks! Seems like security might be the biggest problem.

 

I asked a colleague whose been to lots of festivals for his queueing tips. He said "paracetamol, water, sunscreen, a hat". 

The paracetamol is to take the edge off any leg pains after standing in a queue for several hours - his experience. 

 

Good tips!

I'd forgotten about sunscreen. Water, but not too much (especially if you're prone to needing to pee often ). It can't be taken into the venue since they want us to buy their overpriced drinks instead. Ibuprofen was definitely on my list, it can be used for so many ailments. For queuing most people sit on the sidewalk most of the day, only stand up when security comes round to put up barriers a couple hours before doors open and stuff. Also Band-Aids and alcohol wipes are good in case of emergency. I wore a hat with a little brim while queuing last time, it was good for sun and rain and wind, i pulled it down over my eyes while trying to sleep on the train, i kept it on during the gig too since i didn't know what else to do with it and found it so useful for blocking most of the blinding lights that were inevitably behind Mika without blocking my view of him. Be warned tho, Mika has a history of taking hats from people up front and putting them on his sweaty head!

There’s a lot to comment on so I’m not gonna quote everyone!

So here’s what I’ve experienced in my 10 Mika queues to answer some questions. For reference: I’ve only ever been like 20 people or less from the front of the queue or so and around MFCers I knew before or became friendly with. Earlist I ever arrived was 8:00ish in the morning and latest I ever arrived to queue was maybe like 2pm? my spot during the gigs was always somewhere in the front row or 2nd row near center stage.

-people in the queues near me have always been really chill about folks coming and going to use restrooms or get food or go check in at your hotel or just go chat with friends further back in line. When you’ve all been waiting together for hours you kinda have to be xD

-I’ve been super lucky in that whenever I’ve had to queue the weather was mostly pleasant. Once it rained a little in NYC at about 5ish pm or so. Some folks had umbrellas they shared or brought cheap disposable rain ponchos. A garbage bag works in a pinch. They can be sat upon as well. I usually pack one even if rain isn’t forecast. Definitely not worth bring a raincoat unless it’s forecast to be pouring all day. In that case I’d buy the cheapest one I could find then toss it right before the show. If it’s cold…. I’m not sure what I’ll do. I guess layer up and plan to dump any that I can so I don’t have to deal with it during the show. After the gig when I’m waiting for Mika to maybe appear I tend to be super hot, even waiting outside in the dark so I wouldn’t need layers til much later.
-from what I’ve seen on google maps the Boston venue is really new and in a strange area with not much around compared to other venues I’ve been at, especially places open later than like 11pm. I’ve really been worrying about this. 

-I wouldn’t check a coat either unless they let you check it before doors open. Seems highly unlikely!

-the security at some of the venues really don’t care if you’ve been waiting in an orderly fashion all day. They will sometimes f*ck it all up. Sometimes they’ll let everyone into a foyer area after bag check, shout at everyone not to run, then open 2 sets of doors at the same time and it’ll be a mad rush to the stage and people will trip and make their hand bloody. Or they could let people with one kind of ticket in while people with another kind of ticket get held up so the girl who was 2nd in line cuz she was queuing since 9am is further away from the stage than some randos who were like 30th in line. Or it could be orderly and civil like at the Corona theatre in Montreal and you can just saunter up to the stage right by who you’ve been hanging out with the whole time. :shrug: ugh I’m already getting anxious about it!

-a couple times I met someone in line who lived near (or was staying close enough) to the venue that they just took some MFCers bags back to their place closer to show time then afterward went to get them for us, or at least once someone drove to the gig and parked nearby and she put some bags in her car trunk during the gig. These people are angels.

-if you have a bag that’s like much bigger than say, a newer iPhone, be prepared to have it checked while all the bagless people that were queuing behind you go in a different line to get searched and get inside first. Security.don’t.care.

-sometimes there’s a barrier so people in the front row can put their bags on the other side of that, other times there’s no barrier and you’re right against the stage with Mika’s feet just a foot or two (er… I mean like half a meter?) away from you and you can feel his sweat drip on you and hear his voice unamplified so you’ve gotta kind squish your bag in between you and the stage or set it by your feet and hope it doesn’t get stepped on or get beer on it, but once Mika is there you forget all about things like bags and pain and gross floors.

-once we’re in the venue I wouldn’t plan on moving from your spot, especially if you’re near the front. Personally I never eat or drink anything after like 5pm and go use the restroom nearby at about 30mins til doors so I don’t need to budge from my spot until Mika’s left the stage. You might be able to get back to your place but anyone who’s trying to take it and all their friends will glare at you.

-I too am a little reluctant to say on here when I hope to queue. I wouldn’t want anyone to think it’s necessary to get there as early as I might (I’m just crazy and have no hotel room), but I also wouldn’t want them to see my time and think oh it’s later than I thought so I’ll wait to arrive then the line be like 30 people long! Also, I’ve never been to a Boston gig before, I’m not sure what queue times are like there but I’m guessing it’s later than in NYC?

1 hour ago, Prisca said:

I'm very bad at bowling , but I actually like doing it. I will go along with the majority opinion.

same! I’m pretty terrible at bowling but find it fun, so I’m cool with whatever

Booked my flight to Boston! No flight booked out of Boston yet, that flight was more expensive so I might just take the bus. The timing is better for me anyway.

 Nevermind, got my gig ticket!

 ....oh crap i probably should've got a gig ticket first. LOL how much would that suck for the gig to be sold out already?   Nevermind, got my gig ticket just fine!

43 minutes ago, holdingyourdrink said:

Thanks! I felt a bit awkward making plans about it, now at least I know I am not the only one 

This is what I was thinking too… what if I came all prepared and there is no marker!!! Hopefully one of us will succeed and we can borrow eachother’s  (or he will just keep it, that’s fine, too )

 

This is all just in case he comes out! I know it’s not a given, but it’s just really cool to dream about it….. ☺️ (and to come prepared!) 

Oh yeah, I figured I'll never see my sharpie again (IF he comes out after and IF he has no other marker and IF i remember to pull it out for him).

Yup, it's good to be prepared juuuuust in case. I know he doesn't owe it to us, and even if he does come out afterward it doesn't guarantee he'll sign any of our things (must keep reminding myself!). I've always considered the possibility of no one having anything for him to sign, I don't want him to feel neglected or something so that's why I always make an effort.

23 hours ago, holdingyourdrink said:

So ehm, maybe I’m the only one, but I’m just contemplating the idea of what IF after the concert we happen to bump into him… do you bring anything with you for him to possibly sign? 
 

Or are we just going to collectively gape at him and maybe get out a high pitched “Hi!” and hide behind eachother’s back? (This is what happened to me. I am speaking from 3 seconds of experience here )

I usually do bring something, juuuust in case he pops out after the gig to sign stuff. I'm packing super light (just a small backpack for Boston since I won't have anywhere to put a suitcase during the gig) so it'll have to be something small, flat, and light... i'm thinking a copy of his Topolino?

21 hours ago, Hero said:

On a related (ish) matter - have people got outfits planned? 

yeah, something practical for travel, definitely layers, something I don't mind getting blood, sweat, or tears on.

17 hours ago, Aki Celeste said:

Is anyone who's going to the Boston concert also going to Montreal the following weekend, or is it mostly a Boston-NYC deal for you guys? The Montreal thread seems pretty quiet, so I'm not quite sure what to expect there. Plus the venue is a lot bigger, with assigned seating. Hoping I get to make it to both concerts, in any case - that way I can have more than one opportunity to make an utter fool of myself in front of Mika. 

I really wanted to do Montreal but since it's such a big venue I decided to skip it this time.

He's hopefully used to it by now, he has that effect on so so many people  That's what I tell myself after I make a fool of myself in front of him anyway

16 hours ago, Hero said:

Some useful info about the venue here:

https://roadrunnerboston.com/venue-info/

 

What items are not permitted in the venue?

• Balloons, permanent markers, spray paint, silly string
• Pets, other than service animals; not to include comfort animals

Do you have a coat or bag check?

Yes, there are two coat checks in the venue on a first come, first served basis

UGH so glad they finally updated their website with their rules! 

No "pets, other than service animals; not to include comfort animals"? Damn, my kitty is gonna be SO disappointed!! She was really looking forward to seeing Mika live.

"Do you have a coat or bag check?" GAH they don't actually answer if they have a bag check or not.

I was gonna bring a sharpie marker, just in case Mika doesn't have one after or something... might still try to sneak one in anyway. I've had nightmares of randomly meeting him and having nothing for him to sign an autograph with so I like to be prepared.

oops, there I go again talking like I'm definitely going to this gig too! I better just bite the bullet & book a flight.

5 minutes ago, holdingyourdrink said:

Thank you for telling us! I admire your courage!

Please do not worry: we have had this situation as well in Paris at both meetups, telling us even in person. But I believe everyone felt accepted and welcomed enough to know they could be exactly who they are, without feeling judged. It was a wonderful atmosphere and I believe it will be exactly like that during this meetup.

It's been that way at the other MFC meetups I've been to & in the queue too. MFCers are generally the nicest people I've met, certainly the nicest I've ever met while waiting in a line! I just wanted to say something beforehand, in case someone catches me silently staring at them. It's because I'm processing and may be a little intimidated 

18 minutes ago, Aki Celeste said:

 Yeah, I noticed that a while ago.  I even to took it upon myself to email Roadrunner about it, but no change. Ai yi yi...   Maybe if enough of us try the same thing? Or are there better methods?

I thought about emailing them too. But I doubt they'll change it, it's not like that bit of info is gonna make someone suddenly decide they need to see Mika live and buy a ticket.

Hack their site and change it ourselves?

Today I was once again at the Roadrunner site & pondering buying a ticket when I noticed this on the ticketing site's bio about Mika "Mika has now sold over 10 million records and has Gold or Platinum awards in an impressive 32 countries worldwide. His fourth album, "No Place In Heaven" will be released on June 16th." Really?!  

9 hours ago, MaureenG said:

I will definitely be there and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone! My first Mika concert!  In NYC April 2-3 , in Brooklyn April 4-6. If there are any get togethers before our dinner on April 4 please keep me in the loop.

First time seeing Mika onstage is always a special moment! I'm looking forward to meeting you & all the other MFCers too....

but i thought i better warn everyone that I'm super anxious & awkward especially about introducing myself to people and in groups. So if I don't talk much at the get-together please know that I'm listening and probably want to say something, but like, words are hard.

.....unless it's about Mika, i can talk to just about anyone about him for hours

Thanks for explaining more @Anna Ko Kolkowska I didn't think I even knew surrogacy was illegal anywhere. Is surrogacy illegal just for gay couples or for everyone?

1 hour ago, Aki Celeste said:

 

I feel like this topic is still considered somewhat taboo, or at least is not often discussed, even while it's legal here in the US. Does anyone remember that show The New Normal (helmed by Ryan Murphy, the show-runner for Glee)? That's pretty much the only "mainstream" media depiction of surrogacy, specifically for gay couples, that I can  recall seeing over the past 10 years, and I'm not sure how well it landed with its viewers.

i remember this show! I watched it every week.

9 hours ago, dcdeb said:

 

I'm trying not to go too fancy. I think the pizza place and pub place that serves burgers are just average, the other two are maybe a bit fancier. But I'm trying to find a place that has space for a larger group, and also one that stays open a bit later -- some places close as early as 8:30!

 

From what I can see most of the places right near the venue are fast food joints -- there's a Burger King, a Subway, a KFC, a Domino's, an IHOP... Or else they are places that don't look very big, or very nice. Nowhere that we could hang out for a while and possibly have a drink or two. If we go a bit further out, or in to midtown Manhattan I guess we'll have more options.

 

There used to be a few places right in Times Square that would be good -- hopefully they've survived the pandemic and are still open! I'll check.

 

And I'm sure that we can get some Mika music played for us if we find the right spot -- Ideally some place could seat us in separate room or at least at a big table in a corner.

Lol I know, I’m just picky and wary of trying different things. Wherever you pick I’m sure I’ll find something tasty.

8:30? In NYC?!

Not surprised you aren’t finding much in the area. While looking for somewhere to have breakfast I noticed the venue (& my Airbnb) are near “Little Caribbean” so there’s a ton of Caribbean restaurants in the area. Most of them seem way too small and not right for our purposes.

If we do go to a place in Manhattan perhaps those of us who need to return to Brooklyn could share a LyftXL or take the subway together.

Yay Mika!

33 minutes ago, dcdeb said:

 

The trouble with the Staten Island Ferry is that it's really used for commuters, so it is jam-packed during rush hour -- which they consider to be between 3:30 to 7:30 pm, which I think is when we'd be considering to ride it.

 

We obviously don't HAVE to do the boat ride... I was just trying to keep the MFC Tour Boat energy going! LOL

 

For dinner, I was looking at a couple of places, not all of them in the same part of Brooklyn.  It seems to me that the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, where the gig is and where many of us will be staying, is not really that great a spot for hotels or restaurants. There are a lot of fast-food places, like Burger King or Subway, or pizza places... but if we want a place were maybe 20 or so of us can hang out for a few hours, it's more of a challenge.

 

But anyhow here are a few I found that seem to be somewhat decent. I need to make some calls to find out how accommodating they would be for our group. I'm trying to find inexpensive places, but it IS New York City, so prices are higher than we'd like them to be.

 

https://www.doublewindsorbklyn.com/

 

http://www.werkstattbrooklyn.com/home

 

http://www.thefarmonadderley.com/

 

https://parkslope.patsyspizza.nyc/

 

I haven't been looking in Manhattan, since it's so much further away, but if you think you'd all prefer that, lmk.

 

I'm still looking, and open to any alternative ideas.

 

 

Oh geez  these places are really fancy 

@dcdebThink you can you convince any place to play Mika for us over their speakers?

49 minutes ago, holdingyourdrink said:

That’s so cute, too bad it is closed now!

I am not familiar in NYC, as it has been 14 years since I’ve last been. Our neighbours however have lived there for 10+ years and I could ask them for recommendations? 
 

We are looking for something good for all palates (vegan/vegetarian to meat/fish, both healthy and sinful options), reasonably priced (what is reasonable for a main dish for you guys? Up to 15-20 USD without tip?). 

Also, location: is everyone staying in or close to Brooklyn? Then it might be worth looking there instead of Manhattan. 

Yeah, $15-20 for an entrée at a not-too-fancy place is about average for New York I think.

I was asking because I'm staying in Brooklyn & will need to check-in sometime in the afternoon on the 4th, but I'd be coming from Manhattan so  ...maybe it's way too soon for me to be fretting about this kind of thing but that's how i am

A couple times after Mika gigs a bunch of us went to a Ukrainian place called Veselka because it was open very late. Otherwise I've mostly gone to chain restaurants for meals in NYC

36 minutes ago, Prisca said:

I have no idea about the prices in New York. I guess something that is standard price is ok for me.

My accommodation is in Brooklyn, but Manhattan is also ok for me. And since I've never been to New York, I really need to see the Statue of Liberty at least from a distance at some point before I leave New York.

 

That sounds good!

I've been to NYC like 6 times and have never seen the pretty Statue of Liberty except once, from a window in Brooklyn faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar away on a very grey & rainy day. Just looked like a 4 inch tall green blob. I hope your view of it is much better!

Any thoughts on where/what type of restaurant/in what part of NYC we might have our MFC dinner? 

I was going to suggest the Dylan's Candy Bar (yes, candy can be dinner!) where Mika went, but I just found out it recently closed!