Canadian DIYers Please Note!

amptramp · October 23, 2011, 09:15:22 AM

Quote from: mattthegamer463 on October 21, 2011, 07:54:27 PM
It would be neat to have a Toronto meet-up. I'm sure theres a couple hundred DIY'ers within driving distance.

I'm in! If anyone can set it up, let me know.

Mark Hammer · October 23, 2011, 09:20:16 AM

Well, it was an absolute blast. Some folks who I was hoping would come didn't make it but plenty did, and we made rude noises, ate very well, and made plenty of new friends. Alain Parent (alparent here) was gracious enough to bring the fruits of his other DIY hobby and give away some lovely wooden pens that he turned. JC Maillet (Mr. viva-analog) showed up from the west coast and was kind enough to fix my Bassman (and boy am I glad I cleared off the benchtop ahead of company coming!), and brought a stereo vibe. One fellow brought a WMD Geiger Counter, which generated some "interesting: sounds. Though I had overlooked it in past, many of use were suitably impressed with the nice sounds we were able to get from the Tremulous Bear that Steve Daniels brought along, as well as the recent FZ-1 clone. I brought out the MIDI guitar and folks who had never played guitar synth before had them some fun. Heck, even our rabbit didn't seem to mind, checking out all the guests.

Lovely, lovely evening that I recommend others emulating when you have the opportunity. Pics to follow.

Mark Hammer · October 25, 2011, 09:13:27 AM

Forgot that Sean Harris, known as "boogietube" here, also came for an hour, but had to leave early for a gig.

p_wats · October 25, 2011, 10:18:44 AM

Bah. Wish I'd been able to be there...I always enjoy a trip to Ottawa.

Mark Hammer · October 25, 2011, 10:40:17 AM

Well then consider it your fault I have to eat all these damn leftover samosas and vegetable sticks with dip for dinner the rest of the week!

p_wats · October 25, 2011, 10:45:47 AM

Quote from: Mark Hammer on October 25, 2011, 10:40:17 AM
Well then consider it your fault I have to eat all these damn leftover samosas and vegetable sticks with dip for dinner the rest of the week!

Ha! I know the feeling...the reason I couldn't be there was because we were throwing a wedding-related shindig of our own, so I've got tons of leftovers...though most of it is booze.

wavley · October 25, 2011, 02:16:51 PM

I really wish I could have been there, it sounds like a lot of fun! Sadly, I live in Virginia, so it was a little too much to try and get up there. Although, there are a few of us here in VA, maybe we can have a get together too!

Mark Hammer · October 25, 2011, 03:07:17 PM

Reflecting on it for a moment, it might be a nice and useful thing to make a DIY-ers meeting be a regular unofficial add-on at NAMM, Musikmesse, or some similar official event. If the overall event is substantial enough, it would justify attending for those farther away. I know that many of the current and former members here have embarked on businesses and so have a reason to go to NAMM. Setting aside an evening or afternoon to meet with others, and just step aside from the commercial aspects for a moment, might be pleasant.

HOTTUBES · October 26, 2011, 08:45:44 PM

Thanks for the offer , but Saskatoon's a bit of a drive for some stomp switches !!! LOL !!!!

i didn't know that Mark was from Canada !! ....

Mark Hammer · October 26, 2011, 09:36:06 PM

Oh I'm not from Canada, buddy. I frickin' run Canada!

mattthegamer463 · October 26, 2011, 09:42:05 PM

Empty desk. Typical Canadian politician.

Just kidding. I'm Canadian, and I voted. I'm allowed to complain.

Mark Hammer · October 26, 2011, 10:36:01 PM

Actually, when I visited that famous office, I was informed by the chief of staff there that the desk is cleaned off at the end of every day so that the PM starts out the day like that. And believe me, there is a s**tload of paper in the adjoining office! The hotline to the White House is situated in the corner closet behind the flag, BTW.

mattthegamer463 · October 26, 2011, 10:44:08 PM

That is very awesome. I wish someone would clean my desk for me, theres 8 layers of components, wires, datasheets, notepads, forgotten projects, etc.

Mark Hammer · October 27, 2011, 09:46:38 AM

I live in constant fear of someone cleaning my desk. I'd never be able to find anything ever again!

wavley · October 27, 2011, 10:06:19 AM

Quote from: Mark Hammer on October 27, 2011, 09:46:38 AM
I live in constant fear of someone cleaning my desk. I'd never be able to find anything ever again!

Same here!! I have piles of Autocad drawings, test results, and schematics with calipers, tweezers and cutters everywhere. I HATE it when we have a tour coming through and I have to clean up.

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Canadian DIYers Please Note!