Please visit this page to sign up and/or add your suggestions http://www.proz.com/powwow/815

Indeed, it doesn't help that most of us don't know what anyone else looks like in person :)

I approached the two groups I saw at the café, but could hear no accents or relevant conversations, and after a while it seemed obvious they were all there to listen to the musician. I stuck around for a little bit, trying my best to look like someone looking for someone else, but nobody came to my rescue...so I decided the meeting must have been relocated or cancelled. We do need some identifier, if we are to avoid the guesswork. At any rate, I agree with Daina's suggestion to have a firm start time, I believe drop-in was originally meant to refer to the actual attendance, not the arrival time. That said, not everyone will always be in a position to arrive on time or stay for the entire meeting, which is why I think the counterpart thing might work, since it guarantees at lest two people will be there to have an exchange. Daina, I'll open a powwow thread for next month and look forward to meeting you there, as well as everyone else who can make it. It will be great to keep your apartment as a fall-back venue, in case we encounter any more troubadours at the café. That is unless a majority of people would prefer to meet at a private home, we can discuss that at our next meeting.

Susana, if you were there at 4:30, then our paths crossed. I was there from 4:10 to 4:40. I stood around listening to the young folk singer. Oh, well. I say let's try again, perhaps Friday at the same time and place. And maybe we should write "ProZ" on our hands so we can signal each other. Or wave our dictionaries, or something.

Or as an alternative, I would be happy to host an afternoon or evening gathering at my apt. I am at Ridge & Main in Evanston, so just as accessible as Cafe Express by El.

I couldn't make it due to my work situation. I do know one other person came at 4pm and couldn't find anyone there. Maybe you missed each other? I still like the idea of the monthly gathering, but I would make the start time 4pm firm rather than making it drop-in - that way we won't miss each other. I'll be your counterpart on Feb. 3, Susana.

IMHO, considering all the variables involved, we can either establish a monthly open gathering or revert to occasional powwows. There seemed to be some interest in an ongoing monthly gathering, and I personally don't see why as little as 2 people would not be enough to talk shop over a cup of coffee. Seems to me, with time this initiative may gain some momentum and it would be easier than trying to get an advance commitment (I am still referring to an ongoing monthly gathering here). I suppose there are some logistics that would need to be worked out, as the last thing anyone needs (especially those of us not in Evanston) is to show up and find out nobody else made the trip. How is this suggestion: perhaps any 2 of us can commit to attending on any particular month, making the core gathering, and then whoever else desires to show up will know for sure the meeting is on.

Let's try it: I am #1 for next month, who wants to be my counterpart?

I was kept from attending at the last minute by a little emergency at home. (Hint: I have two teenagers.) Then I understand only one or two others did come, and seeing no others, left. What a shame. Still, 4 yesses may not be enough to justify a meeting. Maybe we should set a threshhold number and only meet if X many commit during the month (maybe two months) before. Thoughts?

Hi all, I arrived late for the meeting and couldn't find anyone at the café. It was 4:30 pm and a musician was setting up to play. Did you all decide to move elsewhere? Sorry I couldn't be there earlier, please let me know whether the gathering took place. All best, Susana.

Friday, January 6
4-6 pm
Café Express
500 Main St.
Evanston

When is this meeting going to take place? It will be my first time.
Thanks,Irina Markevich