Photo by Art
Our TOP evening at Yokoso Restaurant in Brookfield was a success. At least I can say it was a treat for me (as I mentioned at the restaurant, I don't get out much—chained to the news desk most of the time). Twelve TOP readers came (Jim, Grace, Paul, Jan, John, Woody, Mark, Mark, Ed, Andreas, Pierre, and Art—how'd I do guys?), which was perfect—we all fit well at one large table. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly especially considering that few of us had ever met before, and the conversation, as you might imagine, centered around photography. Several cameras were passed around the table, including John St. Onge's new K-5, which is amazingly quiet. My son Zander was our waiter, as luck would have it (the tables go to the wait staff by turns, so it's quite possible he might not have gotten us).
I want to thank everybody who came for coming! Several drove from Chicago or Madison. I didn't take any pictures, but several others did. John and Art have already sent me their pictures, and I suspect a few others might as well, so I'll post a few more pics later today.
We'll definitely do it again sometime. Maybe next time in Chicago or Minneapolis?
Mike
Minneapolis would be great!
Posted by: Matt | Sunday, 07 November 2010 at 11:27 PM
Sounds great. If I was still living in Chicago or Madison, I would have loved to join you.
Although it is probably a good thing that I did not get to see that K-5. ;-)
Posted by: Dave Karp | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 12:40 AM
Maybe you can get John to write a user report on the K-5.
Posted by: John | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 01:49 AM
How about Beijing?
Posted by: Kevin Schoenmakers | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 04:13 AM
Hi all,
Grace and I had a great time. We were only sorry that we didn't get to mix more with the other end of the table.
I put some 'Tri-X' photos up here: http://www.kofronphotography.com/TOP%20Dinner/
and there are a few color ones on my blog: http://www.kofronphotography.com/blog/
Mike—thanks again for being such a gracious host and organizing this event. It was a lot of fun and we'd be happy to do it again!
Posted by: Jim Kofron | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 07:11 AM
Sounds like you all had fun. Put one vote in for Minneapolis for me. I look forward to seeing some pictures.
Matt
Posted by: Matt | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 07:37 AM
I saw Woody writing down names, so maybe he gave you his list? Don't take it from me, but it looks like you nailed it. Thanks again!
Posted by: Edward Bussa | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 07:46 AM
Great company, excellent food and superb service from the wait staff. I am looking forward to next time. Thanks for organizing!
Posted by: Andreas Friedl | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 07:52 AM
Think a bit about Spain :-)
Posted by: pedro-rafael | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 08:23 AM
Lucky dogs!
Well if you're ever in Montreal there's at least one TOP reader who'd love to meet over a beer.
cheers,
john
Posted by: John Hall | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 08:25 AM
I see this was a serious affair...you're all wearing name tags! :-D
Mike, Chicago sounds like a good idea, but New York or Boston sound even better ;-)
I'd like to read opinions from those in attendance as to how curmudgeonly you actually are in person. Although maybe you're like a grizzly bear who becomes tame and loveable once you feed him fish and rub his belly.
Posted by: Miserere | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 10:38 AM
Or, how about in Phoenix, come January? :)
Rick
Posted by: Rick | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 11:11 AM
Just an observation, but I do get fed up with restaurants putting group tables length ways as often you just miss out on talking more about something that interests you at t'other end and conversing length ways can become disruptive. I know there is often a space limitation, etc., but I've always found round or square set tables more convivial.
Just a thought and I'm sure it wasn't needed for consideration at your successful shindig.
Regards.
Posted by: Mark Walker | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 12:27 PM
Here's another vote for Minneapolis (or Saint Paul). I know there were several TOP people at Ctein's recent exhibit opener, though since there were no name tags, I can't say how many.
Posted by: Chuck Holst | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 12:41 PM
As long as it's not another raw seafood restaurant. I'm sure Jim Kofron's shot of that food tray was a recycled still from Alien.
Posted by: Jim McDermott | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 12:43 PM
Mike,
Thanks again for hosting the event. It was a wonderful gathering - good food, great people, and enjoyable conversation. My votes in for Chicago - anytime!
BTW - Zander was a great waiter, you should be proud, speaking as one dad to another - he appears to be a fine young man (reminded me of my youngest son Charlie -age 15) I have some pics I'll send as soon as I get some time to process.
Sometime we need to hang out and talk music and audio - another of my two passions (as a musician and audio buff). The short talk we did have on turntables has inspired me to warm up the Mac's and spin a disk or two on the Rega...Ben Webster, Hank Snow,Horace Silver, some of the classic Coleman Hawkins and more. Good thing I recently moved my vinyl back into the house recently...;-0
Warm Regards,
Mark
Posted by: Mark Kinsman | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 01:32 PM
Hey Mike, You look terrific. looks like that diet is working.
Wish I was there.
John
Posted by: John MacKechnie | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 02:04 PM
Well, if yo ever decide to do this out in Northern California, I can be there...
Posted by: Paul W. Luscher | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 02:26 PM
Minneapolis.
Posted by: Chirtopher Lane | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 02:41 PM
Come to Sydney....summer is coming and lots of good restaurants!
Posted by: Ann P | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 06:30 PM
looking at this beautiful photo, with its quiet ligth and (sure)pleasant conversation, one thing worries me: TOP and it's faithfull readers are turning old!!
Posted by: Helcio J. Tagliolatto | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 07:17 PM
@ Mark Waller
There's a relatively simple way to get around this. Assuming a couple of courses (or more, including coffee), each change of course every second person moves around a few places on the table.
Posted by: James | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 07:43 PM
+1 for a Minneapolis/St Paul gathering. It would be fun to meet some more of the local TOPpers* as I only met a couple at Ctein's opening.
Unlike Jim McDermott, I'm just fine with consuming Alien stills. Or something.
*Mike, is there an official name for members of the TOP community yet? Not so sure my makeshift one is the best choice....
Posted by: Derek | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 08:03 PM
Would love to have gone but just wasn't up to making the drive from Austin.:) Maybe next year.
Posted by: MJFerron | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 08:33 PM
Missed ya by one day!
In chicago on business this week from maine, don't Get out here much. Found out too late to change flights/hotels.
maybe next time!
Posted by: dale | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 08:51 PM
After all these years, the truth comes out.....You own a sports coat!!! 8-)
Posted by: Steve Rosenblum | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 10:59 PM
Those are terrific snaps, Jim. Really conveys the event well. I lament having to miss it!
Posted by: Ken Tanaka | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 11:19 PM
Well if John Hall wants to set something up in Montreal, a train ride from megaloposis madness east would be easily in the works.
Posted by: Bryce Lee 35 miles west of megaloposis madness (Toronto) | Monday, 08 November 2010 at 11:38 PM
I vote for the Hofbräuhaus in Munich, Germany - see http://www.hofbraeuhaus.de/
We could have a coupla beers in there, would be great to meet you guys :-)
cheers,
Wolfgang
Posted by: Wolfgang | Tuesday, 09 November 2010 at 12:07 AM
Hey Mike, had a great time at the dinner, thanks so much for hosting! Nice to meet some new fellow photogs and listen in on some very interesting conversations. Looking forward to hopefully doing something similar in the Chicago area soon!
Posted by: Mark Baldwin | Tuesday, 09 November 2010 at 12:52 AM
Another vote for Minneapolis
Posted by: Roger | Tuesday, 09 November 2010 at 12:59 PM
The Pentax K-5 is "amazingly quiet"
OK that's done it. I am now interested.
Posted by: David Bennett | Tuesday, 09 November 2010 at 01:38 PM