I'm having a little get-together in Brookfield, about 20 minutes west of Milwaukee, on Sunday, November 7th, from 4:30 to 7:00 or so, and you're invited. This is nuthin' special, just a gathering—no program, no slide show, no speech, no super-secret prototype cameras passed around surreptitiously under the table (unless Pentax wants to send me a 645D for the day). Just me and a few other photo-dawgs at a table in the corner. On the good side, there's no charge—all you have to pay for is your own food and drink, and you don't need a reservation, ticket, or anything of that sort. Just bring yourself. Families and friends also welcome.
You can just show up on the day if it works out that way for you, but it would be nice if we could give the restaurant a rough idea of what to expect—so if you think you're, say, 80% likely to come, please drop me an email. No obligation.
Only two rules: no gifts, and you're not allowed to buy my dinner! It's not a great spot to look at fine prints or books, but bring cool toys, iPads, etc. if you want to. Again, no obligation.
The meet-up is at Yokoso Japanese Restaurant, located at Goerke's (rhymes with "turkeys") Corner in Brookfield. It's right off the expressway so it's easy to get to. The address is 20101 W. Bluemound Road, Brookfield, Wisconsin 53045, phone (262) 782-8880, email sam@yokosorestaurant.com. Directions are here. It's my favorite restaurant. My son is a part-time waiter there, and might even be on duty that night.
Yokoso does have many cooked entrees if you have an aversion to raw fish. The chefs are skilled and the fare is excellent. You can see the menu here.
We've never done this before, and I realize 99% of the people who read TOP aren't local, but I thought we'd give it a try and see how it goes. If all goes well, it's possible we could do the same thing in other cities at some point in the future. Hope you'll come if you can!
Mike
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Original contents copyright 2010 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.
I would love to be there... but I am more than 8,000 km far from the meeting.
Have a good day and enjoy!
Posted by: Rubén | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 08:49 AM
Rubén,
That's kind of a long way, I'll admit. Maybe someday we can do one closer to you.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Johnston | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 08:54 AM
Very cool Mike. Have fun!
Posted by: Player | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 09:34 AM
Sunday, November 6th? On my iPhone November 6, 2010 is a Saturday. Please clarify or set me straight. Either way, Saturday or Sunday, I'm going to try to make the 10 mile trip all the way from the far Southwest of Waukesha to be there.
Posted by: John St. Onge | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 09:51 AM
Mike,
If you ever make it near the Norfolk, VA area I will be glad to meet up with you.
Posted by: Mark | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 10:14 AM
Saturday is the 6th not Sunday. Either way we will be northwest of you, running a trail race and enjoying our anniversary in Madison.
Next time
Posted by: charlie | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 10:15 AM
"On my iPhone November 6, 2010 is a Saturday."
Fixed. Thanks.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Johnston | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 10:39 AM
Got any wireless, how about ?chat or face something ?
Otherwise, wish all very best and success meeting from Hong Kong.
Cheers!
Posted by: Dennis Ng | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 10:53 AM
I should have loved to come, good food and like minded nattering- excellent but, alas, Henley-on-Thames is just too far away! However, enjoy!
Posted by: marten | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 10:55 AM
Ergh. So close. I'll be visiting Chicago that weekend, putting me within plausible striking distance of the meeting point, but my flight back to DC is at noon on the 7th. Maybe next time.
Posted by: Nicholas Condon | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 11:06 AM
You are welcome to Stockholm (Sweden, Europe) anytime!
Posted by: Erik P | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 11:08 AM
Mike -
I am a thousand miles away (18-19 hours by car) but for a split second, I thought about hopping a plane. I bet some readers will travel long distances to be there. It would be interesting to read about that, should you choose to report on it - at least maybe a mention for the person who traveled the farthest.
Ed
Posted by: Edward Taylor | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 11:29 AM
"at least maybe a mention for the person who traveled the farthest."
That's a deal!
Mike
Posted by: Mike Johnston | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 11:30 AM
Mike a few photos also would be very much appreciated.
Michael
Posted by: Michael Roche | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 12:02 PM
I realize 99% of the people who read TOP aren't local
I'll go out on a limb here and estimate that it's closer to 99.95% (I assumed you'll have 10 people at the dinner and that you have 20,000 readers).
I propose you start a World Tour, Mike. Maybe you can convince Southwest airlines to finance it :-)
Posted by: Miserere | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 01:06 PM
Wish I could go - maybe when you come to London? Have a good time.
Posted by: Patrick Dodds | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 01:28 PM
a mention for the person who traveled the farthest.
Tempting, tempting... :)
Have a great meet-up!
Posted by: J. | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 02:27 PM
You're about two years too late for me. I've since moved from Madison to Toronto, and driving to Brookfield is no longer as practical as it used to be. If you're ever in Toronto, I'm sure you have a number of readers here besides me...
Nonetheless, have fun!
Posted by: mwg | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 03:47 PM
Mike,
the muted clamouring you hear from suburban Waukesha is in fact a transatlantic thunderstorm of support for the inaugural TOP London dinner, sometime in 2011. Didn't you come over to the UK a couple of years ago for a lecture series organised by B&W magazine - I recall it being advertised, but then found I was sent by work to Malaysia for 4 months, so couldn't attend. Anyway, time for a reprise.
Posted by: James | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 04:15 PM
James,
I keep talking about that, but no, I never did get to England. I really would like to some day...in fact I keep talking about going there to live for a year or so. Hey, if Bill Bryson can do it, why can't I? Just a few more years until my son is on his own....
Mike
Posted by: Mike Johnston | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 04:21 PM
I, too, am faced with a daunting trek to make it (Japan is just a wee bit far), but I like your venue!
Enjoy the day.
Alex
Posted by: Alex Vesey | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 05:10 PM
I'll be in Palau, scuba diving, so unfortunately I will have to send my regrets.
Posted by: Eric Rose | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 05:59 PM
Think Brooklyn, NY! (It's lower rent than Manhattan, but has other virtues too, and it would be convenient for a visit to B&H and Adorama.) Lots of restaurants serving almost every cuisine.
Miserere's tour idea sounds clever; I bet you could get an airline (or Amtrak?) to subsidize some of the travel!
Posted by: Avi Lewis | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 07:01 PM
Mike... so many dishes without photos on the online menu.
Maybe you could do a trade... photos for dinners.
Bob
Posted by: Bob | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 07:42 PM
Wow, so close to my house in Milwaukee, but I'll be stuck in San Francisco that weekend for work. Hopefully it's a great success and you'll do it again sometime soon.
Posted by: Dave | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 08:38 PM
+1 for World Tour. I call dibs on hosting when you come to the DC area.
Posted by: Bill Millios | Monday, 25 October 2010 at 09:00 PM
I was born and raised in Madison, but live near Seattle now. I miss brats, Leinenkugel, and frozen custard.
Posted by: Sam | Tuesday, 26 October 2010 at 12:32 AM
...well they do say one should never meet one's heroes ;-)
Posted by: Paul Mc Cann | Tuesday, 26 October 2010 at 01:06 AM
Hey, I'll do anything to get out of washing dishes!!! My daughter and I will see you there!
Posted by: Jim Kofron | Tuesday, 26 October 2010 at 05:59 AM
Darn . . . I'll be at a conference in St Louis and not home yet!! Drat
Posted by: James Rhem | Tuesday, 26 October 2010 at 03:39 PM
Anyone planning to go from Madison, so we can car pool. I don't know yet whether I can make it or not. As an Australian living in Madison would that let me qualify as having come the furthest distance.
Steve
Posted by: Steven Ralser | Tuesday, 26 October 2010 at 06:54 PM
Mike wrote:
I keep talking about that, but no, I never did get to England. I really would like to some day...in fact I keep talking about going there to live for a year or so. Hey, if Bill Bryson can do it, why can't I? Just a few more years until my son is on his own....
No, no, Mike, you have to take Zander so he can take pictures for you—UK immigration won't let you into the country otherwise!
Posted by: Miserere | Wednesday, 27 October 2010 at 11:02 AM
I'm 80% sure that I'll attend. I'll bring a G12 with a wireless trigger and interesting mount to pass around. Bring an SD card of your own it you want to keep your test shots.
Posted by: Pierre Munson | Thursday, 04 November 2010 at 08:03 AM
Mike,
Sure wish we could come, but Louisiana is 1000 miles away. I'm sure that Dustin would love to see Zander again, too. Hope you all have a great time.
Posted by: Mark Ditter | Thursday, 04 November 2010 at 06:33 PM