The First Informal Semi-Official TOP Milwaukee Meet-Up

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.

Click to enlarge

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.

Comments

[Rubén]

I would love to be there... but I am more than 8,000 km far from the meeting.

Have a good day and enjoy!

[Mike Johnston]

Rubén,
That's kind of a long way, I'll admit. Maybe someday we can do one closer to you.

Mike

[Player]

Very cool Mike. Have fun!

[John St. Onge]

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.

[Mark]

Mike,

If you ever make it near the Norfolk, VA area I will be glad to meet up with you.

[charlie]

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

[Mike Johnston]

"On my iPhone November 6, 2010 is a Saturday."

Fixed. Thanks.

Mike

[Dennis Ng]

Got any wireless, how about ?chat or face something ?

Otherwise, wish all very best and success meeting from Hong Kong.

Cheers!

[marten]

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!

[Nicholas Condon]

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.

[Erik P]

You are welcome to Stockholm (Sweden, Europe) anytime!

[Edward Taylor]

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

[Mike Johnston]

"at least maybe a mention for the person who traveled the farthest."

That's a deal!

Mike

[Michael Roche]

Mike a few photos also would be very much appreciated.
Michael

[Miserere]

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 :-)

[Patrick Dodds]

Wish I could go - maybe when you come to London? Have a good time.

[J.]

a mention for the person who traveled the farthest.
Tempting, tempting... :)
Have a great meet-up!

[mwg]

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!

[James]

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.

[Mike Johnston]

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

[Alex Vesey]

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

[Eric Rose]

I'll be in Palau, scuba diving, so unfortunately I will have to send my regrets.

[Avi Lewis]

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!

[Bob]

Mike... so many dishes without photos on the online menu.

Maybe you could do a trade... photos for dinners.

Bob

[Dave]

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.

[Bill Millios]

+1 for World Tour. I call dibs on hosting when you come to the DC area.

[Sam]

I was born and raised in Madison, but live near Seattle now. I miss brats, Leinenkugel, and frozen custard.

[Paul Mc Cann]

...well they do say one should never meet one's heroes ;-)

[Jim Kofron]

Hey, I'll do anything to get out of washing dishes!!! My daughter and I will see you there!

[James Rhem]

Darn . . . I'll be at a conference in St Louis and not home yet!! Drat

[Steven Ralser]

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

[Miserere]

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!

[Pierre Munson]

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.

[Mark Ditter]

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.