Reply With QuoteI could possibly do the 29th.
My summer's tough, because my kid's doing various camps and I often have to pick him up afterwards.
It'd be fun to do this late-day and then all go grab beers afterwards.
The 29th works for me. July is harder because I am taking a couple of weeks off.
I could possibly do the 29th.
My summer's tough, because my kid's doing various camps and I often have to pick him up afterwards.
It'd be fun to do this late-day and then all go grab beers afterwards.
Oh that sounds great, but I didn't stumble upon this thread till today, not enough time for me to plan for it this close.
Have fun guys!
I can do the 29th, What time? I like Denny's idea about doing it late and hanging out afterwards at a bar.
I've got plans at 8 downtown (symphony performing the Matrix), so I'd prefer if we started by 4 or 5 to give me enough time to get there.
Friday is coming up quick - we have a few responses but not yet everybody that expressed an interest initially. Let's pencil this in then, and if everyone who does actually want to do this could update here then I'll work up the count. Chet- any particular time good for you all? Looks like late afternoon is where we're leaning if you agree.
I'm in (with potential extras if room allows).
I can do 6/29 at probably 7:00 or so at the earliest, depending on traffic.
I was assuming you would come during the work day, yes? We can do late in the work day - 4ish? Or?
4 pm would rock. Probably easier for some folks to get out of work for that time, and we could retire to a nearby Bellevue beering establishment afterwards.
My only snag is that I'm performing in a local production of Twelfth Night, and if they decide we need an extra rehearsal on Friday, I might not be able to stick around for much of the post-tour fun.
OK cool, let's make this official: we'll meet up at Valve at 4 pm on Friday, June 29. I will update our count as people can update - hope everyone that wants to go can make it!
One last question Chet: can you give us the address? I did a quick search but all I found was the Wikipedia entry that tells me it's in Bellevue.
I guess I can't read. Nevermind then.
4 pm sounds good.
How's the parking situation? I'd be up for a carpool if there's anyone crossing I-90.
I can't imagine how you guys deal with that. You have random people running through your offices every day while you're trying to work? That would drive me bonkers. Even if it's just the public areas and doesn't directly intrude into my workspace, I'm in the hallways half the time talking to random people. Crazy.Originally Posted by chet
The tours are typically restricted to the public areas, and Valve has a LOT of public areas. The place is fucking Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, I shit you not.
Anyway, most "tourists" don't care about looking at someone's desk, they just peek in the various big war rooms and then gawk at the concept art and swag everywhere (e.g. Portal Gun in the lobby, although I think that was moved a while ago). Gabe's knife room. 3D printers. The break rooms/cafeterias...on each floor.
Valve does not fuck around when it comes to trying to make employees stress free and able to focus on their jobs.
You can park in the garage from 110th and get validated upstairs.
It is pretty open what we can check out, only a little bit on the 8th floor is off limits and since the internal stairs are closed as we expand to 9, we might just skip that (sadly this includes the magical space that is my office...) but that is pretty unexciting, just a desk, monitor, pc and a cat postcard.
Last week you could have play tested a TF2 movies and some stuff... This week, maybe some CS:GO or L4D2 stuff - the L4D2 stuff might be harder as it is less in a released state.
I am letting reception know - 4pm, Friday. If someone can get an official head count that will be helpful.
thanks
Wait, did we get an address? I know it's like downtown Bellevue, but where?
I'm in officially for 4pm Friday.
Google says it's at:
10900 NE 4th St #500
Bellevue, WA 98004
Google knows everything. Thanks Alan!
Note that the map link is for NE 4th St. (Kirkland), so not downtown Bellevue.
Any suggestions for post-tour activities?
If you folks haven't had the pleasure of the awesome goodness of Din Tai Fung, you should check it out...Any suggestions for post-tour activities?
The address is correct, Bellevue. Next to city hall.
Dig it. Bing to the rescue! A close up of the previously mentioned parking garage off of 110th.
Din Tai Fung is teh awesomeness, but it will be crowded on a Friday afternoon. There's usually a long wait, and you can't really hang out and chat there.
Chet? What's the closest watering hole/dinner spot?
We seem to have a consensus on the date so let's try to nail down the list. I am counting the following as confirmed:
Malderi
Misguided (+2)
Alan Au
Bmceldowney
DennyA
Tim Elhajj (+1?)
And me.
So that's only 8 or 9, and we had interest from others so - could I ask the rest who had been interested in going along to jump in to confirm for Friday, or let me know if you can't make it? Also, looks like there is still room so folks who are on the fence can still sign up. I guess I'll shoot for having a final list late Thursday or maybe even early Friday so Chet and friends can have an idea of what they're setting themselves up for. Cheers!
Din Tai Fung would be a madhouse. The Taphouse is nearby, though I prefer the ambiance of Lot 3 myself. Friday evening is gonna be pretty crazy no matter where we go I think.
I'm not going but I'll suggest you could make a reservation at one of those places in advance...
Have you considered getting a couple buckets of Popeyes extra-crispy, mangoes, ice, limes, cheap tequila, and a blender, and gorging on fried chicken with mango margaritas in Gabe's knife room? What could possibly go wrong?
(Please take pics.)
Poser. It's Popeye's extra-spicey. KFC makes the extra-crispy.
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