What we’re about
This is a group for young professionals looking to bond with cool new friends over quirky, fun activities. We're less about the happy hours and meeting over drinks (though they're bound to happen informally) and more about the strange, fun things you've always wanted to try doing (Mario Kart in real life, anyone?).
Activities can range from the casual (hikes, game nights, karaoke nights, etc.) to the more offbeat (puzzle hunts, obstacle courses, murder mysteries, real life games, etc.). If this sounds right up your alley, come join us for some random fun!
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FAQ (If you have other questions, contact the organizers)
• How often are there events?
There are events whenever an organizer has an event to host. So it varies and depends on our organizers' schedules. Most of our events are "offbeat" in nature, so they also tend to take more planning (and therefore might not occur that often). Generally, we try to have on average at least one event each week. Most events fall on the weekends and sometimes on weeknights.
You can see a list of all of our upcoming events on our calendar:
https://www.meetup.com/Offbeat-Fun/events/calendar/
We update the list rather sporadically, so we encourage members to check our calendar weekly for fun things to do! We also try to announce events 1-2 weeks in advance, so also look out for email notifications about those.
If you'd like to see more events, consider hosting some! Contact Michelle and/or Peter about hosting events. We're happy to help you get started!
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Have ideas for events? Want to host events and make fun happen?
Consider becoming an organizer! (Or if you want to just create one-off events, click on the "Suggest a New Meetup" button.) New ideas are always encouraged! As long as it's fun, we'll do it.
If you're interested in becoming an organizer, contact Michelle and/or Peter about hosting events. We're happy to help you get started!
Let's build a community of people who take action and make interesting things happen!
Location:
Most activities will center around the Peninsula and South Bay to bring more fun to the area. Occasionally, we may expand our reach as fit.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Fly kites at Shoreline Park in Mountain View (combat kites not allowed)Shoreline Park Kite Flying Field, Mountain View, CA
Leave the ground behind and take to the sky at this relaxing get-together.
We'll meet at the dedicated kite flying lot at Shoreline Park in Mountain View. I will bring six kites to share, and you can bring any kites you have. Combat/fighter kites are not allowed at the Kite Lot. You do not need to bring a kite to attend, you can come to just watch and hang out.
It might be hot. Wear sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, long sleeves, etc. Bring water and mosquitos repellent spray.
Meet the kite experts
Jose and Merl* have been flying kites for decades and even build their own kites. They will both be at the Kite Lot to help everyone assemble, fly, and troubleshoot our kites! Please thank them for sharing their passion and knowledge with us.
*short for MerlinBarb-shaped foxtail seeds
Jose says: as it warms up, the grass field at the Kite Lot dries up and there will be millions of foxtail plants. See photo of their barb-shaped seeds uploaded to this event. This is more than a nuisance - foxtails will lodge themselves into the mesh part of shoes and are very difficult to pull out. Jose's suggestions:
- Wear leather boots that foxtails can't penetrate, or
- wear crocs or flipflops that aren't made of fabric, or
- stay on the mowed lawn or gravel road only.
Parking
Please do not try to park at the kite lot because there will not be enough room for everyone. Several parking lots for Shoreline Amphitheater will (probably) be open - I will check the day of the event and post a comment.
How you get into the Amphitheater parking lots:
- Parking lot A: enter from N Shoreline Blvd.
- Parking lot B: enter from Crittenden Ln.
- Parking lot C & D: enter from Bill Graham Pkwy.
- Parking lot E: authorized vehicles only, do not go here.Where to buy a kite
You can probably find small inexpensive kites in stores. They probably say the material is "poly" or "plastic"; if you want a more durable kite, look for one made of nylon. I recommend a parafoil kite such as the X-Kites SkyFoil because they do not need assembly, roll up small, and are easy to fly.
If you get a dual-line sport kite: consider getting one which does not have any fiberglass rods because they may break or come out and get lost when you crash (which WILL happen). If you want to get really into the hobby, get a frameless dual-line kite which has several advantages: no rods to break or loose; no assembly or disassembly; it can be shoved into a tiny bag. REI has one in stores (Prism Synapse) however it costs SIXTY (60) (six zero) dollars. Also if you buy a dual-line kite, be sure to get one with wrist straps instead of plastic handles.
- Create your own art prints using the sun's energy (cyanotype) • for ages 20s–40sSomewhere in Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CAUSD 2.00
Harness the power of the sun to make detailed prints from virtually any object that casts a shadow! Plants, leaves, stones, sand, tools, toys, bottles, string, lace, etc. Simply place the object on the sensitized surface and expose to sunlight. You can even use a digitally-printed photographic negative to create full-resolution photographs on paper or fabric.
Cyanotype is the original sun-printing process, one of the earliest photographic techniques. Discovered in 1842 and distinctive for producing rich Prussian blue monochromatic prints, cyanotype was popular well into the 20th century as an inexpensive method for reproducing photographs, documents, maps and plans, and famously, for making impressions of biological specimens in the field.
The chemicals we will use: https://www.jacquardproducts.com/cyanotype-set
Learn more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanotype
Materials
We provide:
- Cyanotype chemicals
- A ton of paper to print on
- Some stuff to make cool shadows
- Instructions
You may bring:
- Stuff to make prints on: can be any natural fiber/porous surface, including cotton, linen, silk, canvas, wood, paper, wood and leather.
- Stuff to make prints of: the shadow of any object will become a negative.
Cyanotype prints are archival. However, yellowing may occur if prints are exposed to phosphates or high pH solutions. Cyanotype printed fabrics should always be laundered in cold water using non-phosphate detergents. Use care while handling cyanotype prints, as sweat and hand oils may also cause discoloration.
Payment
Yes it costs two dollars. When you RSVP, be sure to send $2 using one of these methods:
• Venmo: @Peter-Froud - do not select “paying for good or service” or there will be 1.9% + $0.10 fee.
• PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/pfroud - do not select "paying for an item or service" or there will be a 2.9% + $0.30 fee.
• Zelle: pfroud@gmail.comPlease make sure I can clearly tell what Meetup account your payment goes for! If the name on your payment method does not match the name on your Meetup profile, be sure to write your Meetup name in the description for the payment.
If I have not received your payment within 12 hours of your RSVP, your RSVP will be changed to “not going”. If that happens, you can RSVP again if there’s room and send your payment then.
- Film discussion club: "Little Women" (2019) • for ages 20s–40sSomewhere in Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CA
About the event
Inspired by the Lessons From The Screenplay and Beyond The Screenplay, I have selected films I want to watch and talk about.
We will watch the movie then discuss it. We can discuss things like themes, characters, screenwriting, filmmaking technique, etc. For especially weird movies we can take some time to figure out what actually happened and what it means.
No potluck, but you may bring food & non-alcoholic beverages if you want.
The movie will be played on Blu-ray (which has noticeably better quality than streaming) to a 60-inch LCD TV (from 2010) and an actually good 5.1 surround-sound system with a 12-inch subwoofer.
About the movie
Synopsis: In 19th century Massachusetts, the March sisters - Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth - enter the threshold of womanhood. They go through many ups and downs in life and endeavor to make important decisions that can affect their future.
Length: 2 hours 15 minutes
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3281548/
Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/little_women_2019
Metacritic: https://www.metacritic.com/movie/little-women-2019/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Women_(2019_film)Footer
Please only attend if you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Please keep your RSVP updated! If you no longer plan to attend, change your RSVP to “not going” or remove yourself from the waitlist. We’ll assign a strike if you remove your RSVP at the last minute (< 48 hours) or if you no-show. For events with a waitlist, we'll assign two strikes for no-shows. See our RSVP policy here: https://www.meetup.com/Offbeat-Fun/about/
Join our Offbeat Fun Discord server: https://discord.gg/E9sauzUGYK
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