A Fab Night at Science World

They even made me a sign! (Photo courtesy Peter Bell)

They may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. There are, it seems, at least 100 of us in Vancouver!

Let’s rewind: it all started yesterday when I heard about Science World After Dark: an adult’s only event at Vancouver’s Science World, complete with a cash bar.

Then I saw this Flickr album and my childlike delirium reached unhealthy levels.

My first thought: “holy-****-my-birthday’s-coming-up-and-this-would-be-perfect!” My inner child and my inner wino prematurely gave each other a spirited high-five…

And then I discovered that there were no upcoming “SWADs” on the calendar, much less one on my birthday, and I picked up the phone.

The Birthday Plans Project

Long story short: Science World has never done this before, but they said they’d be willing to open up a SWAD event for my birthday if I could get 100 people to commit.

I spent the next 10 minutes rapping my fingers on my desk and making that sour pout that kids make when they find out Santa is a sham.

See, I’m new to Vancouver (only here since September!) and I didn’t think I could pull off a 100-person party like it ain’t no thang.

That’s when this public Facebook event was born. The basics:

  • Friday Nov. 20th 2009 from approximately 7-10pm
  • Admission for $15 (down from their regular $18 for adults)
  • Access to all things Science World without the screaming line-ups of children
  • And the adults-only bit: a $5 beer bar

They gave me until midnight on Monday (today) to show Science World I could pull this thing off.

Waiting for Santa to Write Back

“C’mon Vancouver–humanity has done greater things in less time! Bring friends! lovers! colleagues! aquaintances! That guy you don’t like, but always comes out!”

Hopeful words from a newbie in a unfamiliar city. I didn’t want to get my hopes too high, but then the magic started to happen.

I watched in disbelief as the number of invitees grew, and total strangers messaged me to help with the effort.

My own Facebook friends took note:

The Holy Hundred

It was like getting a new bike, winning a school yard race, and finding out your first crush likes you back—combined.

Now, I only have one apprehension.

I’m from Toronto, kids—I have trust issues! So I really hope Vancouverites aren’t flaky. Now that we’ve reached the minimal mark, the event is officially on–hooray!!–But I need 100+ warm bodies to make good on their commitment.

I’m that little kid again, wearing my special party outfit and peeking out the window thinking mellow-dramatic thoughts.

“Will they show? Or will this be like the most mega embarrassing thing in the history of the universe?”

But then I think about all the kinds of people that would be attracted to an event like this: grown adults who think science games are awesome and go loony for Lego. It’s like I’m the little bee girl in that Blind Melon video and I’ve found my peeps in a lush green valley!

Science World on the Brain

Until Friday, I’ll be watching the event page like a cat watches the door of a bird cage. We’ve reached the minimum mark, but the more people between me and making good on my goal, the better.

Shout outs to Science World for taking a chance on an unknown kid.

And if this works out, I’ll be the happiest birthday girl to ever put my hand on a Van de Graff generator.

CLICK HERE for the follow up post (including party pictures!)

Comic by Natalie Dee www.nataliedee.com

Category : check this out!, personal journal-like jabber
Tags : , , , , , , , , , ,