I need to transfer files to my new retina macbook, but I also need to work today so I cannot have my computer inoperable until the migration is complete. I cannot turn on target disk mode with ethernet/thunderbolt. Do I have any other options or am I screwed?
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Can I can transfer files from Ethernet to Thunderbolt WITHOUT migration assistant?
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You can do it all over Ethernet but you'll need a TB -> Ethernet adapter to give your rMBP a 1GbE NIC.
The other option is to use Time Machine to back up your old Mac to an external disk, then connect that disk to your rMBP and have Migration Assistant restore/import from the Time Machine backup.
I have the thunderbolt to ethernet adapter... I connected both computers but I dont know how to go about transferring files without Migration Assistant.
Connect both computers to your router via ethernet.
Turn on file sharing on the old computer.
Check the IP address in the Network System Prefs
On the new Mac, use the Finder's Go menu - Connect to server
enter the IP address of the old Mac (usually 192.168.0.2 or something similar)
That should mount the old Mac's icon on your desktop, copy away.
If you have a USB thumb drive or external HD, you can use that too.