National Go to SF Month March 3, 2010 5:09 PM   Subscribe

In which The Whelk visits San Francisco

The Whelk will be here between the 13th and the 19th. How bout another meetup this month?

Depending on the weather we could do an outdoor meetup (birding?) followed by beer and food. If not, then a weeknight?
posted by special-k to MetaFilter Gatherings at 5:09 PM (94 comments total)

Looking at the sidebar, hope yer not all meetuped out. I'm willing to go most places that have food and drinks and aren;t super loud or crowded. I've got no plans set for the trip, although I'll be super-tired on the 13th and leaving at noon on the 19th.
posted by The Whelk at 5:12 PM on March 3, 2010


oh and Great Swell AKA the BF will be tagging along.
posted by The Whelk at 5:13 PM on March 3, 2010


There's no such thing as being meetuped out! I hope. I guess I'll find out this month.
posted by rtha at 5:33 PM on March 3, 2010


Birding? Oooh, please! Crissy Field was great, but Telegraph Hill has hummingbirds and sometimes the wild parrots hang out there. Plus, climbing stairs is good for pre-burning all those beer calories.
posted by Quietgal at 5:54 PM on March 3, 2010


Might we hope that the further adventures of The Whelk Abroad America will have a chapter in Los Angeles?
posted by klangklangston at 6:01 PM on March 3, 2010


I like L.A but I don't see myself being there this year unless I have a good reason ....hint hint.

(Actually I have to Comic-Con Every year and I usually drive up to Hollywood afterwords. No one gets it when I say I'm going there to relax.)
posted by The Whelk at 6:02 PM on March 3, 2010


Beer, birding, and mefites, eh? Let me think about it........oh okay. I'm in!
posted by gingerbeer at 6:31 PM on March 3, 2010 [1 favorite]


Unless, of course, our Honored Guest hates birding. What say you, good sir?

If we do a birding+beer meetup, I think it almost has to be Sunday, since lots of us work during the week. Assuming it doesn't rain - we should make a backup plan for that, I guess - is that something you'd be interested in? Whether we go to Crissy Field (not all that easy to get to on public transit) or Telegraph Hill (easier), you'll get to see bits of the city you might not see otherwise. Thoughts?
posted by rtha at 6:37 PM on March 3, 2010


What is Birding?
posted by The Whelk at 6:42 PM on March 3, 2010


I think birding may be out because I didn't realize that The Whelk was flying in on the 13th (Sunday) when I threw that out as an option.
Weekday birding is doable but difficult for me (and I assume most other folks).
posted by special-k at 6:46 PM on March 3, 2010


The 13th is Saturday.

Birding is walking around with binoculars and looking at birds. It's definitely a daytime thing.
posted by rtha at 6:50 PM on March 3, 2010


I am not that into birds.
posted by The Whelk at 7:19 PM on March 3, 2010 [2 favorites]


The first time I interviewed a Danish psychobilly band, I was kind of at a loss for things to ask them. Their music was sort of inessential, and I was mostly interviewing them as a third source for an article on their record label. So, I asked them a question I had always kind of wondered idly, whether they had the pastries we call danishes, and if they did, were they a big thing, a national food?

The lead singer shrugged apologetically and said, "I don't know. I am not that into cake."

I have since found out that they do eat them and that they're called weinerbrod and they think the pastries are Austrian.
posted by klangklangston at 7:48 PM on March 3, 2010 [1 favorite]


klang - Nekromantix?

Woooo, 3 meetups in a month!!!
posted by mollymayhem at 7:51 PM on March 3, 2010


Whelkome.
posted by BrotherCaine at 10:43 PM on March 3, 2010 [1 favorite]


Birding is like fishing, without the fishing poles and water.
posted by peeedro at 11:10 PM on March 3, 2010


The Whelk, you are stealing all my Visiting Gay thunder. I
am going to SF and want to meet MeFites in April!
posted by greekphilosophy at 11:45 PM on March 3, 2010


Believe me, there's room in this town for everyone's gay thunder. If there wasn't we would have been sunk ages ago.
posted by serazin at 12:05 AM on March 4, 2010 [5 favorites]


I OWN ALL YOUR THUNDER.
posted by The Whelk at 5:38 AM on March 4, 2010


So! Beer and food people - where is it at?
posted by The Whelk at 6:01 AM on March 4, 2010


Out of a sense of deep personal sacrifice, I'm going to stop by the Mission St. Rosamunde tonight on the way home from work, order beer and sauages (the wild boar? Duck? Maybe the pheasant!), and try to get a sense of how loud and crowded it is around 5:30/6:00 pm. If it's suitable, we could maybe meetup there. I'll let y'all know.

Unless someone has a better idea between now and tonight.
posted by rtha at 7:12 AM on March 4, 2010 [1 favorite]


Good luck. We're all counting on you.
posted by The Whelk at 7:27 AM on March 4, 2010


Well, if you're thinking of beer and dogs, there's also Show Dogs. Central, if gritty, location. Pricy but good, IMO. Super fancy suasages with high-end toppings. Could be crowded right before a show. Rosamunde/Toronado can get awfully loud sometimes. I think that might be less likely here, but I've only been once.
posted by oneirodynia at 8:37 AM on March 4, 2010


I haven't been there in forever, and I don't live in SF, but I totally dig the indian pizza at Zantes and think that would be a great thing for any out-of-towner to experience.
posted by hippybear at 9:38 AM on March 4, 2010 [1 favorite]


We did a meetup at Zantes when klangklangston was in town and it worked pretty well. The staff were very accommodating of our expanding crowd. Not the most BART accessible, but it's not all that far from 24th St.
posted by gingerbeer at 9:55 AM on March 4, 2010


I am a fan of this one-meetup-per-week schedule. Also sausage parties.

come on someone had to say it
posted by sarahnade at 12:04 PM on March 4, 2010


Have we decided on a day, yet?

Whelk? Any preference?
posted by special-k at 1:02 PM on March 4, 2010


During the week? I dig low-key bars and chill-er after work scenes? I'm also up for a midday thing? Who's super available when?
posted by The Whelk at 1:19 PM on March 4, 2010


I think it has to be an after work thing (around 530/6ish) for most of us to be able to make it. Hopefully rtha will report back with some more intel on Rosamunde but you still need to pick a day.
posted by special-k at 1:22 PM on March 4, 2010


Uhhhhh Tuesday?
posted by The Whelk at 1:41 PM on March 4, 2010


To: SF Meets Up with The Whelk Cabal
From: reading the frickin "posted by" down there
Re: Reconnaissance of the potential meetup venue called Rosamunde

Report:

I arrived at 5:26 pm PST. I observed 12 adult customers and four children.

I approached the counter and placed my order (a pint of Racer 5 and a spicy beer sausage with grilled onions and sauerkraut).

I paid and took my beer to a table to wait for my food. I watched a portion of the Phillies/Yankees game. I attempted to get a wireless signal.

The bartender came out to wipe a table. I inquired as to the likelihood of being able to secure a table (long picnic-style, of which there are four) for a group early on a Tuesday evening. She said it was likely, especially if we arrived no later than 6 pm.

In the 40 minutes I was there, another eight or 10 people came in. Many were coming from the march protesting cuts to public education. They carried signs. I was done with beer and sausage (which was excellent), so I gave my table to a group of four. They had a bullhorn.

Rosamunde is cash-only. They have many excellent beers on tap, and many more in bottles. There are vegan sausages available (although I assume the rolls they come in are not vegan). Their fries are very good.

It was a difficult assignment. I hope I have completed it satisfactorily.


Yrs in meetupmania,

rtha
posted by rtha at 7:44 PM on March 4, 2010 [4 favorites]


*high fives agent rtha*
posted by special-k at 8:30 PM on March 4, 2010


But what did the signs say?
posted by gingerbeer at 8:55 PM on March 4, 2010


The ones I saw were boring "Support Your Schools" kinds of signs.
posted by rtha at 9:25 PM on March 4, 2010


My favorite slogan of today's demos was "Chop from the Top", but maybe that didn't make it as far as the West Bay?

I will attempt to make it to one of these hundreds of upcoming meetups, but I recognize my track record is poor in this arena.
posted by serazin at 9:32 PM on March 4, 2010


Noooooo. Don't do it Tuesday! I will not be deprived of whelkosity! Wednesday or Thursday, but not Tuesday!
posted by ooga_booga at 10:30 PM on March 5, 2010


OKAY IT IS WEDNESDAY DAY.


I support rtha's choice of venue.
posted by The Whelk at 7:04 AM on March 6, 2010


should we merge this with the OTHER meetup iamkimiam's farewell?
posted by The Whelk at 7:04 AM on March 6, 2010


Nah, because hers isn't until April 10, at which point you'll be back in NY (unless we decide to keep you here).

So are agreed? Wednesday, March 17 (oh god St Patrick's Day) at Rosamunde, 6 pm.

Rosamunde is half a block from the 24th St. BART station. It's cash-only, and there's a Bank of the West (I think) with ATMs a couple doors from it.

If this is good and agreed upon, sidebar away!
posted by rtha at 7:18 AM on March 6, 2010


done and done.
posted by special-k at 7:50 AM on March 6, 2010


Huzzah! Achievement unlocked: Whelkosity!

And it certainly looks like March is Meetup Month here in Sunny (wtf?) San Francisco.
posted by ooga_booga at 12:02 PM on March 6, 2010


St. Patrick's day?

I'm gonna get mistaken for Irish again, aren't I?

I've learned that wearing the kilt Does. Not. Help.
posted by The Whelk at 6:49 AM on March 9, 2010


Yaaay! I can make it and will most definitely be there. (that will make this 4 meetups in three different countries for the month of March!)
posted by iamkimiam at 8:32 AM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]


MEETUP SINGULARITY.
posted by The Whelk at 8:39 AM on March 9, 2010


That makes me very happy, Kim. I am so excited to hear all about your adventures.
posted by special-k at 10:34 AM on March 9, 2010


I'm planning on coming, too. This is a big deal for me, as I have never been to a meet-up before and I love beer and sausages. Whee!
posted by Pecinpah at 4:59 PM on March 9, 2010


I have never had sausages before.
posted by The Whelk at 5:20 PM on March 9, 2010


Well, you're coming to the right city.

Ba-da-BOOM!
posted by Pecinpah at 5:09 PM on March 11, 2010


WHAT IS THIS FIREY BALL IN THE SKY AND HOW CAN I APPEASE IT?
posted by The Whelk at 9:49 AM on March 14, 2010


GO TO FISHERMAN'S WHARF STRIP OFF ALL YOU CLOTHES AND DO A LITTLE DANCE
posted by rtha at 11:39 AM on March 14, 2010


NO WAY I JUST WEDGED MYSELF INTO THIS OUTFIT. THERE WIL BE NO STRIPPING OR BREATHING TODAY.
posted by The Whelk at 11:41 AM on March 14, 2010


THEN KNEEL BEFORE THE NEWLY ODDLY RETURNED SEA LIONS AND GIVE THANKS.

I think this will be my first meetup. I like all-caps non-GRAR.
posted by grapesaresour at 9:07 PM on March 14, 2010


Another meetup!! I have a bad habit of leaving meetups early, but if I do that again, I promise I won't bring a third of the people with me this time. Maybe.
posted by tantivy at 10:45 PM on March 14, 2010


PS, I celebrated Pi(e) Day today, but none of you will get to taste the chocolate pistachio pie because there's no way it's gonna survive in my apartment till Wednesday.
posted by tantivy at 10:45 PM on March 14, 2010 [1 favorite]


The great thing about all these meetups is that I can skip every other meetup and still pack in two a month!
posted by sambosambo at 11:54 PM on March 14, 2010


I plan to definitely be there for this one. I have to be at work till 530ish so I'll be there between 645 and 7.
posted by special-k at 11:13 AM on March 15, 2010


I'm planning on being there and I'll take public transit like a smart person, even!
posted by sarahnade at 1:53 PM on March 15, 2010


I spent the day in Sonoma and got SO CYNICAL YOU GUYS- But I got some wine cause they do that there I think? I need to find some all-night grub before hitting Li Po (again, they have plum liquor so good you forget your name) and maybe the sketchy looking hookah lounge on taylor cause I am SUCH A SUCKER for Arabic pop and tea so I can coherent enough to go biking around Golden Gate Park tomorrow and go look at museums and shit. I need some deep-fired crab before it's out of season...

And like, that thing tomorrow with the beer and stuff.
posted by The Whelk at 8:43 PM on March 16, 2010


I hope Rosamunde accepts food stamps…
posted by skidknee at 8:52 PM on March 16, 2010


Nope, cash-only. I'm pretty sure you can't use food stamps for prepared foods, anyway. But whether you're broke or poor, we can round up enough cash between us to stand you a delicious, artisanal sausage and a local microbrew!
posted by rtha at 9:31 PM on March 16, 2010


(I was referring to the 500+ comment thread on hipsters on welfare. Hehe.)

I can't make it to this one, but I'd like to for the next meetup! :)
posted by skidknee at 9:45 PM on March 16, 2010


(I figured, yeah! Next one's on April 10, unless we have one sooner. See you!)
posted by rtha at 10:02 PM on March 16, 2010


Actually, I won't be drinking with you guys on St. Patrick's Day. The same guy responsible for my chocolatey Pi Day is making me an offer I can't refuse: homemade tapas and Spanish wine. I am sad to be breaking this meetup mini-streak, though.
posted by tantivy at 12:37 AM on March 17, 2010


I refuse to wear green but I might be persuaded to break out the Tartan.
posted by The Whelk at 11:14 AM on March 17, 2010


(I am aware they are an invention of 19th century Scottish nationalism and I don't care)
posted by The Whelk at 11:18 AM on March 17, 2010


We tried to arrange the nice weather for you, The Whelk. Hope you're enjoying it.

See you all this evening!
posted by gingerbeer at 4:09 PM on March 17, 2010


Jaybeans and I will be there with bells on, but alas it may be more like 6:45 or 7 before we show. Stoopid work and real life cramping my meetup plans.
posted by mostlymartha at 4:58 PM on March 17, 2010


I myself may be a TOUCH tardy as my bike ride went on longer than I expected (The Presidio is NOT A PARK, you LIES TO ME, MAP. LIED!)
posted by The Whelk at 5:27 PM on March 17, 2010


It's a National Park, dude.
posted by gingerbeer at 5:44 PM on March 17, 2010


Here I am in my kitchen missing another meetup. Leave an empty seat for me - like Elijah?
posted by serazin at 5:52 PM on March 17, 2010


getting in cab, cleaning up vomit (ASK ME IT IS A STORY) and out to Rosamunde's. I'll be the tubby guy with the hair and glasses and internet t-shirt and glasses, so you know, I'll stand out.
posted by The Whelk at 6:05 PM on March 17, 2010


rtha says they're at the far table on the left as you walk in.
posted by gingerbeer at 6:37 PM on March 17, 2010


Meetup is hopping! Sausage! Beer! Internet people!
posted by mollymayhem at 6:57 PM on March 17, 2010


Got stuck doing inconvenient crap. Will be over in 40-45 minutes, if you guys will still be there.
posted by ooga_booga at 7:23 PM on March 17, 2010


Should we drink this?
posted by Pronoiac at 8:46 PM on March 17, 2010


No one should drink green beer! Ever!
posted by gingerbeer at 8:50 PM on March 17, 2010


but, it was free [free as in free beer] beer!
posted by radicarian at 9:51 PM on March 17, 2010


That was really fun but now I'm hoarse because OH HEY IT WAS REALLY LOUD. REALLY REALLY LOUD.

And I only got to talk to The Whelk for about ten seconds. Come back, come back soon! We will pick a quieter venue!
posted by rtha at 9:58 PM on March 17, 2010


Woot, that was fun!
posted by iamkimiam at 10:11 PM on March 17, 2010


It was so great to hang out with you, Frjtz!
Call me soon.
xoxo
posted by special-k at 10:19 PM on March 17, 2010


...whoever you are (not me damnit!!!)
posted by iamkimiam at 10:22 PM on March 17, 2010


I bailed cause it was loud.

Sorry. It's the thing I have. Thanks to everyone for arranging it, sorry I wasn't more in the festive mood. Yay to gingerbeer for letting me use her MagicPhone and rtha for arranging it and all the people I did talk to and didn't cause again, I bailed cause like an Arabian Horse I spook real easy.


Also Mattdidthat is a GOD AMONG MEN. Srsly.

I'm glad no one drank green beer.
posted by The Whelk at 11:56 PM on March 17, 2010


Apologies to Special-K for vanishing before he showed up, mea culpa.
posted by The Whelk at 12:03 AM on March 18, 2010


This is ooga's sad face :(
posted by ooga_booga at 12:48 AM on March 18, 2010


How much longer is The Whelk here? Is there time to throw a meetup in a quieter place?
posted by Pronoiac at 1:48 AM on March 18, 2010


I've posted some pictures, though they're half-assed & blurry & I accidentally left people out, repeatedly.
posted by Pronoiac at 2:27 AM on March 18, 2010


I leave later tonight and I'm pretty well booked up as far as days events go. Apologies again for the quick bail but it looked like a good time was being had by all. Hit me up if any of y'all are in NYC and I'm in California a bunch of times anyway. Keep the webs spinning!
posted by The Whelk at 10:08 AM on March 18, 2010


Well, it was great to chat with you, albeit briefly! Also, I liked your shirt, but didn't get a chance to tell you. So, yeah, nice shirt!
posted by iamkimiam at 10:29 AM on March 18, 2010


I'm glad no one drank green beer.

If only that were true. (Seriously, Rosamunde ran out of Guinness and then adulterated Spaten with food coloring. I don't know what the world's coming to.)

Despite the noise and the green beer, I had a great time. I mentioned this to a couple of people last night... since it's going to be three whole weeks until iamkimiam's farewell get-together, I propose a Methadone Meetup to ease us through the withdrawal. Who's with me?
posted by asterix at 12:06 PM on March 18, 2010


Next time we can have the meetup at Truck, The Whelk. I trust you made your way there okay.
posted by gingerbeer at 12:34 PM on March 18, 2010




I did gingerbeer! But it was also unspeakably loud, so I just walked back to Union square with my thoughts.
posted by The Whelk at 4:58 PM on March 18, 2010


Well, the next time you're out here we shall endeavor to find a location with a more suitable ambience! So come on out again soon!
posted by ooga_booga at 11:00 PM on March 18, 2010


No worries, The Whelk. Next time.
posted by special-k at 11:48 AM on March 19, 2010


« Older subsite selection for myFavorites   |   Special Snowflakes, all of us! Newer »

You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments

Photos:
Pronoiac's