SF is better than NYC. There. I said it.

December 1, 2009 10:32 PM

Hello, San Francisco! I've been living here for six weeks now and already I know that this is the perfect place and time for me to exist. I love everything and everyone here, and I want to marry you all and best friend you and have a thousand million babies with you. Which is to say, YES! I live here now! KEEEEE YAH! Which is to say, YES! LET'S! MEET! UP!

I'm thinking Dec 18th [note: Dec 19th instead, see below], because that is the day that maximizes the greatest amount of awesome for our awesome. I'll leave it up to you where we shall meet, and pray to Tlaloc and Marduk that this doesn't have to involve a spreadsheet. (and if you think I'm joking, look back at some of the NYC meetup threads)

(although, to be fair, the spreadsheet did work pretty well.)

posted by Afroblanco to MetaFilter Gatherings at 10:32 PM (156 comments total)

The 18th works for the gingerbeer/rtha household. Were you thinking an evening in a bar sort of a thing?
posted by gingerbeer at 10:43 PM on December 1, 2009

Woo!
posted by rtha at 10:44 PM on December 1, 2009

Can I be the first to make a joke about Frjtz?
posted by roll truck roll at 10:46 PM on December 1, 2009

Unfortunately, the 18th is Mrs. Truck Roll (also known as firemonkey)'s birthday, and I'm guessing this isn't what she's going to want to do.
posted by roll truck roll at 10:47 PM on December 1, 2009

Damn straight! I'm done with finals then and everything! Let's do this!
posted by Doublewhiskeycokenoice at 10:49 PM on December 1, 2009

I think a bar would outtasight.

And I do look forward to meeting the whole Truck Roll family at some point in the future.
posted by Afroblanco at 10:50 PM on December 1, 2009

I want to marry you all and best friend you and have a thousand million babies with you.

Thousand million babies, no prob. Marry, not so much.

(If you ever make it to L.A., first round's on me.)
posted by mykescipark at 10:53 PM on December 1, 2009

Marvelous idea. The dear boy and I missed the last two SF meetups due to boring family obligations, but we're free and clear for the 18th.
posted by mostlymartha at 11:00 PM on December 1, 2009

Afroblanco on the west coast? Yes, indeed.
posted by dhammond at 11:01 PM on December 1, 2009

Anyone got a neighborhood preference? I know MeFi likes The Mission, but there's wonderful places all over this town.
posted by Doublewhiskeycokenoice at 11:01 PM on December 1, 2009

How about Frj...damn you Roll Truck Roll!

I'll be there. Even if there won't be fries and funky bathrooms playing language learning tapes. That's how much I love you all.
posted by iamkimiam at 11:01 PM on December 1, 2009

Maybe I'll remember to show up, instead of just looking at MeTa the day after and going Doh!
posted by mollymayhem at 11:09 PM on December 1, 2009

ACK! Just found out that the 18th will actually not work so well with my (apparently not-negotiable) my pre-existing obligations. HOWEVER! HOWEVER! (isn't there always a however?) It turns out that my awesomeness maximization equation was actually off by 24 HOURS! Although the 18th will be a wash, the 19th will be stupendously excellent in every possible way.

It really is a good thing that we didn't have the meetup on the 18th. According to my calculations, it would have rained celery soda nonstop, small children would have stolen our shoes, dogs would have burped at us from a distance, and at least one of us would have been cursed out vociferously by Mary Poppins. (don't laugh, she's a Muay Thai instructor)

So yes, meetup on the 19th. AND UP WE SHALL MEET!!!!
posted by Afroblanco at 11:19 PM on December 1, 2009

Rakka-frakka bad timing holiday flights mutter frutter...
posted by Pronoiac at 11:26 PM on December 1, 2009

Up is exactly how I like to meet. I'll be there!
posted by aubilenon at 12:08 AM on December 2, 2009

I am so down for meeting up! And since it's so close to Christmas, maybe we could do a white elephant gift exchange or a human sacrifice or something equally delightful!
posted by sambosambo at 1:54 AM on December 2, 2009

SF is better than NYC. There. I said it.
December 2, 2009 1:32 AM

Hello, San Francisco! I've been living here for six weeks now and already I know that this is the perfect place and time for me to exist. I love everything and everyone here, and I want to marry you all and best friend you and have a thousand million babies with you.

That's a good way to get your ass kicked while on e.
posted by gman at 4:23 AM on December 2, 2009 [1 favorite]

SF is better than NYC. There. I said it.

FINE WE HATE YOU TOO
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 4:37 AM on December 2, 2009 [1 favorite]

By which we mean we miss you, and it seems like bizarro meetups now that you're gone.

*sniff*
posted by ocherdraco at 5:08 AM on December 2, 2009

Aw, NYC, we don't *hate* you. We just feel bad for you because now not only do you not have decent burritos and frankly that just seems bizarre to me - I mean, really, NY? No decent Mission-style burritos? Can that be Actually True? you don't even have Afroblanco. Poor things.

Anyway. I think the 18th works for gingerbeer and me as well.
posted by rtha at 5:55 AM on December 2, 2009

Look at me! Look at meeeeee!!!
posted by slogger at 6:45 AM on December 2, 2009

SF's obsession with its burritos is kind of weird.
posted by kenko at 7:48 AM on December 2, 2009 [1 favorite]

SF's obsession with its burritos is kind of weird.

Burritos are the world's most perfect food. You have all of the food groups together in one handy package, they look like caterpillars, and actually taste better as leftovers. They also taste differently at each restaurant, so the search for the perfect burrito can be a life-long mission.

I'm not sure about the meetup - I may have a birthday party to attend (christmas babies unite!).
posted by The Light Fantastic at 8:25 AM on December 2, 2009 [1 favorite]

Aw, shoot. I could do the 18th but not the 19th.

Have fun!
posted by ORthey at 8:34 AM on December 2, 2009

I'll already be out of town for the holidays (Athens, GA meetup anyone?). Crappity crap.

(How does one not understand the magic of burritos?)
posted by padraigin at 8:42 AM on December 2, 2009

I dunno. Our obsessions with burritos isn't any weirder than New York's obsession with pizza, or bagels, or Philly's is with their cheesesteaks.
posted by rtha at 9:21 AM on December 2, 2009

Aww you moved?
posted by spec80 at 9:25 AM on December 2, 2009

I just don't think that's true, rtha. And I say this as an SF dweller and frequent burrito consumer. But whatever!
posted by kenko at 9:35 AM on December 2, 2009

I just jumped in here to add that the obsession with burritos isn't just some phenomenon that occurs while you're in San Francisco. It stays with you. It becomes a part of you.

I live in London now and burritos are one of the few foods I dearly miss. I feel like I can get any other food in the world that I want here (I never was a big bagel or pizza fan even when I lived in NYC) except that one elusive thing - a tasty, carne-asada filled burrito like they make in the Mission.

/apologies for the derail
posted by vacapinta at 9:46 AM on December 2, 2009 [2 favorites]

We can ship you one, vacapinta.
posted by gingerbeer at 9:51 AM on December 2, 2009

When we were planning a move outside of the burritosphere a few years back, I spent a lot of time carefully reverse-engineering the carne asada at my favorite taqueria, knowing that whatever I could get in the new city would never compare. We ended up not moving at that time, but what I learned is still with me, and if we are ever in one of those situations where the world basically ends and we have to piece society back together based on the knowledge of those left behind...
posted by padraigin at 10:04 AM on December 2, 2009

I don't like burritos.
posted by zsazsa at 10:12 AM on December 2, 2009

Aw, hell, hell, hell, hell, hell. I live 40 miles to the south, in San Jose, and getting up to SF is a doddle for me, and I would love to do this. But on the 18th, my young man and I will be flying out of California for the first time since leaving NYC ourselves 16 months ago, to spend the holidays with my parents in Philadelphia.

Well, damn.

I wish you all a brilliant meetup, though -- and Afroblanco, if you're ever up for a little extra NYC deconstruction/reminiscence, I'll be back in SJ on 1/5, gearing up for the second half of law school and looking for a good reason to put the books down for a few hours.
posted by bakerina at 10:15 AM on December 2, 2009

Before we start taking babbies, I really must run this by my first MeSpouse, Brandon Blatcher. I'm sure he's cool with it though.
posted by special-k at 10:27 AM on December 2, 2009

I'm glad you're enjoying yourself and hope you have a great meet up. But, I've gotta say, I think regional pissing matches are lame—even when they're "jokes."

you can live anywhere you want! you can live anywhere you want!
posted by defenestration at 10:32 AM on December 2, 2009

vacapinta, I'm pretty sure we can re-engineer the Alameda-Weehawken Burrito Tunnel so it heads to London at least temporarily.

I really wish we had decent bagels here, though.

Have we discussed a time/place yet? If it's an evening-ish sort of thing, I vote for somewhere in the Mission (NOT Frjtz), since it's BART-accessible and has truckloads of bars where they don't care if you bring in a burrito.
posted by rtha at 10:47 AM on December 2, 2009

Don't think I can make a meetup then, but I have to say this was a joyful post to see on MeTa first thing this morning. I'm glad you're happy to be here, and welcome. :)
posted by oneirodynia at 11:10 AM on December 2, 2009

The Mission Rosamunde's hasn't opened yet, has it?
posted by gingerbeer at 11:13 AM on December 2, 2009

HOLY SHIT there's going to be a rosamunde in the mission?

I don't know why this is important news to me since I live a block away from the lower haight one, but still. This seems very important.
posted by kenko at 11:43 AM on December 2, 2009

I think I'll be able to make the 19th. Latin-American club? Doc's Clock? They both get crowded on weekend nights though (along with every other bar in the hood). Oh, and Rosamunde's supposedly took possession on December 1st and are planning on being open by January 1st - probably a bit late for this meetup, but maybe the next...
posted by whir at 12:08 PM on December 2, 2009

FINE WE HATE YOU TOO

*looks at watch, adjusts it a few minutes*

I thought my watch was off a bit. Now I know for sure.

SF's obsession with its burritos is kind of weird.

You know what's weird? I can't even get a proper "Mission style" burrito in LA. I've tried a couple of times in the past few months, and they're just not the same at all. Heck, I've had trouble finding a proper "Mission style" burrito just across the bay in Oakland.

Same exact ingredients, nearly the same size (if a bit smaller) - but there's something really different about the ones you get in SF. I don't know if it's the salty, moist air or something in the water or what, but they're just not the same anywhere else.

The last LA burrito I had was very good, but not a Mission burrito. This LA burrito had long strands of grilled onions and too much rough-cut cilantro making the texture all weird. Also, the last half of it didn't store as well a Mission burrito does. A Mission burrito is still perfectly delicious and moist even after 6 hours in the fridge. This LA burrito seemed to dry out in minutes.

I think I'm going to have to just go with my original plan of sticking with tacos while in LA. LA tacos are awesome, and conversely they're just not the same in SF as they are in LA, and I tried finding LA taco truck style tacos in SF.

I'm still curious about the "California Mission Burrito" restaurant I saw when I visited Asheville, NC. Probably because they could use some mocking and ranting about the true nature of a Mission burrito. They were charging like 10 bucks for a way too small burrito and had sit-down tables with actual plates and silverware and stuff, and what appeared to be cloth napkins.

WTF? Silverware? Plates? It's a fucking burrito! If you actually sit down at a greasy plastic picnic table to eat it, you're lucky if you get a plastic basket and a wad of cheap napkins.
posted by loquacious at 12:16 PM on December 2, 2009

Hey all,

Sorry, I had no idea anybody would take my inter-city trashtalking serously. But then again, people get all bent out of shape over things like regional sports rivalries, so I guess I should have figured on that. Apologies.

On food.

Burritos in SF. Awesome. Excellent. Lifechanging.

NY Pizza. Disappointing. Lived there for 6 years, never figured out what the deal was. It's just normal pizza with big slices, people! Get over it. Margharita pizza on the other hand.... is a different story. But that's not specific to NYC.

Real bagels and Katz's Deli will be sorely missed, and I try not to think about it.

Outside of that, if you can't make it on the 18th, no biggie. There will be more meetups in the future. We used to have them every month in NYC, no reason we can't do that here.
posted by Afroblanco at 12:19 PM on December 2, 2009

(Outside of that, if you can't make it on the 18th) should be (Outside of that, if you can't make it on the 19th)

as if this wasn't confusing enough already :)
posted by Afroblanco at 12:25 PM on December 2, 2009

Mmmm, burritos are one of the only things I will eat on any trip to SF. Sick and wrong, but true.
posted by bitter-girl.com at 12:26 PM on December 2, 2009

Rosamunde in the Mission? I dunno. Without Christina, it won't be quite the same.

Afroblanco, try House of Bagels out in the Richmond. I'm a total bagel snob (and continually mocked for it by my friends), and House of Bagels makes the best ones in the city. Fuck their rye bread, though. Terrible stuff.

And I'm totally having a burrito for dinner.
posted by mollymayhem at 2:05 PM on December 2, 2009

welcome afroblanco! I am already double booked on the 19th so we'll have to meet another time. you all need to stop talking about burritos now cause burrito night is thursday and how am I supposed to wait over 24 hours before I get my burrito now????

(very good mission style burritos can be had in oakland down in the fruitvale area. try taqueria guadalajara on international...)
posted by supermedusa at 2:12 PM on December 2, 2009

DOC'S CLOCK
posted by obloquy at 3:08 PM on December 2, 2009

I've had trouble finding a proper "Mission style" burrito just across the bay in Oakland.

That's because Oakland is a taco and torta town. No one really eats burritos here.
posted by oneirodynia at 3:41 PM on December 2, 2009

DOC'S CLOCK

We're talking about burritos here! If you want to talk about meetup locations, start a meetup thread! Sheesh!
posted by sambosambo at 3:42 PM on December 2, 2009 [1 favorite]

Have we ever had a Naan n Curry meetup? BYOB seems more appropriate In These Hard Times than a bar.

Also, greasy Indian food. Win win.
posted by roll truck roll at 5:03 PM on December 2, 2009

Sounds good to me, rtr. Let's make that a theme for a January meetup.
posted by special-k at 5:05 PM on December 2, 2009

I'm in for a meetup, or a regional pissing match, but not both.

I'm not seeing this converge on a location. If it's the same Naan and Curry as the one in Berkeley, I'm not too keen on it. I've never been to the Cha Cha Cha in the Mission, but I'd certainly show up for a meetup there. Wherever we start, there should be food.
posted by jeffamaphone at 5:41 PM on December 2, 2009

Ir you replace "Naan n' Curry" with "Pakwan", then we're back to neighborhood convergence (the Mish, of course). You can even BYO there I'm pretty sure.
posted by rkent at 5:47 PM on December 2, 2009

I also just moved from New York to San Francisco a month ago. Though I am not as metafilter-famous as Afroblanco, I'll do my best to make it wherever ya'll decide on for the 19th.

And just to add my non-metafilter-famous two cents to the derail. As far as I can tell, the worst Mexican food in California is better than the best Mexican food in New York. It's a whole different thing, and it's delicious.

But the bagel and pizza situation out here is HORRENDOUS. I gave up on bagels after two disasters, and a pizza place touted as the best in the Mission was really bad.

That said, I live near the Arizmendi in the Sunset, and they make good pizza and bialys (which remind me of my Bubby, rest her soul), so all is well.
posted by thebergfather at 5:47 PM on December 2, 2009

The thing with pizza is, New Yorkers come out here and expect to be able to walk in somewhere and get an exact replica of a New York slice. If that's the only way you like pizza, you will probably continue to be disappointed. Try Little Star (Mission or NoPa), try Goat Hill (Potrero), and if you don't like either of those, we probably don't have anything to offer you pizza-wise. You may want to try Escape from New York, but I imagine it's a pale imitation of what you get at home.

I'm with you on the bagels though. Sigh.
posted by rkent at 5:54 PM on December 2, 2009

As a Texan who recently relocated to San Francisco, I would like to say that I am mortified by what you call Mexican out here. I asked for queso on my pollo taco, and they put green sauce.

If you don't know Spanish, don't pretend to know Spanish. Plus, how do you not know queso?

I will try and get my equally non-famous metafilter self out despite this fact.
posted by politikitty at 7:01 PM on December 2, 2009

After this meet-up I hope to be metafilter-infamous.
posted by jeffamaphone at 7:41 PM on December 2, 2009

Naan 'n' Curry!!! Yes plz. The O'Farrell location is easily accessible by BART.

Question: Burrito vs. Sandwich? Pick one. I have to admit I could live without a burrito. But I would die if I could never have a Sandwich again. Maybe this is proof that I will never truly be Californian.

Also, I prefer breakfast sandwiches to breakfast burritos. Burritoes? Burritos.

Best bagels are in Palo Alto at Izzy's Brooklyn Bagels on California Ave.
posted by sarahnade at 8:37 PM on December 2, 2009

I asked for queso on my pollo taco, and they put green sauce.

If you don't know Spanish, don't pretend to know Spanish. Plus, how do you not know queso?

I have a feeling you went to the wrong place. At the best places, they dont speak anything BUT spanish.
posted by vacapinta at 1:57 AM on December 3, 2009

New date no worky. Have fun and catch y'all next time!
posted by iamkimiam at 1:59 AM on December 3, 2009

sarahnade: I wasn't going to mention it for fear of being stabbed in the eye by some burly Brooklynite at the meet-up under discussion, but I do like Izzy's; I claim to be no bagel connoisseur, but theirs are at least edible. If I have to choose between Burrito and Sandwich, I pick Taco.
posted by jeffamaphone at 9:32 AM on December 3, 2009

Aw, all this talk of burritos is making me miss San Francisco, and I've only been in the UK for 3 weeks.

loquacious, SF may have the burritos, but LA has the good Oaxacan food. Although the newish La Oaxaquena hole-in-the-wall on Mission has mole to die for.

vacapinta, I've been doing a lot of research on Mexican food in London -- have you been to Mestizo near the Warren St. tube station? Their website says burritos are now being served M-F 12-4 and the menu looks promising... mole! carnitas! cochinita pibil!

Afroblanco and all, enjoy the City and the burritos (and Little Star and the new Rosamundes and the Mission Street Food and Zeitgeist and Nizario's and Tartine and Roosevelt's Tamale Parlor etc... sigh) for me while I'm away please!
posted by KatlaDragon at 9:57 AM on December 3, 2009

I'm in for a meetup, or a regional pissing match, but not both.

Oh, I'm pretty sure SF mefites can manage to drink and piss at the same time. We're a resourceful crew.

The new tiki bar on Gough St. is supposed to be open by then. Any interest in trying it?
posted by gingerbeer at 1:37 PM on December 3, 2009

Tacos > burritos, any day. Tongue tacos at Taqueria Vallarta! Delicious.
posted by kenko at 1:42 PM on December 3, 2009

iamkimiam: New date no worky. Have fun and catch y'all next time!

If iamkimiam isn't going, I'm not sure what the point is anymore. I'll email the mods to go ahead and close this up. Good effort team.
posted by sambosambo at 1:45 PM on December 3, 2009

@sambosambo I'm going no matter what you say. Afroblanco owes me a beer.

It is time for someone to put the smack down and pick a location already.
posted by jeffamaphone at 2:23 PM on December 3, 2009

Yeah, actually I do owe you a beer.
posted by Afroblanco at 2:50 PM on December 3, 2009

Alright, I'm still in but Afroblanco better be one charming guy to make up for changing the date.

I'm talking Ambrosia Voyeur levels of charm here, guy.
posted by sambosambo at 3:00 PM on December 3, 2009

I might be able to make it still if it's in the Mission. Especially if it ends up being at Martuni's or Mission Bar. I could even bring a whole gaggle of linguists.*

*Linguists only seldomly form gaggles. Usually it's clauses, features or isoglosses of linguists. In other words, this is a rare opportunity, not to be missed.
posted by iamkimiam at 5:10 PM on December 3, 2009 [3 favorites]

Huh. I always thought "a Chomsky of linguists" had a certain ring to it.
posted by Afroblanco at 5:22 PM on December 3, 2009

I think Chomsky would argue that it's an underlying representation of linguists.
posted by iamkimiam at 5:30 PM on December 3, 2009 [3 favorites]

As opposed to "a Strunk of Highschool English Teachers", which it is to best avoid encountering unprepared.
posted by jeffamaphone at 5:41 PM on December 3, 2009 [1 favorite]

Haha, that was good. Meaning, more passively, it was good by me, I thought...with an excess of superfluous and unnecessary adjectives and words.
posted by iamkimiam at 5:47 PM on December 3, 2009

Well, if it will get us iamkimiam, then I vote for Mission Bar, 6 pm on the 19th. Bring your own burrito. Or we can wander off for burritos after.

(Hint: Taqueria Cancun is a few short blocks away)
posted by gingerbeer at 8:36 PM on December 3, 2009

Gingerbeer, I wholeheartedly endorse your plan.

Does somebody want to second the motion?
posted by Afroblanco at 10:49 PM on December 3, 2009

I second the motion.

And as it turns out, it's a good thing the date changed to the 19th since my company holiday party is on the 18th.

So I guess now I owe afroblanco a beer.
posted by sambosambo at 1:00 AM on December 4, 2009

Boom. Sidebarred.
posted by sambosambo at 2:53 AM on December 4, 2009

Okay, so by the transitive rule of beer buying, wouldn't that mean that sambosambo owes jeffamaphone a beer?
posted by Afroblanco at 9:35 AM on December 4, 2009

Sweet.
posted by mostlymartha at 10:29 AM on December 4, 2009

Everyone owes me a beer. Fortunately for ya'll, I can only drink like... three ...before I fall over.
posted by jeffamaphone at 10:35 AM on December 4, 2009

Totally in!
posted by special-k at 12:37 PM on December 4, 2009

They also taste differently at each restaurant, so the search for the perfect burrito can be a life-long mission.

True indeed. Which is why, though I may or may not be down round the SF parts for this meetup, I absolutely want suggestions for where to find good burritos.

So far the best burritos I've had have been in (a) Austin and (b) Folsom. But, you know, life-long mission and all that.
posted by weston at 12:46 PM on December 4, 2009

Yes, Mission Bar!! Please!! The UR of linguists will be constructing there around 8 as well. Yay!
posted by iamkimiam at 12:59 PM on December 4, 2009

I'm pretty sure that someone owes me a beer, and I owe someone a beer. I guess I'll show up on the 19th and see what beers go where with whom!
posted by rtha at 1:48 PM on December 4, 2009

You're owed rivers of beer, rtha, because you're one of the wisest, most thoughtful people in these parts.
posted by ambient2 at 1:59 PM on December 4, 2009

I'm pretty sure that someone owes me a beer

rtha is teh awesome and I want to buy her a beer.
posted by special-k at 4:16 PM on December 4, 2009

Ok! I am going to buy special-k a beer too, because he is also awesome!
posted by rtha at 4:26 PM on December 4, 2009

All I know is we need to outdrink this bunch. Then it really will be a regional pissing match.
posted by jeffamaphone at 5:00 PM on December 4, 2009

I will buy beer for each and every one of my spouses. And Afrobianco since he's new here and doesn't yet know our spousing ways.
posted by gingerbeer at 5:10 PM on December 4, 2009

I think queso is just a tejano thing, I haven't seen it anywhere else at owned-and-run-by Mexican places---and I'm from LA!
posted by brujita at 8:40 PM on December 4, 2009

Yes, indeed, coffee tawk shall happen.

And that's hilarious that the NYC crew are having a meetup on the same night. We should hook up some kind of webcam link and compete with them in a variety of silly ways.

Heh, that would actually be kinda cool. And it would give me a chance to see my much-loved NYC crew again. Been gone less than 2 months and I miss them already. (sniff)
posted by Afroblanco at 11:50 PM on December 5, 2009

Oh, if only this website were populated by computer geeks who knew how to connect camera thingies to other camery doohickies over the intertubes! Alas; who will come to our rescue?
posted by jeffamaphone at 10:28 AM on December 6, 2009

Oooh, we have cameras!
posted by iamkimiam at 11:24 AM on December 6, 2009

If anyone wants to do a local cookie exchange, I might back up a batch of those triple ginger cookies again.
posted by gingerbeer at 12:42 PM on December 8, 2009

*bake*. I might *bake* up a batch.
posted by gingerbeer at 12:42 PM on December 8, 2009

back those cookies up! uh-huh uh-huh, yowza!
posted by iamkimiam at 2:14 PM on December 8, 2009 [1 favorite]

It's always a good idea to back up your cookies, just in case some hungry person decides to clear them.
posted by Afroblanco at 10:52 AM on December 9, 2009

Coincidentally I'll be in the City that weekend, if you don't mind an expatriate gatecrasher...
posted by geckoinpdx at 3:06 PM on December 9, 2009

Nice timing, gecko! We'd love to see you.
posted by gingerbeer at 3:49 PM on December 9, 2009

Hell yeah, gecko! I don't think Mission Bar has tables with fire in the middle, but it does have things like beer, so there's that. We will always welcome our brethren from PDX, expat or no.
posted by rtha at 3:50 PM on December 9, 2009

I am going to be in town and would love to go. Should I be worried that as a fairly quiet member, no one will know who I am, or do us people tend to come out of the woodwork for these type of things?

Longish way of saying I am in.
posted by Carillon at 7:45 PM on December 10, 2009

No one will know who you are, but it won't matter too much; I've had fun at the few I've made it to, and no one knows who I am either (;
posted by radicarian at 11:39 PM on December 10, 2009

Oh don't you worry, Carillon. We'll talk to you until you'll wish we hadn't!

(I mean, lookit, this is a meetup thread that's gone past 100 comments! We're chatty here in the Bay Area.)

(Once a couple years ago we had a meetup that went on for something like nine hours.)
posted by rtha at 11:47 PM on December 10, 2009

Unlike the last meetup, when I literally didn't have two nickels to rub together, I may actually be able to pay for a drink on the 19th, so I might just show up to this one.

Also, from the Yelp reviews, it sounds like this bar is cool with dogs -- would anyone mind if I brought along my adorable fox terrier, 'Doctor'?
posted by trip and a half at 9:44 AM on December 11, 2009

Fine by me. And if you only have one nickel, or no nickels at all, I will be happy to buy you a drink.
posted by rtha at 10:10 AM on December 11, 2009

Thanks, rtha! You can see pics of Doc here, so you'll recognize us (and because it's obligatory to link to pics whenever one mentions one's pet on the internet).

If anyone does object, feel free to speak up and he can stay at home.
posted by trip and a half at 10:25 AM on December 11, 2009

He's like a tiny, dog-shaped cow! So cute!
posted by rtha at 11:55 AM on December 11, 2009

I want to see the dogcow!! I'll be there. :)
posted by sarahnade at 3:32 PM on December 11, 2009

I guarantee that if you bring that cute dog, all of you humans will have lost my attention for at least 2 hours, until I get the squee out of my system. It's up to you to decide.
posted by iamkimiam at 5:14 PM on December 11, 2009

Hee! I'm a former Mac user, but I had forgotten all about the dogcow! I found a longer account of the dogcow here. How fun!

C'mon down to Mission Bar on the 19th, folks, and meet the dogcow in person! Moof!
posted by trip and a half at 5:14 PM on December 11, 2009

Also, for anybody who's shy and doesn't want to ask random strangers if they're 'friends of Matt', just look for the crazy girl gushing over a dog at a bar. No MeFi table signs or grey shirts needed!
posted by iamkimiam at 5:19 PM on December 11, 2009

my shirt is blue...
posted by geckoinpdx at 5:07 AM on December 12, 2009

So I'll actually be back in town on the 19th and think I can make it. Woohoo!
posted by zachlipton at 2:59 PM on December 12, 2009

Hey, a meet up in th mission?

I'm there. I've been needing to get out and meet more people, so this will do quite nicely, thank you.
posted by Relay at 6:35 PM on December 12, 2009

Hey! this will be my first full day home from working abroad, I will likely be there.
posted by iamabot at 2:41 AM on December 13, 2009

What broad have you been working?

*slaps knee, guffaws*

God, I kill me!
posted by rtha at 8:27 AM on December 13, 2009 [2 favorites]

I will certainly be there, but I'm not going to bring my dogs, since they don't play nice with others.
posted by jeffamaphone at 11:09 AM on December 13, 2009

Even Lucy?
posted by Afroblanco at 1:25 PM on December 13, 2009

Yeah.
posted by jeffamaphone at 5:50 PM on December 13, 2009

Well, she plays nice with others most of the time, but no, I'm not going to bring her. I asked her if she wanted to go and she said she was, "getting to old for this shit."
posted by jeffamaphone at 5:51 PM on December 13, 2009

Sorry to miss this one, but I'll be watching Avatar. Have fun all!
posted by jasper411 at 9:02 AM on December 16, 2009

If jeffamaphone's dog is too old for this shit, that would make the dogcow Riggs.
posted by ooga_booga at 4:12 PM on December 16, 2009

Oh, and I will have to sit this one out since I have prior commitments, alas.
posted by ooga_booga at 4:13 PM on December 16, 2009

I have to bow out as well. There is a local (i.e. within walking distance) "secret" show by one of my favorite artists that night that I would like to attend. Sophie's Choice: Vienna Teng vs. Mefites and a dogcow.

Next time guys!
posted by sarahnade at 9:37 AM on December 17, 2009

I am entering the maybe camp now. I really want to come but might potentially need a couch to crash (since I am enroute to Tahoe and would rather not backtrack).
posted by special-k at 12:27 PM on December 17, 2009

crapola! I'm going to miss it AGAIN!
posted by dolface at 4:39 PM on December 18, 2009

Ooh, Vienna Teng! The dogcow is jealous. Also, neither of us gets the 'Riggs' reference, perhaps because we're from another planet or because we live in a cave.

special-k, if you still need a place to crash, you're welcome to stay here, though I don't actually have a couch. I could probably borrow an inflatable bed from the neighbors, though. Caveats: the place is tiny, and I'm told I snore more loudly than any other human (you would be in another room, though); also, there's the dogcow; finally, the place is a mess, so you'd have to deal with that, because there's no way there's time to clean it up. Seriously, I'm a slob. I make Oscar Madison look like Felix Unger. (Still, you're welcome if you can't find a preferable alternative.)
posted by trip and a half at 11:49 AM on December 19, 2009

I am definitely going to be there.
posted by twiggy32 at 3:02 PM on December 19, 2009

Rad! Can't wait to meet everybody.

I'll be there at 6, wearing the Classic Teal(tm) Metafilter shirt. Because nothing looks better on absolutely everybody than ... teal.
posted by Afroblanco at 5:22 PM on December 19, 2009

I'm coming for realz this time. A little late I guess.

P.S. Anyone local want a (free) wood futon frame? (MeMail me.)
posted by needs more cowbell at 6:05 PM on December 19, 2009

We are here - the tables to your right as you walk in. Look for the cookies (while they last).
posted by gingerbeer at 6:09 PM on December 19, 2009

Ooh ginger cookies? *hurries*
posted by needs more cowbell at 6:23 PM on December 19, 2009

*triple* ginger cookies!
posted by gingerbeer at 6:28 PM on December 19, 2009

We have beer and burritos and have met the dogcow, and Afroblanco is talking trash about New York.
posted by gingerbeer at 8:11 PM on December 19, 2009

He's talking trash about us?!* I will have you know that we met up in a blizzard tonight, folks. New York mefites are that hardcore.

*Read: I am not surprised in the slightest.
posted by ocherdraco at 9:19 PM on December 19, 2009

I'm pretty sure he was talking trash specifically about you.

Also, there was some gloating about the lack of snow here.
posted by gingerbeer at 10:05 PM on December 19, 2009

Fun, yes fun ... monthly meet ups sound like a good idea t'me.
posted by Relay at 11:49 PM on December 19, 2009

Super fun meetup! I think 7.5 hours at a bar is a new record for me. Do not know what this means. But my love of MeFites grows ever deeper regardless.
posted by iamkimiam at 2:22 AM on December 20, 2009

Well, okay, perhaps I was talking some trash. But in the best way possible! I will always love my NYC posse! But the burritos here really are amazing... I may have to stay for a while.

Thanks to everyone for showing up tonight! I had the bestest best time ever! You guys are awesome, and I made an excellent choice to marry you and best friend you. Cannot think of a better city to bear my thousand million babies.

Yes, we shall make this a monthly occurance.
posted by Afroblanco at 2:30 AM on December 20, 2009

I can only hope that this will be a monthly do.
posted by jaybeans at 2:59 AM on December 20, 2009

Well that was fun y'all!
posted by mostlymartha at 3:14 AM on December 20, 2009

God, that was so fun. I also vote for a monthly meetup.
posted by rtha at 7:54 AM on December 20, 2009

mostlymartha, we are totally going to a Giants game!

And I am unsurprised that there's an fpp about the DC snowball fight/cop with a gun story that some of us were talking about last night, and also that it's going the way it's going.
posted by rtha at 8:04 AM on December 20, 2009

Yes, a monthly deal sounds like a good idea.

Where/when should we meet next?
posted by Relay at 9:09 AM on December 20, 2009

Shoutouts!

I am lazy and like having meetups in the Mission.
posted by needs more cowbell at 11:47 AM on December 20, 2009

I am still recovering. The dogcow and I had a blast!

I think there are probably some pics in my camera. I'll get them posted soon, but right now the dogcow has to go for a walk.

Those cookies were the best thing ever -- tied with meeting everyone and getting smashed!

Also: another vote for monthly meetups in the Mission.
posted by trip and a half at 12:16 PM on December 20, 2009

I'm always up for Mission meetups!

Here's the cookie recipe - I can't remember who wanted it.

Triple ginger cookies, from Silver Palate:

* 3/4 C butter, room temp
* 1 C dark brown sugar
* 1/4 C molasses
* 1 egg
* 2 1/4 C flour
* 2 t ground ginger
* 2 t baking soda
* 1/2 t salt
* 1 1/2 T crushed ginger root
* 3 oz. crystallized ginger, chopped

Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl. Beat in the molasses and then the egg.

In a separate bowl, sift the flour, ground ginger, baking soda, and salt. Stir the dry ingredients into the butter. Mix with a wooden spoon until blended. Add the ginger root and crystallized ginger and stir until well mixed. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

Heat oven to 350F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place about 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Bake until browned, about 10 minutes.

Remove cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Note: the ones I made yesterday had less crystallized ginger and double the fresh ginger, because I ran out of crystallized, and a couple of dashes of garam masala.
posted by gingerbeer at 12:24 PM on December 20, 2009 [5 favorites]

What a fun meetup!
posted by special-k at 2:09 PM on December 20, 2009

Argh! I was working. Argh!!
posted by mollymayhem at 2:26 PM on December 20, 2009

Okay, photos are up. (Except for the ones I took, because I don't know how to operate my own camera.)
posted by trip and a half at 4:25 PM on December 20, 2009

Also, my apologies to whomever whose jacket it was I spilled booze on. I did not mean to spill booze on your jacket!
posted by trip and a half at 4:38 PM on December 20, 2009

Also, my apologies to whomever whose jacket it was I spilled booze on. I did not mean to spill booze on your jacket!

That would have been special-k's jacket.

And mollymayhem, you should definitely make it next time.

Definitely.
posted by Relay at 8:42 PM on December 20, 2009

Sorry i missed it...ended up stuck in San Jose (don't ask).
posted by geckoinpdx at 11:21 PM on December 21, 2009

ended up stuck in San Jose

I know the feeling.
posted by sambosambo at 10:33 AM on December 22, 2009

We missed you, gecko. Next time.
posted by gingerbeer at 8:55 PM on December 22, 2009

Last time I went to San Jose, I came to the realization that San Jose rhymes with "far away."

mmmmmm..... Caltrain.....
posted by Afroblanco at 10:58 PM on December 22, 2009