What should I do for my birthday?

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Anybody have any suggestions as to how I could celebrate my birthday? Bonus points go to anyone who can recommend specific bars or restaurants in San Francisco, preferably in the Innet Sunset, Cole Valley, or the Haight.

-- Anonymous, February 20, 2000

Answers

I think you should go home and visit your parents. Your mom could make you a birthday cake (complete with quarters), and you could invite all of your friends. They can even stay over, because we're a long way from California! Love, Mom

-- Anonymous, February 20, 2000

Jen,

It isn't in the Inner Sunset, Cole Valley, or the Haight, but Twenty- Tank on Eleventh rents for special occasions, or you could just show up with amigos in tow -- it's certainly large enough. I've coordinated several casual get-togethers there; the beer is fantastic and the food's good, too. Doesn't cost much, either. --Sei.

-- Anonymous, February 20, 2000


Well, my suggestion would be to have a nice party at home -- nothing fancy, put on some music, ask friends to bring appetizers, perhaps even a birthday cake! (and presents, of course! *vbg*)

Of course, how wild things get is completely up to you! *vbg

-- Anonymous, February 20, 2000


You're a skater right? How about skating at YB Ice Center, burgers at Mo's at YB, and drinks at the Thirsty Bear (down the street from the rink).

-- Anonymous, February 20, 2000

Bowling! That's somewhat akin to the grace of an ice-skater, no?

Or...you and your friends could go to a tatoo parlor, and for a present, they could buy you a really seamy, baroque-looking tatoo of a NDAPH molecule. Or a topless mermaid! Wouldn't THAT be a great birthday gift?

-- Anonymous, February 20, 2000



Uh, I meant NADPH. Of course. Winky winky.

-- Anonymous, February 20, 2000

I'll second that tattoo suggestion. Clearly that is what you want and need. All the graduate students in biology are doing it. (Really, I know someone researching mitochondria patterns for her tattoo.) Or, you could get something pierced. Guaranteed to make your birthday memorable. And there are places right here on Haight that provide both of these services.

Party spots: Someone I knew reserved one of the meadows in the Park for her birthday. Kind of cool. Definite picnic atmosphere. No space limitations. None of the bars and restaurants in this neighborhood strike me as party sort of places for groups of any size. Places like Club Deluxe and the Eos wine bar are cool for hanging out in, but they'll both be packed on a Saturday night.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000


I'm really glad the tattoo thing was broached, because now when I tell my mom that I'm not going home for my birthday, I can say "you should be happy that at least I'm not getting a tattoo!"

Anyway, mom, it's your turn to visit me. I just visited you guys three times in a row!

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000


I second the bowling. I think it's more fun for everyone to be able to walk around and dance than to sit in restaurant and bars are so smoky (at least in New York, is smoking allowed in San Francisco bars?). And I have a specific suggestion: Japantown Bowl, which also has video games in the lobby. And then you can have sake and sushi or udon after. What in the world is a cake complete with quar

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000

Oh dear. I'd heard that these forums sometimes truncate posts, but hadn't actually experienced it until now. Sorry about that, Grace.

The bowling and ice skating suggestions sound like fun, but I think it would be impractically difficult to organize for a very large group (I want to have a BIG party!)

As for "cake with quarters," my mom used to stick a few quarters inside a birthday cake before frosting it, so that some lucky cake-eaters would receive a piece of cake with a quarter in it. I'm not sure where that tradition comes from...

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000



Grace, from what I recall, you can't smoke anywhere in California where people work, especially not in restaurants.

My aunts used to bake pennies into chocolate birthday cakes. I'm amazed we all survived; maybe it's like that Paula Poundstone joke about her mothing learning to swim because her parents threw her into a lake: "Mom, they weren't trying to teach you how to swim!"

Anyway, the Round Table Pizza on Geary at 16th has an upstairs room you could probably reserve; about 10 tables, room for 30-40 people. The local SCA shire uses it for their weekly meetings, and it's on major bus routes.

And let's be honest here, gentlemen; the reason you (we) want her to get a tattoo is because she'll post a picture if she does. It's possible to get temporary tattoos these days that last for weeks; try out a few different things and see what you'd like to carry with you forever.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000


Do you know of any restaurants with an outdoor patio to reserve? Outdoors provides a nice atmosphere for a party, (If the weathers nice anyway).

My only other thought, is you could skydive into a stadium.

...with your friends all waiting for you

...wearing only a tatoo. (them or you?)

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000


...whatever you decide to do, just be sure to invite me...*grin*...

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000

Daaaah! I will have to advise against Round Table Pizza...animal fats and Round Table are very closely intertwined...plus, I mean, it really reminds ME alot of soccer parties, with a bunch of screaming kids and a soggy birthday cake that is 70% icing...

I like the picnic idea though. I'd suggest caterers, however, if you feel like splurging. Out in nature, on a freshly groomed lawn replete with toxic chemicals and soil dyes...what could be better?

Oh, by the way, here's two words: Mastadon Piercing. Here's two more: rubber gloves.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000


The picnic thing sounds like fun, but I don't think it can safely be counted upon not to be cold or rainy on April 1 in San Francisco. Maybe I should move my birthday to summertime...

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000


So far nobody has mentioned that you should be sure to wear your birthday suit... oh yeah, I guess if you did get a tattoo and just that it would count as wearing your birthday suit...
(sorry, couldn't resist *grin*)

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000

Well, the Front Room (is it still the Front Room?) on 9th Ave is a huge pizza joint that could handle a lot of people. Parking may be a nightmare though. There's Milano's, but I gather you don't want to go there since you have that Thursday night beer thingy there. I liked eating at Kezar's on Cole (I think it was Cole.) Good oysters. Oh, there's the Cliff House! That place has a bar and serve food and there's a nice roaring fire always going on. I forget the name of the place at the Cliff House though...

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000

Honestly, I wasn't pushing the idea of a tattoo in hopes that Jen would post a photo of it. I just have trouble imagining her ever getting a tattoo. Her interest in the woman she saw showing off her tattoos just seemed like she might be expressing a repressed desire to have one.

Smoking in restaurants has been illegal in CA for a while. Smoking in bars in CA became illegal last year or the year before. Some bars just pay the fine and still let people smoke.

Another idea - bonfire at the beach. There would still be some weather dependency, but at least it would be warm near the fire. (Easy public transport from Jen's house to the beach too.)

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2000


No, I don't want a tattoo! I was just describing that woman's tattoos because I felt she was representative of the sort of hipster crowd that goes to that restaurant. Just trying to convey an atmosphere...

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2000

oh, now she's in denial.

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2000

But would smokers be allowed to smoke in the vicinity of the bonfire?

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2000

What if the smokers had tatoos? Then could they come near the bonfire? What if the person didn't smoke, but had a tatoo of a cigarette? What then?

You know, if you're intimidated by the price of getting a tatoo, all it takes is a can lid and a ball-point pen. Make sure you boil the can lid first--I know you know that, being a biologist and all, but you can never be too careful...

Think of it. Not only would you be a minority as a female professor with a doctorate, you would probably be the only one with a tatoo! All those barriers, crumbling at your feet! You'd sure show MIT then!

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2000


Yeah, one of my friends had a homemade tattoo on her shoulder. She acquired it at boarding school (boarding school--it's just like prison!) and it was the ugliest thing I've ever seen. It was just this squiggly blue line. I guess that's what happens when you let a drugged-out 16-year old give you a tattoo.

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2000

I think you should a)seduce some internet/silicon valley millionaire we hicks out east read about so often b)take his credit card and fly all you email and other friends out to beautiful warm sunny san francisco for a week to celebrate with you

I guess I am being a little selfish. how about a massage? maybe not on your birthday, but make an appointment? I buy myself shoes and cds on my birthday.

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2000


Also, I think any one celled organism (that's what mitochondria are, right?) would make a superb tattoo! or how about just a carbon molecule or something?

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2000

I hate to spoil the mood, but I think birthdays are a great time to try something new. Since I don't think you would go for skydiving or bungee jumping, how about soaring. It is quite an experience. A graceful combination of nature and machine. I'm sure there is a soaring center nearby. Most centers offer inexpensive "introductory" flights. And yes, I am trying to advance my own agenda.

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2000

Oh. And, uh, I was really kidding about the tatoo thing. I can't claim all responsibility, but sorry that got out of hand...

Actually, I'd advise against it...can you imagine that dope-ass ATP synthase tatoo 50 years from now? Proton gradients aren't so fly on wrinkly- age spotted skin...

Hot Air balloon? Massage--I think that would be fun. But then, there's that problem of too many people, not enough space. There's always yer classic orgy.

I know! Laser tag! Brings out the tiger in everyone!

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2000


The obvious answer is you should tell your friends you've never had a suprise party, then make no other plans for the day. Problem solved on your end.

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2000

in the new yorker a few months ago there was an article about this guy who (among other things) has invented a tattoo that is made of magnets. I think. I'm no scientist, but its put into your skin like a regular tattoo, but you can use a special magnetic pen to create different designs whenever you want and even make it disappear! I think his name was david alter or adler, or something, some mit guy. very cool.

besides, if you get tired of your amoeba, you can get it sandpapered off and replace it later with a tasteful "mother". or popeye's anchor.

yeah, I've got a lot of ideas. anything involving flying would be awesome!

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2000


there are at least 3 people (me, Rach, Arch) who have known you for MANY of your birthdays and would think it was pretty cool if you did something spontaneous liked hopped on a plane to... oh, just picking someplace random... NEW YORK for the weekend. ;)

-e

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2000


I think you should have a really big party. You can invite all your friends and me. your new friend. i'm your friend, right? You can even hire a midget to juggle things. ohh yeah and a pony. we can ride him and stuff.

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2001

What should I do for my birthday? If the world doesn't explode before then I will be one year older.

-- Anonymous, November 20, 2001

"then" being Friday. (forgot that)

Maybe I should get a brain scan.

-- Anonymous, November 21, 2001


get drunk have an orgy

-- Anonymous, October 20, 2002

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