Lash in San Francisco
 

Well, open up your golden gate... here I am. :D


SD to Pismo was big, but Pismo to SFO via Big Sur and Santa Cruz beach boardwalk was madness !! (but good).

We did a "Giant Dipper Or Die In A Day" tour which saw us run onto the boardwalk, go on the coaster and run back to the car.

All of which in order to drop off the car in SFO by 4pm which we tried to...... and they were closed.

We are now up for another days rental. :mad: Why do they let you have a dropoff time of 4pm when they know they shut then ?

Grrr. But we went to the Castro and had dinner at Orphan Andys and everythings allright on the home front now.

General city touring tomorrow. :D

PS: we're staying right next to the Ballet !!

Tori used to have the cutest poster in her bedroom- 'Ballet Bears'. Little cute bears dressed up in tutus, pirouetting about the poster. I looked at the last part of Lash's post and flashed on him and Stoat doing the same with some Castro Bears.

Now, that would be a great poster!:snap:

(Have fun, you two!)

Kevy & I could do the "bears of ballet" calendar... what do you think ? We could talk Chris & GD Greg to join us....

Tutu's (or Four-Fours) for all !!

Anyhow... Nighty Night from SFO. :)

Yay!

So, do we want to meet for dinner? It seems my schedule for this week actually does stink. I can't get out of work since both my bosses are in our VA office, so I have to mind the store. Thursday night is out for me.

Maybe dinner before you go to Beach Blanket on Saturday is not a bad idea?

Sunday is the Cherry Blossom Festival, close by my house, right? So maybe we meet there too, as planned?

PM me!

Donna

You're also near some good spots to eat. I don't care what anyone else says, I always love Max's in Opera Plaza, besides, a decent bookstore right next to it is always an attraction.

On Hayes some good spots, too. not to mention Citizen Cake....Vicolo Pizza.

Hope you bought some pants, it's chilly today!

I just got back from SF on Monday, took a weekend trip up there. Hey Lashes dont forget to go to Bearbucks, the local Castro starbucks that all the bears hang out in....

Ohh, and I love the Big Dipper, always a favorite coaster.

Nice to see you fellows made it!

Ugh, darn rental company. I don't know why they do this, also. Some places allow you to drop the key off in a slot but since they didn't tell you this prior, not a good thing to do, eh?

Love your coaster story. :D

Have loads of fun!!!

Max's... is that Max's Opera Cafe, where the waiters sing? Good choice :)

Yup, that be da place. how can you not love a place that proclaims on their door (and menus) This is not a good place for a diet, it's not, but as a once in a while treat, yummers.

"I don't care what anyone else says" would make a great review right next to that.

I thought they had stopped the opera singing at Max's. It has been years since I've seen a waiter do it.

I was there last month with some visiting friends from LA, it was a Friday night, the waiters sang, but none of them were opera. Mostly broadway tunes, but there were singing waiters, the piano is moved over to the corner next to the restrooms (across from the bar) and a large booth is now where the piano used to be. So they still sing, you're right though, not an opera tune to be heard.

The singing was mostly ignored, it was a symphony crowd in the place that night.

I love those places in the city! I'll have to try the pizza joint! :snap: Max's is great. I'd ask the piano player to do Hedwig. For my daughter's birthday one year they did a lot of Disney songs for her.

Wow a piano next to the bathroom?

That's funny.

Okay, it's next to vestibule that leads to the bathrooms.....

I was just thinking what happens if a Conga line breaks out and someone heads for the toilet....:eek:

Well, you know the Lashes have already made their mark in SF, or at the Inn at the Opera, at least.

I tried their cell # today and got an out of service message. Okay, so then I call the Inn, but my problem is, I don't know either of their last names. So I speak with the concierge and explain, I'm looking for two friends who are guests at the Inn, I don't know their last names, Rob and Greg. The concierge asks, "What are their last names?" Uh, I said, I don't know, we've not really met yet, IRL I mean. BTW, they're a pair of sweet Aussies, like bears named Greg and Rob. "Oh! Lightbulb! I'll put you right through....

I've left a message, hoping to hook up for a swanking dinner with the Lashes and Mousepod(s). Hopefully more than one.

I hope you guys are having fun :)

So it's 5:00pm Friday at the De Young Museum Fish Pond for the Vivienne Westwood exhibition ?? (if you can make it) or else we'll check again at 5:10 & 5:20 :cool:

Then onto that Japanese place... what did you call it ?

Can you make it friday at the musem, or friday evening - we'd love to catch up with you !!!! I believe we're meeting Snowflake & Mousepod...

(I think.. it's a blur and I still haven;t got the phone on at the moment - just call the Inn at the Opera on (415) 863 8400 and ask for room 47. We sleep till 9am and sometimes have the net connected which prevents us taking calls.)

I believe it is called Ebisu. Jesse recommended it highly and I'm looking forward to it!

Edited toadd: here's their website

Quick update: Snowflake was unable to make it on Friday, but Heather and I finally got to meet the fellas for dinner at Ebisu. What wonderful guys! The advance reviews were all true. We had a wonderful meal and even better conversation. Sashimi, sukiyaki, tempura, katsu and more were consumed, and much sake and plum wine was poured (and a coca-cola for mousepod, thank you). Coffee and dessert around the corner at Tart to Tart. Finally, a drive downtown via a late-night stop at the top of Twin Peaks for a view of the city.

Saturday was Greg's birthday (happy birthday LashStoat!) and we met them at the Farmer's Market in the Ferry Building for a gastronomic delight. Fresh breads, cheeses, chocolate and sausage (yes, there were double entendres a-plenty)... it was a delight. We sat down to eat and were engaged in conversation by a delightful woman who wanted to talk about Japan, ebay and Christmas-tree lights. She was impressed that people from opposite sides of the world can become friends through the internet. We encouraged her to buy a computer.

We left them early in the afternoon so they could get ready for Beach Blanket Babylon. Hopefully, we'll be dining with them again later in the week...

Happy Birthday LashStoat!

I covet your Farmer's Market trip.

Now I crave dates. And bergamont chocolate.

Happy Birthday, Lashstoat!

Hey, Happy Birthday, LashStoat!!

Sounds like you guys are doing the town, as you should. :snap:

Went to the Del Coronado Hotel yesterday for the sunset. Went into the shop area, saw the Marilyn Monroe filled store with the 'Some Like It Hot' stuff and thought of you guys.

Miss you.

Happy Stoat Bday!

Wow. That ebisu meal sounds like complete and utter paradise to me right now.

Lashstoat! Hope you had a great birthday. Maybe next year, you'll want ot spend your special day in, oh, sunny Florida, yes?

Happy Birthday, Lashstoat!:cheers:

Sounds like the Lashes are continuing to have a fabulous time. I really need to get to SF sometime, other than just flying through there. Sounds incredible.

Happy Birthday Lashstoat!

Stoat's favorite kitty says purrhappybirthdaypurr!

Happy (belated) Birthday Lashstoat!

Now calling Inn at the Opera to see if we can reconnect!

Happy belated Birthday! I'm glad you guys are having such a great trip filled with LoTers!

Okay, let's see a show of hands. Who is going to help me kidnap Rob & Greg so we can keep them here with us?

OMG, I am so up for that!



You don't know how sad I am that they are not candidates for our persuasive ways of urging relocation to southern California.



(speaking of which, Donna - - what are you still doing way up there?)

Last Supper: Dinner tonight was at the Castro, we went to a great little restaurant just up from 440 Castro (wil look up the name tomorrow) and had Rib-eye steak (LashStoat) and Chicken Fried Steak with sausage gravy (guess who). Yum.

Tomorrow being our last day in the USA we are going to the Winchester House and then flying home.

*snif*

Oh, I'm gonna miss you guys. :(

What a way to go, doing the Winchester House!!! It is beautiful, make sure you have room for a lot of pictures!!

Also, I wish you guys a trip home that is smooth as can be.

Oh, Lashbear and Lashstoat- I'm already missing you guys!

I think a Down Under Swanking is in order. I mean, after their wonderful tour of the USA, it's the least we could do.

Down-Under Swanking at the Hunter Valley in planning as we speak !

...No Huckleberries, but lots of really yummy wine ! (and chilli chocolates).

(PS: we're going to have to declare the Huckleberry Wine at Customs... But I can't guarantee how long it will last once home... :D )

Rob, I'm so glad we got to spend a few minutes of your amazing vacation together! Say hi to Sarah for us, the Winchester Mystery House is one of our favorite haunts ....I wish we could come hug the two of you one last time but it's the brothers birthday weekend so we're obligated here ....fly safe and give Greg our love ...love ya much you big ol bear you!

Oh.

That tomorrow being today ... I am filled with very hollow-feeling, sudden sadness.

:(

Bye guys! <sniff>

Indeed a sad day in swankdom - but alas I suppose we owe it to Australia to return the national treasures they let us borrow this spring

They must return, spread the Sidecar message to their homeland.

Have a safe flight, we'll miss you guys!

Life will not be the same without the LashPair in our midsts. Aistralia seems like a LOOOONG ways away. Fly safe.

Have a safe trip, Lash! So nice to have met you. :)

LAST POST IN USA:

Well, Gang, it's been a bang !

Yes, It's been a Bang-Gang.

Time's flown and the last 6 weeks have whipped by. We have seen amazing sights and met equally amazing people.

The friendliness and hospitality of the Americans is phenominal and I hope that we can reciprocate some day when we get guests Down Under.

Farewell all, Sydney awaits !!

Hugs, kisses & fond memories.

Rob & Greg

Lisa wept.

OK, I knew they were leaving, but reading that post depresses me.

I am going to miss you guys. Our time together was all too brief. I hope we meet again.

Is it too late to break out the chloroform?

We're gonna miss you guys!!!!

*snif snif* I'm having a little sad moment.

Bon Voyage!

Bon Voyage - I really enjoyed your visit. I think it was one of the best times at the park I've had the pleasure of being a part of. Thanks for "protecting" me from those horrible Monsters. ;)

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

I received a call from the boys about 10:30 last night as they were either at the airport or taxi-ing out on the tarmac (wasn't quite sure). I actually welled up a bit after I hung up with them.

:(

(Although, I can only imagine it's a matter of time before some of us start keeping watch for flight specials on Qantas. ;) )

Oh, I DO hope so !!

BTW we're home safely, although a LOT of turbulance in the wee hours. I thought I might be in my own episode of LOST for a moment ! :eek:

Clearing customs took forever... I didn't have any Vegemite with me and they weren't sure if I was Australian or not.

...but our Carved Redwood Bear from Muir woods and our Californian Poppy seeds were OK to bring in ! Yay !

I'm glad you're both home safely, but we miss you already!:(

Glad you guys made it back safely...I hope you're not too jetlagged.

I hope you told the customs agents that of course you didn't have any Vegemite. Why else would you be going back to Sydney?

Sorry I wasn't more talkative when you called from San Francisco. I've been really really sick--laughing causes me to cough, breathing causes me to cough, sleeping causes me to cough, you get the idea. I apologize for coughing in your ears.

So sorry we missed your call the other night, :(

From the moment we met you in DtD oh those many weeks ago I knew I'd hate the day you left. The two of you were an absolute joy to hang out with, I wish we had more time. Australia has definitely risen on our world travel priority list.

Cheers, mates.

I missed their call as well. Left my phone in the car while I was at the grocery for a quick stop.
Hope you arrived safely home.

I'm also sad to see you guys go. :(

However, since it was just a few months ago that you were here four years ago, I'm sure we'll all be seeing you again in (what feels like) December. ;)