August 31, 2009 – I attended the Grand Opening of EAT at 111 Minna where edgy gourmet food, art and music collide. I really happened upon it by chance as I was actually in the building to attend another event! I felt like I had fallen into some alternative foodie universe! And…I liked it!

Chef Tommy Halverson wowed the crowd – see the menu here: EAT menu for August 31, 2009

Their next event is on Monday, Oct. 26th and upcoming is Monday, Nov. 16th at 111 Minna Gallery. The plan is for monthly events to follow, to find out about the next one, check their blog for news at: http://eatat111minna.blogspot.com/

More pictures of the event HERE.

Know of any upcoming foodie events? Please list them in the comments below. Thanks!

March 6, 2009 – Burp! A BIG thank you to the dazzling Tara Hunt for putting on the Beer Redistribution Party (also known as #BRP or B*RP)! It was held to celebrate the grand re-opening of Citizen Space (@citizenspace) at it’s new location-downstairs from the old location and in a much larger space! It was a fun way to *celebrate* the crappy economy! Citizen Space is a coworking space in San Francisco located at 425 Second St on the first floor.

The Beer Redistribution Party mission:

We’ve heard the accusations of the new administration wanting to ’spread the wealth’. We’ve been scared by the calls of socialism and communism on what we are about to receive. Let’s test this out on a micro-level and see what this wealth redistribution is all about through a re-enactment with our beer.

Here was the social contract:

1 – you MUST bring beer

2 – the type of beer you bring has to be in accordance with your financial standing:

a. $50,000 – $80,000/yr – you can bring whatever brand you would like. 6 – 12 pack.
b. $80,000 – $120,000 – you have the choice of bringing a discount brand (but bring 18-24) or a microbrew (bring a 12 pack).
c. > $120,000 – you have the choice of bringing a microbrew (24), a high end international beer (18+ or if it’s a big bottle like Chimay, 4 of those).
d. <$50,000/yr – you can come empty handed and just try the other beer.

I know people don’t like to talk about what they make as a living, so we can do this on the honor system. Bring your contributions in a re-usable bag* and one person at a time will be let into the beer area to deposit their beer tax.

3 – As for what you ‘take’. Everyone can help themselves to the pool afterwards, because, as with our public system, it’s freely available.

Beer was everywhere!  Lots of it!  I didn’t bring any as that’s where I fall in accordance to my *financial standing*, but I have a feeling that a few people brought beer regardless.  I was very tempted to, but I was trying to play along with the experiment! I think that seriously there is enough leftover for another party without anyone bringing anything!

I’m not really a beer drinker.  I did try some Red Nectar beer, was okay.  I drank half of it and called it a night with the beer drinking.

I had a great time and had fun catching up with Tara (aka @missrogue, author of the upcoming book The Whuffie Factor), Jen Myronuk (@jenmyronuk), Kristie Wells and Chris Heuer of Social Media Club, John Yamasaki (Yama!), Bessie, (@infodiva), Roderick Chow (@fogfish), Derek Overbey (@doverbey), Thomas Knoll (@thomasknoll), Cathy Brooks (@cathybrooks), Matt Klein (@matt_klein aka tim_stein (j/k)…lol to Cathy Brooks!), Ginger (@gingerw) and Ridley (@Ridley).

It was great to meet Stephanie Quilao (@skinnyjeans), Seg (John “Seg” Seggerson, @theseg) (I still like to think I’M responsible for getting Amanda Palmer (@amandapalmer) on Twitter! LOL!), Ruth Kalinka (ruthkalinka.com), and KyNam Doan (kynamdoan.com, @kynamdoan), magician Safire (http://www.MagicSafire.com) and a few others-who didn’t give me their cards and whose names are escaping me!

I’m voting for a wine redistribution party next time!

If you’ve read this far…please comment and say “Hi!” so I know that you were here! Thanks!

For more pics from the partay see my flickr photostream here!

     Last night I went to Angela Chamberlin’s 1920’s themed birthday party!  Angela wanted to have the 1920’s theme to celebrate the last year of her 20’s.  It was such a fun idea!  Many people dressed up!

      I bought two dresses from ebay, one for my daughter, Alexandra, who had to work and couldn’t come, and one for me.  Mine was a beige chiffon drop waisted dress with a lace V down the front.  Not the most flattering dress on me, kind of matronly, but oh well, I’m trying to be on theme!  I had some long pearls that i knotted.  I fingerwaved my hair with a curling iron and then pinned it into a faux bob from instructions on youtube.com.  Alexandra, my makeup artist daughter, told me to wear dark burgundy lipstick, so I did! 

     Angela looked incredible!  She was a star!  Her dress was a black 1920’s style with silver beading.  Her short bob and dark lipstick completed her look to perfection!

     Angela had her apartment sparkling, and even a cute little table and chair set on her balcony with candles.  She has these really cool light quilts on her wall in her living room and bedroom and decals, both from Ikea.

     The food consisted of croissant sandwiches, sushi, a beautiful fruit plate, a vegetable dip plate and of course the incredible birthday cake which had crushed pistachio’s around the side! 

     To drink you had your choice of absinthe, (but of course since Angela’s blog is http://absintheangel.wordpress.com and her twitter name is @absintheangel).  We also had champagne, beer, capri sun, and ice water.  Angela had created a drink as well, absinthe and champagne!  She called it the Hemmingway!    I started with a Hemmingway, whoa was it strong!  Then I switched to a glass of champagne and that was it, I did have to drive myself home after all!

     I had a great time seeing my friends Holly, Alix and Sharon.  It was also nice seeing Jesse’s parents and Angela’s cousin Will.  Then there were ton’s of Angela’s friends from U.C. Berkeley!  It was a great group and everyone had a wonderful time, including all the kids playing in Elijah’s room! 

     It was an awesome night, and a great way to celebrate turning 29!  Happy Birthday Angela!

More pics on my Flickr Photostream here.