The Toast is throwing a one-year anniversary party tonight, and you’re all invited. Are you coming? I hope you’re coming. We’re meeting up at the Golden Bull Bar (412 14th Street, Oakland) at six and will stick around until eight, although if you care to close the place down after I head home, I don’t think they’ll throw you out. There will be pie and also cake, and I will probably have some beef jerky in my purse if you have like, a protein emergency. I can promise you that at least three members of the Ortberg family will be in attendance, so if you ever wanted to meet a blogger and her parents in the same night, I guess this is your chance.
EVERYONE FLAIL WILDLY IN EXCITEMENT!
Tags: meta, toast party
THAT PICTURE OF MALLORY is the greatest. That post brought me so much happiness.
Have a lovely time everyone!
Oh my god I was already sad and now MA AND PA ORTBERG WILL BE THERE? uuuuuuuugh
fine enjoy yourselves
thousands of miles away from me
have fun
i’m wearing a nightie and writing ghost stories, you aren’t doing that, ha
Maybe we should have a UK one! Especially if Nicole is coming to London to see Benedict Cumberbatch.
Ohhh, I’m moving to the UK in September and if you don’t manage to have a meetup before then, I’d love to participate!
Where are you moving to?
I think some londoners were planning something in the last open thread, but I can’t do london very easily, since I live in the wilds of Norfolk and trying to leave is monstrous.
This is what happens when we live out in the sticks- we miss out on all the fun stuff! 😛
I am also doing same tonight, though taking a break at around 9p to dress up like a witch* and haunt my own front porch for the local ghost tour, because I feel like those poor bastards deserve to get at least some of their money’s worth, and also I want my house to become the local Witch House that small children are afraid to approach, and I figure this is a good way to get the rumor started
*”dressing like a witch” is here taken to mean I’m going to put on more black eyeliner than usual, a black filmy wrap dress and smoke a sullen cigarette in a broken rocking chair on my porch
I hate you all. I am flying to Arizona on Friday, and couldn’t swing leaving my toddler twice in one week. If it’s any comfort, I was unlikely to beat my meet-up push-up record bc my belly makes contact with the ground more rapidly than once it did.
Where in Arizona? If it’s somewhere I know, I can tell you where to buy the best pie.
Do you mind sharing your pie secrets with those of us less illustrious than Nicole? Cause I would love any Phoenix-area pie recommendations. I immediately thought of the place in Black Canyon City but would welcome something less far-flung, even if it’s slightly less delicious.
Of course! Though admittedly, near Phoenix I think that the Black Canyon City place is the best. I did have reliably good luck with the (sadly non-pie) desserts/pastries at Essence Bakery & Cafe in Tempe (I did my grad work at ASU, so that was my base) and the cookies at Cartel. Now I live in Tucson, and have pie for breakfast almost every weekend at The B-Line. The coconut cream pie at The Cup (ie the restaurant/bar in the Hotel Congress) is also quite choice.
On the plus side, Phoenix has better Chinese food than Tucson. This place is great: http://www.wongsplacetempe.com/ (Ask for the secret blue menu. The pink menu is just regular American Chinese food.)
Thanks for the recommendations! I am going to eat REALLY well when I’m in Phx next week. (Not sure when the next Tucson trip will be, but now that I know about the pie scene, hopefully it’ll be sooner rather than later!)
DC is having an anniversary meetup tonight too! 5 pm at Policy on 14th St.
YES! And if you’re in Bmore or in the Bmore metro and can swing it, come down anyway! Some of us are going to take the MARC down from Penn Station.
How late will you guys be there? I will still be at work at 5, but Toasties yay!
I think some people will be getting in late (like around 7) so I think max coverage will be somewhere between 6-9. Or however long it takes to celebrate matriarchy.
I’ll arrive around 6-ish. This being DC, I know it’s rare to finish a work day by 5, let alone make it to the bar.
I so wish I could be there but I won’t be out of work on time. Have fun!
OH MAN I WANT TO COME, BUT I’M HAVING DRINKS WITH A WORK FRIEND.
what if i brought her.
YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY BRING HER.
There’s no time like the present to introduce her to nerdy misandrists.
OK SHE AGREED. Despite not knowing anything about the Toast. Obviously she is a new work friend, because I have not shouted at her about it yet.
…how am I going to know what people I’m looking for? Or will the siren call of fellow nerdy misandrists be too obvious to ignore?
I am sad to report that MrsJays poor medical condition will not allow this to take place. This is disappointing since I was eager to meet Dad and Mom Ortberg.
I will be there! I will be wearing a fancy hat! Someone else should wear a fancy hat too, so I’m not the only one.
I will consider wearing a fancy hat! It depends on how dreadful my hair is determined to be.
i have no fancy hats, but i will be there, dressed all in black and making my scared chipmunk face.
I’ll also be all in black! But I will have EXTRAVAGANT COMPLIMENTS for the fancy-hatted among us. (And gentle murmurings for fellow scared chipmunks!)
Well of course black, because witches.
Lol I will also be in all black but with BRIGHT PINK SHOES. That is how you will know it’s meeeeee.
I will be there! But I am waffling between all in black and the dress with sequins because sequins!
If I were smart I would’ve found us all pointy witch hats. Next time.
Good thing husband is taking me to the best sushi place in Austin tonight. Now I am just a little sad to miss this. I’ll be toasting the Toast with sake tonight.
Have fun!
Uchi/ko?
Yes! Uchiko because it is closer to our house. So yummy, but so expensive. This is a once in a very long time treat.
Boston is having an anniversary party at The Friendly Toast in Cambridge! I may or may not attend depending on just how hot it is after work, because it is a longish walk from the T. (Anything is long when the forecast high is 93 degrees.)
I thought there was the world’s tiniest chance I would take the train down and join you at the Friendly Toast tonight (man, I miss the FT from my Portsmouth days), but circumstances conspired to keep me home tonight. Have a blast! Happy anniversary!
Urghh, I was going to take the train from the other direction. I had such lovely plans! But I did not know that train fares are like plane fares and one day it’s perfectly manageable and then 24 hours later you have to give them promissory notes for unborn children. Booooo.
OH NO I could have met you? my robot heart is breaking
MY HEART ALSO IS BREAKING
But one of these days, I’ll be able to coordinate work, family, and plain ol’ bodily well-being to make the trip down for a meet-up. AND YOU WILL BE THERE, RIGHT?
I WILL BE THERE
Everyone should show up because I WILL BE THERE
Yay! Can’t wait to see you this evening. I’ll be there, even if it’s 93 degrees. Fingers crossed nobody minds a slightly glowing Bittersweet.
I miss the Friendly Toast so much.
I wish I could come! I have dinner plans with out of town family tonight.
So as not to ruin everyone’s fun, I won’t tell you about why I have a personal boycott of the Friendly Toast.
I know there are other Buffalo toasties out there (OK maybe there are only two of us) but no simul-party planned, so I will hoist a cocktail at my house in solidarity. Congratulations and have a great time!
I wish I could be there, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THERE WILL BE JERKY.
Have fun tonight everyone!!!
I’ll be representing at the Boston party! Friends, it’s a movement.
I wish I could make it but I can’t face a plane again for at least a couple months after the 38 hours I just spent in various airports. Then I could finally give Mallory this copy of A Fine and Private Place I had Peter S. Beagle sign for her last time I saw him. Hey Mallory! Do you want this thing? It’s got your name on it.
OMG YES
Gimme an address to send it to and it’s all yours! You can email me at linette.delatour at the gmails. Or Nicole has my real-name email.
soooooo jealous why does all the fun stuff happen in dumb california
California is dumb and they think they’re better than the rest of us because of tacos and burritos.
[pssst, we’ll give you some of our rain if you share the burritos]
This seems fair. What do you say, California?
We’re already sharing our burritos with NYC
I support this plan.
I only want this deal if we negotiate it stand off style, where, like, we toss out the burritos and you guys throw out strategically aimed rain, and then we all set down our guns and maybe then there’s a freeze frame.
I’m not really sure how stand offs actually go.
It rained for about 7 minutes last week, and I was outside, and I groused the WHOLE TIME like a monster who cares more about my own mild discomfort than an ecological disaster.
Flailing! FLAILING!! This is going to be great.
BC Toast-folk! I did not get any emails until late last night, so that lady and I are just figuring out details now, but it may be a pub on the Drive, either Charlatan or Storm Crow (despite my nerd status, I have yet to go). I will pop back in a bit with our decision. I’m off work at 4 so would be there by 4:30 & will try to have a Toast logo propped on the table!
We will be with you in spirit, o California Toasties!
Okay, she and I will be at Storm Crow for a little after 4:30, I expect, if transit cooperates. I am in a white and navy striped boat neck shirt & have brown hair and glasses, if that helps you track us down. 🙂
But message me via gmail (tindomiel) if you get this after 4 as I will be gone from work.
DAMMIT! Was I supposed to privately email because I didn’t get word and there’s no way I can make it in time (8 hour drive one way).
DOUBLE DAMMIT! Ah well, I’ll be with you in spirit, too. Have a stout for me!
Yeah I popped my email into the thread last week & then never heard from anyone (until last night). 🙁 I hope robotsneedlove (sp?) finds this too!
But maybe we can try to wrangle another get-together later in the year. 🙂
Sounds good! Wishing you a lovely time down on the Drive!
Wait, are you talking about Commercial Drive in Vancouver? Because I’m roadtripping to BC on Thursday, will be there Friday through Sunday….
Yup Commercial! I’m not actually in Van proper right now (out in the hinterlands of the suburbs) so won’t be in town on the weekend – although I will be briefly near Lougheed Mall on Saturday midday.
Saturday is my cousin’s wedding, and we’ll be in the city on Sunday as well, then rocking Vancouver Island for the next week.
I wish I could make it, but by the time I got home from work and drove there it’d be….8pm, probably. I will be thinking of you and following along on twitter!
Soooo envious. Although I know in my heart that even if I lived in the Bay Area, I’d end up having a headache or something and stay home at the last minute.
A GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE AND CAKE FOR ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Happy anniversary, Mallory, Nicole, and Nick! Thank you for this place that I adore so completely.
What Elsa is Emily said! Hope everyone has loads of fun in the California sun!
Yes yes yes, I’m de-lurking to say “this x100.” This community never fails to brighten my day.
I’M FLAILING IN ANXIOUSNESS/EXCITEMENT/WARM FUZZIES, BAY AREA TOASTIES
How exciting! I have no idea what to wear!!!!
I can’t make it to the Seattle meetup after all but I will raise a glass towards everyone after work today. I am so glad I found this place.
is a seattle meet-up happening?
Yes! I commented on last week’s post with the details but I figured it might not get to everyone, so I’m glad you popped up! Tonight, 6 p.m., at El Chupacabra at 67th and Greenwood. I’m blond and I’ll have some sort of Toast signifier with me. Woohoo!
I’m so stoked! I will be there but I will be late because I have to work until 6 in SF.
If anyone wants any leftover bagels I can bring some ….
I will be there!! I forgot to wear my special The Toast pin acquired at the last meet-up, but I WILL be wearing the MISANDRY necklace, which is almost as special.
*pouts in corner*
I wanna be in California and go hang out with Mallory’s parents. Instead I will be here, where it is a thousand degrees, and probably watch 30 Rock episodes over and over again til I fall asleep. #rockingatlife
I plan to be there. I am not wearing anything particularly noteworthy or bringing anything special, so hopefully there will be other nondescript moochers joining as well. Skål!
Can I come if I’m under 21 and not cool enough to pretend to be older?
I do not want to make any promises I cannot keep! I would welcome you gladly, but I am not sure what the bartender would do, so VENTURE AT YOUR OWN RISK
My plans to attend were also thwarted by the weeknight nature of this get-together (I have rehearsal tonight…four hours away). Next time, Gadget, next time!
Are there any Northern Nevada Toasties who want to meet up in South Reno tonight after I’m done singing and dancing? Perhaps a slice at Nu Yalk Pizza?
Omg I am in Reno 1-2x/yr for family things and I would LOVE to have folks with whom to blow off steam when I get overwhelmed with family. Can I hit you up next time I’m down there? (Probably not until January or so)
ABSOLUTELY. I live in Carson so I’m about 35 minutes away (hooray new freeway), but I need only the flimsiest excuse to head to Reno, and this is a pretty sturdy one! I would love to provide some friendship and sympathetic ears. Also, I’d be happy to show off all the best food/drink/music/people-watching spots, if you are into any of those things.
YAY. I just facebook friended you, hope this is OK.
TOTALLY.
I swear to God I can feel the warm glow of this from Brooklyn.
Thanks for The Toast, you guys.
i will probably be there early since i am heading over straight from work, so if you see a short-haired girl all in black reading “in a lonely place” at the bar, say hi.
Oh my god, that book is amazing. I am so happy when people read Dorothy Hughes.
yesss, i’m on my third or fourth reread now. this morning on the train i was cackling at dix’s inane internal monologue.
do you have any recommendations for similar books? i was looking at the list of other books in the feminist press femmes fatales series, and was considering picking up “bunny lake is missing” or “now, voyager.”
So good. I also liked Ride the Pink Horse, which is really atmospheric and has another unsettling male protagonist.
From the Femme Fatale series, I have only read one more: Bedelia, by Vera Caspary. I loved it, but I think it’s more fun if you’ve read Lady Audley’s Secret, because it definitely reads like Caspary is updating LAS for a 20th century audience. (And I read both of those originally in a class on women murderers in fiction, which was the greatest thing.)
I made this recommendation on here recently, but Craig Rice (who was a lady) wrote really fun Thin Man-esque detective novels that were super popular in the forties and are now mostly out of print because our canon sucks.
ooh, thanks the for the heads up on these.
that women murderers in fiction class sounds awesome.
I demand that you have an event in Seattle, please, if it’s not too much trouble. Never mind, it’s too much trouble, I’m sorry.
Seattle satellite party! Tonight, 6 p.m., El Chupacabra at 67th and Greenwood!
I made plans for tonight not knowing about this satellite event. ;__;
Le sigh–we’ll miss you!
Should we make, like, a Google group? or a FB group or something? To coordinate future things?
This is the best news! I hope my spouse and I can manage to make this! 😀
Super excited about this.
Yes! I commented on last week's post with the details but I figured it might not get to everyone, so I'm glad you popped up! Tonight, 6 p.m., at El Chupacabra at 67th and Greenwood. I'm blond and I'll have some sort of Toast signifier with me. Woohoo!
you GUYS I was really excited to come and then was gently reminded that I actually have As tickets for tonight. Blah, I can't come, everything is slightly less than perfect.
Seattle satellite party! Tonight, 6 p.m., El Chupacabra at 67th and Greenwood!
VERY EXCITED. I will probably stutter a LOT. I will also be conveying the excitement and love of an entire women’s college, which is a heavy burden for one short person.
I am planning on coming and I am very nervous and I will mention now that I have this health thing that makes it necessary for me to sit down a lot, which is sometimes a weird/awkward thing to try to explain to people I haven’t met before, although I don’t know who is reading this and, well, anyway, excited!
I will be at the Boston event, because I have RELOCATED TO BOSTON and I might not have done it if were not for The Toast so everyone in Boston: SHOW UP
I am coming with dessert too, I hope that’s okay, and my Toast hoodie and a Sharpie.
Can’t make it as I’m having both a protein and existential crisis here. Leave some jerky for me in the comments, and CONGRATULATIONS ON A YEAR! In internet time that’s, like, rilly long.
Can’t make it as I live on another continent 😉
Thanks so much for making this such a great (hilarious, intelligent, sympathetic) place.
I will be there! My clothes today are nondescript, but I might have A Man with me (husband.)
I’m coming! I was going to bring zucchini bread because my garden is full of ginormous zucchini, but life happened so maybe I will just bring a bag of vegetables and attempt to foist them off on people.
Chicago? ANYONE IN CHICAGO?
dang it.
http://cdnimg.visualizeus.com/thumbs/d6/ff/gif,ra…
Yes hello, Chicagoan here. You are not alone!
LET’S DRINK.
I am coming! I am having my husband drop me off because men’s voices should not be heard.
I’ll be there! Maybe this time I’ll even be the only Nicole (no I won’t, there will be at least three of us)
I will be there! I will be recognizable by my pink hair and look of insane pride at having matched my shoes to my necklace for basically the first time ever in my life. IN HONOR OF THIS.
I know we’re not allowed to comment on his attractiveness, so that’s not what I’m doing, I’m just saying that an appearance by Brother Ortberg would be great and we could ask him about all kinds of movie science stuff
I am coming! How do lurker toastlets identify the crowd? :<
… and none for Gretchen Wieners. Bye.
This is the only time I’ve ever wished I lived in California
hi friends! i just got home (the bar is within walking distance of my apartment, so that worked out well)! i shook mallory’s hand and we talked about boob sweat! it was a successful interaction and also i ate cake.
There are so many of you, it was awesomely overwhelming. Everyone I met was nice and smart and funny and had great hair. Mallory hugged me. The drinks were strong and reasonably priced and a man served us baked goods.
I’m going on record to propose that we have more frequent gatherings and not wait for the next really big one. Anyone up for that?
“The drinks were strong and reasonably priced and a man served us baked goods.” Glad I could be a part of this excellent sentence.
I am up for that, we will have to figure out how to best organise it!
Thanks for the recommendations! I am going to eat REALLY well when I'm in Phx next week. (Not sure when the next Tucson trip will be, but now that I know about the pie scene, hopefully it'll be sooner rather than later!)