I'm down. westside gets my vote.

There will be a prize for the mutineer With the Longest Drive to come to the meetup- is anyone coming from The OC or The Valley?

Oh! Oh! Mistah Kotter...does across the country count? I may be in LA then to visit the fam.

Brooklyn,

That would totally count.

(how come everytime I think of Brooklyn, I want to say it like Mos Def says it? Brooooooklyn!)

Friday on the Eastside gets my vote! (I can't do Sat at all.) The 15th is actually the last night of the New Otani's very zen beer garden if you're looking for another option. The Broadway Bar is also a nice spot to gather people. (And if you're looking for an Eastside-Westside compromise then I gotta give a shout to Saints and Sinners in Culver City.) Hope it's Friday!

how come everytime I think of Brooklyn, I want to say it like Mos Def says it? Brooooooklyn!

Because, dear lady, it's just hard as all hell to avoid imitating a man with as much charisma as Mos Def.

Hey guys- is there ANY way we could have it the week before or the week after? I will be in NJ from 9/14-9/20. After having to leave the last LA meetup early, I'd really like to make this one in its entirety! Lemme know what you can do!

I'm down with anyplace, except places that will force me to deal with LA traffic.

big vote for Friday Sept 15 --- I'll be in town that day for a biz trip!!!! (in downtown)

I'm down for Palamino.

Oooooh. Desi girl in pic beside the bearded macaca... come to papa!

I'm down with anyplace, except places that will force me to deal with LA traffic.

um. that is not possible in what we geographically call LA.
a place without traffic? that would be called nirvana.

have fun at the meetup.

um. that is not possible in what we geographically call LA. a place without traffic?

My darling legume, that's merely one of its flaws. ;) That reminds me, must remember to thank my Mother profusely for moving us North when I was three... :D

Friday and the Westside sounds awesome :-)

Since I'll only make if it I can come down from SB that weekend, don't put too much weight on my preferences, but here they are anyway: Saturday @ Palomino (they have a full menu). I don't drink, so I can be a designated driver if we end up at the other place... I'm not driving to Brooklyn though ;)

On second thought, I can actually do Friday too.

Nice photo :)

My darling legume, that's merely one of its flaws. ;) That reminds me, must remember to thank my Mother profusely for moving us North when I was three... :D

miss anna:
i know i know, i prefer norcal too.... my beanie brother and i always thank the 'rents for moving of detroit to cali when i was a 6 month sprout... as we both say wholeheartedly to the folks, moving to cali was the best decision you've ever made....heck if we'd stay in dtw, i might have been the six miles of legumes instead ;)

and on the LA traffic front, it once took me ummm...4 hours to drive from ucla to home (which was 55 miles away).. um. yeah. fun times... NOT.

Taz: Abhi knows that "Yo Dad" and "Yo Mom" will be in LA from Oct 11 through 15th. That is why precisely he is setting this up so a month earlier so that we cannot embarass him one more time! Nice going Abhi. Anyways, have a great meetup. BB is right. It does not matter whether you drive, swim, fly, or crawl. The person who comes from farthest...say beyond Pluto... wins the prize.

OK, this will probably get deleted but it has to be said...is that you (Taz) in that picture? HOT!

Amitabh,

Why do you think Abhi's grinning so much in that photo ? Look at that smug expression on his face !

Taz is forcing a smile but it looks like she's muttering through clenched teeth "Abhi, you'd better move that hand before I break it".

:)

"OK, this will probably get deleted but it has to be said...is that you (Taz) in that picture? HOT!"

kickass writing skill complements only, please.

I'm down either day. I'm siked!!!

Awwww... yo dad and yo mom, we are going to grab dinner with you when you are in town, anyways! That's granted. I just couldn't wait until October to see the other mutineers!

OK, this will probably get deleted but it has to be said...is that you (Taz) in that picture? HOT!

Thanks. Like I'm going to delete a compliment. Puhlease. Unless you are exotifying me. ;-)

Looks like we are leaning towards Friday and hopefully we can compromise with a bar in mid city. Vinod is in town, a surprise mutineer, which is exciting. I'm willing to play DD to Vinod and Arun, and whoever else is downtowm if we shift it the location...

i'm still kicking myself for missing the DC meetup. oh why did the parents have to visit THAT weekend?!
enjoy yourselves in LALA land!

Taz,

Thanks. Like I'm going to delete a compliment. Puhlease. Unless you are exotifying me. ;-)

Any positive statements regarding yourself should be interpreted by SM readers in their broader context and bearing in mind the personality and established track-history of the commenter concerned, and should not be interpreted as including the unspoken insinuation that other desi females not looking like "Taz" or matching her level of hotness from the subjective perspective of the guy paying the compliment are somehow inherently inferior in hotness from an objective perspective or less deserving of a fundamental level of respect and empathy, even though certain aspects of "Taz" may render her to be regarded as hotter within traditional desi culture and the wider global diaspora as a whole.

*draws breath*

These caveats are required on SM these days, you see. Not for you. For the benefit of others. Who knows what nefarious agenda and prejudicial conspiracy may have been motivating our friend Amitabh's ostensibly innocent remark ?

I should have become a lawyer.

;)

"Oooooh. Desi girl in pic beside the bearded macaca... come to papa!"

The "bearded macaca" ain't bad either ;-)

I should have become a lawyer.

or an academic!

;)

even though certain aspects of "Taz" may render her to be regarded as hotter within traditional desi culture and the wider global diaspora as a whole.

it's a fascinating topic. what aspects might you be referring to?

Saturday, the 16th would be preferable, but either way, if I'm brave enough I'll try slogging my way through traffic from San Diego North County.

even though certain aspects of "Taz" may render her to be regarded as hotter within traditional desi culture and the wider global diaspora as a whole.

it's a fascinating topic. what aspects might you be referring to?

Uhh... *waving hand in front of face* hello! I'm still here reading this! Can we change the topic back to the point of the thread, please? You know, the LA Meetup and how this is going to kick all the other meetups ass?

Geeez...

you may be right chick pea but lest we forget that LA had one of the most highly-developed public transportation systems in the country until some nasty interests ripped that stuff out! i might be deluding myself trying to believe that that could exist here...oh well. didn't mention this before, but i'm good with any date.

Uhh... *waving hand in front of face* hello! I'm still here reading this! Can we change the topic back to the point of the thread, please? You know, the LA Meetup and how this is going to kick all the other meetups ass?

Tsk, tsk, Taz. It's not a real meetup thread until it's been hijacked. ;)

Damn...you gotta man?

"Can we change the topic back to the point of the thread, please? You know, the LA Meetup and how this is going to kick all the other meetups ass?"

and who's to say that Jai's mysterious aspects does not in some way, shape or form contribute to the ass-kicking nature of the LA meetup?

You know, the LA Meetup and how this is going to kick all the other meetups ass?

Hmmm. Let's pause for a moment to really think about this, shall we?

There was the legendary SF Meetup of '05 at Greco which lasted six hours before changing locations so that everyone could have DINNER together for another two hours, because no one wanted to go home, it was so fun...then there was the hotness in NYC over Memorial Day at La Lanterna, in the garden, under the stars, with three mutineers hosting, which lasted a record ten hours. That's some impressive ass you're aiming your kicks at...but then, we didn't bribe our attendees with schwag or prizes, so the comparison is inapposite. Enjoy your hollow victory. ;)

i'm jealous of the greco meet-up :=( thatz one of my fav. places around the bay. i missed the last NYC meet up by one day!

boo-hoo-hoo....

Damn, I dint know there was this whole EasCoasss WesCoasss beef all up in this grill. Who's the BIggie and Tupac tho?

I'm jus here to rep the 313.

A N N A and chickpea...stop hating on LA! i haven't been home in a while, so maybe i'll down. 2 meetups in a row!? hmmm....

Damn...you gotta man?

Looter,

That was for Abhi right? Nah, i don't think he's got a man...

we didn't bribe our attendees with schwag or prizes, so the comparison is inapposite.

We are not bribing. We are merely giving gifts worthy of such a prize-worthy event. And let me just make the pitch now, since I'm putting together the goody bag prize now, it's going to be the best goody bag EVER. It's a surprise until then, but I'll blog about it after the meetup. As for kicking NYC and SFs ass, I dunno, we have some pretty dope LA bloggers. I forsee a super fun event with massive amounts of giddiness and drinks a flowing. We shall have to see now, no?

taz,

how duz your amma feel about you wearing a shirt like that and having it posted on a site that gets 10,000 unique visitors per day? hehe....

Hmmm. Let's pause for a moment to really think about this, shall we? .... Enjoy your hollow victory. ;)

Yeah! POW! BAM! SOCK! take that, SoCal! ;)

xo
pp

hell yeah taz! seeing how the last time we went to gopher was amazing, i'd like to keep with tradition and vote for the golden gopher on friday :)

Unfortunately, I won't be in LA for this.
But, anyone use gabbly chat on sepia mutiny?
http://gabbly.com/sepiamutiny

we have some pretty dope LA bloggers

I can see it now, the infamous beef heard round the south asian blogworld

The notorious A.N.A. (AKA Anna smalls) showdown with TazPac (don't know your last name, but I'd somehow try and merge it with Shakur) Thuglife.

There was a call for a boston meetup in june... i second it.

A N N A and chickpea...stop hating on LA! i haven't been home in a while, so maybe i'll down. 2 meetups in a row!? hmmm....

not hating on LA terence ;).. heck i'm likley moving back in t-10 months (but who's counting) :)... hip hip hooray for getting outta the dirty south soon! as i dream of the 91 freeway traffic jams... oooh... memories....

The notorious A.N.A. (AKA Anna smalls) showdown with TazPac (don't know your last name, but I'd somehow try and merge it with Shakur) Thuglife.

And on the way over there, maybe we can stop by at the corner of Wilshire and Fairfax and pay our tribute and respects to the slain big guy. Man, why did I mention Fairfax, now I'm craving some Yebeg Alicha from Merkato at Little Ethiopia.

not to nitpick, but I think it was Wilshire and La Brea, Wilshire and Fairfax is where LACMA is, somehow I don't see Biggie and Puffy taking in some neo-impressionism after hittin the Vibe party.

Neither would they have been contemplating the exigencies of the last Ice Age in Los Angeles amidst the ominously bubbling La Brea tar pits after hittin the Vibe party.

not to nitpick, but I think it was Wilshire and La Brea, Wilshire and Fairfax is where LACMA is, somehow I don't see Biggie and Puffy taking in some neo-impressionism after hittin the Vibe party.

Nope, it WAS Wilshire and Fairfax, right in front of the Car Museum and across the street from the Pulp Fiction restaurant.

The "bearded macaca" ain't bad either ;-)

Awww, thanks metric. And for the record I am all for the physical objectification of desi men as a way to even the rampant objectification that desi women have to suffer.

Damn...you gotta man?

Looter,

That was for Abhi right? Nah, i don't think he's got a man...

No, I don't have a man, although Taz has met my back-up man in case things with the ladies don't work out :)

I'm living in mansions and Benzes, giving ends to my friends and it feels stupendous.

Abhi,

Someone's lying then. From the link I put up:

"(pic by visualsushi of LAPD cruiser at Wilshire & La Brea, intersection where Biggie was murdered)"

I can see it now, the infamous beef heard round the south asian blogworld

Maybe it should be the infamous paneer or something. Beef doesn't seem appropriate. ;)

Word. I'm notorious AND vegetarian.

That was for Abhi right? Nah, i don't think he's got a man...

No, I don't have a man, although Taz has met my back-up man in case things with the ladies don't work out :)

You think he's kidding. But it's so true. It's like chemistry when they are together. ;-)

Razib,

For the record- I had chosen another picture and it was ABHI that made me change it to this one. For the record. As for my amu, she would say, "chi, chi, chi" shaking her head and i would say, "10,000, half could be guys- one of them could be a single Bangladeshi-American muslim doctor from a good family!" and she would say, "Ah-cha. Tihk ah-see. Carry on."

I love it when you call me Big Poppa... dum.

Jai says:

Taz is forcing a smile but it looks like she's muttering through clenched teeth "Abhi, you'd better move that hand before I break it".

Abhi says:

Taz has met my back-up man in case things with the ladies don't work out :)

Abhi, are you copping a plea to Jai's charge above?

Taz is forcing a smile but it looks like she's muttering through clenched teeth "Abhi, you'd better move that hand before I break it".

now that you mention it...after reading that, and looking at the expressions juxtaposed on the faces of the two individuals.

Abhi,

Someone's lying then. From the link I put up:

Read this for example:
http://centennialsociety.com/pez.biginfo.html

Abhi's a sexy mang!

Abhi, are you copping a plea to Jai's charge above?

I actually enjoy copping very much.

"Read this for example:
http://centennialsociety.com/pez.biginfo.html"

I never said you were lying, just that someone is.

I am all Valley and down for this in a bigh way

Oh! Oh! Mistah Kotter...does across the country count? I may be in LA then to visit the fam.

Doh. Do I have to give up my trophy now, AKKA?

;-)

I'll drive down from Goleta/Santa Barbara. Westside, downtown, all the same since these are specks in the distance, looking from here. My vote is for Saturday, simply because it might be easier to get there...

I've never been to one of these. Would love to. Either location works for me.

Yay I got a holla on Sepia Mutiny, I've really made it! Woop!
Taz, I'm down for Friday, and lets hit up the Golden Gopher or some other fun divey spot!

I'll drive down from Goleta/Santa Barbara.

Holy shit. What are the odds of finding another SM reader from here?

Oh man, if only this was happening over Christmas, I'd be there like a shot. Am coming to see you Amreekans once again this year, but only in LA.

Holy shit. What are the odds of finding another SM reader from here?

Pavitra gobar indeed! Literate desis do exist in Goleta! Cool, this is like the movie 'Contact' - We are not alone! (Not actual quote).

Word. I'm notorious AND vegetarian.

I think that means the right moniker is A-RS-One.

Literate desis do exist in Goleta!

Yeah, but I thought they all teach in UCSB's religious studies department.

Yeah, but I thought they all teach in UCSB's religious studies department.

Any other SM readers living in Queens or Manhattan? Maybe I could meet you.

That was for Abhi right?

Is Abhi the one on the left or the one on the right?

Finally we get what us Angelinos have been anticpating since the last meetup - another LA meetup!
I feel very accomplished that I am on a Sepia post. yay! Taz, Friday works and Golden Gopher sounds fun.

I vote for the 16th...

The last one was fun and am looking forward to this one. The 15th and downtown get my vote. :)

I don't live in LA but doesn't downtown LA not offer much? i mean as far as someplace fun(lively environment like 3rd street prom) I know they are building it up and I guess I haven't had sufficient time to explore it. My sister lives in OC so I was just wondering. maybe I can check it out next time. where is the grove btw?

I may find myself Lurking on Friday in the LA bar scene.

I have gone through some of dtown la but didn't find it too appealing.

I don't live in LA but doesn't downtown LA not offer much?

Ok, the Grove and 3rd street are the hubs of the tourist traps of LA. I'm kind of an LA snob, and there are places in So Cal I avoid, (like the Westside and Hollywood) and there are places I'm just drawn to, like the hipster part of town Los Feliz, or Koreantown, or Little Tokyo. I work downtown and live in South Central and love this part of town. There are amazing underground hip hop clubs in Chinatown, cool new trendy bars in downtown, great old school places to eat like the The Pantry and my favorite outdoor spoken word venue in Little Tokyo. Unfortunately, on the non-hipster side, there is a billion dollar revitalization in downtown that is not only creating a "Grove" like entertainment center by the Staple center, it is also creating these huge million dollar lofts and gentrifying downtown LA hardcore. (see www.saje.org for more) It creates bizarre triages of rich yuppies living in $$$ apartments going to a bougie bar like Pete's right next to skid row right next to the APIA organization that I, a broke-ass activisty type works at. (the hub of the old skool APIA communities are around downtown - K-town, Little Tokyo, Thai town, Little Philipino, and even Little Bangladesh)

I love LA, especially downtown, especially for diversity and history. Sorry for the rant. But don't knock it till you try it.

What's this? the thread actually discussing the LA meetup. Are you ok with that, TazPac?

#83
Little Bangladesh, wow!
hehe maybe I like tourist traps. the Inner Harbor is the big tourist trap in Baltimore.
yeah hopefully I'll see the exciting side of downtown next time.
I'm looking for a dense, vibrant urban environment.
um i don't think u meant to type saje.org.
ive seen pics of koreatown seems cool.
it's good thing that LA is progressing on transit quickly.
was the development u were talking about grand ave or la live?

oh yeah, any rcommendations on anything in the OC? Anaheim is supposed to be developing a dtown I think.

also taz, are u a hipster admitting to being a hipster?

No vivo, the most hipster an activist can get is to dress like one. Unlike a real hipster, an activist would actually believe in her political t-shirts. A hipster who likes to pretend he's politically active is a "macktivist" (not to be confused with "slacktivist", which is just a really slow activist). Hipsters have a way of creating ambiance, that's why I think it's ok to go to hipster places, but not actually identify as one. And finally, someone who blows this whole thing out of proportion like I just did is a nerd who needs to get a life.

Btw, even though I don't get to go downtown as much anymore, I know that Taz is right on with her state of LA report.

LA is sunny. it makes you brown.

No vivo, the most hipster an activist can get is to dress like one. Unlike a real hipster, an activist would actually believe in her political t-shirts. A hipster who likes to pretend he's politically active is a "macktivist" (not to be confused with "slacktivist", which is just a really slow activist). Hipsters have a way of creating ambiance, that's why I think it's ok to go to hipster places, but not actually identify as one. And finally, someone who blows this whole thing out of proportion like I just did is a nerd who needs to get a life.

hahaha. that's phunny. i have a word; jadactivist; what's the word for someone who used to hate bono's line "i'd join the movement if there was one i could believe in", but now thinks it's all too appropriate.

ah thanks for the responses.
had to post this(hope i can)
anti-hipster blog:
http://www.hipstersareannoying.com/archive/2002_10_20_archive.html
think the girl lives in hipster heavy part of brooklyn

I'm in. Wherever is fine. Seems like Taz knows places I haven't been to, so that should be fun!

Taz, you forgot the number one reason to avoid Hollywood: its easy to get lost and you can't find parking. Grr.
Downtown is hopping, I For better or worse, LA is one of those places that grows on you, its just you have to give it some time and effort.

My comment got chopped in half! Here's what I orginially posted:

Taz, you forgot the number one reason to avoid Hollywood: its easy to get lost and you can't find parking. Grr.
Downtown is hopping, I heart Little Tokyo because of the community vibe they are trying to maintain...but you go a couple blocks down and you can see the spillover of the downtown revitalization projects. For better or worse, LA is one of those places that grows on you, its just you have to give it some time and effort.

So, what is it -- 15th or 16th?

A completely unrelated question,(but it does have to do with brown:))but is anyone planning to watch Beerfest directed by Jay Chandrasekhar(sp?)?

deleted

vivo: nah. they used up all the good jokes in supertroopers. the second was crap, third will probably be worse.

Are lurkers invited?
Prefer 15th at GG.

I'm flying into San Diego on the 13th of September and driving up to Long Beach on the morning of the 15th. I should be able to make it and will try my best. I hope if it's a bar that they have good virgin options coz I don't drink alcohol. I hope they have some good vegetarian snacks also.