Seattle Area Budoka Bash?

[Brian Owens]

Now that I'm free on weekends for a change, any Seattle area folk want to get together for pizza or something -- sometime middle of next month maybe?

I feel like I know a lot of you, from chatting here so often, but it would be great to actually be physically present for once.

[mokonotora]

Victoria count? I'm across the pond. I could bring flu vaccines.

[IchiRiKen1]

I'm game... Date and time!

Also, for any members in the Seattle/Tacoma/Portland area, I am planning a Throwdown event for 5 February. Martial artists from different disciplines will come together, present information in mini-seminar format for the group to work on, compare training and techniques, and perhaps put some of it to the test in some sparring competition. So far there should be something like 15 people from as far away as Portland and Canada in attendance.

The emphasis is training and understanding, not competition and conflict.

The address will be 8024 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA. February 5, 1994 is the date, and start time is TBD.

Feel free to email me at wolfden68@hotmail.com for more information.

So when's the pizza/beer bash???

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by mokonotora
Victoria count? I'm across the pond. I could bring flu vaccines.
I'd love to see you. If it's not too far to drive, come on down.

Or, you could take the Clipper (if it runs in December) and I could meet you at the pier.

Originally posted by IchiRiKen1
So when's the pizza/beer bash???
I've left the date open until we get a few more responses, then we can hash out a place and time that are mutually acceptable.

I like your idea of a "Throwdown." You should also post it in the Seminar forum (if you haven't already).

[mokonotora]

Dude. I'll see what we can come up with. I need to check with a higher power. But as long as she can shop... it may be a go. Wait out.

What we've done in the past is take the Black Ball or the BC Ferries and drive in through Seattle. Lotsa time to plan this properly.

[Julian Gerhart]

sounds like fun. I can come any day in December after the 18th.

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Julian Gerhart
sounds like fun. I can come any day in December after the 18th.
Okay everybody, this is going to be cutting it close. Robert's lady needs to do shopping (presumably Christmas Shopping), but Julian isn't free until after the 18th.

That leaves Sunday the 19th, because the next Saturday is Christmas.

If that doesn't work we'll have to do it after Christmas, which is okay with me too.

Also, for the out-of-towners, if there is enough time during the day I can give a guided tour of Seattle with lots of photo spots, take a trip to the Kubota Japanese Garden (the Garden at the Arboretum is closed in the winter), etc. as desired.

[Aaron T]

I might be up for a get together of Seattle budo folks. Keep the info coming.

Aaron Fields

[Shitoryu Dude]

Sounds like a blast, but I supect I will be doing dive training most of the weekends until I leave on vacation.

[systemanw]

Did I hear pizza? Count me in!

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Shitoryu Dude
Sounds like a blast, but I supect I will be doing dive training most of the weekends until I leave on vacation.
Sorry to hear that, Harvey. I missed you the last time around because I had to work.

Of course I might have missed you anyway, since there was some confusion on where and when you guys were meeting. I'll be much more organized than that. :p

Have a great time diving, though. Just make sure your dive boat operator speaks English (I saw the movie "Open Water" not long ago. Horrifying prospect.)

[Brian Owens]

Okay everybody.

I'm suggesting lunch on Sunday the 19th of December. Check your calendars.

I'll post the exact time and place in a few days. I want to pick someplace that's easy to find for the out-of-towners, but has good pizza and an atmosphere that's conducive to good conversation.

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Brian Owens
I'm suggesting lunch on Sunday the 19th of December. Check your calendars.
I'm bumping this thread, since we haven't had any more RSVPs appear.

It's still on for Sunday the 19th, and I'm thinking either north Seattle or Lynnwood -- someplace easy to find from I-5.

[mokonotora]

Up at the folks that weekend. We're out.

I would suggest tying this in with the "throwdown" in the New Year. Lotsa time to plan and not near the Holiday Season.

PS please take photos of the attendees and post 'em!

[IchiRiKen1]

Just an FYI, we are planning a training event with folks from CanAm, !!!!!!ido, and Budoseek attending.

February 5, 2005, from 1000 - 1600. No cost, just show up and have a good time.

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by IchiRiKen1
...The address will be 8024 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA. February 5, 1994 is the date, and start time is TBD.
You built a time machine?
Originally posted by IchiRiKen1
February 5, 2005, from 1000 - 1600.
Oh, okay.

But my event is still December 18th, 2004, even if I'm the only one there. :D

[Joseph Svinth]

I have December 19 pencilled in on my calendar. Question remains, where?

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Joseph Svinth
I have December 19 pencilled in on my calendar. Question remains, where?
Since some folk may be coming from outside the area and don't know the lay of the land, I was thinking Alfy's on 196th in Lynnwood.

I haven't been there for years, but if I recall it's easy to find, large, and has decent (though not outstanding) pizza.

But we still have time to choose if you or anyone else has something else in mind.

[Joseph Svinth]

Years back, but as I recall, Olympic, maybe 2 miles north on 99, had better pizza.

If everybody is over 21, then there is also Northlake Tav, under the Ship Canal bridge.

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Joseph Svinth
Years back, but as I recall, Olympic, maybe 2 miles north on 99, had better pizza.

If everybody is over 21, then there is also Northlake Tav, under the Ship Canal bridge.
Well, there's Sparta on 99 itself (one of my favorites), but is smaller and fills fast -- might not be bad on a Sunday afternoon, though. There's also Olympia Pizza & Spaghetti House on 168th just off the highway; been to the original on Queen Anne, but not this one.

Northlake isn't as easy to find as Alfy's, although not impossible, and gets awfully smokey for us non-smokers. But it's a definite maybe.

I'm calling Alfy's tomorrow to see if they still have the private room with big-screen TV that they used to have. If they do that may swing my choice; I could bring some tapes to run in the background.

[Shitoryu Dude]

Northlake Tavern is really good pizza (and HUGE), but there are a few drawbacks.

1) Takes forever and a day to get your pizza

2) Parking is a major pain in the butt

3) Crowded as all hell - mainly college students

On the plus side, they have really good (and HUGE) pizza and a great selection of beer and cider.

Wish I could make it.

:beer:

[Julian Gerhart]

I'm only 18 so I't'd be great if we could not go to a tavern.

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Julian Gerhart
I'm only 18 so I't'd be great if we could not go to a tavern. No problem. I'll make sure I pick a "family" restaurant.

Do you need crayons or a booster chair? :p

( To go with my senior citizen's discount. :( )

[Julian Gerhart]

Originally posted by Brian Owens
No problem. I'll make sure I pick a "family" restaurant.

Do you need crayons or a booster chair? :p

( To go with my senior citizen's discount. :( ) crayons, booster chair, and a bib. thank you.

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Julian Gerhart
crayons, booster chair, and a bib. thank you.
:laugh: Okay, you've got it.

Seriously though, I see you're in Olympia now. Is Lynnwood too far for you to go?

[Julian Gerhart]

Originally posted by Brian Owens
:laugh: Okay, you've got it.

Seriously though, I see you're in Olympia now. Is Lynnwood too far for you to go? I'm attending The Evergreen State College. I'll be back home in Seattle for the holidays sometime next week.

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Joseph Svinth
...Question remains, where?
Okay, command decision:

Alfy's Pizza
4820 196th Street SW
Lynnwood, Washington
425-775-5459

1300 Hours, 19 December 2004.

(For you Army guys, that's one o'clock in the afternoon. For you Navy guys, Mickey's big hand is on the one...)

:D

[Brian Owens]

Directions to Alfy's:

If you're coming from the south via I-5, take the 44th Ave exit.
Left on 44th to 196th.
Left on 196th to 4820, on the left-hand side.

If you're coming from the north via I-5, take the 196th Street exit.
Proceed West on 196th to 4820, on the left-hand side.

If you're coming from other than I-5, I hope you have a good sense of direction and/or know the area. ;)

Here's a rough map:

[Brian Owens]

Okay, tomorrow is the "Big Event."

May I have a final tally of those who will be attending?

(I'll leave some room for unexpected additions, but a rough count will be helpful.)