One more drink can't hurt
A sneaky pea until I can be bothered thinking of something original:

I remember once, when I was a lowly 3rd year student I woke up at about 4pm, wandered downstairs and a housemate (who's now a doctor at the Bristol Royal Infirmary) suggested we have a tipple as he'd just finished his exams for the year.

3 bottles of the normal plymouth between the two of us and he went to his girlfriend's house, threw up on her floor, then passed out. I went on a date.

All I remember is "Have you been drinking already?" as I sunk a pint of ale.
( Ungersven would support SpankyHanky's patreon, Thu 23 Sep 2010, 18:40, 3 replies)

You've reminded me of The Panamanian Bombshell(tm)
Well, the first time I met her. A long time ago, before I met the current-but-soon-to-be-ex Mrs. LHC, a friend wanted me to entertain his sister-in-law, freshly arrived from Panama to help out around the house while his wife/her sister had a baby. To show her something of the Bay Area/Northern California during her free time.

Ever the gentleman, and with ample time on my hands, I agreed. Only one teeny tiny flaw stood in the way of this magnificent plan of his. I don't speak Spanish, and she barely any English. Through him we arranged to meet for the first time for dinner one evening, at a local curry house.

In retrospect it was perhaps an error to begin my day with my then flat-mate and borderline alcoholic, John. We had an early lunch, washed down with 3 pitchers of Guinness, before moving on to Fogg's (in Mountain View, CA) home of 120 different beers from around the world. Working through much of South America, and brimming with free Jagermeister shots (the local hockey team, San Jose Sharks, made it through to the playoffs that year, and the owner was a fan), I left at 6 to meet La Bombshell.

And bombshell she was. Very, very pretty to look at; shapely with everything I like in the right proportion and in the right location. And she'd made an effort - nicely made up, and dressed casually, comfortably, but well. I, on the other hand, was a mess. Jeans and a tee shirt. Three day stubble. Pissed out of my skull. Belching and farting. Eyes like pissholes in the snow. Thank the Lord it was a dark restaurant, one I knew well, owned by a Bangladeshi couple who would make me the fiercest curries and pour lager down my neck. Tonight was no exception.

I wobbled out of there, barely able to communicate in coherent sentences. I saw her home, as a gentleman does, and stumbled home myself. I expected a rocket from her brother-in-law, but she claimed to have had a great time and we hung out - which was a massive ego boost for homely LHC, with a face only a parent could love - often until she moved out of town.

I should, with 20/20 hindsight, asked her to stay. Other than the meringue music, she really was pretty awesome. And loved it up the chuff tunnel.
(Large Hardon Collider Bah Bloody Humbug, Thu 23 Sep 2010, 19:03, closed)

120 beers, you say?
Given that I'm going to be in Mountain View for a few days next month meeting up with a friend who's due to move out there any day now recommendations of good places to go would be appreciated.

We usually just end up at Tied House then going to absurdly crowded sushi places.
( Ungersven would support SpankyHanky's patreon, Thu 23 Sep 2010, 19:25, closed)

Fogg's closed (10+) years ago. St James Infirmary was rough and ready, but I loved going there too (anyone remember the mammoth 30 foot statue of Wonder Woman just inside the door?) It burned down many years ago. I wasn't to blame.

The Tied House is ok, but they seem to have given up trying all that much (same with the one in San Jose - they need some good old fashioned competition). If you're in Palo Alto, I used to like Gordon Biersch, but I haven't been to that one for a while (Hawaii and Pasadena are still good though). There's at least one Irish bar on Castro, if memory serves - half way between Evelyn and El Camino, on the East side of the street. It's ok.

After I moved to Sunnyvale, Murphy Street was my home away from home. Stoddards until they too closed. Then I'd go to Fibbar's - great Guinness and tolerable food. You can get the train from Mountain View (it's right by the station) if you don't want to drive.

I moved to Colorado a little while ago, but if you want any questions answered, send me a private message and I'll do what I can.
(Large Hardon Collider Bah Bloody Humbug, Thu 23 Sep 2010, 19:51, closed)