65 Flett Oktoberfest
65 Flett Oktoberfest
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Information and Logistics Page
I was thinking about cancelling 65 Flett Oktoberfest this year because I've been very busy,
but then I had this dream about what I'd be missing out on if I didn't throw Oktoberfest this year.
So, I'm squeezing in Oktoberfest on a Sunday afternoon.
And I'm pretty sure it's going to be just like this.
PS: Tongue studs are common in Bavaria because they enhance the enjoyment of sausage.
"I'm pretty sure those women won't be at Dan's party."- Jeff Baxendale
"I'm suprised that Dan actually dreams about women"- Jim Sokoloff
"I'm not a Problem Manager this year. Do I have to go?"- Keith Needels
"I've just discovered that the expansion of Daniel's waistline is accelerating."- Adam Riess
"I'll be really p*ssed if Dan doesn't have the Pats game on."- Jeff Suarez
The party starts around 2pm. At least, that's when I'll probably start stuffing my face and having beer. If your child won't be up from his or her nap by that time, then show up at 3pm or 3:30pm. Not even I can eat all the food that fast. If you're not going to show up with your kid before 4pm, WTF?! It's like you care about your child more than my party!
If you plan on bringing young children, please consider arriving on the early side. The food offerings will include soft baked pretzels and other items suitable for young palates. Note that my apartment is not particularly childproof. And the girls in the photo refused to take babysitting duty. I ask them to change my diaper one time, and I never hear from them again. B*tches.
Seriously, kids are welcome. If we have enough interest, I might run a "make your own pretzel" activity. Let me know if you think that would be a good idea. Two years ago, we made a fire and made stockbrot and roasted apples with the older kids and pyromaniacs. We could do that again if there is interest.
Also note that young children should have some warm clothes for backup. I live on the first floor, and it's very hard to get the floor of my apartment warm. The temperature might be fine for a full sized, full height adult, but if you're only 30 pounds, all of which is within 30 inches of the floor, it might get cold.
There will be a quiet room for babies to nap and/or feed. Please remember to bring a baby monitor if your child will nap here (and a Pack N Play if your child can't safely sleep on a bed without rolling off).
The Patriots play at 4:15pm. They are away at Pittsburgh. It's possible that there will be a two-year-old in a Polamalu jersey. Tolerance is optional. He'll have to learn some time. It's better that he learn in a safe environment where he can address his bad feelings by eating lots of sausage and learn healthy eating habits young. I will record the game on Tivo and turn it on at 5pm.
There will be beer drinking from 2pm on (maybe even before 2pm for one of us ;-). However, if you prefer to drink in a child-free environment, consider showing up later, say, after the Pat's game. It's Sunday, but that doesn't mean you can't get after it. Or are you too old and responsible for that now? Seriously?! Stop cryin' and flip your d*mn cup.
If necessary, people can crash at my apartment. Please bring a Pack N Play if you can't safely sleep on a bed without rolling off.
If you can give me an idea that you are attending and that you'll be bringing friends, that is appreciated. However, don't let lack of an RSVP prevent you from showing up or inviting people last minute.
If you choose to respond, I'd also appreciate an indication of whether you think you're going to eat dinner at the party or whether you'll have eaten before you arrive. I'm not sure whether this will actually affect how much I cook or not, but I'd like to have as much data as possible.
Any parents bringing young children, I'd very much appreciate a response, as that will help me decide about managing the first few hours of the party.
First, it's more than okay to show up empty handed.
A little beer will be provided, and beer (or wine or other liquor) donations are encouraged. I'll have coolers and ice available.
Three comments:
"Party drinkable" beer can be considered a default contribution.
For those who wish to contribute food in the spirit of Oktoberfest, but don't know where to begin, bring sausages. Johnsonville brats from your local supermarket are fine. Trader Joe's Hofbrau Brats are okay, too. (You know, if they can have a Trader Giotto and a Trader Ming, how about a Trader Johann? Where's the love? Hofbrau, my *ss.)
For the more epicurious, check out these sources:If you have a favorite German dish, or even just feel motivated to contribute a party dish (egg rolls, fried plantains, whatever), feel free to bring it.
Also, an interesting mustard would be a good thing to contribute to the party.
Over the next few weeks, I'll be bugging friends for folding chairs, folding tables, coolers, and possibly some Saturday afternoon labor. If you have some of these things to volunteer, let me know.
Again, it's okay to show up empty handed.
Flett Road is off of Trapelo Road in Belmont, between Waverley Square and Cushing Square. There is a Belmont Savings Bank on the corner of Flett and Trapelo and a big CVS across the street from the end of Flett. I live near the far end of Flett Road from Trapelo.
Here is a Google maps link.
On-street parking is available around the neighborhood. However, there is no overnight parking in Belmont. If you leave your car behind, there is some chance of a $15 parking ticket. On the nights the cops check, they check some time between 2am and 3am and again between 5am and 6am. A car that is there for both checks is considered to have parked overnight.
Carpooling and public transportation are encouraged.
The 73 bus runs from the lower level of Harvard Square T station past the end of Flett Road, but it doesn't stop right on our corner. Tell the driver you'd like to get off at Slade St. It takes about 16 minutes from Harvard Square. The bus will be traveling along Trapelo Road. When you get off the bus, keep walking in the direction the bus was traveling and cross Slade St. Flett Road is the next right, across the street from the big CVS. 65 Flett is almost all the way down Flett from Trapelo. The 73 Bus schedule can be looked at here. My apartment is located near the Waverley Square end of the route, so you can time your return trip based on being near Waverley. The last inbound bus is at 1:17am.
Also, the Fitchburg line of the commuter rail isn't too far away. 65 Flett is about a 15 minute walk from either the Belmont Center or the Waverly stop. Email me, and I can give you directions. See the Fitchburg Line.
The current menu is
If I get uber excited, I might add some of the following:
Again, if you respond to the invitation, an indication of whether you'll be eating is appreciated.
For the youngest, there will be soft pretzels and butter. For toddlers and above, no menu item is particularly spicy, so more adventurous young palates should be able to try just about anything, except maybe stinky cheeses.
There is a high probability that even the stuff one might believe is vegetarian is in fact not. For instance, the onion pie, cabbage, and potato salad are not vegetarian. (If I can succeed in making the potato dumplings, those will indeed be vegetarian.)
Depending on response, I may make vegetarian versions of those items this year, but I'm sure they won't be as tasty as the stuff consumed by people who don't care about their health, the environment, animals, or their own spiritual wellbeing.
Some things are, if there is such a thing, only slightly non-vegetarian. For instance, the potato salad contains chicken bouillon but is otherwise vegetarian.
The pretzels, Obatzter, and cucumber salad are the likely (lacto-ovo-)vegetarian options. I know that's not much (unless I make the vegetarian items listed above).
Also, vegetarians are welcome to contribute food items that they can eat.
Those who keep kosher are likewise rather restricted. Not only is there pork in all kinds of unexpected places ("Daniel, this cake is delicious! What's your secret?" "Lard."), but there is butter in all kinds of places, too, making the meat-dairy separation difficult: "Dan, great martini! What's in it?" "Butter. And a little lard." If you're keeping kosher, your best bet is to ask me at the party what's safe.
Vegans. So, the atomized butter and pork fat that have infused the walls of my apartment over the years may make entering my house like a re-enactment of the Amityville Horror: "Get out!" But vegans tend to be overwhelmingly young, white, not overweight people, exactly the demographic that does the stupidest things in horror movies. So, feel free to walk very slowly backwards into the party with a flashlight with dying batteries, and I'm sure that I can find you some crackers and peanut butter.
There are some birthdays that occur in pretty close proximity to November 1st. If anyone would like to put in a word about celebrating (or not celebrating) a particular birthday, let me know. By default, birthdays will not be mentioned.
Our pledge of naming quality: "We will never call the event 'Rock-toberfest.'"
Phone: 617-645-5737. That's 617-MILK-REP.
Email: danielwakabayashi AT gmail DOT com