SBC – The South Bay Crew

SBC — 2010
‘We are all we have’
(Bare with me for the next five minutes that you will probably never ever get back from read the following soliloquy… I owe you a drink at the very least).
Damn. whats there to say?
Another year huh…
hahahahah…
–_​–
Still the drinks and the lolz keep on coming.
As with the pain, sweat, and tears from steps taken to move forward.
I will not deny that the past year has taken a darker tone… but as with every year that passes into fading memory, from the horizon the light of a new year beckons to us. And with it renewed hope of a better tomorrow. Life is too short. I may not be the first but I will not be the last to put forth an apology for misunderstandings issues, perpetrated or otherwise. For all that I am and am not responsible for, I sincerely apologize.
And for all the fun times I do not apologize for either…
It being the holidays and the New Year looming before me maybe I have begun to reminisce over the year’s trials and tribulations. I know first hand the devastation that a single action can have, rippling across from circle to circle of friends spreading like wild fire. I am not innocent of this nor am I either the first, nor the last to cast a stone. In that same breath neither am I guilty of being simply human, as are we all.
All that aside… with the pain, the laughs, the misunderstandings, and the great memories… it remains that this will always be the case and in light of that fact I would not change a thing. Everyone of us is unique in their own way and have added to the facet of my life and hopefully to each others. And as with every family there are current growing pains and future better times to keep past hurts rightfully in the past.
I have come to terms with a lot of things these past days and in the end I do not expect sorrows to be forgotten, but I do believe that things can be discussed, can be sympathized with if not understood and ultimately forgiven. Perhaps I am foolishly idealistic that fences can be mended… THAT I can live with. The alternative is to dire to contemplate and would haunt me till the end of my days for lack of trying. Silence is not an option nor is uncertainty a shield to hide behind.
True family sticks together in the end.
And here you are.
here I am…
together still?
With that being said…
Watch out 2011… I’ll be taking a small hiatus but I’ll be back stronger than ever for more drinks, more lolz, more great eats.
more importantly, more of each other.
Better believe that!
;D

Finally, 300 reviews! I wanted to review something special for this momentous occasion, so of course it had to be the SBC (and plus, I couldn’t find the «Breasts» review…)
I moved up to the bay area back in February 2006. And, being the foodie that I am, all I had to rely on for restaurant recommendations was «googling» a restaurant and seeing what comes up. Well, after a few thousand times, I noticed that one particular website always came up, Unilocal.I clicked on it and it just looked like a regular review website. However, in reading some of the reviews, I noticed that it wasn’t the typical «this food is good» review or «don’t eat here or you’ll get sick» ramble. These « Unilocalers» actually made reading a review memorable. So, after some smack talking (just kidding) on the message boards, I decided to go to an Elite event, the Strike event in Cupertino. I would have become a Unilocaler for Life (I smell a bumper sticker coming) in just looking at the delicious spread put out. However, what made me write review #57, 58, 59, and now 300 is the AWESOME people. It started off with the OG Grand Poobah himself, Walter P. I knew about him in message boards, but seeing him in person, I felt like I was a 15-​year old girl seeing Justin Timberlake in person! Just playin’, Walt. I just wanted to feed your ego a bit. =) But, I also met a lot of other great people at that event and at the many UYEs that were to follow. These SBC’ers are the best and they ALWAYS like to make sure the «newbies» are welcome! If I could, I would give 500 stars to you guys! Or, even 5000! But, not 5001, because that’s just overkill.
Walter — I promise I will never again begin a review or message thread with, «So, I just moved here from San Diego…»
JMC — Your alter egos are great drinking partners!
Cindi — How come you don’t make cupcakes anymore???
Serbelle — Do your Christmas card pictures have you with a penis, too?!?
Mikey U — I think we might have been separated at birth…
Ron S — Go Chargers!
RJR — Go Chargers, too! But, not like Mr. Soto’s smack-​talking «Go Chargers!» Also, we have to find good carne asada fries outside of San Diego.
Connie C — (You don’t need the «C» part. You’re like Madonna or Beyonce. Everyone knows you by your 1^st name.) Thanks for putting together the best events! Without them, I’d still be stuck at home watching my 64^th rotation of the 10 seasons of FRIENDS (I’m actually only on my 37^th now).
On a final note, I think 99 Chicken (
) should change their name to SBC Unilocal Headquarters. Then, they should have a Unilocal special, which would be 1 order of chicken and unlimited bottles of beer (which if JMC was there, still wouldn’t be enough).

REVIEW # 499
«°º» «º°“º°
°º» HaPpy «º°
“º° NeW yEaR“°º»
«º “°º» «°º”””°º» «º
The Grand Poobah of the SBC now speaks…
In November 2007, Mikey U, Ron S, RJR, Ed H and I had never thought that the SBC (South Bay Crew) would have become to what it is today. WE DID IT FELLAS!!!
Majority of the crew have already shared their stories and experiences already. So all I have to say is THANK YOU SOUTH BAY CREW! (San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mt View, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Central Coast — Santa Cruz, Gilroy, Watsonville, Aptos…
2008 was filled with not only growth, strength, numbers, memories, laughter, tears, and headaches… it is built on UNITY thus creating the online FAMILY.
I am proud of all of you for making all newcomers to Unilocal feel welcome in the South Bay. That’s one major key element on being not only elite, but being the best person you can be to all strangers in life.
Today, I am also happy to say that other communities have shared our success and I want to recognize them as well… THANK YOU TO THE EAST BAY CREW ! ! !
And hopefully in time another reunion with LA, San Diego, Sacramento, Seattle, and San Francisco.
So now… I wrap up my 499^th review with Mary J Blige…
Dedicated to the SBC’s
Chorus:
Let’s get it crunk upon
have fun upon up In this dancery
We got ya’ll open, now ya floatin’
So you gots to dance for me
Don’t need no hateration, holleration
In this dancery
Let’s get it perculatin’ while you’re waiting
So just dance for me
Come on everybody get on up
Cause you know we gots to get it crunk
SBC. is in the spot tonight
And I’ma make you feel alright
(Make you feel alright)
Come on baby just party with me
Let loose and set your body free
Leave your situations at the door
So when you step inside, jump on the floor
*Chorus
It’s only gonna be about a matter of time
Before you get loose and start to loose your mind
Cop you a drink, go ‘head and rock your ice
Cause we celebrating «No More Drama» in our life
With a Dre track pumpin’, everybody’s jumpin’
Go ahead and twist your back and get your body bumpin’
I told you leave your situations at the door
So grab somebody and get your ass up on that dance floor
*Chorus
We don’t need no haters
We just tryin’ to love one another
We just want y’all have a good time
«No more drama» in your life ooh oh
Work real hard to make a dime
If you got beef, your problem, not mine
Leave all that BS outside
We’re gonna celebrate all night
Let’s have fun tonight, no fights
Turn the Dre track way up high
Making you dance all night and I
Got some real heat for ya this time
It doesn’t matter if you’re white or black
Let’s get crunk cuz SBC is back

(Apologies if you didnt get a mention — there wasn’t enough verses in the song)
Flor is too sexy for her love,
Too sexy for her love, Love’s gonna leave her.
Walters too sexy for his shirts,
Too sexy for his shirts, So sexy… it hurts…
And Frau is too sexy for Milan,
Too sexy for Milan, New York and Japan…
Bobby’s too sexy for your party,
Too sexy for your party, No way I’m disco dancing.
(ch)
They’re all models,
You know what I mean
And they do turn turn on the catwalk
Yeah on the catwalk, on the catwalk yeah
They do their little turn on the catwalk, baby.
Cobber’s too sexy for his car,
Too sexy for his car, Too sexy by far.
Donna’s too sexy for The Hills,
Too sexy for The Hills, Too sexy — it kills.
And MikeyU… is too sexy for his hat,
Too sexy for his hat, Whatcha think about that?
Christina’s too sexy for my kilt,
Too sexy for my kilt, she just has no guilt…
(ch)
They’re all models,
You know what I mean
And they do turn turn on the catwalk
Yeah on the catwalk, on the catwalk yeah
They shake their touché on the catwalk
Grace is too sexy for my…
Too sexy for my…
Too sexy for my… bird.
(ch)
They’re all models,
You know what I mean
And they do turn turn on the catwalk
Yeah on the catwalk, on the catwalk yeah
They shake their touché on the catwalk
Jackson’s too sexy for my cat,
Too sexy for my cat, Poor pussy poor pussy cat…
Serbelle’s too sexy for her shoes,
Too sexy for her shoes, Too sexy to lose.
JMC’s too sexy for his phone,
Too sexy for his phone, So sexy… he’ll moan
Jeannette is too sexy for her love,
Too sexy for her love, Love’s gonna leave her.
And the SBC… is too sexy for this song.

When I first heard of SBC I thought of Rex Navarette. I’m not so far off, really.
What I want to know is, who is the SBC Grand Mother Packer?
No in all seriousness, I’ve been a Unilocaler for almost 3 years now but I never went to an event until last year’s Xmas party. My first real exposure (no not THAT way Walt) to the SBC was at Macarthur Park. Two weeks out of a relationship and one week out of LASIK surgery, I was a blind socially leprous mess. I only knew a handful of people from various ways: Connie, Walter, Mara, Carol, Caroline, Noelle, and Vivian. That was all I needed really. Armed with my Canon camera and a half dozen drinks (not all at once, but kinda close), I got to know people.
I’m a pretty outgoing ENFP person but as Tetsu said, it’s always intimidating going into a new group. But there’s no pretense in the SBC. As I got to know people, I was amazed at their willingness to band over backwards (no not THAT way Mikey) to help someone in need. Yet it was easy. Easier than I recall. It was like the first month of college when you soaked up everything and wanted to meet everyone. SBC, your friendship and camaraderie have touched me (no not THAT way Jackson) and have quite simply made 2008 memorable, profound, and awesome.
All you really need to do is show up, smile, and be ready to laugh. A lot. Drinking a little helps, too. See all you cornfoolios tomorrow at PLEY!

THE SBC truly defines Unilocal with Friendship, Family, total disregard for normalcy, but still respecting the code.
Strangers are just friends waiting to happen… And the SBC made that happen for me. Shout-​Out to my SBC Family.

My interaction with the SBC all started in the Talk threads and went all up hill from there.
After making Elite and attending my first event that started with «Death Note» and then onto Fahrenheit I saw some of the people I’d spoken with online. Didn’t have the balls to step, to the loud, drunken and bottle service having folks, to introduce myself. So my wife and I sat nearby and were joined by Donna W and we had good conversation about lots of stuff. Donna had to leave early so my wife and I were left cowering in the corner, so we went outside so I could smoke.
Outside of Fahrenheit I saw a guy smoking and he asked me for a light, I obliged him and we went through introductions after our smokes Mikey escorted me to Walt, Ron S and Ed H and it all went flyin from that point up till this day. Wait there was also some crazy drunken laughing dude doing 20 hip hop squats to the beat… anyone guess who that is?
Could it be?! I’d found folks who like to drink, smoke and laugh to no end?! Aw yeah! That’s the SBC, a bunch of guys, girls and Jezzabelle always down for good times, lots of drank and some of the craziest and memorable moments ever!!!

It isn’t easy for me to put into words with how much I feel very grateful to have met, yet to meet, and to continue on with this growing number of people within this group. I considered you all as friends at first, but came to the realization that you are all FAMILY. If it wasn’t for Kuya JM to invite me to my first ELITE Event at the Computer Love Bash Event, I wouldn’t have second-​guessed myself into thinking about making REAL Friends on Unilocal but had thought, people who just gave REAL reviews. Crazy that upon first impression… wow! These people are nuts! Who would’ve thought that later… I’ll end up loving you all as my second family.
We have the geeks (no offense to Tetsu, Cobber, and me… ha!), the princesses (Noelle is my Pineapple Princess and the other ladies), the criminals (well, not anything illegal, I don’t think), the basketcases (we have a lot of these in the group), and the jocks (all those DYF runners/walkers)…sorry, took this concept off from the movie The Breakfast Club. Each and everyone of you all have become a great friend, someone who I can turn to and give me advice, developed a new sense of style and tastes for my palate, showed me how to have a good time, taught me ways on how to drink, flirt, and what not. Main point is you made me learn to love again after I had a hard time with some points in my life. Even within just a few months of knowing you all, I am still getting to know a lot more of everyone in the group. I haven’t felt so welcomed by a large group of people more than anything except for you all. I would add more to this, but I think like what the song says…
The Beatles-​There are Places I remember
There are places I remember all my life,
Though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain.
All these places have their moments
Of lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I loved them all.
And with all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these mem’ries lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
And I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them.
In my life I loved you more.
And I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them.
In my life I loved you more
In my life I loved you more
***Re-​edit***
I guess I had more to add than I thought.
We are a bunch of diverse people who are always willing to greet you with friendly smiles or a chat (no need for intimidation), a drink in one hand or a spoon and fork with a mouthful of food, a laugh here and there, memories that you know you’ll cherish, friends/​family who knows someone is in dire need of help, and we never limit ourselves to outcast anyone. We have the brotherhood and the sisterhood, but we always welcome more to join in with the group. If you haven’t met us yet… I urge anyone and everyone to come meet us.
We are SBC.

I’m not sure where to start but I guess the beginning would always be the best chapter to start from.
— I had always used
as a way to reference to some good eateries and shopping recommendations. First an foremost, I am thankful for this «beacon of light» as JM puts it. It is a lighthouse that brings all of us back home from new exciting experiences and memories. It’s a place that we can write out our personal diaries of what we did. (Side note: Can you image years from now and we go back to reminisce about our experiences and we read our reviews about each event we went to and just recall the good times? — hmmmmm.)
One of those memories that I can first recall is Bobby l. and Farm S. inviting me to my first UYE event at the Computer Museum. It was there I that first met Eli, Bob (DoTheBob), Bobby L., Ron, Tetsu, and a few other Unilocalers that I can’t recall by name but I do remember faces will. It was one of the best times I can recall — I never knew that Unilocal had these types of events. I then started to go to these events one by one when I had the time and had the opportunity to meet some of the most interesting, funny, CRAZY, and down-​to-​earth people around in the So. Bay. As I went to these events, I slowly became part of the SBC and the Brotherhood and come to know the Sisterhood little by little — all welcomed me with open arms and made my experience that more memorable.
Thanks to
and special thanks to the Brotherhood and Sisterhood of the SBC for being a part of my life — my family away from home.

SBC you guys are awesome!
I remember when I first moved back to the Bay Area and Carol was telling me all about this thing called Unilocal… and I was like ok why not… lets give it a shot… little did I know it was going to lead me to drinking more alcohol in a couple of months than in my YEARS in LA and loud crazy drunk nights with such a wonderful group of people.
Thank you to everyone in the SBC for welcoming me at my first event– 7 course beef dinner to my first drinking event at Crawdaddy… damn those pictures sure bring back lots of great memories… I truly appreciate how open the group is to meeting new people.
You guys truly are like an extended family… thank you thank you thank you! Looking forward to more great memories ahead ;)

The South Bay Crew. What to say about the SBC that has not been said.
I never expected or knew what would happen after meeting you all. I honestly just wanted to met new people and hope to make new friends. You all fulfilled that goal for me and so much more. Being so warm and open to me and everyone else. You all are truely special and I value all the friendships and memories I have made.
I hope to continue to make new friendships and new memories with the SBC.

What can I say about the South Bay Crew…
When I was but a wee Unilocaler back in August, I had no idea what SBC meant, or UYE or DYL, and all those little acronyms.
After getting elited in 2 weeks, I decided to make an appearance at a UYE for karaōke at Bamboo 7.
So apparently there was a get together beforehand at the korean place next door, so I go hungry and looking for the Unilocalers. I don’t see anyone I recognize, so I sit quietly and eat korean food by myself. I get some stares but I don’t think they are the «hey! she looks familiar!» kind of stares and the more, «she’s eating by herself on a weekend!» kind of a stare.
So it’s time and I make my way over to Bamboo 7 and stare tentatively inside. There’s like no one there and I see a corner set up with little placards that say Unilocal.Weide comes and says hi, and I recognize him from the photos, but then he goes up and sings. Some of the guys are here, and Tetsu comes and says a few words and then things fall quiet again.
I’m not sure what to do, so I queue up a bunch of songs and sing my heart out.
More people come, and the girls arrive, so things are good. Woo!
This tentative friendship evolved into hanging out several times a week and much more drunken shenanigans.
Thanks for taking me in guys, and for those last minute get togethers.
I’m really not sure if anyone else can party like the SBC and I’ve been to a lot of parties… Yikes!

I heart you guys. and all the laps dances and booty shaking
I appreciate Rich, Yvonne and Dorena for allowing me to get in touch with my inner paisa
I appreciate the 831 folks (mark, brad, ziru and serbelle) for holding it down
The brotherhood seems endless…
Anytime I need a laugh there are tons of folks who will do something stupid, sober or not… (more not than sober)
I can always count on Mikey to finish my drinks for me
JM is always good for a strip tease
Cobber and Walter are always good for a massage (I won’t say where)
It is a functional dysfunctional family and when everyone comes together like voltron the skies part, the rays come down from the heavens in the shape of shiny disco balls. it is quite bad ass.
This year some of my fondest memories are UYEs… Thank you guys for being so awesome and introducing me to some great eats along the way

Unilocal Elite Event @ Fahrenheit… w0w seems like soooo long ago…
one day my oh so rad cuzzin JM asked what i was up to on that day and i had nuthin planned so he went on to describe what that day/​nyte had in store. he had me at free drinks :0)
he picked me up and we made our way to Fahrenheit. i was a little shy, not to sure what my cuzzin was getting me into. but after that nyte… yeah. meeting most of you that nyte… i knew i was gunna have to start on the whole Unilocal scene/​bandwagon thingger :P
i am sure glad he plus 1 me that day back in march. made lots of new friends… re met friends from grade school… and yeah… its just been fun tyms since.
yay for the south bay crew!!!~~

The SBC Crew…
Yes I’m very thankful to have met these people. You guys are the craziest bunch of drunkards I’ve ever met.
I CMT FYL MI FYT!

OK… I got this one JMC…

I’m thankful for Unilocal and I’m thankful for the SBC for coming into me and my hubby’s life. Thanks for all the love, joy, and friendships. I heart you, SBC!

I too, would like to give thanks!
Thanks to the alignment of the planets and stars that brought me here to the Bay Area from the frigid northeast (though New York will always have a piece of me — I heart NY :)
Thanks to the great colleagues and friends at my new company — we really do make a difference in peope’s lives — and kick cancer’s a$$ every day!
And last, but definitely the biggest thanks to the SBC — like Lynn, as a new transplant, I had no friends or family here — you’ve been a little bit of both in the very short time I’veknown some of you — I’ve never seen such a welcoming and accepting community of great people!
Thank you! And don’t you ever get me on a sentimental streak again JMC — you owe me a drink for that!!! At the next UYE =)
Now, let’s go make like turkeys and stuff ourselves silly!!!
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!!
#14

I’m gonna follow JM’s lead here…
Today is Thanksgiving so of course we are reflecting on the things we are thankful for this year. Since I have no family close by, the SBC has quickly become family. I am very thankful! Much like JM, the first person I met first was Mikey at the Tartini UYE. He introduced himself and sat and chatted with us (me and my daughter), next to come along was Dennis O. and it just kept going until Tartini was filled with the SBC and friendly and welcoming faces. Who knew a website could bring together so many wonderful, kind, friendly people! I am thankful to Unilocal!And on this day of eating… well, the main reason I found Unilocal was because I was looking for something new and differnt to try for dinner, and we all love eating! I’m thankful for sharing some wonderful meals with the SBC and meeting more and more wonderful people!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Any time you go to a party and don’t know anyone, it’s tough. Everyone has these inside jokes, and sometimes it’s a little intimidating cuz you don’t get the inside references. I don’t know if everyone is like this, but that’s the way it was with me when meeting up with SBCers for the first time.
A long time friend of mine, Michael C., invited me to my first UYE just half a year ago, and I tagged along with trepidation, as I’m comfortable with work events, but have been very shy with social events for most of my life.
The event was with about 20 Unilocalers. I sat on one end of a long table and watched the interactions of so many Unilocalers who knew each other and were already talking about past events, future events, and various inside jokes.
I thought… awww crap… this is awkward… When can I make my clean getaway…
And then Crys B. who was sitting a few seats down, noticed I was alone. She stood up, came over and sat next to me, started chatting me up, and introduced me little by little to more Unilocalers. After that, she moved on to another Unilocaler and I had the chance to talk with Bobby l. who invited me to a game of cards. A couple of hands later, and a few more introductions to others, and all of a sudden I was having a good time.
My second UYE started out a little better. It was great seeing a few Unilocalers from the previous event, and made it easier to meet new Unilocalers.
The more UYEs I went to, the better I got to know the SBC. Along the way, I’ve gotten to know quite a few things about SBCers, and the main thing is the diversity. There are singing Unilocalers who primarily go to events when there’s singing events. There’s dinner SBCers who pretty much go to the dinner UYEs. Partiers who like the club scene. And athletes who like to run together. There’s tons of overlap too, with some folks hitting several types of events, and the real hard core Unilocalers hitting every event they can get to. The SBC is like a big, loosely connected, family.
Even after 6 months, I still meet old school Unilocalers who had dropped away for a while, Unilocalers who I hadn’t crossed paths with yet, and new Unilocalers attending their first UYE.
What a ride it’s been so far, can’t wait to see what next year brings.
Way to go SBC! This is as good as it gets!