Thursday, February 21, 2008

If a bum can live there, I can afford it.

I have realized being broke has put some limitations on getting out. Nightlife is a challenge (that we are trying to work out), but during the day it is like a walk in the park. Really, get off your ass and walk your self to the park. Golden Gate Park has a lot to do, maybe even too much. I mean really, who is going to go fly fishing in a little stagnant pond with no fish. I think I should change gears before I ruin it, because the park has so much to offer that most people don't know about.

Firstly, if you are going there with zero dollars you can enjoy...people watching? There are trails, grass fields and picnic areas covering the whole place so you can enjoy just being outside and whoever you are with. If that certain someone is kind of boring and you still don't have any coins there are free guided tours at the San Francisco Botanical Garden . But if you are not fifty yet and would like a little more action in your day, the disc golf course would do you right. Come equipped with the discs and the course is free.

If you want to leave the park a little more cultured, you have some things to choose from on little cost. Firstly, the Japanses Tea Garden is pure serenity in the crowded city. If I remember correctly it is free if you go in for the last hour or so. I say just pay the $5 so you have the time to sink into the pace of the gardens. It is well worth it. Right next door is the De Young Museum It is free if you go on the first Tuesday of the month. If not its about 10 bucks, and you save $2 if you show a Muni pass or transfer. I got there within the last half hour of closing so I got in free and ran through only one of the many halls they have. I don't recommend seeing it in that fashion, but walked passed it and walked in.

So thats that. There is so much more in this park than you could tell from the outside. Just go in a explore the place. Finding new things don't cost a damn thing. However actually doing them might, so tough rocks.



Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Drinks are on me…only from 4-7

Working the city to fit your budget means you must be flexible. We all know what that’s about, and some of us do it a little better than others. This includes knowing the bus routes and figuring out the next best way once you miss it. It means to hold out on eating till Wednesday because you know that is when the new coupon period begins. Above all of these different aspects of having little leisure money, I have mastered the pinnacle of flexibility. I can get drunk by seven.

Happy hour has become a valued commodity in my alcohol consumption. Now I’m no lush, but sometimes your out with friends and you have to make things happen. And so I do. A great place to do so is at Palomino. Like most places the hours are between four and seven. This place is a bargain with $3 draft beers, (about 15ish to choose from) margaritas, mojitos, and house wines. Appetizers are half off, and pizzas are $5. You can easily have a good time and spend the only Jackson you brought. At that hour the place is full of people from the financial district. But you don’t have to talk to them, they are with their own. Plus there is a patio, so you have the bay to stare at with your lazy eye after spending $12 on four drinks. I am quite impressed with the prices and my quick mental math skills.

Another place I must fill you in on is the Cigar Bar. It is a chill place with live music, a pool table, and plenty of lounging space. The deal is $3 draft beers and chips and salsa. So I will admit that I have seen better deals, but the atmosphere makes up for it. The live Latin music doesn’t start till 9:30 on Thursday and 10 on Friday and Saturday (no happy hour on weekends though). But the place still works for a good happy hour. The crowd is made up of mostly creatives from the production houses in the area. There is a heated courtyard, and the place just has a good vibe.

So drinking cheap is not the easiest, unless it is at home by yourself. But that is just sad. So here are some other places I have heard good things about. And if you have any ideas, it will be ok to share. No one is going to read this, you can tell me all the gems you don’t want blown up.

- Calzones

- Little Star Pizza

- Aces- happy hour is all day!

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Welcome friends, students, cheap fools and broke folks

So there are many levels of fun and adventure you can get into here. It is as simple as what do you want out of it? I'm a simple man with needs of cheap drinks, cheaper food and good friends. Now that "good friend" idea is pivotal, because I could do just about anything with the right folks...If this guy were my friend I would enter any pillow fight in town.

My point is, after finishing an $8.99 bottle of E and J spilt between three or so heads the fun ensues without dumping all of that pocket change I'm living on. And if you don't drink then you just saved three bucks. That's a loaf of bread right there! Or a load of laundry, or maybe even two rides on the Muni to get you to and from that pillow fight.



With the help from you, good cheap fun about the city will be spotlighted. So your next time out won't be your last till your next paycheck.

Sf Pillow Fight 2008

Taco Tuesday and Movie Night

Maybe I'll see you there...