I'm intimidated by one very large task: book a holiday party for 450 people on a maximum budget of $10000 somewhere in SF, including food & 2 drink tickets. Preferably in Fisherman's Wharf.

Pulling some numbers out of my ass:

Suppose you allow 16 bucks a piece for dinner and drinks.

That leaves you $2,800 rental and decorations, and I guess all other expenses.

You do need advice from someone like Allyson who used to do this sort of thing for a living. But it seems doable, albeit you may need to go the simple hot n hearty route (which given that it is cool weather season coming up should be no hardship for the guests.)

Hooray for jammies with no social stigma!

I just watched "Time To Murder and Create" (Wire In The Blood). The story was itchily familiar. A dom is luring girls to him over the internet and imprisoning them in a lavishly fashioned room in the middle of nowhere. When the encounter turns sour, he kills them. But I know I haven't seen this ep before. Does that plot sound like it was used elsewhere?

Oh?? Hey, Matt... Need a beardtastic date?

Nah, I have decided that watching a distant black speck that is theoretically Elvira and hearing her alleged voice over the static of loudspeakers is not that appealing.

My friend Nathan says it's a weird (loaded) gift.

I agree. Pajamas are great gifts for relatives, galpals, and kids, but it sends an odd message to an unrelated adult male.

If a good male friend gave me unsexy jammies, I'd not think anything of it.

But I have platonically given boxers, including silk. We just knew it wasn't a sex thing.

Suppose you allow 16 bucks a piece for dinner and drinks

At Fisherman's Wharf, during the holiday season? Dicey. Depends on what the food is, I guess, and how long you need the place.

I think I'm with Nathan and Matt on this, in general, but I also think it just depends on the friendship.

Allyson, would your mind, even for a second, get a teeeny bit weirded if this person gave you jammies? That's probably the best way to decide.

Yeah, I'd say no silk, but otherwise fine.

I don't think women necessarily receive sleepwear as a loaded gift, based on the responses above. Guys are used to receiving clothing other than ties and socks from significant others, parents, and much older relatives. I'm not saying dude would necessarily assume Allyson was hitting on him, but I'll bet folding money he'd find the gift weird.

Guys are used to receiving clothing other than ties and socks from significant others, parents, and much older relatives.

How does that differ from who women are used to receiving clothing from?

I'll bet folding money he'd find the gift weird.

Unless he knows Allyson well...so in that case one shouldn't listen to Nathan, because he's not privy to the relationship details. But nor are we.