November 25, 2004

• yawn...nobody likes london...too cold...no monkeys
• As long as its not the night before christmas. I'm busy that night.
• Delivering presents to children everywhere?
• Something like that
• Oh what the hey, i might turn up for a schnappsie dram or two. Any idea when?
• Yes. And with the food. And the schnapps. And the... slow dancin'...slow and sensual...oooooh I propose, in a completely arbitrary manner, the second week of December as an ideal time for such a shindig. No particular reason.
• ca ma va. I'm free any night in december save the 4th and 17th because I have no friends, life, career etc. So hows about Friday number 10?
• also - flash, I lost my phone. Now I have a new phone. him name is hopkin blue phone. can you mail me yr digits? ps I'll find my phone.
• hell - why not - any night week 6-10 possible. Next 2 weeks impossible ... Thursday 9?
• Schnapps? Did someone say schnapps? Ah, the sweet, sweet schnapps; it calls to me. By exciting co-incidence, I'm meant to be going to London either that weekend or the weekend following, so am in theory well up for this. Friday 10th probably good. On the subject of schnapps, may I make a humble suggestion for locale? Garlic and Shots on Frith Street in Soho - it's not perhaps the cheapest place in town but does have the following going for it: 1. It is very central (5mins walk from Piccadilly, Leicester Sq, and TCR tubes) 2. It is a Swedish vodka bar, and as suggested by the name, serves 101 different types of shot (£2.50 each, £3 (I think) with a beer chaser) most of which are very yummy indeed 3. As also suggested by the name, they also serve lots of very good food containing garlic (tapas-ey things from £4ish, up to £12 for full main course) 4. They play really good music 5. They have a mummy in a case and a coffin in the bar downstairs and really interesting graffiti in the toilets 6. It's owned by old friends of mine (I also used to help out behind the bar on occasion when I lived in London) and I can thus book us a table and guarantee friendly service all that other good stuff Thoughts?
• Now you is talking my language, you cray-zee ninja moth!
• Garlic & Shots is a fine place. Possibly not to everybody's taste, but hey...
• I'm leaving the country on the 9th, and I'm busy on the 3rd and the 8th.
• *seethe seethe seethe*
• >snif< Koko all alone in Winnipeg >snif<
• Koko has the best user number ever.
• Whenever i wandered past that bar i'd often wonder what it was all about - Thanks MthNja, sounds like the right time to try it out. So far i'm good for any day bar the 11th & 14th.
• I'll be there in spirit. You know. Again.
• If possible, not the week ending 10th December. I have a ton of assigments due about then. 16th evening and 17th are remote possibilities. If it's anytime before that, I can only make it Thursdays (pretty late) and Fridays. Possibly Saturdays. After the 17th, I'm ok until Christmas Eve.
• Koko has the best user number ever. I wonder how much I could get for it on Ebay.
• oh, don't seethe, shinything, it'll never happen. Here's an idea! Let's plan a get-together! BUT, with no specific time or place in mind! Then, everyone can post their schedule (i.e. when they're out of the house) and I can know the perfect time to go rob them. Clever, quidnunc, very clever.
• *also seethes* Aha, but rodgerd and I are having our very own KiwiMoFiMeetup. Soon. And none of you are invited. Ha! Unless you want to come, that'd be okay I guess.
• oh shiznits sexyrobot is totally onto me and my planned xmas crime spree. now i gotta gets me a real job and work and slave for a living and die from an ulcer aged only 41. geez, what an ass-pain.
• Goddammit why am I the only frikkin Monkey in Perth? This sucks a big ass. Mind you, everyone hates me & I smell & am ugly, so perhaps it is for the best.
• The thought of alcohol is tempting me to stop lurking and actually get involved. So I am tentatively up for a meetup. Without commiting myself to anything. Nor promising anything. Back to lurking. Lurk.
• If it'll make you feel better, LandofGreeGinger, you can sit at the table behind us at the meetup, and we can all pretend we don't see you, while trying to talk loudly enough for you to hear.
• *extra seething*
• Yeah. I'll be in the South Island from around the 23rd to the 29th/30th. So I'll either go down or up the East coast and cruise through ChCh close to those dates. Then Monkeybashi, #2, and I will have our own little meetup. *thbt*
• I must admit to slight reservations about an evening of vodka shots and uncompromising garlic. I was vaguely thinking of something blander (and maybe cheaper). But that's just the boring old git in me speaking.
• I'm on the wrong side of the ocean, so I have really no say, but quiet curry would seem to me a really nice meet-up. In New York, kimdog and forks introduced us to wonderful Chinese food on the west side - I just took my roommate to the same place when we were around recently. Food in a quiet atmosphere is the fuel of good conversation, and keeping it simple and affordable would be most accessible for monkeys of varying temperments.
• Damn! I'm in London next week. *demands refund*
• huh- would there be any way for us lurkers to know who anyone was, or would we just have to stand at the bar looking hopeful and expectant towards anyone you make eye contact with? Coz that can get embarassing...
• You would wear a monkey in your lapel. If you didn't have a lapel, you would wear a monkey behind your ear, or in your hair; here & there.
• quidnunc, I shall be out of the palace on the following dates: 10th, 11th, 15th and 17th of December (between 7 and 12 o'clock). I live at Buckingham Palace, The Mall, London. You can't miss it. I suggest you wear a Batman outfit, that always seems to work.
• You might: Carry or wear a banana. Or two. Or more. Carry a banner that says "I am a great ape." Wave a monkey flag to and fro with sweeping gestures. Ask a friend to paint a monkey on your tie. Wear a placard with a monkey depicted in it. Acquire and carry a toy monkey with you.
• Wearing a Batman outfit round London these days will probably get you marked out as some kind of terrorist
• ignore my previous comment i am ignorant and tone deaf and tired
• So far as spotting people goes, the tradition is indeed that we have conspicuous bananas. You could also have a look at Alnedra's pictures of the last meetup - fairly recognisable individuals (even when dng's head isn't glowing). Thinking further about my old gittish reservations, how about something like: 6.30 on - meet in a pub near Garlic and Shots, 7.30 - move on for a curry or whatever, 9.30 - cool young dudes go on for a couple of shots and a bulb or two. Old gits go home for a nice cup of Rosy Lee. Just a thought - I realise that multi-location meetups can be difficult.
• Sounds like a good plan pleggers, but we needs to put down a date. I says kin-yobi toka, the 10th! Alnedra, we will do your assignments for you. Dreadnought, pleggers will arrange for you to be stopped at customs and prevented from leaving (as he has many and various powers). DrDodger, your batmanic majesty, you can send a princely representative. I EXPECT MAXIMUM ATTENDENCE-NESS! Someone wake up The Carolingian.
• Huh? Wha? Whe? *snore*
• I'm in London from the 22nd through the 30th of December, so if anyone thinks an after xmas meet-up is feasible... No? Then I'll pout. But I won't smoke. Because I'm still not doing that.
• Ah, looks like I won't be able to make it. I'll just have to hold on till the fourth meetup. Which will be in Cambridge, right?
• Awww...how about 22nd, 23rd, and 29th Dec as alternatves? Cambridge? I hear it's beautiful! I am sooo there, Dreadnought.
• Thanks, Alnedra, but pick the date that works the bestest for the mostest. I'll be killing myself trying to grocery shop with jet-lag on the 22nd and 23rd anyway, and I'll catch the next one if this one doesn't work out. Have fun everyone!
• *sighs, turns back to tower of coursework*
• A Cambridge meetup would be best held in the months of spring or summer. For lo, the LORD did decree that there be a great coldness upon the face of the earth, and he did call it Cambridge. In the warmer seasons, however, the place is a delight, and we may luxuriate in the welcoming and sensitive embrace of the fenlands.
• So next summer you're all coming punting, right?
• Are we still meeting on the 10th? Cos I gotta know how much more time I really have to tackle all this work.
• YES! please
• 10th good.
• 10th is fine
• 10th is splendid
• Mail me a plane ticket.
• OK
• Yes
• so ... 6.30 we'll meet in a pub near Garlic and Shots? Which one?
• The Dog and Duck? Or is that too small? Carlisle Arms? Bigger places close by would be the All Bar One (ugh) on Dean Street or the Spice of Life (better) at Cambridge Circus.
• I don't know Soho pubs, alas. I don't think size matters fnar!
• I'm glad you're having a meetup. It'll keep the quidnunc kid away from the airports while I'm busy getting married.
• No Mefi members allowed. *sulks*
• Why sulking?
• Ok, I take it back. After kmellis came here to clear things up; at least not all Mefi members are self-satisfied idiots. Poor kamus.
• It'll keep the quidnunc kid away from the airports while I'm busy getting married. WHAAAT?!?! Holy Mysterious Matrimonials! To the quidplane!
• Anywhere flashboy suggested sounds good (although pleaseprettyplease not All Bar One if we can avoid it), or possibly meeting in Garlic and Shots and then going on for dinner somewhere else (Chinatown?) might not be a bad plan - it'll be more or less empty at that time of the evening so monkeys might be easier to spot than in a Friday-night-before-Christmas-crowded pub...
• Any formalised plan yet? Also, I won't be able to get there until about half 7.
• I vote for the Dog and Duck, but I'm quite happy to go with moth's plan or another if preferred. How about e-mail reminders the day before for anyone who expressed interest (and has a working e-mail in their profile), or is that officious? Is there an early arriver who's willing to offer their mobe number by e-mail to anyone who's doubtful about finding us? Mine is in the profile, but I may not be there on the dot of 6.30.
• Hmmm. I'd say the Spice of Life might be the best meetup spot - the Dog and Duck is really tiny, and all those small pubs round there get completely rammed, especially just after work on a Friday. The Spice gets crowded too, but it's much bigger. It's got a downstairs, as well, which is often less crowded. Or, as mothninja suggested, just meet in the Garlic & Shots. I'm happy to either eat the garlicy goodness there (I've not had a meal there ebfore, I'd quite like to try it) or go somewhere else for food.
• Well, whatever you all decide, please have a drink for me and a fabulous time in your typical, wonderful monkey-style! Looking forward to the wonderful pictures you always end up taking--someone, please be the designated picture taker, just in case!
• I defer to Flashboy's superior knowledge on the Dog and Duck/Spice of Life.
• I defer to Plegmund's superior knowledge of flashboy's superior knowledge.
• I defer to quidnunc's superior knowledge of Plegmund's superior knowledge of ohnevermind. Who's going to be brave and make a decision? Then could whoever it is let me know? I'm travelling to London tomorrow and I'm not sure I'm going to have internet access between then and zero hour - if I mail one of you guys my phone number could you text me and let me know what's going on?
• Right. I defer to my own superior knowledge of sweet buggerall. We are going to meet from 6.30 onwards in the Spice of Life, Cambridge Circus (the intersection of Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue). We shall remain there for approximately an hour (approximately two drinks), after which we shall decamp (or be camp) to the Garlic & Shots, Frith Street, (just above Old Compton Street, about 150 yards from the Spice of Life). If dng, or anybody else, is going to arrive after 7.30, then they should meet us there, not at the Spice of Life. We shall be punctual. Once at the Garlic & Shots, we shall have shots, and we may have garlic. My preference would be to eat there, but I understand if some people would oppose the garlicy nature of it. If we do not eat there, we shall (between 9.00 and 9.30) move on to Chinatown to eat Chinese, townily. At approximately 10.17, at whichever location we find ourselves, we will attempt to start a fight with some travelling businessmen. Bananas or toy monkeys may be brought for identification purposes. Anybody who wishes to have contact details, email me your phone number (email in profile) and I shall respond with my own. Those not in attendance shall be mocked.
• *looks forward to the mocking* Take pictures of the mocking, will you?
• Shitfuckpissknob. I forgot to say, in that flow of slightly scary decisiveness, that the Spice of Life has a downstairs bit (stairs at the back, next to the bar), and that while every effort will be made to be upstairs, the "having seats" v "being immediately visible to people walking into the bar" dilemma works out fairly heavily in favour of sitting down. Phoning and texting will be attempted if this causes uncertainty. Failing that, mocking.
• Splendidly well done with the decisive, flashboy, most impressive. (and good plan) Looking forward to meeting you all!
• I will meet you at garlic and shots, at about 7.30. Hurrah! (I don't want to be mocked)
• Also, I shalled be dressed as Father Christmas
• That should ward off any risk of mockery.
• Only if I get to sit on his lap.
• So, who's coming?
• I could always wait and see, obviously
• No, I can't wait. Who's coming?
• OK, I'm switching off the PC now...
• LONDON MONKEYFILTER MEETUP PRODUCTIONS PROUDLY PRESENTS A SPICE OF LIFE/GARLIC & SHOTS PRODUCTION OF "LONDON MOFI MEETUP SHOUTOUTS III: WE'RE THINKING ABOUT THIS WAY TOO MUCH" NOW IN GLORIOUS TECHNICOLOUR! ...ON YOUR SCREENS WINTER 2005...
• ...2004, RATHER...
• *taps foot impatiently*
• I would have been there. i wooda. i wooda. friend had a birthday party in n.london excuse.. excuse.. no really.. fuck it it would have have weird fun, i know it. hope you had the weirdness regardless.
• I just got back to Loughborough on a bloody overcrowded train with loud drunkards and still high on the wonderful company, legged it back instead of taking a cab, and started weaving on the last 500 feet. Boy am I tired. Pics are forthcoming once I figure out where I can open another account to upload them.
• Before I pass out: Pleggers was a wonderful gentleman who rescued me from standing forlornly in the cold outside Spice of Life (too chickenshit to go in on my own without a banana); Quidnunc and flashboy as usual provide scintillating humor; I didn't know quid was Aussie! Duh! *slaps face* dng did not come as Santa Claus, but with enough beard to look like Santa Claus incognito, and likewise provided wonderful conversation; mothninja is gorgeous! And nice. And smart. And nice. And really really nice. I ♥ her.
• Alnedra, try the Mofi Flickr Group.
• Many thanks shinything. The raw pics are uploaded now. Night all.
• ooook what lovely pix! Thanks Alnedra! Sleep tight.
• Thank you, Alnedra, for TEH WONDERFUL pics!! A lovely time had by all, I hope. And a gleeful thank-you for the shout-out!
• I had a great time. Poor Alnedra was a bit tired from walking round looking for the Spice of Life, but she, Quid and I had time to take in a quick rock concert before we met up with the others. I can't really do justice here to the mixture of bracing intellectual discussion (no, really) and slanderous gossip which filled the evening, punctuated by the periodic collapse of dng's chair and the consumption of garlic in many delightfully redolent forms. I'm afraid hardly any of my pictures are visible at all (perhaps I'll get a proper camera for Christmas) though of the two that are decipherable one does apparently record St Flash receiving a divine revelation. I have put these and the many pictorial shoutouts on Flickr. Apologies to all those we missed due to amnesia, lack of inspiration, etc.
• Well, thank you London monkeys for a really really lovely evening, I had an amazing time. You're all fabulous. I'm so glad you caught your train, Alnedra - hope you're not too tired! Thanks for scanning all the shout-outs, Pleg, and great photos both of you - I'll upload mine when I get back home next week. It was delightful meeting you all - let's do it again soon!
• Oh...a Fenlands shout out - that's so sweet, thank you!
• and nice use of colour!
• You Monkeys are wonderful! Thank you so much for the exquisite shoutout. It truly made my week. /grinning like a madwoman
• See them now, magic monkeys in full frolic! But where is a picture of Alnedra?
• I need a new look. Nice shoutout, y'all.
• Ow Plegmund, cheers for mockery shoutout on flickr, that's SO captured my look.
• ... although i have slightly more hair than 'none'.
• Friendly, encouraging mockery, of course. And I only drew some of the pictures. Er, though actually, I did draw that one...
• The meetup was excellent fun. Thanks everyone.
• Also, Alnedra really does appear to be the nicest person on the planet.
• Also, it was excellent to meet mothninja for the first time. And it was good to see quid, flashboy and Plegmund again. And it was a shame that Dick never came, and that Dreadnought had left the country, and that zimf and others didn't quite make it. And The Carolingian, too... And I apologise for the frequency with which I kicked over my chair. I wasn't even drunk.
• Jaysus, I was.
• Bad quidnunc
• Best shoutout yet. And, in yet another psychic interweb coincidence, I had some sun-dried tomato cheese dip at our Christmas dinner this weekend. Thanks, all. I really hope to meet you in person one day.
• I hope to meet you in prison one day too.
• Or, "in person". That would be better.
• gosh, no, dng. mothninja is the nicest person :)
• I was a little surprised that she wasn't a ninja, though. Or a moth.
• All right. I've seen the pictures, and I am jealous. Very jealous. Let maximium retro-active seething commence. Wait, there's a shout-out. For meee? Ahhhh, you shouldn't have. Minimize seething. (You do know that I copy these and use them as screensavers, don't you? Because they remind me of yoooooouuuu)
• She just had her wings concealed, quidnunc. She left her sword at home, I expect.
• All is wazzock. Plus, one cherub. Oh.
• I could tell you why mothninja is called mothninja if you like...
• Is she a ninja moth?
• tell, tell, tell! Please?
• I could tell you why flashboy is called flashboy, but the whole incident is currently sub judice.
• I could tell you why quidnunc is called quidnunc, but I'd then have to kill you.
• I'm surprised she didn't show you the wings. And the attraction to candles. Give away, that. Hmmmm. you know, it might be a bad idea to let the secret out. By day, mild mannered; by night, secret crimefighter. That sort of thing. But, put it this way, you know that bit in Karate Kid where the kid catches the fly in the chopsticks? That's nothing.
• Whoa.
• The truth is that there is no moth.
• That shoutout was teh rad. You all rock.
• (although I initially read it as "a shootout 65 million years in the making," which is also kind of funny)