Thai Died

Tonight has been a good night.

One week late we celebrated chomper99 turning 35. A bunch of us descended on the Thai Orchid in Clapham High Street. The food was good and plentiful - though not necessarily what we ordered, and the company excellent: Maisie, Hayden, caffeine_fairy, bibliogirl, rotwang, the thoroughly decent bloke whose name I never remember (sorry), plus new acquaintances Nicky and Sandra (it was Sandara, wasn't it?) and another chap whose name I also cannot remember.

You know, it's noy until I start typing these things up that I realise just how poor my memory for names is. Show me a face and I'll remember it years later. Names? Nothing less than mantric repetition will do, and even that's not guaranteed to press an engram into the grey puddle I laughingly call 'brane'.

Nonetheless, wine and conversation flowed and time passed. God, but did it pass. We got there by about 8.15 but despite having resrved a table didn't see the main course until around 10. I didn't realise they were sending direct to Bangkok for the food. I did my best, but by 9.45 I cracked and had to have a smoke. I try not to smoke too much in this particular crowd since I'm usually the only one, but really. I was expecting the meal to be over and all of us to be replete by 10 rather than hitting long awaited food like locusts.

A good night spoiled by good but s l o w s e r v i c e .

Emm, bless her lost her rag with the proprietor. There was an audible crunch as the service moved from sleepily sedate to speedily efficient. Had they not taken so long to get cracking, I should have awarded them the Order of Rampant Obsequity 1st Class, but alas, too little too late.

Still, on account of it being his birthday, and Emm's pointed comments to the staff, Gary got an ice cream witha candle on it, and the pair of them received some rude choccies. So all's well that ends well.

I doubt we'll go there again in a hurry.

My sources tell me the thalinoviel is slowly becoming mobile again, so in a month or so, once her leg has strengthened, I might have a birthday reprise in the Café Sol, though this time I shall not order the tempting but explosive combination of nachos followed by fajitas.

In further news, rotwang is organising tickets to When Harry Met Sally so the blokes amongst us can lust after the delightful Miss Hannigan.

I think I shall retire to my pit now, and watch the taped Friday night C4 comedy goodies.

Tomorrow is phase one of Operation Dancing Pigmy in which Bryan takes a machete to his garret and searches for the source of the Nile.

Thai Died

Tonight has been a good night.

One week late we celebrated chomper99 turning 35. A bunch of us descended on the Thai Orchid in Clapham High Street. The food was good and plentiful - though not necessarily what we ordered, and the company excellent: Maisie, Hayden, caffeine_fairy, bibliogirl, rotwang, the thoroughly decent bloke whose name I never remember (sorry), plus new acquaintances Nicky and Sandra (it was Sandara, wasn't it?) and another chap whose name I also cannot remember.

You know, it's noy until I start typing these things up that I realise just how poor my memory for names is. Show me a face and I'll remember it years later. Names? Nothing less than mantric repetition will do, and even that's not guaranteed to press an engram into the grey puddle I laughingly call 'brane'.

Nonetheless, wine and conversation flowed and time passed. God, but did it pass. We got there by about 8.15 but despite having resrved a table didn't see the main course until around 10. I didn't realise they were sending direct to Bangkok for the food. I did my best, but by 9.45 I cracked and had to have a smoke. I try not to smoke too much in this particular crowd since I'm usually the only one, but really. I was expecting the meal to be over and all of us to be replete by 10 rather than hitting long awaited food like locusts.

A good night spoiled by good but s l o w s e r v i c e .

Emm, bless her lost her rag with the proprietor. There was an audible crunch as the service moved from sleepily sedate to speedily efficient. Had they not taken so long to get cracking, I should have awarded them the Order of Rampant Obsequity 1st Class, but alas, too little too late.

Still, on account of it being his birthday, and Emm's pointed comments to the staff, Gary got an ice cream witha candle on it, and the pair of them received some rude choccies. So all's well that ends well.

I doubt we'll go there again in a hurry.

My sources tell me the thalinoviel is slowly becoming mobile again, so in a month or so, once her leg has strengthened, I might have a birthday reprise in the Café Sol, though this time I shall not order the tempting but explosive combination of nachos followed by fajitas.

In further news, rotwang is organising tickets to When Harry Met Sally so the blokes amongst us can lust after the delightful Miss Hannigan.

I think I shall retire to my pit now, and watch the taped Friday night C4 comedy goodies.

Tomorrow is phase one of Operation Dancing Pigmy in which Bryan takes a machete to his garret and searches for the source of the Nile.

Search for the Nile: Part One

Saturday, a little after a quarter to four in the afternoon.

Much haggling with the bearers delayed the start of the expedition. It seems that today they wish to watch the football or sleep rather than striking out through the undergrowth. Nonetheless our company began its journey in good order at a quarter to two, well after the sun had passed its zenith.

Progress has been slow.

Steady and determined work has seen us clear a route to the computer table, but I fear that as fast as we clear, the bags stack behind us blocking our route out. To my left as I make this entry, the fabled stacks of CDs are untouched and the sun glints menacingly from them. The discarded box wastes present similar hazard and they too, are as yet untouched.

We are resolved to continue our journey despite the travails that face us.

Nonetheless, after a short coffee break, we shall start out again. Morale remains high, but doubts are creeping in concerning our methodology. Carruthers is suggesting a policy of slash and burn, but as yet I am resisting this, for we shall have no options left if we take that route.

Best leave that option in reserve.

Search for the Nile: Part One

Saturday, a little after a quarter to four in the afternoon.

Much haggling with the bearers delayed the start of the expedition. It seems that today they wish to watch the football or sleep rather than striking out through the undergrowth. Nonetheless our company began its journey in good order at a quarter to two, well after the sun had passed its zenith.

Progress has been slow.

Steady and determined work has seen us clear a route to the computer table, but I fear that as fast as we clear, the bags stack behind us blocking our route out. To my left as I make this entry, the fabled stacks of CDs are untouched and the sun glints menacingly from them. The discarded box wastes present similar hazard and they too, are as yet untouched.

We are resolved to continue our journey despite the travails that face us.

Nonetheless, after a short coffee break, we shall start out again. Morale remains high, but doubts are creeping in concerning our methodology. Carruthers is suggesting a policy of slash and burn, but as yet I am resisting this, for we shall have no options left if we take that route.

Best leave that option in reserve.