Pretentious People (Always Use Brackets In Their Titles)

[lupestripe]

So here I am, a Monday night, already half-laced, listening to loud screamy metal in a Bermondsey flat awaiting what could be one of the biggest nights of my entire life. And I have just eaten Polish sausage and cheese with Marmite in. I didn't know any of this was going to happen before 1pm today but sometimes the best things in life are spontaneous. Having said all of the above, there is a chance it won't live up to expectations. And now the speaker just fell off the desk and I had to pick it up - the vibration in my paw felt wonderous.

The same cannot be said of the London Meet, which surpassed expectations. The first few meets I went to in the Smoke were a little cliquey but the last two have been extremely warm and inviting. Granted, we had an incident regarding a pagan who wanted to promulgate his religion, was abmonished for it and then defended his stance by making ridiculous insunations about the meet organisers but apart from that, the whole Meet passed without a hitch.

It was great to see everybody again. Jamie's Bar (which was a change in venue from the usual place on Paternoster Square - whose name escapes me) was very conducive to a Furmeet as it was both open and welcoming. They even had those nice chili rice cakes but they were  a tad expensive for my Northern tastes.

I met many old friends and also some new furs too. It was a pleasure to meet Selth and Rikev - both from Twitterland - and share in some bizarre conversation.In fact, I was extremely flattered to find that both really wanted to meet me - I hope I didn't disappoint.

It was also great to catch up with slinkat  who showed me something he had bought which went beyond awesome and gothicat  who was truly fantastic, particularly with my friend, who was sampling his first ever Furmeet. The same can be said of blacksnip  who it is always a pleasure to meet. Hopefully, we can meet up in London before I go to Singapore at the start of next week. It was also great meeting Craig - a fur who is far, far braver than I could ever hope to be.

The friend who came (the large guy in the red T-Shirt) is one of my closest friends in the world. I owe him a lot as he has always been there for me. He was also the first person I ever met off the Internet, which was back in 2004. Before Confuzzled, he told me that he wanted to see what a Furmeet was like and I agreed to take him to the next London Meet I attended (as he lives in South London).

On the way to Jamie's, I tried to tell him about the Fandom and the people in it. This prepared him well but I am glad that a few people spoke to him and were so welcoming. I felt that perhaps a few were a little scared or unsure by his presence but I think he has definitely been hooked as he would like to return again for the Tenth Anniversary Celebrations on 25 July. He loved being around the fursuits and seeing people in collars, furs and tails. What may seem mundane to us is far from it to non-furs and he was marvelled at the creativity and openness of the Fandom. I had never intended for him to become a furry, just for him to sample it, so it's fantastic that he is thinking of becoming a fur himself (even at 48 years old with a partner and an eight year old girl). It's a shame that I didn't get round to suiting but I was having such a good time meeting people, the thought passed me by. Perhaps next time...

Apart from that, Wolfie and I finally stayed at the den of londonwolf  and alfafox , after meaning to do so for so long. It was one of the best weekends of the year. We shared some rather excellent pizza, we went drinking together and we enjoyed the Summer sunshine. We saw the most fantastically designed bridge that cost so much yet didn't really lead to anywhere whilst we also saw a McDonald's that was on the smallest country road ever. Also, a lot of people were called Ricky, Chantelle and Chardonnay there. Some of them talked funny.

We were accosted by a man who thought we called him a "cunt" when in reality we hadn't done (so I called him one 5 seconds after he had asked us for a laugh) and we also saw the most intelligent metaphysical debate being conducted by a bunch of 14 year olds in a park.

I drank a lot of new and exciting lagers, we sat outside like chavs in a park to drink them and we also watched Dogma - which was a rather fantastical film that challenged the metaphysics and epistemology of the Christian faith, whilst respecting the doctrine simultaneously.

We also learned a hell of a lot about each other and I also saw You Cup and Me Cup again. I also went to a sweet shoppe where I bought a Marshmallow Pig, an "I Love You" chocolate bar for Wolfie and some sweets that tasted like soap. I ate six packets of Monster Munch (of a variety of flavours) and I also got to sample some rather excellent cooking from Alfa. It was a shame that Wolfie had to go with a tin foil packed packed-lunch due to his train times but the weekend was still a sample of fine living and finer company.

I'll admit that londonwolf  and alfafox  are like brothers to me. In fact, I don't think I have ever met someone who is so like me than London is - particularly regarding life philosophy and political views. This reassures me greatly - as along with Alfa and Wolfie - I have found a greater sense of acceptance and perspective about who I am. Due to work commitments, I spent time alone with both London and Alfa and it was great to get to know them both a little more. I feel a genuine sense of empathy with them and the weekend was like rediscovering my days at Cambridge five years ago. In a word, it was fantastic, and I hope I can return the favour some time when they come to a Northern Meet.

So in summary an excellent London Meet. If you have flicked past this entry without realising what it was about, go back and read again. I am sure you won't be disappointed. Word :P