London Comedy Writers, A Time of Sharing! (Blog 553)

Yesterday I went to yet another London Comedy Writers meeting party in London. Because of my excellent hand written notes that I copied from the internet, navigating the various trains was no problem at all, it was even strangely satisfying, so I have little to say about the journey. However, after leaving one of the stations, I was asked by someone trying to get donations from the various commuters if I was friendly. I said ‘no’ and was asked for a donation, anyway. I said ‘no’ again. As I aced the trains even more than I was expecting, I was rather early to the party venue. On the way there, I bought a chicken wrap which was eerily similar to the ones I sometimes get near the regular LCW meetings, the only difference I noticed being the sauce. A little warning to tourists, there. London may be described as a ‘vibrant’ city, but the wraps there? They could do with some more variety. ‘I know let’s go partying in London all week, and then get chicken wraps afterwards!’ The partying sounds fine, but it would be cheaper just to compare various condiments, if you’re curious.

Also as I was early, that meant I could eat in peace in the venue. That was very much appreciated, as one of the other members of the group keeps trying to make me yawn whilst I eat. Well, things weren’t that peaceful as the music was loud despite me wearing ear plugs. A very potent kick drum! I’ll tell what I couldn’t hear very well later on, though - The conversations. I guess I couldn’t tell people the difference between ‘assume’ and ‘presume’ like last time. I noticed the place had Super Mario Kart on the Nintendo 64, again. You’d have thought the console wouldn’t be working anymore, with it being well over 20 years old and all. Then again, no one played on the computer, so maybe it didn’t work. It certainly impressed me at the time though, it made me wonder how much longer I have to live. Probably ages! In that case, why not live unhealthily for a little bit, by drinking some alcoholic cocktails. Maybe that was the bartender’s shady plan all along. If so, a very calculating person.

As it was happy hour, I was told I could get two drinks for the price of one, I was basically manipulated into getting two… But I wanted two anyway… Can you be manipulated into getting something you want? Hm. Anyway, the cherries on the TWO cocktails genuinely tasted really nice, I’m wondering where the staff got them from. Heaven, maybe? The oranges however, just tasted of oranges. I also ordered a small tub of Pringles, but I made sure I ate them before more people arrived, so I wouldn’t have to share them. When more people came, I resorted to eating them in stealth. After my samey chicken wrap was eaten, I wanted to literally throw my rubbish away in the bin behind the bar area, but I was too scared. I asked the staff to throw it away for me instead, and they did so. Phew! You know how I keep pointing out how I don’t like giving? When a member brought in chips for everyone to eat just like last time, I ate a lot of them. Very nice!

It was at that point I started to feel the effect of the cocktails. Oh no. I didn’t feel TOO sedated or out of control, but at the same time I could be a danger to the people in the train station. I don’t WANT to push people, but they’re the thoughts I have. In the end I ate too many chips, and as I’m typing the day after, I still feel pretty full. Whoops. Again, I couldn’t really hear anyone, so that would be chips 10/10, conversation 1/10. Wow, someone really brought in ANOTHER portion of chips later on? Screw that. I must have spent the next hour staring at people in silence. I did like the way the drinks made me feel in a way, I just didn’t feel myself. At some point I noticed a lot of fairly lights right above my head. How could someone put them there without me noticing? Then I realised someone must have simply turned them on. Phew again. I also spent a fair amount of my time bopping my head.

Those familiar with the subconscious will know that even if you don’t hear the words around you, part of you still takes them in. Maybe I’d have weird dreams about people talking about my strange behaviour to the tune of old pop music. Whilst the main part of the party was people talking and drinking (or just the latter for me), there was also a karaoke session which I wanted to go to, but I missed it, so I just went home instead. Whilst in the various train stations, I did ask for directions a couple of times, but not really because I needed to, it was more to speed things up, which was a good move as I reached the last train home just in time! Well I only had a few minutes to wait at least. Or a few more than that as the train was slightly delayed. Still pretty cool, though! Not only that, the train skipped the last few stations so the journey would be quicker. For me that was a party, too. And on that excellent note… bye!