In another more accurate way…
Another year, another fustar.info washout. We came, we saw, we danced, we mingled, I drank numerous pints of Guinness and…as they'd say in Limerick, "We wan nah-tin".
Since I was absolutely certain that Sinéad was going to (most deservedly) pick up her 2nd consecutive Arts/Culture gong, I was hoping Rick O'Shea might feel moved to pinch/paraphrase a classic Simpsons line:
In a way, you’re all winners. But in another more accurate way, Sinéad is the winner.
Regret, clenched fists of rage, bitter tears of disappointment (etc) are for true losers however, and this blog strives, at all times, to maintain an air of mature dignity (which is why I frequently write about toys). In that spirit let me congratulate all the victors. I hope they choke on enjoy their groovy glass awards.
The night itself was most enjoyable, though far too short (as these things often are). It was very nice to finally meet (and have a pre-show dinner with) Messrs. McGarr & Crehan (of Tuppenceworth fame). Also present at this breaking of the bread were (the imminently expectant & extremely nice) Mrs. Tuppenceworth, and old pals Mr. and Mrs. Copernicus. The food was notable for its freshness. Indeed, so fresh was Mrs. T's salad that the tiny creatures who commonly munch on plant life had not yet abandoned it. Yum.
Though the Alexander Hotel itself didn't appear to be so generously populated with insects, it was absolutely heaving with bloggers. Some faces were familiar, many were new (new to me that is, not new to their owners). The old faces we had the pleasure of catching up with (or simply meeting briefly) included: Catriona & Aonghus, Kevin, Jett Loe & Wayne, Colm Infactah, Sinéad, That Girl, Treasa etc. Then there were the previously unknowns: Aphrodite, the mcawilliams brothers, rymus, lauranen, Twenty Major (sadly not clutching a pint of Um Bongo), Conn Ó'Múineacháin, Maz (who, it turns out, I've actually met before), Annie Rhiannon and many, many more. 'Twas marvellous to meet you all.
Highlight of the night, though, was probably Jess getting the DJ to play AC/DC and Creedence back to back. Woo hoo! Booty-shakingly good stuff. Oh and it was also gratifying/perplexing to see how many people seem to be fans of "Manky Toy Monday" (*cough….nerds…*cough*). I was gonna pack it in a week or two ago but I guess I'll have to keep it going now. Simon had informed me that Talbot St. was a happy hunting ground for 2 Euro goodies so before catching the 2 o'clock train I had a quick scour of the area. Apart from a doll called "Lovely Girl", there was not much good stuff on offer. By that I mean there was too much good stuff. Where's all the shit gone? Is it, as was suggested last night, all due to the party-pooping influence of the EU and their thoughtless concern for children's safety? Whatever the reason, my job's not getting any easier…
Anyway, we made it home safe and sound, got into our 'slobby' clothes, stuck The Incredible Shrinking Man in the DVD player, and sat back on the sofa with our cats.
They still love me…even though I'm a loser.
Update: Due to time constraints and the fact that I appear to have exhausted local supplies, there may not be any Manky Toy Monday post this week. There's a slim chance that something may go up tomorrow (yes I know it's Tuesday) but I'll have to dip into my personal collection to make it happen. We shall see.
March 4, 2007
18 responses to In another more accurate way…
Great to put a face to your cyber presence Mr Fustar..twas a great night and retail therapy (even of the €2 kind is great for any kind of emotional trauma)
Thanks TG,
Very nice to meet you too (as brief as it was). I liked your fancy name badge.
Retail therapy? I knew I should have bought “Lovely Girl”. I could have cuddled up to her tonight as I sobbed myself to sleep.
By the way, is it just me or does the whole 2nd life thing go over/under anyone else’s head. I asked Aonghus if I could make my 2nd life avatar 200 feet tall and have lasers shooting out my eyes. Sadly, it appears, you can’t. Unless I can stomp about shouting “Must Destroy World!!” then I’ve no interest.
second wha?
The lack of Um Bongo is something that really has to be sorted out before next year’s awards.
Nice to meet the Fustars.
TM,
I could see that while obviously delighted to be collecting your 2nd Best Blog yokey an unmistakable twinge of sadness and regret was evident on your face. I put this down to the Um Bongo no show. It appears I was right.
Even in such otherwise perfect moments life can still knee you in the nuts.
It was great to meet you guys last night – and there is to be absolutely NO stopping of Mankey Toy Monday. A work of genius!
Likewise aphrodite. I now consider you both chief consultants when it comes to manky dolls.
I tried to hide it, fústar, but wounds like that cut very deep indeed.
Hey fústar, nice to meet you. Even though when we were introduced I kept thinking Catriona was saying “Booster”, which I hadn’t heard of before.
Don’t worry Annie. The music was so loud I thought she was saying “Booster” too. Being discombobulated by decibels and drink I half believed it. “Maybe I am Booster”, I thought to myself.
It was great to meet you guys (properly) I suppose with hindsight, seeing you across the book shop hardly qualifies as having met but like you say it is Limerick so we can blame the “local effect”.
Great to have met you again, sorry we didn’t get to chat more, but I got distracted by Mr. McCarr ranting about the merits of America’s next top model.
Someone else summed up the nature of the mingling by saying that it was like speed-dating: everyone was trying to talk to everyone else and moving off quickly.
As predicted, I knew I’d fade v early (at the unGodly hour of 10pm), so I missed getting to talk to lots of folk, including Copernicus.
Please don’t give up manky toy Monday, I’m a big fan.
Well didn’t I tell you Manky toy monday was a hit, you need a category for it next year. Twas great meeting yourself the other night although that music was so loud I think you just kept insulting me and I nodded approvingly, talk about abusing an older drunk man. Heh.
Maz,
I’m sure we’ll bump into each other again many times and oft.
Sinéad,
Was looking forward to a chat too. That Mr. McGarr is pretty captivating though when on the subject of reality TV/models so I don’t blame you for being drawn away.
The speed-dating analogy is a good one, but for me it was more like a wedding/funeral (without a bride or a corpse). Loads of people you only ever see at such an event and tiny windows of opportunity to talk to any of them. Pity. I had at least 3 amusing anecdotes written on the back of my hand that I never got to use…
McA,
Jess and I gave up on the roaring after a while and just decided to shake booty instead. The international language of dance communicates may things. In this case it was communicating the fact that I can’t dance.
Fústar,
you are fast becoming the blogging worlds Peter O’Toole.
Better luck next year
Ta foolhardy…though I prefer to think of myself as the blogging world’s Jimmy White. Except less tubby and more crap at snooker.
ah, look at the lovely kitties. and you’re definitely not a loser. or a booster. aonghus is at this minute writing a second life plugin that will allow you to be 200 feet tall with laser shooting eyes (it must be done!)
And I, at this very moment, am trying to install a plugin into my brain which prevents me from mispelling the name Aonghus. Will go back now and edit this error out of existence.
As a small gesture (by way of apology) tell Aonghus that I’ll spare your (2nd life) lives and your house when I go on my world-destroying, godzilla-esque rampage. It’s the least I can do.