*f* Oxford 3.0, my memories.
Rob Cotterill
OK, here=92s my report-ette for Oxford 3.0
The weather, it was foul that evening, as huddled figures made their way
down dark alleyways to a secret (or at least, un-signposted) meeting
place. I arrived there with time to buy a pint, wonder around the
labyrinthine passages of the pub looking for afpers, give up and sit
outside beside a brazier, before a familiar hairstyle indicated the
arrival of LNR and David/Kirsty. The former was clutching a sign
bearing the letters "AFP" which seemed a very good idea, but later
prooved to be less than effective, because nobody bothered to read it.
LNR made a hasty exit when it became clear that David/Kirsty expected
her to buy some drinks, and a table was found containing a few familiar
faces (how I missed them, I=92ll never know). At this point, we numbered=
about ei^H^H seven-ish with another four girls sitting behind us. The
reason I mention them will become clear shortly.
A short while later, a person emerged clutching a _large_ bar of
Cadburys Dairy Milk. The girls behind us made sounds indicating that
they wouldn=92t mind sharing the bar with him, so he asked if they were i=
n
AFP, thus showing a very poor grasp of female psychology. We eventually
rescued the chocolate from their grasp and pointed out that we were in
fact the Real AFP. He then introduced himself as Matthew who has only
been posting a shrot while. Welcome Matthew.
Gradually, more people arrived, including Nettie: at which point, the
Damerell identified her by her email address proving a theory that he
doesn=92t think of people as having any existence outside of his computer=
=2E
At some point, a delegation was sent round to Thomas=92 room, to drag him=
away from his new HP laserjet printer. Well, kidnap would be a better
word.
In the end, there were 31 people present, a record for an afp meet. For
the record, those there were:
Chris/Ranma, Beccy, Ftony, Owen Dunn, Ben Hutchins, Martin, the
Damerell, LNR, Sarah, Nettie, Gideon, Ydris, Andrew Mobbs, Matt Hoskins,
Kitten, Darrell, Rob (the ergonomist), Mike the bastard, Simes (bsl),
Alex, Matt B, Lunie, Claire, Thomas, Adam Jones, Rob Collier, Adrian
Wragg, Tackline, Charles, Bryan, Victoria.
I take no responsibility for this list; it is merely as it appeared on
my psion the following day.
Conversations included who had read Hogfather yet, how good/bad
Hogfather was, Kitten=92s collar (which had spikes on it, BTW), Thomas=92=
new HP laserjet printer, whisky, and recent past meets. Photos of same
were also circulated.
There was a Grand Chocolate Tasting Competition between Darrell and
Thomas, which was seemingly won by Darrell, but mostly on the strength
that he had more chocolate to bribe LNR and Kitten with. A special
mention should be made of the chocolate covered mushrooms, and the ones
that looked like chocolate covered brazil nuts BUT WEREN=92T.
The following Memorable Quotes =99 were recorded:
I was the one holding the cat: Adrian Wragg
I=92m sorry I thought it was real: (unattributed)
when Darrell comes back, I=92ve got to put something on: Kitten
just because tongues were involved, doesn=92t make it a snog: the Damerel=
l
this is not cute: put your beer down: LNR
its his fault, he undid it: LNR
you=92re not snogging my racoon: LNR
you can kiss is better if you like: Adrian (to LNR, who slapped him)
Mr fox can take any elder god anytime: Darrell
Get off you, that was not an invitation: LNR
I have first hand experience that this man can go on after 5 am: Adrian
(about Rob Collier)
I am famous for knocking other things as well: Beccy
I=92ve snogged LNR a few times: Beccy
I=92m not into any particular animal: Beccy
the soundproofing on those doors is VERY good: Chris
Later, we went out separate ways. I understand that those with LNR had
fun with the unconcious form of Bryan. Those of us with Chris/Ranma had
fun with a toy gun that made bubbles.
A morning-after meet happened in a coffee bar type place, where Lunie
struggled with a chocolate fudge sundae, some of us had various strange
assortments on bagels, and others had some strange looking ice creams. =
Much coffee was consumed and people reminisced wistfully of the days
when there were only three flavours of ice cream. Conversation also
turned to the colour of London busses, and Your Humble Narrator showed
his age, by remembering the year they painted them silver, only to hear
the comment "that was before I was born".
Enough already, I=92ve got to go and have my complan.
I=92m sure other accounts have already been published, which I have
naturally not seen. This one has been done with the aid of a psion,
which is only any good, if you remember to use it.
Rob (the ergonomist).