Book Launch

A good friend of mine from Magdalene has done something very impressive and written a book, called "From Democrats to Kings". So last night was the book launch party, where we all went to one of my favourite bookstores in London, Daunt's Books.

I was actually worried at first that there wouldn't be enough people in attendance, but then I should have realised, this was my friend Michael, the ultimate charmer. The place was packed!!

I greeted the man of the hour, and then quickly found myself ensconced with another group of Magdalene people and a glass of red wine. It was good to see old friends again, including Tristain and Becca, two old Magdalene friends I hadn't seen in ages. We ended up greeting a few other Magdalene people, and quickly found ourselves updating each other on our lives, work, and so forth.

About 45 minutes in, Michael gave a talk about the book and how he came to write it, and I have to say that he is such a good speaker and talker, that I ended up wanting to read the book too! If he writes as well as he speaks, I'm sure the book will be an absolute success. Although I had to laugh at his talking about how in his early days, he had never intended to become an academic, as having known him then, I am just as surprised as anyone that he's ended up where he is, writing a book on ancient history!

I never spotted the Tube guy in the crowd, although he'd never called to say he got the message anyway. Yet as I did look over the crowd, I was actually impressed at how many charming, intelligent, interesting and funny young men there were in attendance. So why waste to much time and energy on a bloke I'm not that crazy about, when so many other possibilities are out there? (Of course, anyone who has been reading this blog is probably amazed at how many crushes I meet and run through at such a rapid pace). Although it's the one thing I've really noticed, that men don't like going to "dating events", but they'll show up at nearly everything else. So why not keep going to events like this one, and see who else I can meet?

What was also interesting about this party, was that I was surprised at how many people I spotted from other events I've been to. I saw William, who I refer to as my own live-action Bertie Wooster. (Will is some sort of minor royalty, doesn't seem to work for a living, but yet shows up at every club and event I go to with a "certain" sort of crowd, and is always getting papped at Mahiki).

I introduced him around the Magdalene crowd (Tristian seemed to have no idea what to make of him), and then he introduced me around to some other folks, because William is brilliant that way, he's the one person who always seems to know everybody. I ended up greeting a chap from the ceilidh last Friday, and another from the Garden party in mid-Sept. Goodness, how long ago those events seem already!

It was funny as we started talking about the ceilidh, and how much difficulty I'd been having keeping up with the directions on the dances, when one of the girls started to tell me about how she runs a group called the "Ball Preparation Society". Where basically groups of people get together before balls and all practice the various dance moves.

So yes, you know how in old Jane Austen-esque movies, everyone seemed to follow these patterned dances and everybody just "knew" what to do? Turns out that before dances, the done thing is to do "ball preparation" to make sure you know all of the steps for all of the dances. It kind of amazed me that it still exists in this day and age, but how intelligent does that seem as well? After all, how else are you supposed to know all of the steps?

Anyway, I shall have to see if I can remember the info of enough people to sign up, although I suppose this is the beauty of Facebook. You need only the barest of info on people to find them again later. As well, I ran into a chap I used to hunt with, and we talked about how we needed to get out again, but he assured me that I could find him on Facebook so we could reconnect.

Indeed, as I looked around the room, I realised that I really belong to this young, upper-class internationals set in London, but then I don't really mind that. I know some people find the crowd to be too small and stifling (which is how I feel about polo sometimes), but for the most part it's quite simply a group of people who all run into each other at the same events over and over again, because it's such a crowd of like-minded people.

Tristain and Becca left at one point to go grab some dinner, but I was deep in conversation with others, so I told them I would catch up later. Then by the time I left, couldn't figure out where they'd gone to! Luckily I still had Becca's number, so texted her and she gave me the address of a pub that was apparently just a £4 cab ride away. So went there, grabbed a pint, and found the rest of them just finishing dinner. Tristain encouraged me to get some dinner, and I have to say it was the weirdest thing: There was this Thai food "bar" within the bar, where little Asian ladies were running around, taking moeny from people, and then dumping giant plates of fried rice in front of people. Given that I was hungry anyway, decided to go for it, and was actually pleasantly surprised by what a big and filling meal I got for just £6.50. Who knew that good value Thai food existed in pubs?

Finally, ended up walking out with Tristain and Becca, with Tristain and myself saying that we needed to get the Magdalene group in London out more. I whole-heartedly agree, as they're such a great crowd!

Then as I walked home from the Tube station, realised that I'd never heard from the Tube guy. Which makes me the last one to call. And he hasn't returned my call. Aha! I am in the right!! I'm getting off scott free!! How brilliant is that? Perfect end to a great night.