“this is a problem of mass”
“at all times there should be four sets of hands on the table”
(He has worked in disaster relief and given lectures at the Pentagon). We sit down for snacks and drink. We chat about ‘collapsonomics‘. I should be getting on with cooking. But it’s too interesting.
I met @Hexayurt at the Mayfair school of thought and again at @dougald’s School of Everything. He’s super intense and charismatic. Inspired by the lecture at The company of Astrologers…‘Facing the financial winter’, I’d like to get financial astrologers, collapsonomic experts and forward-thinking political types together to brainstorm at an Underground Restaurant event. Watch this space.
Johnny, dryly:”Shall we kick ’em out in the rain or give ’em a drink?”
At 7.15 pm my parents arrive. My mum is an astrologer, DF Astrol. I can’t even seat them because of the last minute astrologers. My mum spends the night washing up and being snapped at by me. Sorry mum and dad!
“Try and keep the guests out of the kitchen for the first couple of courses” I tell Johnny and Jo. “They can have a look later”.
I overhear someone say “Do we all have to sit according to our signs?”.
“What’s a ‘miz mem’?” I ask.
“It’s a misery memoire. All about my childhood. It’s called ‘Touched by Evil: A Childhood Survived Against All Odds'”
Johnny observed that the astrologers, for instance, were “competing with each other”.
The atmosphere was that of an office party. The astrologers didn’t ‘get it’. One ‘princess’ asked for her bottle of white to be kept in the fridge, in between glasses.
Jo was trying to find room in the fridge and I said: “No. This is a home restaurant. We don’t have the room. Tell her to fuck off.”
“Did you enjoy it?” I asked one woman as she left.
She glared at me then spat: “No. I missed most of it. And I hate chocolate.”
I was speechless. Was it my fault that she arrived late (and drunk)? The real issue was that she didn’t get to sit with her friends. Mixing with others is part of the charm of a home restaurant. First come, first seated. You have to ask your friends to save you a place if you want to sit with them.
Wow, more like this please!
I realise photos are the main thing I miss out on by not being on facebook.
X
I know that the word’s been overused, absolute stonker of an ACHIEVEMENT!
Gosh it all looks extremely yummy!
It was!
I read the report over at Food Urchin. What will there you be servingn for Easter – astrological Easter eggs?
Cheeky bugger. Not sure yet. See what inspiration strikes….
I didn’t realize your stress levels, Ms Marmite. Know that us laypeople loved your spread, your gumption, and your lovely home. We’ll be back to tip 2x and enjoy a more Marmite experience x
Thanks Danielle.
I wondered whether to blog honestly about this. But in the end I have to say how I feel…
I think the point of this blog/this project is warts n all, a work in progress…I’m just as hard on myself.
I felt the astrologers were a bit cliquey? But glad you enjoyed it
xxx
WE LOVE YOUR HONESTY MS ML!
(but only when it’s about other people)
Whoops – we didn’t leave a tip a couple of weeks ago. Combination of being pissed / rushing for the train. Sorry!
Good that you’re being honest – that’s what blogs are all about.
Co-incidence or what? I’ve got a friend over in Gospel Oak and was cycling home from her place the other day via Kentish Town Road and had to stop and drool over all the lovely stuff in Earth and then realised there were even MORE lovely foodie shops further down, how come I didn’t know about this before? Tsk.
See you soon, glad to see it’s going well.
Carolyn.
The last bit about the guest’s behaviour actually makes me really sad. The whole idea of a “private restaurant” sounds so amazing, and everyone who’s ever cooked for more than 2 people should know to appreciate these efforts, even when paying for it – it’s still not a professional, service- and money-oriented business.
I hope this won’t happen again and people learn how to behave in this environment.
Thanks Blackjack,
I thought long and hard before posting this…I ran it past an astrologer friend who was present and asked “is this fair?”. She said yes.
So I took the plunge.
I’ve lost a few friends though as a result,very upsetting and yes, sad because I was so excited about the whole evening and put so much effort into it.
I think they didn’t understand…
Great to read, – I’m planning an event for Easter Sunday – Tea at Ye Olde Eater Tea Housie (please ask if you’d like an invite, I’m on the East Coast of Scotland, near Arbroath, I’m on facebook) I’ve been wondering about heirarchy as you interestingly put it and etiquette for ‘guests’. I’m not charging (apart for asking for gin and flowers) but still want the conventions of a tea room – guests must sit where seated and be served, not demand food which is not on the menu but which they might guess is in my cupboards! and not interfere in the kitchen etc. I think i just have to be firm and friendly!