I had intended to leave 'round 10.30 but a hour later...

I believe I told you that you weren't allowed to leave....

*Well actually Facebook has been trying to push her at me for months, along with a few…

But the casual encounters were the ones I really liked,…

I had a really good time. Met only about half of the people I wanted to meet

Same for me, I had a great time but only caught up with a couple of people – but I love the great blends & thoroughly enjoyed Emily P & Dylan H's presentation, as well…

You've over-egged it.

without so much as a buyer-leave
he went for the double yolk
Caviar temptor...
the gamete of bad spawn puns
beckoned, egging him on...

seed will be spilled....

Forgive my hectoring and snarky post about the postal ballot.

Not all all. It's a great example of creative collaboration – our votes influence the shape of the region (including its cultural life) for the next couple of decades. The other day I found myself hectoring someone into voting this…

To the author of that comment, I want to know, honestly: Do I still talk more than I listen?

Sorry, were you saying something? :)

can I interest you in Christchurch's Desolation Roe ?

You've over-egged it.

can I interest you in Christchurch's Desolation Roe ?

I heard that if you dig a tunnel from Desolation Roe to the other side of the earth you come out in Paris, right in the middle of Rue de Day.

Heh... It's a terrible life alright...
Damn! Now I want salmon caviar.

can I interest you in Christchurch's Desolation Roe ?

To the author of that comment, I want to know, honestly: Do I still talk more than I listen?

Nah. :)

I would like to acknowledge Russell for organising this event. It does much to stimulate the intellectual life of the city. A city that does not love books, good food, wine, art and conversation…

What a venue, I always said as a kid it would be…

We get searun salmon as well as sea-run browns...

It's a hard life eh?

Due to head south this coming weeeeek-

8>)

F'n'c in both places = crap.

Mind you, FJG is now stocking relatively fresh fish...caught in Greymouth Tuesday/Wednesday; processed Thursday/Friday,…

One of the reasons I became a good fishnchip cook* was I had to drive for an hour to get any locally. And the 2 outlets were uniformly crap (despite changes in ownership & staff.) Much better to make it myself – the neighbours enjoy it…

I cannot quite imagine living in a place where you have this kind of range of food et al close to hand.

It's hard to get used not to, take it from me :-)

Super, we could all become pen friends :-)

I've got the hashtag: #PAmeetup.

You could set up a Facebook group!

;-)

Super, we could all become pen friends :-)

You could set up a Facebook group!

;-)

I'm just hitting the same pub, same time, same day, rain or shine, no planning required really, just turn up if ya feel like it.Neighbour hood bar in Kingsland is the one with outdoor seating at the front. Ok that's my plan…

What I recall suggesting was a simple meetup every month or two at a suitable establishment and whoever was available would turn up. Could have em all over the country, like the Dunedin meetup a while back.

You could set up a Facebook group!

;-)

Noted, on my wish-list.

Fantastic!
heh.I can see it now, "...and this week the star attraction is Jolisa!"

The invitation stands always to anyone interested. (and the pizza is good)

Noted, on my wish-list.

Wellington and Christchurch are on the cards for summer. We'll need to work out what our best dates are.

The ones when I am actually in town. TBA, but certainly this summer :-)

but I can tell people about it

Oh, and ta

together every now and then without trying to recreate a Blend or deal with the palaver of a venue and background music for conversation.

Absolutely. I don't need to organize everything, but I can tell people about it, if you need me to.

It's a long time between drinks if…

Yes, what's stopping any of us from organising something like that?

Not much if the important thing is just gathering some people together every now and then without trying to recreate a Blend or deal with the palaver of a venue and background music for conversation. I think we even…

Heh... Thank you Gio... I think...

Oh, it was definitely meant as a compliment.

I fished out my copy of Roger Horrocks' biography to check the resemblance and realised that I never finished reading it... so there's my reading for tonight sorted...

My photos of the event are
here... There is a panorama of the room at…

It was,…

PTerry?

The Hitch?

My next door Naybore who can grow stuff that really shouldnt thrive past 30degrees south?

O my, I kin hear them little green melony things just – jeebus! They hatched!

I've just spent an hour and half among people (most of whom I know well, and really like.) There were a few I neither knew nor felt comfortable with so – outa there after 90 minutes

-but, there were truly interesting conversations…

Like a pub, you mean?

Well, one that we had all to ourselves. Yes.

Yes but you also have to show up. Which is not that easy, that I have noticed with PASers, plus people in the flesh, seem quite different than on line.Although I don't think so once they…

Like a pub, you mean?

Well, one that we had all to ourselves. Yes.

Yes, what's stopping any of us from organising something like that? I'm sure we don't need Russell's mad organisational skillz, nor a sponsor for that matter. Unless you insist there must be free booze!

Quite.

Personally, I would like there to be a "great blend" of just PASers. No speakers – just some cool music and a cool venue.

Like a pub, you mean?

On Twitter, I held the Annual General Meeting of the Original Gangsta Bytchyz, which grew to be a collection of people who were unable to attend the Orcon Great Blend, due to matters of geography, biology and even geology.

Oh, that's inspired.

OMG, Giovanni is obsessed with Twitter!

Like, totally.

The new PA design vaguely resembles the design of twitter.com, but looks nothing like Tweetie or Tweetdeck or Twitter for iPhone

Or Twitenberg, the folio version printed entirely in Bodoni.

@gemmagracewood @robyngallagher Nice to see you at #ogb! http://yfrog.com/jw6q6sj

On Twitter, I held the [[http://robyngallagher.tumblr.com/post/1096917018/minutes-of-the-ogb-agm|Annual General Meeting of…

I think Giovanni's riposte may be the correct one:

It looks like Twitter! Kill me now.

OMG, Giovanni is obsessed with Twitter!

The new PA design vaguely resembles the design of twitter.com, but looks nothing like Tweetie or Tweetdeck or Twitter for iPhone or many other ways of using Twitter.…

I would love to make the next one, or you guys could do one in Welly again....

Wellington and Christchurch are on the cards for summer. We'll need to work out what our best dates are.

I would love to make the next one, or you guys could do one in Welly again....

Some Pix from the fateful night.

I suppose we're not allowed to say exactly where that first photo was taken.

One thing I loved was the absolutely bangin' video projection. I had been keen from the start to be very visually driven in the stage presentations, and those big screens really did look…

Stuart Page reckoned it was Warholesque.

Stu was in excellent reckoning form around 12.30am. We had a great conversation...I think

What happened at the music vid shoot?

It ended up working pretty well, with a few dandies getting coiffed and made up for the video, while most people just watched Grayson play. Stuart Page reckoned it was Warholesque.

I think Giovanni's riposte may be the correct one.

One thing I will say about Twitter: it allows me to be a pain in the arse even when I'm not at an event. So that's something.

Oh look – Lance Wiggs tweeted a photo of the new look Public Address. How very very exciting!

I think Giovanni's riposte may be the correct one.

It looks like Twitter! Kill me now.

I've really enjoyed the simple and functional UI. I hope it isn't replaced with a cluttered…

http://twitpic.com/2my98n

I'll see you at the next one

Yet to get to tonight and there's good reason to look forward to the next.

Oh well, next time.

Or not

Ha!

Nah,

Yeah

Eh?

Maaaate!

Damn, forgot about the Kevin song for DamiAn's competition.

Oh, yeah. Yeah. It's Kevin isnt it?
– What did you call me?
– Kevin. It's Kevin.
– Yeah. John.
– Mike!
– Yeah, Mike, tha's it!
and

__I'm having quite a few emotional problems...
– Hamilton? Wellington? Palmerston North?…

And just think what it's like for me!

I'm supposed to remember everyone's names ...

No, you're not, love. That's what the name tags are for. You did get name tags, didn't you?

In my absence, please treat ScottY gently. He's not used to being in public without his normal minders. As long as you keep the loud noises and bright lights to a minimum, he should be fine. And absolutely no jelly and icecream. Or alcohol.

You forgot to mention soft cheeses,…

*substitute whichever vice seems appropriate

Russell has been informed that there are now two spare places.

In my absence, please treat ScottY gently. He's not used to being in public without his normal minders. As…

No severed horses head in your bed when you get home.

But given how little action I am getting these days, a donkey might be welcome ;-)

My second ticket can be a Rachel or a Don.

The Don will be pleased. No severed horses head in your bed when you get home.
:-)

ScottY and Geoff those 2 extra tickets would be of use if they are still available

Sorry, delayed by teaching duties. My second ticket can be a Rachel or a Don.

But to do that, you've gotta find me :)

I'm sure Jackie will point me out... as one…

I'm supposed to remember everyone's names ...

A few last-minute names being taken for tonight here ...

http://publicaddress.net/6837

I knew I'd get into trouble.

:) (How's it go?) TEACHER, TEACHER over here! Should I bring a paper bag?

couple of grey teddy bears, a stunning redhead with lipstick to match, someone dressed all in black, someone with dreadlocks, and a smiling young man called Ian and his Mum – we'll look after you.

Seeing as Jackie has only mentioned one stunning person at the table, I'd like to…

If tickets are in demand, I now have a spare.

As do I. I RSVP'd for two, but the other person ended up getting their own ticket. Communication breakdown.

If anyone wants the other place let me know. Or, Russell, if you want to cancel my +1 and give it…

The Public Address table will be down in the main Wintergarden room, and there'll be some comfy cafe seating next to it.

I've just been down to the venue, and it's already taking shape. Bronwyn from The Edge is spending this afternoon putting together…

Will there be any restriction on filming and/or taking photos at this event?

None — go for it. Perhaps just let us know when and where the results are online.

For Tweeters, the official hashtag is #ogb.

And there will be wi-fi at the venue.

thanks dyan, I'm sure it's nothing we won't be able to deal with. Will we see you in a couple of weeks?

You will Jackie – looking forward to it. PASers always seem to be meeting at the Civic – that tour of the theatre last year was really wonderful.…

That was my wife and I's first date.

Should I worry that my confirmation doesn't seem to have shown up, or is it being done by (gasp!) a human being who will get around to it?

Must apologise — it was delivered, and instantly got caught in the spam filter that only filters out every other piece of…

Should I worry that my…

please take photos, and post on the Facebook page.

Facebook page? What is this thing that you speak of? I am not understanding you ;)
If Ben says it's ok then I will oblige but 'tis only a small camera. I'll throw up photos on this PAS page as I don't…

And how big the tie is. Note to self: Bring HUGE tie.

I prefer a narrow tie, by 'n' large. Wait, what did I just walk into?

What will I get if I wear a waist-coat and a pencil tie? Apart from thrown out.

PS. All the best Jackie.

Note to self: do not look down, do not look down.

Note to self, Take camera.;)

Jackie,best wishes for Ian, and you of course.

It all depends where Ben ties his black tie.

And how big the tie is. Note to self: Bring HUGE tie.

If you don't wear anything else I'll you in for free

It all depends where Ben ties his black tie.

We are dealing, in our house at the mo, with a possible diagnosis of something nasty, I fear.

Much luck & hugs, Jackie – and here's hoping this turns out to not nasty at all.

I will be needing a good blowing out of cobwebs.

Oh, honey, I can guarantee that. And hugs, as Giovanni says.

Is it bad that I've just (with my very limited knowledge of Auckland) checked on Google Maps that my hotel is within stumbling distance of the venue? (it is.)

We are dealing, in our house at the mo, with a possible diagnosis of something nasty, I fear.

That's no good. No good at all. Many long-distance hugs until I get to hug you in person.

If you don't wear anything else I'll you in for free.

You got something against bunny ears?

Not until summer, sorry, but Wellington and Christchurch are on the list.

Woot.

Given the venue I'm tempted to wear black tie

If you don't wear anything else I'll you in for free.

we'll see the merging of PA System with front page PA.

Dreams never lie.

And maybe I'll be able to get the RSS comments feed to work. (Did send an email to Cactuslab, didn't pursue the matter though)

Jealous of you all, will have to try and catch the December one in Wellington, I think.

remember to RSVP here though!

...drop-in parquet dancefloor and all — in the main Wintergarden room. Bring your dancing shoes

But not your stilettoes – otherwise the parquet will turn into pick-up sticks!

Does that mean I'm finally going to meet you AND tell Emily Perkins and Dylan Horrocks they're wonderful? Must lay in extra supplies of mattress-sized squee pads...

I can't speak for Emily and Dylan, but yes, you will get to meet me in real life. The Smut Tour begins. :)

Given that the theme is 'creative collaboration', will there be any system in place to connect attendees with each other to that end?

Yes. There'll be the optional name-tags again, and I'm thinking of a Public Address base station.

Does that mean I'm finally going to meet you AND tell Emily Perkins and Dylan Horrocks they're wonderful?

It was so sweet when I explained the concept to the two of them.

They were both all "Squee!! Huuuuuge fan!" about each other.

Given that the theme is 'creative collaboration', will there be any system in place to connect attendees with each other to that end?

I was looking forward to my week in Auckland already. I now Can. Not. Wait.

Does that mean I'm finally going to meet you AND tell Emily Perkins and Dylan Horrocks they're wonderful? Must lay in extra supplies of mattress-sized squee pads...

Please oh please oh please say there'll be something of a similarly awesome calibre for Wellington. You know we good for that.

Not until summer, sorry, but Wellington and Christchurch are on the list.

So if my semi-dream comes true, we'll see the merging of PA System with front page…

Emily Perkins and Dylan Horrocks have been creating a comic-book "conversation" – a page a day, turn-about – about writing. They'll "perform" the conversation on stage, and I'll ask them some questions about it.

Somebody had seriously better be filming this. Argh!

Please oh please oh please say there'll be something of a similarly awesome calibre for Wellington. You know we…

Never mind ...