Conference turris::womannotes-v3

    hey, how many people do we need to charter a flight from Mass-
    achusetts to the UK ?

    
    Alice,
    
    I'm on!
    
    Actually, I've always wondered how many UK people read here....
    So come on people!
    Sign on here if you're on this side of the pond!
    
    'gail
    (ex-Readingite - now in London)

    Hey, come out, all you read-only people! 
    
    By the way, as many people as will fit are welcome to stay overnight at
    my bedsit, if we get together in Reading, if necessary.
    
    Alice T.

    Hi
    
    is this party a women only jaunt ?  Probably best if it is I reckon,
    but thought I would ask ?
    
    see ya
    
    Dave D

    I don't see why it should be - I'd like to meet _any_ new faces!
    
    Anyone else?
    
    Alice T.

    I am normally a read-only Reading person and I am always interested in
    parties...
    
    Helen.

    Great! There doesn't seem to be many of us, though, eh?
    
    Alice

    
    OK - another reader-only bites the dust..... 
    
    Sounds like a great idea! Let's have some ideas - date/time/place???
    
    

    Ok, I've got a possible date: Saturday 8 September.
    
    If that's ok for everyone, we can then think about time and place.
    
    Perhaps we could have a picnic!
    
    Alice T.

    erm.....don't you mean Sat. 7th Sept or Sun. 8th Sept??
    
    Sounds great. There are some lovely places to go around Henley/Sonning
    etc., or by the riverside in Caversham. Or farther afield? Any other
    ideas anybody?
    
    Carol.......
    

    You're right, I was looking in the 1990 diary I got with my
    timemanager, by mistake!
    
    As for place - I've got no car, but I could go by train or bus.
    
    Alice T.

    
    No car !!!!
    
    Public transport !!!!
    
    Dont be silly - I'll give you a lift, providing I can come !
    
    Jerome (a reformed read only person)

    Thanks a lot, Jerome.
    
    If anyone around here (Reading) knows the area well (like Carol,
    perhaps) we could follow their suggestions, but don't forget, some
    people (like 'gail, for one) come from elsewhere.
    
    Maybe those who want to come should say where they're coming from.
    
    Alice T.

    
    This is great! I've always wondered how many other UK people
    were reading here - thanks for asking Alice :-)
    
    The w/e of the 7th/8th Sept I'll be in the US, ironically enough.
    
    I can do 14th/15th (she said hopefully).
    I know Reading well and I'm happy to give lifts or whatever...
    
    'gail
    
    

    OK, 14th/15th it is! (unless anyone objects)
    
    If weekends are out for anyone, most week evenings are good for me -
    assuming, of course, that people would be able to get home in time to
    go to bed in time to wake up the next morning in time to go to work!!
    
    Alice T

    I'm free !!!
    
    I'm in Shinfield !!!
    
    I've got a car !!!
    
    I'll give lifts !!!
    
    What sort of place are we looking for ?  A pub, the Royal Oak in
    Shinfield is good !!!
    
    See ya
    
    Dave D

    
    Well, first decision......do we want to do Saturday or Sunday?
    Afternoon or evening?
    
    I would guess that a Saturday night up the pub is a comfortable
    first meeting for most Brits!
    
    'gail

    Sounds good to me - all in favour say "aye".
    
    Alice T.
    
    PS anyone else got a favourite pub? We could vote on it in terms of
    "good pub" and "location".
    

    
    The Royal Oak is handy for the motorway....
    But then, isn't it a KEDMUNDS pub???! ;-)
    
    How about the New Inn at Heckfield (if you can find it)?
    Just to present an alternative...
    'gai
    
    

    "Aye"
    
    Any pub would be fine as long as it is easily to find.
    
    Saturday night also seems the best time IMHO.
    
    The pub on the Thames in Henley right next to the bridge is a
    nice pub and easy to find. Having said that the parking is a pig.
    
    Jerome.

    yep - you won't catch me complaining about going to the pub on a
    Saturday evening.
    
    The New Inn is good, so's the Poacher's at Shinfield (if you ignore the
    disco going next door at Sindlesham's!) Hmmmm....might require some
    actual field tests before a choice is made......
    
    Carol....

    'gail,
    
    Please be sure to give 'ugs all around!
    
    E Grace

    How about eating, as well as drinking?
    
    Alice T.

    There's an absolutely FANTASTIC Indian Tandoori along the Wokingham
    road into Reading called the 'Garden of Gulab'. Its a sit-down or
    take-a-way, and not at all expensive. Insurpassable onion bharjis!
    
    Carol.....
    
    

    
    Well, the New Inn food is quite good, IMO...
    
    How about we say 7.00pm at the New Inn on Saturday 14th -
    if we want we can go on somewhere else (I'll be driving anyway
    so I won't be drinking - lifts available)
    
    Now. HOW are we going to recognise each other, hmmmm?
    Clip your DEC badge to your nose please ;-)
    
    'gail
                                               

    A Complication:
    
    I _think_ that the 14th is when Garrick comes home from his dig in
    Wales (see "I miss him like hell" note). But when he left he wasn't
    sure himself: it might not be. Now, if he comes here straight after the
    dig, fine, I can go to the get-together and he can come too. But if he
    goes home to his parents that weekend, I'll be going there too.
    
    If that is the case, the next available time for me will be Saturday,
    28 Sept.
    
    Alice T.

    
    Keep us posted Alice....
    It seems a pity to move it out to the 28th now if it turns out we
    don't need to.
    
    'gail
    PS Hope you had a good weekend. Did you get to Sonning?
    

I would have liked to join in this one, but anything between the 9th and 30th
September is out...

    re .27
    
    Yes, I did go to Sonning.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    And Twyford.
    
    It was a beautiful day.
    
    Alice T.
    
    PS
    
    Sorry about the complications - I really did think it would be easier
    to get this thing off the ground than it is in reality.
    

    Alice,
    
    To paraphrase what Abraham Lincoln said: "You can't please all the
    people all the time."
    
    Have another party another time.  :-)
    
    							Ann B.

    Too right!
    
    We could have a regular get-together, as there are not many of us, say,
    every six-eight weeks or so, and then, eventually, we'd all meet
    everyone!
    
    How about that!?
    
    We could have some in London, some in Reading.
    
    Alice T.

    Hi, I hope I'm not too late for this one, but I'd like to come too
    please !! (Helen - why didn't you tell me !)
    
    I also have a car and am based in Reading, I'm quite happy to offer
    lifts.
    
    Fran. 

    
>    The Royal Oak is handy for the motorway....
>    But then, isn't it a KEDMUNDS pub???! ;-)
    
 
	BURYST:: has been known to have a few in the Royal Oak,


	and the New Inn,

	and

	and

	and..................Fridays used to be P*O*E*T*S nights, we don't
	seem to have had any for a year or two now.....topic 4* in the
	RDGENG::READING may be worth a re-visit.

	Has a first date been settled yet?


	Heather   

Hi,

I'm an occasional reader in here, ex-pat Brit, but back to England around
5 times a year.  If the first binge is a success, then count me in for
the second at Christmas time ?

Wendy

    I'm free on the 14th after all! And so's Garrick! Any objections if he
    comes too? - he'd like to meet the type of people I "converse" (?!)
    with.
    
    Alice T.
    

    Hi
    
    I can't make september anymore, sorry, ,work and all that
    
    see ya
    
    dave d

    So, do we assume it's settled? 7pm at the New Inn, Saturday 14th
    September? (By the way, where's the New Inn?) Somebody answer me!!
    Please!!
    
    And I propose that we invite spouses/partners (where applicable) - of
    course I'd like to, now that Garrick's available too!
    
    How about it?
    
    Alice T.

	The New Inn...........Heckfield



	From DECpark

	Up to, and over the M4, towards Basingstoke (A33)
	Keep going along the Dual carriage way
	Go across the roundabout - still on the A33
	First left (on the right hand bend opposite the wellington memorial)
	right at the roundabout
	about a mile along on the left hand side.

			!
			! 
	The New Inn  ...!
		        !			!
			!			!  A33
			! Heckfield		!
			!  (training)		!	
			!			!
	Hartley		!			!
	Whitney<--------O-----------------------!   Wellington memorial	
			!			!
			!		Horse   !A33
			!		stables	!
	Country park	!			!
	       <--------O-----------------------O------> Mortimer
			!	/		!
			!      /		!
			 \     !		!
			  \ The!		!
			   \ G !		!
	The G = the	    \  !		!	
	George and	     \ !		!
	something	       !The 		!
			       !Bull		!
			       !		!
			       !		!
			       !		!
		               !		!	
			       !		!
			The    !		!
			Cygnet !	        !
   The Royal Oak	       !		!
	.......................O		!
			       !		!
			       !		!
			The    !		!
			Swan   !		!A33 Dual carriage way
			       !		!
				\               !
				 \		!
		  Swallowfield    --------------O-------------->Grazley
						!
					        !A33
						!
			London	M4<-------------O-------------->M4 Bristol
					       /!
					      / !
						!A33
						!
						!		! DECpark
					--------O-------------------
						!
						!
						V
					     A33 to Reading	
						
	

    Earth calling all UK =wn=oters!!
    
    This is your last (no it's not) chance!!
    
    Who wants to come to the New Inn, Heckfield, Saturday 14th Sept, 7pm?
    
    If you want to come, mail me, please, as I'm trying to get together a
    list of names of those coming. And I know no-one!!
    
    If it's only two or three going, then it may be a better idea to go
    somewhere near where I live and it may be more sociable as we can go
    round the pubs afterwards or to my place for coffee!!
    
    Somebody, somewhere answer me!!
    
    I'd like to meet lots of people, but I doubt that will be possible, eh?
    
    Alice T.

    Look here you UK read only noters, there's a *party* this Saturday 
    night, and the response is pretty underwhelming !
    
    What's the world coming to when no-one wants to come to a party. 
    Maybe us Brits are too boring (judging by the success of the parties
    in the states we are). I hope we aren't.
    
    Come on, prove me wrong UK noters !  Sign up now !!!
    
    If you need a lift from Reading/Bracknell/Wokingham then mail me 'cos
    I'm already giving Alice T. a lift and there's room for at least two
    more in my broom broom. I don't believe in asking for petrol money
    either, especially as I'd be driving anyway.
    
    So now that lack of transport isn't a viable excuse, sign up before
    I start to press-gang people !!!
    
    Jerome the Hopefull.

	Sorry, I'm going fishing, so I'll be away that day.

	Heather

 Oh yeah! ;^)

    OK,
    
    So far the only people who are coming are myself and Jerome!!
    
    Who else wants to come???
    
    Sign up now!!
    
    (By the way, did that last note mean that WAHOO::LEVESQUE wanted to
    come, or simply agreed with Jerome's sentiments?)
    
    Alice T.

    
    I can do this.
    
    How *are* we going to recognise each other?
    I could wear a =wn= T-shirt and stand by the cigarette machine ;-)
    
    'gail
    

    At last, a response !!!
    
    We could all have a red carnation pinned to our lapels, or have
    a newspaper under our arm....nah, that would be to easy.  How 
    about arriving in fancy dress, I'll go as a gorilla (I won't need
    a suit #-)  ). What'll you go as ?
    
    BTW, where are you coming from 'gail ? Do you want a lift ? That
    would save on fancy dress hire 'cos we'd arrive together !
    
    
    Jerome (who doesn't look like a primate...honest!).

    > Do you want a lift?
    
    I can never understand you Brits.  Why on earth would 'gail want
    an elevator?
    
    Mary

    I propose we all wear a waistcoat - a *vest* to those Americans who are
    eavesdropping! 8-)
    
    Alice T.

    Mary,
    
    Here in the UK it would be..erm....innapproriate to ask if 'gail if 
    she wanted a ride. This phrase has a naughty connotation !
    
    Next time I'll say "do you want to be conveyed in my motor car from
    a to b at no charge".
    
      
    
    Jerome.

    re: last 
    
    Ironic that I make a smelling pistake in my last reply - the first
    "if" should be "of".  How the hell do you edit a reply anyway ?!
    
    
    Jerome.

    someday someone's gonna have to make up a translation table from
    British English to American English.  After hearing a friend tell a
    story about when a UK friend asked her for a rubber (meaning eraser,
    not condom) in front of her mother (I think that was it), I can't wait
    to hear some other faux pas' about translation tribulations!
    
    enjoy the party y'all!
    
    -Jody
    

    Here in the UK "fag" means cigarette. That must be the cause of some
    amusement.
    
    Fanny here does *not* mean the buttocks either. Bum = buttocks.
    
    
    Jerome.

    Okay, I get it, Jerome.  So I should go home and ask my husband
    for a ride, right?
    
    Mary

    You got it.
    
    There are no flies on you eh ?!  (As in bugs, not trouser zips)
    
    I hope you enjoy the ride !  #-)  >-)
    
    
    Jerome.

    We had a dear friend explaining Spotted Dick to us the other day. She
    admits she'd never even try to explain it to her High School English
    class in Goffstown, NH.
    
    ed

    Get back to the point! Does anyone else want to come, or is it just to
    be the three of us?
    
    Alice T.

    Sorry Alice T.
    
    would Luv to come if it was a bit closer to home, still I'll have a few
    drams for you up here.
    
    Huv a guid yin.
    
    Tracy W

    
    Jerome,
    
    Thanks for the lift offer (I always wanted an elevator! How did
    you guess? ;-) - but I'll be coming from London and I'd be happier
    with my own chariot.
    
    How about we just hang around on that outside area to meet,instead of 
    going into the pub? With the way the weather's going we'll probably
    be the only three frozen people daft enough to be out there....
    
    Alice - smart idea about the waistcoat/vest, but I don't have one
    (well, not with me anyway....).
    
    'gail
    
    PS If we're being eavesdropped maybe we should move into Cockney
    rhyming slang? ;-)

    I don't know any rhyming slang.
    
    Just in case we can't come up with a visual password (eg waistcoat),
    let me tell you what I look like: I'm 5'8", I've got shortish dark hair
    (it's often mistaken for black) and it's very straight. Average build
    (translation: nobody but my mother has ever called me chubby and
    Garrick calls me slim. I'm trying to avoid labels!) I'll wear a long
    black skirt and, why not!, a waistcoat (yeah! of course, a shirt under
    the waistcoat! why not!).
    
    Alice T.

    Cockney rimin slang eh?  Here goes,
    
    'gail, at least you won't need to use the apples and pears !
    
    My doctors prescription :
    
    I've got a slightly chubby boat race, size nine plates of meat, I
    won't be wearing Lionel Blairs (!), certainly won't horse and cart,
    I won't be needing any Gregory Pecks (I always use pie'n'mash - half
    a pony should do), I often need to Jimmy Riddle (I've got a small
    fireman's ladder), I'm 5'11" Hampton Hall, and I'll arrive in my
    tatty old straw boater !
    
    Nah wot ah meen ?
    
    
    Jerome.
    
    PS - Is Harry coming ?

    I wouldn't have known those phrases myself, Jerome, but I worked it
    out! V. funny!
    
    Alice T.
    
    PS who's Harry?
    

    I'm glad someone found it Easter Bunny !  #-)
    
    
    Pillars of Rome.

    Alice, or should I say definitely not Alcie or Alice the Goon ?
    
    Harry is the nickname of a goalkeeper called David Seaman, it comes
    from Harry Monk. I can't imagine what "Monk" rhymes with though ! (I
    bet no-one from the US gets it!)
    
    
    Jerome who's got really wide Noddy Holders. 

    Do I take it, then, that it's just us three?
    
    alice T.

    Looks that way.  We'll have to make sure we tell everyone next
    week what a great time was had by all to make them all sorry they
    didn't come.
    
    
    
    Jerome who still can't beleive the lack of interest in a party.

    
    So, I'll see you, Jerome at 6.20 tomorrow, and you, 'gail, at 7.00.
    Looking forward to it!
    
    And we'll see the rest of you some other time - whether you like it or
    not!
    
    Alice T. (hmph!)

    A table has been booked for *THREE* (can you believe it!) at the New
    Inn, Heckfield for 7pm. (They don't take bookings after that.)
    
    It's been booked under the name of Turner (that's me!), so if you turn
    up before us, 'gail, you know where to go!
    
    If more than us three now decide to go, mail me, and I'll see if I can
    alter the booking.
    
    Alice T.
    
    PS did you, 'gail and Jerome, want to eat? I hope so!
    

    Yeah I'm game for some pub grub. I might even have something other
    than chilli'n'rice for a change. 
    
    Better not ask if we're going D*tch though eh ?!!!  |*)
    
    
    
    Jerome who's looking forward to Saturday. 

    Alice, maybe if you rode ..er.. drove that nude motorcycle you'd get
    a bigger crowd :-)
    
    And Jerome, I asked my husband for a ride and he said that he'd take
    me on the roller coaster at Canobie Lake this Saturday.  I've never
    done it on a roller coaster.
    
    Mary who is looking forward to Saturday too! :-)

    Jerome, if we all eat spicy food, our breath won't matter!
    
    Alice T.

    You mean there *is* spicy food in the UK?
    
    D!

    You mean there's *edible* food in the UK?  !!!  :-)
    
    Sorry, but I just couldn't resist.  I loved everything
    except the food.  I actually lost one pound because I
    had such a difficult time finding anything to eat - 
    especially in Scotland.  The two things I missed most
    about the US were ice cold coke classic and *real* bacon!
    
    Lorna
    

But Lorna, what about haggis?

Dan

    
    We had fun!
    
    What with the heated debates on censorship, underwear, sexual freedom
    and the pub menu - not to mention the excellent coffee (thanks Alice!),
    the interesting route taken from Heckfield to Reading (thanks Jerome
    ;-) and the general level of wit.....I'd say it was a success.!
    
    We rather liked the idea that the next party should be called when
    we get the =wn= photo album over here - so PLEASE, *someone*, 
    do send it over here!
    
    >You mean there's *edible* food in the UK?  !!!  :-)
    >Sorry, but I just couldn't resist.  
    
    Please - don't apologise Lorna.
    I can appreciate that you may be quite unable to understand why
    that comment could possibly offend.
    Hope you've managed to regain all of your lost pound.
    
    'gail
    
    
    
    

    You beat me to it 'gail !
    
    UK Party report according to Jerome.
    
    I had a really good time, and I enjoyed the company of Alice and 'gail.
    I'm looking forward to the next one already. I hope the debating is
    just as heated as this one.  
    
    It was great to finally talk to other noters. I am virtually addicted
    to notes and it was frustrating not knowing anyone who fully understands
    to talk with about notes esp. womannotes.
    
    I was also glad to hear that I wasn't being silly 'cos I was nervous
    about putting in my first reply.
    
    I hope the next party is as successful and that more womannoters come
    along.
    
    
    Jerome who hasn't got a beard or red hair.
    
    PS - I hope I see the melons coming next time. }-)

    re:  .75
        
>   We rather liked the idea that the next party should be called when
>   we get the =wn= photo album over here - so PLEASE, *someone*, 
>   do send it over here!
    
    Here's an offer!  I'm heading across the pond on October 2 and
    returning a week or so before Christmas; I'd be more than happy
    to act as courier either/both ways.

    nla          

    
    THANKYOU!
    :-)
    
    Do mail me off-line and we can work out the most convenient way
    for you to hand it over/retrieve it. 
    
    Maybe you'll be able to get to the meeting we'll hold in it's
    honour while you're over here?
    
    'gail

    re: .78

    First step is to convince the holder of the album to give it up
    for such a long time! 8*)

    But I'll sweeten the pot.  I'll be spending most of my time in
    Scotland, if any Scottish =wn=oters would like to sneak a peak;
    and I need only the smallest of excuses to extend my travels to
    the continent.  Any takers?

    nla

    p.s.  Parties with 3 attendees sound just right for me. 8*)
    

    re .77
    
    Come and visit me! my dtn is 830-4789!
    
    re all!
    
    I had a great time too. It was good to meet those I'd only known by
    computer, and we had some weird/funny/interesting/mind-boggling
    conversations. And we still don't know how old 'gail is!
    
    Alice T.

    PS. Something Jerome suggested, which I agree with: how about if all(?)
    us DECPark people get together for lunch or drinks after work or
    something sometime? Hmmm? Did everybody hear me this time? 8-)
    
    Alice T.

    re .74, Dan, no I chose not to try the haggis.  :-)
    
    re .75, Abigail, well, at least I actually sampled the food before I
    badmouthed it.  I notice that you chose to ignore all the positive
    things I had to say about the UK, and to focus instead on the *only*
    negative comment I made.  But, that's okay, I can fully appreciate why
    you might do that.
    
    Lorna
    

	Well, I'm back from the fishing trip........a lunchtime would be
	easiest for me to make (though not next week as I'm out.......)

    	And to continue the food rathole, I lost 1 stone (14 lbs) in the states
	as I couldn't find much decent cooking, except my own, and as many
	people are out on social gatherings, I ended up dipping out.

	Neither could I find a pint of real cider anywhere!
	
	Heather

    You're right, Heather: they think cider's just for Hsalloween!
    
    Alice T.

	Strongbow, Yum!


	*A*

    Heather, what's wrong with MacDonald's better than anything I've
    ever cooked.
    
    Also, I think the worst thing about being in the states would be
    the unbelievably weak beer. If I couldn't get any Kronenbourg/Stella
    Artois/Lowenbrau etc I'd be straight back on the next plane. And if 
    someone tried to give me a warm beer (that's just the way you Brit's 
    like it), they'd be wearing it. No-one here drinks warm beer. Not
    that I'm an alcofrolic or anything :-).
    
    
    Jerome.

    I don't know, I used to go out with an Englishman (from Tottenham), and 
    he couldn't stand cold beer.  He always said it went right through him!
    
    E Grace

    There are lots of people here who don't like beer, but those that
    do, drink it cold. The only way to drink it warm is to heat it up,
    or to forget to put it in the fridge on a hot day. Some beer is drunk
    at room temperature, but these are not very common as most pubs would
    not be able to sell much. Apparently, the weakest type of beer (lager)
    here, Heineken, is actually made even weaker for the US market. I
    can't imagine how you could possible get drunk on this stuff. When I
    see US films with youths getting drunk, I wonder how they could 
    possibly drink enough in one evening to get sloshed. Also, I gather you
    lot stateside like that coloured fizzy water called Budweiser. Euck!
    And you have to wait till 21 to drink it legally. Hardly worth the
    wait. Just in case you were wondering I'm not a lager lout. I don't
    just drink beer as well. 
    
    
    Jerome.

    
    some of us are just total lightweights when it comes to liquor.
    Heck, some of us don't even drink!
    
    -Jody

    RE .86
    
    Heard on a US TV commercial, "Loewenbrau, the truly great American
    beer" (!)
    
    Calvin

    How about we make the next get-together a trip to the Rocky Horror Show
    in London (if it's still there then)?
    
    Alice T.

    
    Could do Alice - I'll look and see if it's still around...
    
    Also, I just heard that the =wn= album is on it's way over, so
    hopefully we'll be able to set a date soon when we can browse :-)
    
    'gail

>    Heather, what's wrong with MacDonald's better than anything I've
>    ever cooked.
 
	Well, I don't like burgers or fried anything in breadcrumbs, and on 
	the very odd occaision that I fancy chips, then thats what I want, 
	with loads of vinegar, not skinny french fries.
	I'm also alergic to cream (yup, I do come from Devon), and whenever
	I had a baked potato it came with sour cream or butter - it was very
	difficult to order and get "a baked potato" it always seemed to
	arrive with something on it, however hard I tried to explain.

	I also missed veg with my meals - turnip (the big yellow ones, called
	sweede in some parts of the UK), parsnips, cabbage, kale, runner beans, 
	leeks, broad beans...........

	I also found very little to be cooked, it was mostly grilled or
	fried.

	I took a liking to egg mcmuffins, baegals, cantaloupe melons, and
	clam chowder.

>     And if someone tried to give me a warm beer (that's just the way you 
>     Brit's like it), they'd be wearing it. No-one here drinks warm beer. 
>     Not that I'm an alcofrolic or anything :-).
    
	Contrary to popular belief, not all "Brits" like beer (me for one), 
	and I don't know of any that like it warm. 50-55F is the temperature 
	it should be served at.

	Heather

    Heather, when I put in brackets "thats the way you Brits like it" I
    was refering to the myth in the states (how widespread I don't know)
    that we Brits like warm beer and was being sarcastic. I have also since
    put a note in saying that not all Brits like beer, but those that do
    like it cold.
       I know what you mean about trying to get baked pototoes plain
    though. I always have my quarter pounders without any extras at all,
    just the meat and the bun. You should see some of their faces when I
    say "plain quarter pounder please". It also drives me nuts when they
    say "Is that with cheese sir?" ARRRRRGGHHH.  If I bl**dy well wanted
    cheese I would have asked for it. They even price list a 1/4 cheese burger
    as a seperate thing altogether.  I think my blood pressure would rise
    considerably in the states when ordering food.  After all, trying to
    get a plain cheese roll is nigh on impossible here. They always want
    to add pickle, or onions or tomato, or salad. In the states they
    assume you want everything and you have to say what you don't want. I
    would be there all day saying "and hold the salad,the pickle,the
    onions...
        
    
    Jerome.  Founder member of the Keep Food Plain Society. 

  Re: Heather:
    
  >	Contrary to popular belief, not all "Brits" like beer (me for one), 
  >	and I don't know of any that like it warm. 50-55F is the temperature 
  >	it should be served at.

  Many Americans think any beer served above 32�F _is_ warm beer.  It
  is often stored on ice it is the only the alcohol content that keeps
  it from freezing solid.

  Incidentally, is there any truth to the rumor that Brits have come to
  like warm beer because they use refrigerators made by Lucas?�

  JP

  �Lucas was a company founded by John Lucas (aka "Father of the Intermittent
  Wiper," aka "The Prince of Darkness") which made electrical equipment for
  MG, Triumph, and other British Leyland automobiles.

    
    It was only when I went over to the U.S. that I realised that I
    do, indeed, like warm beer.  Warm is a relative term - I had always
    thought that I liked a cool beer, but ice cold??? no thanks!
    
    Mind you, maybe that's why some of you Americans seem to have so 
    little regard for the *taste* of a beer.  You're palates are so
    chilled that even Bud seems drinkable :-)
    
    Liam

    Bud is an acquired taste. So is black-and-tan or brown ale or...
    
    Me? I'm one of those fortunate types who can drink most any
    of 'em ;-)
    

    *Now* I know why bartenders in the US looked funny at me because I'd
    rather have my glass re-filled than getting a new one dug out from
    under the ice.
    ;-)
    Charles

You lot can probably imagine the problems I had getting a normal whisky off
an American bar tender....

(just whisky, no ice, no water) :-)


BTW Alice, if you will organize your "party" when the smallest number of 
people could attend....


when's the next one ?

now, now...

to get a whiskey without ice, ask for it "straight up".

and some few of us *do* appreciate the taste of beer enough to drink it
at a temperature where indeed, you can taste it.  See the homebrew topic;
if I'm going to spend 3 hours brewing, 1 week fermenting, and 4-8 weeks
aging my brews before bottle-conditioning them, you can darn well bet I
won't chill it so cold I can't even taste it!  The colder it is, the less
smell and taste you can detect; now, I submit that such is an appropriate 
treatment for such beers as dominate most of the American market ;-).

DougO

    re .99
    
    Why "the smallest number of people"?
    
    Alice T.

	Fridges??????????   beer is stored in barrels in cellars, and is drawn
	up through a pipe from said cellar.

	(unless you really want the bottled stuff)

	There may be air conditioning to keep the cellar down to 50F-55F, but
	its not kept in a fridge.

	And I forgot the Dill Pickle, yuuuuuuuuuuck , it was used on 
	everything, and removing it still left the taste. Give me a pickled
	egg any day (with marmite crisps).

	Heather.......I'm off again, though not fishing, this time its
	customers and a course, back in a week-and-a-bit

    Oh Heather, you're not supposed to *eat* the pickle!  It's like parsely
    - it is used as a garnish to make it seem like you are getting more
    food than you are!!
    
    D!

    Tell it to Mcdonalds - not only (cheap sweet) pickles on the 
    burgers but then they microwave the d*mn things. Blech.

	Huh?  I've never seen McDonalds microwave anything.

	Burger King, though, does it all the time.



	*A*

    Regarding American beer: Any American with taste drinks Canadian
    beer. :-)
    
    re:.90
    
    Actually, Lowenbrau *is* American beer. It's L�wenbr�u that's German.
    :-)
    
    Unfortunately, L�wenbr�u sold a license to Annheiser-Busch here in
    the States to manufacture and sell something called Lowenbrau.
    
    --- jerry

    It would appear, after all, that us Brits *do* drink (relatively) warm
    beer. When I am served ice cold beer I can hardly hold the damn glass.
    In this situation I often order one beer in advance so that it is less
    cold by the time I get to drink it.  For the record I mean the German
    Lowenbrau with the dots on top. (Fraid I'm not a jargon weenie)
    
    As for MacDonalds microwaving stuff, they certainly don't here in 
    the UK.  I do prefer Burger King though so I don't care if its 
    microwaved or not. I get a plain whopper straight away at BK, 5 mins
    if I'm lucky at Mac's.  While I'm on the subject, do you Americans
    pronounce the 't' in fillet ?  Or do you say fillai ?
    
    
    Jerome. 

    Re 969.107 (Jerome)

>    As for MacDonalds microwaving stuff, they certainly don't here in 
>    the UK.  I do prefer Burger King though so I don't care if its 
>    microwaved or not. I get a plain whopper straight away at BK, 5 mins
>    if I'm lucky at Mac's.  


   Crumbs, I thought I was the only person in England who orders their
   food totally plain.  And I agree with you about the difference in 
   service between BK and Mac's.  Added to that, I find the quality of
   the food in Macs absolutely awful and will now not eat *anything* 
   from there.  Give me a BK anyday, or good old English fish and chips,
   roast beef or sausages.  Is there a food topic in here?  Is it time 
   for lunch?

   Goldy.

    Hey, another English person!
    
    Alice T.

   Soon I'll put my intro into Note 2 seeing as this seems like quite
   a lively and interesting conference.  Until then.....

    Re: 106
    
    Thanks for the info.  I tried to decorate Loewenbrau with dots
    using 'Compose' but this furshlugginer keyboard gave me a z instead
    of the accented vowel. 'tis only a 240 after all!
    
    Calvin 

Re: .101

>    Why "the smallest number of people"?
    
because 3 is the smallest number of people to have a "party"....:-)

    We had three last time.
    
    Alice T.

Re: .113

>    We had three last time.
    
That's what I meant....

    
    RE: the next party
    
    I seem to have become the contact for the travelling =wn= photoalbum
    which is, even as I write, currently enjoying it's first visit
    to the UK!
    
    I thought that when I'm contacted by it's bearer and have some idea
    of when it'll be around Reading(ish) area then we could go for a
    party...
    
    Whaddaythink?
    'gail

   And why not indeed?

   Goldy.

    
    If we have another party, can we have it midweek instead of Sat night ?
    I'd like to come along but tend to be booked up on Saturdays fairly
    well in advance. How about a Thurs evening for example ?
    

    I'm usually at Boozy Blues in Reading on a Thursday, but yes that's ok.
    
    Alice t.
    
    

    Thursday nights are awkward for me. But with enough notice I may
    be able to attend on a Thursday. But what do I matter anyway, I'm
    not even a woman :-)
    
    
    Jerome.

   Week nights are no good for me because I live 45 miles east of London,
   so I'd prefer a Saturday if the party was to be in the Reading area.
   Alternatively, I'm sure 'gail would let me kip on her sofa.

   Goldy.

    No problem Goldy...:-)
    

    
    I've just had a letter from Nancy :-)
    
    She is going to be down in the south UK and available to meet people
    (with album!) from November 16th  to 27th.
    
    I therefore propose that the next party is between these dates.
    
    In fact, I would suggest Friday 22nd November as a good time!
    Somewhere in the Reading area (as that's where we seem to have critical
    mass)
    
    RSVP!
    (in here or on mail if some smart person wants to set up a dist list
    on VMS for the people in the UK - Alice?? ;-)
    
    'gail
    

    OK!
    
    The people I've got are:
    
    	UPROAR::DARRALLD
    	SUBURB::RYLANDH
    	H0078L::BOARDS
    	45830::YATES
    	JUMBLY::BATTERBEEJ
    	YUPPY::DAVIESA
    	SUBURB::THOMASH
    
    If any of those are wrong, or if I've left out anyone, please mail me
    and I'll update the list.
    
    Alice T.

    re. 122
    
    Does this mean we're not going to go and see the Rocky Horror Show?
    
    Oh well, maybe next time!
    
    Alice T.

    I've now got 10 people on a distribution list! That many seems almost
    amazing!
    
    Alice T.

   You might find, however, that it will be extremely difficult to get them
   in all one place at the same time.  I've tried something similar before
   and it's almost impossible.  You need the patience of a saint!

   Goldy.

    I know! Last time, there were only three of us!
    
    It's worth a try, though, eh!
    
    Alice T.

    
    ....and don't forget that we may have Nancy joining us too!
    If we can firm this up *quickly* I can let her know so she can make
    plans.
    
    In other words, less tactfully, can we get this resolved ASAP
    please!
    
    'gail

      <<< Note 969.123 by RDGENG::LIBRARY "A wild and an untamed thing" >>>
             -< I've just learnt how to make a distribution list >-

>    	H0078L::BOARDS
         ^^  ^
         OO  C


>   If any of those are wrong, or if I've left out anyone, please mail me
>    and I'll update the list.
    
>    Alice T.

Can I do it here Alice ?  ;-)

PS:  I'd love to see the Rocky Horror Show again .. saw it about 10 years ago
and never forgotten those guys in stockings ... mmmm ...

Back in December ...

Wend

    Five people have mailed me to say the 22nd is OK - plus there's me -
    plus there's 'gail who proposed the 22nd.
    
    Seven people!!
    
    I think the 22nd it is, then!
    
    If anyone knows someone else I should add, please tell me!
    
    Thank you.
    
    Alice T.

    
    And I have a suspicion that it'll end up being at least 10...
    :-)