Thursday 17 February 2011

Birthday party!

Nevets and I share a birthday, and it's tomorrow. So I thought I'd throw a blog party for us both. Nevets wanted grated cheese, but I think we can run to something better than that; a few canapes, some smoked salmon, a few bottles of cyber-champagne. That kind of thing.

Fancy dress, please. Your favourite literary character would be fine. And it would be nice if you could bring a favourite quotation/short poem to read aloud (I'll do it for you if you're too shy).

All welcome!

28 comments:

  1. Raise the roof!

    But not off France's very nice Georgian.

    ReplyDelete
  2. But Nevets - what are you coming as? and what are you reading? I shall wrap myself in a sheet and come as The Woman in White, and I shall read Oscar Wilde's The Selfish Giant (cheating, as it's a whole story, but I love it).

    ReplyDelete
  3. Perhaps I'll grab a copy of Robinson Crusoe and come as Betteredge from The Moonstone... Not sure yet what I'll read.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm coming! Having an overnight think about costume/quotation.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy Birthday, Frances (and Nevets)!

    My favourite character from literature is Elizabeth Bennet, but tongues will wag if I dress up as her. I've always fancied the chance to swagger about in chainmail so I'll come as Aragorn from Lord of the Rings.

    For the poem, I'll indulge in some self-publicity, this being an unavoidable part of the writer's trade. In The Last Free City the main character is a poet, and he writes a sonnet which causes considerable inconvenience. I'll read that sonnet, which is in fact made up of lines from Shakespeare's sonnets "mashed up" into a new version, while respecting the original rhyme structure.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy Birthday Frances (and Nevets).
    I have brought The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes and I'd like you to read it for me please. I'm very shy!
    And I may as well dress up as Bess the Landlord's daughter - it would be Atticus Finch, but I fancy wearing a dress!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Happy birthday to you both. I've come as Allan Quatermain.
    I heard this phrase the other day, I don't know if it's a famous quote but it goes something like - "The only things that hold us back are fear and uncertainty."

    ReplyDelete
  8. Welcome, all! I may have to leave the party soon as we're going away for the night. But more visitors welcome, and I'll pour you a drink when I get back (or leave Nevets to hold the fort). Help yourselves to food.

    Aliya - something beautful and slightly weird (quote and costume)?

    Tim - self-publicity's fine. Actively encouraged, in fact. And I think you'd look rather sweet as Elizabeth Bennet.

    Teresa - I can't believe you're shy!

    Keith - ONLY fear and uncertainty?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Happy birthday, Frances!

    "It's because I'm alone. If I could just feel it, it would be different, because I would not be alone. But if I were not alone, everybody would know it. And he could do so much for me, and then I would not be alone. Then I could be all right alone."

    -- As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hey, everyone, by joining the party you're also getting a chance at winning a free book - or even two! Read more over at my side of the festival: http://bit.ly/hMpxrf

    ReplyDelete
  11. Happy birthday, Nevets! Just off to my posh hotel!

    PS I need time to absorb that quote!


    (Too mnay exclamation marks. Damn.)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sorry I'm late - was at the cinema watching The King's Speech, which was brilliant, so in honour of that I'll come in Shakespearean grab, as Miranda, and speak of this brave new world while secretly picturing an Aldous Huxley-style Hatchery of little writers who are being born today, and will henceforth share your birthday, Frances and Nevets...

    ReplyDelete
  13. @Aliya - That strikes my fancy more than it probably should.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Happy Birthday, Frances and Nevets.

    One of my favorite literary characters is Albus Dumbledore of Harry Potter fame. I am dressed in flowing velvet brocaded robes with my hat jauntily shifted to one side.

    Facing both of my hosts, I spread open my arms.
    "I must say a few words. Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!


    Need I say more.... ENJOY your fantastic day.

    ReplyDelete
  15. @Michael - Nice splash of color!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh I'm so sorry I missed the party. And I had a book shaped birthday cake for you both. maybe next year we could make a date in our diary.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Michael, welcome. Good to meet you!

    Nevets - no flirting. I know it's your birthday, and Aliya is irresistible in her Miranda outfit, but she's a married woman.

    Jarmara - the party goes on all week-end. It's not too late for you (or the cake).

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ooops, just picked this up... Hope you had a wonderful day, both of you!

    ReplyDelete
  19. @Jamara - It's never too late to party!

    @Alis - See also, "It's never too late to party!"

    @Frances - hahahaha I meant that the hatchery of writers struck my fancy... :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sorry I missed the party - it sounds like it was fun. Hope you both had a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  21. HI, Alis and Patsy - as Nevets says, you're not too late! I was away on Friday night, and came home to find the party still in full swing (and Nevets flirting with Aliya. Nevets - you're being ecomonical with the truth. You know you fancy her).

    ReplyDelete
  22. As George Bernard Shaw said, 'A party without a flirtation is like a pencil without a sharpener: pointless.'

    ReplyDelete
  23. Frances, you're a trouble-maker. :)

    hahaha

    ReplyDelete
  24. GBS didn't actually say that. I just made it up.

    ReplyDelete
  25. That's rather good, Aliya. Perhaps you could be another Dorothy Parker? Unless, of course, you're lying.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Why, did Dorothy Parker always tell the truth?

    ReplyDelete
  27. I've no idea. But come to think of it, probably not.

    ReplyDelete