Thoughts from the front of the back of my mind

Saturday
This weekend was very enjoyable. A bit of a late start, I met miss_amaranth in Oxford about 4pm. It was a lovely, sunny Saturday and Oxford was absolutely heaving. Not good. We decided eating in City Centre was a bad idea so went out a bit too the Subway near the Pink Giraffe. Then, remembering the free refills we went into G&D's mode and spent over an hour there chatting and relaxing. Was very pleasant and something I'll probably remember for the next time I want to spend a long time talking to people when outside isn't an option.

We then headed off up to cheshcat's for a very nice evening of talk and Dominion and Pizza. It was great to see Chesh, something I don't get to do nearly enough. We all had lots to talk about and it was nice to share some recent revelations of my own and listen to her and miss_amaranth and just connect as a tribe.

At 11:30 we said our goodnight's and headed over to amuletts' to spend a very lovely night catching up with her and feanorfinwe. Finally fell over about 4am after an excellent night.

Sunday
Woke up about 11:30 and headed off back to cheshcat's. We decided was nice enough to risk it, met up with wolfpeach and his 2 (adorable) smalls and headed to Bury Knoll for a picnic breakfast. It was excellent to see wolfpeach again, especially since I've only met him at parties so struggled to find the time to have a dedicated conversation.

We then headed back to The Flat With No Name for a game of The Shinnin' where I was promptly wiped out as the traitor after 2 turns without even killing anyone. Bad rolls + items already in play = anti-climax. Was a very funny moment though when one of the characters fell through a continuity hole (wall switch + moving room = what?)

Then wolfpeach headed home and I had a much needed nap as miss_amaranth and cheshcat spent an hour or so chatting with anarchist_nomad on the phone. Then me and miss_amaranth said our goodbyes and headed home for nachos, an episode of Secret Diary of a Call Girl, cuddles and bed.

A good weekend (TM).

The last few days have been busy but with lots of awesome activist stuff!

On Thursday I was out at miss_amaranth and bunnypip's Bisexual Meet & Greet, run as part of the Oxford Pride Festival. It was a great night, with 3 new faces and learning that there's a large (about 28) contingent of bisexuals in Oxford University, a member base well worth trying to tap into in the future. The night went well with lots of discussion and seeing anarchist_nomad and cheshcat was very nice.

Friday was a night in where I went to be quite early because the next morning I had to get up at ridiculous o'clock to be out the house for...

Oxford Pride!
Up nice and early and at Oxpens field for 9am, I decided to pitch in and help out. After checking with the Village Manager, (our own uberredfraggle, no less) where the bisexual_oxford stall was, I donned my Super-Bi cape (a Bi Pride flag tied around at the narrow end) and helped by sticking down the numbers of each stall. It gave me a chance to say "morning" to other early birds and watch as Pride got set up around me.

At about 9:30 bunnypip, L1 and L2 arrived in Peter II along with the Pride Pack (c/o sanjibabes and the bicon community). We quickly set all the flyers and sign up and by 10am we were ready to go. miss_amaranth turned up around this time and me and her decided to head into Oxford town to get nibbles for ourselves and some sweeties for the stalls.

When we returned it was a bit more waiting around before unfurling and tying up the banner (to all future pack holders, remember to have 4 pieces of somewhat sturdy string to hand) and heading off into Oxford town centre again. Everyone assembled at the parade start, I'd estimate about 200 in all were there. We got there very early so we were able to take a position nice and close to the front. Not too close because Unison had brought an enormous banner with them and we didn't want to be hidden behind it.

The banner is excellent and kudos to everyone involved. It's a lovely weight and a good strength means pulling it taught doesn't have any problems. Me and L1 easily carried it for the whole route holding it prominently enough to score a background shot in the Oxford Mail. You can also see bunnypip and miss_amaranth's Purple Brollys which were also fabby! I will be posting some links (not under [filter:links] because these will be very relevant) to pictures as/when I find them.

When we returned, all three of us took turns on the stall. miss_amaranth made an excellent front-of-stall person, drawing in lots of lovely new people to talk to and tell about the monthly meet (which is this week, FYI). We had lots of interest and even people who didn't stop to talk, leaflets were taken about BiCon and BCN. Me and miss_amaranth also used Pride as a golden opportunity to network heavily with the other organisations there, including groups like Mind and Oxford Friend (who we also gently enquired to about their heavy use of "Gay & Lesbian" only) and Terrence Higgins (who are really looking forward to running a workshop again at BiFest next year!). We were able to get lots of leaflets and information and we'll build a small pack to bring with us to the Socials in case they help anyone there.

We packed up about 5pm, as the numbers entering dwindled off and the rest of the community stalls were either empty or packing up. It was a great day and I'm really looking forward to next year.

Sunday was much more sedate. As a celebration of living in Eynsham for 1 year (the longest I have been in a single residence since 2006) and also in preparation for the celebrations next week, me and miss_amaranth deep cleaned the flat, top to bottom and side-to-side. It took a few hours but they were well worth it. I found a card game I didn't know I had, as well as some sweet video games I'd forgotten all about. Also, we now have a wonderfully shiny clean flat which is always nice.

To celebrate our 5 years, we went to the Spiceorama (which is now called something like the Kandahar House) where we had a lovely meal. The change of management has really improved the place (which was already excellent) so we're both very happy.

Friday evening was spent relaxing with miss_amaranth. A fun night spent reconnecting with her after the problems of the last few weeks was exactly what we needed.

Saturday was spent looking forward to the evening. A very lazy day, starting with bacon sandwiches and more relaxation and reconnecting. We were in a good place now and headed out to meet two lovely people we'd met on OkCupid (thank you, DD!). We were feeling pretty optimistic; both poly, both our ages, lots of shared interests, both well written profiles (not a single use of "ur" or "lol" anywhere) and both... well... easy on the eyes *smile*.

We got into Oxford a bit early and called in at Games Workshop where (amazingly) they had a copy of Battlefleet Gothic: Armada in so I was able to get it there and then. Then it was off to the food van in Gloucester Green where we grabbed some (really yummy) cheesy chips for a late lunch and ate them on the steps. Then it was off to the Gate to meet new people.

A bit of a shaky start when they ran a bit late, but turns out their landlord has the worst timing so an understandable delay. Besides, when you're friends with anarchist_nomad a 15 minute delay is nothing *grin*. When they arrived our optimism was thoroughly justified. We spent the whole evening talking about the things we were passionate about, listening to each others stories and just having an awesome time.

After a few drinks at the Gate it was over to The Mission (a place I simply must go to more often) and then on to G&D's for yummy ice cream and more delightful conversation, including the customary swapping of the psycho ex stories. Good times. We were then very honoured with an invite back to their place (the flat name of Black Mesa only improving their standing in my eyes) where we played a new game (Mall of Horror, very fun) which I won and miss_amaranth came second. I'm sure the hosts let us win, but I did pull a bit of a "dick move" where I ended up luring the last few survivors into a trap before sprinting my piece away to safety.

After some more delightful conversation and an introduction to Pandora, their pet corn snake who is just as friendly and fun as her owners, it was time to head back (that is, it was 1 in the morning!) so we said our goodbyes and headed home very pleased with the evening and looking forward to meeting them again.

Sunday was another day of lounging around with bacon sarnies and a quick and easy lunch. I did happen to spot a the BFG Rule Book + counters (from when it was a boxed game) on eBay going for a real bargain so put in a bid. Which I then won! So I got the rule book at half price and the counters for 50p. A fantastic end to the weekend, if I don't say so myself!

Growing up is optional

So yesterday I turned the grand old age of 23. Turning 23 is just not a number significance so I didn't even book the day off work. Was a good day though and thank you to everyone who left me birthday messages, it made the day that much more festive.

The evening was a highlight though, with a visit from the lovely anarchist_nomad and cheshcat who brought not only presents (The Fisher King and Baron Münchhausen DVD's and a new game, Blockus) but their set of Dominion which meant miss_amaranth could finally learn the game! Blockus is an interesting game and really plays to my enjoyment of strategy. The solitaire mode is also very... interesting.

There was also a very brief Skype from the ever wonderful DD to wish me a happy birthday which meant anarchist_nomad and cheshcat at least got to hear her and interact, however briefly.

Also, good news in that anarchist_nomad said he'd be willing to give 40k a go so I finally have a reason to finish painting my 5 termagants and spend the vouchers I got for Christmas!

All in all, a good evening *smiles*