So, exactly two years ago, I was thirty-three-thousand feet over the Atlantic. Down in the hold, I had one big trekking bag, filled with my terrifically pared-down earthly possessions. Incidentally, I used that same bag tonight to carry over 24 kilos of ice from the grocery store, so it's held up pretty well. [laughter] With me in the cabin, I had another bag with my laptop, and a few sundries. Other than, just a lot of hopes and dreams and fears . . .
Two years later, I know a number of things that I did not before. First and foremostly: London . . . is the greatest city in the world. [wild cheers] And it is surely a sign of your - and my - intelligence, good taste, and culture that we choose to make this our home. [clapping] Moving here was certainly the best thing I ever did for myself.
However . . . in the words of a great English musician: "World's beautiful, ain't nothin' when you're on your own." And so I'm having this party to pay tribute to the single best thing about the best thing I ever did for myself namely, the friends I've made here. So, for being your lovely, wonderful selves . . . and for sharing your lovely, wonderful selves so selflessly with me . . . and for, overall, making my experience of London about 962% better than it otherwise would have been . . . this toast is to all of you to my mates. [raises glass]
[cheers, applause, and clinking]
- me, from my Anniversary Party toast
From: Michael FuchsTo: theman, jagagongju, paul, nicoleg8, henry, cinelew106, son2054, "jolene.cook", sweetsoyeon, jaerichong, barnabaspalfrey, "jacqui.lewis", adaora, samuel, kalnalson, "gigi.chan", nick, chaotic_kestrel, ania_wieckiewicz, "peter.nolan", viviana, beverly, "a.keddie", "Massimiliano.Brugnoli", fra_kia, lors_mcg, edirin2000, lillolove, thingy121, howard, "Marianne.Cantwell" Cc: snafu_97, darby, alex Subject: Let the Games Commence! Date: 2005-08-25 And but so I've been threatening to have a proper shindig at my flat for, oh, about the entire 16 months I've been living there now . . . and I can't think of a better occasion actually to get around to it than: MY TWO-YEAR ANNIVERSARY IN LONDON!!! Yes, please come help me celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the best thing I ever did for myself, which was emigrate to the Capital (of the World). And as the best thing about the best thing I ever did for myself is undoubtedly the friends I've made here, it won't be nearly the same without you in attendance. Saturday, 17 September, 8pm-ish (rocking into 18 September, at midnight of which two years ago I was over the Atlantic!) Here are some of the blandishments you can expect if you attend! * All Drinking Games, All The Time: As the estimable Señor Clout is constantly reminding me (to his peril), I've also long been threatening to have an All Drinking Games party - to bring the best and worst of American sodden university culture to the heart of Britannia. Come and try your hand at such classics of the genre as Buzz, Thumper, Fuzzy Duck, Asshole, Mexicali, and the Name Game - as well as more rare and acquired tastes like Pookie, Beeramid, Bite the Bag - and the incomparable (and quite inimitable) Zoom, Schwarz, Perfigliano! If you find this less of an inducement than a terror, don't worry - you won't actually HAVE to play. (Well, I say that now, when I'm sober.) Moreover, you can rest assured that we WON'T be risking such perennial drinking game catastrophes as Wisconsin Beer Slams, Muffin Man, Bollendar Ball, Drink Okay, or Drunken Strip Twister. (Also, no TEGWAR. This time.) * Club Night at Fuches Lounge: Yes, that's right - I've not only finally shelled out for a bit (small bit) of a sound system for my flat . . . I've taken time to put together the ultimate Fuchs Partay Mix. Come sample rockn chartz from the best acts you've almost certainly never heard of (and may yet wish you never had) . . . * Free booze . 'Nuff said. * Okay, I take that back, not enough said - I've also invested in quite a nice stainless steel high-speed blender, with one purpose only: Frozen White Russians. Okay, now 'nuff said. As a final note, please let me know in advance if you'd like to bring others along. This only because, by one estimate, my flat holds about 15 people . . . Mwah mwah, Michael P.S. Yes, if you're a UK taxpayer, this e-mail has gone out on your farthing. Sorry! Michael Fuchs Information Directorate, DWP Michael.Fuchs@dwp.gsi.gov.uk x22707