I was tagged by @dicentra with a list of questions about what a meet-up would look like, and the number of questions seemed more blog- than comment-worthy. And when I started thinking about her questions, it was a really nice imaginative exercise - thinking about what happened on the best days in times gone by - so here are my answers.
(“If you met me what would you do?”) This would depend on the weather and season. I’d hope it would be a combination of (1. “Have a conversation”) and (8. “Play games with me”)
There’s a circus art called flower/devil sticks that I started doing in 2003. You can only do it in good weather and the ground has to be dry - it’s really a summer thing. It’s a lot of fun - people get intrigued. I’ve had so many random interactions where somebody has drifted over and wants to have a go. Some people immediately see what they’re supposed to be doing and become obsessed with achieving it. Other people just have a laugh while they’re dropping the sticks everywhere. (“What do you think I would think?”) Hopefully you’d think it was cool and want to have a go. You can learn a basic move almost immediately, but there’s no ceiling on progression. (“So, are you good at this thing you decided to do?”) I’ve spent hundreds of hours teaching myself and I’ve got chops, but like anything, if you go on YouTube you’ll see somebody who makes me look like an amateur.
If flower sticks turn out to not be your thing, we could go sit by the water or find the squirrels. There’s a big population of them in the park and they’ll eat right out of your hand. It’s so cute and one of my favourite things to do. There’s also The Tea Room, which I think serves the best coffee in Ipswich. It would be nice to stay in the park until the day is fading.
If it was raining or winter we would need a completely different plan. We could watch a film and play music. I could give you a drumming lesson, or we could just talk and drink coffee.
(“What would you want me to do?) Feel relaxed, be yourself and have a good time. (“What would we talk about?”) Hopefully the same things we do here. Life, the universe and everything.
(“Why did you choose that place?”) Christchurch Park is probably the best location anywhere near me. It’s a beautiful place to spend the day, and hopefully it would be a chilled and pressure-free environment. At the end of the day it would be cool to end up at the Ottoman. It’s a Turkish restaurant near me that has the best food and the best ambiance I’ve ever experienced.
(“Do you think I’d like you?”) I hope so. I’d do my best to be good company.
(“Do you think you’d like me?”) I already like you, and I don’t think that would change offline.
(“Would we keep in touch?”) I’d hope so. I really value our conversations, and unless something apocalyptic happens (which seems a real possibility these days) I hope we’ll keep talking.
