A Meeting Of Minds (1+ 0.5)

[ryyannon]

This very evening, in a landmark Parisian cafe in Montparnasse, Mr. Pugwash and Mr. Ryyannon spent several delightful hours discovering their common interests in Arthurian legends, Captain Beefheart, Glastonbury, Lars von Trier, Kate Bush, White Hat Hackers, the Mabinogian, the fine art of pornographic photograpy, Rudolph Steiner, Glasgow, Milwaukee Wisconsin, Los Angeles, Bangkok, the inherent intelligence of pigeons, life with three cats and a girl-friend, single-malt whiskey, good cigars, Frank Zappa, network administration, virtual footprints....and...um.....watches.

It is hoped that other members currently residing in Paris will feel encouraged to transcend their Frenchness and join in for a future meeting during which we can actually see each other and converse as nature intended - which is to say without the intermediary of data packets, lcd screens, but preferably clothed just the same.

Mr. Pugwash was a charming and knowledable drinking companion, while Mr. Ryyannon, evidently on his best behavior, managed not to alienate or otherwise offend anyone within several kilometers - the only exception being a blond of a certain age a few tables away who felt compelled to let Mr. Ryyannon know, and with great vehemence, that she was 'not a prostitute' but in fact was 'a famous artist.'

To which Mr. Ryyannon replied that he had been staring at her watch because he had mistaken her for Marianne Faithfull.

In short, a good time was had by (nearly) all.

No pics this time, but if we can dredge up a few courageous frogs the next time, Mr. Pugwash promises to employ his considerable photogaphic talents to immortalize the event.

Pug's Subs, Pam and IWC were impressive (out of tact and good breeding, we shall refrain from commenting on Ryyannon's frightening collection of dead Swatches), but to be perfectly honest, the girls - legions of them on this warm Summer evening - were even better.

And why is it that it's always when you're leaving that you see the one that you want to stay for?

[Pugwash]

It is hoped that other members currently residing in Paris will feel encouraged to transcend their Frenchness and join in for a future meeting during which we can actually see each other and converse as nature intended - which is to say without the intermediary of data packets, lcd screens, but preferably clothed just the same.

Excellent company, I can't add anything to his superlative diatribe that would make me appear anywhere near as charming as he made out.

Thanks for the invite, we have to do it again.

[jonthebhoy]

Sounds like a good time was had. One of the best places I have visited.

Aaah the memories of Pigalle!

JTB

[fitmic]

Sound like you guys had a blast!!

[ryyannon]

Let's just say a quiet storm.

I must also confess that I was secretly hoping to run into Miss Understood on one of her Parisian flings, but no such luck!

[r11co]

The list of topics discussed makes the level of conversation at the recent WoS GTG sound positively plebbish.

PS. I'm spending three nights in Paris starting 21st July, but seeing as part of the reason I am there is to mark the 10th Anniversary of my engagemnt (the other part being the last day of Le Tour) I think my wife will kill me if I bugger off to talk watches with complete strangers

[jonthebhoy]

The list of topics discussed makes the level of conversation at the recent WoS GTG sound positively plebbish.

Aye.......too right. Mind you.......at the end of oor session, I couldnae pronounce Lars von Trier never mind talk aboot him or his movies!

JTB

[ryyannon]

The list of topics discussed makes the level of conversation at the recent WoS GTG sound positively plebbish.

PS. I'm spending three nights in Paris starting 21st July, but seeing as part of the reason I am there is to mark the 10th Anniversary of my engagemnt (the other part being the last day of Le Tour) I think my wife will kill me if I bugger off to talk watches with complete strangers

I would think that RWG veterans are never complete strangers....

Especially if they've spent any time in The Bin together: Bin Buddies!

On the other hand, if I were celebrating my 10th anniversary (it's not your birthday, right?)

in Paris with my wife, well, I guess I see her point.

Does this also mean you won't be hitting the watch stores?

[cornerstone]

several delightful hours discovering their common interests in Arthurian Bush, Captain Cigar, Lars von Mabinogian, White Hat Kates, the fine art of pigeons, Rudolph Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Los Angeles, a Bangkok girl-friend, the inherent intelligence of Glasgow, life with three cats and pornographic photograpy, single-malt whiskey, good beef heart, Frank Zappa administration, virtual watches....and...um....footprints.

@r11co: and you want your missus to miss out on this!

[r11co]

Well, on Sunday 23rd I plan to be spending several hours on the old Champs Eleesays (preferably right at the finishing line!) so you are welcome to join us there if you can find us.....

Le Tour

Edited June 9, 2006 by r11co

[bres3000]

This very evening, in a landmark Parisian cafe in Montparnasse, Mr. Pugwash and Mr. Ryyannon spent several delightful hours discovering their common interests in Arthurian legends, Captain Beefheart, Glastonbury, Lars von Trier, Kate Bush, White Hat Hackers, the Mabinogian, the fine art of pornographic photograpy, Rudolph Steiner, Glasgow, Milwaukee Wisconsin, Los Angeles, Bangkok, the inherent intelligence of pigeons, life with three cats and a girl-friend, single-malt whiskey, good cigars, Frank Zappa, network administration, virtual footprints....and...um.....watches.

You two discussed both Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa? Not possible.

Or, have I misjudged you both?

Right. Not possible.

[Pugwash]

Or, have I misjudged you both?

Obviously. I have several rare Zappa albums on vinyl, and first met Mrs Pugwash over a Zappa/Beefheart discussion. She tended towards Trout Mask Replica whereas I was a Hot Rats guy.

I'll let Ryyannon defend himself, if he feels the need. He can do so admirably.

[ryyannon]

No need to defend myself.

For the record, let's just say that I knew Don Van Vleet both professionally and personally.

Same for Zappa, but I preferred the company of the Captain.

[bres3000]

Obviously. I have several rare Zappa albums on vinyl, and first met Mrs Pugwash over a Zappa/Beefheart discussion. She tended towards Trout Mask Replica whereas I was a Hot Rats guy.

TroutMask was a tad too "acidic" for me - I preferred Strictly Personal. As for Hot Rats, Peaches En Regalia is indeed a timeless classic, although I lean towards the "newer stuff," like Apostrophe, Bongo Fury, and Joe's Garage Acts I, II & III.

[bres3000]

For the record, let's just say that I knew Don Van Vleet both professionally and personally.

Same for Zappa, but I preferred the company of the Captain.

W o w . To say that I am impressed would be an understatement.

I take back all those horrible things I said to/about you.

Wait - I take back many of those horrible things I said to/about you.

(PS - For the record, its Van Vliet, not Van Vleet.)

[Pugwash]

TroutMask was a tad too "acidic" for me - I preferred Strictly Personal. As for Hot Rats, Peaches En Regalia is indeed a timeless classic, although I lean towards the "newer stuff," like Apostrophe, Bongo Fury, and Joe's Garage Acts I, II & III.

Your taste is very similar to mine, I see. I rate Overnite Sensation and Joes Garage (apart from Green Rosetta, but I realise you could never end an album on Watermelon as it'd far far too depressing) and think that Peaches en Regalia is a top track and it was the track I used to test Hi-Fis when I shopped for my current one.

I mentioned Hot Rats vs Trout Mask as they are the opposite poles of Beefheart's style, in my opinion.

[ryyannon]

W o w . To say that I am impressed would be an understatement.

I take back all those horrible things I said to/about you.

Wait - I take back many of those horrible things I said to/about you.

(PS - For the record, its Van Vliet, not Van Vleet.)

For the record, that was 38 years ago. It's a miracle I can still remember my own name, let alone his.

[Watchmeister]

Wow, I am starting to feel young. I would never have guessed that Beefheart was 38 years ago.

[ryyannon]

Tempus fugit....

[retep]

Tempus fugit....

Et nos fugimus in illus

[Pugwash]

Time flies ... you cannot: they take off at irregular intervals.

[Pugwash]

"Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana." - Groucho Marx.

[bres3000]

For the record, let's just say that I knew Don Van Vleet both professionally and personally.

Same for Zappa, but I preferred the company of the Captain.

At the risk of sounding like I am "prying," would you mind divulging the nature of your 'professional' relationship with these solar entities? (If not, I will understand - but I will be forced to imagine out loud how your paths might have crossed.)

[ryyannon]

My dear Bress,

You certainly have an inquisitive mind...

Back in days, I was a music magazine editor in NYC. After seeing Zappa in action one night at the Fillmore East, I was impressed. Not so much by his music, as by his intelligence. Using the pretext of the magazine, it wasn't hard for me to arrange a meeting. We more or less hit it off. At this period in his life, he had created his own label, called Bizarre Records, whose artists included Beefheart, Wild Man Fischer, The GTOs, and as I remember, even Alice Cooper.

To make a long story short, there was a position open in Los Angeles for an artist and media person, and I got the job, which as his very professional record company execs explained to me once I was out there, consisted of two things: 'getting some air-play for these freaks' and 'getting the local DJs laid.'

My initial idea of working for Zappa was qute naive: I imagined I'd be sitting around talking all kinds of interesting [censored] with him and getting paid for it. In reality, Zappa hated the whole Hollywood scene with a passion. He never even went to his offices. But business-wise, he was one very smart cookie, while his people were extremely professional show business sharks whose eyes never left the ball. Their game-plan was to create a label of all the weird musicians and groups that Zappa affectioned and then sell it off to a major - which they ultimately did when they unloaded it on Warner's for a tidy profit.

As for me, I fit into this organization like the proverbial square peg. Even going up to Zappa's place in the Hills was little fun: the guy was actually a weird kind of Puritan, and very full of his own idea of the importance of his music. He'd play me tapes of stuff he was working on and talk about Varese. It was boring.

Since I loathed the office, I started spending more and more time hanging out in the wilds of Ventura County with Beefheart, who was an authentic mutant. We'd smoke dope, he'd talk to the trees, and we'd sometimes end up making music, with me playing his upright piano. I know nothing about playing the piano, and probably knew even less then, but it somehow sounded pretty good to all of us - Beefheart, his wacked-out band members, my girlfriend, who was amazed by my unsuspected musical talents, and probably the tress as well, since none of them lost their leaves or toppled over after our sessions.

Needless to say, after a few months of this horseshit, Herbie Cohen, the guy running the company, observed that I was not getting any air-time for the artists, not to mention getting any DJs laid. I couldn't argue with that, and we parted ways. I stuck around L.A. until friends back in New York told me there was an editorial position on a new publication opening up, and that it was mine if I wanted it. They didn't have to say it twice.

I had had my fill of both Zappa and Los Angeles - which was a pretty provincial place at that time compared to New York. I was out of there in a minute, and never looked back.