Where: Casa de Shannon
What: A Key Party, so bring your masks and your vodka!
When: This Saturday!

Wait - hang on. Must consult diary again. Right, this Saturday is the 25th, and...

Oh crap.

Key Party is next weekend. My bad.

Right, now that I've chased my guests off (kidding about the key party! No really!), here at Casa de Shannon, we're doing something we've never done before - we're having a dinner party (one not related to Christmas or Thanksgiving). Our guests are staying over, so that they can imbibe freely and then not because a statistic on the motorways. Our guests are getting huge quantities of food and alcohol and snacks and even a full breakfast complete with Alastair's homemade bagels.

And our guests are bloggers.

I know. When I throw off the mantle I really throw it off.

It's true I'm a private person. I recently revealed my identity, which was hard and still has me feeling indescribably vulnerable. And now I'm having bloggers over. To my house.

I'm not sure what I'm more shocked about - the fact that I invited people round or the fact that they said yes. Why would anyone want to say yes? Is it the free booze? It's the free booze, isn't it. And yes we will be serving self-esteem as a side dish tomorrow night.

The good news is, they can prove I am real. They'll be able to state categorically that yes, Shannon really is Shannon. The pictures she posts of the house really are her home, albeit it's way messier in real life than she posts. And not just that - they'll be around Nick and Nora, too.

I was surprised myself at this. Since outing ourselves, I still get shocks at seeing our names in print. But in some ways it's liberating - I no longer care that my wishlist says "Shannon" on it. We've discussed it and if/when we ever actually getting around to getting married, we'll broadcast it on webcam in case anyone has a few minutes on their hands and wants to watch, too. It can have its good sides, even if it is still a bit nerve-wracking.

I met a number of lovely ladies a few months ago - HFF, May, MrsPruFrock, and Thalia. They were lovely ladies and I felt really comfortable around them. Alastair and I discussed it and, seeing as he understands that I am a total loser who has very few IRL friends, we came up with the idea of inviting a few round for dinner. And since we're semi-rural, that maybe they should stay over.

Seeing as Thalia's heavily pregnant and likely not interested in a trek to the middle of nowhere, and MrsPrufrock's Dude just had major hip surgery, I figured they wouldn't want to attend (so don't be angry, as I would love to have all of us out here again. You can pet some cows. Cows are cute.) So HFF, May, and the lovely BeeCee are coming out tomorrow, with BeeCee's and May's husbands.

Alastair had some initial trepidation.

Him: Who are you inviting?
Me: Well, Hairy Farmer Family, Nuts in May, and Definition of Insanity. The other two ladies are likely unable to attend due to health reasons.
Him: What are their names again?
Me: Hairy Farmer Family, Nuts in May, and Defintion of Insanity.
Him: (Long pause) Those are their names? What, did their mothers hate them?

We're looking forward to having people over.

They will be shocked at just how boring we really are.

They will equally (hopefully) be shocked at the spread we're preparing, because we love having people over for dinner.

And we promise - no key parties. The 70's should be allowed to rest in peace.

-S.

Posted by: Everydaystranger at 10:22 AM | Comments (24) | Add Comment
Post contains 639 words, total size 4 kb.

1 I'm officially jealous, thanks! :-) Have a great time!!

Posted by: Vicki at April 24, 2009 11:04 AM (HsOD+)

2 When I first told John that The Internets were coming to lunch, he looked vaguely alarmed and confidently predicted my kidnap by (and this was actually May's wonderful phraseology in an email to me, but neatly encapsulated all his worries, nevertheless) a 'six-foot shaved-and-tattooed performance artist with a SCROTUM'. Hubby was taken aback to discover that May and H were Real People, Very Nice People and Who They Said They Were, and was actually - shock horror - interested enough to start reading some of these bloggy-things that the wife seems to spend such a lot of time looking at... and he must have liked them, else I'd never have managed to drag him down to Thalia's. And NOW, of course, we have a situation where he is so Nuts-in-May-ed and Everyday Strangered-up that he kindly (ha!) offered to go and dine with you all instead of me, if I was VERY worried about leaving Harry and wanted to stay home... Yes. The thought of taking the child anywhere to scream at us both all night is not attractive to either of us, but a night Away From It All, in excellent company, eating fabulous-sounding food? We are both stuck in the metaphorical doorway like Laurel & Hardy! But I saw you first, so I'M coming, not him. Ha! But if Nora doesn't cuddle me properly this time, then I shall leave quietly, bravely hiding my tears!

Posted by: Hairy Farmer Family at April 24, 2009 11:27 AM (AcllE)

3 S- BeeCee told me about the lovely party you have planned this weekend--hope you all have a GREAT time. Can you do me a favor? Give Bee Cee a BIG squeeze for me--tell her its a hug from her sister across the pond=) Thank you!!

Posted by: JJ at April 24, 2009 12:41 PM (6TTqZ)

4 Now you have me wishing I lived near London! I hope you all have a wonderful time.

Posted by: Anita at April 24, 2009 02:12 PM (LwTDP)

5 Now I want to move to London! Have a wonderful time.

Posted by: Anita at April 24, 2009 02:13 PM (LwTDP)

6 Sounds like you guys are going to have a blast! And I expect Alastair is really funny in real life. Now I just suspect I'm too young to know what a key party is...

Posted by: Hannah at April 24, 2009 03:03 PM (lUH62)

7 Oh. That's what a key party is. Umm. Probably a good thing you're not having one.

Posted by: Hannah at April 24, 2009 03:04 PM (lUH62)

8 Also jealous at this end! Why are you all so far south? That's why I'm always trying to persuade Ms Pru to move to the North rather than Canada.

Posted by: katie at April 24, 2009 03:24 PM (d1q1M)

9 So envious! I'm sure it will be a blast! And you deserve it. Enjoy!

Posted by: BeachGirl at April 24, 2009 03:55 PM (U+oUO)

10 Sounds like a great time. I'm a bit envious too. I love the idea of being invited to your eventual wedding on webcam - how thoughtful! Have a great party.

Posted by: Lisa at April 24, 2009 05:01 PM (YEsan)

11 Ok, I can't hide anymore. I got your book, then burst into tears. I had a dream about you last night (and some other bizarre things, but yes, you were there), so I know this is a long time coming. I have not been avoiding, but I have. Lots to tell you, but as luck would have it my hubby is in Amsterdam and he has the lap top and this stupid computer doesn't have the email set up and damned if I can figure it out (just breathe deeply....). He will be back Tuesday night so Wednesday I will email you. I know the suspense is killing you. I have been following when I can, and the tots are so adorable!!!!!! I just want to kiss those cheeks-which are my one baby weakness. I have two new nephews, but they came at 23 weeks and are still in the NICU. Doing well, but a long road ahead. I will update you on all that jazz, but I am here, I am happy, and I will stay around for awhile. I wish like hell I could be there partying with you. I wish it more then anything. And don't even get me started about lack of IRL friends. So..........I'm back!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Teresa at April 24, 2009 05:15 PM (07Vt0)

12 Can I be your bridesmaid? Please? I won't be in your way, I'll bring my tent and camp out on your new deck. (Have fun this weekend!)

Posted by: Vita at April 24, 2009 07:00 PM (fZwgf)

13 Having friends (Stinkerbell and Emmie) that have both met you in real life, I know without a doubt that you are a fabulous and wonderful IRL person. Named Shannon. But always Helen in my mind. Or, as Emmie & I would say "Shannon ... you know, Helen." If that wedding ever happens, can I come take photos?

Posted by: Christine at April 24, 2009 07:44 PM (GyRNk)

14 Wait, NOT a Key Party? Ah. One moment - H, sweetheart, not a key party, sorry. No. Please put the spare house-keys back in the cupboard. And take the ribbon off them. You can relax now - where was I? I am very very honoured to be your guest. Tell Alastair I'll answer to Nuts if he answers to Angus.

Posted by: May at April 24, 2009 10:05 PM (3jesX)

15 Harumph.

Posted by: MsPrufrock at April 24, 2009 11:29 PM (CA+L6)

16 Now I'm really sorry I don't live near you!! I'd SO come to dinner and stay over!!

Posted by: kenju at April 24, 2009 11:53 PM (hMUhQ)

17 Have a fab time, i am looking forward to the webcam wedding, how brave! abs x

Posted by: abs at April 25, 2009 08:01 AM (DG7J/)

18 p.s the photo of you in the bluebells is gorgeous. abs x

Posted by: abs at April 25, 2009 08:17 AM (DG7J/)

19 I've met a few blog friends in my day and all turned out to be real, and not 45-year-old men looking for a date. Luckily. Hope your party goes spectacularly and that none of your blog friends snore.

Posted by: D at April 25, 2009 01:07 PM (3sQts)

20 I have really enjoyed the bloggers I have met IRL. And I've had people I only new online come stay the night at our house. No mass murderers yet! I'm proud of the progress you've made with going public and socializing with other imaginary people. Go you! And... someday I'll stalk you, as I have other bloggers. For now, however, I can't swim far enough to meet you!

Posted by: wRitErsbLock at April 25, 2009 06:56 PM (nFixF)

21 Sounds glorious - and the deck just in time. Will be raising a glass to you all.

Posted by: Elizabeth at April 25, 2009 11:25 PM (Y/P20)

22 Awww, I'm jealous! I think I'm the only blogger on my island. Hmmm, that's probably why I blog... Very cool that you can actually hang with blog friends- bet you'll have a blast

Posted by: Jungle Mom at April 27, 2009 05:39 AM (wyPEC)

23 Bummer; for me. I wish you were on this side of the pond. But I'm sure it was a blast.

Posted by: physics geek at April 27, 2009 08:08 PM (MT22W)

24 Oh, man. I'm so jealous. If I move across the pond can I come for drinks one day? I clean other peoples' kitchens.... (but not my own)! Looks like a lovely time - glad y'all had fun!

Posted by: Jodie at April 27, 2009 09:09 PM (4twyr)

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