in the deep dark water

[raven]

I suppose I've been waiting for the perfect moment to write up various things; life being what it is, the perfect moment won't come. So here are three things:

1. My friends got married. such_heights and happydork are two of my dearest and oldest friends; I introduced them to each other at a birthday party I had a few years ago. Two nights before the wedding I slipped out of work a little early and the three of us went to a friend's book-signing at Forbidden Planet (the friend is Zen Cho, and her debut novel, Sorcerer to the Crown, is a very enjoyable and necessary book); we went to get our books signed ("Your real fans have gone," K said, "now it's just us jerks") and afterwards we went across to a diner towards Shaftesbury Avenue to get what was supposed to be a quick dinner before I had to run home. We talked about the wedding and other things; I ordered sweet potato pancakes and Katy ate half of them; it was quite ordinary, and at the same time not, the way everything just before a wedding or a change in the season acquires a textured significance.

After we'd eaten the waitress came to the table with a banana boat covered in three kinds of ice-cream and chopped nuts and strawberry sauce and said to K & A, "So, you're getting married, congratulations, this is just a little thing, it's on us" - and the other waitresses were smiling and waving and looking a little embarrassed, and the three of us ate it with a reverent regard for how queerness is a great battle, that to live an apolitical queer life is not yet in prospect, but of small pebbles arise great avalanches and some of them are made of banana.

At the wedding I was the emcee, wearing a top hat and introducing the speakers; I didn't do it particularly well, because I think to do that sort of thing it helps if you have a little distance from proceedings, which I did not have; I had been quietly destroyed by a vote of thanks from the brides, who gave me the top hat as a gift, and a book, as another; given with the sort of heart's words that keep you warm in winter.

2. A. and I have been married for two years. Our anniversary was on September 21st and mostly went unremarked upon; we raised a glass to it, then went for dinner and talked about things over good food and English wine. We were married on the autumnal equinox, at a time of year I always associate with gunpowder in the air and all things changing - so perhaps it's for the best that this is the thing that doesn't, given all the other things.

3. Our house in Cambridge is sold subject to contract; we have a firm offer on a flat in north London, subject to full structural survey.

Comments

[soupytwist]

I think weddings may be one of the few times when it's better for all concerned to be hideously biased in favour of the main parties: I definitely can't imagine K&A would have wanted anyone else doing it. :D (Also, you rock a top hat.)

And I am SO GLAD two of the biggest steps to moving are done: fingers crossed for the rest of the process!

[silverhare]

This is all lovely and excellent.

[st_aurafina]

Oh, wow, you made a ship happen, you must be magic! I'm so happy for them. And for you - happy anniversary!

[longwhitecoats]

This is wonderful. You describe time so beautifully.

[eccentric_hat]

Oh! I've been hearing good things about your friend's book from multiple quarters! I have it on library reserve now, so it will be a while before I get it, but I'm looking forward to it very much.

[such_heights]

She is magic indeed! <3

[such_heights]

<33333333 You are the best of humans.

[qian]

Ooh, which bit of north London did you go for in the end?

[raven]

Manor House - not too far from the original plan!

[brightlywoven]

Flat! London! No more trains! This is wonderful!

You were a perfect MC for their perfect wedding. Honestly, it was so lovely. Last saturday 'City Hall' came on my ipod and got properly teared up remembering how perfect it was and that it was literally at city hall <3

Happy anniversary to you! I thought of you as the autumn equinox now has some new meaning in my life, and the memory of your wedding, and some events that happend in the week afterward make me smile to remember at a time of shifting and new bright colours. We have procured a bottle of Singleton 'Glen Ord' 12 year (and one of the 18 year, which is being laid down for the small Ord's 18th birthday) - would love to share a glass of it with you both one of these days.

[raven]

Thank you! I really hope the move works out - I'm touching wood as we speak. And I should retrieve my top hat one of these days. :) :)

[raven]

<3

[raven]

Thank you very much! :) :)

[raven]

Thank you, my friend. :)

[raven]

It is a lovely book! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.

[raven]

you toooooo :)

[raven]

Almost almost! Almost. I touch wood every time I even think about the sale. :) And thank you! It was so nice to see you at the wedding and to see how much Rose has grown! Yes, please whisky soon - and I love the idea of laying it down now for the small one's 18th! Oh goodness, how ancient we shall all be. <3

[littlered2.livejournal.com]

Welcome in advance to North London! Where is your potential flat?

[bibliotropic.livejournal.com]

I love the image of you as MC in a top hat. This is such a perfect post. :)

[tau_sigma]

Congratulations on the house! That was amazingly quick, I am envious but happy for you.

Also congratulations, and huge apologies on the belatedness, for you & Shim. <3

[biascut.livejournal.com]

(Deleted because I have realised this is s public post and maybe that is not a good question to ask in public! But I hope so!)

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

Now you've deleted it, the answer to the question was yes. :)

[biascut.livejournal.com]

Aww, I'm SO pleased!

Also congratulations on your anniversary and your excellent matchmaking skillz. :)