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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Dinner Companions
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sebby
Shipmate
# 15147
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Posted
I have a slight recollection of this apppearing a long time ago - and it might start in heaven and descend lower - but which historical or living characters would shipmates like to sit next to at dinner?
I would have King Charles II on one side and Jeremy Clarkson on the other.
Or if it were to be mixed company, perhaps His late Majesty would give place to the Dowager Countess of Grantham.
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sebhyatt
Posts: 1340 | From: yorks | Registered: Sep 2009
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Starbug
Shipmate
# 15917
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Posted
I would like Anne Boleyn on one side (I'm very interested in the Reformation and Anne's role in particular), hence the signature). On the side, either George Frideric Handel or George Harrison. Apparently Handel could swear fluently in at least four languages, which could be fun. The other George wouldn't need to speak - I'd just enjoy looking at him. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif) ![[Hot and Hormonal]](icon_redface.gif)
[ 07. September 2012, 18:07: Message edited by: Starbug ]
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“Oh the pointing again. They're screwdrivers! What are you going to do? Assemble a cabinet at them?” ― The Day of the Doctor
Posts: 1189 | From: West of the New Forest | Registered: Sep 2010
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
I would have to go back to the early days of Michael Parkinson's chat show when he got people on who would talk, rather than plug their latest film or record.
The Earl of Caernarvon, David Niven and Peter Ustinov were always good value. Any two of them plus Joyce Grenfell and from the modern generation the much missed Linda Smith. Mrs Sioni and I would sit and listen.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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Tree Bee
Ship's tiller girl
# 4033
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Posted
I'd like to sit between two people watchers, Jane Austen and Victoria Wood.
They'd have me in stitches I'm sure!
May I sit opposite George Harrison too Starbug?
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"Any fool can make something complicated. It takes a genius to make it simple."
— Woody Guthrie
http://saysaysay54.wordpress.com
Posts: 5257 | From: me to you. | Registered: Feb 2003
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Bene Gesserit
Shipmate
# 14718
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Posted
Sir Patrick Stewart on one side and Sir David Attenborough on the other. Sir Patrick because he has such gravitas and Sir David because of his immense knowledge of natural history. It would also be really interesting to hear them debate whether the arts or the sciences are more deserving of (public) financial support.
[ 07. September 2012, 18:54: Message edited by: Bene Gesserit ]
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Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus
Posts: 405 | From: Flatlands of the East | Registered: Apr 2009
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Timothy the Obscure
Mostly Friendly
# 292
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Posted
Michel de Montaigne and the late anthropologist Clifford Geertz, because they were both interested in everything and would have something interesting to say about all of it.
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When you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find more hideous crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion.
- C. P. Snow
Posts: 6114 | From: PDX | Registered: May 2001
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mark_in_manchester
not waving, but...
# 15978
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Posted
I wouldn't trust myself in any kind of illustrious company.
A few years ago, when I still clung to the illusion that I might 'cut it' in my field of study (I'm a lecturer), I was more inclined to attend conferences and went to one in St Petersburg. The venue was a big draw and a lot of famous people turned up, including to the big, formal, conference dinner.
Some stirring of the ego persuaded me that it would be a good idea to sit alongside two greats of my particular corner of science, but no sooner had I attempted to ingratiate myself and start to sit down, than my knee hit the wonky leg of the lavishly-decorated and heavily laden tressles at which we were arranged.
A mighty, lit, candelstick started to sway. It appeared my international reputation might at last be secured...as the one responsible for setting light to x's wife, or y's beard.
I tend to avoid conferences and formal dinners these days.
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"We are punished by our sins, not for them" - Elbert Hubbard
(so good, I wanted to see it after my posts and not only after those of shipmate JBohn from whom I stole it)
Posts: 1596 | Registered: Oct 2010
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jedijudy
Organist of the Jedi Temple
# 333
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Posted
Johann Sebastian Bach. And after a bite or two, we'd have to get to the nearest pipe organ (the best one, of course) so we could work on some music. Well, I would work, he would instruct!
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Jasmine, little cat with a big heart.
Posts: 18017 | From: 'Twixt the 'Glades and the Gulf | Registered: Aug 2001
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comet
Snowball in Hell
# 10353
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Posted
SO MANY. Do I have a limit?
Roxelana of Suleyman's harem (Ottoman empire, natch)
Lorenzo D'Medici, perhaps, but I'd take any number of D'Medicis. Or Borgias, for that matter.
Henry II for sure. And Eleanor. And perhaps Thomas and Richard. It's a time I'm generally fasciated with.
a member of the first european Roanoke settlement - to find out what the heck happened to them all.
Grace O'Malley and/or Ching Sheh - badass women sea captains and pirates.
and Edgar Allen Poe - in large part because I'd like the know what the heck happened in those last few days of his life. I love mysteries, but hate unsolved ones!
that's just a start. There would be lots more.
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Evil Dragon Lady, Breaker of Men's Constitutions
"It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.” -Calvin
Posts: 17024 | From: halfway between Seduction and Peril | Registered: Sep 2005
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Lyda*Rose
Ship's broken porthole
# 4544
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Posted
comet: quote:
a member of the first european Roanoke settlement - to find out what the heck happened to them all.
I think the answer would have been "Dinner? Dinner?!?" followed by the uninterrupted munching of multiple courses. Forget dinner conversation. ![[Biased]](wink.gif)
I would like to be seated between Samuel Clemens and Jane Austen. The conversation with Clemens would probably suffer in that he tended to speak more delicately in the presence of the fair sex, but the resulting digs from Miss Austin would be worth it.
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"Dear God, whose name I do not know - thank you for my life. I forgot how BIG... thank you. Thank you for my life." ~from Joe Vs the Volcano
Posts: 21377 | From: CA | Registered: May 2003
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Ariston
Insane Unicorn
# 10894
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Posted
For the sake of conversation, and for the sake of every other bookish young man at the table, Beatrice from Much Ado About Nothing would be required. While I agree Michel de Montaigne would be ideal—a philosopher who would actually be able to talk, enjoy the food, and not lecture his audience on morality—he's already attending, so I need a second guest. By all accounts, David Hume was a hit with people, but I don't like his writings that much. Augustine, much as I love him, would probably be a killjoy. Sartre would probably aggressively hit on the candlesticks; I can't see Aquinas being much fun at all. Wittgenstein was just weird; Kant . . . no. Just no.
So I'm left looking elsewhere on my bookshelf for ideas. Much as I think Voltaire might be a great back-up guest, it seems that philosophers are generally a cranky bunch who, despite their interesting lives, aren't much for parties. Julia Child would be a hit, though there seems to be something odd about inviting her to someone else's party. Still, between her and Emily Post, she wins.
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“Therefore, let it be explained that nowhere are the proprieties quite so strictly enforced as in men’s colleges that invite young women guests, especially over-night visitors in the fraternity houses.” Emily Post, 1937.
Posts: 6849 | From: The People's Republic of Balcones | Registered: Jan 2006
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The5thMary
Shipmate
# 12953
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Posted
Andrew Greeley. He's Irish. I'm Irish. He's a Catholic, I used to be Catholic (but I gave it up for Lent. Ha ha.). He was the first author that I ever read that envisions God as both a Mother and a Father. He goes even further and calls Her Lover but I'm sometimes too scared to admit I do too. Jesus, of course. I'd like to cook for him. I'm not a chef by any means but I do know how to cook some excellent comfort food. If I had Jesus over for dinner I'd try to just make it a relaxing and enjoyable time for both of us. I wouldn't hit him over the head with all of my questions.
I don't know... I just think he would really appreciate coming over to my place, meeting all the cats and just putting his feet up, so to speak.
Julian of Norwich might be cool, too. Anne Lamott! I looooove Anne Lamott! She is funny as hell.
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God gave me my face but She let me pick my nose.
Posts: 3451 | From: Tacoma, WA USA | Registered: Aug 2007
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jacobsen
seeker
# 14998
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Posted
Well, since Miss Austen and Fr Greeley have already been invited, I'd chose Madeleine L'Engle. Never having met her is one of my regrets. Pace the Saint C.S.Lewis thread, she's another who in her later years was dubbed saint by some. But I bet she was more human than saint. It would be nice to find out. Ditto St.Teresa of Avila. There would of course be instantaneous translation taking place? My Renaissance Spanish is non-existent.
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But God, holding a candle, looks for all who wander, all who search. - Shifra Alon
Beauty fades, dumb is forever-Judge Judy
The man who made time, made plenty.
Posts: 8040 | From: Æbleskiver country | Registered: Aug 2009
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M.
Ship's Spare Part
# 3291
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Posted
I used to play this game years ago, but always seem to start with Jane Austen and Robert Burns.
After that, I don't think I would need any more guests.
Though Joyce Grenfell sometimes made an appearance - I'd never thought of Victoria Wood, though - that would be wonderful.
M.
Posts: 2303 | From: Lurking in Surrey | Registered: Sep 2002
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Pine Marten
Shipmate
# 11068
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Posted
I'd vote for Victoria Wood too, as long as she brings along Julie Walters as Mrs Overall... (though maybe not to serve the drinks ![[Eek!]](eek.gif) )
Much as I like Oscar Wilde I don't think I'd invite him cos he would monopolise all the conversation, and I wouldn't want Bosie to tag along.
I would certainly invite Richard III, just cos I like him, but partly to find out whether he knew anything about the Princes, and I'd invite his brother Rdward IV because he would be great company. Richard was known for his love of music, so I'd expect him to bring his choir to sing for our entertainment. After that I would like Vatza Nijinsky & Tamara Karsavina to dance for us.
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Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. - Oscar Wilde
Posts: 1731 | From: Isle of Albion | Registered: Feb 2006
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Kaplan Corday
Shipmate
# 16119
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Posted
Delilah and Jezebel.
I saw on television a young woman asked a similar question, along the lines of, "With whom would you like to have a meal, alive or dead?", to which she replied, after pause for thought, "Alive".
Posts: 3355 | Registered: Jan 2011
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Galilit
Shipmate
# 16470
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Posted
Katherine Mansfield to talk to her about living outside NZ.
James K Baxter to talk to him about living inside NZ.
[ 08. September 2012, 13:31: Message edited by: Galilit ]
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She who does Her Son's will in all things can rely on me to do Hers.
Posts: 624 | From: a Galilee far, far away | Registered: Jun 2011
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Barefoot Friar
Ship's Shoeless Brother
# 13100
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Posted
Henri Nouwen and John Wesley.
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Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world. -- Desmond Tutu
Posts: 1621 | From: Warrior Mountains | Registered: Oct 2007
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Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by jacobsen:
... I'd chose Madeleine L'Engle. Never having met her is one of my regrets. Pace the Saint C.S.Lewis thread, she's another who in her later years was dubbed saint by some. But I bet she was more human than saint.
Well, I never had dinner with her, but I did have tea in her home. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
I knew Madeleine and most of her family quite well.
(I also met Andrew Greeley once, but can't say I knew him.)
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"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
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georgiaboy
Shipmate
# 11294
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Posted
It's rather a mixed lot, but these are the folks I'd invite (not given in order of interest or rank): - Claudia Pilate - I want to talk about dreams
- Mr. W. H. - to get the scoop on Shakespeare
- the Duke of Albany & Cornwall - to find out if he was really Jack the Ripper
- Hannibal - find out why he stopped
- Mary Todd Lincoln - and get her to talk about that night in the theatre(!)
- Hildegard of Bingen - fascinating on so many levels
- Maria Vetsera - to get her views on the Hapsburgs
- and meeeeeeeeee11
That's a table of 8, which is manageable- 4 ladies and 4 gents, spread over 20 centuries. And just to make it more fun, let's have Mozart and Haydn & two of their friends playing string quartets, and Dom Perignon pouring the bubbly.
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You can't retire from a calling.
Posts: 1675 | From: saint meinrad, IN | Registered: Apr 2006
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Darllenwr
Shipmate
# 14520
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Posted
Dr Russell Coope, ice-age beetle specialist (for those who have never heard of him) and all-round fascinating company. He was a friend of the family for the best part of 45 years and never failed to be interesting, even when he hogged the conversation (which he was apt to do ).
I think Russell tended to think that nobody else around a table would be as interesting as him; fortunately he was usually right. He and my mother used to argue hammer and tongs about all manner of subjects, whilst my father and Russell's wife would exchange patient glances and leave them to get on with it ...
I was shocked to learn of his sudden death last November,otherwise the dinner party might yet have come to pass. Sic transit gloria mundi
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If I've told you once, I've told you a million times: I do not exaggerate!
Posts: 1101 | From: The catbox | Registered: Jan 2009
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Loquacious beachcomber
Shipmate
# 8783
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Posted
Lady Agnes MacDonald, second wife of Sir John A. MacDonald, Canada's first Prime Minister. Lake Agnes was named after her; she climbed up Beehive Mountain to its location at an elevation of 2135 metres, to celebrate the completion of Canada's transcontinental railway. A bit of a free spirit, to say the least, she then completed a train trip from Lake Louise in Alberta to Canada's west coast - while strapped to the cowcather at the front of the locomotive!
I would very much like to ask here why she did that.
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TODAY'S SPECIAL - AND SO ARE YOU (Sign on beachfront fish & chips shop)
Posts: 5954 | From: Southeast of Wawa, between the beach and the hiking trail.. | Registered: Nov 2004
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Loquacious beachcomber
Shipmate
# 8783
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Posted
For anyone interested in Canadian trivia, here is a bit of a sketch of the above Lady Agnes MacDonald.
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TODAY'S SPECIAL - AND SO ARE YOU (Sign on beachfront fish & chips shop)
Posts: 5954 | From: Southeast of Wawa, between the beach and the hiking trail.. | Registered: Nov 2004
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
Sir Mick Jagger on one side and Dame Judy Dench on the other would suit me just fine: they are both at the top of their game!
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
Make that Charlie instead of Sir Mick: like me, he is still on his first wife and I'd like to know his secrets of keeping a relationship fresh!
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Dennis the Menace
Shipmate
# 11833
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Posted
My Mum and Dad.
Dad passed away 24 years ago and Mum ten years. So much to tell them. Miss them both.
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"Till we cast our crowns before Him; Lost in wonder, love, and praise."
Posts: 853 | From: Newcastle NSW Australia | Registered: Sep 2006
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St. Sebastian
Staggering ever onward
# 312
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Posted
The answer would change in a day, but if I could do it right now this second: Nefertitti,Cleopatra VII and Tsarina Alexandra (those two could teach her something about what it means to be an Empress!) BUT only if it was a Cleopatra's house-she has killer caterers!
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St. Seb
In Spite of Everything: Yes.
Posts: 962 | From: Burlington, North Carolina | Registered: May 2001
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St. Sebastian
Staggering ever onward
# 312
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Posted
Now I feel bad that such a fippant post came right after Dennis'. I'm sorry for your loss, Dennis.
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St. Seb
In Spite of Everything: Yes.
Posts: 962 | From: Burlington, North Carolina | Registered: May 2001
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no prophet's flag is set so...
Proceed to see sea
# 15560
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Posted
I think I would like sit around the table with the 17 young people of my family all killed in WW2. I have seen their pictures, and they look like some of the survivors. If the one grandparent I knew would also come, along with the 3 who died before I was born, that would complete a family table. I've always felt a hole in my family because there are only 12 of us in all the world, with 6 of those born since 1990. Maybe we're filling it.
Seeing as this is a fantasy idea, would it be heretical and inappropriate to have the crew of the last supper for lunch? I particularly want to overhear conversation with Judas and Peter. Maybe we could also invite Paul and Mary Magdeline. Oh heck, can we invite God as well?
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Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety.
\_(ツ)_/
Posts: 11498 | From: Treaty 6 territory in the nonexistant Province of Buffalo, Canada ↄ⃝' | Registered: Mar 2010
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
Boris Johnson and Stephen Fry - if they're anything like as entertaining in real life as they are in print and on television they'd be very good company.
Thomas Cranmer, just because.
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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St. Sebastian
Staggering ever onward
# 312
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Posted
God is a guest at every table, no prophet, (said in tones of syrupy piety, while gazing reverently skyward.)
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St. Seb
In Spite of Everything: Yes.
Posts: 962 | From: Burlington, North Carolina | Registered: May 2001
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no prophet's flag is set so...
Proceed to see sea
# 15560
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by St. Sebastian:
God is a guest at every table, no prophet, (said in tones of syrupy piety, while gazing reverently skyward.)
Yes, and that's that problem. Just doesn't chat much, although we usually say a few to and about God before the rest of us start eating and drinking and talking. I'm looking for conversation or and opportunity to ask for an opinion or two. Or a least the opportunity to overhear one. But maybe I should avoid talking myself or risk being sent from the table before port and cigars.
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Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety.
\_(ツ)_/
Posts: 11498 | From: Treaty 6 territory in the nonexistant Province of Buffalo, Canada ↄ⃝' | Registered: Mar 2010
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jacobsen
seeker
# 14998
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by St. Sebastian:
God is a guest at every table, no prophet, (said in tones of syrupy piety, while gazing reverently skyward.)
No good gazing up there, St.S - He's at dinner.
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But God, holding a candle, looks for all who wander, all who search. - Shifra Alon
Beauty fades, dumb is forever-Judge Judy
The man who made time, made plenty.
Posts: 8040 | From: Æbleskiver country | Registered: Aug 2009
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Aravis
Shipmate
# 13824
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Posted
I've got a long list of people, alive and dead. But I'd like to change the situation to sitting next to them on a park bench, having discovered from experience that if you're anywhere near anyone famous at a formal occasion, someone will always launch into a completely banal conversation just so they can say they've spoken to a Famous Person, and any interesting conversation gets swamped. And two famous people will probably want to talk to one another, and you don't get to hear the interesting bits.
Posts: 689 | From: S Wales | Registered: Jun 2008
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