Thread: Dinner Companions Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by sebby (# 15147) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by Starbug (# 15917) on :
 
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] [Hot and Hormonal]

[ 07. September 2012, 18:07: Message edited by: Starbug ]
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by Tree Bee (# 4033) on :
 
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?
 
Posted by Bene Gesserit (# 14718) on :
 
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 ]
 
Posted by Timothy the Obscure (# 292) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by mark_in_manchester (# 15978) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
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!
 
Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
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]

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.
 
Posted by Ariston (# 10894) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by jacobsen (# 14998) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :
 
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!] )

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.
 
Posted by Kaplan Corday (# 16119) on :
 
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".
 
Posted by Galilit (# 16470) on :
 
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 ]
 
Posted by Barefoot Friar (# 13100) on :
 
Henri Nouwen and John Wesley.
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
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]
I knew Madeleine and most of her family quite well.

(I also met Andrew Greeley once, but can't say I knew him.)
 
Posted by georgiaboy (# 11294) on :
 
It's rather a mixed lot, but these are the folks I'd invite (not given in order of interest or rank): 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.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Some of my leftwinger friends are going to make fun of me but - tories - Ken Clark, Ann Widdecombe, Ted heath, Edwina Currie - they are/were fun people - my leftwing comrades are too earnest.
 
Posted by Darllenwr (# 14520) on :
 
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 [Big Grin] ).

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
 
Posted by Loquacious beachcomber (# 8783) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by Loquacious beachcomber (# 8783) on :
 
For anyone interested in Canadian trivia, here is a bit of a sketch of the above Lady Agnes MacDonald.
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
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!
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
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!
 
Posted by Dennis the Menace (# 11833) on :
 
My Mum and Dad.

Dad passed away 24 years ago and Mum ten years. So much to tell them. Miss them both.
 
Posted by St. Sebastian (# 312) on :
 
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!
 
Posted by St. Sebastian (# 312) on :
 
Now I feel bad that such a fippant post came right after Dennis'. I'm sorry for your loss, Dennis.
 
Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :
 
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?
 
Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by St. Sebastian (# 312) on :
 
God is a guest at every table, no prophet, (said in tones of syrupy piety, while gazing reverently skyward.)
 
Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by jacobsen (# 14998) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by Aravis (# 13824) on :
 
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.
 


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