15 September 2003 23:34 [link]
shaken, not stirred
Went to meet Manar and Dorian at the Eagle Bar Diner. I was early (or, alternatively, Manar was late, but given that Manar's default state is "late" I should have known better) and ended up sitting at the bar, writing. My mind's eye appreciated a certain coolness in the scene - man sitting on a barstool, notebook spot lit on the shiny steel bar, pen in one hand, martini in the other. But then I'm easily impressed.
I wasn't too impressed with the martini, to be honest. A bit too much vermouth, and the barman shook it (who do you think I am? James Bond?) without asking. (At least he filtered the ice chips out.) It came without garnish, and he looked at me with some confusion when I asked for a twist of lemon. He returned with a large slice of lemon peel which did the job, but wasn't all that aesthetically pleasing. The whole thing took place at the other end of the bar, so I wasn't given the opportunity to give directions. Ho hum.
Manar arrived in due course and pointed out Dorian who'd arrived a while ago. Such are the problems of meeting someone you've never seen before. Still, the burger was good, as was the discussion. Interesting projects afoot.
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