According to the ever- omniscient Wikipedia, these bon vivants, along with a few choice others, were the members of an elite, "celebrated group of writers, critics, actors and wits.
Gathering initially as part of a practical joke, members of 'The Vicious Circle' gathered for lunch each day at the Algonquin Hotel from 1919 until roughly 1929."
Gathering initially as part of a practical joke, members of 'The Vicious Circle' gathered for lunch each day at the Algonquin Hotel from 1919 until roughly 1929."
Ah, the Baroness loves her the clever folk.
Many's a day when I have whiled away the time wishing that I could be a fly on the wall of The Rose Room during that heyday.
Or, perhaps, I could be their waitress - although I'm sure the tip would be appalling.
Writers, ya know.
Or, perhaps, I could be their waitress - although I'm sure the tip would be appalling.
Writers, ya know.
The truth is, (and one that I am dubious to share, as I'm sure you will flock here in droves once you know of it), I need not fritter away my time on such wishes.
I have my own Vicious Circle - right here - at the von B kitchen table. Well, the "Circle" may be more of an oval, and the topics may not always fall into the "Vicious" category, but make no mistake - the high level of intellect and verbal repartee when the Baron, Duke 1, Duke 2 and I are together would rival any Algonquin lunchtime chin wag.
Some examples of our evocative and compelling topics of conversation:
. A frenzied debate over who was the Head Power Ranger, and, if we were the 4 Power Rangers, which form we should take to best drive down our slush and ice-covered side street
. The petition by Duke 1 of his belief that people who say "Merry Christmas" to everyone (regardless of their potential religious affiliation) are merely intending to infuse the spirit of the season, rather than being evangelical Christians who assume everyone celebrate this particular holiday
. An observation, after seeing "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", that the deathbed Daisy, played by Cate Blanchett, bears a striking resemblance to Emperor Palpatine of Star Wars fame.
. Yet another dog anecdote, told by the Baron, of how our horny little cur was caught pre-flagrante delicto, "preparing" his dog bed for some afternoon delight, by nudging his nose underneath to flip it in half (think taco here, people, and connect the dots)
"How did you know that he was getting ready to hump his bed?", asked Duke 1, foolishly stepping onto the landmine.
"Well, I usually nudge my nose under your Mom to flip her over".
Hilarity (and a fair share of digust) ensued.
. The bantering back and forth betwixt Dukes 1 and 2 over what is the correct term - GILF or GMILF, again after seeing an aged (yet somehow sexy)(?) Cate Blanchett, who again looks like a Star Wars-esque dried apple head doll. Replete with liver spots.
. The innuendo-laden instructions, read aloud for all to enjoy, that came with Duke 1's new harmonica. Lots of "place tongue over 3 holes", "blow gently", and "That's What She Said" comebacks. Whoooooooo!
. The eternal debate: Is Samuel L. Jackson the greatest over-actor of all time? Results of this round - 3 for, 1 against.
A certain Gertrude Atherton once described the Algonquin Round Table as a group "where the cleverest of them - and those who were so excitedly sure of their cleverness that for the moment they convinced others as well as themselves - forgathered daily. There was a great deal of scintillating talk in this group of the significant books and tendencies of the day...They appraised, debated, rejected, finally placed the seal of their august approval upon a favored few."
The von B Round-ish table - august? Some examples of our evocative and compelling topics of conversation:
. A frenzied debate over who was the Head Power Ranger, and, if we were the 4 Power Rangers, which form we should take to best drive down our slush and ice-covered side street
. The petition by Duke 1 of his belief that people who say "Merry Christmas" to everyone (regardless of their potential religious affiliation) are merely intending to infuse the spirit of the season, rather than being evangelical Christians who assume everyone celebrate this particular holiday
. An observation, after seeing "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", that the deathbed Daisy, played by Cate Blanchett, bears a striking resemblance to Emperor Palpatine of Star Wars fame.
. Yet another dog anecdote, told by the Baron, of how our horny little cur was caught pre-flagrante delicto, "preparing" his dog bed for some afternoon delight, by nudging his nose underneath to flip it in half (think taco here, people, and connect the dots)
"How did you know that he was getting ready to hump his bed?", asked Duke 1, foolishly stepping onto the landmine.
"Well, I usually nudge my nose under your Mom to flip her over".
Hilarity (and a fair share of digust) ensued.
. The bantering back and forth betwixt Dukes 1 and 2 over what is the correct term - GILF or GMILF, again after seeing an aged (yet somehow sexy)(?) Cate Blanchett, who again looks like a Star Wars-esque dried apple head doll. Replete with liver spots.
. The innuendo-laden instructions, read aloud for all to enjoy, that came with Duke 1's new harmonica. Lots of "place tongue over 3 holes", "blow gently", and "That's What She Said" comebacks. Whoooooooo!
. The eternal debate: Is Samuel L. Jackson the greatest over-actor of all time? Results of this round - 3 for, 1 against.
A certain Gertrude Atherton once described the Algonquin Round Table as a group "where the cleverest of them - and those who were so excitedly sure of their cleverness that for the moment they convinced others as well as themselves - forgathered daily. There was a great deal of scintillating talk in this group of the significant books and tendencies of the day...They appraised, debated, rejected, finally placed the seal of their august approval upon a favored few."
Hmmm.
I think not.
We're more of a July.
