I am absolutely delighted that
you've changed your mind CJ.

Don't worry, I've got a very
fine wine cellar, that I know won't
disappoint.
We shall all enjoy the evening.

It should be an interesting one.

Bronwyn "Humour and goodwill shall prevail. "

absolutely agree, although, it would seem, from his last post, such aspirations are going right over CJ's head, as it (his head that is) disappears into a deeper and deeper hole which he is digging for himself...

side bets anyone on how long before he reaches China?

I have been having all sorts of difficulty with my list. However I refine it, it looks as if it would be a preponderantly male list, making for social imbalance in a conventional dinner party context. I would resolve the imbalance of the sexes by inviting a number of female OLO posters who I thought might find in at least one of my guests an interesting conversational partner. It was flattering of Bronwyn to notice my absence from the thread: it is just that for a while there I was virtually stumped for the right storey. I have found it now.

The Guest List:

C.G.E. Mannerheim
Quentin Bryce
Mark Shuttleworth
Fractelle
David Yallop
Sylvia Else
Winston Groom
Bronwyn
James Clavell
Foxy

The Venue:

The Sydney CBD penthouse of the principal of Intrastate Energy Marketing Management Associates, Forrest Gumpp.
Level 99, The Borg Tower, 7-9 Hubris Pl (a private street, off Gas Lane).

The Seating:

Two successive round tables with seating unallocated, one for the dinner, one for the coffee, cheese and port. Different views, seating arrangements can informally change smoothly on the move from one to the other.

The Menu:

Soup - Thai Carrot and Coconut, served chilled, accompanied by a Chateau Tahbilk Marsanne (Victoria)

Entre - Yabbies in Pernod, served on a bed of rice with a salad of beetroot leaves, red onion, semi-dried tomatoes, and rocket, accompanied by a choice of Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (Shebangabang) or Yering Station Pinot Noir (Victoria)

Main Course - Kangaroo Mini-Roast with Black Pepper, Carrot, and Celery sauce, served with baked Rosemary Potatoes and Minted Green Peas, accompanied by a Bendigo Waterwheel Vineyard Shiraz (Victoria)

Assorted cheeses accompanied by various Rutherglen Ports and Licquer Muscats, coffee. No dessert!

Forrest Gumpp,

Nice sentiments; but what will the vegetarians eat?

Spikey (and others)

Sorry (can't help it) ... there is no such thing as global warming!
Meat eaters only are invited to dinner parties.
Corollary: Vegetarians won't have to worry about increased fruit & vege prices.

I promise not to talk shop if you invite me too.

Spikey,

13 out of the 15 ingredients listed, or let them eat cake!

Hey, gimme a break. You were high on the list for an invite yourself. Your little non-sequitur here: http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=8189#128141 I found tremendously disappointing; it tipped the balance against you. I can't believe you don't understand about vertical integration. A cheap shot. Way beneath your usual acuity.

But if you can be happy with 13/15ths of the tucker on offer, you are most welcome to crash the party. Just introduce yourself to Reba in the sub-basement lift lobby, and, provided you can put up with 'Windmills of your mind', you will rocket up in the external lift to join the carnivores.

Just as a matter of interest, who of the guests is of most interest to you, and why?