Times article about Mumsnet's evil streak

[NorkyButNice]

I wonder which former devotee wrote this?

No such thing as bad publicity? Or does it make us look like a bunch of beeeatches?

maybe you are right, dont know.

no such thing as 'just' drinks

its free drinks for a start - that means a free pissup.

i think we should start a march with placards and everything chanting " we want booze, we want booze"

i really would, but am not going on my own as it would just look like i'm an alchy

sulks cos she is excluded from any potential fun

I couldn't go ANYWAY but it would be nice to be considered.

they were aware of your diary frakkin

you were probably on the long list

have you put your haiku in frakking?

I have put in several haikus, mostly on the subject of why I can't go. Their choice not mine - only open to UK residents! In fact that bloody thread had me thinking in haikus all night.

I had kept my diary clear speshly (quickly checks date).

I know nuffink about the invite list. Mainly because, as my dcs will sadly verify, any party I organise is always an unmitigated shambles.

BUT I do know that we can't invite all of you (however much we'd love to) because we genuinely can't fit 850,000 MNers (not to mention millions of lurkers) in.

Which left us with a bit of a thorny problem. Who (and how) to choose?

In order to be as fair and open as possible, we've invited everyone who'd like to to submit a haiku about Mumsnet and the ten best (judged by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, no less) will win special VIP party tickets for two.

So put that placard down, Custy. And put your poetry hat on instead.

Frakkin: I don't know why those outside the UK can't enter (other than the obvious might-be-impossible-to-get-to-the-party thing). Will find out for you.

They won't mind that at Pizza Express Riven

Do you think they'll be serving Monster Munch at the party? Tis the only thing getting my through morning sickness.

I would like the Poet Laureate to read my haikus. That would be nice. And if she thought they were good I would be happy. But I obviously can't come and besides that my offerings were fairly pitiful! So, y'know, I don't really mind.

I am thrilled tht the poet laureate will be reding my haikus

Those of us who live outside the UK are second-class citizens to MNHQ

oh bumper how horrid. [green]

Champagne sparkling slebs

No invite - alone I watch

Oh fuck bugger shit

(Am I in now?)

Funny how they havent published my comment that said the article was a load of crap and actually what about focussing on the threads where Trinity has been given help by complete strangers this weekend.

Oh no, that doesnt sell newspapers, does it "women are nice, shock horror".

And I speak as somebody who got a mauling recently.

article was right but examples weren't very supportive. So Bonsoir's theory that it was mumsnet planted seems about right. Flag up the bitchiness then deliberately use poor examples to make it seem less bad than it actually is.

Might be the first time I've agreed with Bonsoir about anything.

I think the bitchiness that she might have complained about is when somebody says something that doesnt conform to the majority view, and gets slaughtered, and loads of others agree, but they darent put their heads over the parapet to say so.

Also the posters who just cant resist telling you that your problems with your 9 year old are becuse you dont take him to the park often enough, and they can see that you know something is wrong with your children, but you just dont want to admit it..they are pretty bl*y irritting.

you should arrange your own French meet up

in the 18th arondissement naturellement

Hmm, may need a little finessing, violethill

Not sure about Monster Munch, Bumper. As I said, they are keeping me well away from party prep for extremely sensible disaster-avoidance reasons.

Bonsoir: those outside the UK are NOT second-class, really. It's true that we do have problem persuading the people who put up the prizes for our monthly comps to agree to overseas entries but that's something we are working hard to sort.

As I said to frakkin, I will try to find out next week (when more people are at MNHQ) why overseas haiku entries aren't valid for the party comp.

Would there be croissants? And wine?

About 10,000km too far actually, so if I were to make the effort to go anywhere I'd prefer to go to the MN party. But I do agree that MNs overseas members are sometimes neglected (boo hoo) although sometimes for good reason. We have the right to vote though!

where are you frakkin?