MetaChat - A grand start to Christmas

MetaChat is an informal place for MeFites to touch base and post, discuss and chatter about topics that may not belong on MetaFilter. Questions? Check the FAQ. Please note: This is important.

25 December 2007

A grand start to Christmas →[More:]

I met Terrapin and Turtlegirl last night at St Mary's Church in Walthamstow Village for Midnight Mass.

Our very own chrismear played the organ and he was OSSEM!

It was all very churchy and Christmassy and seemed, as these things do, to go on and on.

It was interesting to see the mix of old and new. The church is an old building but there were screens everywhere with visual aids to the service, and the words to the carols projected on them instead of hymn books. It needed lolcats though. We managed to escape without our souls being saved.

On the way home I was stopped by the police doing a routine check for drunk drivers.

*Policeman approaches car, I wind window down, he has breathalyser machine in his hand*

"Have you had a drink this evening, madam?"

"No"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes"

"Not even one?"

"No"

"So when did you last have a drink?"

*Puts new plastic mouthpiece in machine so he can administer test*

"26th February 1999"

"Uh... oh... very well madam. Carry on. Drive safely. Merry Christmas."

Heh.

post by: essexjan at: 05:26 | 11 comments

They let you get away with that, without testing? Seriously? My parents didn't drink for more than 20 years (born agains - my mother still doesn't), and the police administering the Random Breath Tests (RBTs) never let them get away by just saying they were teetotal. It was particularly funny the time my mum argued that she shouldn't have to take the test then actually blew something non-zero after sucking on cough lollies. But RBTs are a lot more common in Australia than they are here, like exponentially more common, and they often create roadblocks so every driver on a particular thoroughfare is tested, so the administering cops have heard and seen every excuse.

It sounds like a lovely evening jan! And yay chris!

posted by goo 25 December | 06:18

Great story, Jan - and it sounds like a really lovely time.

posted by taz 25 December | 06:50

It was one of those baby boy policemen, goo. I think he was completely taken aback by my answer.

posted by essexjan 25 December | 07:23

I guess you can say you gave yourself a wonderful present. Glad you're having a good holiday!

posted by mightshould 25 December | 07:25

In the states a noncorrupt officer won't pull you over unless s/he thinks s/he has good reason to do so.

posted by brujita 25 December | 09:12

Very cool.

"26th February 1999"

"Uh... oh... very well madam. Carry on. Drive safely. Merry Christmas."

Heh.

They let you get away with that, without testing?

I'm hoping he was smart enough to figure she was on the wagon!

posted by shane 25 December | 13:01

In the states a noncorrupt officer won't pull you over unless s/he thinks s/he has good reason to do so.

There's always a big anti-drink/driving campaign at this time of year and police can stop anyone they want without any reason to check randomly for drink/driving, and also to run the car through the computer to see if it's properly taxed, MOT'd and insured.

posted by essexjan 25 December | 14:56

In the states a noncorrupt officer won't pull you over unless s/he thinks s/he has good reason to do so.

Yes, that's absolutely here true, and I'm in the states. During the holiday season there are routinely checkpoints on major roads when the police will simply slow/stop everyone and check you out, ask a few questions as you go by. They'll also occasionally do this for a seat-belt-usage campaign.

ANyway, that sounds like an amazingly beautiful meetup of bunnies in a wonderful location. How nice to learn our own chrismear is organically gifted.

posted by Miko 25 December | 15:20

Under the Terrorism Act 2000 and subsequent orders, you can be stopped and searched anywhere in Greater London without any reason other than citing the act. The constable is supposed to provide you with a receipt though.

posted by grouse 25 December | 15:26

This wasn't anything to do with terrorism, grouse, it was just Essex Police's annual campaign to catch drunk drivers.

They were stopping everyone driving along a particular stretch of road, and it was in the early hours of Christmas morning, a time when lots of people would be on their way home from parties or nightclubs.

posted by essexjan 25 December | 16:13

Thanks, essexjan! It was really nice to have you there, and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I totally agree about the lolcats.

How nice to learn our own chrismear is organically gifted.

I'm afraid to disappoint you, but I'm still not allowed to roam freely, and I am doused with pesticides on a regular basis.

posted by chrismear 25 December | 19:52

← Sometimes You Have To Work On Christmas || Oh, noes! I missed bmarkey's birthday! →

HOME || REGISTER || LOGIN