With Dotty At The Boundary Fence

We live in a strange virtual half-world us bloggers, never sure of the boundary between reality and fantasy. Tonight, for example, I am heading for the eagerly-awaited 3rd Annual Willow Ball with my date for the evening, the delightful Dorothy Parker. I had arranged to meet the acerbic Miss Parker at the Algonquin Hotel in New York, and I found her there surrounded by a rather strange collection of characters, many of whom seemed to have crossed over that boundary I spoke about earlier (was that really Harpo Marx and was he really talking!!). I quickly explained to Dotty (she insisted that I call her Dotty which made me feel very grown up) that it was a virtual ball that we were attending and I tried to explain a little about how such things work (I had rightly surmised that she hadn't kept up with technological developments since her unfortunate death in 1967). But she seemed to understand the mechanics of blogging, the internet and virtual gatherings remarkably easily, and I was moved to congratulate her on her perspicaciousness. Quickly correcting me on my grammar - "the word is perspicacity dear boy, try not to get it wrong in future" - she went on to say something which I thought was so significant I tried to make some quick notes on the collar of a passing waiter so I could share it with you. Here is what she said:

"You talk as if this virtual reality of yours is something new or something special. Be assured, it is not. Every writer since Homer has inhabited a virtual world : the difference between your Willow Ball and his Trojan Horse is merely a matter of time and spatial distance. Every playwright, every dramatist, every poet has investigated that boundary you speak of between reality and fantasy. That boundary is where artists live, where they thrive, where they meet together and share ideas. My Algonquin Hotel is your Willow Manor. My Robert Benchley is your Jeffscape, My Alexander Woollcott is your Brian Miller, my Tallulah Bankhead is your Betsy, and my Harpo Marx is your ... (here she paused and smiled at me) ... well work it out for yourself. Never apologise for your virtual world, Alan, celebrate it and gorge on its creativity. Walk that boundary between what some would call reality and what some would denounce as fantasy with the pride and excitement of an explorer. (At this point she finished off her drink, stubbed out her cigarette, pushed her hair back into some order). Right Alan, take me to the Ball."

So Willow, we are on our way. Not sure what time we will arrive, but we both look forward to meeting up with you and all the other guests later today. As Dotty said "see you at the boundary".

Join Us All At The Boundary At The Willow Manor Ball HERE