Regional Cook-in All Members Welcome

[Sacco & Vanzetti]

Billy McNulty kicked his unlaced boots into the corner of the room and slumped down into his favourite chair, lifted his feet on to the table and briefly contemplated his big toe as it wiggled from the hole in his sock, an arc of dirt under the nail making a distinct black crescent in the brightness of the late afternoon.

“So,” he thought, “the vegans is coming.”

Best to cook up something good and solid then. Lifting a sheaf of dog-eared papers from where they had fallen from his hand in this selfsame position last night, he shuffled through his personal collection of recipes.

It’ll need to be traditional that’s for sure, can’t have foringers going away without having a taste of what’s good for them. But then there was traditional and traditional McNulty style, a little extra pzazz.

Vegans was tough though. It was going to have to be a dish with as little fish in it as possible and, looking through his collection, he might just manage less fish, but no fish was tall order for anyone on Vanzetti.

Or he could make chutzpahs…

He shuffled the recipes aside and looked again at the poster:

“The People’s Republic of Sacco and Vanzetti – Regional Cook-in

All members of the Anarcho Communist Alliance welcome to attend – bring your best chefs or your biggest bellies. Cook or eat, it’s all one with us.

The cook-in will be held to mark the opening of the Beach Barbeque Season on the southern island of Vanzetti.”[/b]

Billy absentmindedly wiggled the tip of his pen in his left ear. There were going to be some good cooks a-coming. He’d best give his hands a wash.

(illustration courtesy of The Avatarist)

[vequalsv0plusat]

Jennifer Abdoc, a member of the tiny group v_equals_v0_plus_at, arrived at the cookout on a high-tech flying skateboard.

"I brought the canned beans!" she yelled in a loud voice.
"Oh damn, I brought some too," said Ashley Dobbik (another member of the group) from behind. She too was riding a hi-tech flying skateboard.
"Incidentally, are the others coming?"
"Well, Eric couldn't come, he had to prepare his lecture notes for tomorrow."
"Anyone else?"
"Karen and Marisa. You see, Karen threw up a few hours ago and Marisa's the only one with medical training. But of course the rest should be coming very shortl--."
Just then fourteen others arrived on hydrogen-powered flying skateboards, each of them bearing all the canned beans they could carry.
"This is not good."

[WyrmTribe]

Jade helped the others go through the final checklist before they set sail for Vanzetti. It wasn't an easy task, as there was so much to do....all the hefting and organizing, careful layering of foodstuffs, and of course, coordination of the musical and theatrical troupes they were bringing as a special treat for everyone.

Jade's crew was using a long, sleek vessel, emblazoned on the starboard side with the Great Seal: An army of worms rising up as one from the underground, fighting for sunlight and truth. As was with all the other ships in their fleet, the flag of The Wyrm Tribe flew high on the mast, with smaller personalized flags flying below. Some had pirate flags, some had the names of their shipmates on large triangular banners, others, like Jade's ship, had row upon row of Tibetan prayer flags. The name of the ship was The Skylar.

Jade used her free hand to pull her long black hair back from her face, while the other tied it back with a strip of hemp left over from the tying up of items in the hull. She smiled as she saw her chief advisor approaching from the loading dock.

"How goes it, my dear Jade?" The older man's crinkled eyes smiled down at her. "Everything seems to be coming along smoothly. I came to tell you that the last of the supplies have been loaded, and we are waiting for the signal from your ship to sail."

"Are all the children in the safe-holds?" Jade furrowed her brow. "I would hate for there to be any en-route swimmers like last time."

"Don't worry, dear. Everything has been made as it should be. We have all the Guilds represented: The Wineries, The Bakers, The Metaphor-Meat Crafters, The Desserteries, The Lemonade Brigade, and even The Raw Food Distro. And that is just food and beverages! The Duct-Tape Theatrical Troupe is coming, and the Crucified Smile Collective has volunteered to help with the puppet shows. I believe, if I am not mistaken, that Against Empire is even coming along to join the various groups of musicians"

"Against Empire, really? They are so talented! Wow, they came all the way out from the edge of Mirena! That is great, Pepper!" She extended her wings excitedly before folding them neatly once more onto her back.

"Ready then?"

"Of course. Lets go!"

She blew on a large conical horn to send the signal to the other ships, who answered back in a cacophony of sound.

"Next stop....Vanzetti!" Jade smiled, and let her wings float behind her into the wind as they headed swiftly on their way.

[Walter and Theodor]

The people of The Theocracy of Walter and Theodor (known as ‘Wats’) arrived on Vanzetti dragging a very large and unfamiliar looking fish from the docks. Most of those attending the carcass were still covered in blood and the last light of life only just flickered from the eyes of the oversized Tuna like beast.

Polly Godstop stepped forward shaking blood and bits of mango off her hands. She grabbed the one person who looked like they knew what they were doing.

“Hiya – somewhere we can put this? We only eat meat for festivals and we picked this up just off the coastline. We think it’s a Jakarath? Barbacued – it has to be barbecued! With mango, plaintain and oba leaf. Or so says our Sacco and Vanzetti edition of ‘Eating all the Fish: The Anarchists Guide to Sustainable Ocean Going Gluttony’ We think its sounds foul but you know – ‘when in Rome’!”

[FreeLandofAIM]

The rowing boat containing members of the various communes that make up The Free Land Of Anarchy In Motion safely rowed into shore, banking on the beach of Sacco and Vanzetti, after each rower had put in his share of effort in riding the sea.

Cheeks puffing, reddened faces from the exertion but grinning widely, the men and women, young and old, together with children, disembarked from the boat, arms waving at those watching, smiles beaming.

The crew turned to the boat and began pulling out supplies of food and drink that they would share with those present at this marvellous food festival.

A man called Dave, in his fifties with greying hair,brought out bottles of BananaBread Beer.

A woman called Charlie unpacked Vegetarian sausages.

"This is awesome!" She exclaimed.

A man called Archie smiled. "I would say Sacco and Vanzetti is more than awesome" he said, looking around the coast and the various people enjoing themselves. "What a lovely day for a gathering." He continued, "This is just brilliant."

The rowing boat crew members made their way off shore.

[Sacco & Vanzetti]

Mandi nGoma, formerly liaison delegate to CACE, wandered down to the beach and was delighted to see all these new folks turning up, with their rowing boats and their flying skateboardy things, and such food!

She had to admit that during her time working overseas as liaison delegate she had acquired a taste for some foods which didn't include fish. Having been back home for a number of months now, since the withdrawal of active CACE iinvolvements, she'd been missing cosmopolitan cuisine.

But here it all was, new people, new food, a whole spectrum of new and refreshing things to enjoy.

For a brief moment the old diplomatic ways asserted themselves and she straightened herself up to start greeting people and shaking hands.

Nah, she thought, grabbed a bowl and dived in and was rewarded with the rediscovery of the joys of hugging people you don't know while gurgling pleasantries through a mouthful of exotic and mysterious gastronomic delicacies.

[Kropotkonia]

… “Well, if you’d turned right at the herring shoal like I said then we wouldn’t be in this mess -- ”
“No you didn’t.”
“YES I did.”
“You did not – you went straight over and into the partially-submerged octopi bed --
“I wouldn’t have done that if you’d fixed the rudder properly
“And then that big’un ripped off the poop deck
“And re-rigged the mizzen mast –
“And almost fully ate the cat –
“And caulked the waterline –
“until I hit it with the tuna –
“You did what?! You hit the octopus with the tuna – but what are we going to bring to the barbeque?”
“Umm. We’ve still got a couple of packets of freeze-dried lenins. And a tin of deep-fried baked beans.”
“But everyone’ll bring baked beans.”
“I know, but the vegans like them. And ours come with extra calories.”
“Oh well. I’m sure something will turn up. But we’re still lost.”
“And whose fault is that?
“Yours.
“Nuh-ah. I believe the fault lies with you.
“It doesn’t matter who is to blame – even though it’s you – let’s just stop off at this island over here.
“What - that one? With the big burning fiery smoking volcano and the crazed hairy natives running around? It looks dangerous.
“But we need to ask for directions.
“It still looks scary. Can’t we just float about until we find the right island?
“Tempting, but no. We can’t be late; they’ve never met us before. We need to make a good impression. Oh, hold on – wooo check it ooouut *passes the telescope* – that one’s got wings!
“Can we cook it? We still need to bring food…
“Nah, it looks a bit scrawny. Anywho, let’s get closer so we can find out where we’re going
“Hey – that volcano... It’s not a volcano. It’s a huge barbeque grill thing! We must be here.
“You’re right! But – oh no.
“What?
“We don’t have any food. Since that octopus attack took our tuna, we have nothing to offer…
“Umm. There’s still some of the cat left.
“That’ll do. Let’s get ashore. Oh dear.
“What?
“I’ve just realised we conducted that entire conversation over the megaphones. They’ve heard every single word we said.
“Ah. Best not mention the fact that we’re not even supposed to be here, then.
“Eh?
“Wellll, we weren’t technically invited. It’s the delegate that’s supposed to turn up, with all the pomp and circumstance that the delegate of an economically powerful country of over 3.3 billion people is supposed to turn up with. You know, with the trumpets and the dancing oxen and the painfully overweight yet somewhat alluring and beguiling pikach —
“Shush. They’ll never notice that we’re the wrong people. They’ve never met the delegate before.
“True. But when they do, boy are they in for a treat.
“Yeah. But we’ll do for now. These guys can’t tell the difference. Let’s go. Be merry. Have fun. Etc.
“Good plan. But remember – be kind to the vegans. It’s not their fault.
“OK. Here we go! Umm. I think we should turn off these megapho --- *

[Rosalux]

The St. Croix crew hauled all their gear in handcarts from the beach where the Mulrooneyan crew had dropped them. ("Humanitarian mission," the Captain muttered as they unloaded onto the deserted beach far too far from the rest of the gathering. "Humanitarian mission," the First Mate repeated, then burst into giggles as they geared up the boat motors to leave).

The Crew Organizer, Newsong, looked around the circle of cookfires, strange technology, and foreigners, and had a small bossing crisis. "All right," she barked, thinking why the everloving mother didn't we leave this to the old ladies like before? "Solar cookers over there, mixing table over here, somebody find a dry spot for the bean & grain bags --" then she noticed her crew were already crowding around a girl pulling tricks on a rocket-powere skate board.

[FreeLandofAIM]

hugs were embraced on shore, between people who had never met who were now sharing in warmth and friendship for one another.

"This community spirit" Archie said, beaming to Charlie, "Is the embrace of human friendships to all"

Charlie nodded, smiling. "most certainly is." Charlie's expression changed to one of puzzlement. She could hear what sounded like voices over a megaphone, someway out to sea. "What's that noise?"

She could hear what sounded like an ongoing conversation going on between people over a megaphone out to sea.

Other people to began to hear it, and Archie laughed.

Dave, meanwhile, was exchanging embraces and talking excitedly to a group who had taken an interest in the banana bread beer he had brought along to share.
He excused himself, and rushed back to the boat to fetch beer jugs.

[workerscommunes]

Meanwhile at the other end of the beach, the various representatives from the Anarchist Federation of Workers' Communes had just arrived (fashionably late, as usual) in a medium-sized fleet of large green helicopters, emblazonned with the ol' Red & Black flag of their homeland.

Upon landing, the first out were the individuals and fammilies who had been nominated by their local communities to represent them on this great occassion. Many children were present and carried with them various gifts which had been lovingly assembled with the help of their classmates at school. These had been intended as a gesture of gratitude to their allies in the AFWC for their many years of loyalty and friendship.

After this, representatives from the AFWC's many unions and collectives stepped out of the hellacopters and rushed forward to greet their old friends from all over the Anarcho Communist Alliance. The Current UN delegate for the region was also rumored to be present among this crowd but no-one was exactly sure who he or she was. By now though everyone had stopped asking as the largest helicopter had now opened its doors and truck after truck of the finest food and drink the Federation had to offer was rumbling its way towards the hungry crowd on the other side of the beach.

[FreeLandofAIM]

Archie was just helping in the setting up a barbeque with the help of others, Charlie laying on Vegetarian sausages, when trucks at the other end of the beach began disembarking from large helicopters.

One of the youngest of those from The Free Land of Anarchy in Motion, 5 year old Tommy looked in awe. He loved helicopters.

Charlie gently took his hand, and with a small group of children following and chattering excitedly, made their way to the helicopters.

90 year old Alfred was amongst the many who took over the duties of the vegetarian sausages, handing them out to all. Stories and ideas were being exchanged, and Dave handed out Bananabread Beer to all.

[Sacco & Vanzetti]

Nanette Newman elbowed her way through the crowd with the physical strength and bodily dexterity acquired from more decades than she cared to remember hauling huge nets of fish from their watery lives into the belly of her boat.

It was schools of fish she thought about as she experienced the press of humanity all around her.

All these folks, all these folks. Alright in their own way, she thought, but it was obvious not many would cope with a vast dome of blue heaven above and a vast bowl of dark blue hell below and only an ancient diesel engine, frail timbers and human endurance to ride the whole and bring home the fishy.

Them loud folks with the megaphone seemed to be having just the same kind of row she had with her crew when they were fresh off the shore. Maybe she'd wander over and see what they were about.

She windmilled her way through strangers and nodded a grudging but well-meaning hello to a few friends as she passed them, thinking, beans, I ask you, beans.

Up to these Kropotkonionians or whatever they were, and waited for the right moment to drop in the biting bit of banter that would flush the worthy sea-farers from the wet necks.

[WyrmTribe]

Breathless with excitement, Jade jumped off the deck before her ship bumped onto the sandy shore, wading in the water up to her waist, which was pleasantly warm. The beach was a mass of individuals, all shapes and sizes, all races and textures, and the languages!....Sounds she had never heard were spilling from all around her as she turned her head quickly back and forth, drinking it all in with her eyes.

Children were dancing around each other in excitement as they realized even more little faces were beginning to peer up over the edges of decks and out of ship doorways. Screams of delight erupted as they spilled forth, gaily exchanging handmade toys and trinkets, each one having been instructed by their parents to make sure everyone was included.



Jade helped secure the ship with her mates, and fluttered down the coastline to ensure that the other Wyrmian vessels had done the same. The Guilds had begun to unload their goods into huge nets used for transport called filmsies.

These super-strong, yet feather light and ultra-expandable nets were able to carry up to 500 lbs of weight, as long as there were toters enough to lift the sides. They were known throughout the tribe as being the absolute best for carrying large quantities of items.



"Careful there, Bim! Looks like you have a stowaway!"

Jade indicated the tiny child clinging shyly to the inside edge of a Dessertery net. His little body was curled up beside a large box of chocolate eclairs, of which he had already eaten enough of to cover his face and hands in thick soy cream and chocolate frosting. Bim smiled, and lifted the tyke out, wiping him off with the edge of his woven cotten travel shirt. He handed the boy to Jade, who hoisted him up onto her back between her wings. He giggled as the soft tips brushed his face and tickled him. Bim waved at them as they went off to find the boy's mother, and he continued his loading and prepared for the concentrated effort of lifting the mass together with his crew.

Jade looked around, trying to pick through the throng of Wyrmians who were dislodging themselves from their respective ships.
"Do you see your momma anywhere?" The little boy shook his head and returned to burying his face in her wings.
She sighed, and went back to her task of checking that every boat had arrived safely. As was the custom for all of her tribe, children were allowed to roam freely, with the understanding that each tribal member capable of doing so would ensure their safety. They would find her eventually.

She looked farther inland, and saw a gigantic volcano rising up out of the ground. Egads! It looked ready to erupt any moment! Why were the Vanzettians planning a party so close to such a dangerous natural disaster? Puzzled, she stopped someone who walking quickly with their mates to the base of the volcano. Some of them carried megaphones, and others, small crates. They appeared to be an amiable bunch. When she told them her fear about the volcano, they laughed, and kindly informed her that it was simply a large cooking device.

A voice sounded right next to her ear. "Bird! Bird! BIG Birdie! Go Go Go!" The piggy-backer was pointing over in the direction of what appeared to be large green...birds? Maybe bugs? Well, whatever they appeared to be, they were apparently tame, as there were several children gathered around them and remaining uneaten.

"You can go see them, little one. I need to help make sure we get everything on land okay." Happily, the little clinger released her wings and flapped away eagerly on his own small wings to go and see the "birdie." Jade smiled as he stopped at the base of one and stared up at it in awe. Whatever it was, the children seemed to really love them, and they were clamboring over each other to get a turn to touch them and climb inside them. After watching for a moment to make sure they all came out again, she continued her rounds, offering help and giving compliments on the excellent organizational skills of the Wyrmian Guilds.

[FreeLandofAIM]

The intermingling was excellent, so many people, so many backgrounds!

The people from the communities that make up AIM were spread forth all over the beach, taking part in the sharing of activities, exchanging gifts. It was a jovial sight.

Red faces were aglow from Dave's Bananabread beer, and voices of approval reached his ears from those near.

Archie, together with a young woman called Frankie, were exchanging with others ideas on recipes, practices, all the while exchanging gifts and pleasantries.

Alfred and his partner Sheila were chattering to a group of young and old, about vegetarianism, about politics.

Charlie and Tommy had by now ventured to the helicopters, it was a warm day, but a cool breeze was apparent. Along the way Charlie and Tommy had talked the people mingling.

Charlie was calm. A smile rose to her lips. This is paradise, she thought.

She looked down at Tommy. "Alright mate?"

Tommy giggled and looked up at the young woman holding his hand. "Yah!" he said happily.

[Fenria]

As per usual, Great Beer and Food stumbles in late and asks if the barbeque is still going on?

"Hey, I brought the kegs!!"



Woot, woot!!