GOSSIP? IN NEED.

It hasn't been because I haven't been thinking of you.  It hasn't been because I was too lazy.  It hasn't been because I had lost interest but I was away.  Yes, I know it's been a long time but sometimes I get work that takes me away from the fun, lights and glamour of the city I love and the gossip I write about.  Why is it that when I'm out of town no one sends me gossip?  Do you think I can't write from far afield?  Now that I'm back I'm hearing all the stuff I should have received while I was away.  Should I now document it?  Seems like old news now.  So give me some fresh flesh to feast on.
Signed Gossip Girl in Istanbul.xo

THE INNER CIRCLE MISSIVES: A SHALLOW SISTER'S DATING WORKSHOP - SIZE - PART I...

THE INNER CIRCLE MISSIVES: A SHALLOW SISTER'S DATING WORKSHOP - SIZE - PART I...: A SHALLOW SISTER’S DATING WORKSHOP – SIZE - PART I Many years ago a group of strangers were sitting in a hotel room drinking.   None of...

INTERNATIONS BABYLON

You got to admit Babylon is a great name for what is considered for some ‘a den of iniquity’ and for others ‘a nightclub’.  They could have opted for Sodom or Gomorrah but that’s not as poetic. 

Internations had, what they termed ‘their Oscar night’.  Everyone was required to glam up, and some did.  There are always those die-hards that just won’t rise to an occasion and then complain and sneer when they see others have ‘gone over the top’ (in their eyes) or just ‘look stupid’.  Did I glam up?  Sadly I did not attend.  I rarely do.  Why?  I’d rather hear things second hand and then write about them. 

Babylon’s night was apparently fantastic according to all the reviews written on the website and posted to me.  One of the best nights it was said.  Someone sighed in relief and said ‘There are a lot more expats than normal.  At last a balance is being reached.’  (See past posts where expats stopped going because of the Turkish to foreign ratio made it hard to even enter conversations with those that could string an English sentence together, not to mention the huge meat market).

Dancing didn’t start till later which gave everyone a chance to be photographed holding an Oscar by some French guy new to the scene who had a funny beard (?).  I’m not sure what to make of that since reports are (a) it looked painted on and (b) a tattoo.  Was that his way of glaming up for the night?

Some of the ladies who made the effort to glam up were stunning (and I’ve seen the pictures).  One guy (a regular of Internations) looked edible in his black tux and bow tie with a sticker calling himself ‘Mr. Big’.  He looked it in all the delicious sense of Mr. Big from Sex and the City. 

Everyone was asked and required to write on a sticker their favorite film and then post in onto their body.  This is known as the icebreaker, so you an easily go up to someone and ask about their film, compare of even say ‘snap’. 

Then the Oscar ceremony began and no one can tell me what that was about and for what Oscars people got.  But mainly I believe it was for looking glam.  The French photographer gave out the award and called their names out.  Each winner (four of them) had to come up onto the stage.  Mr. Big made it and so he should.  A girl in a black tutu dress and a colored lady so gorgeous the French photographer called her Beyonce and then insulted her by saying ‘Beyonce still looking pregnant!’  Babylon took a deep intake of breath.  Apart from this being unjustifiable (since the Beyonce lookalike had a fab figure) it was totally outrageous of him to say this.  He should have got the sack there and then.  Luckily he managed to not continue to be totally obnoxious.  Another regular to Internations won for her glammed up look, or perhaps for the title of the film she choose ‘Deep throat.’  Luckily for Internations she is liked by many since she manages (unlike many) to cover the room, chatting to everyone, making introductions and laughing a lot.  She often presides at the newcomer’s desk to help out and is often asked to be someone’s wingman for a specific introduction.  Although glammed up that night (as apparently she always is) she probably got the Oscar out of appreciation for past efforts.   The lifetime award perhaps?

Dancing was wild with the DJ doing a very good job of catering to everyone’s tastes given the ages of those attending spanned 3 decades.  There was a lot of drinking, as you would expect in a place called Babylon and apparently some groping as well.  No one seemed to mind, after all it was Babylon.

INTERNATIONS POLICY CHANGES

You heard it from here first.  Or maybe you just found it out on their website which is more likely.  Internations is changing their face.  Or rather they are getting more savvy as to how to turn their enterprise into something much more commerceaily profitable.  I mean who wouldn't want another Facebook?  From what I understand there have always been 2 types of membership. Basic and Albatross.  The difference is you pay money for one and not for the other.  Up until now Albatross members don't really get heaps load for their money.  An entrance drink at IN events and the ability to send as many messages as they like to other members.   However, that wasn't really the point.  The point should be that people want to support an organisation that they get something from.

This month Albatross members will get a lot more and Basic members will not be able to see all the web pages.  They will not be able to attend special sub groups set up by IN and Albatross members will be selected first for signing up to events.  Let's hope this doesn't cause another outcry by those that didn't like the Expat Only gatherings.  Perhaps this is a way for Internations to downsize (or at least the Turkey Internations).  We know there are a lot of members who never go to an event and more importantly members who don't behave in the spirit of Internations.  OK what is not the spirit of Internations.  Here are two points.  The first is not using the International language of Internations which is English.  The second is using Internations only as a means for dating and not also as the social networking that is so lacking in this city.  This causes people to shut out others from joining their group or their conversation as they hone in sex for the night (male viewpoint) and do you earn enough (female viewpoint).

MOVING ON

The would be journalist has moved on.... Where to?  No one can tell me or maybe no one has found my ear to tell me.  I await with interest.  What could have made her leave?

Her links to the Iranian government?

Her character assassination of friends in her self-published book?

All I know is that he went and went permanently.  She got rid of her stuff.  She sold her flat and is GONE. There are many here happy with the result.

Personally I don't care either way except I will miss reports on her.

TRY AS THEY MIGHT

The new eatery/drinkery that's opened in Tom Tom in Beyoglu could be good or not.  They recently sent out invitations.  Canapes and a glass of wine to be enjoyed in the heated garden.  This was October and it was chilly but it also involved a lot of smokers.  As you know Istanbul is now the place where few venues allow or dare to let you smoke indoors.  Thus any garden space with the promise of heating gets all the nicotine addicts out of the woodwork.  Plus everyone is now looking for outside venues in the Beyoglu area given that all the tables have been taken from the sidewalk by local government decree.  Paymane (the name of the restaurant) hosted some very nice canapes.  Their one glass of wine (included in the cover charge) was not so great but got drunk nonetheless.  However, it was noted that if you wished for a second glass you would have to pay the steepest price for wine (in this calibre of restaurant).  No other bar/restaurant in Cihangir was as expensive and certainly no where in Tom Tom.  We all know Cihangir's prices are steep, given that it has a village for local's atmosphere.  Tom Tom is an area that is not.  It has no other bars/restaurants to recommend you to come there.  It has no other attractions.  It doesn't even have decent parking.  So why would you go there?  No view, no atmosphere, no magic.  Thus it is only Paymane that could attract you to the area and since their food, although nice is nothing too hugely exciting and the costs of their drinks are certainly no incentive to go.  I could pay a lesser price for a glass of wine on a rooftop bar with stunning views.  However, saying all that Paymane is a nice place but easily forgettable if you don't have an incentive to go back for.  It's a pity since the Cihangir outdoor crowd are looking for another venue to meet and so far it's too pricey for them to go to, given it's a longer walk in a dark and uninteresting area.  So Paymane drop your prices, do some seriously marketing to get back all those people who came a few weeks ago and who liked your place but ....well...not enough.

SHAME ON HIM!

This is a bit old news but new to some.  An outstanding pillar of the expat community, one loved by many and one who has contributed tirelessly to charity in money and time (a great deal of time) had the carpet pulled from under her.  Deserving or not?  Who am I to judge?  Ok I will.  I think she deserved better from all around her.  I think she continues to deserve better from all around her.  I think she should be given more leeway than anyone else I know finding themselves in the position she's in.  So what exactly happened?

She had an affair.  Haven't so many of us done that?  Thought of it?  Secretly wanted it?  She had the balls to actually have an affair that lead to her falling in love.  I mean who wouldn't after so many years of marriage?  However, she and her lover choose to take things further and actually set up home together.  Her children were older, her husband appeared fairly disinterested and the charity work could only fulfill a part of who she is.  Thus her lover and her agreed to take this walk into the unknown.  She told her husband.  He screamed, he shouted he was not amused since he is a man used to getting his way.  He is a man used to having things exactly how he wants them and suddenly there he had a wife who wasn't keen to continue to live that way.  Suddenly the lover was no where to be seen.  He had disappeared.  He turned off his phone, he refused all calls from her.  He went to ground.  She was left standing.  Taking the flax and watching everything around her burn.  Her lover had changed his mind.  Why?  Oh put it down to cowardice.  This lonely lady began the spiral into despair and loss.  Her husband kicked her out (she slept on a friends floor).  Her husband removed all credit cards (this is a woman who has worked all her life to support her husband's world and therefore had no career other than mother, wife, carer, charity worker and friend).  Most painful of all, her children rejected her.  They had forgotten the amazing mother and woman she is.  They had forgotten how human and normal she is.  Her husband went on to divorce her and shame her anywhere he could.  Since he is a rather well known personality there are a lot of well known people who now regard her as non persona gratis.  Thankfully many friends remained supporting her.  Her kids still don't talk to her and she is building her life as best she can.  As far as I can see the only mistake she made was trusting her lover.  He seems to have got scot free.  No recriminations, no bad press, no one disowning him.  What a weasel he is.  Anyone know who he is?  Send me his details and let's shame him here.

STALKING ON THE INTERNET

Ah come on, you've all done this!  Whether it's a tiny winny look to see if your ex has gone bald or the girl you hated at school has grown fat.  We are all guilty of utilising the internet to find out about people we don't really want to get in contact with again.  However, beware!  As you are doing the stalking, so is someone stalking you.  Sure you can do a lot to lock down i.e. not show info on FB or don't get involved with twitter or Linkden or even have a photograph taken at some event that can tag you.  Do you really want to be that annoyomous especially as you may well be using the internet to promote yourself for work.

Where is this leading to?  Ah to this.  I have heard of three cases now of internet stalking that has lead to divulgence of information the owners of which would rather it did not get out.  Let's begin with the least interesting:

1. Some delusional lady thought to stalk her boyfriend's wife.  Yes, I know it should be the other way round.  Her obsessive jealousy lead her to believe her boyfriend was cheating on her with his wife!  She became a facebook friend of the wife (very daring given the wife might have triggered something but then I heard she had disguised herself as a man).  Over the course of the year she stalked and then discovered the wife was pregnant!  I guess that's proof of a cheating boyfriend!

2. A-way back ex of someone began an internet search to discover his ex girlfriend was now married and running a small pension in rural France.  For some strange and explicable reason the stalker booked the entire pension for  two weeks in July.  Even sent over a small deposit as required and naturally never showed, but wrote an email stating they were running late and would be there 3 days later and would pay for the days they couldn't make, thus buggering up rental options for at least a week.  I feel particularly bad for this one since who knows what this had cost the owners.

3. A renter left his apartment without completing the contract.  The owner of property did not lie low on this but went to work discovering his ex renter had a Facebook profile.  He went to work on setting up a fake facebook profile and friended the ex renter.  He then, over sometime, managed to extract the ex renters new address.  Not easy, I grant you and I would like to give you the full story but won't, on account I might have to use that in the future as I think it's just the best story line ever.  Once the address was in hand the ex renter got a warning letter from the lawyer for non payment of rent.  My advice to him would be to pay up or face a court case that would cost him a lot more since the livid owner of the apartment has had enough of delinquent renters and has vowed to track defaulters down and sue them to the limits of the law.

So up to you guys how guilty you are of pissing someone off as to whether you lock down or continue to brazenly go on believing no one out there has an axe to grind with you.

LIFE AND LOVES

People travel for all sorts of reason and a lot travel for love.  Someone said that men come for love but women stay for it.  It could be true.  Another foreign man has given in to his Turkish love.  I don't know why this way round it should be so shocking since so many foreign women give up great jobs, lives, family to be with some Turkish man who works in a coffee shop or carpet shop and doesn't have any real chances of a future.  The most recent acquisition to Istanbul is an American who does know what he's letting himself in for having lived for many years in Cairo but it's a little scary and daunting having to find work and a etch out a life for himself here.  Years ago, not many men left their worlds for their woman.  I recently met a Dutch man who told me he had lived in Cihangir 25 years ago and had to contend himself with the company of his wife's friend's Turkish boyfriends.  He said it would have been OK if there hadn't be so many dramas and if he had understood more than a sprinkling of the language.  He said he longed for someone of his culture, someone who could understand him and not keep misunderstanding his friendliness to his wife's girlfriends.  Today, Cihangir is a different world, indeed Turkey is.  This Dutchman would be more comfortable now and in the evenings would find a great many foreign friends, male and female, single and attached out in the bars around the place.

I heard of a Happy Marriage.  Yes I know this is already totally newsworthy.  The GM of a 5 star hotel 16 years ago hit on his boss while a trainee and told her to 'give up everything and come away with me.  One day I'll be GM and your love can help me achieve this.'  The lady, so in love, took a leap of faith and now they are exactly where he said they would be and more importantly still only have eyes for each other.  Sigh!

I overheard a lady the other night say 'I'm trying every drink to get me drunk tonight.'  Sadly that isn't so much a drink on the rocks but a  marriage.  They've been a happy couple for a long time but like so many unions, naturally one grows apart.  I hope the couple in question understand that their marriage has been successful because they have been great friends and great partners but it might be better to go their own ways so they can remain great friends and who knows, in the future one can always find each other interesting in ways again.

Did anyone think the latest on/off American/Turk combo was going to last?  Right now it's off again but no one is expecting that to be the last of it.  Do you think it's the age difference that is making this relationship so difficult?  How about family pressure?  Maybe financial differences?  Hell, no it's just called incompatibility.  They bring out the worst in each other.  Both fighting for supremacy.  Both great people without each other but lost and aimless with.  The Girl was seen on Friday night swinging her legs at Khavedan chatting to three male friends.  The Man in the story was seen entering 21 with two girls in tow (very obviously brought in for jealousy stirring).  The Girl of the story was last seen in exactly the same place with the same bunch of friends and the Man in the Story was sitting near by watching her alone.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LOVED UP COUPLE

Only last week Cihangir's famous couple made it official.  Or at least officially that they were planning on making it official.  Yes, an engagement.  The venue was held in the groom-to-be's family mansion miles out of most Cihangir residents comfort zone and was stupendous.  Marble floors that led you out to the large garden dotted with waiters holding trays of champagne filled glasses.  Others walked around the 80 of so guests with tiny, dainty nibbles.  The bride-to-be, glamours in her dark floor length gown.  Laughed in her native Australian way, as she moved around her guests looking very much like a young Natalie Wood but with tits (her own, but then of course they would be since she is not a product of Turkish society).  Her two best friends (from down the road back home) were equally glamourous wearing heels so high they wouldn't have to take off to join the mile high club.  They laughed and joked in the Australian way of back slapping friendliness while matching any man drink for drink.  They certainly outshone some of the other ladies without even trying.

I spotted a couple of other women there wearing dresses so short I'm sure they were originally tops!  Not sure what statement they were trying to elicit but sadly back home, in someone's native Australia we might wonder how much they charge.  Then there was the lady who arrived badly underdressed.  For a while there I wondered if she was brought in to readjust the disco ball but then sported her hiding herself under a tree, champagne in hand wearing her jeans and t-shirt.  Someone had obviously forgotten to explain it was a formal party  I felt for her but more so for the other lady who thought frills and sequins was a cool fashion statement.  I'm not sure how others faired but there were a few moments when my heels sunk into the grass and suddenly I was shorter than everyone around me.

It was a lovely night.  Wonderful weather.  Great wine.  Amazing hospitality.  Fun people and a very happy couple.  Frankly, if that night was a taster for the wedding than I have to say that I can't wait for the big day.  Don't you dare not invite me.  I already have my frock picked!

CAT FIGHT OVER CATS

Cihangir seems to be a little cat crazy and because of this a cat fight has broken out.  Posted on the Cihangir Today e-newspaper started by a well-informed and excellent editor, is a cat fight.  Amongst the important stuff like 'what is the prime minister doing' and 'latest on Lybia' is a forum dedicated to Cihangir's cats.  With these lovely furry friends that we all have a soft spot for are also the other cats - women.  Today on the forum a cat fight broke out.  One lady attacked another for not being the caring woman/mother of cats that she professes to be.  The expat in question (and the one being attacked) is undoubtably one of Cihangir's most ardent cat carers.  She is known to have gone out of her way and pocket to safeguard the safety and health of these helpless creatures.  Everyone knows that if there is a cat in trouble you can count on this lady to find a way to help.  Thus it is surprising to have a Cihangir resident sharpen her claws and take a swipe at the said expat cat lover.  The expat cat lover sharpened her claws and took a swipe back.  Another cat lover, backed the expat cat lover and hissed a bit and also took a swipe.  Frankly I can see this sport catching on.  I certainly will be glued to the pages of this forum to see what their next move is,  although it might take place in a real arena as the Cihangir - Cool for Cat's society is holding a meeting tomorrow at 11am in White Mill.  Everyone will get a chance to give help, make suggestions, offer promises and take sides.  Looks like some fur will fly.  I don't think I want to miss that one.
PS  My money's on the expat cat lover.

PRICELESS

The would be authoress with the big nose has a traitor somewhere amidst the 535 friends she has on Facebook.  Personally I find it strange that it is only 'one'.  She's betrayed so many friendships that you'd have thought it would be more.  The below excerpt was sent to me by an annoymous donor.  In fact the entire Facebook page was sent to me but I felt it prudent not to publish 'as is' but to avail this hilarious piece of egocentricity that the would be authoress with the big nose pasted on her wall.  

Priceless, Turkish airlines staff just asked me "Are you a dancer?" Ageing suits me apparently.

Yesterday at 2:03pm via BlackBerry · Like · Comment

Of course many have been looking for the 'unlike' button to press but here facebook fails the friends that aren't really.

WHERE HAVE ALL THE TABLES GONE?

At the height of summer Cihangir and several other streets around the Beyoglu area are devoid of tables and chairs.  There has been a crackdown leaving bars and restaurants struggling.  No one wants to sit inside on balmy summer nights and let's face it smokers are often drinkers and vice versa and since they can't smoke inside they tend to hog the chairs outside.  No more.  It began on Asmali Mecit street off Istiklal nearly a month ago.  Rumour has it the prime minister could not take his car down the street as it had been taken over by restaurants placing their tables on them.  Indeed, as a walker it is hard work getting past everyone never mind cars.  Within a short time the tables and chairs had been taken away on the pretext that an ambulance (if needed) could not go down the street.  Fair call really.  However, it's also been said that the municipality want to levy a new tax on tables and are working out their strategy which is easier to start from scratch really.  Now Cihangir has followed.  No tables and chairs allowed on the pavements or streets.  Businesses are struggling.  Some bars have put out a few cushions so that people can sit there and everyone is now looking for new venues to go to where they can enjoy these August nights.  I think we need to see what happens when Ramazan ends which could be what this is about.  People who do without like to have everyone do without.  Terribly selfish really to expect others to be considerate to your fasting choices when you are not very considerate to those that don't wish to give up their own routines.

OVERHEARD

Becareful what you say in Toilets.  Last night was highly informative, so much so I stayed an awfully long time in the toilets of one large party gathering to listen to what everyone had to say.

Overheard:

'Yeah he's my ex.  You have can have him but he's not very good in bed'.

'Don't know why he's flirting with me with his girlfriend right beside me.'
'But you have a crush on him.'
'No I don't.  He's ok, there is someone else I like.'

'Did you see what she was wearing?'
'I thought it looked good on her.'
'Yeah I mean, she looked great.'

'Do you think her tits are silicon?'
'Must be.  Never seen tits so high up on a woman so old.'

'I'm still waiting for him to show.  He said he was coming.'

'Do you have a good contact for botox?'
'No, why would you think I would?'
'Oh, I thought you had botox done.'
'No, do I look like someone who has had botox?'
'Well yes, otherwise I wouldn't have mentioned it.'

THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD

Our would be authoress who recently had her book opening and got everyone to pay for their own drinks has not finished with gathering hate.

No one got a look in on her book until the opening and since those that attended were press ganged into buying the book they thought they should read it.  Horror… mouth a-gasp … jaw drop … some local expats were easy to pick out.  Character assassinations were put to paper and for one lady it was just all too much.  Tired of hearing about how she is portrayed in her once best friend’s book (be careful of your best friend it seems) she has decided to leave.  Not just leave the area she lives and works in but leave the country altogether. 

Naturally she is now regretting having had this particular best friend and although they broke up some time before the book was passed around we now know that as this lady was pouring her heart out to her friend, this friend was putting it all down on paper.  Naturally not all written is true but the likeness is very obvious and must now be very uncomfortable for her. 

It will be interesting to see how many more people this would be authoress can alienate before she needs to leave.

GORGEOUS GUYS - spot them, shoot them, submit them. AUGUST SIGHTINGS

WE LOVE IT THAT THESE GUYS ARE TAKING CARE OF THEIR BODIES IN THE GYM.  Let's hope they are as good at taking care of our bodies!

THE WORLD IN PINK

Cihangir's witch celebrated 5 years of magic this week.  La Vie en Rose or is it Pembe Toz (pink powder) saw a crowd of well wishers.  Now I don't really understand why this place has two names except that they are both linked with a color.  The owner of this establishment has a word of mouth reputation that has kept her afloat in a market that would seem to me to be difficult to earn from.  Most people run to conventional medicine with a mistrust for anything that hasn't got a Bayer on the bottle.  Have I tried her potions?  I have to say not, but I have now heard of and met a fair amount that have.  One lady I overheard say her son no longer has ezcema thanks to Cihangir's witch and another said he is able to sleep at night at last without pills.  So maybe I should give it a shot since I have a fair number of complaints.  Back to the party which was fun.  The owner of La Vie en Rose (all in pink) welcomed everyone with some of her own home brew (which was lethal) and even put on a fabulous spread of food made by another Cihangir lady reknowed for some time for her own food magic.  The owner of La vie en Rose needs to help herself to more catering as she is now painfully thin.  I fear she might have an eating disorder of some kind which is not the best advertising for her potions given she looks like she could do with some of her won medicine.    All in all I wish her the best since far too many business open and close in a short time in this country and in Cihangir.  Thus if somewhere lasts this long then you've got to support it to make sure it can serve it's community for another 5 years especially since everyone raves about the massages and treatments that are on offer.

Vive la Vie En Rose

THE INNER CIRCLE MISSIVES: A SHALLOW SISTER'S DATING WORKSHOP - MEN NOT TO MA...

THE INNER CIRCLE MISSIVES: A SHALLOW SISTER'S DATING WORKSHOP - MEN NOT TO MA...: "A word of warning : Never ever marry, seriously date or fall in love with the below mentioned : A doctor A lawyer A man with a moustache ..."

THE BOOK LAUNCH - CHAPTER TWO

I knew I shouldn't have left early but I'm not much good at remaining in a place where I'm bulldozed into buying a book and buying my own drink.  Now, apart from someone standing at the door pushing a copy of the book at everyone that entered with words of 'buy this' or something to that effect I heard that there wasn't even an opening speech.  Mind you, thinking about it, if there had been everyone there would have had to raise their glasses and I'm sure many refused to pay 15 lira for a lemonade and would have been toastless.  The wannabe authoress must have been short of money, I'd say since when a couple left to find the restroom she ran after them saying 'hey have you paid your bill, I don't want to be lumbered with it?'  Not sure if she was embarrassed when informed that the expensive weak beer had gone right through forcing a toilet call.  The artist that had designed the book cover even had to pay for her own drinks.  I hope she charged for her efforts otherwise might also be another person pissed.

The wannabe authoress was then seen later in the evening in Cihangir at one of her locals (and probably went to them all) touting her book, asking drinkers to fork out their hard earned cash (they had planned to spend on drink) on her.  It does make me wonder if she can be akinned with the 'hat seller', 'the lighter seller' and the 'napkin seller' who tout the same route every night.  Are we going to see the wannabe authoress join them each evening trying her luck? Or in her case pushing it!

BOOK LAUNCH?

Forgive me for thinking incorrectly, but aren't book launches (held in bars or hotels) about getting tipsy.  Every book launch I've ever been to that started early evening and was held in a hotel did include a 'cocktail' of sorts.  However, the latest self published book by a wannabe journalist/author may have spent all her money on paying the printing house and could therefore not provide anything to tempt other than an invitation to be there.  The hotel she choose is an expensive one.  Way over priced at the best of times but historically interesting and atmospheric.

The main character of her book has another (but real) journalist a little narked.   Her name is used as the main character which could well be coincidence, but you would thought that if you were writing a book about a journalist then you would try to avoid the names of those you actually know?  And then there is the fact that the real journalist is about to bring out her own book.  In this case, not a work of fiction and not self published either. The wannabe author or is still authoress (perhaps being a 'writer' she can correct me on that) displayed her book for sale and pointed everyone towards the bar to buy their own drink.  I declined both as I needed to get out of there to pick up a bite to eat since I had been hoping for a few morsels to stave my appetite  having been hard at work all day.   I'm not sure how long the 20 or so people stayed but I hazard a guess it would not be long after they finished the drink they had to pay for.