Ragnarök 2010 - first official gathering held in Northern Europe!

[Carsomyr]

This past weekend the TMF'ers of Nothern Europe met in Sweden for the first-ever official gathering in the region; Ragnarök 2010. It was kept small this time, mainly because most of us had never met before and we didn't know what to expect, but we intend to make this an annual event with more attendees from now on.

Ragnarök 2011 is still in the very early planning stage, but it will be held sometime next summer - most likely in the Gothenburg region. For those of you who are interested in attending, PM either Carsomyr or Mephistopheles as soon as possible and you might even be able to participate in the planning - we want as many people as possible to be able to come!

Since people up here aren't used to gatherings though, I guess maybe a disclaimer might be in order: Gathering does not equal tickling orgy. The main goal is to just meet up and have a good time, and our purpose as hosts is to make sure that everyone at the gathering feels safe and are shown respect. Thus everyone is welcome, but we expect you to bring proper manners.

Again, if you are interested in coming next year then please PM us as soon as possible to at the very least express interest, but you are also welcome to just ask us questions if you're curious.

As for this year's gathering, here follows a recap with some highlights:

When: July 9th - 11th

Where: Forests of Småland, Sweden (we were out camping for the most part)

Attendees: Mephistopheles, Runoffstage, Carsomyr & his friend Andreas (non-TMF'er)

"Dressed for the occasion"
For those of you who talk to me on a regular basis, you have probably already heard of Andreas. He's my drinking buddy, and he is batshit insane. He has allowed me to upload pictures of him from the gathering, and this is what he came dressed like...

Dutch "Skillz"
When asking around for suitable camping sites, Mephistopheles manages to find the one Swede in the whole country that doesn't speak English. Just so happens this woman worked at a tourist information of all places... Good going, there!

The Knitting Terrorists
It was agreed that we would all meet up in town, and while waiting for Runoffstage to show up the rest of us sat down in a park. In the park was a pond with a statue of a naked man and woman, and to our great amusement someone had knitted a bikini on top of the woman as a practical joke. Pictures below are of Andreas checking things out:

Dutch "Skillz" Part Deux
Still not having found a camp site, I decided to accompany Mephistopheles to the towns local tourist information to see if maybe THEY spoke English... If not, then I could always translate, but we figured it was more convenient if we were both able to understand at the same time... So when we started talking to the employees in English, they ended up thinking that I was a foreigner too. They started talking amongst each other in Swedish, thinking we wouldn't understand what they said. Amongst other things one of them asked "So why do you think they want a camp site?", to which the other replied "Eh, they're Dutch, they probably want something secluded so they can smoke weed and get high" I nearly fucking died in there, but somehow managed to keep a straight face. xD

Culture Clash Much?
On Saturday we decided to go back into town and go out somewhere to party that night, but around dinner time we also stopped to eat at a pizza shop. Mephistopheles goes to throw an empty soda can in a "bin" hanging next to the front door. This would have been a great display of environmental awareness and all, if it hadn't turned out to be the pizza shop's mailbox...

Rothford the Girl Magnet
We went to an Irish pub later in the evening, and let me tell you, if you want to pick up girls you should walk around carrying a skull. You can see him in the picture on the top of the post, his name is Rothford and he is mine and Andreas' party mascot! Anyways, I was only by the bar that night to order drinks, but despite that I had two girls coming up to me because they saw the skull. We ended up just talking for a bit and taking group pictures, but Rothford officially has potential!

The bartender also loved Rothford. When I held the skull up and asked "what would you recommend for this fine gentleman in his best years?" the guy just cracked up. He also gave me one of the tastiest drinks I've ever had during a night out!

Carsomyr vs. the Horse Flies; the Grand Epic:
Oooooh yeah! The mosquitoes weren't all that bad, although one of the reasons we're moving to the west coast next year is because there are less of them there... but the horse flies were fucking out to get me! They paid almost no attention to the others, but they literally came chasing after me all the fucking time! xD I only got bitten twice, but those motherfuckers know how to make you bleed. D: And you know, when Runoffstage drove us to the train station on Sunday, we drove out of the forest and stopped briefly, and don't you think the damn horse flies had followed the car?!? One of them instantly landed on the car door...


I'm sure I've forgotten a lot of stuff now, but I'll let Meph and Runoffstage fill me in, in that case! Lastly I would just like to thank you guys for attending, I had a great weekend!

 

[Filthyweasel]

You know, that sounds awesome. I'm glad you guys had such a good time. If I had the money I'd be on a plane like a shot for the next one.

 

[TropicThunder]

Damn. I wanna go. It sounds like it would be an epic-tastical adventure!

 

[goddess_nemesis]

That is awesome that Ragnarök was a success, albeit a small one. Now I have to start a Ragnarök gathering fund.

 

[leafstk]

Way to go, Carso! That is one party I would love to attend! Awesome to hear Rothford was such a hit

Damn horse flies eh? I've got a story for you, don't let me forget!

 

[Carsomyr]

Thanks everyone! And yeah, now you guys know how I normally feel. What's it like being on the WRONG side of the pond for once, ya bastards?!?


Seriously though, something just struck me...

There will be camping opportunities next year for those who want to, but for those who can't/don't want to bring camping equipment, and also feel like hotel costs might make the trip too expensive... Assuming I know you well enough I might be able to house 2 or 3 people (possibly more) at my place as well. Just throwing it out there.

Oh and I also have a spare one man tent that Mephistopheles left behind if you DO want to camp but can't bring all the necessary stuff.

 

[Artoo]

I'll see if I can fly out there next year.

*thinks of a wonderful thought*

 

[milagros317]

CONGRATULATIONS on having held the first Gathering in northern Europe!

 

[venray]

This is awsome with awsomesauce on top!

 

[Angel77]

I wanna go to the next one too!

I'll start saving my $$$ right along with Nem.

I would love to visit Sweden!!!!

 

[baldadonis]

Very epic, bro. Way to bring the fun to the other side of the pond.

 

[Snail Shell]

Your tickling gathering is named after the end of the world?

Though I'm reminded of Evo Shandor, the cult leader who brings about the coming of Gozzer and subsequent apocalypse from the movie Ghostbusters, I applaud you and your new gathering. Keep up the good work. :goodwork:

Snail Shell

 

[Mephistopheles]

It was wonderful. And I had just typed a fuckload of stuff but it took me so long to do so that I had logged out and all was lost. I'll do another attempt tomorrow.

 

[Mephistopheles]

Your tickling gathering is named after the end of the world?

Party like the world is about to end

 

[Carsomyr]

Thank you Mils, Venray and Baldadonis. Cheers all around!

And Meph, that's a bummer, but yeah... have another go tomorrow!

I'll see if I can fly out there next year.

*thinks of a wonderful thought*

Well if you can, that would be epic! While we haven't set a date yet, I figure July might be a good month for next year as well... but please check and let us know when you think you might be able to go on a short vacation next summer!

I wanna go to the next one too!

I'll start saving my $$$ right along with Nem.

I would love to visit Sweden!!!!

Well, if you theoretically COULD make it one day... Don't forget the two of us were supposed to go out and get drunk together! Might as well be during a gathering

Your tickling gathering is named after the end of the world?

Though I'm reminded of Evo Shandor, the cult leader who brings about the coming of Gozzer and subsequent apocalypse from the movie Ghostbusters, I applaud you and your new gathering. Keep up the good work. :goodwork:

Snail Shell

Ah, but Mr. Shell, you forget that after Ragnarök comes Gimlé, which is supposed to be paradise! But yeah, we chose the name because we're bringing a new world of epicness into existence - even if it's just for a few days. xD

Anyways, thankies you silly Canadian!

 

[Angel77]

Well, if you theoretically COULD make it one day... Don't forget the two of us were supposed to go out and get drunk together! Might as well be during a gathering

Can you imagine? Holy shitskiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.......................

 

[Bugman]

I'm happy to hear you all had such a great time. No matter how well we get to know each other here, by email or phone, there is nothing like meeting in person and discovering what a band of misfits, goofs and oddballs we really are. Ain't it great?

 

[RUNOFFSTAGE]

I'm happy to hear you all had such a great time. No matter how well we get to know each other here, by email or phone, there is nothing like meeting in person and discovering what a band of misfits, goofs and oddballs we really are. Ain't it great?

It is, until you have to introduce a guy with a mask, another with a skull and a third who speaks Dutch and is wearing goat fur and carries a drinking horn to your all vanilla, all normal friends xD
It was pretty epic after their weirded out looks went away.

 

[Carsomyr]

It is, until you have to introduce a guy with a mask, another with a skull and a third who speaks Dutch and is wearing goat fur and carries a drinking horn to your all vanilla, all normal friends xD
It was pretty epic after their weirded out looks went away.

Hey now, they loved us! You told us they wouldn't, but you lie!

 

[AngelOfDarkness]

Glad RagOnARock (my nickname for it since I'd probably butcher it) was a success.

 

[kwildoctr]

Cool Beans!!!! Glad it went so well.

When we get rich and famous (or, at least, rich), we plan on visiting that part of the world. We'd love to go there for a gathering...

R

 

[Mephistopheles]

Well, things haven't been going to plan, but anyways, better late than never.

Anyhoo, without further ado, here's a short overview of the great adventures in Sweden I was a part of.

For me it all started with a 750 mile ride to Sweden. Some time and a sore ass later I arrived at the tourist information in Varnasomething. All of the Swedes I have encountered during my trip spoke English, EXCEPT the woman at the tourist information. After exchanging some awkward looks and ringing Carso to try and talk to her in Swedish, I left for Bumfucking nowhere station, where I met up with Carso and Andreas. They took a bus to the place where runoffstage lives and I went on my trusty iron steed. After a trip to the supermarket we went to the park with the bikini statue and sat there and waited for runoffstage. In the meanwhile Carso and I went to the tourist information in town, where they DID speak English. After I asked for a secluded lake with no people they pointed out something on the map, and we went back to sitting our arses down in the grass.
Eventually Runoffstage arrived, and we set out to find our lake. It must be something about women and reading maps, but whatever they pointed out didn't exist. So we went on and after a while we stumbled upon a suitable lake, rode into the woods, parked and searched for a place to set up camp. We found a good spot, I put up my instatent (you can find examples on youtube if you search for 2 seconds tent), and we had a toast using a bottle of whisky, a bottle of tequila and some liquid apple pie (polish vodka with apple juice, really tastes like apple pie). We searched for wood to make a fire and after we got a fire started I took a piece of string and strung the meat we had bought over the fire. 2 hours and some booze later, the result was pretty epic.

We enjoyed our hearty meal, and some time later I decided it was time to see how sensitive the young lady in our midst was. The poor girl, having worked all day, couldn't offer too much resistance and I was pleasantly surprised by the results. So I felt it was time to bring out my leather cuffs and rope. Carso had brought 20 meters of rope, but the ropes I had used with my cuffs before turned out to be long enough, so a few minutes later, using 4 trees and one of the mooring pins I had brought with me, runoffstage was at our mercy.

She lasted for 90 minutes. Those 90 minutes included a lot of gibberish, gasping, "oh god" and some very funny quotes.

We let her go, I escorted her back to her car and we drank some more booze. After that we tried to find some angsty teenagers we could scare but after walking around for some time we sadly found none. After some more booze we went to bed.

The sun woke us up at 9 AM. I made some coffee and decided it'd be lovely to go for a swim. We found a boat the day before, and I went there with Andreas to retrieve it. As I turned the boat over, it turned out there was a wasps nest underneath it.

Bravely Andreas and I decided to run like hell.

I then went for a swim without the boat, but the mud near the banks was roughly knee deep, so that part wasn't ideal. Some time and a biketrip to the supermarket to get some drinks and popsicles later, I decided that I was going to get that damn boat. I dressed up in full combat gear, armed myself with a torch and a bottle of lamp oil and set out to torch those motherfuckers.

But it turned out that the wasps had calmed down so I didn't have to start a forest fire. I dragged the boat to safety and with the help of Andreas we moved the boat through the forest to our camp site. We then took the boat onto the lake, I went for a swim once more, lost my sunglasses trying to hit a wasp, and it was brilliant.

We got back on land, I got dressed and we joined Carso who had been standing near the parking spot all day because there were less mosquitos there. He was doing a strange ritual called "swat the horsefly" which involved dancing madly flailing his arms around for 5 hours. Andreas and I napped in the sun while we waited for runoffstage to pick us up.

At 4 in the afternoon she arrived and we went back to town, bought some more supplies and we went for some food in some turkish place which had a mailbox which to me looked like a bin. After hanging out in the park some more and tickling runoffstage a bit more, we went back to camp for booze. After aquiring the necessary goods, we went to the Irish pub with some of runoffstage's vanilla friends. One of them asked how we knew eachother and I gave him about 6 or 7 bullshit explanations in rapid succession and he stopped asking questions.

After the pub we went back to camp, hung out some more, drank some more booze and after a while we went back into our tents. I hogtied runoffstage in my 1 person tent and tickled her some more, but eventually the heat was too immense and I escorted her back to her car.

The next day arrived with more flies and more heat, we packed our stuff and when runoffstage arrived we said our goodbyes and I rode off back to civilization.

It was one of the most epic weekends I have ever had. Thanks Carso, Andreas and runoffstage, it was a blast.

 

[TropicThunder]

It is, until you have to introduce a guy with a mask, another with a skull and a third who speaks Dutch and is wearing goat fur and carries a drinking horn to your all vanilla, all normal friends xD
It was pretty epic after their weirded out looks went away.

OK, now I definitely want to be there next time!!!!

 

[RUNOFFSTAGE]

OK, now I definitely want to be there next time!!!!

HEY, I thought I was gonna have a LOT of explaining to do after they'd seen them - which I did.
They're still giving me looks and I don't like it ><

 

[Mephistopheles]

HEY, I thought I was gonna have a LOT of explaining to do after they'd seen them - which I did.
They're still giving me looks and I don't like it ><

When I told my vanilla friends about my adventures in Sweden I just removed the bits which involved other people