"And here is a pot of good double beer, neighbour"
King Henry VI, part II:II, ii
Thursday evenings, I usually join my local chapter of the Hash House Harriers for a game of hare and hounds, followed by several frosty draughts of beer. (A local microbrewery most generously donates a weekly keg.) For those unfamiliar with the game, one runner, designated as the "hare," sets a trail, marked by flour or chalk, depending on the terrain. After allowing the hare a headstart, the remainder of the group, the "hounds," follow the trail in an attempt to capture the hare. Bored members of the British military adapted this traditional children's game to the extent that the Hash House Harriers now describe themselves as "a drinking club with a running problem."
Once the pack has completed the trail, the group joins in a circle to drink beer, sing ribald songs, and socialize. During the circle, various folk are called forward to chug "penalty drinks," called "down-downs" for Hash crimes both real and imagined.
As an important part of the Hash ritual, regular attendees receive a special nickname. Many of these are lewd, rude, and socially unacceptable. Some hashers I know received their nicknames because of their professions: "Morning Missile" is a rocket scientist; "Cock Exchange" is a stockbroker. Some names are self-explantory: one friend is "Splat," and 'nuff said. Others receive their Hash names because of events: "Mannisex Destiny" received his name from his east coast Hash when he announced he was moving west; "Hit 'Er in the Shitter" resulted from...let's leave that to imagination.
Because Hash clubs exist worldwide, and visitors from distant shores often visit, or become part of a small, local group, it often reminds me of the internet. There are people that I chat with on a regular basis, and I consider friends in many respects, but I don't know their true names. The camaraderie exists, but for its own purposes. The breadth and depth of the friendships remain in question.
Thursday evenings, I usually join my local chapter of the Hash House Harriers for a game of hare and hounds, followed by several frosty draughts of beer. (A local microbrewery most generously donates a weekly keg.) For those unfamiliar with the game, one runner, designated as the "hare," sets a trail, marked by flour or chalk, depending on the terrain. After allowing the hare a headstart, the remainder of the group, the "hounds," follow the trail in an attempt to capture the hare. Bored members of the British military adapted this traditional children's game to the extent that the Hash House Harriers now describe themselves as "a drinking club with a running problem."
Once the pack has completed the trail, the group joins in a circle to drink beer, sing ribald songs, and socialize. During the circle, various folk are called forward to chug "penalty drinks," called "down-downs" for Hash crimes both real and imagined.
As an important part of the Hash ritual, regular attendees receive a special nickname. Many of these are lewd, rude, and socially unacceptable. Some hashers I know received their nicknames because of their professions: "Morning Missile" is a rocket scientist; "Cock Exchange" is a stockbroker. Some names are self-explantory: one friend is "Splat," and 'nuff said. Others receive their Hash names because of events: "Mannisex Destiny" received his name from his east coast Hash when he announced he was moving west; "Hit 'Er in the Shitter" resulted from...let's leave that to imagination.
Because Hash clubs exist worldwide, and visitors from distant shores often visit, or become part of a small, local group, it often reminds me of the internet. There are people that I chat with on a regular basis, and I consider friends in many respects, but I don't know their true names. The camaraderie exists, but for its own purposes. The breadth and depth of the friendships remain in question.
posted by The Bard Sinister | 6:02 PM
8 Comments:
It just occured to me that where I am living now is the only place that I have been that doesn't have a chapter of the HHH. They probably decided that all of that running would cut into their drinking time.
1) "To promote physical fitness among our members"
---
2) "To get rid of weekend hangovers"
3) "To acquire a good thirst and to satisfy it in beer"
4) "To persuade the older members that they are not as old as they feel"
three out of four isn't too bad, is it?
let us take the air, in a tobacco trance,
admire the monuments,
discuss the late events,
correct our watches by the public clocks;
then sit for half an hour and drink our bocks.
t.s. eliot, portrait of a lady
I have never heard of this before. What kind of beer do you usually drink there?
As our friend, the ex-pat Canadian noted, there are thousands of local Hashes. Living where I do, it is not uncommon for a foreign visitor, or one from the other side of the USA, to show up to run with our Hash.
The brewers that offer us a free keg every week--Lagunitas, in Marin County. We get what varieties they offer, from pale ales to stouts.
Dear Bard,
And a youth said, "Speak to us of Friendship."
Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with humor and namegiving.
And he is your Hash House Harrier and your fireside.
For you come to him with your writ, and you seek him for ether (hypothetical electro-magnetic medium).
When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the hound to the hare is clearer from the track.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit or intoxication.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.
And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasure and race victories..
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.
The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran, abridged by Codei,
I just thought twice and thought again, that this may be reflection, to answer questions on friendship.
:X
-Codei
Thank you for stopping by to visit my new blog, Codei.
"The Prophet" is a brilliant work of literature. I happen to own an edition with stunning, illuminated text and illustrations.
The entry started as an impromptu comment about running with the Hash, and how surprising its globalness has become. I let my mind wander into other areas, which are well worth exploring on their own.
Was it you I told to "think twice" before joining the Tortolan Navy? That was a joke. Modern navies do not engage in keel-hauling or floggings.
Hi Bardi-San,
That is one of my favorite pieces of literature, among many more, of course.
Oh Bard, I knew that was a joke, "Think, think, think again. I enjoyed it thoroughly. (Although it's always good to check with me. I can get sensitive or read into things the wrong way and react accordingly. There's always time to work on my maturity.) The way you speak or rather type, is different than most. I don't know how to describe it. It's very invoked with careful thought,deep and considerate. I'm sure I've missed a few choice words. (It's early in the morning. I just woke.) I was rather impressed and flattered you cared enough to encourage my decision. I need more people like you. I jested back, you will see, I had a little fun with showing you, my morals are intact in real (definitely not pseudo-life). It is there you will see just how much I would need to have someone like you, re-write and correct my work. But, the point of the story is intact. If it gets posted, of course.
Thanks for sharing your blog.
Have a great day!
-Codei
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