The year is 2088. The intrawebs have evolved into the psychic realm. A web archeologist finds an ancient space, long deserted, mostly forgotten, spoken of infrequently by elderly relatives who are regarded fondly as charming and eccentric. Yet the archeologist has proof that this legendary place does exist – did exist – in the early 21st century.
It’s a musty, dusty space, yet it’s not dead. There is a presence – actually many presences. And the archeologist trembles with excitement to know that this is it – the home of the “Mumpers”. The fragments that linger tell it all – the TMI crown bestowed frequently, if not constantly, upon the one they called swampy. Random durnken psosts by Haze. References to dog puke by doggio. A pair of antlers labeled “Property of **rosie ** – keep your hands off!!”
In the vestibule is a disturbing pastel plaid garment often associated with welby. Cobwebs festoon a dangling hunk of fire hose, reputedly handled by BBBobbio. There are bowls and plates that once held treats whipped up by **LiLi ** and CutiePie. And it’s hard to miss the graffiti written by or about many of the others, although some are mighty faded. Surely you with better eyes can make what is said. And there seems to be a calendar with annotations – could this be the rumored planner that **gardentraveler ** used for managing the MMPs? And several catalogs – are these the so-called **beebs ** files?
Scholars through the ages gave up trying to understand this – dare I suggest? – cult. How else could one explain such cryptic titles as **McUne ** or **BooFae ** or **Muppet ** or **Ivory ** or Lunch? And what the heck is NOT?!?!?
Most amazing, though, is the little shelf in the corner. A small votive candle burns and never seems to die. Etched in the glass of the candle holder are three cryptic letters: Rue.
Come in – look around – what do you see? Please add your findings - surely there is more to be discovered!
ETA: Don’t forget the pair of Smartypants in the dresser! And the collection of Flutterbys on the wall. And the Puck under the couch, hidden by the cats.
There is some confusion over the references to one “rigs”–could this be THE Eleanor Rigby that the singing collective called the Beatles sing of? She is faceless to be sure within the MMP. But there is no mention of Father MacKenzie. This has led scholars to doubt that this is the true ER and conventional thought now considers her a fraud on the lines of that woman who claimed to be Princess Anastasia of Russia for so many years.
Knowing this much of the “Rosetta stone” of the MMP, archeocyberists have determined that none of the so called Mumpers were as cute as they claim, nor did they all lead the lives of glamour and excitement they lay claim to every week. Some archeocyberists posit that Mumpers were actually adolescents, grounded and confined to their family unit’s “basement”. All this talk of work, clothes, food, pets, romantic entanglements and family unit disintegration sounds very unlikely to the members of the Commune of the Moon. Mumpers reflects a society in chaos and decline. A salient lesson can be learned from the Mumpers: wannabes are the same, no matter the era. The true Cool Kids are only from the Commune of the Moon…
They will be puzzled over the scribblings of ‘first!!’.
First for what? And why the excitement? Perhaps… a special prize bestowed upon those who win the coveted first? Or a form of religious ecstacy that comes upon those so devoted to being a Mumper?
And what on earth is Firday? Is that a holiday devoted to worship of the tall fragrant conifers that once populated the earth? Or is it a misspelling of a holiday devoted to worshipping Our Furry Friends?
And why am I still up when I’m yawning so hard I can hardly see to type this?
Perhaps, they will muse, this is a room dedicated to minor characters from the fiction and arts of the previous century – a White Rabbit, but no mention of Alice; Heffalump and Roo – but no Winnie or Christoper Robin. And while Eleanor Rigby is mentioned, Sergeant Pepper is conspicuously absent; a muppet is mentioned, but it seems this must be one of the minor unnamed ones, not Kermit or Miss Piggie…
Oh, look – a biblical reference as well! Nava* must refer to the “Black but Lovely” lady from the Song of Songs. Yet, fittingly, none of the Big Guys like Moses or even Jesus is portrayed here!
*OK, that one’s obscure. The word “nava” actually does mean “comely,” “fetching,” or “pretty” in Hebrew, and is the word which is translated as “beautiful” or “Lovely” in the various version of verse 1:5 from Song of Songs. OK, enough geekery…
There may also have been a zoo, because there are frequent references to hippopotami, birds, and ewes.
I don’t know why I am up this early - my alarm doesn’t go off for another hour and a half. My cat went off 30 minutes, tho. I kept telling her it was too early for breakkies, but she’d have none of it.
One of the least understandable of all the Mumper phenomena is how a **MamaTiger ** gave birth to a whiterabbit. Were these being geniuses, or merely mad??
No, not this: :mad: More like stark, raving bonkers.
Well, I managed to sleep past 4, but just barely. I awoke freezing!! Gotta see about resetting the air conditioner when we go to bed. I’ll shower in half an hour or so. We’re heading out at 7. This is gonna be a loooooong day again. I may actually nap later.
But the archives are littered with references to their offspring (variously described as young goats, small furry animals, royalty, insects or merely by numbered references), so surely some descendants must survive, must be able to shed some light on the arcane nature of this society …
Another day at work - BLAH! It’s not as blah as the old job, but it’s still a job! The only minor amusement is bearing witness to the idiocy of other lawyers at other firms who can’t quite grasp the concept of due diligence and then complain when something backfires right in their faces!
I sometimes wonder what history would make of 'im indoors. Some days I wonder what I make of him.
Morning all…tired today, feeling a bit meh as two of my bestest going out friends are leaving on Wednesday for their new life and I had a text from one of them this morning saying they’d be out of contact for several weeks until they’re settled in the house and they’ve got web access again.
And my bestest shopping friend is off on holiday today for a couple of weeks.
And where, they will wonder, is this mysterious hotel room, where the ephemeral residents (dare I say denizens?) of this cult met for ritualistic matings- usually during Lunch?
Good morning! Hubby’s traveling, again. Off to the great wet northwest. Oops- gotta get lunches made and children up. See ya later, folks…
Great OP! I’m sure the question “What does MMP mean?” will be the biggest puzzle, that is, unless the dozens of newbie threads with that title are all lost.
They will also wonder how Monday lasts until Sunday night!
