Origin

The Origin of FOAFing

Here is an email thread from July 2002 where we documented the Origin of FOAFing on the Yahoo SingleMaltScotchWhisky Group. In typical PLOWED style we pissed off some of the group subscribers who couldn't give a damn about the "Origin of FOAFing"... Oh well, as usual, the only excuse we could offer was:

Proud to be PLOWED!

This thread began with a question from a new member about the concept of FOAFing that seems to spring up pretty regularly on the board. A trip to this site didn't really clear matters up much since I had (still have) the story screwed up, so we fired up a thread to reconstruct the origins and uses of this ever-versatile term:

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From: doctor_entropy
Date: Tue Jul 16, 2002 8:05 pm
Subject: [Single Malt Scotch Whisky] Re: Newbie, haven't been active until now, AND....

Hi Jay, usigeTOM, Ken, all... What with all the lawsuits and depositions being collected these days, my attorney has recommended I confess that I've misrepresented the history of FOAF somewhat on my website - like much of the information on the internet! yes, I really DO make stuff up here... I was discussing the evolution of FOAF with Bushido at the Claggan about 6 weeks ago and he reminded me that the term FOAF actually originated from a fairly heated pejorative exchange... it's come a long way since then! I need to update the description to reflect this twisted evolutionary development. ...back with the whole story as soon as I get fired up and in the proper tuning to channel this tale... ardBEG! DrE

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From: "doctor_entropy"
Date: Wed Jul 17, 2002 6:49 am
Subject: FOAF

Ok, here's my current version of the origin of the term/concept of
FOAF (FOAFing)... as updated by Bushido's recollection of this event

As noted in my currently published version, FoaF is one of the core
PLOWEDsters from the City of Angels with a rep for finding (and
sharing) RTE (Rare, Threatened and Endangered) malt whiskies. The
scene is Ardbeggeddon 1 in January 2000 in Las Vegas. Most of us had
flown into the city but the LA contingent mostly drove over so they
had wheels. In 2000, the Las Vegas liquor stores had yet to be
ransacked and held an amazing assortment of rare malts, especially
some of the older bottlings of Springbank. Naturally there was a
movement on the second day or so to go out to see what the city might
offer malt-wise and FoaF offered to drive us around the city, but
there were more folks interested in shopping than he had carspace
for. "Not to worry" we were told, "we'll do a second trip later in
the afternoon to make sure everyone has a shot at this." Ok, we were
placated and returned to Drammage Headquarters for early afternoon
entertainment. A few hours later the contingent returned with
stories of abundant RTE stocks and many prize drams to tease us
with. We waited for the second run but FoaF didn't show back up and
we assumed he crashed for a nap or got otherwise lost in the "other"
LV attractions. Yeah, right...

A few hours after that I believe a group of the PLOWEDsters were
going down to eat (Mr Lucky's? The Pink Taco?) and as the elevator
stopped on the main floor of the Hard Rock, they ran into FoaF
entering the elevator - struggling with boxes of recently purchased
malt whisky. The immediate responses reportedly were: "Damn you
FoaF!" and of course "We've been FoaFed!". He mumbled some lame
explanatory response and continued up into the towers, while the
miffed PLOWEDsters continued to the restaurant to eat and rant...
The emotional level of this event naturally tempered over the next
few days, more malt raids were executed and most folks left LV with
new gems for their collection. We were also laughing about the
incident by the end of A1 and in typical PLOWED fashion, had mutated
the event into a new concept - FOAFing. Hence the underlying
foundation of stealth and sneakery that still defines FOAFing.

FoaF - of course, we forgive you in compliance with the guidance
offered by the Ord's Prayer on this topic -"Forgive us our FOAFs, as
we forgive those who FOAF against us..."

Hope this "clears" things up a bit re: FOAFing... If anyone has any
corrections to this "fuzzy recollection" please let me know - the
truth is pretty mutable in the PLOWED universe.

Slainte! DrE

===============

From: uisgetom
Date: Wed Jul 17, 2002 10:50 am
Subject: The origin of "FoaFing"

Essentially correct Tim, but let me give you my slant on it.

Warp back to 8 January, 2000. I've just arrived in Las Vegas. I'm
suffering from a terrible head cold (but Ardbeggeddon was not to be
missed by a simple malady). The taxi drops me off in front of the
Hard Rock, and as I'm walking in through the entryway, I'm greeted by
Dave (not yet SIR Dave, that comes later in the day) and Bushido.
They tell me that they are just leaving on a raping and pillaging
mission to the local liquor stores. I plead with them to wait 10
minutes so I can check in and drop off my stuff in the room, but
alas, I'm told that the car is filled to capacity with looters. Just
then FoaF shows up (I had not met him until then). FoaF is very
apologetic and tells me he'll take a second run later on, and I can
go then.

I get settled into the infamous room 541 (which was basically Dram
Central for A1).

After a couple of hours of dramming with the other lads not out
shopping, the gang shows back at the hotel laden with loot. FoaF
tells me he needs some food and whisky first before going back out.
A couple of hours later, between my head cold, antihistamines and
much malt, I'm in no mood to go out so the partying continues on
untilo around midnight (which for me in my weakened state is really
3AM, cuz I'm an East Coaster), so I kick the party out so I can get
some much needed rest. This is when the Loco Barley incident
happens - read Matt's take on it in the "Fuzzy Recollections" section
on the PLOWED site.

The next morning (Sunday, 9 Jan.) I'm heading down for breakfast
around 10 AM and I run into the good Doctor in the elevator lobby.
We go for some eats and then by 11 AM we're back in room 541 working
on our first drams, the sherried Longrow (which was a novelty then -
it had only been available for around 6 months in the US and in
extremely limited quantities).

Tim and I were soon joined by other Ardbeggeddoneers (and you thought
only "bookkeeper" was the only word in the English language with 3
sets of double letters) - let me note, repeated calls to Tim/Dave's
room went unanswered, and visits revealed an unconscious body
sprawled out on Dave's bed - many, many drams were consumed through
the course of that afternoon. I forgot to rag on FoaF to take me
around that afternoon. Foaf excused himself, perhaps around 4 PM,
saying that he had to load his car as he and FoaFoaF needed to drive
back to LA that evening. Around 6 or so, after having been dramming
for 7 hours straight, several of us (I distinctly remember Marty was
with the group - he can verify this) head downstairs to get some
food. As the elevator opens in front of us, out struggles FoaF with
two cases of malt - freshly purchased. He's heading to Marty's room
with it, cuz he doesn't want FoaFoaF to know that he's just dropped
another $1000 or so on whisky, and he wants Marty to take the stuff
back to LA with him (more stealth and deceit - this time with his
other half!) I have to take credit here where credit is due, having
been the first person in history to utter the infamous words, "I've
been FoaFed!"

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From: blackkeno
Date: Wed Jul 17, 2002 2:35 pm
Subject: Re: The origin of "FoaFing"

Although I was at A1 longer than anyone else (actually refusing to
leave and remaining in Vegas to wait for A2 & A3...)I was not
involved with the original circumstances just related that resulted
in use of the word "FoaF." As a result, I had my own (fundamentally
incorrect) notion of its meaning. Even though it has nothing to do
with how it originated, it's kind of nice and applicable so I thought
I would share it:

One of the best aspects of FoaFing is sharing. Sharing the fruits of
FoaFing and sharing where to Foaf (after FoaFing for oneself). FoaF
of course stands for "friend of a friend". I have tried most of the
best drams I've tasted at the hands of a friend of a friend (who is
generally now a friend). Many of us inquire before traveling where
we can FoaF a particular trip. Again, the best locations usually
become known through a friend of friend...

What luck that FoaF chose his handle so well...

============

From: glengyle_fx
Date: Wed Jul 17, 2002 2:57 pm
Subject: Re: The origin of "FoaFing"

Well, actually he didn't choose it. It came about during a Malts
Advocate tasting here in Los Angeles at the Century City Hotel.

I was there and ran into Marty and Dwight. They were waiting for a
guy known only to them by the tie he'd be wearing. (IT was yellow,
right?)

Anyway, a picture was taken after the event and Tom was ID'ed on the
picture as a "friend of a friend". This name stuck and eventually
shortened to Foaf.

That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

-FX

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From: real_foaf_91362
Date: Wed Jul 17, 2002 3:17 pm
Subject: Re: The origin of "FoaFing"

Yes Frank, and yes Tom, your stories are correct.

I decided to pick "FoaF" after Matt had posted 'friend of a friend'
next to a picture of me with Dwight, John Hansell, MOK, and IB (see
original here: http://www.single-malt.com/demo/images/gang.jpg).
Yup. When I stopped by Marty's a week or so later, he showed the pic
to me on the PLOWED site, and encouraged me to get more involved
(S'tanic influence). I took a "might as well join them" approach and
claimed the title that was actually already bestowed upon me
(inadvertently) by Matt. Thanks Matt! The world owes you
(something)...

Tom, what can I say. It's all true, just as you've described it. I
indeed left to pack the car, and after loading the bags and stroller
(remember, I had a 1 y.o. DoFoaF, FoaFoaF, and NoDoFoaF with me), I
looked at my meager foafings (only 6 bottles at that point).
Realizing I had only about 1 hour to blitz-foaf the remaining Pumps,
I didn't make it back to the room, didn't initiate another group
pillaging, didn't even consider the long-term ramifications of my
actions; I simply closed the trunk and headed for the E. Sahara store.

As it turned out, the foafing grounds were rich, and several
Dailuaines, old Springers, and other dumpy Cadenheads found their way
into the back seat of the car. Knowing that these recent additions
would be spotted by FoaFoaF (and potentially returned to their place
of purchase), I hatched a plan to have MOK ferry them back to 1000
Malts for some surruptitious squirrelling at a later date.
(Accomplished by having MOK & pals over for a wee dram, and leaving a
few bottles behind...).

As luck/fate would have it, I didn't make it over to Marty's room
undetected. The elevator opened, Tom uttered "I've been FoaF'd",
Mark commented on the cask-strength Dailuaine amongst the loot, and
the rest is history. Marty hopped out of the elevator to help me
with my new burden, and the doors closed on a host of surprised
Ardbeggeddoneers. Part of the magic of the event I suppose... ;-)

That's it for me. I guess I'll be a FoaF for a long time to come.
Look for future pillaging reports from the land of the rising sun-
it's virgin territory... Heh, heh, heh... :-o

Slainte!
-FoaF

==============

From: djrussobik
Date: Wed Jul 17, 2002 3:28 pm
Subject: Re: The origin of "FoaFing"

WRT the previous posts, it just goes to show that the truth is "out
there" (REALLY OUT THERE) when it comes to PLOWED.

FYI, the first shopping carload at went out A1 was REALLY CROWDED --
I just about sat on Craig Daniel's lap! Compression forces basically
ejected me from the car every time we opened the door! So at least
the premise that the car was "full" on the first run was completely
true! ;)

I am still holding out hope that the word "FoaF" (both the verb and
noun forms) will eventually make it into the standard English
voabulary. We should have a party to celebrate the first dictionary
that lists it! :) I am thinking of printing up T-shirts that say:

"Ask me about FoaFing" and/or "What is Foafing?"

in large letters on the front and back!

Slainte!

Dave

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From: uisgetom
Date: Wed Jul 17, 2002 4:25 pm
Subject: Re: The origin of "FoaFing"

I forgot to say that at A1, the following day, (Monday) Marty took a
carload of us out looting what was left. Marty, Dave (he had
recovered by then), Bushido, Mark, Craig and myself all crammed into
the S'tanmobile (Marty, shouldn't you get it painted red or black?
White is too "holy" for your wheels!)

I wound up with half a dozen bottles. Memorable moments included
Mark snagging a B&W label 15 YO Springbank from under Dave's nose,
and Dave and Bushido cleaning out the city's entire supply of Bush
Pilot before Blackkeno could get to them!

Foaf or be Foafed! ;-)

Slainte!
TB

============

From: "doctor_entropy"
Date: Wed Jul 17, 2002 9:26 pm
Subject: Re: The origin of "FoaFing"

Well done all, I was just reading today's FOAFing thread to Sister
Haggis and observed that I "sort of" had the story right... She
noted she wasn't surprised - correctly surmising that there probably
wasn't much clarity during the entire 4-day gathering. ...and then
there is the ever creeping drain brammage... The coronation of Sir
Dave of the Local Barley was certainly one of the highlights of that
affair!

Proud to be PLOWED! you folks rock... less than 6 months before we
get a chance to do it all again.

slainte! DrE

last update on 9/16/02