East Anglia member David Searle reports on the busy Mensa social life that is to be had online!

So far, 2020 has not been good for “in person” meetings so when an online Zoom meeting in place of the monthly cafe meeting in Cambridge was advertised on the East Anglia Mensa Facebook page I thought I would give it a go.  

So, at just before the start time of 1.30pm on Saturday 9th May, I stocked up with biscuits and a large mug of coffee, shut myself in the study, fired up my computer, opened Zoom and entered the appropriate code.

We got down to a lengthy chat with people not just from Cambridge but all over the East Anglia Region. Because, of course, with such meetings it does not matter one jot where the nominal host group is – if you know about it you can join it!  And I thoroughly recommend that you try it – details are usually on the Mensa web page (if you don’t do Facebook) or you can ask your local organiser to email you details .

Since then I have attended a meeting almost every Saturday, a regional officers' meeting and no less than four Monday night quizzes (two wins and two second places, since you asked).

I have to say that I have never before made so many Mensa friends in such a short time!

And then, on 18th June, in a departure that I hope will become a regular thing even after lockdown, I attended a Zoom talk given by Cambridge member Steve Goodwin on the highly intellectual pursuit that is Creative LEGO!

Over 30 of us were treated to illustrated examples of the uses of the Danish toy which LEGO themselves do not like, sanction, or generally approve of.  These include a working miniature rock band, a full size working harpsichord, a machine gun and even the felt pen equivalent of a dot matrix printer – all made from plastic bricks! It was a fun talk and my personal thanks go to everyone involved.

We need more things like this in this region!

So, if you have a subject that you could entertain us with in this way, please let our regional officer Andrew Aus know and I’m sure it can be arranged.