Comments on: The Smoke meetup!

The Smoke meetup!

heartofglass — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:29:38 -0800

London --- cold, windy, wet! This calls for some human warmth... ...and a pint, or ten! Any friendly characters wanting to meet up at some point in February or early March? If you guys are up for it, I suggest Jack the Ripper's boozer, The Ten Bells, in Spitalfields. Anyone, anyone? : )

By: flashboy

flashboy — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 16:33:57 -0800

Yes.

By: Happy Dave

Happy Dave — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 18:23:00 -0800

Aye, say I.

By: oh pollo!

oh pollo! — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 02:47:08 -0800

Yes, although not sure about The Ten Bells as a suitable meet-up pub. It's quite small and has somehow managed to become more seedy since it stopped being a strip-bar.

By: MrMustard

MrMustard — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 03:03:50 -0800

I'll be there if it's early in the week. Mondays or Tuesdays are best for me.

Yes, I'm aware these aren't brilliant 'going out' nights, but what can I do?

By: cillit bang

cillit bang — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 03:05:51 -0800

There's no warmth to be had east of the A10.

By: generichuman

generichuman — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 03:14:33 -0800

I'm in, but I'll vote against The Ten Bells. How about somewhere a bit bigger?

Cilit Bang, you live near me, it seems. Good ol' Har(r)inga(e)y.

There's got to be something big, warm and tube-acessable...

By: generichuman

generichuman — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 03:18:29 -0800

Oooh, I've never really played with the "Users Near Me," think.

oh pollo! appears to live in the park! Neat!

By: oh pollo!

oh pollo! — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 03:38:53 -0800

Yup, that's ma bench. I'm there most evenings with a couple of cans of White Lightning.

By: heartofglass

heartofglass — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 04:10:40 -0800

Point taken!

A couple of central options: This Soho pub is great and so is this one, in the same area, with pool tables, dart boards and etc.

Pubs in other areas:

Deux Beers in Farringdon...

...The Dove in Hammersmith...

...Medicine Bar in Angel...

...Hoxton Square Bar, which is a short walk from Old Street tube...

...Prince Albert, near Notting Hill Gate...

...or Ginglik, right opposite Shepherd's Bush underground station!

By: generichuman

generichuman — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 04:23:26 -0800

I'm happy to go for any of those places. I'll let others wiegh in on can-and-can'ts.

One thing to note about Ginglick at Shepherd's Bush... I think Shepherd's Bush is closed now for it's renovation. Might be difficult to access by tube. (Kensington Olympia is a 10 minute walk, but that station may as well not actually exist.)

By: Optamystic

Optamystic — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 08:00:03 -0800

I vote for Deux Beers.

By: flashboy

flashboy — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 08:47:24 -0800

Yeah, Shepherd's Bush Central Line is out, although the Hammersmith & City is still an option.

I like the Ten Bells, but you're right, it's not really ideal for a meet-up. I'm a big fan of The Angel, but then you've got the issue that it's a Sam Smiths - the Marmite of the pub world. Anybody else got some preferences?

Oh, and I will selfishly request that the date not be between the 17th and 21st of Feb. Because I'm working late shifts that week. Damn you, work.

By: chrismear

chrismear — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 09:18:09 -0800

Hammersmith & City is still an option

Ha ha ha ha.

By: generichuman

generichuman — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 09:27:19 -0800

I'll put my 2p in for the Medicine Bar in Angel, but only because it's close to me. Otherwise, I'm game. I'm still exploring London!

By: flashboy

flashboy — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 13:40:11 -0800

Ha ha ha ha.

You're so cruel to that line.

By: liquorice

liquorice — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:14:31 -0800

I could be there, if you people want me, seeing as I'll be holidaying in London at the time.

By: patricio

patricio — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:17:26 -0800

any of those options sounds like a winner. Weak preference for being more central than West.

By: generichuman

generichuman — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:37:47 -0800

You're so cruel to that line.

Well, who the hell thinks "Salmon" is great colour for a tube line? I mean, c'mon.

But yeah. I'd be interested to know the West:East ration of London Mefites. There seem to be more East London folks than West.

By: adrianhon

adrianhon — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 15:27:17 -0800

I be in. And I'm south London.

By: blag

blag — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 17:17:26 -0800

Yup.

By: chrismear

chrismear — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 18:25:18 -0800

You're so cruel to that line.

It's never failed to let me down. And yet we still keep using each other.

By: krautland

krautland — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 20:10:31 -0800

I'm in. someone settle the date&location thing though.

By: heartofglass

heartofglass — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 23:32:06 -0800

Ok folks! Shall we decide date and the logistics of the whole thing then?

I'll be away for most of the month and back on the week flashboy is busy...and since he has been so mistreated so far :-D I am suggesting 7th March (Friday). Is everyone ok with that?

As for location, the finalists seem to be Medicine in Angel, Deux Beers in Farringdon and Ginglik in Shepherd's Bush (?). You guys are right, the central line station is closed and H&C is a 'bit' impractical. But Holland Park station is a 10min walk from there.

Shall we decide? Four, three, two, one...

By: MrMustard

MrMustard — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 23:41:17 -0800

Maybe next time. Sigh.

By: flashboy

flashboy — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 01:16:20 -0800

Medicine sounds like it's probably one of those musicmusicMUSIC place where you can't hear anybody say anything and you end up wanting to punch the world to death, so I'll vote for Deux Beers, which sounds nice.

By: cillit bang

cillit bang — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 01:22:52 -0800

But Holland Park station is a 10min walk from there

One of those minutes being spent negotiating the fragrant Holland Park roundabout subways. And it's all a bit - I'm not sure I should say this polite company - Zone 2.

Another vote for Deux Beers.

By: oh pollo!

oh pollo! — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 04:08:03 -0800

Ok, shall we say Deux Beers in Farringdon on Friday 7th March? God, that's ages away.....

By: chrismear

chrismear — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 05:09:22 -0800

Done and done. And posted to le sidebar.

By: armoured-ant

armoured-ant — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 11:12:27 -0800

I'll be there. I might be a bit late, though, since I'm involved in some kind of eBay 'away day'.

Concerning.

By: armoured-ant

armoured-ant — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 11:15:23 -0800

WHO HAS THE SIGN?!

By: heartofglass

heartofglass — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 11:19:53 -0800

True, oh pollo! that's ages away -- a long time to look forward to it! :)

By: chrismear

chrismear — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 11:39:34 -0800

I HAZ TEH SIGN!1

By: heartofglass

heartofglass — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:13:10 -0800

Excellent...hehehehe...

By: generichuman

generichuman — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:46:08 -0800

There's a SIGN?

By: vacapinta

vacapinta — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:45:15 -0800

I hope to make it to the next London meetup!
(moving there in April)

By: chrismear

chrismear — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:14:01 -0800

Holy crap. (And we'll do it on a Monday or a Tuesday.)

By: dmt

dmt — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:29:34 -0800

I'm in - 7/3 at Deux Beers it is...

By: triv

triv — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:06:56 -0800

I should be ok to make this. Metafilger in the hizzi!

By: goo

goo — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 09:28:52 -0800

liquorice - yes! You must come, if you can.

Oooh, I've never really played with the "Users Near Me," think. oh pollo! appears to live in the park! Neat!

The person nearest me used to be at Wormwood Scrubs, but I can't remember who it was now. They must have got out, anyway.

Meetup sounds great!

By: YouRebelScum

YouRebelScum — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:33:17 -0800

I'm in - amazing, there's a sign and everything.

By: hugsnkisses

hugsnkisses — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:39:23 -0800

Whilst Ginglik is a wonderful place for secret gigs, I can't help but shudder to think of it as a meetup venue. A cramped, small, dark, loud and expensive bar is pretty much a recipe for disaster when combined with meeting strangers from the internet. I prefer hotel rooms.

Also, this time I shall attempt to arrive at some point before 11pm. Honest.

By: atrazine

atrazine — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:51:06 -0800

The person nearest me used to be at Wormwood Scrubs, but I can't remember who it was now. They must have got out, anyway.

That was me, when I moved to Islington I changed my location to Pentonville Prison.

By: generichuman

generichuman — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 08:32:53 -0800

I keep meaning to change my location to the middle of some railway tracks.

Do we have a time, in mine? (I realise that the meetup is a month away...)

By: generichuman

generichuman — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 08:34:06 -0800

By which I mean, in mind.

By: sueinnyc

sueinnyc — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:00:30 -0800

The 7th is a bit messy for me, but I will do all that I can to make it to this one - especially since it is a stone's throw (not quite literally) from my current flat (from which I was at one point planning to move on that very day).

By: heartofglass

heartofglass — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:51:52 -0800

Shall we say 7pm?

And sueinnyc, change your move to saturday, so that you can join us! : )

By: m0nm0n

m0nm0n — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 07:58:06 -0800

I may be able to make it...not that anyone knows who I am. But being American, I'll stick out like...something that is conspicuous.

By: Grangousier

Grangousier — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:57:09 -0800

Groovy.

That is all.

By: Wilder

Wilder — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 14:58:10 -0800

Grangousier's going??
That's almost enough, but hey, I realise how boring we're getting, I mean..... they do things better in Texas!

By: triv

triv — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:23:07 -0800

I'll bring the fake blood, Wilder...

By: cillit bang

cillit bang — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:51:59 -0800

Fake? Wuss.

By: triv

triv — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 09:00:52 -0800

We're not all as hardcore as you, Mr Bang!

By: freya_lamb

freya_lamb — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 11:40:17 -0800

OK, having scanned the thread about ten times am I right in thinking the meet-up is happening at Deux beers in Farringdon from 7.30 this friday coming? If so I'm thinking I might actually brave the fear and come along!

By: chrismear

chrismear — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:10:26 -0800

That's right, freya_lamb. Hope to see you there!

By: triv

triv — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 04:46:02 -0800

FRESH MEAT!

Cool. Am looking forward to this, everyone else had their hair cut in readiness? No? Just me, then.

By: heartofglass

heartofglass — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 08:13:50 -0800

I had my hair cut yesterday! And blow dried! Will it last until Friday? that's my worry...

By: chrismear

chrismear — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:44:22 -0800

C'mon, lay off the pressure.

By: cillit bang

cillit bang — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 06:27:17 -0800

I had mine done on Sunday, so I'm ready.

By: chrismear

chrismear — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:05:07 -0800

Alright, I'm getting mine done tomorrow. God.

By: Wilder

Wilder — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:57:49 -0800

Hey I had mine done (did we specify which surface the hair was on???) a few days ago and sorry to say:-

Having been up in the big smoke all this week.............

and being the subject (object?) of a mini-meet-up tomorrow, I don't think I'll have enough energy for Friday!!

you KNOW how much I love you guys, - Have a ball!

(Oh and I need to put new hotel info in the other thread, this place rocks)

By: sueinnyc

sueinnyc — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:31:51 -0800

I desperately need to get my hair done too, but I would be there quite promptly anyway...were it not for the fact that I'm now not going to get back to London in time to be there quite promptly. I hope to make a less-than-prompt appearance later on.

By: chrismear

chrismear — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:39:21 -0800

Apparently this thing she put on me is "halfway between a gel and a wax."

I feel so pretty right now.

By: essexjan

essexjan — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:02:12 -0800

Not going. Have a good time everyone.

By: cillit bang

cillit bang — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:57:44 -0800

Scared he'll ruin you for Jason?

By: Kirjava

Kirjava — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:59:59 -0800

Hmm, I was thinking of coming along from Oxford but now I'm not so sure since I don't think I'll have time to get a haircut... If you can forgive my unshorn locks though, I might just risk a pilgrimage to see "TEH SIGN!1" :)

By: essexjan

essexjan — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:00:46 -0800

What the fuck are you talking about cillit?

By: cillit bang

cillit bang — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:15:59 -0800

If I open my mouth on a meetup thread, it's probably to mock Chris.

By: essexjan

essexjan — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:44:47 -0800

Oh.

I'm not going because the last couple of meetups I've been to have had rather too much narcissistic drama going on than I need on a night out.

By: chrismear

chrismear — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:52:58 -0800

Ouch.

By: heartofglass

heartofglass — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 23:35:51 -0800

scary.... :-S

By: Kirjava

Kirjava — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:36:29 -0800

Now I'm really looking forward to it!! :D

By: randomination

randomination — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:12:58 -0800

*plays EastEnders theme tune with pens on desk*

By: flashboy

flashboy — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:45:25 -0800

I haven't had a haircut, if that's any help.

By: triv

triv — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:47:55 -0800

I'll miss you essexjan :( I shall have to dedicate TEH SHOUTOUT to yus.

By: triv

triv — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:48:20 -0800

flashboy, trim those curly locks yo.

By: goo

goo — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 06:09:36 -0800

Have a great time guys! I have babies to play with, so I'll see you at the next one.

atrazine, I'm glad you're finding HM's accommodations so commodious!

By: Happy Dave

Happy Dave — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 08:22:12 -0800

What time are folk going to be there from - just realised the pub is at the end of the road I work in.

By: randomination

randomination — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 08:39:19 -0800

I can probably be there from 6.

By: randomination

randomination — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:06:13 -0800

Actually, no I can't. I'll be there 7.30.

By: flashboy

flashboy — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:08:15 -0800

Probably there about 6.15, 6.30-ish? Or something like that.

By: flashboy

flashboy — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:08:38 -0800

That's assuming someone else is there too.

By: flashboy

flashboy — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:09:51 -0800

There wouldn't be much point just turning up by alone and sitting on my own talking to myself.

By: flashboy

flashboy — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:10:02 -0800

Like I'm doing now.

By: Happy Dave

Happy Dave — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:14:01 -0800

I will be there from just before 6.

By: Grangousier

Grangousier — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:52:37 -0800

That was fun.

Groovy.

By: Kirjava

Kirjava — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:28:49 -0800

Great evening- thanks all! Flickr photos will be forthcoming when I return from LA in a week :)

By: flashboy

flashboy — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:00:59 -0800

I HAVE DECLARED WAR ON FRANCE.

By: flashboy

flashboy — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:11:57 -0800

WHO IS WITH ME?

By: flashboy

flashboy — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:47:40 -0800

ALSO, PROBABLY BELGIUM, IF IT IS LOGISTICALLY FEASIBLE TO CRUSH IT ALSO WHILE STILL RETAINING AN IRON GRIP ON FRANCE.

By: flashboy

flashboy — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:59:58 -0800

IN ADDITION, THERE ARE PICTURES. PICTURES WHICH WILL INSPIRE FURTHER VICTORIES OVER THE FRENCH MENACE.

I am far too tired to caption them right now.

By: flashboy

flashboy — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:01:38 -0800

FUCK YOU, BELGIUM.

By: triv

triv — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:57:59 -0800

I'M WITH YOU SIR FLASH!!!1!

(what are we fighting about btw?)

By: heartofglass

heartofglass — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 03:30:35 -0800

Great evening! Loved all the narcissistic drama :P

But clubbing afterwards was crap - should have joined the Wood Green gang instead! Boo : (

----

flash, it makes logistical sense to crush Holland and Luxembourg too!

By: Optamystic

Optamystic — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 03:38:01 -0800

Sparx says:

it's half past eleven in the am and those people that ended up in wood green are almost out of wine. What will happen next? I could go into details but cillit bang has advised me against it. He is of the wise.

Apparently, it is OK to eat fish, because they don't have any feelings.

By: heartofglass

heartofglass — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 03:44:47 -0800

aaaarrrggghhhh!!

By: flashboy

flashboy — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 07:04:24 -0800

France won

By: chrismear

chrismear — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 08:21:11 -0800

It has to be said, I cranked up my narcissism all the way last night, and everyone said they had the best time ever. Pretty dramatic, huh?

By: cillit bang

cillit bang — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 14:23:54 -0800

Photos

By: Wilder

Wilder — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 13:55:25 -0800

Wow, looks like a brilliant time was had by all! (although I'm dying to find out the narcissism backstory, did she mean me???)

My favorite photo is this, and the one right before it.

My first thought when I saw them was, "don't get on Falshboy's nerves!"

(Hmmm, so how did Kirjava get to LA?)

By: chrismear

chrismear — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 16:04:35 -0800

The usual way, I'm guessing?

By: Kirjava

Kirjava — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 20:33:33 -0800

Yes, the usual way- I flew on Virgin Atlantic with Hugh Laurie, as one does.
(Or rather if I'm honest, I flew on Virgin Atlantic and Hugh Laurie just happened to be on the plane as well). Then we had to queue for 2 hours to get through customs and Dr. House just stood there with the rest of us! Very un-star like behaviour, though he looked a bit grumpy.
Btw, great photos cillit!

By: Wilder

Wilder — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:45:33 -0800

Aw, thought Flashboy had just beamed you there, going on that photo!
Lucky, lucky woman, Hugh Laurie and LA!

By: triv

triv — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 06:33:22 -0800

Hey Kirjava, how is the kooky aunt?!

By: hugsnkisses

hugsnkisses — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 08:31:50 -0800

Just got home. That was an epic afterparty.

By: Kirjava

Kirjava — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:39:00 -0800

Hehe, the kooky aunt is brilliantly kooky. Can barely get a word in edgeways, but she has some hilarious stories of her wild youth and many husbands, and she's given me a yellow sapphire and diamond ring. Kooky doesn't begin to describe her and we're having a grand old time :)

By: Kirjava

Kirjava — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:49:32 -0800

Better late than never: photos!