Sheffield (UK) meetup potential?

October 10, 2009 1:23 PM

Any interest in a Sheffield (UK) meetup?

Any other mefites near Sheffield (UK)? Any interest in a meetup?

Goes against every fibre of my introverted antisocial being, but sometimes you just have to trick yourself into doing something.

posted by SebastianKnight to MetaFilter gatherings at 1:23 PM (63 comments total)

I'd be interested! Hopefully some others will be around too...
posted by pocketfluff at 3:26 PM on October 10

Hello!, now - right now - I am drunk. If you can promise that I might possibly be drunk and yet still acceptable at a Sheffield meetup, then I could agree to come. Otherwise, sir, you are a tease, and I shall have nothing to do with any meet or any up you are involved with.

I need a hug.
posted by Sova at 7:37 PM on October 10 [1 favorite]

I'm in. Anyone have any thoughts on location? Maybe the Devonshire Cat?
posted by xchmp at 2:29 AM on October 11

This may well be a goer
posted by Jofus at 2:30 AM on October 11

How about somewhere where's there's something to watch or do, rather than just having awkward unstructured conversations? (There must be an xkcd strip about organising internet meetups).
posted by SebastianKnight at 2:54 AM on October 11

Oh, morning! My message above was a "possibly so", in case you were wondering.

As for ideas, I don't really know. There's Doc/Fest in a few weeks, and while most of it is pay for, I'm sure there are freebies scattered around. But there are probably a thousand other suggestions as well.
posted by Sova at 5:46 AM on October 11

I could be tempted...
posted by gergtreble at 6:09 AM on October 11

If the Devonshire cat is the place with the really nice burgers and the beer, then I'm very interested in this.
posted by iSeanyboy at 7:34 AM on October 11

I'll be there if at all possible. Did you have a date in mind?
posted by thoughtless at 9:52 AM on October 11

Definitely maybe.

At least to Sheffield Mefites came across the Manc meetup, so I suppose I could get up off my fat backside and go over there.
posted by idiomatika at 11:31 AM on October 11

That should have been TWO, not TO
posted by idiomatika at 11:33 AM on October 11

The Devonshire Cat is awesome! I like the Old House too (nearby), but it's not got so much seating. When were you thinking of?
posted by pocketfluff at 12:29 PM on October 11

Haven't even thought about dates yet - let me check whether there are any interesting events on soon that we could (optionally) attend before the Dev.

Suggestions welcome!

Then we can compare schedules since there are only a few of us.
posted by SebastianKnight at 1:24 PM on October 11

I'll need it to be a weekend but am otherwise easy!
posted by Jofus at 11:37 PM on October 11

Provisionally, I should be able to make a weekend date.
posted by Electric Dragon at 12:27 AM on October 12

Just for the sake of putting something out there, the closest weekend day I can do is Saturday 7th November ... is that too far away? I had a quick google around for events on that day, and though it doesn't seem good meetup material, I would LOVE to go to this. Taught by a professional clown! It would be like clown college.

But in the absence of any professional clowning, the Devonshire Cat looks like a great option.

And, incidentally, Nottingham mefites should totally have a meetup at this.
posted by thoughtless at 3:24 AM on October 13

Clown college!

I just phoned them up (never heard of Greentop before - I'd love to do a juggling workshop sometime).

Apparently it's being taught by Rick Allen who also teaches clowning on their 'professional' courses. It didn't sound like there was a set agenda but instead there'd be lots of 'game playing' and messing around - more of a 'group-lead' sort of thing. The guy I spoke to said that it's just as suitable for ordinary members of the public with no experience (like me) as for real performers and that it would also help with confidence, stand-up comedy, and public speaking. £35 for the day.

I want to go, but I'm also terrified.

On another note...

I had a look at the Art Sheffield listings and there's load of stuff on over the next couple of weeks, but nothing at the weekend and nothing particularly meetupable (but I will be going to some of the talks). So setting clown college aside for a minute I think I can do any weekend in November. No plans for Halloween either actually. Oct 24-25th is out for me as I'm going to a thing in Bradford.
posted by SebastianKnight at 5:37 AM on October 13

I haven't slept for 24 hours and, for one glorious, heart stopping moment, I thought the comment above referred to clown course taught by Alan Rickman. Can you imagine?

I will try to work to the 7th November as its as good a weekend as any.
posted by Jofus at 6:25 AM on October 13

[Alan is pied in the face]

"... Ho. Ho. Ho."
posted by thoughtless at 8:50 AM on October 13

I'm out of Sheffield on the 7th. Could we make it the 14th November instead?
posted by xchmp at 9:22 AM on October 13

I would be up for this in Nov.
posted by freya_lamb at 2:45 PM on October 13

I'm very easy as to time/date/location, so I can let others decide what is best for them and I'll fit in around that.
posted by Sova at 3:31 PM on October 13

Hoom. I can't do the 14th, but am content to bow out if that date works better for the majority. How's everybody sorted for the 14th, as opposed to the 7th?
posted by thoughtless at 4:11 PM on October 13

My diary in November is like a humanities graduate in a quantum mechanics lecture: completely blank.
posted by Electric Dragon at 1:53 AM on October 14

14th works for me, but the weekend after (21st) works just as well. Seems a shame to miss anyone if it can be avoided.
posted by SebastianKnight at 1:52 AM on October 15

14th works for me too, sadly Joe. Does that pretty much make it a fait accompli?
posted by Jofus at 6:31 AM on October 15

Sadly it appears so. No worries chaps, enjoy!
posted by thoughtless at 6:45 AM on October 15

And? Is this on or no?
posted by seanyboy at 8:16 AM on October 15

But what if we're all free (inc. thoughtless) on the 21st?

Isn't there some web app that could just sort this out for us? Like a poll crossed with a spreadsheet. Maybe there's a way in Google Docs.
posted by SebastianKnight at 1:34 PM on October 15

Staggeringly, the 7th is the only weekend day I have free the whole month! Go for the 14th - sometimes you've just got to nail these things down and take the hit that some people can't make it.

One proviso: I will require a Leeds meetup in the new year. With beer.
posted by thoughtless at 1:42 PM on October 15

Can somebody get this sidebarred for the 14th then? We can decide on the dowhat later, but that will make it easier to find.
posted by Sova at 4:17 PM on October 15

OK for 14th too.
posted by idiomatika at 4:33 PM on October 15

I need more coffee this morning. I just spent a minute trying to figure out what a "dow hat" is.
posted by Electric Dragon at 1:59 AM on October 16

Yeah, I've actually been shopping today, trying to pick out a new dow hat just for this occasion. I didn't find one I like, but thankfully I have lots of time left!

That reminds me: what are we going to do? Drinking is fun, for sure, and definitely beats awkward silence punctured by "wow, yeah, Metafilter, how do you like that ey?", but something more would be nice. There are lots of things to see in Sheffield at any given time, though a special event taking place would be better.
posted by Sova at 12:30 PM on October 16

OK - we're sidebarred for November 14th at the Devonshire Cat . Wonder if we should book a table or something?

Everyone get your thinking dow hats on - we need activity suggestions (preferably not karaoke or bingo).

Also, what time should we aim to meet? How busy is the Dev on Saturday nights - maybe an earlier meet would be best? What do you reckon?

Oh - not a meetup suggestion, but does anyone know of anything like Pecha Kucha in Sheffield? I sometimes watch the Atlanta Pecha Kucha podcast and I'd love to see/do one live sometime.
posted by SebastianKnight at 1:23 PM on October 17

In answer to your questions, in order:

No.

I still don't know.

Sometime between 5.00pm and 7.30pm (it will be dark, so it won't feel like drinking during the day).

No, but let's start one.
posted by Sova at 2:17 PM on October 19

Ack! I have been infested by in-laws and, after insisting on the 14th, must now bow out. One day, Sheffield, our paths will cross.
posted by Jofus at 4:15 AM on October 28

Well, I've booked the train ticket, so thought I'd bump the thread to remind people that it's THIS WEEKEND. Any ideas on plan of action? Personally I'm happy with a simple plan like a few drinks in the pub, followed by food - perhaps someone who knows the city better than I* can suggest somewhere to eat?

* My knowledge of Sheffield is limited to having occasionally had to change trains there.
posted by Electric Dragon at 7:40 AM on November 10

Well the Devonshire Cat also does food, though I've never eaten there. There are loads of other places to eat nearby so we could probably decide at the time if people fancy moving somewhere else.

What time are we meeting? And does anyone want to bring a sign or a red carnation so we don't have to ask everyone else in the pub if they are from the internet?
posted by pocketfluff at 8:00 AM on November 10

I *like* asking people if they're from the internet.

There's a Metafilter Meetup kit somewhere. Let me see if I can find a link

*So* jealous I'm not going to be there.
posted by Jofus at 8:42 AM on November 10

Ah, here we are.
posted by Jofus at 8:55 AM on November 10

Seeing as I started this I'm happy to be the signpost. I'll wear a special hat or something.

Actually, I don't have any special hats. I have a brown woolly hat.

Look for the guy in the brown woolly hat. I'm quite tall and unfriendly-looking. And my attire will be 'shabby'.
posted by SebastianKnight at 10:23 AM on November 10

I'll be there.

Shall I wear my fluffy pink hat so you don't feel left out SK?
posted by She Kisses Wyverns at 7:31 AM on November 11

Yes - everyone wear a woolly hat (if possible). If you think you've found a mefite, say "I like your wooly hat". The mefite should then reply "It's made of acrylic, actually." This will be our code.

I'll now be wearing new shoes, so look for the guy in a brown hat and new shoes.

I may take my hat off if it's too hot. In that case just look for the shoes. They're also brown.
posted by SebastianKnight at 8:22 AM on November 11 [1 favorite]

What time did people want to meet up?
posted by Sova at 3:51 PM on November 11

My train theoretically gets into Sheffield at 1737.
posted by Electric Dragon at 4:16 PM on November 11

I'm planning on getting there for 6ish.

My hat is pink and I'll have black patent shoes with funky laces.

I'm quite tickled with code-phrases and a hat/shoes recognition system. Is that just me?

Looking forward to meeting you all!
posted by She Kisses Wyverns at 1:12 AM on November 12

I should be there between 6 and 7ish, I think. I don't do hats, but I'll be wearing this t-shirt.
posted by xchmp at 8:53 AM on November 12

Have a great time guys! I love it that there is now an active MeFi northern contingent, even though I can this time only gaze at it wistfully from afar, like a wallflower at a school dance.
posted by thoughtless at 7:15 AM on November 13

I shall be there some time after 6, or 7, I don't really know. I'm entertaining my sister and mother during the day, so it will be whenever they go home. Are people planning on moving around? It's cool if so, I just might need a contact if I can't get there after 7 or so.
posted by Sova at 1:49 PM on November 13

Sova, I'll mefimail you my mobile number.
posted by SebastianKnight at 2:03 AM on November 14

I went. I drank. I left. On my way home now. Sorry to leave so early. I was having a grand old time.
posted by seanyboy at 1:26 PM on November 14

OMG, the people from the internets are not only real, but I'm one of them! Perhaps even the scariest! Oh word, I'm a weird one me.
posted by Sova at 3:30 PM on November 14

Thanks everyone for a great evening!
posted by Electric Dragon at 4:00 PM on November 14

It was great - thanks everyone!
posted by She Kisses Wyverns at 12:52 AM on November 15

Pics or it didn't happen
posted by Jofus at 2:47 AM on November 15

Thanks everyone - had a really good time.

This thread should stay open for another five months, so if anyone fancies meeting up again in Sheffield, I'd love to.

Jofus - I don't think anyone took pics. There was a camera, but no memory card. I've added an imagination photograph though - please feel free to look at it whilst imagining. I'll also add pics of any interesting clouds I see today.
posted by SebastianKnight at 4:45 AM on November 15

I had a great time too. Nice to meet you all!
posted by xchmp at 6:39 AM on November 15

google wave invite anyone?

I have a bunch, if anyone from the meetup MefiMails me an email address I'll send them an invite and add them to a sheffield-mefi-wave.
posted by emilyw at 6:50 AM on November 17

Have got one already :) joethedough at googlewave.com should do it.
posted by Jofus at 7:26 AM on November 17

How do I get myself invited to the sheffield-mefi-wave. I have a wave account.
(bonus points if I can do it without having to tell the whole of mefi my real name)
posted by seanyboy at 8:40 AM on November 17

Yay!
posted by seanyboy at 9:24 AM on November 17

Ooh, shiny. Can I have one please? Will MefiMail you.
I really enjoyed the meetup too, though maybe we can find somewhere a bit quieter next time :)
posted by pocketfluff at 4:22 PM on November 17