International Londope II [Archive] - Straight Dope Message Board

psiekier

05-30-2002, 04:28 PM

Originally posted by Alex B
Here's the plan so far: Let's all get together in a pub.

In London.

Sometime soon.

I was thinking somewhere around the Paddington area, so some of the provincials can get home more easily and stay longer.

Maybe around mid-July?

Any thoughts, comments?I will be invading England on or around July 6th, and will be available for fun in London from some time around then until about the 20th.

Since most of what I know of London comes from watching National Lampoon's European Vacation, I would welcome the chance to hang out with some natives who know what's going on.

psiekier

06-04-2002, 05:12 PM

Well, Kaylyn and I have decided that a horseback ride through Hyde Park would be fun (imagine: she asked if I had ever ridden a horse before!).

I think taking the tunnel to Paris is probably out - she wasn't keen on going and I don't think I can face the innumerable French hordes alone; even at my best I could never defeat that many.

What about Wales and Scotland? Surely there must be some fun things to do there...

I think what I shall do is pick up that book by the Steves fellow that always seems to be on PBS. He goes to some neat places...

yojimbo

06-05-2002, 11:37 AM

With this kind of notice I'm in.

See y'all in August

Tir Tinuviel

06-18-2002, 09:48 AM

*bump*

Common you lot, there's BEER to be drunk!
;)

Tansu

06-18-2002, 10:05 AM

So, are we talking Saturday August 3rd here? or a Mid-July date?

(you changed your name, you sneaky girl;))

Anahita

06-18-2002, 10:24 AM

I shall be in the States and will NOT be attending. You'll have to find some other wide-eyed first timer to London.

Have a drink on me. :)

Tir Tinuviel

06-18-2002, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by Tansu
So, are we talking Saturday August 3rd here? or a Mid-July date?

(you changed your name, you sneaky girl;))

Well, anytime is good for me, I just get a travelcard, and I'm sorted.
But it looks like more people want to do August. So I guess we should aim for the 3rd?

1pm at Waterloo again?

heh heh, yep, I changed my name... for some reason after that night I wasn't feeling quite so cynical anymore! ;)
*bounces out*

Tir Tinuviel

06-18-2002, 10:39 AM

Originally posted by Anahita
I shall be in the States and will NOT be attending. You'll have to find some other wide-eyed first timer to London.

Have a drink on me. :)

:(

Ahh well, we'll just have to "lno" you... ;)

Tir Tinuviel

06-18-2002, 10:46 AM

Tir Tinuviel

06-18-2002, 11:04 AM

Tir Tinuviel

06-18-2002, 11:14 AM

Ooooh, a TRIPLEPOST! I hope you're all suitably impressed.
I RO><OR!

Damn these multiple windows...:smack:

I blame the Aphex Twins.
:p

QueenAl

06-18-2002, 11:23 AM

July, August, whatever, I'm up for it!

TwistofFate

06-18-2002, 12:47 PM

Thats the Aphex Twin, m'dear ;)

casdave

06-19-2002, 12:27 PM

I'm up for it.

Tir Tinuviel

06-19-2002, 03:10 PM

Originally posted by TwistofFate
Thats the Aphex Twin, m'dear ;)

I blame you too...

Do you have any idea how much you distract me!

I love it! :D

Coldfire

06-19-2002, 06:46 PM

Early August? Weekend of August 3, eh?

Got any room for a fascist Dutch mod type?

I just found a suitable ticket for EUR 150 for that weekend, well, it's for Stansted. I'd arrive friday evening, and leave sunday night.

Here's the deal: if one of the Londopers will put me up for two nights (preferably with a roof) I'm game.

Good to see Yojimbo's one of the potential participants, I'd love to have a few more beers with that character. :)

Twisty? Dude? C'mon man!

Francesca

06-19-2002, 07:06 PM

Well since Anahita can't make it, and I have a feeling Twisty might be staying with somene else (*snicker*) I might be able to put you up :). I can't make any promises yet but I'll certainly look into it and get back to you. Annie can attest to the comfort (or otherwise) of the spare bed.

Helen's Eidolon

06-19-2002, 08:26 PM

Ideally, I'll be in London sometime between Aug 1 and Aug 5. If the dopefest is Aug 3rd... I guess I can swing that!

I'll probably fly back to Dublin just in time to fly to Amsterdam with ya, Coldfire!

Coldfire

06-29-2002, 04:56 PM

So what's the score, people?

Are we settling on the weekend of August 3?

Tir Tinuviel

06-29-2002, 08:35 PM

Well, yup, sounds good to me!

I'm crap at organising things, so I'll leave it up to someone else, unless of course everyone is happy with a plan along the lines of meet up - drink too much - go home. I can get that organised...
;)

Coldfire

06-29-2002, 08:42 PM

Well, since it's "fly in - meet up - drink too much - find a place to crash" for some of us, I'd appreciate a little more detail. :D

Crusoe

06-30-2002, 07:06 AM

Aye, I'll be around probably.

TwistofFate

06-30-2002, 09:20 AM

Feck it. stick me down. :)

Coldfire

06-30-2002, 09:56 AM

And tie him up.

Is that fat bearded git coming along too, Twisty? ;)

Helen's Eidolon

06-30-2002, 10:37 AM

My plans may have gotten screwed up. But dammit, if I have to miss the Dopefest by less than a week, I'm going to rip someone apart with my bare hands.

Just so you know.

Anahita

06-30-2002, 12:18 PM

LaurAnge, you must attend. There must be one token gawking North American at each EuroFest. It's a rule.

Ask Coldy about rules. That's his *favorite* topic today!

;)

(D & R from the Nazi Moderator)

kferr

07-03-2002, 02:23 AM

August 3rd is good for me. Does anyone have those London B&B links handy?

Tansu

07-03-2002, 03:17 AM

www.activehotels.com/search/index.php?
www.hotel-london.co.uk
www.londontown.com

Sir Doris

07-03-2002, 03:19 AM

I'd love to come. Does it involve strange initiation ceremonies?

Tansu

07-03-2002, 03:20 AM

and also www.smoothhound.co.uk

Coldfire

07-03-2002, 04:58 AM

Originally posted by Sir Doris
I'd love to come. Does it involve strange initiation ceremonies? Define "strange". Oh, do you own any farm animals?

So, the weekend of the third of August, right?

And I can sleep on Francesca's couch, right?
And it's OK if I arrive Friday night, or would you prefer Saturday morning, Fran? And when do you want me to piss off? I was thinking Sunday late aft. or evening.

Francesca

07-03-2002, 05:54 AM

I checked with the folks and they said "Dutch? NO DRUGS!" and yea, I did laugh and reassure them. So all is well - you're welcome to come over on Friday and leave on Sunday. And Tansu, you're also welcome to kip at mine too if you like. You and Coldie will have to argue between yourself who gets the proper spare bed and who gets the fold-out bed.

So... may I request we pick a pub near Paddington station for the Saturday night drinking so that the group that stays at my house won't have to leave at 10.30? :) Anyone know a good pub round there?

As for meeting-time for the bunch, I tentatively suggest: Saturday 3rd August, 3pm by the Paddington Bear stand at Paddington station? How does that sound?

And Sir Doris, only if you define hammering nails up your nose as "strange".

Tansu

07-03-2002, 05:58 AM

I have already booked myself into the Pavilion Fashion Rock and Roll hotel. And with a name like that, how could I not?

So, as tempting as the prospect of mudwrestling a Dutch moderator for superior kip station my be (and it is damn tempting, I tell you), I am already fixed up.

Oh, you said "argue" not "mudwrestle". My mistake.

Francesca

07-03-2002, 06:50 AM

Well, that means there's room for one more if anyone else would like to stay at mine. It does mean an just over an hour's journey to and from London (but it's a nice easy journey). First offer goes to those who've travelled furthest: LaurAnge? Yojimbo?

Roll Call so far:

Alex B
Angua (?)
Casdave
Coldfire
Crusoe
Flapcats (?)
Francesca
Gary Kumquat (?)
Gartog (?)
Ianzin
Kabbes
Kferr
LaurAnge (?)
Psiekier (?)
QueenAl
Sir Doris
Ruadh (?)
Tansu
Tir Tinuvial
TwistofFate
Yojimbo

People who have not said they're coming but should if they know what's good for them:

London_Calling
Go alien
Steve Wright
jr8
Fierra (and Anthracite if she's around - we'd love to meet you!)
ObiWan
Hibernicus

Coldfire

07-03-2002, 06:53 AM

Drugs! Surely you jest. The true Dutchman merely trades custom made clogs, and cheese filled to the brim with XTC, dammit.

Thanks Frannie, I'll go look for airfares straightaway.

Crusoe

07-03-2002, 06:54 AM

Originally posted by Coldfire
...cheese filled to the brim with XTC, dammit.
I thought you were only making plans for Nigel?

kferr

07-03-2002, 06:59 AM

Thanks for the links, I'll see what I can find.

TwistofFate

07-03-2002, 07:01 AM

I deal Cake. it stimulates you Shatner's Bassoon, but may cause you to cough up your pelvis.

Coldfire

07-03-2002, 07:02 AM

Franny, which airports do you live close to, in the London sense of the word?

I've done Stansted before, which is doable from the Liverpool Street side of things. So is City. Heathrow pretty much sucks ass no matter where you're going, but it's closer to Paddington. Gatwick's right out, innit?

TwistofFate

07-03-2002, 07:04 AM

Frannie lives closest to Gatwick. you can catch the train from gatwick to the lovely hamlet of Wokingham.

Francesca

07-03-2002, 07:05 AM

Actually, Gatwick's the best for Wokingham - there's a direct train line from there to here, no problems. Tell me what time you're arriving and I'll tell you the train times.

Twisty - Cake? Surely you're talking nonce sense?

Coldfire

07-03-2002, 07:06 AM

Ooooh! Cause I got this neat deal on a BMI flight to Gatwick. OK then, hang on.

Crusoe

07-03-2002, 07:09 AM

Francesca : there's no real evidence for it, but it is scientific fact.

Coldfire

07-03-2002, 07:16 AM

Actually, it was a BA flight, but who's counting, neither of them speak proper Dutch.

I shall be descending into Gatwick at about 16:15 local island time on Friday, August 2.

OK, now what?

(And I won't have to leave until Sunday night 19:30, bet you love that, huh?)

Francesca

07-03-2002, 07:23 AM

Okay, the train leaves Gatwick at 17.03 and arrives at Wokingham at 18.10. There are no changes. Woo!

Coldfire

07-03-2002, 07:30 AM

Excellent!

So, you'll meet me at the station or something?
I can carry the Times under my arm or something. :)

Francesca

07-03-2002, 07:34 AM

I shall meet you at Wokingham station. I know what you look like! For recognition purposes, please bear in mind that I no longer have a big purple bruise on my head.

Coldfire

07-03-2002, 07:38 AM

Not to worry, we can take care of that. :)

I was just joking around, I think I can still spot you from a mile away, too.

ObiWan

07-03-2002, 07:51 AM

Originally posted by Francesca
People who have not said they're coming but should if they know what's good for them:
......
ObiWan
......

You'll have to put me down as a maybe as I'm not 100% sure I can make it; although I really should try to come just to gloat on my crushing World Cup Prediction League victory! ;) (Here's hoping anyway as I've not seen the official results - Twisty?)

How about Nostradamus, is he coming?

Crusoe

07-03-2002, 08:00 AM

Must ... resist ... 'unforeseen circumstances' ... pun ...

Gartog

07-03-2002, 01:50 PM

After spending three weeks off line (Real Lifetmwas a little busy) and spending an hour searching for this thread, I notice it's on the bottom of page one :smack:

August 3rd is good for me, so put me down as a definate yes!

T-minus Four weeks and three days.

Sir Doris

07-04-2002, 04:16 AM

[QUOTE]
[i]

Sir Doris

07-04-2002, 04:19 AM

Originally posted by Sir Doris
[QUOTE]
[i]

Not sure what happened there - I just wanted to check with Francesca on the size of the nails she intends to useand with Coldfire on whether he'd prefer goats or cows.

Coldfire

07-04-2002, 04:45 AM

Oh, definitely goats, myself. But since it's your intitiation ritual, you can bring your cow, if you must.

ObiWan

07-04-2002, 04:51 AM

Originally posted by Sir Doris
I just wanted to check with Francesca on the size of the nails she intends to use....

Six inch monster ones - and if you think we are joking check out LonDope -- The aftermath (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=117083&highlight=londope). :)

Francesca

07-04-2002, 05:23 AM

So... pubs in Paddington or nearby: anyone? Despite living just east of the area for three years, I haven't a clue about the pubs there.

I found A London Pub Directory (http://www.pubnetwork.com/London_w2.htm) (although it looks a bit sparse).

http://www.photopolis.co.uk/w2.htmPhotopolis guide[/url] - provides photos and mini reviews. The Mitre looks nice.

The Time Out pubs & bars bit seems to be out of action at the moment.

Anything anyone fancies doing during the day? Maybe get a bit of culture somewhere?

Steve Wright

07-04-2002, 06:04 AM

I was only thinking the other day, it's been years since I last went to the V&A... a foray in the direction of South Kensington, perhaps? Much culture there to delight the discerning...

Crusoe

07-04-2002, 06:09 AM

I don't know if I can make it early, but the new high-tech Glaxo wing of the Science Museum is enormous fun.

I'm afraid I really don't know Paddington very well, so I can't recommend a single pub or eaterie in the area.

Francesca

07-04-2002, 06:33 PM

All places at mine now taken - Coldie and LaurAnge will be staying and thus I get to play host to The Bewildered American again. Huzzah!

The V & A sounds good (and free!) to me. Haven't been there for a while. Anyone else have a view on daytime shenanigans?

Helen's Eidolon

07-04-2002, 09:57 PM

BRITISH MUSEUM

I wanna see the pretty mummies.

(and try to decipher the hieroglyphs - pretty hard since I haven't finished the second chapter of my "How to read Middle Egyptian" book)

Helen's Eidolon

07-04-2002, 09:59 PM

Oh, just noticed this -

Watch who you call American ;)

kferr

07-05-2002, 02:10 AM

Hey Coldie and LaurAnge, remember to bring appropriate footwear so Fran can get you into The HoneyPot! ;)

Crusoe

07-05-2002, 02:44 AM

For daytime activities I would suggest Tate Modern, the Game On (http://www.gameonweb.co.uk/index.htm) exhibition at the Barbican (although that's £11) or the Body Worlds (http://www.bodyworlds.co.uk/en/home.asp) exhibition near Brick Lane (that's the one with the mummified corpses).

Coldfire

07-05-2002, 03:19 AM

I wouldn't mind to get some of the maybes converted.

Mr Calling, surely you won't resist the temptation of buying me a pint of the Irish stuff?

yojimbo

07-05-2002, 05:17 AM

I can make this one.

Wohoo. I'll start looking at accom. options.

TwistofFate

07-05-2002, 06:00 AM

Flights booked.

Lets Rock.

Coldfire

07-05-2002, 06:32 AM

Alright, the Paddies are confirmed!

Londoners, can you do a small favour? Kindly have your municipal authorities lower all curbs and other elevations larger than .5 millimeter. Mr OfFate has some trouble negotiating such obstacles after a pint or two. :)

It'll be good sharing a pint or two with you lads again. :)

Crusoe

07-05-2002, 06:33 AM

I intend to start my drinking practice tonight, a la Rocky.

Francesca

07-05-2002, 07:01 AM

And you're going to stay for the duration this time, right Crusoe? ;)

Yojimbo - having said places at mine are full, since you're travelling accross the waters I think we can probably squeeze you in at mine if you'd like. How does that sound?

I am excited!

Crusoe

07-05-2002, 07:03 AM

I should be able to stay, Fran, although I might not be there for the museum-y bits. I'm currently in the middle of birthday season.

yojimbo

07-05-2002, 07:36 AM

Originally posted by Francesca

Yojimbo - having said places at mine are full, since you're travelling accross the waters I think we can probably squeeze you in at mine if you'd like. How does that sound?

That would be class. Thank you.

Coldie t'will be good to see your ugly mug again :p

*Does happy dance*

Francesca

07-05-2002, 07:43 AM

Excelent. So you'll be down on Friday night? I was thinking local drinking on Friday near mine.

Tir Tinuviel

07-05-2002, 07:47 AM

Originally posted by Coldfire
Londoners, can you do a small favour? Kindly have your municipal authorities lower all curbs and other elevations larger than .5 millimeter. Mr OfFate has some trouble negotiating such obstacles after a pint or two. :)

Don't worry, I'll look after him... bless his little cotton socks! ;)

Beer Beer Beer Beer!

TwistofFate

07-05-2002, 07:50 AM

Originally posted by Coldfire
Alright, the Paddies are confirmed!

Londoners, can you do a small favour? Kindly have your municipal authorities lower all curbs and other elevations larger than .5 millimeter. Mr OfFate has some trouble negotiating such obstacles after a pint or two. :)

It'll be good sharing a pint or two with you lads again. :)

You fall over one curb while drunk........... ;)

Hopefully we can get Master Calling along. that would make the evening!

yojimbo

07-05-2002, 08:18 AM

Originally posted by Francesca
Excelent. So you'll be down on Friday night? I was thinking local drinking on Friday near mine.

That's what I intend. Forgot my C.Card so can't book anything today. I'll let you know ASAP.

Cheers again :)

Tir Tinuviel

07-05-2002, 08:19 AM

Just had a quick check on www.pubs.com

Found these two which are both fairly close to Paddington Station...

The Archery Tavern (http://www.pubs.com/archw2.htm) - Looks quite sweet, map here (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=526762&y=180910&z=1&sv=bathurst+street&st=6&tl=BATHURST+STREET,LONDON,W_2&searchp=newsearch.srf&mapp=newmap.srf)

and The Mitre (http://www.pubs.com/mitrw2.htm) - apparently has a function room, map here (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=526514&y=180863&z=1&sv=craven+terrace&st=6&tl=CRAVEN+TERRACE,LONDON,W_2&searchp=newsearch.srf&mapp=newmap.srf)

I've never been to either of them, so I have no idea what they're like... might be worth looking into though.

If I get time, I might try wandering down to Paddington and conduct a little survey of surrounding pubs, purely in the interests of your comfort of course...
:D

psiekier

07-05-2002, 09:23 AM

Originally posted by LaurAnge
I wanna see the pretty mummies.

(and try to decipher the hieroglyphs - pretty hard since I haven't finished the second chapter of my "How to read Middle Egyptian" book)I'm pretty sure it says "All your base are belong to us!!" ;) Originally posted by Coldfire
I wouldn't mind to get some of the maybes converted.Convert me from a maybe to a "why can't we have this in July?" instead. I will be leaving for London tomorrow, and will return to the United States on the 20th of July. I'll miss LonDope II by almost two weeks. :(

In other news, Coldfire, I may actually be visiting Amsterdam. We'll have to see. My hostess is a busy consultant-type, so we may end up in Scotland for the weekend as her job seems to be dragging her from London to Edinburgh to Glasgow and back.

Those of you who are actually in or around the London area... I'll be there from (effectively) July 7th to July 19th. If you wanna get together and tilt back a pint or two, drop me a line at the E-mail address I have registered here.

Coldfire

07-05-2002, 09:44 AM

Drop me an e-mail should you be in A'dam!

Gary Kumquat

07-05-2002, 09:49 AM

Originally posted by Francesca

Roll Call so far:

...Gary Kumquat (?)
...

Sorry - off diving that weekend. Buggar!

Francesca

07-05-2002, 10:12 AM

Damn. Maybe next time.

I've sent an email to Nostradamus, but no reply. He obviously didn't see it coming. I'm sorry.

Tansu

07-05-2002, 10:14 AM

You're not in the least sorry!

yojimbo

07-08-2002, 04:16 AM

Right tickets booked.

Flying in to Gatwick Friday morning 09:30. I'll flute around town for the day. I like being in a city I'm not that familiar with. I'll hook up with people whenever they're meeting.

I'm flying out Sun. 20:55.

Hope this time line is ok Francesca?

Coldfire

07-08-2002, 04:39 AM

I think we're flying out from Gatwick at approximately the same time, Yojimbo. That's convenient in the case of a delay or something. Won't be so boring. :)

yojimbo

07-08-2002, 04:58 AM

What's the bar like in Gatwick ;)

Coldfire

07-08-2002, 05:08 AM

Let's hope there is one. :eek:

Flashbacks of Euro 2000, me walking into London City airport 3 hours before my flight so I could catch the Holland - Yugoslavia game, and... finding out that there is NO TV at City!!

That one security guard that saw the panicked look on my face, then went into the storage room to find a tiny antenna operated TV, which enabled me (and 300 other onlookers :)) to look at the match, albeit on a snowy 35 cm screen?

He goes to heaven, that's for sure. :)

Crusoe

07-08-2002, 05:15 AM

If you're flying from the South Terminal at Gatwick there are plenty of bars (if you count Yates's and The Sports Bar):

Gatwick > South Terminal > Departure Lounge (http://www.baa.co.uk/doc/46ba9393b947307680256a4c003833de_main.html)

Francesca

07-08-2002, 05:51 AM

That'll be fine, yojimbo. You can either come straight to mine on Friday or have a look around town then make your way. If you come straight to mine you can catch a train direct from Gatwick to Wokingham, if you have a look round town you can catch one direct from Waterloo or a slightly indirect (but faster) one from Paddington -> Reading -> Wokingham. It'd be nice if everyone was at mine by, say, 7.30pm, so that we can head out for local drinks.

I do have a full house this time - Coldi, Yoji, LaurAnge and her SO. Woo! I'm afraid I can't afford to provide much food - I'm hoping that in exchange for a free place to stay you'll buy yourself burgers and chips :)

In other news, I'm going to mention Glee in the hope that he'll do a vanity search and see his name here and say "Hey! That looks like a fun time!" and come too. We could always use more chess teachers at Londopes.

Coldfire

07-08-2002, 06:32 AM

No worries Frannie, we'll take care of ourselves in the food department. :)

Do I need to bring anything? Sleeping bag, pillow, inflatable sheep?

kferr

07-08-2002, 06:39 AM

Hey Fran, if you are out and about in Wokingham Friday night, I may be able to join you since I'm just a couple stops down the line in Farnborough.

Francesca

07-08-2002, 06:57 AM

No need to bring sleeping bag/pillow we're just fine in that department. The inflatable sheep is entirely at your discretion and I wouldn't want to intrude on what is clearly a very personal issue.

Kferr, that would be great. I'm sure we can meet you at the station in the evening.

ems

07-08-2002, 02:52 PM

Bugger.

In London the weekend after- I read the exploits after the first International LonDope and wanted to come to the next one.

Arse.

glee

07-08-2002, 06:15 PM

Originally posted by Francesca
Woo! I'm afraid I can't afford to provide much food - I'm hoping that in exchange for a free place to stay you'll buy yourself burgers and chips :)

Sounds great. How long can I stay if I buy a Big Mac Supersize meal? :D

Originally posted by Francesca
In other news, I'm going to mention Glee in the hope that he'll do a vanity search and see his name here and say "Hey! That looks like a fun time!" and come too. We could always use more chess teachers at Londopes.

I must apologise. That day, I will be in Torquay at the British Chess Championships, where our motto is:

"We can't use any more chess teachers"

Have a great time - I will come to the next one (assuming you're not all signed up to Big Brother by then).

P.S. Francesca, practice saying 'het ontbeit is klaar', then use it on Coldfire in the morning. (It means 'the breakfast is ready'.)

London_Calling

07-09-2002, 05:39 AM

Greetings you crazy party people. As things looked to be firmed up for the 3rd August, I'd like to put myself down as a probable/highly probable attendee. Lock up your mothers !

For those fellow sad bastards who have been sucked into Big Bruvver; the day before (Friday the 2nd) must be very close to the end......but how close ??

Looking forward to seeing some old faces and meeting some new – most Eurodopers tend to either tall or short so I'll be practicing my neck exercises between now and then. If you see a man dressed in 1980's High Street chic and nodding wildly, come and say hello.

Francesca

07-09-2002, 06:18 AM

Fabulous, L_C. I look forward to meeting you. Ems and Glee weshall be sure to raise a glass to you.

Since no one has voiced any objections, I took the liberty of calling The Mitre pub in Paddington and the manager said that sometimes they're very busy, sometimes they're not. I asked about how likely we are to get a seat and she said she couldn't guarentee anything BUT if I were to call her back with an aprox number of people then she's happy to set aside a little reserved area for us at no charge.

How does that sound?

Tansu

07-09-2002, 06:44 AM

fantabulosa

Anahita

07-09-2002, 07:06 AM

*whine*

I want to go, too. I should just butt out of this thread, but I keep reading it as some form of self-torture. I'll be in exotic Philadelphia, PA on August 3rd, probably having a cheesesteak or something.

Have fun!

TwistofFate

07-09-2002, 07:09 AM

excellent.

TwistofFate

07-09-2002, 07:10 AM

Annie! will you post me back a cheesesteak?

Coldfire

07-09-2002, 07:24 AM

Good news, Frannie, thanks for all the effort.

Cockney Rebel, it'll be an honour to raise a few pints with you again! Neato.

So, Twisty, where are you spending the night, eh? :)

TwistofFate

07-09-2002, 10:35 AM

:D

oonst. oonst. oonst.

London_Calling

07-10-2002, 04:32 AM

I'm just posting in order to tick the little e-mail notification box and to take the opportunity of saying to my little Oirish pal:

<Terry Thomas>

DING DONG !

</Terry Thomas>

London_Calling

07-10-2002, 04:34 AM

Oh, and to echo the Flailing Dutchman's sediment. Matron.

Cheers !

Francesca

07-10-2002, 05:01 AM

Right.

Definites

Alex B
Casdave
Coldfire
Crusoe
Francesca
Gartog
Kferr
Ianzin
LaurAnge
London_Calling
QueenAl
Sir Doris
Steven Wright
Tansu
Tir Tinuvial
TwistOfFate
Yojimbo

Maybes

Flapcats (not heard from recently)
Kabbes (Again, where is Pan?)
ObiWan

If I have missed you out/put you in the wrong list, do let me know. Later today I'll going to call the Mitre and say "Between 15 and 20 of us" and that should be a safe bet.

So do we want to meet during the day? I'd say The British Museum is a safe bet for daytime cultural thingies - something for everyone (you'll find me looking at the mummies). So I'm going to say:

2pm at Paddington station by the Paddington Bear stand

and then later

7.30pm at The Mitre (http://www.pubs.com/mitrw2.htm).

Please tell me if you would rather it were something else - I promise not be offended/hate you for life.

Francesca

07-10-2002, 05:25 AM

I realised I don't have jr8 anywhere on those lists. Any yes/no/maybe from that quarter?

Anahita

07-10-2002, 05:30 AM

I just popped in to say how cute it is that Tir is on top of Twisty in that list.

Oh, and I think you should make a list called...

<u>People Who Are Insanely Jealous That They Cannot Attend, and Therefore, Continue to Post to this Thread</u>

Anahita

07-10-2002, 05:31 AM

Shite.

Crusoe

07-10-2002, 05:32 AM

Anahita, you evil!

I may make the 2pm bit but I won't know until nearer the time.

Tir Tinuviel

07-10-2002, 05:34 AM

Originally posted by Anahita
I just popped in to say how cute it is that Tir is on top of Twisty in that list.

Well... my name does come first alphbetically...

;)

yojimbo

07-10-2002, 06:09 AM

That sounds cool Francesca.

kferr

07-10-2002, 07:01 AM

Sounds good to me. And if anybody gets tired of culture, the Museum Tavern (http://www.pubs.com/musewc1.htm) is right across the street!

Coldfire

07-10-2002, 07:25 AM

I'd love to go to the BM again. Haven't been since I was 15 or so.

This is gonna be great! Well, it would have been even better with Annie, but there you go. :)

TwistofFate

07-10-2002, 07:27 AM

Originally posted by Tir Tinuviel

Well... my name does come first alphbetically...

;)

Oonst. Oosnt. Oonst.

TwistofFate

07-10-2002, 07:29 AM

sorry, I only meant to bold two words in that......

And as for the British Museum, culture me up.

Tir Tinuviel

07-10-2002, 07:31 AM

Originally posted by TwistofFate
Oonst. Oosnt. Oonst.

:rolleyes: :p ;) :D :cool:

Tir Tinuviel

07-10-2002, 07:32 AM

Originally posted by TwistofFate
sorry, I only meant to bold two words in that......

:eek:

LOL!

:D

(where is the damn embarrassed smilie?)

London_Calling

07-10-2002, 07:37 AM

The BM is only just off the (Covent Garden > West End) beaten track so - for evening drinkies - the pubs tend to be relatively uncrowded but within a long stones throw (8-10 min's walk).

Another option in that part of the world is that hotel bars (of which there are several around the BM) tend to be less crowded during the day and have less stringent opening hours (probably not important as closing time is less rigid nowadays).

FWIW, I'd say around the BM is a more central and varied area for a meeting but that Paddy's is also okay. I'm easy - the above is just for general information.

Tir Tinuviel

07-10-2002, 07:41 AM

Originally posted by London_Calling
Another option in that part of the world is that hotel bars...

Yay! Let's gatecrash the Savoy!

Crusoe

07-10-2002, 07:46 AM

Holborn and that bit to the east of Covent Garden is all bars and things now (Sway, Freud's, the Bierodrome, Retox, the Road House, Fine Line etc).

Francesca

07-10-2002, 11:12 AM

The reason I was saying Paddington is that the people heading back to mine will be getting the train from Paddington station post-pub. It'd just be easier travel-wise for us, since last time we were a bit bummed at having to leave at 10.30 (and missed some mysterious chair-raising activities).

Crusoe

07-10-2002, 12:58 PM

No problem for me.

Tansu

07-10-2002, 01:50 PM

we can have a late afternoon/early evening drink in the Holborn area and then move on to the Bayswater/Paddington location later. It would be very good to have Francesca and her little band of overseas guests in the pub as long as possible.

Francesca

07-10-2002, 02:02 PM

Sounds like a plan to me Tansu. Without a definite arrival time in the Paddington area I can't really ask The Mitre to reserve an area for us, so we'll have to take our chances that there'll be somewhere to sit. Unless we say we'll be at The Mitre by nine or something. Hm.

Coldfire

07-10-2002, 04:10 PM

So, can we at least stay until the pubs close, or will we have missed the Beer Train home by then?

Francesca

07-10-2002, 04:22 PM

As long as we're within walking distance of Paddington we can easily stay until the pubs close. Trains run all night between Paddington and Reading (and then we'll get a taxi home from Reading station - shared between us the taxi fare won't be horrendous).

Coldfire

07-10-2002, 04:26 PM

Excellent. After which we'll dive into the heavy nightlife of Wokingham. Right? ;)

Tansu

07-10-2002, 04:55 PM

If you dress nicely you can go to the Honeypot...

Francesca

07-10-2002, 05:03 PM

Yeah! We'll go show 'em what we're made of in... err.. the park? The fields next to my house? I'm afraid Wokingham is hardly nightlife central. But hey, I have Trivial Pursuit, what more can you ask for?

We'll just have to ensure the booze supply is sufficient for our return ;)

Also, I hear a rumour Tir and Twisty may be joining us on Sunday. But as yet that remains a rumour.

Oh that the Honeypot were in Wokingham and not Reading and would let us in when we'd shamble up to the doors after we got back from London three sheets to the wind.

QueenAl

07-10-2002, 06:35 PM

Not sure I can make the BM, but I'll definitely be there for the Mitre. It's a long way from where I need to get my train (Fenchurch St), so I'll probably have to join my friends at whatever club they're going to that week and stay out all night. Oh, life is hard.

Francesca

07-10-2002, 06:57 PM

Looking forward to meeting you Queen Al.

I just confirmed that 12.45am isn't a sensible time to phone a pub and see if they'll hold a reserved area from 9pm as they will not answer beacause they are either:

a) Closed and thus not answering the phone

b) Still clearing up and thus not answering the stupid bugger who is phoning at 12.45am

c) Thinking "It's 12.45am, we're tired, fuck off and we'll call you in the morning".

All of which are sensible answers.

Francesca

07-11-2002, 05:52 AM

So shall I ask them to reserve a space from 9pm or shall we take our chances? I reckon we might as well take our chances, it leaves our options more open.

But we do need to set a time for meeting people who are joining us in the evening. Shall we still say "7.30pm at The Mitre" and then we can meet and if it's too full we can look around and see if there's somewhere better locally?

Tir Tinuviel

07-11-2002, 07:11 AM

Originally posted by Francesca
So shall I ask them to reserve a space from 9pm or shall we take our chances? I reckon we might as well take our chances, it leaves our options more open.

But we do need to set a time for meeting people who are joining us in the evening. Shall we still say "7.30pm at The Mitre" and then we can meet and if it's too full we can look around and see if there's somewhere better locally?

I think we should ask them to set aside a space for us, especially if they'll do it for free.
Also it'll probably be fairly quiet at 7:30... (hopefully)

Still, I'm happy to give out my mobile number to people who will be turning up later, just in case the plan does change.
Send me an email - addy in profile.
(You had better let me have your number though, as I don't answer the phone to anon.)

Gartog can vouch that I am indeed crap on the phone, and tend to pass it to the person next to me... :D

Anahita

07-11-2002, 07:27 AM

Fuck, now I'm missing the Honeypot, too!

Damn! I suppose it would look a bit off to have a pregnant lady at a strip club, though. Anyway, make sure no one wears sports shoes, just in case!

TwistofFate

07-11-2002, 07:59 AM

yes, you may just lower the tone of their fine establishment by wearing trainers to a strip club.

Francesca

07-11-2002, 09:01 AM

This has nothing to do with Londope, but I thought fellow Mornington Crescent players might be pleased to know I just found out I have an interview for an admin position for Radio Four.

:D

London_Calling

07-12-2002, 06:38 AM

Just to mention I found myself driving down the Edgware Road last night and thought I'd pop by Praed Street to scope the Mitre. Which I didn't do as it's not in Praed Street. However, there are a few reasonable looking boozers along that stretch by Paddington Station (which distinguishes it from areas surrounding other London train terminals where the purchase of an 'enry' and a BJ are difficult to avoid) so options are available should the Mitre be found wanting.

There's even a Hilton ajoining the station itself now should some feel the urge to "just lie down for a bit".

From a more personal and plausible perspective, I note the Mitre sells London Pride – :)

London reconnoitrererer Calling signing orf.

Coldfire

07-12-2002, 06:45 AM

Ah, the scouts are already out to survey the battlefield.

London Pride, I can do a pint of that in between Guinnesses. :)

kferr

07-12-2002, 06:52 AM

<Homer> mmm, London Pride, mmm </Homer>

Francesca

07-12-2002, 06:56 AM

Fabulous L_C. Thanks. I won't ask The Mitre to set us aside an area so that our options are more open should we wish to sample the delights of other pubs.

Mmmmm. Pub.

London_Calling

07-12-2002, 07:00 AM

I wondered if that might peak Kent's interest ;)

It's thirsty work, Coldie, but someone's got to do it.

No mention of Guinness on that link, though it has to be unlikely they don't have it.

Roger that, Francesca. As Twisty often says, it's important for a girl to keep her options open...

Coldfire

07-12-2002, 07:09 AM

Are you sure he said "options"? :)

London_Calling

07-12-2002, 07:24 AM

I think he said 'options'. IIRC, he was talking specifically about a girl called Ana Tomical.

Pssst: I imagine you know but in a Dutch/English dictionary that would be 'anatomical'

Tansu

07-12-2002, 07:57 AM

I wonder what Alex B will think about you telling everyone to roger Francesca.

Alex B

07-12-2002, 10:30 AM

I'm more worried about people francescering Roger. Poor sod.

psiekier

07-15-2002, 12:28 PM

Shame I can't get any of you blokes to join me for a round somewhere. Looks like it'll stay that way unless you wanna do something Friday (July 19th) night. I hate to miss LonDope II; if it's half as fun as the ones we have in Dallas (we always make reservations under the name "Adams"), I'm sure it's a hoot.

So far I've been to Westminster Abbey, saw the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, sat in on both Houses of Parliament, climbed to the top of St. Paul's Cathedral, been inside the Tower of London and Windsor Castle... there's just so much!

Tomorrow I'm heading out for Edinburgh. Looks like I'll miss seeing you, Coldfire, as my hostess was unable to arrange safe passage to Amsterdam due to her work.

Coldfire

07-15-2002, 12:40 PM

There's no such thing as a safe passage to Amsterdam. :)

Maybe next time, man!

Gartog

07-21-2002, 03:33 PM

Gartog can vouch that I am indeed crap on the phone, and tend to pass it to the person next to me...

:Enlightenment Dawns as Gartog realises the true identityof Tir Tinuviel:

Suddenly the world seems to make sence (This thread at least).

Tir Tinuviel

07-21-2002, 03:48 PM

Originally posted by Gartog

:Enlightenment Dawns as Gartog realises the true identityof Tir Tinuviel:

I is sneaky, I is... ;)

TwistofFate

07-21-2002, 06:37 PM

"options"...... heh ;)

Francesca

07-29-2002, 04:41 AM

Right so. It's this weekend! Any last minute joiners/cancellations?

I just got a job (hurrah for me!) that I start on Thursday, so those that are arriving at my house on Friday afternoon need to arrive after 5.30pm. This was pretty much the plan anyway, so that's cool.

I haven't heard from Kabbes for ages. Anyone know where he is?

_shaolin_

07-29-2002, 05:16 AM

[Runs in, breathless]

Ooo, ooo, wait for me, I wanna come.

So, as far as I can tell, no-one's actually set eyes on The Mitre yet. Alex (+ anyone else for that matter) do you fancy a reconnaissance mission? After work this week? Today/Wed/Thur are good for me.

Like a kind of mini-prequel.

Loopus

07-29-2002, 06:23 AM

What the hell, I'll be in London anyway. Count me in, if you don't mind some crazy American backpacker tagging along.

But if I see any goats, I'm outta there. :D

Tir Tinuviel

07-29-2002, 06:27 AM

Originally posted by Loopus
But if I see any goats, I'm outta there. :D

What have you got against goats? hmmm?

Steve Wright

07-29-2002, 06:54 AM

Glad to see this one got bumped. Do we have any finalised plans for British Museum visiting? Meeting points/meeting times, that sort of thing?

Tir Tinuviel

07-29-2002, 07:01 AM

Dunno Steve, I guess we're all just meeting up at 2pm by the Paddington Bear Stand at Paddington Station, and then deciding the plan from there.
Unless anyone want to formalise anything?
Don't look at me, I shall be in the pub!

Steve Wright

07-29-2002, 07:53 AM

Sounds as much like a plan as I can cope with...

Coldfire

07-29-2002, 08:49 AM

Yo, Frannie, anything I need to bring along? Sleeping bag, pillow, that sort of thing?

If not, then I'll just pack my toothbrush and a pair of clean boxers, and we're off! Well, OK, not really. :)

I should be at your place at about 18:15, 18:30 or so. Train disasters notwithstanding.

Crusoe

07-29-2002, 08:54 AM

Bring plenty of water and an electric fan. It's bloody boiling (and horribly humid) in London at the moment.

Tir Tinuviel

07-29-2002, 08:59 AM

Water? Pah!
This is what pubs are for!
And you can put ice-cubes in beer...

Drinking in the sun, getting heat-stroke and severe dehydration, not to mention being stupidly plastered...
That's what British Summers (all three days of them) are all about!
:D

_shaolin_

07-29-2002, 09:06 AM

Ice cubes in beer?

Deviant.

Coldfire

07-29-2002, 09:09 AM

Ice cubes in beer? My word!

32 degrees in Amsterdam, today. Surely, London can't be worse!

_shaolin_

07-29-2002, 09:12 AM

Ice cubes in beer?

Deviant.

Crusoe

07-29-2002, 09:13 AM

Ah, but our delightful London smog makes it even more humid and grimy. And it makes my hangover feel even worse.

Tir Tinuviel

07-29-2002, 09:16 AM

Works in Cider and White Wine too...

Not sure about Guinness...

Tir Tinuviel

07-29-2002, 09:20 AM

Cool... you can all come up to Barnet then, and we can go sit in the fields by the ponds and get pished in the fresh air!

I got a tent somewhere, peoples can crash out in the woods if they miss the last train...

:p

_shaolin_

07-29-2002, 09:21 AM

Damn.

I swear I only pressed it once.

I think the heat is doing strange things to my computer.

Francesca

07-29-2002, 09:25 AM

Coldie - nothing you need to bring (except maybe a dutch beer or two if you fancy). We've got all the pillows/sleeping bags we'll need.

_shaolin_ - you're actually going to come instead of pussying out and staying home being "tired"? ;) And where were you on Saturday night eh? EH?

Steve - Like Tir said, we'll meet at Paddington station and go on from there.

People travelling from outside London - since we're going to be actually using the tube/bus (to get from the BM to the pub etc), then if you haven't bought your train ticket yet, it might be a good idea to ask for a zones 1-2 travelcard to be included.

Crusoe

07-29-2002, 09:32 AM

If the weather stays this warm, I'd also humbly suggest Primrose Hill (http://www.londonstills.com/pl0081.html) as a nice picnic location. It's not very handy for west London, though.

QueenAl

07-29-2002, 09:51 AM

I'll be there in the afternoon and up for anything, within reason. I would offer any homeless dopers (again, within reason) a sofabed for the night, but I'll be going on somewhere else after the pub. Look forward to seeing you all!

_shaolin_

07-29-2002, 09:54 AM

Yeah, Saturday, um, sorry about that. I was lead astray. Peer pressure is a terrible thing.

I'll make sure I have an early night on Friday.

Francesca

07-29-2002, 01:05 PM

Sure you will, Shaolin, sure you will. Tsk. ;)

I forgot to say earlier - Loopus - will you be joining us at 2pm in Paddington Station or 7.30pm at The Mitre? Looking forward to meeting you. Goats optional.

Loopus

07-29-2002, 02:30 PM

I suppose I'll join you at Paddington.

I've never been there before, though, so if you could enlighten me as to where this "Paddington Bear Stand" is and what it looks like, I would be grateful. :)

Francesca

07-29-2002, 02:51 PM

Don't worry, it's fairly obvious - on the station concourse, the main bit you get to when you get off the platform, there will be a stand selling Paddington Bear merchandise. You can't miss it.

To recognise us; look for a bunch of excessively tall men, a woman with fangs, and a 4ft10 woman trying to boss them all about :D

Coldfire

07-29-2002, 05:02 PM

... before falling down a flight of stairs, utterly sloshed.

*ducks and runs* :)

Steve Wright

07-30-2002, 06:18 AM

Originally posted by Francesca
... look for a bunch of excessively tall men...

Some of us are also excessively wide.

(Should warn you, by the way - since the last one, I've had my annual haircut. My curiously deformed ears are now on public display....)

Crusoe

07-30-2002, 06:21 AM

Curiously deformed? Can you have a normal deformity?

(Sorry).

casdave

07-30-2002, 01:14 PM

I am not excessively tall, in fact............maybe that's why you never noticed me.

Francesca

07-30-2002, 01:51 PM

Coldie - I'm never going to live that down, am I? I'm going to be extra super specially careful not to fall over this weekend. Really.

Casdave - I did notice you! I was scared of Melvin!

Twisty's not a giant either. But Kferr makes up for all the less tall men by virtue of being The Tallest Man In The UniverseTM.

_shaolin_

07-31-2002, 06:34 AM

Right, tonight myself and Alex are going on a recon mission to The Mitre and quite possibly assorted other hostelries in the Paddington area. We shall report back tomorrow. Although possibly not that early tomorrow.

If anyone wishes to join us, or wants us to look for anything specific, email me (address in my profile).

Francesca

07-31-2002, 06:40 AM

It turns out I'm starting my new job on Monday, not this week. So LaurAnge and yojimbo - any time you want to turn up on Friday is fine.

Enjoy your Mitre reconnaisance mission tonight, Alex and Shaolin. Maybe check if there's a curry house nearby? (as if there there wouldn't be).

Coldfire

07-31-2002, 06:43 AM

Oh, congrats on the new job, Frannie!

*looks at wallet*

Eh, your round, innit? ;)

Francesca

07-31-2002, 06:46 AM

Thankyew. It'll be my round at the end of August, when I get paid. Check back then ;)

TwistofFate

07-31-2002, 07:17 AM

Kabbes! Kabbes! We NEED YOU!!

kabbes

07-31-2002, 07:35 AM

Hello Everybody!

(Everybody: Hello kabbes)

Didja miss me?

Here are some things that have happened in the last month:

1) Got done for spending too much time on the internet at work (Ahem)

2) Concluded needed to go cold turkey for a couple of weeks (other than completing my WC predictions - whatever happened to that?)

3) Saved client $100 million.

4) Went on holiday to Kefalonia for 2 weeks.

5) Came back to find company very pleased with me for saving client $100m. Pay rise. Internet problems all forgiven.

6) Decided to go another week without SD, just to be sure.

7) Had a look today. Behold - am missing Dopefest, including old friends and individuals not previously met IRL.

8) Panicked, since have promised to go with the kabbess to Brimingham this weekend to watch her play in her company 5-a-side tournament, which includes evening ribaldry in low-down establishments.

Conclusions?

A) You'll sadly probably be seeing somewhat less of me round these parts. Sadly for me anyway. No doubt joyous for you. But I shall attempt to have a sensible bit of SD time henceforth.

B) I don't think that I can make it this weekend. At the very least I can't make it without letting down lots of IRL people, including my own girlfriend.

C) I'm wondering if I can arrange to do anything with any of you on Friday night...?

pan

Coldfire

07-31-2002, 07:37 AM

Downtown Wokingham, man. That's where tout the London Metro area goes on Friday nights. :)

Crusoe

07-31-2002, 07:39 AM

I shall be entertaining guests at home, while simultaneously trying to watch Liverpool vs Real Madrid on Channel 5 (damn you, social life!). Sorry kabbes.

Coldfire

07-31-2002, 07:45 AM

Dammit! Is London_Calling at least showing, then?

Tansu

07-31-2002, 07:57 AM

I shall be around on Friday pm. Two days in London are better than one, for me. More shopping. Ooh, but Liverpool v Real Madrid on telly? Hmm... maybe the Hammersmith branch of my fave Persian restaurant would have it on telly instead of the usual dull fashion channel and interesting Iranian soap opera. Probably not. It's not that important - only a chance to drool over Finland's Gift to Football and Women without earning funny looks from the man of the house. Oh, God, the shame.

And get a ruddy computer at home, you bizarre little man. Of course, then you'd have to put up with the slow tired hamster speed that evening brings.

Francesca

07-31-2002, 07:57 AM

Kabbes get on the train down to Wokingham on Friday night. It's where all the cool people go. Myself, Laurange, Yojimbo, Coldie, Alex and Kferr are all having a pleasant evening in my local. With alcohol. It's a direct line from Dorking, right?

Meeting at The Hope and Anchor pub at 7.30pm - come out of the station, see the Molly Millar pub, walk up that road to the roundabout and it's there on the left.

Coldie- I believe L-C has confirmed his attendance :)

Also, I got a hopeful email from ObiWan yesterday - it looks like he might be able to squeeze us in.

_shaolin_

07-31-2002, 08:33 AM

Tansu - Which Persian resaturant in Hammersmith?

I work round there but don't recall seeing one.

yojimbo

07-31-2002, 08:41 AM

Yep I'll see you in the The Hope and Anchor. Thanks again Francesca and grats :)

Kabbes sorry to hear about your hassle and glad to hear about your success which kinda leaves me unmoved overall ;)

Hope you can make it.

See you all there

Tansu

07-31-2002, 09:13 AM

d'oh. I meant "on the Hammersmith Road" but I was all rambly and I missed the vital words out.

It's called Yas, it's in Olympia, on the Hammersmith road, right opposite the exhibition centre. Best lamb kebabs in the whole world, ever. There's a branch of same by Hyde Park, too.

Crusoe

07-31-2002, 09:17 AM

I may check that place out next week Tansu. The exhibition centre is hosting the Great British Beer Festival next Friday, and I'm planning a little jaunt there.

jjimm

07-31-2002, 09:30 AM

I had been wondering where kabbes had got to. Is it any coincidence that december took a hiatus at the same time... and has just returned too? ;)

Y'all have a good time on my home turf without me, and try not to break anything.

Alex B

07-31-2002, 09:38 AM

Last call for tonight's MicroDope at the Mitre in Paddington.

Any takers?

Hello?

Alex B

London_Calling

07-31-2002, 09:51 AM

Isn't this 'Yas' gaff on the main road....a little row of shops and restaurants almost on the junction with North End Road ? Been past often, never thought to pop in. Been a while since I've skewered something foreign......

BTW, I'm finding the vagaries of life closing in. Still almost certain/definite to be at the Mitre but, as things stand, I'll probably need to drive. Might only be around long enough to share a shandy and soil the carpet with male scent Which is very unfortunate and I'm still working on it.

Who wants to share Shandy – I hear she's uncomplicated with her options........

BTW, nice to see you kabbes ! - don't let the bastards get you down.

Coldfire

07-31-2002, 10:04 AM

Dude, can't you crash somewhere?

Tansu

07-31-2002, 10:06 AM

Yep, that's the place. Open until 5am. Big blue clay bread oven in the window. You can watch the bread chap rolling out nan and slapping them to the inside of the oven with a little pillow.

kabbes

07-31-2002, 11:22 AM

I appreciate the vote of confidence fellas, but grind nothing. I was on the ol' net too much at work. And they were very nice about it - just pointed out that I was one of a number of people (and a long way from the worst offender) and they have rewritten their code of conduct accordingly... let bygones be bygones, just stop, 'nuff said.

In my defence my use has been entirely because I was being grossly underworked. In their defence, I perhaps should have been somewhat more proactive at making sure that I wasn't underworked. The argument is actually a lot more complicated than both those sides but I've no wish to hash out the respective faults of myself and my employer, especially not on MPSIMS!

SD and Caramel-coated crack. It has been said before and will be again. I've been clean for a month... I can take just a small hit...

pan

Crusoe

07-31-2002, 01:53 PM

I may be joining you in the cold turkey stakes, for what it's worth. My employment T&Cs have changed too, so I may keep my head down for a while.

Tansu

07-31-2002, 03:41 PM

Is now a good time to say that I work freelance, from home?

Thought not.

Tir Tinuviel

08-01-2002, 04:42 AM

Originally posted by Francesca
Twisty's not a giant either.

Oh, I dunno... depends what we're talking about...

:D

*runs away and hides under the blankets*

Gartog

08-01-2002, 02:31 PM

whats a giant either like a normal either, only bigger?

Bad news I'm afraid I'm ill and won't be able to make the dopefest :(

Sorry. Put my name down for number 3.

Gartogdisapointed, but that's life

Francesca

08-01-2002, 03:10 PM

That's a shame Gartog :(

I hope you feel better soon, and we'll see you at the next one.

LaurAnge and partner are on their way to the airport now. Pity them for they will be jetlagged, and I know from personal experience that jet lag makes you fall over and hit your head.

Helen's Eidolon

08-01-2002, 03:36 PM

Well, we're actually leaving for the 'port in about... *checks watch* 30 minutes!

Wooooooooo

Tansu

08-01-2002, 03:41 PM

What about train lag? Bus lag?

Alex B

08-01-2002, 08:49 PM

Following extensive research last night shaolin and I have come to the following conclusions about The Mitre:

General condition:

Seemed clean.

The ground floor was very traditionally pub-like. The basement (with pool tables) smelled faintly of urine, it must be said.

Location:

Slightly farther from Paddington that anticipated, but within strolling distance. (The pub is actually closer to Lancaster Gate, geography fans.)

Beer:

Not fantastic. We noted the available brands: Marston's Pedigree, London Pride, Brakspear, Boddingtons, Heineken and Stella. Pride rated only 4/10 - this was not a Fuller's pub though. Brakspear scored 5/10. Probably best to stick to lager.

Food:

Pretty good. Fish and chips (£7.95) was okay. Sausages and mash (£6.75) good - the consistency of the mash was not great but the gravy made up for it. Overall 7-and-a-half/10. The food took a while arriving but plates were cleared promptly.

A passing plate revealed that the pies were a bit small and did not come with much mash.

(Mash is important. Concentrate.)

Quiz machine:

Generic. Looked like a secondhand Weakest Link machine with Ann Robinson extracted from it.

Music:

Seemed to be stuck on some kind of one hit wonders CD, judging by what we heard: Steve Harley, Don McClean, that bloke who sang Kung Fu Fighting, those two women from Jamaica... you know.... they sang that song....

Nearby restaurants:

Some Italian place. An Indian called 'The Everest' just up the road. It was getting late, ok?

In the interests of fairness we considered the following pubs also:

The Sawyer's Arms

Noisy, and with unusually large urinals. Unfortunately there was just no soul to the place. And the toilets were a bit grotty.

The Dickens

Despite extravagant claims to be London's longest pub (ok, it WAS pretty long), this pub lost points for playing an abysmal Tim Booth/James compilation.

The rest of my notes are unintelligible.

Alex

Francesca

08-01-2002, 09:41 PM

That's why I love him. He's so fastidious when it comes to research.

Tir Tinuviel

08-02-2002, 04:18 AM

Originally posted by Alex B
Beer:

Not fantastic. We noted the available brands: Marston's Pedigree, London Pride, Brakspear, Boddingtons, Heineken and Stella...

WHAT?!?!?!?!
:eek:
No Guinness?
:(
*lip starts to tremble...*

Crusoe

08-02-2002, 04:33 AM

I have a hangover today. I had one on Monday. I will almost certainly have one on Saturday. Is there any realistic way I can avoid drinking on Saturday night? My health kick is currently dead in the water.

Tir Tinuviel

08-02-2002, 04:37 AM

I would just get drunk again now Crusoe, and stay that way.
Then at least you wont have a hangover, you'll just be pished!
;)

Coldfire

08-02-2002, 04:38 AM

Slightly hung over here, too. And the weekend has yet to start. :D

Crusoe

08-02-2002, 04:45 AM

I'm supposed to be behaving at the moment, since I switched companies yesterday and I'm trying to impress with my professionalism. Ha.

_shaolin_

08-02-2002, 04:45 AM

Tir Tinuviel - they had Guinness. Well, at least I saw someone drinking stout of some description. It was shoddy research, and we are sorry for any panic we may have caused.

In the interests of clarity, I have posted the original notes here: http://bigsky.topcities.com/images/mitre.jpg

_shaolin_

08-02-2002, 04:48 AM

Hmmm, clicking the link doesn't seem to work takes you to my hosts homepage instead), but copy n' pasting it does.

Weird.

Tir Tinuviel

08-02-2002, 04:50 AM

ha ha ha!
you literally made NOTES!

lol!

You rock!

:D

Crusoe

08-02-2002, 04:57 AM

Originally posted by _shaolin_
Hmmm, clicking the link doesn't seem to work takes you to my hosts homepage instead), but copy n' pasting it does.

Weird.
A lot of free webhosts disable direct linking to images or files. They force you (in theory, at least) to go via the web page.

Francesca

08-02-2002, 05:04 AM

My favourite part of the notes:

Sheila's takeaway (not australian) (not posh)

Let's go there! It's not Australian!

_shaolin_

08-02-2002, 05:37 AM

I am slowly coming to the conclusion that I am going to have to pay for hosting, painful though that seems.

I regularly frequent dining establishments on the criteria that they are not Australian. It's a good rule of thumb.

I would just like to say to all the people going out in Wokingham tonight - no excuses along the lines of "I'm not drinking, cos I'm still hungover from last night" will be tolerated on Saturday.

Francesca

08-02-2002, 06:17 AM

Just for my interest:
those two women from Jamaica... you know.... they sang that song....

Top Rankin'?

kferr

08-02-2002, 06:21 AM

Just popping in to say that I'm still on for Wokingham tonight. I get off work at 5:30 and will get either the 5:50 or 6:16 train from Bracknell, so I may be the first to the pub.

_shaolin_

08-02-2002, 06:27 AM

Francesca: about the song - not sure - I didn't recognise it and Alex couldn't remember what it was called.

Sorry.

Tir Tinuviel

08-02-2002, 06:29 AM

The Weather Girls and "it's raining men"?

Crusoe

08-02-2002, 06:34 AM

Althea and Donna, Uptown Top Rankin'

It was Carl Douglas that sang Kung Fu Fighting.

Francesca

08-02-2002, 06:40 AM

Crusoe, you're so cool.

fierra

08-02-2002, 06:46 AM

Originally posted by Francesca

2pm at Paddington station by the Paddington Bear stand

and then later

7.30pm at The Mitre (http://www.pubs.com/mitrw2.htm).

Add me in - is this still the correct times & places? If so, I'll be aiming for the 2pm at Paddington bit. Una won't be coming as she's stuck in America :(.

Crusoe

08-02-2002, 06:48 AM

Originally posted by Francesca
Crusoe, you're so cool.

Cool, anal, underemployed, they're all good terms.

kabbes

08-02-2002, 06:50 AM

I've been looking into trains.

Realistically I can't get to Wokinham before 20:15. There is only one realistic train to take me home and it leaves at 22:48. Allow for a total 15 mins for station -> pub and pub -> station and that gives about 2 hrs 15 mins travel time for 2 hrs 15 mins Dope time.

I'd get home after midnight and have to be up at 6am Sat morning.

To be honest guys, I'm not liking these statistics. The evening is supposed to be about fun not trains (though trains can be fun too of course, as long as you are not spying on super-secret Greek trains or anything).

I'm even thinking about driving, though my car isn't in the best of health at the moment (garage on Monday) and the M25 on a Friday night is not the fun place it's cracked up to be (shudders from nasty memories. Over 2 hrs to get to Watford last week!).

I'm reluctantly thinking that you may have to do this one without me. And I really wanted to meet our international guests that I won't ever have many chances to meet. Bugger.

Unless anyone is still around on Sunday...?

pan