Shouldn’t that be double chins?
You are absolutely gorgeous, and those photos don’t capture it nearly. I was staring at you and jealous of your fashion sense and coordination. I loved your nail polish.
I was wandering if anyone wanter to write a paragraph about the event for the site…
Anahita’s sent in the photos,
and Frannie has provided all the quotes [sub](though I’ve still got to put these up)[/sub]
But if I write the rest of the site, it’ll be poop! ha ha!
Just wondering…
looks hopefully around
http://members.lycos.co.uk/londope
I don’t have much time to post execpt to Say.
They have those outdoor urinals in London too!
My first thought was “What the hell is she on about?” then I vaguely remembered the Steve Winwood conversation. You should drink more
Halloooo everyone who attended International Londope 2002, Part the First.
I think most things that needed to be said have been said, but I should like to add the following:
What I actually wrote was Monoboob. So there.
I drew that, not TwistoFett.
For a man, Hibernicus has a mighty fine bottom.
ianzin: Why yes, that was the card I was thinking of.
kabbes, how much for this folder of lurking data I’ve acquired?
Twisty, truly you are a prince among…um…a group of better dressed, richer, more handsome princes.
And Anahita, you are a princess among…er…men.
Francesca, you are hot and funny and can sure lead a bunch of people along a crowded street. And you have fantastic taste in boyfriends.
Alex
You’re right, I do have fantastic taste in boyfriends.
Gartog is super-nice for sending a thank-you card.
Isn’t Tansu a babe in those photos? I want her top. I’ll leave it for you to decide whether I mean her attire or cough breastages.
Kabbes - I like my photo of you a lot. I think it’s very you. Pint in one hand, outreaching trying-to-explain-maths gesture, wicked smile, plus very stylish outfit.
(I must say - the high view-to-reply ratio of this thread amuses me. All the Merkins checking in on what the Londopers get up to. They’re so jealous.)
This was the best dopefest I ever attended. I love you all.
Sneaky me. Since I know you’ll all check this thread regularly (albeit, not as obsessively as myself), I thought I’d direct you to this inquiry post about potential Paris-Dope…
Here it is…what you’ve all been waiting for…my Londope round up.
For more information about the trip there, Friday night at Reading and Sunday, you can visit my LiveJournal. But don’t visit yet, because I’ve not updated it yet. Well, you can visit, but I haven’t updated it yet. Wipe your feet before entering, please.
Well, we all anxiously met under the clock at Waterloo at 1pm on Saturday. Everyone except jr8, Tansu, Jojo, Kabbes and Gartog met each other there. We were quite a motley crew, however, within a few minutes, it was decided that we should go to get some food and drinks while we decided what to do. Interesting lack of pre-planning made it really much more fun!
We walked to a small place to eat and drink and sat outside in the lovely sunshine. I had the lamb kabobs which were lovely. Most of the other people had Guinness. No comment on the yumminess. (wretch)
Then there were threats of some sort of bungie bouncing thing. Fierra and Ianzin were keen to see me make an ass of myself by trying that out. In the end, we walked to the London Eye, but the queue was a mile long, so we decided to just look at it and say, “Oooh, ahhh.”
Then came the lost ticket fiasco. Kindly, Alex B walked all the way back to the lamb-n-Guinness place with me, searching the ground for my lost travel card. It wasn’t cheap, and I’d planned to use it all day to travel on busses, trains and undergrounds. We never did find it.
Meanwhile, everyone else was walking across the new bridge. From the bridge, there was a lovely view of BigBen (I think) and some other old buildings. I was still in a daze and don’t remember much.
Ianzin kept me chuckling the entire time. He’s quite the showman! We walked and walked and I’m pretty sure we headed towards Covent Gardens, where our first stop was a pub called the “Punch and Judy.” Most of the UK Dopers stayed in the pub (figures) while some of the rest of us went to explore. Fierra and Lamia kindly walked with me to the nearby ATM on the Strand. The booths at Covent Gardens had millions of cool trinkets, crafts and loads of jewelry. I bought Yasmin a puzzle with the letters spelling out her name, a hair thingee (one of those things that’s silver with a wooden stick through it) and almost a scarf. I enjoyed having some time to look around at all the booths.
Then, back to the pub, where our fellow Dopers were enjoying more drinkies. This was beginning to be a pattern. We hung out there for a while. I had a nice long chat (interrogation) with kferr who is cool as hell. He is quite a handsome fellow as well, so I suggest all you ladies go to London and visit him. He’ll probably wish he could be swallowed up by the earth when he reads that, but c’est la vie. What’s he going to do, say “Hell, no. I’m not attractive!”? He is an interesting character, and we discussed the details of tax exemption for US expatriates.
Unfortunately, Lamia left us at that point and went to meet a friend. I’d hoped she’d meet up with us again at the Silver Cross, but she didn’t. She was in London for three weeks studying, so I’m sure she had a lot of other things to be doing.
After leaving Punch and Judy, we walked some more. Francesca was leading the way, and I was following closely behind, for fear of being lost alone in London. She took us through the winding areas of London, and though I don’t remember the names of everywhere, I do recall a very groovy area called Neal’s Yard. I still am trying to figure out the phenomenon of young English girls wearing bare midriff tops and miniskirts when it was cold, wet and windy. Tramps!
We walked along and I got chatting to ObiWan (swoon), who is a Manchester man, if I’m not mistaken. Lovely fellow. I hope I didn’t act too goofy, but I’m afraid I did. I also chatted to casdave and his friend Melvyn, who’d rode a three wheel car down to London from Leeds. I had a bit of trouble understanding Melvyn’s accent, but he was a fine bloke.
Gartog also provided a fine walking companion and I hope he wasn’t too disappointed he’d made the trip down. Oh, I forgot to mention that Gartog, bless his little self, did not find us under the clock, but miraculously managed to find us at the lamb-n-Guinness place. Very nice fellow, and a good sense of humour. Again, I hope I didn’t scare him too much.
TwistofFate was very kindly checking on me periodically to make sure I was fine and doing well. He was a bit distracted wink, but he put on a good show of it.
Francesca pointed out interesting places that I never would’ve heard about on a guided tour. I mostly held onto her and listened. I didn’t want to get scolded for dawdling.
Steve Wright and I discussed the confusion with his name. He’s a lovely fellow and gave me some interesting information about the theater area. He doesn’t like “Cats” (the Musical, not the animal), so don’t mention it. He’s got a wicked sense of humour.
We passed through just the end of Soho, where we saw some almost nekkid people. Of course, we had to pop into yet another pub. TwistofFate claims we’ll just pop in while he hits the loo, but in fact, it’s a vicious cycle…loo-pub-Guinness-loo-pub-Guinness. Hehe.
While at the pub, I had a chance to chat with the interesting and lovely Synnic. She’s a really groovy chick, and I felt old and unstylish. Another trend.
Lots of folks went to play a trivia game, but I was too busy saying to myself “Yay! I’m in London!” to notice the details. Crusoe was there. I wish I’d had a chance to speak with him a bit more as well. Also a fine looking bloke. But I’m not trying to embarrass anyone here. Just saying, in case anyone is interested.
While we were there, it was discovered that Francesca, while standing on a chair, is as tall as kferr. Photos were taken of this event.
On from there, we walked a lot more. I saw Trafalgar Square, and a few other places. I can’t remember all the names, but they were very cool. Gartog pointed out Pall Mall, and guess what? They are not just cigarettes! I also tried desperately to play Guess Who Geography with Hibernicus, as he did his PhD at the same university and same time frame as my husband. Hibernicus will be sadly disappointed if I do not make the following statement:
“In my limited experience, Irish men have nice bums.”
We finally arrived at the Silver Cross Pub (I think it’s in Whitehall) on time. We went downstairs and basically had the entire place to ourselves. We quickly ordered our drinks while Fierra assisted me in interpreting the menu. She’s great at that. She should come out with me to every meal and help me decide what to order.
TwistofFate got into a ‘disagreement’ with the barman. I’m not sure what the nature of the disagreement was, but, hey, he’s Irish, give him a break! (d & r)
We all marvelled in amazement at Ianzin’s magic card tricks. Unfortunately, I didn’t get any lessons, but maybe next time!
We were soon joined by jr8, who is originally from a city quite near mine in the States. He’s also a fine bloke and knows a lot about London. I hope he and his wife get to stay in London forever, so I can meet them again. He also answered my interrogation questions with humour and charm. I thank him for being patient with me.
There was a silence…I turned around. Standing before me was the lovely Tansu. She didn’t look at all like what I’d imagined. She was wearing the coolest dress-top thing and great jewelry. I wanted to be her when I grew up, but alas and alack, she’s my junior, so it’s not possible. She’s a very funny lady and I hope to meet her again. I think lno liked her too, and she said he went down very well.
We saw a fellow sort of lingering around. He stayed on the periphery of the group for a while…I think I was the one who first approached him. It was Jojo. I won’t say what I bummed off of him, because I could get in trouble with the spouse, but thanks! He, Fierra, Synnic and myself had an interesting chat about hobbies. Jojo’s gotta be famous. Or infamous. I’m sure of it. I’ll be checking the “FBI Most Wanted” website later today, so you’ve still got time to escape!
Suddenly, a beacon of light and calm approached the group. kabbes had arrived. He was carrying a large tray of pints (shouted by Steve Wright and a newspaper, just in case. He’s a really great, funny and amiable guy. I wish I’d had a chance to speak with him some more. I didn’t get to hear his stats report, but I’m sure it was errorless.
…starts boring even herself…
Unfortunately, our timekeeper AlexB informed us we’d better shake a leg in order to walk all the way back to Waterloo to catch our train to Francesca’s house. Goodbye kisses (French style, baybee) were doled out all 'round and off we went. What happened after we left will be forever unknown to me.
TwistofFate, kferr, Francesca, Alex B and myself hotfooted it back to Waterloo in the rain. Perfect way to end the evening. We got onto the train bound for Francesca’s and I was completely happy and tired. It was a wonderful night.
Let’s do it AGAIN!!!
Here it is…what you’ve all been waiting for…my Londope round up.
For more information about the trip there, Friday night at Reading and Sunday, you can visit my LiveJournal. But don’t visit yet, because I’ve not updated it yet. Well you can visit, but there’s nothing there. Well, no, there’s a lot there, just nothing about London. Except picture links. Including hibernicus’ pictures. He just put them up.
Well, we all anxiously met under the clock at Waterloo at 1pm on Saturday. Everyone except jr8, Tansu, Jojo, Kabbes and Gartog met each other there. We were quite a motley crew, however, within a few minutes, it was decided that we should go to get some food and drinks while we decided what to do. Interesting lack of pre-planning made it really much more fun!
We walked to a small place to eat and drink and sat outside in the lovely sunshine. I had the lamb kabobs which were lovely. Most of the other people had Guinness. No comment on the yumminess. (wretch)
Then there were threats of some sort of bungie bouncing thing. Fierra and Ianzin were keen to see me make an ass of myself by trying that out. In the end, we walked to the London Eye, but the queue was a mile long, so we decided to just look at it and say, “Oooh, ahhh.”
Then came the lost ticket fiasco. Kindly, Alex B walked all the way back to the lamb-n-Guinness place with me, searching the ground for my lost travel card. It wasn’t cheap, and I’d planned to use it all day to travel on busses, trains and undergrounds. We never did find it.
Meanwhile, everyone else was walking across the new bridge. From the bridge, there was a lovely view of BigBen (I think) and some other old buildings. I was still in a daze and don’t remember much.
Ianzin kept me chuckling the entire time. He’s quite the showman! We walked and walked and I’m pretty sure we headed towards Covent Gardens, where our first stop was a pub called the “Punch and Judy.” Most of the UK Dopers stayed in the pub (figures) while some of the rest of us went to explore. Fierra and Lamia kindly walked with me to the nearby ATM on the Strand. The booths at Covent Gardens had millions of cool trinkets, crafts and loads of jewelry. I bought Yasmin a puzzle with the letters spelling out her name, a hair thingee (one of those things that’s silver with a wooden stick through it) and almost a scarf. I enjoyed having some time to look around at all the booths.
Then, back to the pub, where our fellow Dopers were enjoying more drinkies. This was beginning to be a pattern. We hung out there for a while. I had a nice long chat (interrogation) with kferr who is cool as hell. He is quite a handsome fellow as well, so I suggest all you ladies go to London and visit him. He’ll probably wish he could be swallowed up by the earth when he reads that, but c’est la vie. What’s he going to do, say “Hell, no. I’m not attractive!”? He is an interesting character, and we discussed the details of tax exemption for US expatriates.
Unfortunately, Lamia left us at that point and went to meet a friend. I’d hoped she’d meet up with us again at the Silver Cross, but she didn’t. She was in London for three weeks studying, so I’m sure she had a lot of other things to be doing.
After leaving Punch and Judy, we walked some more. Francesca was leading the way, and I was following closely behind, for fear of being lost alone in London. She took us through the winding areas of London, and though I don’t remember the names of everywhere, I do recall a very groovy area called Neal’s Yard. I still am trying to figure out the phenomenon of young English girls wearing bare midriff tops and miniskirts when it was cold, wet and windy. Tramps!
We walked along and I got chatting to ObiWan (swoon), who is a Manchester man, if I’m not mistaken. Lovely fellow. I hope I didn’t act too goofy, but I’m afraid I did. I also chatted to casdave and his friend Melvyn, who’d rode a three wheel car down to London from Leeds. I had a bit of trouble understanding Melvyn’s accent, but he was a fine bloke.
Gartog also provided a fine walking companion and I hope he wasn’t too disappointed he’d made the trip down. Oh, I forgot to mention that Gartog, bless his little self, did not find us under the clock, but miraculously managed to find us at the lamb-n-Guinness place. Very nice fellow, and a good sense of humour. Again, I hope I didn’t scare him too much.
TwistofFate was very kindly checking on me periodically to make sure I was fine and doing well. He was a bit distracted wink, but he put on a good show of it.
Francesca pointed out interesting places that I never would’ve heard about on a guided tour. I mostly held onto her and listened. I didn’t want to get scolded for dawdling.
Steve Wright and I discussed the confusion with his name. He’s a lovely fellow and gave me some interesting information about the theater area. He doesn’t like “Cats” (the Musical, not the animal), so don’t mention it. He’s got a wicked sense of humour.
We passed through just the end of Soho, where we saw some almost nekkid people. Of course, we had to pop into yet another pub. TwistofFate claims we’ll just pop in while he hits the loo, but in fact, it’s a vicious cycle…loo-pub-Guinness-loo-pub-Guinness. Hehe.
While at the pub, I had a chance to chat with the interesting and lovely Synnic. She’s a really groovy chick, and I felt old and unstylish. Another trend.
Lots of folks went to play a trivia game, but I was too busy saying to myself “Yay! I’m in London!” to notice the details. Crusoe was there. I wish I’d had a chance to speak with him a bit more as well. Also a fine looking bloke. But I’m not trying to embarrass anyone here. Just saying, in case anyone is interested.
While we were there, it was discovered that Francesca, while standing on a chair, is as tall as kferr. Photos were taken of this event.
On from there, we walked a lot more. I saw Trafalgar Square, and a few other places. I can’t remember all the names, but they were very cool. Gartog pointed out Pall Mall, and guess what? They are not just cigarettes! I also tried desperately to play Guess Who Geography with Hibernicus, as he did his PhD at the same university and same time frame as my husband. Hibernicus will be sadly disappointed if I do not make the following statement:
“In my limited experience, Irish men have nice bums.”
We finally arrived at the Silver Cross Pub (I think it’s in Whitehall) on time. We went downstairs and basically had the entire place to ourselves. We quickly ordered our drinks while Fierra assisted me in interpreting the menu. She’s great at that. She should come out with me to every meal and help me decide what to order.
TwistofFate got into a ‘disagreement’ with the barman. I’m not sure what the nature of the disagreement was, but, hey, he’s Irish, give him a break! (d & r)
We all marvelled in amazement at Ianzin’s magic card tricks. Unfortunately, I didn’t get any lessons, but maybe next time!
We were soon joined by jr8, who is originally from a city quite near mine in the States. He’s also a fine bloke and knows a lot about London. I hope he and his wife get to stay in London forever, so I can meet them again. He also answered my interrogation questions with humour and charm. I thank him for being patient with me.
There was a silence…I turned around. Standing before me was the lovely Tansu. She didn’t look at all like what I’d imagined. She was wearing the coolest dress-top thing and great jewelry. I wanted to be her when I grew up, but alas and alack, she’s my junior, so it’s not possible. She’s a very funny lady and I hope to meet her again. I think lno liked her too, and she said he went down very well.
We saw a fellow sort of lingering around. He stayed on the periphery of the group for a while…I think I was the one who first approached him. It was Jojo. I won’t say what I bummed off of him, because I could get in trouble with the spouse, but thanks! He, Fierra, Synnic and myself had an interesting chat about hobbies. Jojo’s gotta be famous. Or infamous. I’m sure of it. I’ll be checking the “FBI Most Wanted” website later today, so you’ve still got time to escape!
Suddenly, a beacon of light and calm approached the group. kabbes had arrived. He was carrying a large tray of pints (shouted by Steve Wright and a newspaper, just in case. He’s a really great, funny and amiable guy. I wish I’d had a chance to speak with him some more. I didn’t get to hear his stats report, but I’m sure it was errorless.
…starts boring even herself…
Unfortunately, our timekeeper AlexB informed us we’d better shake a leg in order to walk all the way back to Waterloo to catch our train to Francesca’s house. Goodbye kisses (French style, baybee) were doled out all 'round and off we went. What happened after we left will be forever unknown to me.
TwistofFate, kferr, Francesca, Alex B and myself hotfooted it back to Waterloo in the rain. Perfect way to end the evening. We got onto the train bound for Francesca’s and I was completely happy and tired. It was a wonderful night.
Let’s do it AGAIN!!!
See, this is exactly the sort of thing that befuddles me – I can’t tell whether to be flattered or insulted by that.
Nevertheless, let me state for the record that Tansu is one of the most charming drinking companions one could have, and even tolerated with grace and good humor being stuck on that stupid pew bench – and next to me – for much of the evening .
I couldn’t possibly comment on what the two of us were doing in that one photo [sub]but only because I can’t remember[/sub]. My best guess is that either we were both preparing to punch Hibernicus or we were playing a game of “Rock, Scissors, Pint”.
You were playing “One Potato, Two Potato, Three Potato, Four”. Sheesh, didn’t you read my blurbs about the photos?
Aww shucks, I’ve gone all embarrassed 
Mistaken you are
Well, only a little…nah, just kiddin’, you were so nice and it was such a pleasure to spend time with you. You Rock!
Where are you from? I’ve been humming the following ditty all weekend…well, since Saturday.
From the musical Hair…
“Manchester, England, England,
Across the Atlantic Sea,
And he’s a genius, genius,
He’ believes in God…”
Then I forget the lyrics altogether.
Sweet and furry is good.
There will have to be a repeat one day. I didn’t talk to people nearly as much as I’d have liked to.
Thanks for the photos guys!
And I think that Ana’s report is so good, it deserves to be on this thread twice.
So - who’s starting the next LonDope thread?
If I could predict the weather with any certainty, I’d suggest a picnic on Primrose Hill overlooking the whole of the city. Not really an option for long-term planning though.
The next LonDope thread is a ParisDope thread.
Sorry for the double post, it’s just the hamsters seemed like they were asleep, so I nudged them.
May I just add that I wished Lamia could have stayed longer. What a very nice girl, and I would have enjoyed talking to her more if I had the chance.