The iamkimiam welcome meetup (Leeds/York?)
posted August 23, 2010 3:11 PM RSS | iCal | +googleCal
Sat September 18 at 6:00 PM, Victoria Hotel
28 Great George St, Leeds LS1 3, UK (Map & Directions)
As the esteemed iamkimiam is due to make her arrival onto English soil soon, I submit that we should have a bit of a do in her honour. (As in, we sit in a pub with some cloudy drinks and make increasingly little sense over the course of a number of hours.)
My thoughts on a place and a date -
Place: I'm going to suggest Leeds. I've been promising to call a Leeds meetup for ages, we haven't had one before, and it completes a set of northern-but-not-on-a-coast cities. Plus it's v accessible for all northern mefites. But would it make more sense to have it in York, given the circumstances?
Date: 18th September is the only Saturday I can do that month. (I promise not to cry if another date works out best for everyone else.)
Ultimately, though, I think we should accommodate iamkimiam with all malleability. Where/when's good?
Place: I'm going to suggest Leeds. I've been promising to call a Leeds meetup for ages, we haven't had one before, and it completes a set of northern-but-not-on-a-coast cities. Plus it's v accessible for all northern mefites. But would it make more sense to have it in York, given the circumstances?
Date: 18th September is the only Saturday I can do that month. (I promise not to cry if another date works out best for everyone else.)
Ultimately, though, I think we should accommodate iamkimiam with all malleability. Where/when's good?
Lachrymosity. That'll teach me to noun adjectives after midnight.
posted by Electric Dragon at 4:55 PM on August 23, 2010
posted by Electric Dragon at 4:55 PM on August 23, 2010
I'm game would be good to meet a fellow expat. Leeds is easier for me, but York is doable as well. As far as weekends goes I would just need enough advance notice and I think everything should be fine.
-Koolkat
posted by koolkat at 4:53 AM on August 24, 2010
-Koolkat
posted by koolkat at 4:53 AM on August 24, 2010
Leeds might make more sense in terms of numbers, at least if it's only myself and iamkimiam coming across to Big Leeds, and there's a whole vast metropolitan mob of you lot.
I can do the 18th if it's an evening meet.
There has been a Leeds meet-up before, part of the 10th Anniversary Festivities. It was fun.
posted by hydatius at 6:16 AM on August 24, 2010
I can do the 18th if it's an evening meet.
There has been a Leeds meet-up before, part of the 10th Anniversary Festivities. It was fun.
posted by hydatius at 6:16 AM on August 24, 2010
Ha! This is great! Leeds works for me, and I *should* be in England by then - I am having some Visa/timing problems, but my flight to London is booked for Sept. 4th/5th and I hope to be on it! Saturday the 18th is good too (but I'm bummed you can't make it, Electric Dragon).
Looking forward to it all!
posted by iamkimiam at 6:41 AM on August 24, 2010
Looking forward to it all!
posted by iamkimiam at 6:41 AM on August 24, 2010
Eeeeexcellent, really glad this will happen! Koolkat, any thoughts on a venue? When it comes to drinks in town, I normally default to the Adelphior the Grove.
posted by thoughtless at 1:45 PM on August 24, 2010
posted by thoughtless at 1:45 PM on August 24, 2010
(But would prefer a Wednesday night as am in York most Wednesday nights...)
posted by Jofus at 4:39 AM on August 25, 2010
posted by Jofus at 4:39 AM on August 25, 2010
Easiest place would possibly be the Scarborough Hotel as it is right across from the train station. The Adelphi is fairly easy to find, but a bit of a walk and you have to go down a few side streets. I know personally I would like to try out the Fox and Hound (Leeds brewbup) but anywhere is fine for me. I live out in Headingley so it is easy for me to get anywhere in the city centre. We could meet at the Scarborough and then head other places. If people like beer then I would recommend North bar and Mr Foley's along with the adelphi and scarborough.
posted by koolkat at 5:36 AM on August 25, 2010
posted by koolkat at 5:36 AM on August 25, 2010
Yay! My preference is the Victoria. (At least I think it's called The Victoria). But I don't really care. It's a Leeds meetup! All days seem fine.
posted by seanyboy at 5:51 AM on August 25, 2010
posted by seanyboy at 5:51 AM on August 25, 2010
Some excellent location suggestions there. The Scarborough is so so easy to find but often really busy, which I was hoping to avoid. Same might be true of North Bar? Foleys should definitely have space, plus they have reputedly got rid of the faint but persistent smell of vomit which used to make a trip there so mildly nauseating. And when you say the Fox and Hound, do you mean the Fox and Newt up by Park Lane College? I've heard nothing but good about it but it seems a little far from the station.
Seanyboy, do you mean the Victoria Hotel? Great pub. Does a good line in sausages, too, I am lead to believe.
posted by thoughtless at 6:46 AM on August 25, 2010
Seanyboy, do you mean the Victoria Hotel? Great pub. Does a good line in sausages, too, I am lead to believe.
posted by thoughtless at 6:46 AM on August 25, 2010
I shall speed my way to whichever location you please (although Leeds would be best, but whatever).
I will also bring my trusty camera, and try to remember to bring the memory card and batteries for it too.
posted by idiomatika at 8:45 AM on August 25, 2010
I will also bring my trusty camera, and try to remember to bring the memory card and batteries for it too.
posted by idiomatika at 8:45 AM on August 25, 2010
I am also down with this.
The Victoria has booths, Foley's has enormous leather chairs (if I am remembering correctly) and the Adelphi has battered old furniture. The Duck and Drake is another real ale pub, may have terrible rock band in front room on a Saturday. Wooden tables.
There is also the option of Reliance, which has all of the above (other than the terrible rock band). Also food options for the hungry and art on the walls.
I would say North is probably too loud for the talking and such. Scarborough also loud and busy. The Grove is a bit far out (man).
So, I think the Victoria also has my vote for meetup-ability. Also, is next to Millennium Square which is a thing to see.
posted by asok at 5:04 PM on August 25, 2010
The Victoria has booths, Foley's has enormous leather chairs (if I am remembering correctly) and the Adelphi has battered old furniture. The Duck and Drake is another real ale pub, may have terrible rock band in front room on a Saturday. Wooden tables.
There is also the option of Reliance, which has all of the above (other than the terrible rock band). Also food options for the hungry and art on the walls.
I would say North is probably too loud for the talking and such. Scarborough also loud and busy. The Grove is a bit far out (man).
So, I think the Victoria also has my vote for meetup-ability. Also, is next to Millennium Square which is a thing to see.
posted by asok at 5:04 PM on August 25, 2010
Hey, I am selling my suggestion short! The Reliance is also really nice if we can get a table or a pod of chairs.
Another point of interest is that the Adephi is over Leeds Bridge, which is famous for being filmed in 1888.
Anyhoo, it's all welcomy goodness for iamkimiam!
posted by asok at 5:30 PM on August 25, 2010
Another point of interest is that the Adephi is over Leeds Bridge, which is famous for being filmed in 1888.
Anyhoo, it's all welcomy goodness for iamkimiam!
posted by asok at 5:30 PM on August 25, 2010
We can make it into a mini pub crawl. Nowhere in Leeds is really that far away from the train station. It would probably be best to meet somewhere close, say Scarborough or Foley's then move to the Victoria for a pub lunch and then head somewhere else / do a mini tour etc. What time is this all going to start?
-Koolkat
posted by koolkat at 1:42 AM on August 26, 2010
-Koolkat
posted by koolkat at 1:42 AM on August 26, 2010
A pub crawl? Now this I like. The only down side would be people arriving arriving at different times and being all like, hey, where are the mefites, but I think that could be manageable, especially in these days of folk having whizzy phones. Scarborough first for ease of finding?
And I can't get there until late afternoon but that shouldn't stop people starting whenever they like, obviously. (Lunch at the victoria sounds a GREAT idea.)
posted by thoughtless at 2:50 AM on August 26, 2010
And I can't get there until late afternoon but that shouldn't stop people starting whenever they like, obviously. (Lunch at the victoria sounds a GREAT idea.)
posted by thoughtless at 2:50 AM on August 26, 2010
A Pub Crawl sounds awful.
(Though I will acquiesce to group preference)
posted by seanyboy at 3:25 AM on August 26, 2010
(Though I will acquiesce to group preference)
posted by seanyboy at 3:25 AM on August 26, 2010
Oh boo. It's so tiresome traipsing from one pub to the next, just after you've got comfy.
And I'm driving, so it'd be a Victorian Lemonade and Curiosity Cola-crawl for me.
/partypooper
But I'll happily go with the flow.
posted by idiomatika at 5:11 AM on August 26, 2010
And I'm driving, so it'd be a Victorian Lemonade and Curiosity Cola-crawl for me.
/partypooper
But I'll happily go with the flow.
posted by idiomatika at 5:11 AM on August 26, 2010
I'm gonna wield my temporary banhammer down on the pub crawl.* While I do LOVE a good pub crawl (especially when there's cards or burritos involved!), it's best with a small group who already knows each other's faces (and all has phones, which I likely don't). So maybe the *next* meetup we can go crazy with that idea! (Or if this meetup goes long and we get antsy to move on...impromptu pub crawl!)
*I can do that, right?
There is just no other word for pub crawl, huh? I think I used it four times in this post.
posted by iamkimiam at 5:21 AM on August 26, 2010
*I can do that, right?
There is just no other word for pub crawl, huh? I think I used it four times in this post.
posted by iamkimiam at 5:21 AM on August 26, 2010
Well that's good too - fine use of the minibanhammer there, iamkimiam. I'm going to be without internet for the next 10 days (the horror!) but will happily comply with whatever the plan is by the time I come back.
posted by thoughtless at 7:19 AM on August 26, 2010
posted by thoughtless at 7:19 AM on August 26, 2010
I was just suggesting a pub crawl as a way to fit in all of the places mentioned. If you like burrito's then we have to head to bar-burrito in Leeds. It is the best burrito place I have found in the UK. It is essentially a Chipotle so chances are you've already been to something similar before. I know I really missed being able to get a burrito until it came into town. I just had lunch with a friend who is up in Edinburgh and we always go there because he loved Chipotle that much.
Except you might like to have a nice English pub lunch instead of a Mexican burrito, in which case you should just see where the burrito place is for when you want to get one and instead have a nice pub lunch somewhere.
posted by koolkat at 7:40 AM on August 26, 2010
Except you might like to have a nice English pub lunch instead of a Mexican burrito, in which case you should just see where the burrito place is for when you want to get one and instead have a nice pub lunch somewhere.
posted by koolkat at 7:40 AM on August 26, 2010
Yeah! Finally a meetup I might be able to get to. Have family staying that weekend, but I should be able to pop in wherever. I'd lean towards the Grove - it's near the station and not hard to find - but the Vic or Foley's are both good too, and both do food. Better beer in Foley's.
If you ring the Vic in advance they'll let you book out Bridget's Bar or Albert's Bar if they're not already taken - depends how many of us are planning to show, I guess. You can also book the back room in Foley's but they need a deposit.
Are we talking afternoon, evening, or extended afternoon?
posted by handee at 1:57 AM on August 27, 2010
If you ring the Vic in advance they'll let you book out Bridget's Bar or Albert's Bar if they're not already taken - depends how many of us are planning to show, I guess. You can also book the back room in Foley's but they need a deposit.
Are we talking afternoon, evening, or extended afternoon?
posted by handee at 1:57 AM on August 27, 2010
I was about to berate Barburritos but thought better of it. So rather than re-read all this, can someone summarise the date and place? Are we settled on the 18th?
(you know you're conflicting with Software Freedom Day at the MadLab, right?)
posted by davemee at 5:03 AM on August 28, 2010
(you know you're conflicting with Software Freedom Day at the MadLab, right?)
posted by davemee at 5:03 AM on August 28, 2010
Oooh, can we get this sidebarred as decided before you leave, perhaps? The 18th is good...it sounds like more people are amenable to the Victoria place than anything else, so lets do that. Pick a time, any time and let's get it up there so we can click yes or maybe!
posted by iamkimiam at 6:22 AM on August 28, 2010
posted by iamkimiam at 6:22 AM on August 28, 2010
Apropos of timing, I will not be available until after 6pm on the 18th. If we are starting early I will have to get some scran at some point, personally. Just f to the yi.
How have I missed that burritos place? It's on the flipping Headrow!
posted by asok at 12:02 PM on August 28, 2010
How have I missed that burritos place? It's on the flipping Headrow!
posted by asok at 12:02 PM on August 28, 2010
Side bar it for me also. I am losing internet access in well 10 minutes (moving) so I will not be able to respond before wed morning. I am fine with the vic and I dont care what davemee says about barburrito, they're the closest to american mexican food you can get in england and I've been to many different places.
posted by koolkat at 3:04 AM on August 29, 2010
posted by koolkat at 3:04 AM on August 29, 2010
Pancho's Burritos in the Arndale food court, Manchester, is the best Mexican you'll find in the UK - and I've been hunting. Enriquez there imports a huge range of chillis, cactus and special ingredients, makes everything by hand, and you'll never go back to Barburrito again.
posted by davemee at 10:22 AM on August 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by davemee at 10:22 AM on August 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
I emailed the mods about making the Proposed to Planned switcharoo for us, since thoughtless is away for the next week or so and won't be able to update the thread. Hopefully that will be doable.
posted by iamkimiam at 8:41 AM on August 30, 2010
posted by iamkimiam at 8:41 AM on August 30, 2010
I am indeed "bummed" that I can't be there, but you can't always get what you want. Y'all have fun!
posted by Electric Dragon at 12:30 PM on August 30, 2010
posted by Electric Dragon at 12:30 PM on August 30, 2010
Yes davemee, I would probably like that place and the next time I am in the arndale centre I will try it out.
Count me in I'll be there.
posted by koolkat at 4:36 AM on September 1, 2010
Count me in I'll be there.
posted by koolkat at 4:36 AM on September 1, 2010
I don't want to alarm y'all, but there's an inside chance that I won't be able to make it to this meetup. Can't tell you how bummed I am. Really, you have no idea. :(
My travel docs (visa/passport) have not been returned to me and I've been informed by the UKBA that my application has been 'escalated for further detail'. Therefore, I am unable to make my flight this Saturday and have had to cancel everything on down the line...hotel, train, etc. I'm basically grounded until I get the docs back (and I don't know when that will be and there is no way to find out).
But you can bet that as soon as I get 'em, I will be on a plane and a train and in a pub with a drink so desperately needed. Hopefully with you all and let's keep our fingers crossed that it is the 18th.
posted by iamkimiam at 8:14 AM on September 1, 2010
My travel docs (visa/passport) have not been returned to me and I've been informed by the UKBA that my application has been 'escalated for further detail'. Therefore, I am unable to make my flight this Saturday and have had to cancel everything on down the line...hotel, train, etc. I'm basically grounded until I get the docs back (and I don't know when that will be and there is no way to find out).
But you can bet that as soon as I get 'em, I will be on a plane and a train and in a pub with a drink so desperately needed. Hopefully with you all and let's keep our fingers crossed that it is the 18th.
posted by iamkimiam at 8:14 AM on September 1, 2010
Oh, and can I just say that seeing the note at the bottom of this text box is the best thing I've read all morning? I really hope it is as true as "Note: Everybody needs a hug."
"Note: You're going to see these people in real life."
posted by iamkimiam at 8:17 AM on September 1, 2010
"Note: You're going to see these people in real life."
posted by iamkimiam at 8:17 AM on September 1, 2010
We could always delay it by a couple of weeks.
posted by idiomatika at 10:56 AM on September 3, 2010
posted by idiomatika at 10:56 AM on September 3, 2010
o/ votes for a postponement (mostly because I have once again been found making false claims as to my availability anyway...)
posted by Jofus at 12:21 PM on September 5, 2010
posted by Jofus at 12:21 PM on September 5, 2010
I am usually available nearly every saturday, so a postponement would work for me. Hell I just have to get a 5 minute bus ride to be in the city center. I might be having housewarming parties sometime soon though and the 18th worked perfectly for me as my better half is playing in a concert that evening, leaving me without anything to do. Any other weekend is probably fine for me as well. All I really need usually is about 10 minutes notice.
posted by koolkat at 2:04 AM on September 6, 2010
posted by koolkat at 2:04 AM on September 6, 2010
Postponement is fine by me too. How do we do this.
posted by seanyboy at 3:45 AM on September 6, 2010
posted by seanyboy at 3:45 AM on September 6, 2010
Postponement OK by me too - better to have the guest of honour actually present, assuming that the UKBA get their act together eventually!
posted by handee at 5:55 AM on September 6, 2010
posted by handee at 5:55 AM on September 6, 2010
A postponement would suit me: I might actually be able to come if it's after the 9th October.
posted by Electric Dragon at 5:59 AM on September 6, 2010
posted by Electric Dragon at 5:59 AM on September 6, 2010
Back! It looks like I have an edit function for the details, so if we need to postpone, I should be able to change the date. Will await further updates on the whole painful visa situation. (Which sounds like a nightmare! Hope it is resolved without too much further grinding.)
posted by thoughtless at 4:45 AM on September 7, 2010
posted by thoughtless at 4:45 AM on September 7, 2010
Holy crap, people! I just went on a crazy 3-day stint in California, to meet the crazy demands of the UK Border Agency. I shipped the docs yesterday and flew back to the east coast today. I got an email when I landed (about a half hour ago) and...my UK VISA IS APPROVED!!! I am free to leave the country! WHOOHOO!
This is GREAT news. However, I'm not entirely sure at this point if I will be in York by the 18th, but I am going to do my best to try (I've got some new logistics to work out). I'll keep y'all posted as soon as I know when exactly I'm leaving here and if we need to push the meetup out a few more days or a week or whatever. Can't wait to see y'all.
---
"Note: You're going to see these people in real life."
I fucking knew it!
posted by iamkimiam at 4:55 PM on September 8, 2010
This is GREAT news. However, I'm not entirely sure at this point if I will be in York by the 18th, but I am going to do my best to try (I've got some new logistics to work out). I'll keep y'all posted as soon as I know when exactly I'm leaving here and if we need to push the meetup out a few more days or a week or whatever. Can't wait to see y'all.
---
"Note: You're going to see these people in real life."
I fucking knew it!
posted by iamkimiam at 4:55 PM on September 8, 2010
\o/
posted by Electric Dragon at 2:00 AM on September 9, 2010
posted by Electric Dragon at 2:00 AM on September 9, 2010
Cool. I bet you can make it in time. You have a week and a couple of days. I was able to move in and get all settled in under a week when I first came across the pond.
posted by koolkat at 2:15 AM on September 9, 2010
posted by koolkat at 2:15 AM on September 9, 2010
Huzzah!
posted by idiomatika at 6:46 AM on September 11, 2010
posted by idiomatika at 6:46 AM on September 11, 2010
Hey everybody! I'll be able to make it to the meetup! YAAAAAAAY. Can't wait.
(flying into London this upcoming Tuesday; taking the train up to York on Friday the 17th.)
posted by iamkimiam at 7:57 AM on September 12, 2010
(flying into London this upcoming Tuesday; taking the train up to York on Friday the 17th.)
posted by iamkimiam at 7:57 AM on September 12, 2010
Great see you this saturday. Pity that the York Beerfest is this saturday as well, but I've already been to 4 beer fests this year so I guess I can miss one or two.
posted by koolkat at 3:10 AM on September 13, 2010
posted by koolkat at 3:10 AM on September 13, 2010
This is marvellous. I'll be there at 6, I predict.
posted by thoughtless at 4:02 AM on September 13, 2010
posted by thoughtless at 4:02 AM on September 13, 2010
I'll be there about 7.30 as I have a 75th birthday party to attend.
posted by asok at 1:11 AM on September 17, 2010
posted by asok at 1:11 AM on September 17, 2010
I'll be there more or less on time. Any hints on where to park?
Does the Victoria serve plates of beans?
posted by idiomatika at 2:26 AM on September 17, 2010
Does the Victoria serve plates of beans?
posted by idiomatika at 2:26 AM on September 17, 2010
I'll be there! Probably 6ish. Is anyone going to take a sign or anything identifiable? Or should we just walk round the pub going "Meh-fee, Mee-fie, Mee-fee, Meh-fi...." until we spot someone else doing the same?
posted by handee at 2:51 AM on September 17, 2010
posted by handee at 2:51 AM on September 17, 2010
I'll show up at 6, possibly a bit earlier and try to get a booth or a table. According to the list we should be expecting 6 so either should be OK. As far as something recognisable I'll be there in Vermonter garb so just look for the guy wearing shorts and that will be me.
-Koolkat
(Jeff for a real name)
posted by koolkat at 2:55 AM on September 17, 2010
-Koolkat
(Jeff for a real name)
posted by koolkat at 2:55 AM on September 17, 2010
Parking: I never really park in the centre of Leeds, but I do know that there are some spots at the side of the road up Cookridge Street, next to the Henry Moore Institute, and then there's a car park under the Light as well - but I think you have to get to it via some one way streets, and come down Dudley Way.
posted by thoughtless at 4:53 AM on September 17, 2010
posted by thoughtless at 4:53 AM on September 17, 2010
You won't have trouble finding us...I've got just the thing for helping MeFites find their internet brethren in public places...you'll see. (How weird does that sound?) But if at all unsure, walk up to a table of the most motley crew you can spot in the bar and ask them if they're friends of Matt. Works every time!
(Although I would just die laughing if somebody just randomly stumbled around the bar chanting "MeFi" in pronunciation variants. I'm not that brave and shameless, but I commend those who are.)
posted by iamkimiam at 11:39 AM on September 17, 2010
(Although I would just die laughing if somebody just randomly stumbled around the bar chanting "MeFi" in pronunciation variants. I'm not that brave and shameless, but I commend those who are.)
posted by iamkimiam at 11:39 AM on September 17, 2010
Hello, I am waving to you all - and especially kim - from really far away! Hello! Have fun, and take good care of her for us - I know you will.
posted by rtha at 12:20 PM on September 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by rtha at 12:20 PM on September 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
A smashing time was had by all. Good to see everyone again/for the first time*
*delete as applicable
posted by idiomatika at 5:50 PM on September 18, 2010
*delete as applicable
posted by idiomatika at 5:50 PM on September 18, 2010
That was so much fun guys! It was great to meet you all and enjoy twiggies, candy, snack pies and beer. Delicious. Also, since you have found out that I tend to ramble onto long tangents with broken conclusions, the braille tattoo that I was talking about said "make it for the world." (I didn't say these stories had *interesting* conclusions.) 'till next time!
Hi rtha!!!
posted by iamkimiam at 12:12 AM on September 19, 2010
Hi rtha!!!
posted by iamkimiam at 12:12 AM on September 19, 2010
Great stuff. Nice to put some faces to names, and in one case (hi asok) put a name to a face that I already knew but didn't know I knew if you know what I mean. I've put some photos here.
posted by handee at 1:27 AM on September 19, 2010
posted by handee at 1:27 AM on September 19, 2010
Glad to hear you all had a good time! I promise* I'll make it next time.
If possible.
posted by Electric Dragon at 2:24 AM on September 20, 2010
If possible.
posted by Electric Dragon at 2:24 AM on September 20, 2010
waah - neither slyrabbit nor myself could make it in the end. good to see it was a winner anyway - catch many of you *next time*!
posted by davemee at 2:32 AM on September 21, 2010
posted by davemee at 2:32 AM on September 21, 2010
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by Electric Dragon at 4:53 PM on August 23, 2010