Re: London meet-up thread!

1

I guess feminism means that the male in a heterosexual partnership can be the better half, but honestly, I don't want that kind of pressure.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 10-20-19 8:02 PM
horizontal rule
2

I would have a slight preference for Saturday on the theory that the pubs might be quieter


Posted by: Nw | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 12:35 AM
horizontal rule
3

Up for it in principle, but if it's the later weekend I'll need to check with the family that we're not doing Thanksgiving. then


Posted by: Ginger Yellow | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 2:00 AM
horizontal rule
4

They have Thanksgiving in the UK? Next thing you'll be telling me you guys have a Fourth of July too.


Posted by: Barry Freed | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 2:19 AM
horizontal rule
5

Oh yes, quieter far preferred!


Posted by: dairy queen | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 5:07 AM
horizontal rule
6

4: They do! It comes between the 3rd of July and the 5th of July.


Posted by: peep | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 5:53 AM
horizontal rule
7

Might make sense to take advantage of the food in Spitalfields Market, depending on how cold it is. There's some seating near the stalls, some of which are really good.


Posted by: Ginger Yellow | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 5:54 AM
horizontal rule
8

Why don't they serve hot food?


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 5:54 AM
horizontal rule
9

4: For a few decades after their humiliating defeat, the British skipped over that date, much as some tall buildings don't have a 13th floor, but they're over that now.


Posted by: Opinionated Calvin's Father | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 5:55 AM
horizontal rule
10

not outside in the uk in november, no thanks nope. we could just go round the corner to st. john bread & wine. would saturday mid morning work for people?


Posted by: dairy queen | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 6:51 AM
horizontal rule
11

and inside that barnlike market is effectively outside from a freezing your ass off perspective, people.


Posted by: dairy queen | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 6:52 AM
horizontal rule
12

Sure it's cold, but it's also damp.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 7:07 AM
horizontal rule
13

Mid-morning Saturday would suit me perfectly. The choir I sing with is performing in the Bloomsbury Big Top that evening, so I'll have to dive off for sound checks/rehearsals soon after lunch.


Posted by: Ume | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 7:51 AM
horizontal rule
14

That's too early to drink, except on Sunday.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 7:55 AM
horizontal rule
15

Have you met any Brits?


Posted by: Ginger Yellow | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 8:11 AM
horizontal rule
16

No, but Ed Sheeran songs are all over the radio.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 8:13 AM
horizontal rule
17

I'll just miss you: I'm going out for a quick turnaround on the 9th to 11th (fucked up visa/lease timing), then permanently sometime around the 20th to 23rd.

4: When I was there two weeks ago I was surprised to see the beginning of Christmas stuff going up. But then I realized that they don't have Thanksgiving serving as an increasingly ineffective bulwark.


Posted by: dalriata | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 8:15 AM
horizontal rule
18

Ed Sheeran is actually pretty good. So is Adele.


Posted by: lw | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 8:48 AM
horizontal rule
19

Saturday morning excellent for me. I have no opinion at all about the interior of the market. I suspect that DQ may be thinking of Smithfield, which is near St Johns, rather than Spitalfields, where I have never eaten but is, I think, less of a wind tunnel.


Posted by: NW | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 8:49 AM
horizontal rule
20

I like Adele.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 8:49 AM
horizontal rule
21

20: I know when I've been insulted.


Posted by: Opinionated Ed Sheeran | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 8:52 AM
horizontal rule
22

oh no, i know my draft london repurposed markets - smithfield is worse yes, spitalfields bad enough especially when a v good pot of tea and excellent bacon sandwich is just across the road.


Posted by: dairy queen | Link to this comment | 10-21-19 9:56 AM
horizontal rule
23

We're not doing Thanksgiving till the following weekend so I should be good for anything in that range.


Posted by: Ginger Yellow | Link to this comment | 10-22-19 5:16 AM
horizontal rule
24

You can't do Thanksgiving whenever you want. That's just chaos.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 10-22-19 5:31 AM
horizontal rule
25

if you can't do chaos when you want I don't see why anyone would even bother with the whole genocidal colonization thing.


Posted by: Mossy Character | Link to this comment | 10-22-19 5:39 AM
horizontal rule
26

Let's not re-fight the Boer War again.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 10-22-19 5:43 AM
horizontal rule
27

25: I think this has it all wrong. Genocidal colonization is all about trying to create order in a chaotic universe.


Posted by: peep | Link to this comment | 10-22-19 5:48 AM
horizontal rule
28

You can't do Thanksgiving whenever you want. That's just chaos.

At my previous job, we often had our office Christmas party in January.


Posted by: Ginger Yellow | Link to this comment | 10-22-19 9:34 AM
horizontal rule
29

That's what Greeks do and look what happened to them.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 10-22-19 9:40 AM
horizontal rule
30

They had a schism?


Posted by: Ginger Yellow | Link to this comment | 10-22-19 10:30 AM
horizontal rule
31

Ooh! In my occasional perusal of Hot Dinners, I stumbled across this upcoming opening. Always a bit risky dining in the first week, but Chick 'n' Sours is great:

Chick n Sours Spitalfields
In a nutshell: Chick 'n' Sours comes to Spitalfields with a new menu
Where is it? 14 Artillery Passage, London E1 7LJ
Why should you care? Quirky fried-chicken outlet with a cult following, Chick 'n' Sours will open a fourth site in November. The 50-cover location in Spitalfields also features a new menu with plant-based offerings and a take-away option.


Posted by: Ginger Yellow | Link to this comment | 10-30-19 5:33 AM
horizontal rule
32

I, who have eaten Mountain Jellyfish, will not flinch even from chicken-with-a-cult-following


Posted by: NW | Link to this comment | 10-30-19 6:58 AM
horizontal rule
33

its a possibility ... not sure how it would work as a mid-morning place to have a chat? could be madness or filled with pacific calm! i've got in mind we are targeting 11 ish Saturday morning, looks like ginger yellow, ume, NW, self and better half are coming - anyone else?


Posted by: dairy queen | Link to this comment | 10-30-19 7:48 AM
horizontal rule
34

ummm guys https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/oct/21/chick-n-sours-london-wc2-restaurant-review-marina-oloughlin is this going to work for ume's vocal chords??? i have concerns.


Posted by: dairy queen | Link to this comment | 10-30-19 7:50 AM
horizontal rule
35

To be fair, that's a different location, but yeah probably not the best location if we're doing late morning. Bread and Wine makes sense for that.


Posted by: Ginger Yellow | Link to this comment | 10-30-19 8:14 AM
horizontal rule
36

Any update on plans?


Posted by: Ginger Yellow | Link to this comment | 11-11-19 4:55 AM
horizontal rule
37

How's about Saturday 16 November, 1130 at St. John Bread & Wine. I believe Ume, NW are confirmed - let me know if this is wrong, not sure about Ginger Yelliw, ajay, Alex? - also, please confirm here so i can make a reservation thanks! But if don't have opportunity to confirm just show up & we'll squoze.

Heebie could you bump & add the above para that would be lovely!


Posted by: dairy queen | Link to this comment | 11-13-19 7:29 AM
horizontal rule
38

Off-topic delurk to say Unfogged's collective prohibition is hereby refuted.


Posted by: Rah | Link to this comment | 11-13-19 9:59 AM
horizontal rule
39

apologies to ginger yellow for misspelling, v sorry was (badly, as per usual) phone typing. while at lunch. across table from my love. who remarked on being ignored.


Posted by: dairy queen | Link to this comment | 11-13-19 10:07 AM
horizontal rule
40

38: Rah!!!


Posted by: heebie | Link to this comment | 11-13-19 11:58 AM
horizontal rule
41

NW and I will be there, and are looking forward to it.


Posted by: Ume | Link to this comment | 11-13-19 2:01 PM
horizontal rule
42

Unfortunately work has got in the way but have a great time !


Posted by: ajay | Link to this comment | 11-13-19 2:52 PM
horizontal rule
43

Resto can accommodate us at 1115, made reservation for 5 (me, better half, Ume, nw, gy or mystery unfoggedatarian).


Posted by: dairy queen | Link to this comment | 11-14-19 3:06 AM
horizontal rule
44

Sorry for the delay, yes I'm up for it.


Posted by: Ginger Yellow | Link to this comment | 11-14-19 4:14 AM
horizontal rule
45

lovely, looking forward to seeing you all.


Posted by: dairy queen | Link to this comment | 11-15-19 10:56 AM
horizontal rule
46

we'll be at st. john b&w from about 11:15, i'm wearing a black and white houndstooth skirt and pink sweater with red trim.


Posted by: dairy queen | Link to this comment | 11-16-19 4:05 AM
horizontal rule
47

Have fun! Sorry I can't make it in to the city, but I am sure you will all have a delightful time.


Posted by: Parenthetical | Link to this comment | 11-16-19 5:15 AM
horizontal rule
48

Fun was indeed had. Blood cake was devoured; apparently this is a great delicacy for visiting Californians, who can't get blood from their butchers.


Posted by: NW | Link to this comment | 11-16-19 7:49 AM
horizontal rule
49

Goddamn hippies.


Posted by: | Link to this comment | 11-16-19 8:41 AM
horizontal rule
50

I'm sure you can get blood from a butcher in California, but it's illegal to stab anyone regardless of their job.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 11-16-19 8:43 AM
horizontal rule
51

That doesn't even make sense. If you stabbed the butcher you'd have to carve him yourself.


Posted by: MC | Link to this comment | 11-16-19 8:46 AM
horizontal rule
52

Just hang him, if you only want blood.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 11-16-19 8:47 AM
horizontal rule
53

On his own hook? Talk about insult to injury.


Posted by: | Link to this comment | 11-16-19 8:50 AM
horizontal rule
54

||

Apologising for calling Noor a drug addict, he said: "Yaba and phensedyl were not available when Noor died. That was a slip of the tongue.
Easy mistake to make.
|>


Posted by: Mossy Character | Link to this comment | 11-16-19 9:11 AM
horizontal rule
55

we are all agog to know how the concert went! the play amusing, recommended for an enjoyable afternoon out (the Watson's at some soi-disant chocolate factory near the bourough market) and we braved the *horrific* crowds at oxford circus to snag liberty shirt tribute for the child on the way back, meeting for our recompense a really lovely couple on the train. they, wisely, are headed out on Monday for two weeks in Barbados.


Posted by: dairy queen | Link to this comment | 11-16-19 1:00 PM
horizontal rule
56

First half of the concert was dreadful because the sound was mixed to drown out the choir with the rockish backing band. The second half was much better. I was accosted in the pub beforehand by an old friend who lives in Manchester but whose brother turned out the be singing in the choir which was one of the more unlikely coincidences of my life. We got back extremely late and less than perfectly sober. The cat went to sleep on my chest and then woke up to practice its technique for killing larger mammals on my forearm. Thanks, cat.

Lay in bed until I had composed a verse about Viking bladder control this morning, so got up very late indeed.


Posted by: NW | Link to this comment | 11-17-19 5:08 AM
horizontal rule
57

Bummer that I just missed the meetup. Will try to be there for the next one.


Posted by: dalriata | Link to this comment | 11-17-19 7:15 AM
horizontal rule
58

Hungover Vikings woke in smelly furs
And simply pissed them
A habit horrible to modern eyes
For when virtue and full bladders bid us rise
We don't resist them.


Posted by: NW | Link to this comment | 11-17-19 7:48 AM
horizontal rule
59

In an even more unlikely coincidence, we also discovered that 40 or so years ago, NW's old friend who accosted him in the pub was in a punk band with the then-boyfriend of the woman who sings next to me in the choir. She remembered him well because he once cooked a meal for her and her boyfriend that was the single most inedible thing she's ever been served in her life. NW valiantly refrained from mentioning this during post-gig conversation.


Posted by: Ume | Link to this comment | 11-17-19 7:18 PM
horizontal rule
60

Was it one of those "sausage rolls." Those always scared me.


Posted by: Moby Hick | Link to this comment | 11-17-19 7:22 PM
horizontal rule
61

It involved pigeons and chocolate, which, for an Irish Catholic from Middlesbrough, was probably a little ambitious.

Remembering the story brought to mind one of the perfections of Elizabeth Jane Howard. I can't copy the whole passage from Google books , but someone else had put the put the punchline on the web

Chicken Mole ... proved, gastronomically speaking, to be a hurdle that not even the combined efforts of his father and himself were able either to circumnavigate or to overcome. Mrs Lamb was in a fine state of nerves about it; partly because she had never cooked it before, and partly (or also) because, being a foreign dish, her confidence in the recipe had proved to be less even than usual ...
"What's this, Mum?" Gavin had unearthed what looked like a hippo's tooth.
"That? That is a Brazil nut, I should imagine. The recipe said to use that nasty, unsweetened chocolate, but I paid no regard to that; there's half a pound of Cadbury's Fruit and Nut in there."


Posted by: NW | Link to this comment | 11-17-19 11:44 PM
horizontal rule