Well, how about this?

Subject: Well, how about this?
Author: Huinesoron
Posted on: 2013-05-18 11:39:00 UTC

We'll strike you from the planning for the Gathering, since you don't have a where or when. Then, if you end up coming to Britain, and you have Internet access, let us know (probably on the Board is easiest) and we'll see if we can throw together a quick mini-Gathering. That is, if you tell us where and when, anyone who can get there (probably myself and Kaitlyn, depending on the day) will show up and say hi.

We've successfully run such quick-fire Gatherings before; given the rather haphazard nature of Gatherings in general, they don't need all that much planning to start with.

hS

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So... anyone for a UK Gathering? by Huinesoron on 2013-05-15 14:32:00 UTC Reply

Kaitlyn and I have discussed this a couple of times, and we think it's been far too long since the last PPC Gathering. They're fun! They're random! They're perfectly safe!

So, to anyone who is in the UK, or who is considering visiting, or who has the ability to visit on a whim (hey, Ekwy and Milano did it way back in '05!): what do you think to a London Gathering sometime this summer? London for the wide range of activities and ease of access (ie, we wouldn't be able to attend if it was Up North), and summer for the... you know, people having free time.

I'm thinking sometime in August, but the precise date is wide open... and depends on who wants to attend! Does anyone want to come along? I've actually lost track of who we have in Europe these days...

hS

Realize this answer is rather useless. by Bausiren on 2013-05-15 22:57:00 UTC Reply

Ooh, I would come, but I live way up there in the US... so, not really going to work for me. Oh, well. Have a blast...uh, people-who-can-actually-come! :)

Seconding this! by Myrddin on 2013-05-15 23:06:00 UTC Reply

I would love to, but it is sadly not feasible for me either. Have fun everyone, can't wait to see the report! :D

Thirding! by Ailavyn Siniyash on 2013-05-18 18:43:00 UTC Reply

I do so wish I could come, but the West Coast of the US is nowhere near London, unfortunately.

-Aila
Oh, I wish. by DawnFire on 2013-05-16 12:12:00 UTC Reply

Come up to Canada sometime, that would work out for me. Or even a part of the US that's close to Canada; I can work with that. But England? Sorry, can't do that this summer (although now I have two friends who live in London, so I'm sure I'll get to visit them at some point...)

And the report should be fun to see :)

~DF

I've thought of trying for a New York Gathering before (nm) by Ekyl on 2013-05-19 07:42:00 UTC Reply

Now that I could proably do. by DawnFire on 2013-05-19 08:13:00 UTC Reply

I have friends there and grandparents nearby, all of whom probably wouldn't mind a visit.

~DF

Argh. *probably (nm) by DawnFire on 2013-05-19 08:14:00 UTC Reply

Oh. Um. by Lily Winterwood on 2013-05-15 21:10:00 UTC Reply

I may or may not be dropping by in Europe in late July, but you lot seem to have it scheduled for August. Oop.

Thus far we haven't scheduled it for anywhen. by Huinesoron on 2013-05-16 09:41:00 UTC Reply

That's why I post months in advance rather than three days before.

(In the past, quite a few Gatherings have been triggered by someone saying 'I'm visiting England - anyone want to meet up?'. I think Neshomeh and Araeph both did that - possible someone else, too, I can't remember)

Of course, right now we've got two 'may or may not's, for late July (you) and late August (Ekyl). That means we get to play the balancing game of who's more likely to come, along with when's easier for everyone else...

hS

Oh myyyyyyy. by Karen on 2013-05-15 20:32:00 UTC Reply

I cannot speak to what things will be like for me in August - that's around the time when classes will start up for me again and I'll either be looking for a new apartment or looking to get a new lease on the one I've got now - but if a date can be set, I could certainly investigate the possibility of popping over. How much are tickets to London anyways?

Probably depends on where you're coming from. (nm) by Cassie on 2013-05-15 20:43:00 UTC Reply

Well, since interest exists... by Huinesoron on 2013-05-15 20:02:00 UTC Reply

... any thoughts on a date? We traditionally go for Saturdays, since more things are closed on Sundays. In August, that gives us the 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st. I'd be tempted to go for one of the middle three, myself - anyone have any thoughts at all?

hS

Any of those dates would be good for me (nm) by the Irish Samurai on 2013-05-16 10:29:00 UTC Reply
*ponders* by Cassie on 2013-05-15 20:42:00 UTC Reply

I'm happy to go with any of them, really. My only possible no-no is the 24th, being as it's the day after my birthday and my family will likely want to do something to celebrate my reaching a full quarter of a century alive. :p

If I had to pick I'd say either the 17th or the 31st though.

Continued discussion - thoughts, please. by Huinesoron on 2013-05-17 14:32:00 UTC Reply

So far we've got a 'no' on the 24th, a handful of preferences for the later part of the month, and a couple of responses which might suggest an earlier Gathering.

So: Ekyl, how likely are you to attend? Your 'maybe's don't sound all that convinced, and I don't want to schedule around an offchance.

Lily: How likely are you to attend? Your response seems more firm, but see above. Additionally, what constitutes 'late July'? The only Saturday that month which would be possibly workable is the 27th July - is that the right timeframe?

Karen: And how likely are you to attend? Additionally, would an earlier date in August - the 3rd or 10th - be better for you? Would the 27th July work for you?

Everyone who's actually in the country: My current shortlist of dates is the 31st August (if Ekyl is pretty solidly coming and the other two aren't), the 27th July (if that works for Karen and/or Lily, and Ekyl isn't likely to come), or the 17th August (per Cassie's preference, and assuming none of the furriners show up). Are any of those dates problematic for anyone? If so, when would be better?

Regarding location: I'm saying London, and specifically central London. The traditional meeting place is the sundial next to Tower Hill station, since it's a very small location right on the main transport routes (ie, half an hour to get to anywhere else). Any thoughts on that?

hS

Good chance of managing this! What time? (nm) by Ekyl on 2013-06-05 04:07:00 UTC Reply
Sorry, didn't see this. by Ekyl on 2013-05-19 07:40:00 UTC Reply

I have no idea how likely I am to make it due to a variety of factors, such as when I can get a passport, classes, getting people to let me go, and just how expensive a flight to England is, but I will put in an effort to get there, and if things look like they're not going to work I'll put in notice of such.
Yeah, the problem with my trip to Europe is... by Lily Winterwood on 2013-05-17 23:50:00 UTC Reply

1) It may or may not happen, depending on the whims of my aunt and/or the ability of my mum to furnish the funds. We are definitely going to China in June to mid-July (which is construed to be 17th July), but after that is still in speculation. My mum and I have agreed that if my aunt does manage to plan a trip, we will tag along.

2) It's likely to be a cruise, so if it stops by in London I don't know where I'd be or how long I can stay there before I literally miss the boat.

I would love to come if I could; I've seen the meetups before and they all look like such fun; I've regretted not being around for the San Diego meetup because that was so damn close to where I live... but yeah.

Well, how about this? by Huinesoron on 2013-05-18 11:39:00 UTC Reply

We'll strike you from the planning for the Gathering, since you don't have a where or when. Then, if you end up coming to Britain, and you have Internet access, let us know (probably on the Board is easiest) and we'll see if we can throw together a quick mini-Gathering. That is, if you tell us where and when, anyone who can get there (probably myself and Kaitlyn, depending on the day) will show up and say hi.

We've successfully run such quick-fire Gatherings before; given the rather haphazard nature of Gatherings in general, they don't need all that much planning to start with.

hS

But thinking is difficult! by the Irish Samurai on 2013-05-17 19:32:00 UTC Reply

Oh, alright then, I'll try *concentrates*

Any of the dates mentioned so far are fine with me, I have no real preference - but it would be nice if as many people as possible were able to come along. So I'm happy to go with whatever the majority decision is.

I also see no reason to break with tradition - the sundial next to Tower Hill station seems like a perfectly good meeting place to me.

Use the thoughts, Luke... (nm) by Obi-Wan Huinesoron on 2013-05-17 20:42:00 UTC Reply

Thoughts as requested. :P by Cassie on 2013-05-17 17:32:00 UTC Reply

I'm flexible enough to work around pretty much any of the dates given apart from the one I said "no" to. It'd be great to see as many people as possible, but I'll go with the majority decision.

The location seems good enough - it's a good memorable spot.

My vote is 31st by Ekyl on 2013-05-15 20:21:00 UTC Reply

Only because it maximises my chances of somehow getting a passport and enough money for the trip in time. :P

I may well be able to come! :D (nm) by Fish Custard on 2013-05-15 18:57:00 UTC Reply
I could TRY to get there... by Ekyl on 2013-05-15 17:51:00 UTC Reply

I mean, I'm pessimistic about my chances of making it across the Atlantic in time - lack of money, a passport, etc. - or getting everything I need by August, but I could give it a shot if people're doing this. Also I'm glad it's in August because I have classes until July. :P
Well, HELLO there. :D by Cassie on 2013-05-15 17:49:00 UTC Reply

I would totally be up for it! It'd depend on my finances and/or free time, but I would really love to come along. It's been far too long since I came to a Gathering.
Sounds cool to me! by the Irish Samurai on 2013-05-15 15:30:00 UTC Reply

I'd be up for that.

And London's dead easy for me to get to, so no objections there. August should be fine too, I rarely bother to plan anything that far in advance, so at the moment I could do any day at all - I assume you're thinking of doing it one weekend so that people won't have to take time off work for it?