So, the date is Friday 26th March. the time is straight after works kicks out.

the venue is The Prince Arthur, Eversholt Street, Euston.
More on the pub: http://www.golden-p.co.uk/

We've got an area booked on the left of the pub. Look for the Word flag.
Location: http://www.golden-p.co.uk/location.htm and Google map: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=NW1+1BX&ie=UTF8&z=16&...

Here's a list of people who said they could come... if that's no longer the case please let me know, and if you haven't already signed up, please do!

Carl Parker
Twangothan
Lenny Law
Leedsboy (also known as Lee Rimmer)
Steve Turner
Joe R
Martin Simmonds
Goosefat101
Five-Centres
Richie B
Tim Tunes
Occam
Thomas the Rhymer (previously known as Tim McGuire)
Retro Man
The Fat White Duke (aka Vorgongod)
Captain Underpants
Baskerville Old Face (dlusher, as was)
Pocket.Calculator
The_Saint
Handsome P. Wonderful
El Hombre Malo (special mention for commendable effort in travelling from Scotland)
Idiotbear
oh, and me.

I know there's a number of you who can't make the 26th, but we'll do another one later in the year. And there's always the Word gig in April!

Hxxx

PS May I take this opportunity to be cheeky?
I'm going to be power-walking the Moonwalk Marathon in May, to raise money for breast cancer research. I don't want to put anyone on the spot on the night with sponsorship, so I'll just post the link here instead.
So if any of you good people wish to sponsor me, you can easily do so here

...around half-seven, if the trains are behaving themselves.

Really Sorry Hannah but I'll have to withdraw this time round. (been given a job!)
Martin

to be there in person, rather than the usual spirit. What time's kick off?

Put me down as a maybe if that's ok. I have a work thing on I must attend but I hope to slip away.

If any lurkers show up?

.

Just got to sort out a babysitter, as - in a shock move - the FOP is out too. It's almost as if we have a social life.

If I'm there, I'll be there straight from work, I imagine - I work in Islington, so not much point going home (Surrey) just to come back in.

As my travels this week took me through Euston, I nipped along to make sure I know where it is. Looks great, looking forward to it

shall be there. Or I shall be square.

Have ordered a cravat so that Captain Underpants doesn't feel overdressed.

I'll hop on a train after work and meet y'all in the Big Smoke. I should be there before 7

http://new.myfonts.com/fonts/urw/baskerville-old-face/

Not actually my website, or my style of clothing.

if I'm overdressed again? I don't live in London so the best way to get a free train ticket is to go to something else first - in this case a wine tasting.

I'm thinking full Regency fop complete with handkerchief and cane.

maybe as I'll be in the vicinity of the Great Wen for the first time in donkey's. Or is it getting too crowded to accommodate any more?

Are lurkers welcome? I enjoy reading the site, but don't post much.

I must abstain. I've just been given a job, which means my only free evening is Sunday from next week to July. Had really hoped to make this one, too. Sorry...

The thing that was going to mean I would be in striking distance of London next Friday has been cancelled, so I won't after all be able to make the Euston drink-up. Maybe next time.

Hello everyone

I'm afraid I have run out of money and so won't be able to attend the meet up. I really hope to make the next one. Hope you all have a great time.

This is what happens when you take less money to work part time and have more time to make music. But then as sad as I am to miss this shindig I'd never go back. Less money but more time has improved my life no end. But sadly not in this instance!

Cheers,

Dave (goosefat101)

having to miss this one AND the Word gig in April, so live in hope there will be a bloggers summertime bash to blow the beer money on. Will get the liver in training between now and then.

With a bit of luck there will be another happy snapper with equal talent for capturing the backs of heads that can step into the breach (and capture Captain Underpants in all his dandy finery).

Hope you all have a great night :)

High Priestess of the Massive, Hannah, is on holiday this week and I am under strict orders to keep Friday's meet-up top of everyone's agenda. Don't worry, she'll be back in time to go to the pub :-)

We need to discuss my rider for this appearance.

I shall require a pint of cask ale at cellar, not room temperature; a pack of Chargrilled Steak flavour McCoys with the brown ones taken out; and a small table where I can merchandise my souvenir cravats.

These luxurious items are emblazoned with the Captain Underpants National Tour logo - and having seen the dress sense of some members of the Massive, I'm sure they would benefit from high-quality neckwear boldly displaying this monogram.

But mordant curiosity will always win out...See y'all there!

Had a great time

slightly spooked to find that my band is older than one of my friends here!

X

Many thanks to the lovely Hannah for making this happen. I had a fabulous time. Let's do it again soon.

R

Is it over already? The phrase Southern Softies comes to mind!

...South West Trains comes to mind. ;-)

You were great company and I had an excellent time. And I got a train which didn't have me sit next to a drunk man resting his head on my shoulder. And I found out I'd won an iPod. And there was a man in the pub with a mirror ball skull cap on. I could go on (as I did last night)....

It was a lot of fun again. Caps doffed once more in hats Hannah's direction and it was good to meet new faces even if Lee and I didn't get to discuss the merits of Jermaine Beckford.
I also enjoyed the idea of a pint of Guinness from Mark even if delivery failed.

The new laptop made it through the night! So a cheap evening out by my standards.

Thanks all for a splendid evening. I particulaly enjoyed Twangothan's tale of domestic strife over his expanding guitar collection ("I had to smuggle a bass past my wife once") and Backward7 coming over with a big grin on his face to say "I've just been discussing Anal C*nt with Kate Mossman."

...and thank you all for smiling sympathetically at my 'Vorgon Conclusion' line which I must have said, ohh, about six times. I'm so, so sorry.

My attempt to introduce myself to Ms Mossman came out as "Whuurr-huh-durgh-huh-huh". Pathetic, isn't it? I'm 45, for christ's sake.

Excellent to see you all, some who I now feel I know from earlier events and many new faces. And debating Joanna Newsome with Eamonn Ford AND Jude Rogers (hang on, I'll say that again...Jude Roders, sigh) was fabulous. As for teaching the Captain to talk jazz rock guitarists with Kate, well...

great to see you all, later details hazy.... thanks for all the musical recommendations too!

Dr Pill and I were the last to leave, you will be pleased to know that I have a nomination for this months Captain Underpants Electrical Award as when I got home I was informed that the oven had just exploded (the element bust with a loud BANG and showered the GLF in sparks when she was putting in a quiche). All sorts of discussions from rock suicides with Fraser, Kate, Joe R and Leedsboy, Celtic showbiz with El Hombre Malo, wedding planning with Jude to increasing amounts of nonsense with the Duke and everyone else. The man with the Mirrorball on his head was worth the price of admission alone, but he had left before Eamonn got a chance to see him and issue a caustic tweet.

It’s wonderful how naturally these evenings flow and how there seems to be a pre-existing rapport, as if you’ve been friends with these people for years without knowing very much about them. I really enjoyed filling in the biographical gaps and getting a sense of what everybody gets up to away from the blog.

Last night I talked to Hannah about the perils of snow, the ingenuity of small children, swimming in ponds, and the natural beauty of north London. Idiotbear’s ‘God Hates Techno’ T-shirt inspired a conversation about the artists and genres that God might enjoy (Classic disco was cited as a possibility). Captain Underpants and I debated the differences between his online persona and the man behind the Y-fronts .

Of The Word contingent, David Hepworth has the air of a university professor, sketching out theories on the proliferation of mobile phones in poorer countries, whether Formula One can be considered a true sport, and the therapeutic powers of walking.

I met Mark Ellen for the first time which is like coming face to face with a character from the pages of Dickensian fiction. He is a man who inspires florid description, hunched into his coat as if trying to downplay his presence, while at the same time unable to be anything other than benignly imposing and superhumanly expressive. He’s a master of the conversational tangent, which during my brief orbit happened to be the evolution of the Synth Jazz group Landscape and their one hit - Einstein A Go-Go.

Kate Mossman and I discussed those wide-eyed, unabashed attachments that you form with bands when you’re a teenager. Also, for reasons that seemed appropriate at the time, but less so this morning, I felt compelled to summarize the life and works of the gratuitously offensive US thrashcore band - Anal C***.

Fraser recounted his experiences of watching gigs by The Butthole Surfer and Swans, and reinforced the methodical zen-like image that I have of him with some interesting remarks about the pacing and structure of articles.

On the train journey home someone was violently assaulted. We had to endure lengthy waits at various railway stations while the police took statements from eyewitnesses and gathered evidence. Later I was followed for half a mile along Southend seafront by a small, growly dog that was clearly trying to work up the courage to bite me.

Thanks to Hannah for the organisation and to everyone who tolerated my babble. It was one of those evenings when you look at your surroundings and the people you are with, and know with confidence that you are in the right place at the right time.

But glad a happy time was enjoyed by all.I'm afraid I'll have to remain a rather poorer imaginary friend for the foreseeable.

Was a bit tired when I got in (not emotional, though), so my post above was about all I could manage to type before heading up.

Anyway, what a great evening. I was the first to arrive, being a) a teacher who generally knocks off at 4.30 on a Friday and b) a teacher who works two tube stops away from Euston. El Hombre Malo pitched up not too long after, and we had a few lovely natters about amps and the delights of The Word.

I had really good chats with so many of the Massive, and it's really lovely to be able to put faces and names to noms d'internet. I was delighted to yammer away with backwards7 about working in the public sector, Francis about genre and the death of "cool", Joe R about quite a lot of stuff (including me browbeating him about R.E.M.), Hannah about kids and all manner of music, Mike (Fat White Duke) about the quality of the average Massive discussion, and so many more of the Massive that I can't possibly bang on about all of it - I've been quite boring enough. That said, I was privileged to share a tube ride south with the Capitan himself, who is a true gent. Mark Ellen bought me a pint, I returned the favour, and we spent a happy half hour (well, happy for me; I wouldn't like to speak for him) chatting about recording live to two-track tape, The Decemberists and Nick Kent. David Hepworth and I talked about the perils of working around Islington and swapped parenting stories, and I spent a joyous hour or so in the company of the wonderful Jude Rogers, talking about Ben Goldacre, Pixies, R.E.M. (she's at least as obsessive on the subject as me) and all the gigs we've been to, ever. A lot of them were the same ones. Fraser and I talked t-shirts and the joy of the Massive - he's as friendly, funny and interesting as you'd imagine. I got to prop up the bar with Eamonn Forde and share Suede and Blur stories, and laughed hard at Kate Mossman's story of how she got fired for writing about music. And Seventies is a wonder: as I remarked last night, he belongs on a bus in "Almost Famous", listening to "Every Picture Tells A Story". I'm a lucky, lucky man to have met so many great people and so many journalistic heroes (who were, coincidentally, also incredibly nice).

It was a fantastic evening. Despite being a relative newcomer to the Massive, I felt like I was among friends last night. There are many I didn't mention here, because we'd be here all week, but it was such a pleasure to meet all of you. Thanks!

Glad you all had a great time.

Talking about music and movies and life in general? Hanging with The Hep and Lord Ellen? Swapping tall tales with Frazermeister, being in the same room as top rockfoxes La Moss and JR and BiscuitBiscuit (Hannah by any other name)...?

No, doesn't sound like my sort of thing at all. Better things to do - know what I mean?

Sheev ate the last of the tuna he'd opened yesterday and settled in the deckchair he'd stolen from the park. His Alba television was taking longer than ususal to splutter into life. He liked Holby City and was anxious he might miss the start. I might go to the library tomorrow he thought as the faded poster of Ziggy looked down

As before, I had a fantastic time and many thanks for organising, Hannah.

Cpt. Underpants was sadly not resplendent in cravat, which meant my skinny tie looks out of place. I had a long chat with Mark Ellen about him being Santa in the Guildford branch of Debenham's when he was 22. Hannah, idiotbear and I snuck away at one point to have a chat about B*Witched and I discovered that a pub with The Massive is not the place to admit you've never heard Dark Side of the Moon.

But then I had more to drink, and badgered Eamonn Forde until he promised to follow me on Twitter, and tried to join in Jude Rogers and Kate Mossman's conversation on what it's like to write for The Guardian. Then, I tried to invite myself along the next time La Rogers and La Mossman go out for a drink together. Oops...

So, as I say, I had a marvellous time, I didn't want the evening to end, but I apologise to anyone if I was a little on the loud and exuberant side.

Anyway, more to the point, Hannah, when's the next one?

So many highlights. So many laughs.

I'm just going to say that my biggest highlight was looking round the room and genuinely feeling I was amongst friends. You are all very lovely people.

And in answer to Joe's question... oh yes, there will be another one. I'm working on it already :-)

And - thanks again to everyone who offered to sponsor me. If I could be cheeky enough to remind you of the URL: http://www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/the_flying_penguins
I really appreciate any and every donation, big or small.

watching you...

and I think my comment about 'picking up where you left off' when you first encounter in meatspace is true, cf. - http://www.wordmagazine.co.uk/content/glasgow-gathering#comment-231853

another successful night Hannah. I had a great time despite the serious case of man-flu making my voice go through octaves like Russell Mael from Sparks.

It was great to see such a turn-out from Word Staffers, to meet up with some familiar faces and meet some more Bloggers for the first time too. Special thanks to el hombre for the stash of Fleshtones CDs, much appreciated kind sir!

But here's a few photos:

I'd been out round the corner for a few work drinks first, perhaps too many, but thought I'd pop into the Massive mingle. But nerves got the better of me. I wandered past the pub. Then wandered by again, and again then got in a cab and went home. I feared I might be a bit far gone and didn't want to bore anyone. Plus, not knowing anyone at all was a bit daunting.

Perhaps next time...

I appear to have borrowed Gordon Brown's YouTube smile on one of these...
Five-Centres, please come to the next one, no need to be nervous, if you look at the last photo above you will see Vorgongod/Fat White Duke and I "in an advanced state of refreshment"

I'm disappointed I couldn't make it.

Were any dates for the next one discussed?

posted in the wrong place

and I was SO close to arranging a "business trip", I'd have put more effort into it if I'd known Eamonn Forde would be there. My son follows him on Twitter and is hugely impressed with his vocabulary. I could have got him to record an obscene "missed call" message and given it to S&H for Christmas. It would have paid for the trip!

Anyway, looks like you had a wonderful time, many familiar faces from last time and some new. Hope to see you in June.

... having a lovely meal at Rick Steins place in the bewitching presence of my delightful FPO.

Those pics of Fraser's though almost make I could have made it. Ah well...

Still! Roll on April 28th! Hope to see a bunch of you there.

*dons Harry Hill glasses and shaves head*

I liked the Lamb. But I also liked The Prince Arthur.

But which is better? VOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTE!

I would say that the Prince Arthur shades it merely in terms of space, the Lamb is much more charming all round and in summer there will be (hopefully) more opportunity to stand around outside.

http://www.wordmagazine.co.uk/content/word-london-drinks-join-us-friday-...

love Hxx