TAM London Roll Call
- Thread starter The Central Scrutinizer
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ohp
The enlightening one
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- Sep 30, 2004
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I'll be there
So, how to find the correct table? Reservations, maybe?
Or should we simply don the fashionable white and purple TAM badges?
A sign with "woo free zone" or something...?
What time should people converge for this fine, beery, skeptic hive assimillation?
I'm going to pop down to the founders arms to get a seat count today. I reckon there will be people in the black friar, but I suspect it'll get crowded quite quickly, so the founders arms is a good fallback. There are other pubs in the area too, and I suspect they'll be full of tam attendees.
If people flash their TAM badges, then that's certainly a good way of recognising people.
I'm not exactly sure when/where I'm going to be on Friday night, otherwise I'd organise something.
How are people for comms in London? will people be getting UK sims for their phones? can they get twitter? If so, it might be an idea to agree a tag for forumites.
Lothian
should be banned
krelnik
Graduate Poster
Sorry I haven't chimed in on this thread before, I am attending TAM London as well. In fact, I'm already in London and have been for 10 days or so, doing the tourist thing and hanging out with some friends who formerly lived in Atlanta but live here now.
Unfortunately I don't have an operable cell phone that works in London. However I am trying to check Twitter and Email often so you should be able to get hold of me that way, though obviously not on a moment's notice.
Now, on to business:
Have we figured out a night for that Magic Night thing?
I'll also post some details on a trek out to Down House that Mr.Ottle and I are planning in another message.
Unfortunately I don't have an operable cell phone that works in London. However I am trying to check Twitter and Email often so you should be able to get hold of me that way, though obviously not on a moment's notice.
Now, on to business:
Have we figured out a night for that Magic Night thing?
I'll also post some details on a trek out to Down House that Mr.Ottle and I are planning in another message.
ohp
The enlightening one
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I reckon that if people are meeting up, they'd do better to go for the founders arms than the Black Friar. After 5pm on a friday, the city's pubs fill up with workers (and so do the streets outside), and every pub is going to be very busy. The Black friar is a lovely little pub, and it looks like it has a nice beer selection, but it's dark and tiny, and will be hot, and noisy, like most of the pubs in the city on a Friday. The Founders arms will be busy too, but it has 4 times the seating capacity, and there's plenty of space to stand if it's busy. Also there are a fair few restaurants on the south bank if you don't fancy pub food.
Their web site is:
http://www.foundersarms.co.uk/
It's not far from the millenium bridge, on the south bank of the river. From the venue you'll need to cross to the other side of the river - it's clearly visible to the right as you cross the river.
It does look a bit ugly, but the trick is to be inside or close to it, so that you're looking out
My provisional plan for Friday evening is to go to the gig in camden, then to wander back via the black friar, and the founders arms to see if anyone is about. If you're about earlier in the evening, you can book a table, the number is on their web site.
I'll be twittering during TAM london you can follow me at http://twitter.com/theohp
However, I don't claim to have any special insight into what is going on where, so don't rely on me to be where the party is at
Their web site is:
http://www.foundersarms.co.uk/
It's not far from the millenium bridge, on the south bank of the river. From the venue you'll need to cross to the other side of the river - it's clearly visible to the right as you cross the river.
It does look a bit ugly, but the trick is to be inside or close to it, so that you're looking out
My provisional plan for Friday evening is to go to the gig in camden, then to wander back via the black friar, and the founders arms to see if anyone is about. If you're about earlier in the evening, you can book a table, the number is on their web site.
I'll be twittering during TAM london you can follow me at http://twitter.com/theohp
However, I don't claim to have any special insight into what is going on where, so don't rely on me to be where the party is at
ohp
The enlightening one
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2004
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- 560
It's very cheap to get a pay as you go phone in the UK:
http://www.internationalskeptics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5148786&postcount=54
krelnik
Graduate Poster
Yes, I had seen that there were some quite cheap pay-as-you-go phones available, but I was having a hard time finding one I liked that I thought I'd be able to text and/or use the Internet on. Although now I see there are pay-as-you-go USB broadband widgets too. Hmmm.
I think I might go visit a shop this afternoon.
I think I might go visit a shop this afternoon.
krelnik
Graduate Poster
Down House, Friday Morning, October 2nd
Mr. Ottle and I are planning a visit out to Charles Darwin's house in Downe. It's recently been refurbished, here are details:
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.14922
It is open 11 am to 5 pm, and in order to allow travel to & from and the evening festivities Friday, we're going to go out in the morning. There's no need to coordinate much, if you want to come along, come and we'll see you at one of the stations en route or at the museum.
To get there, you've got to ride a train and a bus. As always, http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/ can give you all the details, but what I was planning was something like this:
(1) Go to VICTORIA STATION via Tube.
(2) Take the 09:39 or 09:48 or 09:51 trains toward BROMLEY SOUTH to arrive at around 10:15 or before.
(3) At 10:36 pick up the #146 bus toward Downe (last stop). It arrives there at 10:55.
(4) Spend 3 or 4 hours or so at the museum.
(5) Take the #146 bus at 13:55 or 14:55 back toward Bromley.
(6) Get the 14:00 or 14:03 or 14:15 train back toward Victoria to arrive around 14:30. (Or add one hour to all that if you spent 4 hours in Downe).
Mr. Ottle and I are planning a visit out to Charles Darwin's house in Downe. It's recently been refurbished, here are details:
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.14922
It is open 11 am to 5 pm, and in order to allow travel to & from and the evening festivities Friday, we're going to go out in the morning. There's no need to coordinate much, if you want to come along, come and we'll see you at one of the stations en route or at the museum.
To get there, you've got to ride a train and a bus. As always, http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/ can give you all the details, but what I was planning was something like this:
(1) Go to VICTORIA STATION via Tube.
(2) Take the 09:39 or 09:48 or 09:51 trains toward BROMLEY SOUTH to arrive at around 10:15 or before.
(3) At 10:36 pick up the #146 bus toward Downe (last stop). It arrives there at 10:55.
(4) Spend 3 or 4 hours or so at the museum.
(5) Take the #146 bus at 13:55 or 14:55 back toward Bromley.
(6) Get the 14:00 or 14:03 or 14:15 train back toward Victoria to arrive around 14:30. (Or add one hour to all that if you spent 4 hours in Downe).
krelnik
Graduate Poster
Jack the Ripper Walking Tour
Mr. Ottle and I are also planning to take this walking tour of Jack the Ripper's haunts
Again, this is a low key in terms of prior planning, apparently you just arrive at Tower Hill tube station and look for the guy holding up a copy of their flyer (which you can see a PDF of here). You pay him £7.
The tour starts at 7:30 pm.
We're thinking about doing it on Thursday night, October 1st. Yes, this conflicts with the "Chance, Romance & Lucky Pants" event on the TAM London itinerary.
Mr. Ottle and I are also planning to take this walking tour of Jack the Ripper's haunts
Again, this is a low key in terms of prior planning, apparently you just arrive at Tower Hill tube station and look for the guy holding up a copy of their flyer (which you can see a PDF of here). You pay him £7.
The tour starts at 7:30 pm.
We're thinking about doing it on Thursday night, October 1st. Yes, this conflicts with the "Chance, Romance & Lucky Pants" event on the TAM London itinerary.
I don't think phones even exist that aren't able to text. It is possible to find phones that can't use the internet, but they're pretty unusual as well. Although finding one that can do so competently can be a little trickier, and will generally cost a bit more.
How come people need new phones for the UK anyway? I can use my phone in pretty much any country that has a phone network. It's more expensive than at home, but I'm pretty sure it's cheaper than buying a whole new phone.
I certainly won't be on the internet during TAM, so it might be an idea for those of us with phones to all stick our numbers up somewhere. Not sure how to do that without opening them up to spambots and the like though.
krelnik
Graduate Poster
Well in the U.S. we have two providers (Sprint and Verizon) that use a radio standard (CDMA) that is incompatible with the rest of the world. I happen to be a Sprint customer.
The texting thing is more me and not the phone: I'm used to having a QWERTY keyboard. I borrowed my friends phone the other night and the T9 stuff drove me quietly insane. (I think that's mostly the fault of her particular phone, though).
The texting thing is more me and not the phone: I'm used to having a QWERTY keyboard. I borrowed my friends phone the other night and the T9 stuff drove me quietly insane. (I think that's mostly the fault of her particular phone, though).
Last edited:
Geek Goddess
Hot enough to melt 4" rebar
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2006
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- 6,940
I hope I don't regret this :0
My cell phone while in London will be +1 713 dot 292 dot 3154. I am traveling with a party of 4, who will be game for some things. I will talk to them about the Jack the Ripper tour.
My cell phone while in London will be +1 713 dot 292 dot 3154. I am traveling with a party of 4, who will be game for some things. I will talk to them about the Jack the Ripper tour.
Fitter
Illuminator
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2006
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- 4,114
I just got into London today. After unpacking and showering I went to get an oyster card at the nearby tube station. Upon returning to the hotel I discovered a very severe complication as regards my attendance at TAM and extra-curricular activities. Apparently Singapore Airlines uses this hotel for it's crews, the lobby was crawling with gorgeous flight attendants. I may not see any of you while I'm here.
krelnik
Graduate Poster
On the excellent advice given here, I've gotten a pay-as-you-go phone (just £5, plus airtime) for the rest of my stay, the number is:
London local: (0) 798-199-6592
From a non-UK phone: +44-798-199-6592
Feel free to call or text me, I'm here all week.
London local: (0) 798-199-6592
From a non-UK phone: +44-798-199-6592
Feel free to call or text me, I'm here all week.
I'm trying not to worry, but -- like, apparently, only one other person in this entire thread -- my badge hasn't arrived yet, apparently having suffered the gentle ministrations of the Royal Mail and their Black Hole of Undelivered Post™. Really hope everything's going to be OK on that front.
In other news, I'm keen to meet up with you lot, but yes, I was planning on hooking up with the George Hrab gig / informal meet / whatever, so I don't know how things will shake out Friday night. Speaking of (for those thinking of heading over to Geo's thing), has anyone else had trouble getting the booking site to work? Also, can anyone still living in London chime in if they've ever been to this pub they've chosen (The Camden Head)... I've never heard of it, but the images on its official website make it look so small that you have to step outside to change your mind. (Perhaps not ideal for a mini-concert, but what the hell.)
Anyway, be it at the Founders or the Friar, I'll find you fine folks. ;-)
In other news, I'm keen to meet up with you lot, but yes, I was planning on hooking up with the George Hrab gig / informal meet / whatever, so I don't know how things will shake out Friday night. Speaking of (for those thinking of heading over to Geo's thing), has anyone else had trouble getting the booking site to work? Also, can anyone still living in London chime in if they've ever been to this pub they've chosen (The Camden Head)... I've never heard of it, but the images on its official website make it look so small that you have to step outside to change your mind. (Perhaps not ideal for a mini-concert, but what the hell.)
Anyway, be it at the Founders or the Friar, I'll find you fine folks. ;-)
Thanks, zooterkin.
I've already emailed Tracy & Team, but I didn't realise there was a special eye-catching (read: email client filter approved) subject line to use for this particular problem. Rather than swamping them with duplicates, I'll hold off a day and see if I get a reply to the one I've already sent. If that fails, I can always send a chaser with the 'BADGE NOT RECEIVED' magic engaged. ;-)
Look forward to seeing you there.
I've already emailed Tracy & Team, but I didn't realise there was a special eye-catching (read: email client filter approved) subject line to use for this particular problem. Rather than swamping them with duplicates, I'll hold off a day and see if I get a reply to the one I've already sent. If that fails, I can always send a chaser with the 'BADGE NOT RECEIVED' magic engaged. ;-)
Look forward to seeing you there.