Uk Meetup 2008. ROUND TWO!

[zorander]

I'm up for this one so long as i have a month or two notice.
Also, I wanna do a "Free Hugs" event wherever we go. That's be an hour or two of fun that's cheep and easy to do.

Edit: Also, if, just for arguments sake, we where to go to Birmingham and stay at the same hotel, arrive on Saturday the 5th leave on the Sunday, to book now, prices per room would be:

Single room £58
Double room £63
Twin room £63
Triple room £89

Cheapest room combos:

6 people: 89x2= £178 = £29.66 each
7 people: 63x2+89= £215 = £30.71 each
8 people: 89x2+63= £241 = £30.12 each
9 people: 89x3= £267 = £29.66 each
10 people: (89x2)+(63x2)= £304 = £30.40 each
11 people: 89x3+63= £330 = £30 each
12 people: 89x4= £356 = £29.66 each

This is just assuming we have a between 6 and 12 people staying there, but it's a rough idea of the total price to expect then be divided amongst all involved to make it cheaper all round.
So it would be cheapest if the number of people staying at the hotel was a multiple of 3.

[Agrias]

300 in food? Jesus christ what the hell are you going to be eating?

Everything. I eat ALOT for someone my size. Its pretty ridiculous. I usually eat large meals almost every two or three hours, even at night time. It just depends on how busy we get with events and stuff. All i know is i need a bunch of spare money to last me a while.

[Roogle]

I might be in the United Kingdom in the later summer, but I am not interested in official meetings like this. I would not mind having lunch with some of y'all, though.

300 in food? Jesus christ what the hell are you going to be eating?

Everything. I eat ALOT for someone my size. Its pretty ridiculous. I usually eat large meals almost every two or three hours, even at night time. It just depends on how busy we get with events and stuff. All i know is i need a bunch of spare money to last me a while.

Are you really travelling out for the meetup, Alice, or is there another reason for the trip involved? It seems like such a hassle with forms to fill out and all that. Anyway, the most expensive part of staying in the United Kingdom has been the hotel everytime. Lodging is very expensive sometimes...

[Baloki]

I still need to arrange a Manchester Meeting of minds at some point, also Heath's train here has been featured in the local paper as being a train to a swinging 60's weekend...

[Agrias]

300 in food? Jesus christ what the hell are you going to be eating?

Everything. I eat ALOT for someone my size. Its pretty ridiculous. I usually eat large meals almost every two or three hours, even at night time. It just depends on how busy we get with events and stuff. All i know is i need a bunch of spare money to last me a while.

Are you really travelling out for the meetup, Alice, or is there another reason for the trip involved? It seems like such a hassle with forms to fill out and all that. Anyway, the most expensive part of staying in the United Kingdom has been the hotel everytime. Lodging is very expensive sometimes...

I reallllly want to travel, anywhere...and be with friends while doing so. Thus the obvious choice is the meetup, WHY NOT!? I've never travelled outside of British Columbia since i've moved here and i'd toootally love to meet you crazy people at least ONCE in my gosh darn life. Lol. I think the paperwork and such is worth it. ;D

[Iceglow]

Ok mega bumping time, sorry for this admins, but I've not been here and there are obviously questions directed at me that require serious answers...every bump happens for a reason!Well the reason for this mega delay of me replying to y'all is: BT cut my damn phone and internet off I'm at the girlfriends to type this message and will only be able to access her internet irregulary now and again perhaps 2 times a week...oh noes! Hopefully I should get BT sorted and be back online by mid - late feb.So here goes. I have a cellphone, many members have this number therefore if I am to be the main organiser once more of the Official EoFF 2008 UK Easter Meetup ~ "Here's one I made earlier" then I'm going to be the mystery man with 3 nipples (apparently it's true) working by proxy probably meaning Jack, Loki or some other poor sod (Agrias) will be posting for me if theres anything at all that requires an automatic or instantaneous response they can reach me and let me know and I'll tell em what my stance is.

So far this is the easiest thing to do:

Follow last years template, it worked well. we went easter weekend (someone with a calendar please check those dates) If Zorander doesn't mind then I'll call him ask him to keep an eye on bookings and let him take care of that. I should be back in a couple of weeks to take full control of this planning session. For those looking for last years Psychotic will be good enough to provide links.

[Jess]

Easter is in March this year, right?

[Zeldy]

Ok mega bumping time, sorry for this admins, but I've not been here and there are obviously questions directed at me that require serious answers...every bump happens for a reason!Well the reason for this mega delay of me replying to y'all is: BT cut my damn phone and internet off I'm at the girlfriends to type this message and will only be able to access her internet irregulary now and again perhaps 2 times a week...oh noes! Hopefully I should get BT sorted and be back online by mid - late feb.So here goes. I have a cellphone, many members have this number therefore if I am to be the main organiser once more of the Official EoFF 2008 UK Easter Meetup ~ "Here's one I made earlier" then I'm going to be the mystery man with 3 nipples (apparently it's true) working by proxy probably meaning Jack, Loki or some other poor sod (Agrias) will be posting for me if theres anything at all that requires an automatic or instantaneous response they can reach me and let me know and I'll tell em what my stance is.

So far this is the easiest thing to do:

Follow last years template, it worked well. we went easter weekend (someone with a calendar please check those dates) If Zorander doesn't mind then I'll call him ask him to keep an eye on bookings and let him take care of that. I should be back in a couple of weeks to take full control of this planning session. For those looking for last years Psychotic will be good enough to provide links.

I don't see why there has to be a "main organiser", all it is is a group of friends meeting up, I don't see what the big deal is! It's funny that even though Agrias was the one who suggested a meetup it's kinda been..taken over I don't see why it has to be such srz business. (No, I'm not going on about the whole 'PARENTAL PERMISSION LULZ' dilemna cause', basically, any one under 18 might as well not bother and I've accepted that)

[Old Manus]

She's just butthurt that she can't go :chef:

[Agrias]

Well in the first place i really only mentioned it. I personally cant be the lead in actual organizing considering i dont live there, and dont know anything about costs over there. So while i did happen to start the thread, my uk minions are doing the dirty work for me >
LOL!!! JK!!

Also, for you people thinking "omfg why the hell do we need organizers!?" Simply put, would you rather go there and end up sleeping in some creaky, smelly, mossy hostel or even the street because the "plans" you personally made for a hotel turned out to be crap? I thought not. Planning for this event is ensuring that ALL the attendees will be comfortable and safe while on this meetup. So dont complain, or else you WILL be sleeping in a hostel somewhere, alone and defenceless.

As for you Iceglow! I'm no poor sod! hahahaha

[Psychotic]

don't see why there has to be a "main organiser", all it is is a group of friends meeting up, I don't see what the big deal is!

If it's not a big deal then who cares either way?

[Cookie]

Ok mega bumping time, sorry for this admins, but I've not been here and there are obviously questions directed at me that require serious answers...every bump happens for a reason!Well the reason for this mega delay of me replying to y'all is: BT cut my damn phone and internet off I'm at the girlfriends to type this message and will only be able to access her internet irregulary now and again perhaps 2 times a week...oh noes! Hopefully I should get BT sorted and be back online by mid - late feb.So here goes. I have a cellphone, many members have this number therefore if I am to be the main organiser once more of the Official EoFF 2008 UK Easter Meetup ~ "Here's one I made earlier" then I'm going to be the mystery man with 3 nipples (apparently it's true) working by proxy probably meaning Jack, Loki or some other poor sod (Agrias) will be posting for me if theres anything at all that requires an automatic or instantaneous response they can reach me and let me know and I'll tell em what my stance is.

So far this is the easiest thing to do:

Follow last years template, it worked well. we went easter weekend (someone with a calendar please check those dates) If Zorander doesn't mind then I'll call him ask him to keep an eye on bookings and let him take care of that. I should be back in a couple of weeks to take full control of this planning session. For those looking for last years Psychotic will be good enough to provide links.

I don't see why there has to be a "main organiser", all it is is a group of friends meeting up, I don't see what the big deal is! It's funny that even though Agrias was the one who suggested a meetup it's kinda been..taken over I don't see why it has to be such srz business. (No, I'm not going on about the whole 'PARENTAL PERMISSION LULZ' dilemna cause', basically, any one under 18 might as well not bother and I've accepted that)

qft, imho

[Garnie]

DAMN IT PEOPLE DERBY FTW!!!
i dunno if i can make it! it depends really.
if i did would probablly be for the day. or i could just do what i did last time and call iceglow on his mobile and talk to you all that way lul!!
i know i keep promising to go to these things but the truth is jay(my wife lulz) is a bit funny with me going to these things coz he thinks ill get pillliged lul! hes a bit over-protective!
but if i convince him your all not murdering scumbags ill come!

[Iceglow]

I know some of you younger ones believe it don't need no arranging but heres why we arrange:
<br><br>
1) the hotel needs booking in advance, walking in off the street asking for a room essentially is stupid, not only can they be fully booked leaving you without a bed for the night as pointed out by Agrias, they can also charge legally whatever the hell they like for the room since you have no reservation...this can lead to double or even triple rates on a room, using Zoranders prices that means even a 58 quid (polish keyboard, no pound symbol lol) single room can be in excess of 100 quid per night...that = ouch on your wallet. Not to mention if you do book enough rooms for people and then they don't show up it drives the costs up a lot higher, without someone making sure the hotel booking is done purely for those going and someone making sure that they have a concise and accurate list of the turning up members at all times available it's going to get messy fast. Then theres the "well what the hell will we do in xxx city?" some poor sod has to look up that city on the internet or tourist information board and find this out, how to get around to these places and the various transport links you'll need ect ect...how do we know this? we've done multiple meetups and learnt from the experiences.<br><br>2) You'd honestly be surprised how fussy hotels, venues, restaurants ect can be. I know it's a group of friends but not every hotel is as understanding and some reserve the right to refuse to host a group of young people if they believe they may be rowdy...the hotels and restaurants we've used the times I've been are exceedingly tolerant of the crap we put them and their other guests through, I'd love to ask the pizza hut staff why they tolerate us.<br><br>3) if there was no one to organise things and get the ball rolling it wouldn't happen. Simply put...someone needs to get a headache and a lot of crap from people like yourself Zeldy and you too Cookie who disagree. The rules are all in effect purely to protect those who are going especially the parental consent I and anyone else (take the undead hero for an even better example since he is older than me, or zorander) over the age of 18 can do without the headache of what can happen which by the way is something we developed because it has happened to other such events in the world, one case of it happening means it can happen again the document we ask for is purely a disclaimer meaning that we cannot be prosecuted no matter what happens to you. We are in effect asking for you to be allowed to make your own mind up about right and wrong. If you are under 18 you're welcome to come I aint the one saying don't I'm just saying that to stay the full meetup you will need that form filled in and the money to pay your way. (PS, Zeldy..."I'm not even going on about the rule blah blah blah but..." very obviously you're making a statement about it because you're disgruntled by the rules. Please if you want the headache of making a second meetup go ahead be my guest but good luck finding a hotel that'll take a bunch of under 18's or a bunch where some people under the age of 18 will be sharing rooms with those over the age of 18 without parental guidance or consent. Like I said, the forms were for ours and the hotel's benefit not for anything stupid why not ask Curtis/themagicroundabout how difficult our rules are since he was only 14, not that we believed it...when he came to the meetups to see us if your parents are that strict about it you can try the "well speak to the guys organising it before disagreeing completely." sounds stupid but I or another organising/responsible person will be happy to speak to them about it and reassure them that we're not a bunch of murdering/raping paedophilles)<br><br>4) Why am I the organiser? I don't have to be the organiser, it could well be psy, loki, jack, zorander, amratis, kaggs....or a committee of some of us together anyone with the experience to do one could be an organiser. To be blunt after last years meetup we weren't going to use EoFF to make the meetup and would have relied upon an e-mail ring or similar to make a private one. It was I who said, no lets keep the tradition going and do an EoFF meetup 2008 therefore I'm the one with the headache, frankly we can all do without it the rules aren't a negotiation since we're doing this and none of us veteran meetup members are getting younger so we've gotta watch our backs legally around the younger "up and comming" members of the site looking to go to a UK meetup. Should this be an issue for me or anyone else hey I'll be willing to make this a 'private' affair where only those we know/want/trust/like come main reason for this not being that already is merely my desire to keep the uk the number one country for meetups and well this means I get to suffer a lovely headache that will only go when I get to see the fruition of my labor and that will mean a successfull meetup where everything runs smoothly, theres not a time line of events such as: 0845 everyone gets up, 1200 lunch it's more: ok, we stay at this hotel, the hotel doesn't have a curfew but it can be grouchy about late returns if we're noisy. we can eat at these various locations at any time and this is the nearest 24hr convience store if anyone is hungry at night...bars are here, here & here and we need to take this number bus/call a cab/take the metro to get to the following places... strangely this information and "planning" can take weeks to gather and someone has to do it.<br><br>Garnie we'll definitely be keeping our cellphones on and so on so sure if you can't make it to birmingham then you can give some of us a call and speak that way. We are as always open to calls especially when we're phoning Mister Towns at work and yelling about his aussie accent down the phone, he knows he loves it really!<br><Br>Now if anyone really wants to arrange their own meetup go ahead this is something we do each year and have learnt that they do need organising because of the difficulties people may face. The fact that our meetups are quite the infamous or famous you decide symbol of the UK EoFF member base means over the years the one held at Easter (which is the one I refer to in all posts at this point in time, Agrias to arrange one around your visit I'd need HARD dates of when you will be in the UK, it's all good talking about a soft plan but without dates so I can truly put things in to effect I won't begin organising a meetup for August) has become the "official" meetup for the UK, to further punctuate the point of why we need organisers...guess why it's guaranteed to happen at easter, year in year out and everyone who has been to one (atleast the ones I've been to) has had a good time? Because we're organised we don't just all meetup and then try to make things fall in to place.

[Jack]

THE REAL BIG DEAL
Why do eoff-ers have such a DEAL talking to their parents? Seriously. They gave birth to you, and you don't even trust them to allow you out the house. I understand teenage rebellion, I used to be one (Until Iceglow turned up at my house and proceeded to sleep naked in my living room eating Pringles) and yeah, I understand. But honestly, why do you think that a simple "sign this" disclaimer which just protects people (which are on the same side as you) from legal problems. Why are you so against this? Yes, it may be embarassing to admit to your parents "Hi, I like people from the internet" and then go. But is that really worth us throwing all caution to the wind and hoping something won't go wrong?
Life isn't like that. God, some people can be such CHILDREN at times.

PLANNING
Iceglow is right. He's watched people arrange (like myself) these meet-ups and that's all well and good. They DO take lots of planning. Hue amounts. I was calling around the clock, and this was during my exam period at college. It was worth it though, and I was glad to take part.
I hate to say this, but my plan is the base for the last couple of meet-ups, and it's worked well. Much discussion around the UK has been had (Honestly. I really did travel a lot) and Birmingham is the easiest place to get to for everyone. Money-wise and distance-wise.

DATES
Honestly, its not THAT long away. It's March 21-23. Which restricts member acceptance time. We're gonna start need definite names on this list soon... Here's my proviosionary list:

Coming
Iceglow
Jack
Psychotic
Baloki
zornader
amratis
kaggski
xxthebadgemakerxx

I'm gonna get hold of some other people. Through various methods. SHOCK HORROR.