A PG Gathering in London Feb 2015

Fri Jan 23, 2015 7:33 pm

Awww Camden as well!

Alas my finances won't allow such extravagance.

I'm in Manchester a few days before to see Stewart Lee and that's my months "FUN Finances" accounted for.

A shame because the more I think about it, the more I'd like to be there. Still, that's the way it is.

I hope you all have a poetically debauched time, failing that, a poetic time, failing that a...time.

Enjoy!

Fri Jan 23, 2015 11:35 pm

Are you sure, Kris? Because if Ray's going to be there - much to my surprise and delight - you really should be too.

We were talking about this with our two best (non-poetical) friends in the pub tonight. I gently broke it to Mrs D that not only would there be poets on the Saturday night, there would be readings of poems, and one of our friends pointed out that she could read some of her dad's poems. He was a damn fine poet. She still resists the idea, but I'm working on her.

Sat Jan 24, 2015 12:00 am

Poor Mrs d. It must be a bit of a daunting prospect. Let her know that at least a few of us are almost normal people too. And it would be great if she read some of her dad's work.

Sat Jan 24, 2015 12:02 am

I know, and guilt is manifest!

Alas it just can't be done at this moment in time.

But if it all goes well (which i'm sure it will) and it becomes an annual pilgrimage, i'll be at the next one, no doubt about it. I just need a really long run-up!

Suzanne · Sat Jan 24, 2015 7:17 am

Next year, Helsinki!

Sun Jan 25, 2015 1:49 pm

Not sure whether we ought to warn each other beforehand about any peculiar peccadilloes we may have. This is not a peccadillo as such, but I feel - perhaps wrongly - that I should say in advance that I'm actually really quite deaf (I do wear hearing aids, which obviously helps), and this is a disadvantage in some social settings. So I might not always hear what you say.

However, I have an impressive repertoire of all-purpose eyebrow waggles, suitable for any occasion, and will smile genially throughout, so I shouldn't be any trouble.

Plus Mrs D will translate for me when necessary.

It'll be fine. And it certainly doesn't stop me talking, although what I say may sometimes appear to be wildly inapplicable to the subject under discussion. But that's fun as well.

shadwell smith · Sun Jan 25, 2015 2:25 pm

I will not be bringing my many peccadilloes to London, on this occasion. They are being put in kennels while I am elsewhere with my family for the weekend.

If there is ever a replay, I will endeavour to do better and actually turn up!

Have a great time everyone. That, I’m sure, is inevitable.

ray miller · Sun Jan 25, 2015 4:58 pm

I wear girls' clothes.

Suzanne · Sun Jan 25, 2015 5:44 pm

Hi Everyone,

It is a pity that you are unable to come Kris, yes, think of next year.
And you too Shadwell.

David, I have a friend traveling with me and I am counting on Mrs. D and other guests to attend so I can tell he she is not the only non-member!
Please welcome her!! I believe peter is bring a guest as well. So is Pauline.

Thank you for sharing, David.

Peccadilloes? Me? Yes. So many. Can not mention.
And I am hoping they will be quickly forgotten behind my smile and the sincere twinkle in my eye upon greeting you all. Remember that.

I bet you all have accents. What fun it will be.

Suzanne

Antcliff · Sun Jan 25, 2015 6:40 pm

I confess. I am largely deaf in one ear. I do not have an ear trumpet however.

More dismayingly for some, my accent is entirely English.

No Gaelic, sorry. They are all dead or still on the boat to Nova Scotia.

Like Ray, I am a cross dresser.

Seth

Suzanne · Sun Jan 25, 2015 6:43 pm

Such delightful company!

ray miller · Sun Jan 25, 2015 7:56 pm

Antcliff wrote:I confess. I am largely deaf in one ear. I do not have an ear trumpet however.

More dismayingly for some, my accent is entirely English.

No Gaelic, sorry. They are all dead or still on the boat to Nova Scotia.

Like Ray, I am a cross dresser.

Seth

I'm not a cross dresser. Sure, I used to get a bit tetchy, what with all the straps and hooks, but practice makes perfect. I have got a Brummie accent, though. I'll bring the penguin to translate.

Sun Jan 25, 2015 8:54 pm

Antcliff wrote:No Gaelic, sorry. They are all dead or still on the boat to Nova Scotia.

There is some (Manx) Gaelic at me. I shall be happy to discuss the weather. I think you will find that it's a fine day that's in, indeed.

ray miller · Mon Jan 26, 2015 10:53 am

Well, I've purchased my train tickets. Halfway there. Anybody recommend a hotel in Camden?

Suzanne · Mon Jan 26, 2015 11:00 am

Wow! It's happening!

Mon Jan 26, 2015 9:38 pm

ray miller wrote:Well, I've purchased my train tickets. Halfway there. Anybody recommend a hotel in Camden?

For what it's worth, we are staying in Bloomsbury. Which is not that convenient for Camden (or Kentish Town), but we like it there.

ray miller · Thu Jan 29, 2015 2:52 pm

OK, thanks, David. I am now sorted and can devote the next 3 weeks to Poetry Knockout.

Thu Jan 29, 2015 6:19 pm

What is Poetry Knockout?

ray miller · Thu Jan 29, 2015 7:41 pm

David wrote:What is Poetry Knockout?

Poetry Knockout is a game I've just invented. Well, it's really a System for Offloading Accountability and Responsibility (SOAR). When Suzanne said to choose 4 poems to read out at this grand occasion, I thought fine, but which 4? I've been married 34 years and lost the knack of making decisions. I counted how many poems I'd got and just by chance there were 256 - well, 259, but very close. As everyone knows, half of 256 is 128, half that 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1. So that gave me the idea for a knockout competition to decide which 4 poems I'd read. Each poem got a number and is drawn out of my best hat to see which poems compete to get through to the next round. But then you need criteria to judge the poems by. I came up with 35 categories, you know, rhyme, rhythm, clarity of vision, obscurity of purpose etc. But because it's a cup competition I only use 5 categories for each tie so as to give the underdog a chance. I played it once and Model Husband was just pipped by Good Men Have Bad Dreams. Then I thought I'd try again to see if the same result ensued. But no, The Sturdy Beggar beat Plotinus and the Gnostics. Next thing I know, I'm down at Ladbroke's trying to back Doing The Maths at 66-1 for tonight's competition. They'd only give me 33s.

Sat Jan 31, 2015 7:53 pm

Brilliant. I made a list of my own recently, and I got two hundred and something as well. A figure that is both impressive and slightly scary.

Mon Feb 16, 2015 6:46 pm

My son lives in Camden. His thoughts on the pubs:

Hawley arms - gd atmosphere but can get crowded

Camden head - quite chilled, like this one

Lock tavern - beer garden, balcony area, 2 floors

The edinboro castle - board games are available

blues kitchen - bit more expensive, but tends to be lively

Brewdog camden - does a range of good beers

Kentish town is one stop further on the northern line and is more of
a pub area with good atmosphere and away from the crowds.

hope you all have a good/poetic time

Sun Feb 22, 2015 8:53 am

Sorry we couldn't make it but we'd love to see some pics of the event! Hope you all had a great time.

Sun Feb 22, 2015 9:42 am

We've had a fabulous time! More later.

Ros

Suzanne · Sun Feb 22, 2015 9:54 am

Wonderful to meet you all.
Thank you to everyone. It was a wonderful weekend.

I leave England feeling I have friends
And I look forward to seeing you again.

I am very very happy.... And a weeeee bit tired!

Warmly,
Suzanne

Sun Feb 22, 2015 10:57 am

I'm so pleased. Well done Suzanne -an amazing bit of organisation! We need to see the pics - when you are less tired. Safe journeys home....

Poetry Forum

A PG Gathering in London Feb 2015

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