Late Summer Social

Last night, the start of another run of Meetups - the first monthly social in months held by The Hideout and their sister group, Movie Roadhouse London (MRL).. whee! The organiser has been busy with family matters, you see - and there's really nobody like him for organising a social. Happened in the Balcony Bar of the Riverfront Bar at the BFI, as usual, and I booked The Archduke for beforehand.

I was in the office - and my weather app was up to its usual shenanigans, with rain predicted and then not.. so I ended up wearing a coat with no hood, and then it lashed rain as I was out for lunch. Have to say though, it completely avoided me - I wasn't facing the window, so it wasn't until I was leaving Pret that I saw the drenched pavement! But it had completely stopped by that time, so I deftly avoided getting drenched. On a side note, that Pret's aircon seems to be broken - I was surprised to find myself walking past a portable fan on my way to get my food, and when I sat at a table away from the fan, was surprised at how stuffy it was..

Given that I was walking to the restaurant, I was glad the rain didn't start up again. It was still a slog, hefting my laptop bag as I was - especially pushing through the crowds. I made it, about five minutes late - and, of course, was shown to a table upstairs.. more stairs, ugh. Handily, for once I was sat facing the specials board, so I could see the soup of the day - and yay, they seem to be defaulting to mushroom. So I had that - and it was so lovely and filling, complete with toast and butter. The toast could have been warmer, but otherwise it was very moreish. And of course, roast chicken for main - and they do some of the most delectable chicken in London. And given that I never eat the salad that comes with it, the waiter had suggested, last time I was there, that I swap it for another side - so, today, I had sauteed mushrooms instead. I had the same waiter too - she remembered what she'd said, and was pleased I took her advice.

I was a bit stuffed, so it's just as well I ran a bit late to have dessert - to be fair, service isn't the fastest here, although she was quite quick when she found out I was rushing. I arrived 20 minutes after the start of the social - to have the organiser exclaim that he'd been worried when I didn't show up on time! To be fair now, it was an earlier start than usual.. but it was great to catch up with people, especially those I hadn't seen in a while. We stayed till they kicked us out around 10pm, then a couple of us had a nightcap in the downstairs bar, which is open later. Great evening all round - I managed to get home, then just completely crashed, and had a lovely long sleep. No blog last night, though!

Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for The Pitchfork Disney. Showing in the King's Head Islington, it promises to be a rather weird, and thought-provoking, look at the nature of fear. Goodee!

Tomorrow, back with The Hideout and MRL for the 50th anniversary showing of Jaws - at the BFI Imax! Now, that should be spectacular..

On Sunday, back with The Hideout for The Toxic Avenger, at the PCC again - well, the organiser plumped for a free ticket for me, so..

On Monday, I'm headed to Every Brilliant Thing, a play about depression at Soho Place. Four different actors are taking the part in succession - I'm getting Jonny Donahoe. Eating at The Royal George, Soho beforehand.

On Tuesday, thinking film again - and top of the list, again, is the Palestinian documentary, Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk - the photojournalist interviewed in the film was apparently killed the day after the film was released. This is the one I didn't get to on Monday. On Tuesday, it's in the Curzon Bloomsbury - not selling out yet, mind.

And on Wednesday, back with UITCS for Good Night, Oscar, at the Barbican. Eating beforehand in Cote Barbican.