London Still Rocks!

Last night, back with  London Hot 100  - we were at the  New Wimbledon Theatre  for  Jimmy Carr Laughs Funny .  Tickets were from   Ticketmaster , and I got an email from them a couple of days before with strict instructions about how to display my ticket (screenshots don't work with theirs, of course). Option #1 - the app. Well, that wouldn't open for me. Happily, their second option was to save the ticket to a wallet on my phone, which I did - that is so handy.. So the laptop went on a little trek.. I also see it's got a nearby   GBK   ( Nando's   too, but I prefer GBK ), so skived off early to eat there. Would have left a bit earlier, but happily, instinct told me to hang on a bit - just as well, as someone approached me with a task, shortly after. Had to be Tube - quickest was Northern Line to South Wimbledon , then a bus . It's a really, really long way.. nearly to the end of the line. I had to be careful to catch a train going th...

Yesterday - yes, back with Meetup ! This time, it was the New Year Social co-hosted by the  London Movie Club  (LMC), the  Hideout , and  London Hot 100 ! all of which are run by the same people. I just booked with the LMC myself, which was the first to advertise it. Back at the  BFI . Where to eat.. I've eaten in a few places around there, fancied something different from what I've had recently - happened upon Azzuro , booked that. Almost the whole way there on the bus , I had an elderly woman practically sitting on me - sure enough, I had to ask her twice to let me up when I needed to get off. And when I did, the cold that assailed me.. I was very glad to reach the restaurant. I'd been conservative with my booking time, and actually ended up being slightly early - never mind, they already had my table set up! (for one). I must say, service was excellent - due, in no small part, to the two American -sounding ladies on my table.  Say what you will about th...

Last Wednesday (at the end of my first day at the office), there was a joint Christmas party, in the  BFI bar , for the  London Movie Club , the  Hideout Horror SciFi Club , and  London Hot 100  - all of which are run by the same people. I'm in all of them, so just RSVPed to the first to advertise it! Wow, it was a hectic, tiring day.. as I told people about it afterwards, someone remarked that that was a very full-on first day! Yes, hmm.. now, they don't have lockers, but as I was in yesterday as well (handier for onboarding), someone made the helpful suggestion that I could leave my laptop bag in one of the stationery cupboards. Heavy as the laptop is, that was a very useful suggestion!  I wanted to finish some of the interminable HR stuff before I left - which delayed me a bit. So I didn't have time for a proper meal, and didn't trust the bar to provide me with sustenance. So, Pret it was - there's one right across from the office, and down from the bus...

Tonight, back with  London Hot 100: Socials, Music & Sport  - for a meal at  Franco Manca . Never actually been to this chain - had to happen eventually, I guess! Anyway, great group, and RSVPs closed days in advance. I really didn't have anything to delay me - still managed not to be early, of course. Covent Garden is looking very Christmassy - and at the restaurant, they knew the table I was looking for before I had the words out. It was downstairs - disconcertingly if you're not used to the place, because you have to go upstairs to get in. We had a long table, and had to add a smaller one to the end to accommodate everyone. Menus are paper, and single-use - they get very soggy! Well, it's basically pizza - I spied one that advertised less tomato (#4), and so went for that; I'm intolerant, you see. Can eat it in small quantities. And a glass of pinot grigio. Have to say, I couldn't fault the pizza - nice and light and, as advertised, not so much tomato. Mind y...

Tonight, I was to be back for the first time in  months  to  Watkin's Bookshop , for an  author talk : this is Pagans by  Ethan Doyle White . However, The Hideout  has a new group -  London Hot 100 Socials, Music & More . So I headed off with them for a game of  mini golf ! At  Westfield , where I haven't been in  almost 10 years .. Well, I like The Hideout, so.. Oh, what a very long way away Westfield is. And I left later than intended - I just have so much to do.. So, it was bus, followed by Tube . Mercifully, I was on the Circle Line , which is excellently air-conditioned. Saw the Puttshack , where we were to meet, from the train - needed something to eat/drink first though, and since I was still early for the event, took myself off to Pret . Where they didn't have the sandwiches I like.. in fact, they had very little. I had an apple juice, gulped it in one. Then thought I might as well head to Puttshack. Oh, what a lot of stairs....