London Jref meet in September!

I should like to cordially invite all the good folk of Jref to a late-summer meet-up in London.

I'm thinking Saturday is the best day. The 15th may be too soon to get us all organised, so I'm suggesting Saturday 22nd September as the big day! Of course, I'd welcome any input and ideas at all, but assuming the weather's good (and here's hoping for one of those lovely late-September days we get most years!) here's an initial plan:

Meet about 2pm at Piccadilly Circus
Cheap bento lunch (or anything else anyone fancies - there are all sorts of takeaway places within an easy walk) in Green Park - just down the road from Piccadilly
Some frisbee, ball games, or just chatting over a beer or juice in the park, and putting avatars and user-names to faces
Picket the Japanese Embassy just over the road for not promoting Jref (just j/k lol)
A spot of dinner together - could be somewhere cheap or a little more expensive - there are lots of Japanese restaurants round there of all types - the choice is ours!
A pint or two at a pub before saying farewells
(Insert possible hour or two at karaoke here if anyone's keen! )

Of course, people could turn up to whichever bit of the day they fancied...Any thoughts?

I'll definitely be there, so the meet is on - small as it may be so far! Ideally we'd have five plus to make it a real party, but three plus is OK by me I reckon.

Come one, come all! Bring your friends, partners, pets, livestock. All welcome!

I think that the solidity of this plan...I mean you'll be there for sure, without doubt...is a good thing, and will surely help pull some more folks into it!! It sounds like the spot is great, and everything that a person on JREF would/could want.

I really hope the weather and the circumstances of others work out so a good plan can come together there !! I'll go paint in one eye of the DARUMA now...just for you guys !! Good luck !! MM

Many thanks for your continued support, encouragement, and advice MM san - it really is very much appreciated. It's just a shame in a sense that the world is such a large place, and it's not possible to get together all members regardless of locality - what a party that would be!!

Yes, I shall certainly be there, and have already made a few small steps to inviting one or two friends, and have attempted to make contact with some Japanese folk through a cultural friendship website to see if they'd like to attend. Fingers crossed!

If the weather's not that good, the (rough) plan so far would have to be adjusted slightly. Obviously, it would get a little expensive to spend all afternoon in a coffee shop or pub, so in that case I'd say we should keep an eye on the weather and adjust arrangements accordingly nearer the time. For example, we could meet at 3pm for a coffee and a big hello, and then head straight off for an early dinner (late lunch?) together.

In that case anyone coming to London from outside might like to do a little shopping or their own sightseeing before the meet. I myself will probably be going to the Crafting Beauty in Modern Japan exhibition at the British Museum (link here)
in the morning anyway, and anyone who was interested to come along with me would be most welcome. I think the tickets are a reasonable £4, but best to book in advance.

Everything is subject to everyone's input, and all further ideas gratefully received - comments please!

I really wish that I could be there, but unfortunately that doesn't look possible, as I am returning from Berlin on the day before... however, I will check out which airport, and see if it's possible... sadly I don't think so though. (but will keep options open!)

It's a shame that the date I've chosen will probably be difficult for you, Kinsao, it would be great to meet you and say a big Jref-style 'hello'!!

If I could change it I would, but I shall most probably be travelling around Asia from early October for some months (I hope!) so I thought I 'd better set a date while I still could. Also, as MM says, to set a date in stone early on makes those who might be able to come think more definitely about that great possibility!!

Anyway I'm so glad that you're still thinking of attempting to show your face at the soiree, despite the difficulties, and just very much hope that things will come together for us all

Thanks, too, to all the members who have PMed me to offer encouragement for our endeavour! So far, I have friends here who are hoping that one of us wins the lottery and can pay for them to fly in from (in no particular order!): the US, France, Holland, and Japan. I shall be keeping my fingers crossed especially come this Saturday's lotto - if I win that will be the first thing I shall do!!

So, England-based Jreffers, who can come to London that day and make the most of a precious opportunity that many of our compadres who are based abroad are deeply envious of??!

pity im too young and i do not live in england!

but i also see that these days jref people makes their own 'jref meetings' to meet other members

let me guess where should be the BIG JREF convention? on The NorthPole? or on Antartica ?

it's all good to do this, im happy you guys do this, the only thing is its pity that its so all far

i wish i could teleport to you guys

Many thanks for your support, Herbal!!

Age is no barrier at all, and nor is available cash to spend once we arrive in London - we can have a simple home-made picnic in the park (I'm pretty good at gourmet sandwiches!), and if some members of our group need to keep things cheap, then cheap they shall be!! (I know a very nice Japanese restaurant where you can have a HUGE dinner for less than ﾂ≫??0!)

(sigh) Alas the only barrier so far is location, and that is something I hope to to rectify this weekend when I win the lottery

...until then, who will join us (three, including me, confirmed so far!) from these fair Isles of Britain?!

thanks! MoS i really wished i could join!

Two more days...and it should be a good one for all who can make it !! I hope all is worked out !! MM

Many thanks MM san for your continual encouragement and positivity

I'm sorry I've been neglecting updates, but there hasn't been much to report recently - still just the three of us (two from Jref including myself, one of whom has never posted I think!)

If anyone is considering joining us at the last minute, please get in touch ASAP!

Just like the start of The Lord of the Rings (films) the air has changed here. Most definitely autumn has autumned (?? - surely the equivalent of 'spring has sprung' -??) Tomorrow may be sunny, but chilly if that ball of fire so high above us is harassed by any cloud, so we will play the park idea by ear (and eye, and skin temperature!)

We also couldn't get tickets for the Japanese exhibition - it's a popular one and no surprise, it looks really interesting! - so will meet just after lunch and the route looks like: coffee shop > chinatown for a stroll (and maybe one or two nibbles) > Japanese supermarkets for a browse > pub > Japanese restaurant (tba) > pub > (karaoke - if I can be at my most charmingly persuasive!) > pub.

If anyone can join us do please get in touch by PM asap - I may not be able to get online tomorrow morning!

I only just found the thread, I definitely would have come. What a shame.
How did it go? Have fun?