THE LONDON GATHERING

HELLO FRIENDS! This post differs from the norm in that it is specifically about the London Gathering on June 27th. I will return, probably tomorrow, with MORE ADVICE. So you can leave QUESTIONS in the comments.

A year and a half ago, in January 2008 . . . practically a LIFETIME AGO . . . Charlieissocool (otherwise known as Charlie McDonnell, the most famous person on the intertube) and I convened a UK Nerdfighter gathering.

Now, we are doing it again. We are simply GATHERING on a summer’s day in London. To what end? BECAUSE WE CAN. And I’m doing it because 13 Little Blue Envelopes is FINALLY out in the UK. By a complete coincidence, the 27th turns out to be the day that the book will be available all over. Until the 26th, it’s only available at Waterstone’s. This is something I did not know when the date was first picked, so ISN’T LIFE FUNNY?

Here is how the day is going to go:

The first activity is optional! We are planning a trip on the LONDON EYE. You don’t have to go to this. You don’t have to go AT ALL. I’m just saying, if you don’t want to go on the London Eye with us, it doesn’t put you out for the day! If you do, you will need to purchase a ticket, and probably soon. Each pod on the London Eye holds 25 people. We will try our best to cling together as a group, but there is a chance we could be split. Still, you will be with OTHER PEOPLE FROM THE GROUP. But we will try.

So, first, you get a ticket for the 12 noon flight on June 27th. Then:

11:30 at the LATEST: Gather at the check-in area of the London Eye. Check in. Shuffle over in crab-like group formation to line. Attempt to talk them into putting us into one pod.

12:00-12:30: Go wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee! over London. Point at things.

If you do not want to come to the London Eye, THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN. Because we will meet all who do not want to come to the London Eye NOW.

12:45: Meetup along the river side of the Southbank Centre. (Extremely precise location TBA, slightly dependent on weather. I hear it sometimes rains there.) We will then find a SUITABLE LOCATION for our group.

Now, the last time we did this, we started at the National Gallery and ended up going all over the city, climbing things, going to secret magic shops, playing video games, having lunch, going to the Apple Store . . .

We could do the same this time! But the one lesson learned is that we need to give people time to get to the location. So we PROMISE to stay in the area of the Southbank Centre at least until 2:30. We could stay there all day! But we will stay there AT LEAST until then. And after that, we will Twitter our locations, so you can always find us.

And perhaps we will have an adventure. Maybe we Charlie and I will take off and TWITTER YOU SOME CLUES and we can have a LONDON-WIDE SCAVENGER HUNT. (Like 13 Little Blue Envelopes, but WITH PEOPLE!) Or maybe we will sit on the grass or a coffee shop and chill THE WHOLE DAY.

We just don’t know. That’s the way the Gathering rolls. Anything could happen.

At 7, the Gathering will break once again! From there, some people will continue on to another optional activity! Namely, Julia Nunes’s show. You will also need to get your own ticket for that separately.

Here is the info:

The Luminaire
311 Kilburn High Road
London NW67JR
UK
+44 (0) 20 7372 7123
Price: 10.00 GBP
http://www.junumusic.com/londontshirt.php

So that’s the deal. Here are our disclaimers:

We think you should be at least 15 to come. This just seems sensible. We also assume that if you are under 18, you’ll have gotten whatever permissions you need from whatever life form you take orders from. We think you should come with a friend, if you can. No matter what, be safe. Tell people where you are going. Secure safe passage to and from your place of residence. The entire day will be spent in public places, with all kinds of people. We, of course, are cool, and we think everyone else will be too. But just be aware that this is a random group of people, however cool, in a city, and we don’t know everyone. You will probably make some friends that day, and people will watch out for each other. I’m just saying all of these things so that you are aware that YOUR SAFETY is our concern. Not that this is in any way a DANGEROUS OUTTING. We’re just saying, be smart, and tell people what’s going on. That is all. You get the point.

The last Gathering was awesome, and we expect this one to be MORE SO.

Other things you might ask:

“If I bring a book of yours, will you sign it?” With more pleasure than I can express.

“Will Charlie sign stuff?” That’s up to Charlie, but he is a nice guy. I am guessing yes.

“Do you have to be 18 to go to Julia’s show?” I don’t know, but I think the answer to that is yes. That’s sort of the “adult” part of the day, and I’m guessing people will be having drinks at the show. Just FYI.

“Will you love me more if I purchase a 13 Little Blue Envelopes before this event?” It is hardly possible for me to love you MORE, but every copy of 13lbe purchased in the UK adds to the potential that they will publish my OTHER books in the UK, and that will lead to my ENDURING HAPPINESS.

Because it will be interesting to know who’s coming, why not drop me an e-mail, letting me know? This is especially true if you are coming with us on the London Eye.