bats

Yep, but that's ok as I am a miserable friendless git anyway.

SchnookoLoly

Neither you nor Siouxie can make it AND I HAS A BIG GIANT SAD.

Oakvillian

I've been keeping deliberately quiet on this thread. Am away for work most of next week, wasn't sure I'd be around for Friday evening, but there's now a slightly better than even chance that I will. Won't be a big night for me, though, as I've an early start and a full day on the Saturday.

SchnookoLoly

YAY!!!!!!!!!

This is awesome news, looking forward to it.

bats

you think an Oaky can make up for the lack of Siouxie and me? hah! and twice hah!

Oakvillian

Never, of course. How could anything make up for a banshee and some flying rodents?

I might not go, now, just so you don't feel hard done by

SchnookoLoly

Well that's not nice to the rest of is! :O

bats

nooo, we need you there to report back.

Zoe Bell

I will be there. Ben may join us later.
I have a vacation day from work so can get there anytime.

I may or may not stay late depending on schedule the next day.
I have an exam that morning. Will either be celebrating or drowning sorrows.

I think that covers it. Any questions?

Siouxie

Sorry, I only just saw this! Thanks for asking

I was very fortunate to be offered some work for a company in the UK working as a freelancer online. Unfortunately, the hours available to me tend to be unsocial ones (as they are UK based and mostly when UK staff are not available) and I often work from 1:00pm (weekends) or 7:00pm (weekdays) until the wee small hours, finishing between 3:00 and 4:00 am.

Needs must though - and it feels fabulous to actually have an income again (though having to set aside 24% for tax and CPP as self employed does reduce it somewhat)!

Novocastrian

Good news. Well done that mod.

The OH was self employed for a few years. There are some tax advantages which can offset the CPP hit etc. You probably know more about that already than I do, but if you need any tips just ask.

However, it's still unwelcome news that you can't be there on the 20th.

SchnookoLoly

Novo - how far ahead do you usually call The Yard to make reservations?

Reading through this, I think it's looking like:
Me + 1
Novo
Zoe (maybe +1)
Oakvillian
HGerchikov
Shirtback
lindamchugh, I think
Twitcher1958 + 1
London Mike
And maybe one dancing mouse

So that's 10 maybe 13.

Novocastrian

I've only called to make reservations once and I think that was perhaps on the Monday before the Friday meet. If you want to do that for us, I'd strongly suggest somewhere in the "library" which is a smaller room on the left hand side of the bar. Given that its WC time, that (a) gives us a better chance of succeeding and (b) is a lot quieter and without television screens.

<its also near, but not too near, the bathroom and my bladder appreciates that>

Jerseygirl

I'll have to drag him along...unfortunately he'll try to stop me dancing on the table.

Party pooper.

Shirtback

I *might* have a +1 in tow (my Toronto host).

Although I know nothing about the venue, I vote for the "quiet" room with no sports-coverage screens.

@Jerseygirl: Yikes! No one told me anything about table dancing... Does that mean I need a TOWIE/Geordie Shore orange makeover?? !!

S