get/together

What was that best/worst/most comforting/most infuriating fic again? Did it stand the test of time? Can you never read it again? Are you nemeses like arysteia and meelie? Do you cry like Sam or Dean? Are you afraid of people pretending to be robots? Share the wealth and/or pain.

And here's one to get you started, as promised, the "W.I.P.E." series, wherein Tony writes a killfile for all mention of Steve's death: Without Irony and Per Expectations by Tsukinofaerii.

Hi there, all, we’re at T minus three days, so let’s get this show on the road. I’ll keep updating this post until it’s perfect, and link all prior admin posts, but the only one that should come after it is the timetable so maybe bookmark these two and you’ll be good to go.

Timetable

The timetable post is here and includes the run down for Saturday and Sunday’s festivities, and also the cocktails, brunches, and dinners over the four day unofficial g/t long weekend, ie including Friday and Monday for those who are already/still in town. Obviously it goes without saying you don't have to come to everything, even if you are in town! Please make your own decisions as to how best to manage the weekend for maximum pleasure and comfort. If you've had a last minute fit of inspiration and want to get on the timetable, let me know asap!

The Hall

Things are being run slightly differently at the hall now that it is being administered by a trust instead of by the church. I’ll explain in more detail on Saturday but the big concern for me is that I paid a pretty hefty bond, so I’m trusting you all not to trash the place. I think the only practical difference is that we have to take all rubbish with us this time, so there’ll be bags for that; otherwise the usual rules about putting everything back as we found it apply. I’ve paid for slightly extended hours so we have more than enough time to cover that.

Subs

Almost every New Zealander has paid, so if you’re one of the two outstanding can you please either rectify that or have cash ready to go at the weekend. Aussies, cash as usual.

Alcohol

The hall is a strictly non-alcoholic space and always has been, but I actually signed a disclaimer to that effect this year, so even though it’s never come up before, I’m officially announcing it. Those who wish to drink at dinner are welcome to organise that for themselves. Cocktails on Friday night are a totally optional additional festivity and if you’d rather meet at the restaurant, please do so.

Admin Posts

Timetable
Venues/Food Options/Addresses
Presentations/Volunteers
Attendees/Arrivals/Accommodation
Subscriptions

That’s all I can think of right this minute, but I’ve no doubt forgotten something urgent and will be back to fix it as soon as I hit post.

Most venues remain unchanged, so if you've made it in the past, you probably know where to go. Lunch at the weekend seemed to go smoothly last year so I'm largely reproducing that.

The main venue:

Saint Christopher's Hall, Seatoun
Corner of Ventnor and Forres Streets

There's a beautiful old church to the right, sadly yellow stickered recently rescued by Peter Jackson, and a hall to the left. You want the hall! There's a fair amount of parking in the street outside for drivers.

( Assuming the absence of epic fail, this is how to get to the venue. )

Brunches and Dinners:

Friday:
Brunch at Elements, 144 Onepu Road, Lyall Bay
Cocktails at Matterhorn, 106 Cuba Street, because second chances
Dinner at Oaks Noodle House, 71-81 Cuba Street, because tradition ;-p

Saturday:
Dinner at Tandoori Heritage, 23 Coutts Street, Kilbirnie, because they can cope with our shenanigans :D

Sunday:
Dinner at Siam Thai, 64 Kilbirnie Crescent

Monday:
Brunch at The Carlton, 43 Coutts Street, Kilbirnie, because there are no buses to the beach, outrage!
Dinner at Pan de Muerto, 82 Tory Street, because two for one tapas and margarita of the day!

Lunches Saturday/Sunday:

The Four Square is definitely a superette rather than a supermarket, so good for snacks/sundries but not great for food shopping. There is a fish and chip shop (very nice), and a cafe (okay but slightly pricey) in the immediate vicinity.

If you're up for a ten minute walk (an easy and pleasant one -- assuming it's not raining which I have now jinxed -- and one which I take the kids from work on all the time so easily doable) then I actually recommend walking back to Strathmore (just through the tunnel) where there is a bakery/cafe, another fish and chip shop (more run of the mill), a Chinese takeaway, a Hell, and an Indian (though you might not want that given we'll probably have dinner at the Indian in Kilbirnie on Saturday night). Lunch breaks will be scheduled at an hour so there'll be plenty of time.

We may be able to prevail upon the drivers in the group to convoy a few extra people down to Strathmore (or to the New World in Miramar) but that's not going to be possible for me as I'll be busy at the hall prepping/fretting.

People staying at the Brentwood may choose to swing past the Pak n Save (or Countdown if that's the way you roll) or Subway in Kilbirnie before jumping on the bus in the morning. There is a goodish kitchen where you could stash your food if that seems preferable.

Lastly, some bon vivant mentioned the possibility of phoning in a group (or subset of group) pizza order to Hell in Strathmore (or indeed to Domino's in Miramar if you want cheap and cheerful instead) which is certainly possible. The only pitfall I see there is divvying up the bill, so if you think this is what you'd be in the mood for can I ask you to BRING CASH/CHANGE with you, or at the very least co-ordinate with your accommodation buddies so you can sort it out among yourselves later. I will NOT be putting this on my credit card which already has everything else on it. ;-p