Thread: AS: Definitive List of First Shipmeets - 10th birthday retro feature Board: Limbo / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by Ancient Mariner (# 4) on :
 
In putting together a history of SoF - to celebrate 10 years online (April 1st 2008) - we are compiling the definitive List of First Shipmeets.

Put simply, we need to know the exact month and year when the first shipmeet was held in each city/town.

Please post your information on this thread - and settle disputes with Christian charity.



[ 12. June 2008, 14:11: Message edited by: Campbellite ]
 

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Posted by Ancient Mariner (# 4) on :
 
I think the first Manchester shipmeet was at the Moon Under Water in Deansgate in December 1999. Can anyone advise?
 

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Posted by dyfrig (# 15) on :
 
As far as I'm aware the first actual meeting between two people from the bulletin boards (who had not obviously met previously) was when I arranged to meet Anna the Purple Fish Woman at Birmingham New Street Station for a coffee in late December 1998.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
I think I can safely say Moree, NSW, December 2006!
(OzO, FD, Clarence, Kuruman and Zappa present).

There been a few in odd places around OZ (not OzO) & NZ since I've been on board. There was also Byron Bay, July 2004. (Left at the Altar, Nutmeg, Rowen, Innocent Stranger, Arleigh and I were there).

I'm not sure if there's been an Auckland meet before January 2007: Dee, Meow, Riverfalls, Cod and I.

Similarly there was one in Wellington, (McChicken, Arabella Purity Winterbottom, Jemimah and I) and one in Hamilton, (Dee, Meow, me and possibly Eucharistica Fantastica) but I don't know if they were firsts, either. And Huia and Kuruman's mini-meet in Christchurch last year may have been a first, too!

All of which was intended to demonstrate that antipodean firsts may have been a little late in the piece!

[ 14. March 2008, 16:38: Message edited by: Zappa ]
 

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Posted by aj (# 1383) on :
 
Jan or Feb 2002 - can't remember:

Cusanus and aj (hey - that's me!) met in Hobart, Australia for one of the early Australian Shipmeets.
 

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Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
The Bristol and Exeter meets (and I think Sidmouth) were already well-established before I started going along. But I'm pretty sure I was at the first one in Abergavenny, Buxton, Chesterfield, Looe. Sorry - I don't have dates, but maybe by flagging them up here someone else who was at any or all of these who likes to keep lists of dates might help us out.
 

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Posted by frin (# 9) on :
 
I remember the Moon under the Water, with Simon and Steve being there. I would like this to be declared first, as I want in on a ship of fools first (how irritating that all those other couples got down the aisle faster!)

However, that may not be the first Manchester Meet, as July 1999 seems to have been an occassion when ship mates gathered in the northern city.

Whilst a Crewe shipmeet took place months earlier.

Yours in the spirit of research,

'frin
 

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Posted by Wairua (# 3912) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Zappa:
Similarly there was one in Wellington, (McChicken, Arabella Purity Winterbottom, Jemimah and I) and one in Hamilton, (Dee, Meow, me and possibly Eucharistica Fantastica) but I don't know if they were firsts, either.

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There was a Wellington meet in 2003 - it will test my memory to work out what month it was but it would have been before the end of July.

[ 14. March 2008, 17:17: Message edited by: Wairua ]
 

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Posted by welsh dragon (# 3249) on :
 
The launch event for the Ship of Fools website was apparently in St. Luke's church, Holloway, in 1998, close to St. Simeon's day, according to my lovely husband, who woz there.

The first carol-singing shipmeet in Brockenhurst village, Hampshire was held on 22nd December 2007 .

[ 14. March 2008, 18:07: Message edited by: welsh dragon ]
 

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Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
The first Wightmeet was April 2003 ... and I still haven't learnt!
 

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Posted by kingsfold (# 1726) on :
 
I think the first St Albans meet may have been in 2003. Shipmates included me, Schroedinger's Cat, chapelhead and Dave the bass (hope I've got the right Dave) amongst others.
 

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Posted by Simon (# 1) on :
 
The record of all the early meets, including the launch event on St Simeon's Day 1998 and the Museum Tavern meet on 27 Feb 1999 (the first "proper" meet, I think) is still online...

Crew Meets of yore

Nice to see some familiar faces in there.
 

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Posted by starbelly (# 25) on :
 
The very first meet in Exeter was either at the very end of 2000 (Nov/Dec), or perhaps Jan 2001 and was with Me, Amanda and Sean, and took place in the Imperial in Exeter. I think the conversation revolved mostly around beer.

I look so very very young in the 2001 St Simeons meet pictures...
 

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Posted by Auntie Doris (# 9433) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by kingsfold:
I think the first St Albans meet may have been in 2003. Shipmates included me, Schroedinger's Cat, chapelhead and Dave the bass (hope I've got the right Dave) amongst others.

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There's been a St Albans meet?

Auntie Doris x
 

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Posted by Ye Olde Motherboarde (# 54) on :
 
I was thinking of the first time I met the gang - Simon, Viola, Maddie, Simon, Angel, DaveC in London in the Musuem Tavern. Ah, such good memories.......
Then the one where Hookers Trick and JB met me in DC. First time I met my sweetie.

Maybe we ought to make a thread of the first ship marriages met: kind of like.....
"How we got to have our Ship Marriage remembrances"
 

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Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
I forgot the Bath meet. How could I forget meeting 16 year-old Max for the first time?!
 

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Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Please will someone define "First meet", then I might be closer to being able to give a Sheffield date.

Really wondering if the "mini-meet" between Inanna, Claire and myself, way back around 2000 counts. There may have been even earlier ones. I remember it as very wet.

If not then you will have to fast forward to 2002 and 2003 then you had best ask Pheonix who was the organiser.

Jengie
 

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Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
Does Rosemary win the record for being the shipmate who has attended many different meets consistently for the longest?

Or is there another contender for that prize?

The first Cardiff meet I knew about was in the spring of 2007. Was there an earlier one?
 

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Posted by Ham'n'Eggs (# 629) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Chorister:
But I'm pretty sure I was at the first one in ... Looe.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Chorister:
I forgot the Bath meet. How could I forget meeting 16 year-old Max for the first time?!

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Would've had to have been Summer 2004 and I happened to organise my first shipmeet in Bath! (They are always known as Bathmeets)

We had a Churchcrawl, followed by drinks and a meal in Garfunkals if I remember rightly!
I was too young to buy alcohol! My Future Godfather (Trisagion) gave me a lift home and planted those seeds which has made me the person that I am today (A Catholic Theology Student)


Max
 

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Posted by dolphy (# 862) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by starbelly:
The very first meet in Exeter was either at the very end of 2000 ...I think the conversation revolved mostly around beer.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Chorister:
The first Cardiff meet I knew about was in the spring of 2007. Was there an earlier one?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Carys:

quote:

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Originally posted by Chorister:
The first Cardiff meet I knew about was in the spring of 2007. Was there an earlier one?

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I'm trying to remember Cardiff meets -- there might well have been an earlier one than Spring last year, but I can't remember now! (Talking of which we haven't had one for a while!)

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quote:

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Originally posted by Gort:
Oh, yes! Kent, Washington in the Fall of 2005 (Sept?): MrSponge2U, Mousethief, Josephine, Bede's American Successor, The Pianist, Wm Duncan, Mrs. Duncan, and Gort.

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quote:

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Originally posted by dolphy:
If we are allowed to include mini-meets, the very first Oxford mini-meet was in the summer of 2001.

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Yours took place after our definitive very first Oxmeet, though. I pipped you to it.

It was also in the summer of 2001 - may have been late spring. Motherboard will remember the date better than I do because she was doing her Tour of Europe that year. She, the Angel of the North, Debye Waller and daughter and I met under a tree by the river in Christ Church Meadows and split a bottle of sparkling wine, before going on to Alice's Tea Shop for a cream tea, where we all signed Motherboard's shirt. As one does.
 

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Posted by Arrietty (# 45) on :
 
I think the first Washington shipmeet might have been when Moo, Motherboard, Presleyterian and one other whose real name I can remember but whose board name escapes me met me and my family when I was visiting my brother - I think it was in 2000. I still have the T shirt (a Washington Zoo one.)
 

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Posted by Arrietty (# 45) on :
 
There was also the Girly Meet in Swansea, arranged by Chalky.

Motherboard, Gill H, Carys and Anna the Purple Fishwoman were there among others and we saw St David's Cathedral and Pembroke Castle, but I can't remember when it was.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
There was also the Three A's Meet in Stratford upon Avon with you, Amos and me. When was that? I've a feeling it was 2002.
 

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Posted by Alan Cresswell (# 31) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Carys:
There was also the first St Sim's weekend in Derbyshire in July 2000

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quote:

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Originally posted by Arrietty:
I think the first Washington shipmeet might have been when Moo, Motherboard, Presleyterian and one other whose real name I can remember but whose board name escapes me met me and my family when I was visiting my brother - I think it was in 2000. I still have the T shirt (a Washington Zoo one.)

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The other person was Mary Beth. The meet was definitely in the summer of 2000; I think it was late July.

Moo
 

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Posted by sabine (# 3861) on :
 
The first (and only, as far as I know) Writers' Meet was held in November 2004 at Waycross Retreat Center (run by ECUSA) in beautiful wooded Brown County, Indiana. www.waycrosscamp.org

The Retreat Lodge (one of several facilities on the property) was rustic with beautiful scenic views from all windows, deer coming up to the deck, hiking trails, and an intriguing "ghost town" deep within the woods. (It was really an old, abandoned grist mill, covered with lichen and leaves--the weather was misty and the whole scene very poetic).

We cooked our own meals after abandoning any pretext of planning. People showed up with whatever (including two people who provided a couple of cases of Pepsi and several bags of Halloween candy--Yum!!). We ended up with good meals, lots of coffee, and nice moments writing and then reading our work around a large dining room table. Another participant brought a dvd of old Warner Brothers cartoons.

Would love to do another Writers' Meet again.

sabine

[ 15. March 2008, 13:43: Message edited by: sabine ]
 

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Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
I think, thanks to Jack the Lass' blog that the first Artist Meet was in Gloucester in around May/June 2003.

Jengie
 

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Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
Great minds Jengie, I was just thinking of the Artists' Meet this afternoon - even though I joined the ship over 5 years ago, that was already too late I think for any of the many shipmeets I've been on to have been a "first", with the exception of the Artists' meet 16-18 May 2003 (I remember the date, it was the weekend before I started a new job on the 19th). I can't remember exactly where it was (you'd have to ask AnnieP who organised it) but it was definitely Gloucestershire, though not Gloucester as it was more countryside than that.

I've still got my two pictures from that weekend too One of which isn't actually too bad, and as a result of that weekend I still dig out my pastels every so often, having not drawn before then for about 20 years.
 

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Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
The first Ringers meet was in 2006.

I believe Lev and Dave (who was still Wibblethorpe in those days) used to organise meets in Sussex back in the early days. I went to a
 

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Posted by maleveque (# 132) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Moo:

quote:

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Originally posted by Arrietty:
I think the first Washington shipmeet might have been when Moo, Motherboard, Presleyterian and one other whose real name I can remember but whose board name escapes me met me and my family when I was visiting my brother - I think it was in 2000. I still have the T shirt (a Washington Zoo one.)

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The other person was Mary Beth. The meet was definitely in the summer of 2000; I think it was late July.

Moo

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And here I was thinking that the first DC meet was in late '01 or early '02. Chastmastr, his then-SO,me, Firstborn Son, both daughters,and some other people who I don't remember who they are met at the Royal Mile Pub in Wheaton, Maryland.
Who else was there?
Anne L.
 

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Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
We had a Chicago Meet the same summer as the Colorado Meet where AlanCresswell met Flausa. Was that 2003? AlanC and Welsh Dragon were traveling to the Colorado meet and arranged stopovers in Chicago. MrSponge2U and Troy both drove up for that -- about 300 and 350 miles respectively. IIRC sabine was going to join us but had a last-minute change in plans.
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Zappa:

Similarly there was one in Wellington, (McChicken, Arabella Purity Winterbottom, Jemimah and I) but I don't know if they were firsts, either. And Huia and Kuruman's mini-meet in Christchurch last year may have been a first, too!

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I met Arabella in Wellington before the larger group met up. We had a meal in a place that had been a funeral directors, but I can't remember the name.

Also I have had mini-meets (seperately) in Christchurch with AuntBeast, Shrinking Violet, LAtA and Christine (as she was then) when they were passing through,as well as Kuruman (more recently).

I thnk AuntBeast was the first, but I will need to check the date with her if she is still contactable.

Wow, until I wrote this I didn't realise I had met so many Shipmates (few of whom still post ).

Huia
 

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Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
Actually, the Wightmeet 2003 wasn't the first meet to take place the Island if we're counting mini-meets. Tigglet and Soggy Amphibian's Grand Tour was, I think, the previous year in the November and they came to the Island too. I am sure it preceded the Wightmeet because I can remember the ordeal of having to explain to my father about these two strangely-named young men who were sleeping in my lounge!
 

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Posted by Alan Cresswell (# 31) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Mamacita:
We had a Chicago Meet the same summer as the Colorado Meet where AlanCresswell met Flausa. Was that 2003? AlanC and Welsh Dragon were traveling to the Colorado meet and arranged stopovers in Chicago. MrSponge2U and Troy both drove up for that -- about 300 and 350 miles respectively.

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ebeth and Mr also joined us for the brunch.
 

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Posted by Emma. (# 3571) on :
 
I *think* the first official Winchester meet was early 2003 when eyeliner made an appearance.... but it could have been earlier.

First official Poole meet could be as late as march 2007?!!?
 

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Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
Campbellite and I met in Roanoke, I believe it was in the summer of '05.

This meet included all shipmates living within a radius of fifty miles.

Moo
 

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Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
Simon and Motherboard met in Blacksburg in November, 1999. (I was not part of the ship then.) Motherboard had travelled all the way from Pittsburgh.

Moo
 

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Posted by Bronwyn (# 52) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by starbelly:
The very first meet in Exeter was either at the very end of 2000 (Nov/Dec), or perhaps Jan 2001 and was with Me, Amanda and Sean, and took place in the Imperial in Exeter. I think the conversation revolved mostly around beer.

I look so very very young in the 2001 St Simeons meet pictures...

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I was there by phone too. It MUST have been in Feb or March as Sean and I didn't meet on the net til feb 14 2001. I think I heavly encouraged a meeting. I seem to remember other things were discussed like marriage certificates.

We had a MILDURA meet in 2004 mid year I recall.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
We tried for another mini one in Mildura eighteen months ago but I got held up in Tibooburra!
 

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Posted by Miffy (# 1438) on :
 
The first Berkshire meet - that I know of - was held in Hampshire, at the Vyne (National trust stately home), Sherborne St John, Basingstoke, in summer or early autumn 2003, I think. Attendees: Myself, Mr M, Footdoc and daughter, Melangell, Pipkin (now Michele), Mrs P snr and the Pipkinettes, Poppy and the little Poppies, Nanny Ogg ...apologies if I've forgotten anybody.

Then there was the Basingstoke shopping centre mini-meet with self, JillyB, Emma and Alan. I can remember having problems with my mobile phone, and Emma invading the gents' toilets in Pizza Hut. Can't remember the date for that one.
 

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Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Miffy:
The first Berkshire meet - that I know of - was held in Hampshire,

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Posted by Tree Bee (# 4033) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Dormouse:
TreeBee and I had a Mini Meet in Milton Keynes sometime in 2004, I think. Followed by a Milton Keynes meet attended by TreeBee, Marvin, Kingsfold and ooh, someone else who I am mortified to have forgotten. I am sorry, Whoever you are.
We met for lunch in a tapas bar, did something else in the afternoon (or maybe we went our separate ways) and then met in The Barge pub in the evening. However I have no idea of dates. Probably 2004 or 2005. Anyone help with dates?

As far as I know, one of these would count as the first Milton Keynes Meet.

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I'm so glad I keep a 5 year diary!
We met on Saturday March 12th 2005.
The person Dormouse forgot was fee.
 

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Posted by geroff (# 3882) on :
 
We set up the first Paris shipmeet in March 2007 - can't actually remember the exact date. We met here and then went to a Bretton restaurant with Eutychus, Mrs Euty (sorry have forgotten her ship name ) and Ricardus.
Later on it turned in to the first (?) shipmeet in a mosque when Ricardus, Apothecary and I ended up in the Paris Central Mosque tea rooms!
I don't think any photos were taken though .
 

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Posted by ebeth (# 4474) on :
 
I think the first Chicago meet was in Summer 2004 at the House of Blues. Well, it was my first meet anyways.
In attendance were: Mr. Sponge, Mamacita, Alan Cresswell, ebeth, mr. e, welsh dragon, troy and ??
After the house of Blues gospel brunch, most of the gang went on the architectural boat cruise.
 

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Posted by Alan Cresswell (# 31) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by ebeth:
I think the first Chicago meet was in Summer 2004 at the House of Blues. Well, it was my first meet anyways.
In attendance were: Mr. Sponge, Mamacita, Alan Cresswell, ebeth, mr. e, welsh dragon, troy and ??
After the house of Blues gospel brunch, most of the gang went on the architectural boat cruise.

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quote:

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This is what I posted on page one:
We had a Chicago Meet the same summer as the Colorado Meet where AlanCresswell met Flausa. Was that 2003? AlanC and Welsh Dragon were traveling to the Colorado meet and arranged stopovers in Chicago. MrSponge2U and Troy both drove up for that -- about 300 and 350 miles respectively. IIRC sabine was going to join us but had a last-minute change in plans.

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I knew I was forgetting someone -- sorry ebeth! Now I remember! I can't remember what order we did things in, but there was the Chicago River cruise and the Sunday Gospel Brunch at House of Blues. We made ebeth (and mr ebeth too?) go up on the stage to sing along with the birthday and anniversary people, and as I recall, you were none too happy about that. AlanC's pictures confirm that it was 2003. Time flies (and I develop short- and medium-term memory loss).


(forgetting how to spell too)

[ 16. March 2008, 22:33: Message edited by: Mamacita ]
 

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Posted by ebeth (# 4474) on :
 
Ok, you make me go onstage, declare my undying love, etc. and you forget that?

It was quite an introduction to the ship. Not sure anyone else has had such an initiation.
 

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Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
I think the first Southwest Florida (mini)meet was May of 2002 with zandolit, Daughter-Unit and me(oh-and two Padawans). Zandolit was very brave meeting with four Jedi. We were all decked out in our "good" Sunday-go-to-meeting robes.

Thanksgiving week of 2006, we had a most marvelous meet with Flausa, Alan Cresswell, Wee Wan, Motherboard, JB, MaryFL, Saint Sebastian, Daughter-Unit and me. (Did I miss anyone?) I think that was our first regular meet. There have been several mini meets since that first one!
 

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Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Wairua:
There was a Wellington meet in 2003 - it will test my memory to work out what month it was but it would have been before the end of July.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Huia:
I met Arabella in Wellington before the larger group met up. We had a meal in a place that had been a funeral directors, but I can't remember the name.

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quote:

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Originally posted by ebeth:
Ok, you make me go onstage, declare my undying love, etc. and you forget that?

It was quite an introduction to the ship. Not sure anyone else has had such an initiation.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Mamacita:
I can't remember what order we did things in, but there was the Chicago River cruise and the Sunday Gospel Brunch at House of Blues.

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We started at church (a Presbyterian church downtown somewhere, sorry I can't remember which, though I think it was numerical, "Fourth" or something). Welsh Dragon and I were collected at the airport and driven down there, getting in a little bit late so didn't meet up with you until afterwards. Then we went to Brunch, meeting up with ebeth & mr e outside. The we had the river cruise (without mr & ebeth).
 

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Posted by Ancient Mariner (# 4) on :
 
Thanks for collective memory pooling here...

And Mamacita, if I can be 'Media Tart' surely you can be 'Attention Slut'?
 

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Posted by kingsfold (# 1726) on :
 

quote:

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posted by auntie doris:
There's been a St Albans meet?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Alan Cresswell:
The first Scotmeet was in Glasgow, I can even remember organising it, in a pub somewhere just south of George Square, but I can't remember the exact date (a bit after that, probably something like Sept 2000). AotN was there, and I think scz too. I know there'd been an earlier attempt to sort out a meet with someone called Anne who was in Dumfries at the time, but that didn't happen.

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By virtue of never clearing out my works email, I can confirm that the first planned Scotmeet was for Glasgow on April 1st 2000 (a good date, and 'frin had planned to be in town) ... but as we progressed with trying to organise it people dropped out until it was only going to be me and Anne, who decided in the end that it was too much effort to come up from Dumfries without others being there.

In September 2000 Dana toured the UK. She visited Fudge in Aberdeen, then came down to Glasgow on the 28th where we had a bite to eat and a drive around (and visited a castle).

I haven't found details of the first meet with more than two people, which probably means I had more regular net access from home by then and it's on old emails there (which having gone through a few computers at home are probably lost). It might have even been late enough for it to be organised via PM on the new UBB boards. Though, for some reason I suspect it was a 'Christmas' meet, probably in January 2001. We had the first Edinburgh meet in Oct 2001, I have one email here to someone who'd been at the earlier Glasgow meet but hadn't read a PM about the E'burgh meet.
 

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Posted by DaisyM (# 9098) on :
 
DC and Baltimore tend to blur into each other; however we did have a meet in Baltimore proper (well, Catonsville) in Sept., 2007. Were there any other meets in Baltimore before?
At that meet were Maleveque and family, the ebeths, muchafraid and Prof Kirke, Pearls Before Swine, jlg, and me. I even have a couple of pics on my cell phone which I never figured out how to upload.
 

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Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
There was a meet in Charlottesville, VA in June, 1907, the Virginia 400 meet.

Those present were Campbellite, McGuyver's Apprentice (I'm pretty sure that's spelled wrong), DaisyM, and me.

Moo
 

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Posted by DaisyM (# 9098) on :
 
A great shipmeet, and my very first!
 

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Posted by Carys (# 78) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Arrietty:
There was also the Girly Meet in Swansea, arranged by Chalky.

Motherboard, Gill H, Carys and Anna the Purple Fishwoman were there among others and we saw St David's Cathedral and Pembroke Castle, but I can't remember when it was.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Alan Cresswell:
In September 2000 Dana toured the UK. She visited Fudge in Aberdeen, then came down to Glasgow on the 28th where we had a bite to eat and a drive around (and visited a castle).

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quote:

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posted by Moo:

There was a meet in Charlottesville, VA in June, 1907, the Virginia 400 meet.

Those present were Campbellite, McGuyver's Apprentice (I'm pretty sure that's spelled wrong), DaisyM, and me.

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Are you sure about that date?
 

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Posted by Alan Cresswell (# 31) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Carys:

quote:

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Originally posted by Alan Cresswell:
In September 2000 Dana toured the UK. She visited Fudge in Aberdeen, then came down to Glasgow on the 28th where we had a bite to eat and a drive around (and visited a castle).

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I've a feeling the girly meet was in October but I wouldn't swear to that. I remember twisting my ankle coming down a spiral staircase in Pembroke castle.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom:

quote:

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Originally posted by Wairua:
There was a Wellington meet in 2003 - it will test my memory to work out what month it was but it would have been before the end of July.

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Wasn't that just before you left for the UK, Wairua? You, me, Calypso, McChicken, and at least one other person, but my mind has gone horribly blank.

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quote:

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Originally posted by kingsfold:

quote:

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posted by Moo:

There was a meet in Charlottesville, VA in June, 1907, the Virginia 400 meet.

Those present were Campbellite, McGuyver's Apprentice (I'm pretty sure that's spelled wrong), DaisyM, and me.

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Are you sure about that date?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Spike:

quote:

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Originally posted by Miffy:
The first Berkshire meet - that I know of - was held in Hampshire,

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It's perfectly logical. I organised the meet. I live in Berkshire. We decided to meet over the border in Hants.
 

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Posted by Scarlett (# 1738) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Moo:
Campbellite and I met in Roanoke, I believe it was in the summer of '05.

This meet included all shipmates living within a radius of fifty miles.

Moo

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Well see, that reminds me...Motherboard, JB and I met at a Cracker Barrell at Raleigh-Durham Airport I think in early 2003. Do either of you remember if that was the correct year? It was before Easter, because I bought a tiny white bunny that I still have.

I was the entire central North Carolina membership, since my daughter was too shy to come.
 

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Posted by Dave Walker (# 14) on :
 
Hello.

The first time I met other shipmates was, I think, on the 18th of March 1999 in a pub in Horsham. Lev was the organiser. According to the report Susanna 'was the first person to suggest the whole idea of Crew Meets in the first place'.

One meet that I don't think is mentioned in those early manuscripts that Simon linked to the Ship of Fools / Premier radio (?) Tony Campolo lecture on the 29th April 1999. I found a mention on Anglicans Online:

quote:

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'In God We Trust: Religion and Politics in the USA', a lecture in London by Dr Tony Campolo, Professor of Sociology at Eastern College, Pennsylvania, USA, comes at the invitation of our friends at Ship of Fools. The lecture will analyse current trends in religious and political movements in America. The lecture will take place on 29th April at 6.00pm at Westminster Central Hall, Storey's Gate, London SW1. A live webcast of the lecture is also planned. -- ship-of-fools.com/CampoloLecture.html

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I remember Lev being there, also Anna and I think Dave Perry. Simon and Steve must have been there of course. It was full of very earnest Premier radio-types. I had to leave fairly soon afterwards to drive to Wales so I didn't join on with any drinking etc.
 

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Posted by rosemary (# 100) on :
 
I was also at the girly meet in Swansea.
I also remember that we organised an alt worship conference through the now defunct Small Fire board. I can't remember when it was - quite a few years ago.
rosemary
 

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Posted by basso (# 4228) on :
 
The first NoCal meet that I'm aware of was in the spring of 2003. I'd been lurking and the announcement of a meet in San Francisco prompted me to register and say I'd like to come.

Kelly Alves was organizing, and Ian Climacus was coming to town from Oz. I think duchess was there too -- but I wasn't, because I realized belatedly that the nonliturgical types who scheduled the meet ( ) had selected Palm Sunday, and I couldn't get away from the choir that day. The first shipmeet that I attended was the first NoCal pizza meet, in San Mateo.

Kelly, do you know of an earlier one around here?
 

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Posted by Campbellite (# 1202) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Moo:
There was a meet in Charlottesville, VA in June, 1907, the Virginia 400 meet.

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Some of us are old enough to remember back that far?

[ETA: Do we win a prize for being the earliest?]

[ 18. March 2008, 15:55: Message edited by: Campbellite ]
 

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Posted by Nicolemrw (# 28) on :
 
The first NYC meet was a small lunchtime gathering between me, Ultraspike and Belisarius. It was shortly after 9/11, in Grand Central Station.
 

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Posted by Bagpuss (# 2925) on :
 
I was at the Warrington one in May 1999

In those days the message board updated overnight!

My one regret is having never met Simon despite much correspondence
 

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Posted by Zwingli (# 4438) on :
 
First Canberra meet was in June 2003. Participants included myself, Sean, Bronwyn, Shrinking Violet, Magnum Mysterium, Christine (as she then was), The Mid, jugular, ecumaniac, Slartibartfast, Nunc and Duo Seraphim. The next meet here was a couple of months later when AdamPater flew over from Perth on business and met myself, jugular, The Mid and Magnum Mysterium for dinner.
 

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Posted by rugasaw (# 7315) on :
 
First Houston meet. I think it was the summer of 2005. Pata and I met up with CPQ and Emma in a restaurant in Montrose. I am sure CPQ will know for sure.
 

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Posted by Emma. (# 3571) on :
 

 

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Posted by Eutychus (# 3081) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by geroff:
We set up the first Paris shipmeet in March 2007 - can't actually remember the exact date. [...]I don't think any photos were taken though .

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quote:

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I think I can safely say Moree, NSW, December 2006!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Nunc Dimittis:
Zappa said:

quote:

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I think I can safely say Moree, NSW, December 2006!

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Jugular was closer to the mark:

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quote:

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Originally posted by Ancient Mariner:
And Mamacita, if I can be 'Media Tart' surely you can be 'Attention Slut'?

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great minds think alike. I was thinking, Hammy: Attention Slut


(because we love you, of course, mama!)
 

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Posted by Ye Olde Motherboarde (# 54) on :
 
Thanks to everyone who has a better memory that I do. I was reliving all the meets I've gone to.....
I can't believe how many I've been to! Like Alan, Welsh Dragon, McGyver, and Arietty, I've been to meets on both sides of the pond.

I think that Alan and Flausa win the prize for "Best surprise from a ship meet". (but I got my best prize in JB.)
 

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Posted by Gill H (# 68) on :
 
Motherboard might win the title for 'best surprise at a Shipmeet though. She came to the Scarborough weekend, but it was kept under wraps until Alan went to fetch the mysterious 'Angelfish's friend Diana' from the station!

I'm also remembering a Newport mini-meet in Pizza Hut consisting of me, Hugal, Rosemary and, er, some chap whose name I've forgotten. I think that was the first Newport meet.

Remembering the girly weekend - that was when I accidentally baptised Sven the Moose in a cup of tea. I have not laughed so much as I did that weekend, before or since. So much fun!
 

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Posted by RuthW (# 13) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Sir Kevin:
When was the first California Meet? Could it have been in Ontario in 2003 or 2004?

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quote:

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Originally posted by comet:
I was thinking, Hammy: Attention Slut

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quote:

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Originally posted by Gill H:
that was when I accidentally baptised Sven the Moose in a cup of tea

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I'd forgotten that!


 

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Posted by Carys (# 78) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Arrietty:

quote:

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Originally posted by Gill H:
that was when I accidentally baptised Sven the Moose in a cup of tea

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I'd forgotten that!

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It was coffee!

Carys
 

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Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
So, who has been to the most shipmeets? Motherboard's name seems to show up a large number of times, as does Alan Cresswell's.

I just know that I had an absolute ball at the Colorado meet when Ozzie met Harriet!
 

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Posted by Alan Cresswell (# 31) on :
 
I think the last time we tried to work out who'd been to the most meets, which was a couple of years ago now, it was a close run thing between me and Spike. I admit I have actually lost count. And, there's always the "what counts as a Shipmeet?" question. Does my meeting up with Dana count? Or, the weddings between Shipmates I've been too?
 

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Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
I've lost count too, so let's call it quits

Of course, Gambit was well on the way to being the highest attender

[ 19. March 2008, 12:37: Message edited by: Spike ]
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Carys:

quote:

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Originally posted by Arrietty:

quote:

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Originally posted by Gill H:
that was when I accidentally baptised Sven the Moose in a cup of tea

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I'd forgotten that!

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It was coffee!

Carys

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quote:

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Originally posted by Zwingli:
First Canberra meet was in June 2003..... The next meet here was a couple of months later when AdamPater flew over from Perth on business and met myself, jugular, The Mid and Magnum Mysterium for dinner.

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quote:

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Originally posted by comet:

quote:

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Originally posted by Ancient Mariner:
And Mamacita, if I can be 'Media Tart' surely you can be 'Attention Slut'?

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great minds think alike. I was thinking, Hammy: Attention Slut


(because we love you, of course, mama!)

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quote:

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Remembering the girly weekend - that was when I accidentally baptised Sven the Moose in a cup of tea. I have not laughed so much as I did that weekend, before or since. So much fun!

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I have that photo of all of us in the tea shop close to me every day. I loved that meet! It was beyond wonderful, except of course, for Carys fall down the castle steps.
 

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Posted by Marama (# 330) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Zwingli:

quote:

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Originally posted by Zwingli:
First Canberra meet was in June 2003..... The next meet here was a couple of months later when AdamPater flew over from Perth on business and met myself, jugular, The Mid and Magnum Mysterium for dinner.

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Actually I remember Marama and Mr Marama attended also. We went to a little Greek place for dinner and I had ouzo for the first time.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Marama:

quote:

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Originally posted by Zwingli:
....We went to a little Greek place for dinner and I had ouzo for the first time.

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Yes, the place by the cinema in Manuka. It was the night Bush flew into Canberra for some shindig - I remember because lots of the roads were closed and we had difficulty getting to Manuka.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Paul W.:
I've lost count of the number of meets too, there was a period of a couple of years when we had loads in the north of England, and they all tend to blend together. Probably because most of them involved alcohol...

For the record, my "Shipmates I have met" list (the ones I can remember, at least) currently stands at 161, including 17 current or former hosts, and 7 current or former admins + editors.

Paul W
Still alive

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quote:

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Originally posted by basso:
The first NoCal meet that I'm aware of was in the spring of 2003. I'd been lurking and the announcement of a meet in San Francisco prompted me to register and say I'd like to come.

Kelly Alves was organizing, and Ian Climacus was coming to town from Oz. I think duchess was there too -- but I wasn't, because I realized belatedly that the nonliturgical types who scheduled the meet ( ) had selected Palm Sunday, and I couldn't get away from the choir that day. The first shipmeet that I attended was the first NoCal pizza meet, in San Mateo.

Kelly, do you know of an earlier one around here?

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That's the first one I can remember as well. It was spawned by 2 threads-- One titled "What is up with NoCal?" started by me, in which I expressed extreme jealously over the consistency of SoCal meets and wondered why we couldn't get it together up North.

Attendees were Golden Key, Madake, Ian Climacus, Duch,me,.. and I feel like I'm missing someone.

Trivia: me and Duch had a little mini-meet prior to the big meet to get the ball rolling.

More trivia-- the first are meet thread was titled "NoCal Ice Cream meet" and the garment rending and wailing that ensued by non-NoCal shipmates who scrambled onto the thread hoping for the coolest recipe ever `started the tradition of putting a food in our meet titles. So far, there is at least one complaint every time we pull this trick
 

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Posted by Carys (# 78) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Arrietty:
Does anyone remember when the first Brum meet was?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Alan Cresswell:
The last time I did the "how many Shipmates have you met?" exercise (which, IIRC, was on a Circus thread a couple of years back) I got to well over 200 ...

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Yep, Alan, YOU'RE THE MAN! Even Simon possibly might have you beat, though. And I remember that you and I were at the Scarborough meet that had Simon, Ancient Mariner AND Rev. Gerald in attendance. Except for the Southwark Pilgrimage, I can't remember the "HOLY TRIO" being together in one place at one time, can you?
 

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Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
In discussion with Apothecary, and also lining it up with the Buxton meet already mentioned, I've now managed to pin the first Chesterfield meet down to August 2005. We should have called it the 'Wonky Spire meet'.

That would make the Abergavenny meet the previous year, August 2004. It had to be held outside the pub, because someone brought a dog. Birdie brought a plastic duck, just like the one on her avatar, to put on the table to advertise our presence.
 

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Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Small Fires Meet Continued :

I still have pictures and webpages I put together afterwards. Would people like me to put these up again?

Jengie

[ 31. March 2008, 17:27: Message edited by: Jengie Jon ]
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Yes, please!
 

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Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Here it is almost working properly. People are properly labelled if you click on the pictures.

Jengie

[ 31. March 2008, 18:37: Message edited by: Jengie Jon ]
 

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Posted by Marvin the Martian (# 4360) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Spike:
Of course, Gambit was well on the way to being the highest attender

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quote:

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Originally posted by Ye Olde Motherboarde:
And I remember that you and I were at the Scarborough meet that had Simon, Ancient Mariner AND Rev. Gerald in attendance.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Chorister:
I think you will find much of the information already incorporated into the new site (10 years on the Ship feature).

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